Why didn't he get straight to the point?
Prince Rong's Estate didn't have any lanterns?
Zhang Bo, believe it or not, if all the lanterns in the Rong Estate were to be burnt to ashes, they would be enough to bury you.
Moreover …
They wouldn't be burnt for fifty years!
Jing Rong looked around and whispered to Zhang Bo, "This matter shouldn't be publicized. This Prince only wants to see those lanterns."
Zhang Bo also lowered his voice. "Very well. Your Highness, this way."
Thus, she brought Jing Rong to the warehouse where the lanterns were stored and dismissed everyone inside.
There were about thirty to forty boxes of folded lanterns that were transported from Fangshui. Some of them had already been unpacked and neatly hung on the side.
There was no smell of sulfur, but there was the smell of burnt paper.
After all, Ji Yunshu's nose had always been very sensitive.
It wasn't strange that she could smell sulfur from the stains on Shi Zijin's body.
Jing Rong picked up a lantern and turned it around in his hand. Then, he brought it to his nose and sniffed it. Sure enough, he could smell a hint of sulfur.
"Bring me a match." Jing Rong ordered.
Zhang Bo quickly fetched it and asked curiously, "Your Highness, is there a problem with this lantern?"
"I don't know. Try it!"
After saying that, he lit the lantern and hung it on the side. Then — —
Wait!
The two of them stared at the lantern for a long time.
During this time, Jing Rong didn't make a sound. Zhang Bo could only stand at the side without saying anything.
Until …
Half an hour later, the undamaged lantern suddenly burst into flames. It fell to the ground and burned to ashes in the blink of an eye.
It was like a firework explosion.
Jing Rong wasn't surprised. Instead, he nodded slightly.
However, Zhang Bo was truly shocked. He had never seen a lantern ignite on its own.
While he was stunned, he asked Jing Rong, "Your Highness, why did the lantern do that?"
"Because the lantern was coated with sulfur and carbon powder."
"Sulfur and carbon powder?"
Zhang Bo couldn't believe it. He quickly found a new lantern, opened it, and sniffed it. However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't smell any sulfur or carbon powder.
He shook his head. "Why can't I smell it?"
Dear, go and see the doctor and get a new nose.
"Because the smell of sulfur and charcoal is covered by the smell of burning paper, it's hard for ordinary people to smell it."
Of course, This King is not an ordinary person.
"Your Highness, your nose is really amazing!" Zhang Bo couldn't help but praise.
Jing Rong's expression was solemn. His heart was filled with a myriad of complex emotions. He couldn't help but clench his fists in his sleeves.
He thought to himself, This old man is really ruthless!
Zhang Bo also realized the seriousness of the situation. Looking at these lanterns, he also had a headache.
"Your Highness, why are these lanterns covered with sulfur and charcoal powder?"
He shook his head.
Zhang Bo continued, "I'll send someone to inform the Han Academy immediately."
Just as she was about to leave, Jing Rong stopped her.
He said sternly, "This matter cannot be made public. Imperial Father's birthday is the day after tomorrow. Nothing can happen."
"But …"
"You should know the severity of this matter. This King has come here personally to investigate this matter. I do not wish for others to know, so that I can resolve this matter in secret."
Jing Rong made his intentions clear.
Seeing Zhang Bo's hesitation, Jing Rong put on the airs of a prince and threatened, "Lord Zhang, your Dispatch Bureau is in charge of internal affairs. The Emperor's birthday and the Crown Prince's consort selection will be held at the same time. There cannot be any mistakes. If something like this happens to the Dispatch Bureau at this critical juncture, you should know what the consequences will be. As the person involved, will you be able to escape the responsibility?"
Zhang Bo trembled.
Of course I can't escape the responsibility!
Moreover, Jing Rong was right. If something happened, the entire Dispatch Bureau would be implicated. Not only would he lose his official position, but his family might also be implicated.
If the Emperor was enraged, wouldn't his entire family be executed? Wouldn't that be a huge sacrifice?
Thus, he cautiously asked Jing Rong, "What does Your Highness think?"
Jing Rong replied without hesitation and without blinking, "Change all these lanterns immediately."
"Replace them?"
"Otherwise, do you have a second choice?"
Of course not!
Zhang Bo replied, "Yes, but these lanterns were transported from Fangshui City. Should we …"
Before he could finish the word 'investigate', Jing Rong narrowed his eyes and sternly said, "Lord Zhang, leave this matter to this Prince. You only need to send someone to replace the lanterns. Don't say a word to avoid alerting the Capital Magistrate and Supreme Court."
Zhang Bo deliberated for a moment before nodding.
Soon, this batch of problematic lanterns was replaced.
That night, Jing Rong went to the Li Residence.
When the messenger saw him, he immediately went to report his arrival. But …
There was no response.
The manservant was also trembling. His old master's temper wasn't new. If he didn't want to see him, even if the Emperor came, he would have to wait.
However, the person he was waiting for was also a prince. How could the manservant not be nervous?
However, Jing Rong wasn't in a hurry. He drank a few cups of tea in the hall.
Until …
The sound of coughing could be heard.
Old General Li's elegance didn't diminish.
Jing Rong immediately stood up and the two of them cupped their hands in greeting.
"I didn't expect that after so many years, you would grow from a child to a valiant and elegant prince."
Eighteen years ago, Jing Rong was only six years old.
Jing Rong replied with a smile.
The two of them sat down. Old General Li poured a cup of tea but turned it in his hand. He had no intention of tasting it.
"Old General Li hasn't been to the capital for more than ten years. Why did you suddenly come to the capital at this time?" Jing Rong asked.
The old man replied, "I came to see an old friend."
"Old General Li is a veteran of three dynasties. At his age, it's reasonable for him to miss an old friend. However, as far as this Prince knows, there isn't anyone in the capital who can be considered an old friend of Old General Li's."
Jing Rong knew Old General Li's connections like the back of his hand.
However, Old General Li only responded with a smile.
Then, he squinted his eyes as if he was basking in the moonlight. He leisurely leaned back in his chair. If he wasn't careful, he would probably fall asleep.
Fortunately, Jing Rong had a good grasp of his temperament, so he wasn't in a hurry.
He drank another cup of hot tea.
'If you want to waste time, then let's waste time!'
After some time, Old General Li finally spoke. "Your Highness, why don't you get straight to the point? Although that Teacher Ji was as patient as you, he didn't beat around the bush like that thing Qin Shiyu. Your Highness shouldn't learn from that thing. "
Jing Rong wanted to laugh when he heard Old General Li mention that thing.
The only person who dared to call Qin Shiyu 'that thing' was probably Old General Li.
Jing Rong got up and walked a few steps out of the hall. With his back facing Old General Li, he said, "Old General Li must have waited for this day for a long time, right?"
His voice was deep and resounding.
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