156. To Plot Against The Brothel

A prince travelling from far to celebrate the new year was a big deal.

Therefore, the entire court was surprised by the news.

Some of the court officials thought that the Yue Empire was playing a scheme. They did not suggest inviting the prince over! Otherwise, it would bring disaster to the Heaven Empire.

Some officials supported that they should invite the prince over to show the curtsey. Besides, there was a possibility that the Yue Empire came with a friendly bonding.

Since the founding of both countries, the two empires only had diplomatic relationship decades ago. Back then, they had al friendly relationship. But as time passed, the two empires were not so friendly.

About twenty years ago, the two empires had a small battle. It was also why so many soldiers had been guarding the boarders.

At that time, compared to the Yue Empire, the greatest enemy of the Heaven Empire was the Jin Empire, one of the three empires.

Only the Jin Empire was the real enemy of the Heaven Empire!

Because since the founding of the empire, the Jin Empire had always been the enemy of the Heaven Empire. Their two countries had fought almost every year. They were basically a match. So far, no one could really win the other.

However, as the Jin Empire had been overweeningly ambitious, there would be a war sooner or later.

On the other hand, the Yue Empire had always maintained neutral. It was neither a friend with the Heavenly Empire nor with the Jin Empire. They had never engaged themselves in the war between Heaven Empire and Jin Empire!

Only the Yue Empire knew what they were up tp.

However, the entire royal family of the Yue Empire, including Tian Yuexi and Tian Yusu, never thought that the Yue Empire was easy.

Han Tingxuan and Mo Yanzhi had a particularly strong feeling about this because so many things happened lately had a subtle connection with the Yue Empire.

Perhaps Yue Empire wanted more than the Jin Empire!

Now that the Yue Empire sent their crown prince and the only she-man prince, it was hard to believe that they were not up to something.

However, what exactly were they up to and what should do to fight back? They had to give it a good thought.

An official even suggested taking the crown prince and the she-man prince of the Yue Empire as hostages. What a stupid suggestion!

It was an unwritten convention that envoys were supposed to be protected by both countries who had a talk. Not to mention that the envoy was a crown prince.

It was basically forcing the Yue Empire and Jin Empire to ally.

Han Tingxuan was speechless about this suggestion.

The officials posed various suggestion but came to no conclusion this morning.

After the morning meeting, Tian Yusu, Han Tingxuan, Dongfang Ye, Nangong Qingtian, the Left Premier Li Su, and Wang Yi were invited to the imperial study.

Duke of Guanjing was invited over too but he did not go because he was “sick” and had to rest at home.

The second meeting lasted for two more hours.

Two hours later, the emperor sent out a response to the letter from the Yue Empire. The emperor sent his welcome to the crown prince and the she-man prince of the Yue Empire as a way to rebuild the friendship between the two countries.

After the small meeting ended, it was time for lunch. Mo Yanzhi invited them to stay for lunch.

However, Han Tingxuan was the only one left behind. The rest officials left with all sorts of excuses.

Only Han Tingxuan could not get the hint of the emperor’s message which was only a courtesy to invite them for lunch.

In this regard, everyone else's thoughts were different.

Mo Yanzhi chased the servants out because he did not want anyone to disturb him and Han Tingxuan at lunch table!

Han Tingxuan agreed with him on this.

"Hubby, Yue Youbai has disappeared again," said Mo Yanzhi. "With a few secret guards taking turns watching him, he has disappeared again. He is extraordinary at kungfu.”

Han Tingxuan thought of it. "Since the crown prince of the Yue Empire will come this time, they will probably meet up here. What is Yue Youbai up to?”

"Not very good thing, for sure. The biggest goal of the Yue Empire is the Heaven Empire!"

Han Tingxuan thought for a moment and said, "If that's the case, I'd like to see who is working with Yue Youbai. How dare he betray the country?!"

Mo Yanzhi nodded. "Yes."

Han Tingxuan hesitated for a moment before continuing, "We have not heard of anything about Master Shifu yet. He left us a few words: Qiankun, Shadowless, Sun. We have understood the meaning of “Sun”. If “Shadowless” was the assassin's sect, the Shadowless Sect had been quiet these days. The martial art world barely knew them now. It was difficult to trace them down.”

Mo Yanzhi's body froze and slowly lowered his eyes.

Han Tingxuan's heart ached but he was helpless. "Yanzhi, Master Shi left us with information under such circumstances. I even suspect that he found a shocking secret, so he chose not to escape."

Mo Yanzhi looked up and said, "Hubby, I think so too."

Han Tingxuan let out a sigh of relief. "Really?"

"Mmm," Mo Yanzhi nodded. "I believe in Master Shifu's ability. If he wants to go somewhere, no one can stop him, which I firmly believe."

"Good," Han Tingxuan's lips curved. "Then we will wait for his news."

