Lu Qian thought to himself, knowing full well that Xuan Yuan was just saying nice things, but he didn't know how much Xuan Yuan hated him. Should he take more revenge, or less? Lu Qian couldn't tell what was in his mind, but he was unwilling to tell him the truth. "You are indeed Young Master Ling," he said, "Nothing can be hidden from you. I … I was just worried about your safety. There aren't many people, about … "Xuan Yuan said," Hold on, come over here and whisper in my ear. Be quiet, don't scare them away. "
Lu Qian didn't have time to think about what Xuan Yuan was plotting, but in order to gain his trust, he pretended to be straightforward. He stepped over to Xuan Yuan's side and whispered a number. In the end, he had misreported a few people. After all, if people knew that their lives were constantly being probed, they wouldn't be happy.
Xuan Yuan didn't give any clear indication, he just grunted and tapped his toes on the ground. His eyes were fixed on the wine cup in front of him, turning it back and forth several times. Lu Qian was restless, his eyes unconsciously followed Xuan Yuan's movements. Like a child, he engraved the pattern on the cup into his heart, slowly tracing the lines. Just as he was starting to get interested, Xuan Yuan suddenly threw down the wine cup, stamped his heel on the ground, and raised his voice, "Brothers who are enjoying the scenery outside, come down!"
In an instant, the room was strangely quiet, but no one showed up. Xuan Yuan laughed coldly, "Aiyo, it seems like my words are useless now. Lu Daren, you should do something and discipline your subordinates. Merits and demerits should be reported with appropriate rewards and punishments. What's the fun in being nameless heroes? "
Lu Qian's heart was full of helplessness. Xuan Yuan seemed to be affectionate, but in reality, he was hiding a knife behind a smile. Disobeying him wouldn't do him any good. "Didn't you hear?" He asked. "Your concealment skills aren't good enough," Lu Qian said. "What's there to say? Everybody, come down and let the Lord Baylor Ling deal with you. "
As his voice fell, almost at the same time, 'whoosh! whoosh!' sounds could be heard coming from all over the eaves. They were dressed in the same uniform. Their outer garments were similar to the color of the eaves, and their inner garments were black. Everyone squeezed in front of the door and knelt down in unison. They said, "We pay our respects to the Lord Baylor Ling!" Their voices were as loud as a bell, imperceptibly creating a bit of grandeur.
Xuan Shuang smiled and said, "There really isn't anything good out there. The sun is scorching hot during the day, and the ground is freezing at night. I'm sitting in front of a charcoal fire in my room, eating and drinking, but my brothers are suffering on the roof. I'm really sorry. Everyone was patient and managed to hold on until the end. Even if you tell me you want to come in and have a seat, it won't hurt. It just so happens that there are some leftover desserts here. Everyone, please come and have a taste. "
Everyone looked at the snacks and shook their heads vigorously. They retreated in panic as if they had been poisoned. Xuan Shuang sighed and said, "It's rare that I have the heart to entertain guests, but you are unwilling to give me this face. What a pity! But Lord Lu, this account is a little unclear. You just reported to me that there were eighteen people, but when I counted them one by one, why is there only twenty-three? Could it be that my arithmetic is not up to standard? "
Lu Qian also didn't expect that this group of people would show up to receive their orders without any delay. Fortunately, he was quick-witted and immediately responded, "It's like this. There are indeed eighteen people who have officially received the order. But because this matter isn't top secret, the imperial bodyguards at the side weren't willing to fall behind even if they heard it. The extra five people didn't report to me and came on their own. "
Xuan Shuang said, "So that's how it is. Loyalty is the most important word, and your sincerity is commendable. Those of the Snow Song Palace, listen well. In the future, if everyone can be as self-aware as Lord Lu's subordinates, what can't be done? Who else is worthy of being our opponent? " He changed the topic and said, "I want to see who these five people are. It's also good to have them come out and set an example. I'll also reward them with a few taels of silver. Lord Lu, please turn around first. You are not allowed to look back without my permission. "
Lu Qian didn't know what Xuan Shuang was trying to do, so he reluctantly turned around. Even though he knew full well that the other party was just a child, as well as his own group of subordinates, he still felt inexplicably flustered. This was a great taboo in battle. He had carefully observed it for many years, so it was even harder for him to adapt to the sudden change compared to ordinary people. He raised his ears high, using them as his eyes, and paid attention to the movements behind him. His fingers interlocked, he secretly prepared himself.
Xuan Shuang said, "I've always been fair in my rewards and punishments, but I'm not blindly manipulated by others. Before that, I still want to confirm the identities of those five people. Someone, bring me paper and brush. "
Not long after, a subordinate came forward with a large stack of white paper and distributed it to everyone one by one. Xuan Shuang said, "Everyone, dip your index finger into the inkstone on the table. When I say begin, if you're one of the extra five people, then make a tick in the center of the paper. If you're not, then keep a blank piece of paper. Everyone, be realistic. If it's yours, then it's yours. Don't worry about others. I have my own ways of distinguishing between the real and the fake. "
However, these people were all under Lu Qian's command, how could they differentiate between regular soldiers and miscellaneous soldiers? If there were five people who could falsely claim this false title and receive the reward for no reason, the rest of the people would not be willing to accept it. Therefore, they had to scramble to draw more than five hooks. If the number of hooks could not be equalized, they would give Xuan Shuang a good excuse. Lu Qian could not turn his head, but as soon as he heard Xuan Shuang announce the rules, he had already guessed the little trick hidden in the dark. Of course he would not be fooled, but he did not dare to guarantee that he would be fooled by those brainless subordinates.
Listening to the people behind him jostling and jostling, the people lined up in front of the table to dip their ink. It was quite a long time before they returned to their original positions. As soon as Xuan Shuang gave the order, "Begin!" the people behind him immediately became silent. To Lu Qian, this was an invisible ominous omen. But he could not turn his head, he could not speak; he could only be anxious.
It felt as if several hundred years had passed in this torment. Then, he heard Xuan Shuang say, "Good. Before the answer is revealed, no one will know who drew the hooks, including me. Everyone, please fold the paper and put it in your pockets. " Whether they were Lu Qian's subordinates or the spectators of the Snow Song Palace, the imperial bodyguards were all laughing and joking as if they were playing a game. After a series of rustling sounds, Xuan Shuang said, "Alright, Lord Lu, you can turn your head around."
Lu Qian was really impatient. As soon as he received permission, he immediately turned his head around. Even though he knew that Xuan Shuang would not let him see the slightest clue, he still couldn't help but look around. It would be good if he could find some hidden clues. However, as expected, his eyes almost cramped from staring, but he still did not find anything.
Xuan Shuang said with a grin, "Lord Lu, you won't send people you are not familiar with to protect me, right? Otherwise, you will be too irresponsible for my safety. In order to prevent people from falsely claiming credit, I have no choice but to be more vigilant. Now, please point out which five are the extra ones? "
Lu Qian was greatly shocked. He originally thought that he had played enough with the imperial bodyguards. Who would have thought that it was far from enough to satisfy this little rascal? Now, not only was he implicated, but it was also in such an awkward manner. He really wanted to cry but had no tears. He swept his gaze over everyone's faces. However, Xuan Shuang also followed him and faced the crowd. This made it so that even if they wanted to give him a hint, they could not initiate it. They looked at him several times, but still could not make up their minds.
Xuan Shuang urged him from time to time, "Lord Lu, are you done?" At that time, Lu Qian had gathered everyone and ordered them to only listen to reports every day. As for how many people had gone, even he himself was not clear. Even the eighteen people just now were just nonsense that he had casually made up.
Now that he was riding a tiger, it was hard to get off. He could only grit his teeth and choose five people who looked slightly unfamiliar, but whose faces were full of righteousness. They looked like people who knew how to loyally protect their master. In order to prevent further embarrassment, he rushed to find a way out and said, "I also don't remember clearly, but … it seems to be these five people."
Xuan Shuang said, "Very good. Five people, please step forward and come to the center of the room." The five people obeyed and stepped forward in a row. Xuan Shuang said, "I naturally trust Lord Lu. However, there are always exceptions to everything, so I will have to confirm it again. Everyone, please take out the white papers from your pockets and spread them out in front of your chests. "
Lu Qian's heart thumped loudly. If the two sides crossed, there was no doubt that they would lose, and it would be even more embarrassing. He watched helplessly as the five people took out the papers. Four of them were white. However, even a dying man would struggle. Without waiting for Xuan Shuang to open his mouth, he slapped his forehead heavily and said, "Ai, recently I've been so busy with Xueer's matter that my head isn't working well. I can't even remember people clearly."
Xuan Shuang said, "But it's also pitiful. Oh, little virtuous son, come out here. When did you seek refuge with Lord Lu? Why didn't you tell me? All these years, I've treated you well, and I won't blame you. Or are you deliberately treating me like an outsider? "
The imperial bodyguard with the single hook on the paper walked forward. He was indeed a eunuch. He said in a shrill voice, "This servant, little virtuous son, pays respect to the Lord Baylor Ling. This servant is under orders to protect the Lord Baylor Ling. That's why this servant mingled with the other big brothers. In that case, isn't this servant the extra one? "
For a moment, Lu Qian was almost in despair. He was just short of holding his head and squatting down to repent. From beginning to end, Xuan Shuang was smiling mischievously, as if he was looking at a group of monkeys who followed his orders with satisfaction. He said again, "Lord Lu? Looks like I've won this round again. You want to fight with me? You're still too inexperienced. "
Lu Qian was being lectured by a child in front of his face. He said, "That's right, that's right. This time I've let you down. But I'm also worried about Xueer … "Xuan Shuang said," Humph, humph, so selfless. You're worried about someone else's wife. What's so great about you? " Lu Qian's face immediately swelled to the color of a pig's liver and turned purple. If a crack opened in the ground right now, the first one to crawl into it would most likely be him.
Xuan Shuang saw that Lu Qian was extremely embarrassed. He had already been taught a lesson. He waved his hand and sighed, "Forget it. Who told us to be good friends? What is a brother? A brother is a friend who will go through water and tread on fire for the other at a critical moment, not someone who will scheme against each other. Seeing your sincerity, I'll let you come with me to see my Shifu later. But there's one thing I have to say in advance: he has always been temperamental. Even I, his disciple, can't understand his temperament. If by any chance something goes wrong, you can't blame me. "
Lu Qian was overjoyed. It was as if he had been given a new lease of life after being tormented in purgatory. Naturally he repeatedly said that he didn't dare, but at the same time he thanked him profusely.
This time Xuan Shuang finally stopped messing around with him. He unfolded several pieces of paper, studied them, and determined the general direction. These past few days he appeared to be greedy for pleasure, but in reality he was not idle at all.
The several letters Li Yijie had entrusted to be placed in Lu Qian's hands were given to him early in the morning. The letters had been tampered with. In the eyes of those who didn't know, they would interpret them according to the usual practice. Eventually they would come up with several wrong inferences, and then they would go around in circles until they returned to the starting point. Only Xuan Shuang knew how to decipher them. With great difficulty he was able to decipher the mystery of the map in his room, and then he secretly made preparations to depart. Because they were waiting for the official departure, neither of them brought anything with them.
Along the way, Lu Qian did not dare to complain too much, for fear that Xuan Shuang would get angry and change his mind. Finally they arrived at an abandoned 'fortress'. It was one of the big families that Xuan Shuang had destroyed along with Jiang Liechen. Standing in front of the threshold, he took out a small cannon from his bosom, ignited it, and threw it into the sky to send out a signal. Not too long afterwards the manor also sent out a series of fireworks in response.
Xuan Shuang said in a low voice, "I'll go in alone. You wait outside first. You must be patient." Lu Qian was unwilling, but the situation was unclear. If he followed rashly, he would not be able to help Xuan Shuang. All for Nangong Xue, so he swallowed his anger and gave up.
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