The Regent Prince finally made his move!
Hearing the news from the gatekeeper, Shang Luoshu wasn't the least bit surprised. In the matter of Fang Qinhu, if he hadn't stepped in, Zhu Chengjie would surely have been implicated.
The only thing he didn't expect was that Shang Mozheng would act so quickly. It seemed that Zhu Chengjie was an indispensable pawn to him?
As he thought this, the unsuspecting General Mingwei had already led his men into the prince's mansion arrogantly. It wasn't until he saw Shang Luoshu standing in front of the main hall that he reluctantly bowed.
"Your Highness, Prince Jing. Last night, the Regent Prince was attacked in his mansion. Your subordinate has been ordered to search the entire city. I hope Your Highness... Pfft!"
"Thud!"
"Clang!"
Before he could finish his words, Zhu Chengjie was sent flying uncontrollably. His body crashed hard into a stone table on one side, followed by a series of clattering sounds.
"Zhu Chengjie, who gave you the audacity to barge into this prince's mansion?"
The unique aura of a superior was fully unleashed. The dazed military general was immediately overwhelmed, but he wasn't willing to admit defeat easily.
"Your Highness, your subordinate was acting on the orders of the Regent Prince!"
"So what you're saying is that the regent uncle told you to barge into this prince's mansion?"
The emotionless words made Zhu Chengjie break out in a cold sweat on his back.
It wasn't until he caught a glimpse of the cold light and killing intent in the man's eyes that Zhu Chengjie realized that the person standing in front of him was Shang Luoshu!
His title of prince was earned through real military exploits in the most dangerous battles. Three years ago, Shang Luoshu was entrusted with a crucial mission in a critical moment. He led his army to defeat the Southern Chu and was thus granted the title of Prince Jing.
After his triumphant return to the capital, he voluntarily handed over the tiger talisman and then stayed in the capital peacefully. He attended court on time like other court officials, but rarely expressed his opinions on major court affairs.
Over time, many people had forgotten that this man had once led a hundred elite soldiers to rout tens of thousands of the Southern Chu's troops, completely turning the tide of the war.
Recalling that war, Zhu Chengjie trembled like a sieve and could barely speak coherently.
"Your Highness, please spare your subordinate. Your subordinate is guilty. It's just that the Regent Prince gave the order, and your subordinate had no choice but to obey!"
This was the third time he had invoked the name of the Regent Prince. Shang Luoshu couldn't ignore it even if he wanted to. Because in terms of both nominal status and actual power, he was no match for Shang Mozheng.
In order to arrest Zhou Kou openly, the Regent Prince, like the man, didn't attend the morning court. Instead, he claimed that he had been attacked last night and then forcefully suppressed all kinds of doubts. Only then could Zhu Chengjie act in a legitimate way.
Compared with the stalemate in the front hall, the problem Lu Yinxi faced in the back courtyard was a bit easier, but still quite tricky, because the person she was facing was Zhou Kou, whose breath was barely perceptible.
Just before Zhu Chengjie entered the mansion, she was taken to this room by the maids of the prince's mansion. Then Hongrui was also called away by the servants.
So at this moment, there were only her and Zhou Kou in the room. One could say that the time and place were all right, and she could use her Speech Spirit freely.
However, as the surroundings gradually quieted down, the chaotic thoughts in the young girl's mind caused by Zhu Chengjie's sudden appearance gradually cooled down.
Shang Luoshu already knew that she had the Speech Spirit.
Whether it was the test in the teahouse yesterday or the current situation she was in, it was all arranged by that man.
To be honest, Lu Yinxi regretted it now. She shouldn't have been soft - hearted because of Fang Qinhu's life - saving grace to the original owner. She should have been ruthless from the beginning and turned him into a mute directly. Otherwise, things wouldn't have come to this.
Her former companions in the previous life were right. A person like her simply couldn't survive for long in the last days. As they had predicted, although she had the heaven - defying Speech Spirit skill, she still lost her life.
Putting aside those messy thoughts, the young girl's eyes gradually became firm. A moment later, a soft but commanding voice slowly sounded.
"Zhou Kou, survive!"
