Looking at the beaten and bruised Yu Shikui, Wang Bolao still felt sowhat jittery.
At that ti, he was also one of those driven to the quarantine area. Although he was the mayor of this town, he didn’t even have the authority to speak, much like Shang Jingwang, and was scared out of his wits.
Yu Shikui, with a somber face, said to Wang Bolao, who ca to greet him, "Announce that this Prefectural Governor wishes to et with the Lord Imperial Envoy!"
Wang Bolao stamred, "My Lord... the Lord Imperial Envoy has gone to the inn!"
"Gone to the inn? For what?"
"For an inspection, perhaps!"
Yu Shikui looked at him, seeing sweat rolling down his forehead, and blandly said, "Lead the way!"
Wang Bolao dared not refuse and had to jog ahead to lead the way.
Yu Shikui had suffered a silent loss last night and was filled with anger. He wrote a letter in the morning to be sent to the capital city. Bai Yi might have died, but his unrest would leave him no choice but to act ruthlessly.
Seeing Wang Bolao’s timid and fearful deanor, he asked nonchalantly, "Mayor Wang, are there any temples here?"
Wang Bolao thought he misheard and was stunned for a mont before reacting, "No... no, this place is remote, and there’s only a Mountain God Temple on the hill."
"Is there a master inside?"
"No!" Wang Bolao, not knowing why he asked about this, cautiously said, "Does Lord Yu intend to conduct morial rites for the deceased epidemic victims?"
morial rites for the deceased epidemic victims? Do they even deserve it? Yu Shikui sneered inwardly and ignored Wang Bolao, a re country bumpkin who wasn’t even worth talking to.
Reaching outside the inn, Wang Bolao hurriedly said, "Right, right there."
The authority radiating from Yu Shikui was so heavy, and his eyes were cold like a viper’s, causing his legs to tremble.
Considering he was about to et the imperial envoy and that Huangfu Jinxuan often disrespected him, he didn’t want Wang Bolao to see, so he waved his hand dismissively.
Wang Bolao, feeling greatly relieved, hurriedly saluted and left.
In the inn, the shopkeeper was accounting behind the counter. As the door darkened with a few people entering, he glanced up. Although Yu Shikui’s face was bruised and barely recognizable, he recognized the clothes and was startled. He quickly ca from behind the counter and saluted, "This humble one greets my lord!"
"Where is the Lord Imperial Envoy?" Yu Shikui ignored him, and it was his attendant who asked.
Fortuitously, it had been only a mont, and the shopkeeper quickly said, "In the east wing!"
"Then hurry and guide my lord there!"
The shopkeeper nodded and bowed, "Yes, yes!"
"Heh..." A cold laugh, followed by a mocking voice, said, "Such a majestic display of authority!"
A few people were erging from the east wing, and the voice of ridicule unmistakably belonged to Huangfu Jinxuan.
Huangfu Jingchen was not in the room. Huangfu Jinxuan, ever mischievous, had deliberately taken a room next to his, not necessarily to stay, but being closer to the princely heir wasn’t wrong.
Just having checked the room, he returned and heard the commanding voice of Yu Shikui’s attendant.
Yu Shikui was very annoyed by Huangfu Jinxuan, but on the surface, he had no choice but to bow respectfully and salute, "Second Young Master, Wangshan Town is rustic; did you sleep well last night?"
This was just a casual opening line; after all, he ca voluntarily to see the imperial envoy, needing a way to start the conversation.
Huangfu Jinxuan glanced at him and said, "I have nothing to be guilty about, so why wouldn’t I sleep well? Besides, who dare disturb my sleep?"
He did feel so fear last night after returning, not fearing ghosts, but rather Wei Jun’s words that if it were a martial arts expert, killing them would have been as easy as crushing ants.
His life had almost stepped into the Yama Hall last night, so how could he not be frightened?
But Yu Shikui picking on this very topic was irritating. Huangfu Jinxuan got annoyed and sarcastically said, "How about you, Lord Yu? Changed quite a bit in just one day? Were there too many pillars in Wen Hao’s tent, or was the road too bumpy, causing that bruised face?"
Yu Shikui: "..."
It was only because Huangfu Jinxuan’s eyes had slight dark circles that he asked the question.
He knew about his bruised face; anyone with eyes could see. Did it need to be broadcasted for everyone to hear?
It felt like swallowing a fly, but since he hadn’t started the conversation well, he had to admit his unpleasant luck. Despite his anger, he maintained his smiling face, saying, "Second Young Master jest. I accidentally fell out of bed last night. My apologies for the embarrassnt!"
Huangfu Jinxuan, knowing the source of his injuries, continued to tease rcilessly, "Oh, Lord Yu, aren’t you still missing soone to dump your Marquis Anning’s chamber pots? So restless even in sleep. Look at that bruise, as if punched. Even I feel the pain just looking at it! If Marquis Anning saw this, how heartbroken he would be!"
Yu Shikui’s facial muscles twitched, yet he maintained a grin, "Second Young Master, you’re very considerate!"
"Why have you co to see ?" Seeing Yu Shikui turn green with anger, Huangfu Jinxuan was delighted and didn’t push further.
Yu Shikui said, "As the Lord Imperial Envoy is new here, this Prefectural Governor, being a fatherly officer, wishes to ask if you have any instructions."
"If I’m new here, aren’t you new here too?" Although mischievous, Huangfu Jinxuan had already grasped the situation the previous day.
For Wangshan Town, Yu Shikui hadn’t been here much longer than him. In fact, Yu Shikui had co with the intent to kill, and about the town’s situation, he likely knew less than he did.
Yu Shikui replied, "I regretfully admit I received the news late and ca as soon as possible. Henceforth, I shall cooperate fully, and should there be any matters, please feel free to instruct!"
Huangfu Jinxuan nodded, "Alright, your attitude isn’t bad. I’ll call you if anything cos up!"
Just then, a fragrance wafted in. Wang Bolao had instructed his steward to have the al brought over once prepared, and it had just arrived.
The inn’s front hall was furnished with tables and chairs, previously used by guests for dining. However, once the epidemic started, the inn lost business. Although Huangfu Jingchen resided here, he didn’t dine here, leaving the tables empty.
Huangfu Jinxuan directed, "Set it up, set it up. This young master hasn’t had a proper breakfast; I just happen to be hungry."
A large bowl of chicken, a plate of fish, a plate of at, and a bowl of rice.
Braising chicken, fish, and at, nothing new.
Simple and uncomplicated.
For those like Huangfu Jinxuan, accustod to spending hundreds of taels of silver on a single al in the capital, this was nothing. But for the hungry, these genuine flavors were quite appetizing.
Just as he picked up his chopsticks to eat, he turned his head and saw Yu Shikui still standing there, eyes fixed on the dishes. He cast a sideways glance and cheerfully said, "Lord Yu, fancy a bite?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers