Chapter 844: Not Quite the Same

Editor: Henyee Translations

Tang Jinghong led his troops to the capital city overnight, while Chu Qingzhi stayed in Wan City to continue her investigation.

During the day, Tang Jinghong and his group entered the capital. “Shengdong, go find a large basin of water,” he instructed.

“Yes, General,” Meng Shengdong replied, obtaining a basin of water from the homes of nearby residents. Tang Jinghong poured the medicine into the basin and stirred it with a spoon. “Everyone, take a sip.”

Following Tang Jinghong’s order, Meng Shengdong scooped up half a bowl for Tang Jinghong, who drank it first. Then, all the soldiers took turns drinking a sip each.

After drinking the water, it didn’t take long for everyone to feel as if they had inhaled menthol, their heads becoming cool and clear.

“Let’s head directly to the Ministry of Revenue,” Tang Jinghong said.

Meng Shengdong stopped Tang Jinghong, “General, these are stones, not grains. We can’t take them there.”

He had thought that the general and Chu Qingzhi had another plan in mind, not expecting them to actually transport stones to the Ministry of Revenue. Even if they were desperate, this wasn’t the way!

Tang Jinghong confidently said, “Just take it there first, you’ll understand why later.”

Despite his concerns, Meng Shengdong couldn’t disobey the general’s orders. They continued on, and regardless of his worries, they eventually arrived at the Ministry of Revenue.

The Secretary of the Ministry personally greeted them, “General Tang, you’ve worked hard.”

Tang Jinghong dismounted and politely said, “Please inspect and store these goods.”

“Of course.”

Meng Shengdong and others in the know were on edge, their bodies tense. Just a bit more pressure, and they felt they might snap.

The Secretary led his men to inspect each bag one by one. After the inspection, he approached Tang Jinghong, “General, you’ve worked hard. Please sign the document, and then it will be entered into our storeroom.”

Tang Jinghong took the brush and signed his name on the handover document, “Thank you, sir.”

Meng Shengdong and others were bewildered. What was happening? Weren’t those stones? How could the inspection be successful? Were the people at the Ministry fools?

Tang Jinghong shot Meng Shengdong a look. Hesitantly, Meng Shengdong went to check the grains and his eyes widened in disbelief…

Grain, actual grain!!!

A multitude of questions rose in his mind. What was going on?

Seeing his reaction, the others stretched their necks to see and were also shocked and confused upon seeing the grains. When did the stones turn back into grains?

All eyes turned to Tang Jinghong, seeking an explanation.

After leaving the Ministry, seeing Meng Shengdong’s bewildered expression, Tang Jinghong explained the situation to everyone.

After hearing the explanation, everyone felt like beating up the person responsible. It was such a vicious plan. What if they had discarded the grains thinking they were stones?

“General, we must find this person. If not kill him, at least cripple him!”

“As long as you can find him, you’re free to deal with him as you see fit.”

“Yes, General.”

…

Due to the unexpected turn of events with the assassins, Mou Yongfeng did not go to see his master again. Instead, his older brother came to find him.

This was already the second night.

As soon as Ji Youshan arrived at the inn, he beat Mou Yongfeng until he was bruised and swollen, looking like a pig. After the beating, he continued to scold him for half an hour.

Ji Youshan roared, “What the hell is going on?”

Mou Yongfeng, with a pained face and body, asked, “Big brother, what do you mean? Why are you beating me?”

Ji Youshan, trembling with anger and gasping for breath, said, “You’ve caused a big mess, and you still have the nerve to say it hurts.”

Mou Yongfeng appeared utterly clueless, “I didn’t do anything. What big mess could I have caused?”

“You sent people to kill Chu Qingzhi, and not only were the assassins’ bodies sent back, but I also received a threatening letter. Couldn’t you have thought a bit before acting?” Ji Youshan couldn’t help but kick Mou Yongfeng again.

“I, I…” Mou Yongfeng’s body stiffened.

“What do you mean ‘I’? Idiot! You’ve dragged me down with you!!” Ji Youshan was furious at Mou Yongfeng, his incompetent ally.

At that moment, a letter was delivered. After reading it, Ji Youshan calmed down, “Hurry up and clean yourself. Come with me to see the master.”

Mou Yongfeng, legs turning to jelly, stuttered, “Big brother, can we not go?”

“What do you think?” Ji Youshan signaled his subordinates, who lifted Mou Yongfeng from either side and left the inn.

Chu Qingzhi, who was eavesdropping from next door, thought to herself that it was worth the wait. Finally, she got what she came for. She summoned a few parrots and followed them.

…

In Wan Garden.

Dressed in her night clothes and using her flying technique, Chu Qingzhi followed them silently through the air, eventually tracking them to Wan Garden.

This place was specially designated for entertaining foreign envoys or princes and princesses from other countries. It was extremely luxurious, with rare plants and flowers everywhere.

At the moment, a few red plum blossoms and small flowers hung on the branches, emitting a faint fragrance.

Chu Qingzhi landed on the rooftop, arms folded, watching as the group moved through Wan Garden with barely audible steps.

Shuang’er perched on Chu Qingzhi’s shoulder, staring intently at the group with her round little eyes.

Chu Qingzhi frowned suddenly, noticing that their direction was becoming increasingly off, not seeming to head towards the prince.

As they entered a secluded room, Chu Qingzhi flew over and landed on the rooftop of that room.

Inside, a man in black with his face covered sat at a table, about to write something. The arrival of Ji Youshan and others interrupted him.

“Master!” Ji Youshan knelt on one knee.

“Master.” After Mou Yongfeng knelt down, he called out fearfully.

“The plan failed?” The man in black turned to look at them, his gaze emotionless yet intimidating.

Mou Yongfeng trembled and prostrated himself on the ground, “Master, it’s my incompetence! Please punish me!”

“It is indeed time for punishment,” the man in black paused. “I told you to set a trap for Tang Jinghong, and you failed, but who told you to go after Chu Qingzhi?”

Mou Yongfeng hastily said, “If not for Chu Qingzhi, the plan would never have failed. I just wanted to make amends for my mistake.”

“Idiot!” The man in black closed his eyes and backhandedly slapped Mou Yongfeng across the face. The plan’s failure was one thing, but acting on his own initiative and nearly ruining a greater scheme was unforgivable.

Mou Yongfeng’s cheek bled from the slap, and he pleaded fearfully, “Master, please calm your anger. I won’t dare again.”

The man in black angrily said, “Do you realize that you nearly sabotaged our superior’s grand plan?”

Mou Yongfeng was confused, holding his face, looking bewilderedly at the man in black.

The man in black was exasperated by his foolish subordinate. “Fortunately, someone intercepted the assassins. Otherwise, you’d be beyond redemption even with a hundred deaths!”

Mou Yongfeng was even more puzzled. What exactly did the master want?

Chu Qingzhi, eavesdropping, was also puzzled. It seemed things weren’t quite as she had expected.

Dismissing Mou Yongfeng, the man in black turned his attention to Ji Youshan. “Where is Tang Jinghong now?”