The news of Prince Shou’s arrival in Fengri City quickly spread throughout the jurisdiction; many people wanted to invite His Highness to visit their own territory, hoping to make an appearance.
Xie Youlin was given full responsibility for arranging Prince Shou’s itinerary within the Fengri City region.
The first stop was Tu Kui City, to see the most famous "fields" there. Standing atop a dike and surveying all around, everywhere his gaze fell was lush green rice paddies growing vigorously, creating an imdiate sense of abundance and reassurance at the sight.
After that, the remaining three major towns were also visited, including mines and the pig iron foundry. At each place, he would amiably accept invitations from local gentry or officials to feasts; each occasion a grand event, basically anyone qualified could join the gathering, even if only to glimpse the kindly and approachable Prince Shou from afar.
Shen Hao accompanied the entire way, although he honestly did not want to co, but the important duty of guarding the Prince left him no excuse to shirk.
Especially since, in the past month around Tu Kui City, the Local Governnt Office and the Hundred Households Guard Station had already submitted reports concerning signs of evil prowling the outskirts. With such circumstances, he dared not be careless.
In just a few days, word from outside naturally did not escape Shen Hao’s attention, and he was taken aback by the news revealed by Yang Lin.
An official like Xie Youlin at a Local Governnt Office could rely on anyone without raising eyebrows. In local governance, reaching fifth-rank official status without backing is nearly impossible. Moreover, Xie Youlin’s career path is quite transparent; now that he has actively chosen to align with Prince Shou, it is only logical, as he has no other choice.
But to find out that Wu Changhe was also one of Prince Shou’s people was truly unexpected.
After all, though the Xuanqing Guard isn’t military, it is under the Emperor’s direct command, acting as his Imperial Guard. Yet, such an important place as the Fengri City Thousand Households Station is actually entrusted to soone who served as Prince Shou’s Imperial Guard—what kind of logic is this?
And Shen Hao clearly rembers that Wu Changhe was parachuted directly from the Commander’s Office; in other words, Wu Changhe’s appointnt was surely approved by Lord Pang, the Commander himself.
Isn’t Lord Pang famously neutral? Why the sudden...
Shen Hao found himself unable to make sense of the situation. Regarding the highest leader of the Xuanqing Guard, Pang Ban, he had only heard rumors, unable to judge whether this was a deliberate signal from Pang Ban or if there was yet another hidden reason behind Wu Changhe’s appointnt.
After following for four days, Prince Shou had already visited the area surrounding Fengri City. Shen Hao thought the return journey would co next, but instead, it was far from over—the Prince started visiting governnt offices. Not just the Local Governnt Offices, but even the Xuanqing Guard Hundred Households Stations in every city, speaking a few words with front-line soldiers each ti.
Wasn’t this going a bit too far?
Previously, the constant touring could still be described as "sightseeing"—just on a grander scale, with more attendants, sothing that could be excused as a prince’s casual interest.
But directly entering governnt offices to inquire into political affairs—that surely crossed the line?
This could no longer be explained as "sightseeing." Isn’t this exactly what Wu Changhe had previously called a "visit"!
Shen Hao couldn’t help but marvel at Prince Shou’s boundless courage. Wasn’t he concerned the court’s Advisors would impeach him into oblivion? Or that he might lose all opportunity through improper conduct and incur His Majesty’s displeasure?
It was really impossible to understand. All Shen Hao could do was instruct the Black Banner Battalion not to go near Prince Shou, though he couldn’t control others—especially those of simpler mind, who, seeing even Wu Changhe, the Households Commander, standing by Yang Lin’s side, promptly followed suit, leaving Shen Hao sweating for them.
At the Pingshun City Governnt Office, Prince Shou’s interrogation naturally focused on the recent cover-up of the plague case. Fortunately, the forr Pingshun City Chief Officer and all other related personnel were now long dead; otherwise, they would have been too ashad to face anyone. The current Chief Officer was promoted by Xie Youlin, who, both technically and emotionally, sided with him, treating Prince Shou’s arrival entirely as an "inspection."
"By the way, I heard it was the Xuanqing Guard who discovered and promptly contained the plague—Households Commander Wu showed great foresight and diligence."
"Your Highness flatters . This subordinate was rely fulfilling his duty." Wu Changhe answered with modesty and a smile; it was true that the plague case had made him quite famous throughout the Dynasty. Everyone who chatted about it knew the na Wu Changhe.
"Since we’re talking about this, I might as well hear of your Xuanqing Guard’s accomplishnts firsthand—co now, tell the whole story from beginning to end."
A crowd had gathered; seeing Yang Lin’s high spirits no one dared interrupt, so everyone joined in praising Wu Changhe. Wu Changhe did not refuse; although the case was not directly handled by him, he had ticulously read the dossier and knew all the details of the investigation process.
However, to detail the investigation ant he could not avoid the Black Banner Battalion, and ntioning that ant he couldn’t avoid Shen Hao, this subordinate of his who felt a bit exasperating.
"So the lead in the investigation was the Fengri City Black Banner Battalion Hundred Households Officer, Shen Hao? Heh, Households Commander Wu’s subordinates truly are outstanding. I like talented people the most—tell , is Hundred Households Shen present?"
"He is, Your Highness. In these days, Shen Hao has been leading the Black Banner Battalion elite to safeguard Your Highness’s security at the periter."
"Summon him."
Shen Hao’s na in Jingxi was not quite a household one, but at least everyone on the payroll had heard of him—after all, he was a well-known Xuanqing Guard officer who had appeared several tis in official reports. Especially among officials in Pingshun City, his na was thunderous; if not for Shen Hao, there would not have been such a slaughter here.
Upon receiving the summons, Shen Hao hurried over.
"This subordinate, Fengri City Black Banner Battalion Hundred Households Officer, Shen Hao, greets Your Highness Prince Shou!" He bowed formally, then stood off to one side with hands lowered and head slightly bowed, eyes full of suspicion: Why am I being summoned?
"Rise. Hundred Households Shen, please be seated."
Shen Hao sat as instructed at the end of the row. Looking up, he found that Prince Shou before him was smiling with remarkable warmth; his gaze was gentle, his presence exuded calm, making Shen Hao instantly feel at ease.
But in the very next mont, Shen Hao beca wary.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for the seat!" Shen Hao’s deanor leaned toward the firm, martial style cultivated in the Xuanqing Guard.
Though he replied politely, inwardly Shen Hao imdiately activated the Soul Suppressing Skill, first steadying his own Sea of Consciousness. Just now, the aura emanating from Prince Shou had so easily affected his senses, raising internal alarms—this was a sensitivity honed from long practice of the Soul Suppressing Skill.
As expected, after activating the Soul Suppressing Skill, Shen Hao could no longer sense a trace of "peacefulness" or "warmth" from Prince Shou. Especially the Prince’s eyes—now revealed as chillingly cold and terrifying.
"I just heard from Households Commander Wu that Hundred Households Shen has led the Fengri City Black Banner Battalion to repeated achievents—a rare talent, indeed. I was eager to et you. I did not expect Hundred Households Shen to be so young—truly a young hero! Hahaha..."
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