167. The Faith Of Loyalty

On this morning, the Emperor was more than an hour later than usual for the morning meeting. It seemed that he was deliberately putting the meeting off to express his anger.

It made senses. The emperor had the right to be angry as someone was propagating the rumor of ghost story and punishment by heaven.

On this day, some officials were fearing while  some kept silent, a few were really anxious, and a few were just watching the fun!

Han Tingxuan was the latter after he had a talk with Tian Yusu.

Two officials almost fainted as they couldn’t bear the pressure. They were at official ranking level of five.

However, although their official rank was not high, it did not make any sense that they were so nervous.

Finally, it was discovered that the two officials were distant relatives of the dead Wang Qing.

The two of them did not look like they knew what Wang Qing had done. Han Tingxuan felt so sorry for them.

The Minister of  the Ministry of Punishments and several vice minister were under a lot of pressure.  Even though they had investigated the case the whole night, there was still no result.

Now they only found out that Liu Yong should have been stalked when he was alive. But they had no clue who had he actually met?

Therefore, the Ministry of Punishments was under great pressure, especially when Mo Yanzhi ordered them to solve the case as quickly as possible!

After the morning meeting, Official Li, vice minister of the Ministry of Punishments, the one who took over the case from Han Tingxuan last night, went to talk with Han Tingxuan. After greeting to each other, Official Li asked about Han Tingxuan’s opinions on what happened last night with a very respectful and modest attitude.

Han Tingxuan knew that Official Li was under great pressure. He thought for a moment and said, “Official Li, there might be clues whom had Liu Yong met with? There are not many places Liu Yong usually visit. It is very likely that he would meet up with someone at places that he usually visited. Besides, since he knew a lot of people. It is very likely that he might bump into someone he knew on his way to meet up with the murderer.  As long as you could find out how many places he had been in the past two days, it would be helpful!”

Official Li’s eyes brightened when he heard this. They were already working on the first half, but had no tried the latter one. They should give it a try if needed.

“Other than that,” Han Tingxuan lowered his voice. “Something must have been applied to the handkerchief. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have caught fire. The Emperor and I gave the handkerchief to him. He definitely wouldn’t show it to every random person. Why would someone be able to touch the handkerchief? It means that someone knew about the existence of the handkerchief. Perhaps it was the owner of the handkerchief, or someone who accidentally saw it! This is also a clue. And it is not easy to apply something to the handkerchief. Yes, Wang Qing was dead, but Wang Qing might or might not be the one who applied something to the handkerchief. Besides, who had contacted Wang Qing and gave him the handkerchief? If you can find out the answer, I bet you will get very close to the truth.”

Official Li was silent for a moment before he softly said, “Thank you for your advice. Shame on myself. It never occurred me that Wang Qing might not be the one who applied something to the handkerchief.”

Han Tingxuan smiled. “You are just under too much pressure. Relax. Maybe you will find something incredible.”

Official Li nodded. The two of them talked a lot about the case before they said goodbye.

After that, Han Tingxuan went back home. After breakfast, Han Tingxuan went to see Zhou Yueqing and Xi Yan.

The internal injuries that Xi Yan was suffering were getting much better with Shadow Four’s help who performed a treatment three times on daily basis. But the treatment would last three more days.

When Zhou Yueqing and Xi Yan saw Han Tingxuan, they hurriedly bowed to greet him. Han Tingxuan waved his hand to greet back.

“Are you getting better now, Mr. Xi?”

“Thank you for your concern. I feel much better,” Xi Yan looked much better than the first day he got injured.

“Good,” said Han Tingxuan with a smile.

At this time, Zhou Yueqing said, “Your highness, I happen to have something to talk with you.”

“Hmm? What is it?” Han Tingxuan asked.

“Tomorrow is Xuantian The Elderly’s birthday. He once taught my father a lot. My father received the news but unfortunately, he can’t make it. So he wants me to pay a visit on behalf of him.”

“Hmm? Xuantian The Elderly? ” Han Tingxuan smiled. “Yes, you should do that.”

Zhou Yueqing thought about it and asked, “Are you going too?”

Han Tingxuan was stunned. “I’m probably not going.”

Zhou Yueqing relaxed a little as Han Tingxuan sounded easygoing. “You might have heard of Xuantian The Elderly’s name. Since I am going to take care of Xi Yan here, I might not have the time to go to his birthday party. Could you pay a visit on my behalf?”

Han Tingxuan immediately understood Zhou Yueqing’s good intentions. He was to give up on the opportunity that he might be favored by Xuantian The Elderly to buy a chance for him.

However, Han Tingxuan was not interested in the old man. As he was about to refuse,  someone outside came over to report that Tian Yusu had visited.

Han Tingxuan raised his eyebrows slightly and said to Zhou Yueqing, “Hold that thought. We will talk aboiut it later.”

Zhou Yueqing agreed.

Han Tingxuan left and Tian Yusu was already waiting for the reception room.

“What brings you here?” Han Tingxuan smiled and walked in. Han was already there. However, when he saw Han Tingxuan, Han immediately walked over.

“Big Brother.”

Han Tingxuan patted his shoulder.

Tian Yusu smiled slightly. “I’m here to make an appointment with you.”

“Hmm?” Han Tingxuan was confused.

Tian Yusu raised an eyebrow. “You really don’t know? Tomorrow is a good day.”

Why tomorrow again? Han Tingxuan guessed. ” Xuantian The Elderly?”

Tian Yusu raised his eyebrows. “So you already know.”

Han Tingxuan was confused. “Am I going too?”

Tian Yu asked rhetorically. “You don’t want to go?”