The sharp pain came along with the falling voice. Although she was already quite familiar with it, Lu Yinxi still couldn't help but kneel on the ground against the wall in pain.
Damn it, it really hurt like hell!
Gritting her teeth, she pushed open the door and looked around with difficulty. Great, there wasn't a single soul in sight!
In order to allow Lu Yinxi to use her Speech Spirit without any scruples, Shang Luoshu had deliberately sent away everyone around as a sign of respect. He never expected that the huge side effect of her Speech Spirit actually required someone to be by her side.
In the main hall of the front yard, the stand - off continued.
Although Shang Luoshu didn't refuse Zhu Chengjie's search, he also didn't explicitly allow him to enter. And Zhu Chengjie had just been kicked. All parts of his body were aching faintly, so he didn't dare to force his way in at the moment. The two sides could only be stuck in place.
Just then, the gatekeeper trotted in again, with an obvious look of joy on his face. "Your Highness, Vice Minister Lin of the Supreme Court requests an audience."
"Let him in."
As the servant stepped out, Zhu Chengjie's face visibly darkened. If Lin Zihan came, he would have no reason to search the Prince Jing's Mansion.
After Zhou Kou was rescued, Zhu Chengjie scrambled to the Regent Prince's Mansion to report the news. Shang Mozheng was so angry that he almost kicked him to death. But due to his future plans, he had to hold back.
Based on the deployment of the archers, the Regent Prince boldly concluded that it must be Shang Luoshu who had rescued Zhou Kou. Then, using the excuse of "bandit attack", he sent Zhu Chengjie to the Prince Jing's Mansion in his name to search first.
He never expected Zhu Chengjie's incompetence, nor that although Shang Luoshu didn't dare to provoke him directly, he wouldn't give him any face either.
As a result, he lost all the initiative.
While he was thinking, Lin Zihan had already walked in. Before he could even stand still, he started scolding. "General Zhu, what do you mean by leading your troops to the Prince Jing's Mansion so early in the morning? Are you trying to harm the prince?"
Zhu Chengjie: "It's a misunderstanding, Vice Minister Lin. Your subordinate is acting on the orders of the Regent Prince to arrest the bandit!"
"Bandit? Is it the one who broke into the Regent Prince's Mansion and caused a ruckus last night?"
Since Shang Mozheng had deliberately made a big deal out of this, Lin Zihan had also heard about it. "His Majesty already knows about this and has now handed it over to my Supreme Court. General Zhu, you'd better go back!"
"But..."
"General Zhu, are you even daring to disobey His Majesty's order?"
With the hat of disobeying the imperial order pressed on, Zhu Chengjie immediately fell silent. Then he slunk away with his men. Only then did Lin Zihan turn his attention to Zhou Kou.
"Your Highness, how is he?"
After rescuing Zhou Kou, Shang Luoshu immediately informed Lin Zihan. But it was already late at night then, and with the morning court, Lin Zihan only arrived at this time.
Shang Luoshu didn't say a word, just shook his head.
According to Doctor Wu, Zhou Kou was completely hopeless. In desperation, he thought of Lu Yinxi's Speech Spirit. However, he wasn't very sure whether she would be willing to help.
"This prince will take you to see him first."
Collecting his emotions, the two of them went to the back courtyard together. But just as they reached the viewing garden connecting the front and back yards, Shang Luoshu saw a staggering figure by the pond not far away.
It was as if a big hand had tightly grabbed his left atrium. All his actions and words became instinctive.
"Lu Yinxi, be careful!"
The water splashed everywhere. The moment she plunged into the water, the young girl felt that the whole world had become quiet. Even the pain in her chest had eased a lot.
Xiangfu, Fengluo Courtyard
The sun was setting in the west. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the flower trellis in early spring. The newly emerged flower buds cautiously peeked out from under the green leaves, bathing in the last rays of sunlight of the day.
"Really?"
A tender green leaf was suddenly yanked off roughly, scaring the flower bud to hide straight into the leaf cluster and not daring to show up again.
"Your servant wouldn't dare to deceive the Third Miss. The Fourth Miss really hasn't come back yet."
"Good!"