“Mmm,” Mo Yanzhi also smiled. He knew what his husband meant and knew that he was not supposed to be get too worried. So he did not show his worry.

"What does the word 'Qiankun' mean? There is no such sect."

Mo Yanzhi thought about it for a while, "I've thought about it for a long time, but I can't figure out why. Master Shi wrote it first and ‘Sun’ at the bottom. ‘Qiankun’ should be the most important thing. However, we don't know what this means."

Han Tingxuan sighed. "Forget it, let's not think about this first. I even suspect if Master Shifu's disappearance has anything to do with the Yue Empire."

Mo Yanzhi was stunned. "Hubby?"

Han Tingxuan said softly, "All things are happening together. If it isn't a coincidence, then it must be related. As I said before, these things had something to do with Yue Youbai. They might have anything to do with Master Shifu.”

Mo Yanzhi was silent.

Han Tingxuan held his hand. "But this is just my guess, but I'm not sure about it. When they got here, let’s meet Yue Youbai personally.”

"Okay," Mo Yanzhi nodded.

After lunch, Han Tingxuan left without delay. However, before leaving, he had repeated that Mo Yanzhi should take a nap. Mo Yanzhi agreed and did so.

If not for the fact that it was too risky to stay longer in the emperor's dormitory at day time, Han Tingxuan would have to stay until Mo Yanzhi fell asleep.

Han Tingxuan went straight back to the Han residence. When he got home, Shadow Four reported that Yang Shuo was waiting inside. And Yang Shuo came in disguise.

Yang Shuo? Han Tingxuan thought that it was either the Restaurant of Bon Appetite or the Bamboo Lane. He went to the meeting room.

"Brother Han," Yang Shuo stood up as he saw Han Tingxuan.

There was a smile on Han Tingxuan's face. "What brings you here?"

Yang Shuo smiled bitterly. "There's something about Bamboo Lane."

"Hmm? What about it" Han Tingxuan immediately asked.

"A few people in Bamboo Lane have been poisoned. The doctor can't find out what kind of poison is. It happened two hours ago.”

Han Tingxuan  was shocked. "Is it serious?"

"It's not fatal, but their faces…" Yang Shuo paused. "Their faces are full of pimples, some even pustules, look quite scary. Even the doctors are not sure if it will be contagious. Therefore, I quarantined the people who were poisoned.”

Han Tingxuan frowned. "What doctors did you get?"

"They are quite famous doctors in City of Capital. I got three, but neither of them can't tell what kind of poison. They just said they were poisoned."

"Poison…" Han Tingxuan thought for a moment. "It's not appropriate to get an imperial doctor for this matter. There is someone who might be helpful. I'll take him later. You can leave first."

Yang Shuo apologized, "Brother Han, this is my mistake. I didn't anticipate that someone would target at the she-men at Bamboo Lane. I thought that they would aim at Bamboo Lane at most."

"No." Han Tingxuan shook his head. "It is just a start. You don’t need to apologize. Be careful in the future. You can leave first. I'll come later."

"Okay," Yang Shuo didn't say anything else and left.

Han Tingxuan thought about it and went to talk to Han. With regards to the toxin, Han would be the perfect one to turn to other than doctors.

Over the past few days, Han and Tian Yusu were not that distant any more but they had not told each other their feelings yet.

When Han Tingxuan went to look for Han, Han was teaching Zhou Lie martial arts.

"Uncle Han!" Zhou Lie bowed politely. Han Tingxuan smiled and touched his head. "Mmm, Lie, how are you learning?"

"Good. I can understand what Master Shifu said," Zhou Lie was very young, but he was very mature just like Tian Zhuoyou.

"You can understand what Master Shifu said? Very good." Han Tingxuan smiled but he felt so unfair because Haishan The Elderly once yelled at him when he started to learn martial arts.

What a loser he was compared to Zhou Lie!

"Brother, what brings you here?" Han asked.

Han Tingxuan immediately said, "Go out with me. There is something I need your help.”

Han nodded immediately, then said to Zhou Lie, "You can go now. Practice what I told you just now."

"Yes, Master!"

Han Tingxuan left with Han. Han did not ask where they went. In any case, Han had a blind trust in Han Tingxuan.

However, after making up to disguise themselves and getting to the Bamboo Lane, Han was a little suspicious.

Han Tingxuan was confused. "Let’s go in. What's wrong?"

Han said softly, "Big Brother, you're cheating on Yanzhi."

Han Tingxuan was speechless.

As Han Tingxuan didn't say anything, Han immediately said, "Big Brother, I'm serious. We shouldn’t have come to such a place. Yanzhi will be angry when he finds out!"

Han Tingxuan was speechless.

Han added, "Big Brother, let's go!"

The corner of Han Tingxuan's mouth twitched and he finally said, "It's not that you are thinking."