Han Tingxuan said honestly, “It is just that I am not interested.”

Tian Yusu sighed and smiled, “I thought you would really want to go?”

Han Tingxuan rolled his eyes. “Why would I?”

“Isn’t it for the best if the Xuantian The Elderly would like to give you some advices?”

Han Tingxuan smiled and said, “You are overthinking!”

Tian Yusu was silent and said, “Fine. My bad. But you have to go no matter if you are interested or not!”

“Hmm? Why?” Han Tingxuan was confused.

This time, it was Tian Yusu’s turn to roll his eyes. “Would you be happy that Xuantian The Elderly’s next disciple is someone from Dongfang family or the Nangong family again?”

Han Tingxuan was stunned. “He is going to take in disciples?”

“Yes, this is what I heard.”

Han Tingxuan inhaled. “He is going to take a disciple. This is a big deal,” it was much more serious than giving advices.

Tian Yusu sighed. “I will go on behalf of the royal family. You will too.”

Han Tingxuan fell silent and asked, “Who else will go other than the two of us?”

Tian Yusu said, “There are a total of five.”

Han Tingxuan was surprised. “There are so many royal members at about age?”

Tian Yusu was speechless. For the first time, he felt that there was something wrong with Han Tingxuan’s brain.

Han Tingxuan blinked, not understanding what he had said wrong.

Tian Yusu sighed. “It doesn’t mean that they have to be a member of the royal family. They can be supporters of the royal family. They are royal to the imperial family.”

Han Tingxuan realized that he had misunderstood.

“Alright. I came here to share the news with you. And you are going to pick a gift with me.”

Han Tingxuan was stunned once again. “Do you have to pick in person?”

Tian Yusu was speechless. “Xuantian The Elderly is a highly prestigious man. Do you think a random gift would be enough to express your respect to him? If you pick a random gift, I bet you will leave him a bad impression.”

“I see…” Han Tingxuan blinked. Alright. He had been dumb today.

Tian Yusu cut the chase. “Just tell me. Are you ready to go? Or you need me to wait for you?”

“Wait,” Han Tingxuan thought of someone and left immediately.

Tian Yusu raised his eyebrows. A moment later, Han Tingxuan  came back with Zhou Yueqing.

Zhou Yueqing did not expect that Han Tingxuan  would participate and without taking his place! Come to think of it. Han Tingxuan was Prince Chen’s husband. He could go everywhere he wanted.

It was a glory that he went there on behalf of the royal family.

And now, Prince Chen’s husband was going to take him to shop for birthday gifts. He must have considered that he did not have much money for buying a birthday gift. Zhou Yueqing glanced at Han Tingxuan. He was more curtained that he would work for Han Tingxuan.

Tian Yusu raised his eyebrows slightly as he saw Zhou Yueqing.

Han Tingxuan explained, “Mr. Zhou is temporarily staying in the house.”

Tian Yusu looked at Han Tingxuan meaningfully.

The moment he looked at Han Tingxuan, Han Tingxuan rolled his eyes at him because he could imagine that Tian Yusu was misunderstanding him.

At this moment, Han walked over. “You are coming with us too,” said Han Tingxuan.

Han nodded. “Okay, I’ll protect you, Big Brother.”

Tian Yusu suddenly felt depressed.

Thus, the four of them left together and the secret guards followed behind.

At the same time, at Bamboo Lane.

Yue Youbai yawned lazily. He woke up now.

His servant immediately went forward to serve him. Yang Shuo once sent a servant to serve him.  but Yue Youbai used some tricks to cause the servant to have an accident. Therefore, Yue Youbai filled in one servant who was his own fellowman.

This servant was new to the brothel. He was sold to the brothel.

The servant said softly: “Tomorrow will be the 90th birthday of the Xuantian The Elderly.” Then he explained the social status of the old man in the Heaven Empire.

“Hmm? So, many people will go? And they are talented young men?”

“Yes.”

“So many people…” Yue Youbai’s eyes narrowed slightly. “They are all the backbone of the country. If anything happens to them, the country will suffer from a great loss.”

The servant said softly, “What plans do you have?”

“Mmm, I will have to make a great plan. No mistake is allowed on such a great chance.”

The servant no longer spoke. He would just take orders from his master.

Then, Yue Youbai got up, put on makeup, and looked at his strange face in the mirror. For some reason, he thought of the kiss the day earlier.

Then, he frowned hard. Why did he think of this?

What a bummer! Yue Youbai almost smashed the mirror.

Thinking of the devil, Yang Shuo said outside.

“Xue, are you up?”

Yue Youbai almost smashed the door. Why is this person so annoying?

As no one answered, Yang Shuo talked to himself, “He is still sleeping? He did not pass out, did he? I’d better check on him!”

Then, he pushed the door open.

Yue Youbai, “…”

He had seen a lot of shameless people, but none of them could compare to Yang Shuo. Damn it! Yang Shuo! I will kill you when I leave here! I will kill you! I will kill you!

Yue Youbai’s face looked extremely pale. But Yang Shuo was very happy when he saw him.

“Xue, it’s good that you are up!”

Yue Youbai forced a smile, “Boss Yang, is there anything you would like to talk to me so early in the morning?”

“Early in the morning?” Yang Shuo was surprised. “Dear Xue, it’s almost noon!”

“Dear Xue?” Yue Youbai’s voice was squeaky.

Yang Shuo suddenly put on a “shy” smile. “Yeah, I don’t think ‘Xue’ is not close enough. But dear Xue is.”

What the heck! Yue Youbai could feel that he was about to lose it.