bookrebus Chapter 168: Visit by the King of Pingnan
Chapter 168: Visit by the King of Pingnan
Xia Yunfeng's move was not only to protect Xia Ranran from falling into the numerous conspiracies set by Ling Zhiyun, but also to prevent the internal conflicts of the Xia family from further expanding and leading to irreversible consequences.
There was a subtle light flashing in Ling Zhiyun's eyes, as if hiding a thousand twists and turns of thoughts, and Ran Ran's innocent face seemed particularly helpless in the face of such depth, and she was unable to guess the true intention behind Ling Zhiyun's words.
Ling Zhiyun gently pursed her cherry-like lips, and a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. How could she really be unaware of the thorny warning in Xia Yunfeng's words?
I secretly thought in my heart, Xia Yunfeng, oh Xia Yunfeng, how dare you provoke me like this, there will be a day in the future when you will regret it and bow your head to me for help!
"Then I won't bother you any more."
After she finished speaking, she turned around lightly, leaving the room in silence and a hint of provocation in the air.
Wei Ruoming's recovery speed was amazing, like a spring breeze blowing across a frozen river. In just a few days, he was full of energy and his lively figure almost made people forget that he was lying on a sickbed not long ago.
The love that King Pingnan had for his nephew was obvious. Although the beating with a military stick seemed harsh, it was actually a lesson that was just right. Each blow was precisely controlled, which not only punished his mistakes but also did not really hurt his body. This was why Wei Ruoming was able to recover so quickly.
However, Wei Ruoming was smart and cunning. Even after his injuries were fully healed, he had no intention of returning to the barracks immediately. Instead, he followed Ling Mohui around like a shadow every day. His behavior made Fu Yansheng quite helpless, so he simply moved his office outside Ling Mohui's door so that he could respond at any time.
Ling Mohui was caught in the middle, feeling confused and only wishing for a quiet piece of land, away from this endless entanglement.
One day, the Prince of Pingnan came to visit in person. When the news came, everyone in the palace was busy and rushed to the main hall to welcome the king.
"I never thought that His Majesty the Prince of Pingnan would come to my humble abode in person. You must have something important to discuss with me, right?"
Xia Yunfeng was extremely respectful, and his words were full of awe.
Prince Pingnan took a sip of tea leisurely and said calmly: "I heard that Prime Minister Fu was staying here for a while, so I came here specially to reminisce about the old times."
Fu Yansheng responded modestly: "Your Highness is too polite. If you want to summon me, a military order will suffice. How dare I trouble Your Highness to come in person?"
Prince Pingnan looked at Wei Ruoming meaningfully, and said slowly, "Master Fu, there is no need to be so reserved. To be honest, I came here for two reasons: first, I wanted to see Prime Minister Fu, and second, for the matter of my useless nephew."
Wei Ruoming knew it very well, and the teacup in his hand seemed to become heavy. He thought to himself that if he didn't return to the team, his uncle would probably come to "invite" him in person.
"Uncle, if there is an order, we only need to issue a military order. Why bother you?"
Wei Ruoming imitated Fu Yansheng's tone, trying to ease the tense atmosphere with a relaxed tone.
Upon hearing this, Prince Pingnan threw the teacup in displeasure. Fortunately, Wei Ruoming reacted quickly and the teacup passed by his shoulder, but happened to fall at the feet of Xia Yunfeng beside him, startling him so much that he almost fell off the chair.
This action seemed to be silently questioning why the recovered prince was not sent back to the military camp on schedule?
When Xia Yunfeng was feeling anxious, the King of Pingnan said slowly, "I sent people to deliver messages privately many times, but you ignored them. Now you ask me why I came here in person?"
Wei Ruoming laughed awkwardly: "Uncle, didn't I tell you that my injury is not fully healed yet?"
"I know better than you when your injury will heal!"
There was displeasure in the words of the Prince of Pingnan, and it seemed that he was about to lose his temper again.
Xia Yunfeng hurried out to mediate: "Your Highness, calm down. Your Highness was just having fun. There is no urgent matter in the army at the moment, so it's fine for now. But if there is an urgent matter, the prince will not dare to slack off in the slightest."
Prince Pingnan put down his teacup and said solemnly, "You are right. I do have a military matter to discuss during this trip."
These simple words were like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, and a serious and tense atmosphere suddenly filled the hall.
As the wife of the Prime Minister, Ling Mohui originally attended the event just out of courtesy, but she never imagined that this accidental gathering was closely related to the country's military affairs, which made her heart tighten.
She was about to stand up gracefully and lift her skirt to show her courtesy, but unexpectedly, the gentle voice of King Pingnan rang out in the room: "It's okay, we are all family, why should we be so formal, just sit down."
Upon hearing this, Ling Mohui lowered her eyes slightly, a hint of helplessness flashed across her face, then she pursed her lips and chuckled. Following King Pingnan's wishes, she sat back on the soft brocade cushion, her posture graceful and dignified, like a quietly blooming lotus.
"That's right. Our intelligence shows that the Yanzhou army has already reached the border, and the envoys we sent out two days ago to negotiate peace have not been heard from since. This is not only a matter of personal safety, but also involves the dignity of our army. We cannot let our envoys disappear in the enemy's territory without any explanation."
King Pingnan's tone was calm, with worry hidden between his brows, revealing the severity of the current situation.
When Wei Ruoming heard this, his blood boiled and he stood up without hesitation. His upright figure showed his determination and courage: "I am willing to go! Let me find out the truth and find the messenger."
"Don't act rashly," King Pingnan hurriedly stopped him, his brows furrowed into the shape of the Chinese character "川". "We are not facing an ordinary general on this trip, but the young and mysterious prince of Yanzhou, Sheng Xuanzhi. We know very little about him. If this person has a perverse personality and no credibility, if you fall into his hands, the consequences will be disastrous."
Wei Ruoming's face was firm and his eyes were bright. His usual cynicism was gone at this moment, replaced by an unquestionable firmness: "Uncle, I am not a rookie. After years of experience on the battlefield, I am confident that I can successfully complete the task. Among all the deputy generals, I have the most exquisite martial arts. I am fully capable of spying and reconnaissance. Do you still have any doubts about my ability?"
After saying this, he bowed slightly, his attitude sincere but with an unignorable pride.
Prince Pingnan looked at his nephew in front of him with mixed feelings.
He was well aware of Wei Ruoming's ability and courage, but he felt overwhelmed when he was asked to take the risk alone.
Wei Ruoming is the eldest princess' only son whom she cherishes like the apple of her eye. If he is lost, it will be an unbearable pain for the entire palace.
At this time, Fu Yansheng slowly stood up, his voice calm but revealing an irrefutable determination: "The disappearance of the envoy is related to the face and dignity of our country. I am willing to accompany the prince on his mission to the border. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for me to meet this Sheng Xuanzhi in person and find out his background."
Everyone knows that Fu Yansheng is not only extremely intelligent, but also often surrounded by many experts to protect him.
The King of Pingnan invited him to participate in this trip because he actually hoped to draw on his wisdom and strength.
However, even Fu Yansheng could not easily predict the danger of this journey.