The Empress's No.1 Lackey
Chapter 689 - 458, Jianning 45 Days (7,000-Character Long - )_4

Chapter 689: 458, Jianning 45 Days (7,000-Character Long Chapter)_4

Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow: "Who is it?"

Bodhi Bodhisattva shook his head and said:

"Among them, some are suspected to be sorcerers, but they all hide their faces, sneaky as ghosts. The only one who shows his face is not a sorcerer but a martial artist. A martial artist you know."

The one I know? An acquaintance? Zhao Douan asked curiously: "Who?"

"The chief disciple of the Qingshan Martial Immortal, Duan Shuiliu."

...

...

As the residence of the Prince, the Prince Jing Mansion is different from the Shen family, which places the family mansion outside the city. The entire royal mansion is built within the prefecture, in a prime location.

At this moment, deep within the mansion, in a garden piled with strange rocks and artificial mountains bought from various places.

Prince Jing, with loose-fitting robes and slightly greying temples, an aristocratic and refined demeanor, is seated in a hexagonal pavilion. In front of him is a long green bamboo fishing rod, the end slightly bent, with a thin fishing line dipping into the pond beneath the pavilion.

Beside him, there is a bamboo basket, and behind the basket is a set of stone tables and chairs.

Currently, Duan Shuiliu, short and stout, with a somewhat square face and a huge nose, wearing a black robe, is seated at the table, holding a lamb leg in one hand and a wine jug in the other.

Feasting heartily.

The table is filled with food, Duan Shuiliu takes huge bites of the fragrant lamb, chews and swallows, his rough appearance starkly contrasting with the graceful Prince Jing.

Swallowing the lamb, he picks up the wine jug, tilts his head back to gulp from the spout until no more wine comes out, then tosses it aside.

"Bang!"

The exquisite silver wine jug flies out of the hexagonal pavilion, plunging into the pool, startling the golden carp in the water.

"Mr. Duan, you’ve frightened my fish," Prince Jing frowned, reminding him helplessly.

Duan Shuiliu chuckled, wiping the oil from his lips with his sleeve, saying, "If the Prince wants fish, I can scoop them all up from the pond with just one palm strike. How about it?"

Prince Jing shook his head, "The martial arts of Qingshan, I respect deeply. Using Mr. Duan’s palm technique on swimming fish seems a waste of your talent."

Duan Shuiliu self-deprecatingly said, "Don’t flatter me, Your Highness. I failed last time at Hu Ting against Zhao Douan, didn’t I?"

"Ah, Mr. Duan once battled fiercely with Mr. Hai. That Zhao Douan escaped, it wasn’t your failure," Prince Jing waved his hand.

Duan Shuiliu lamented, "That Hai Chunlin, clearly already elderly and at a dying age, with waning vitality, yet possesses such martial force. No wonder he represented the Yu Country’s Royal Family during their peak years, coming to our Qingshan for the meeting. Losing to him is no disgrace!"

After a pause, he continued, "Well, I’ve eaten and drunk, why has the Prince called for me? Surely it’s not to have me kill that Zhao again? Haha, I was quite surprised that he managed to defeat Xiao Ran."

Zhao Douan...

Hearing the name, Prince Jing’s expression darkened, recalling the reports of his spies’ frequent losses in the past few days.

He smiled, "This time Zhao Douan is traveling with many masters around him. I’m not interested in competing with him any longer. But soon, my niece will enter Jianning to attend the Luoshan Sealing."

Duan Shuiliu raised his eyebrow, remaining silent.

Prince Jing smiled, "A few days ago, I asked Mr. Duan to return to Qingshan and deliver a letter to Master Wu. I wonder what he said after reading it?"

He referred to the "Mountain Master", the "Qing City Lord" in the martial world, the foremost martial artist, the Heavenly Human Wu Xian Kui.

Duan Shuiliu was silent for a moment, then said, "Master saw it, tore it up silently, and said nothing."

"Said nothing?" Prince Jing pursued.

Duan Shuiliu replied with displeasure, "Why would I lie to the Prince? My master indeed said nothing. However... he did fall asleep earlier than usual that night."

Prince Jing seemed pensive. At this moment, outside the pavilion, Young Master Xu Jinglong hurriedly approached: "Father, Grand Dowager Shen requests an audience!"

Prince Jing was taken aback, the corners of his finely mustached mouth lifted slightly, "Let her in."

...

...

When, leaning on a dragon-head walking stick, dressed in pure black mourning clothes, her hair silver white, Old Dowager Shen was escorted by maid Miss Hong with an oil-paper umbrella across the bluestone path of the royal mansion to the guest hall.

Only to see Prince Jing and his son already waiting there.

"Haha, what brings the Grand Dowager here today? Such a rare guest, in this windy and rainy weather, come in quickly, lest you catch a chill."

Prince Jing wore an enthusiastic smile and personally stood up to greet her at the door, Young Master Xu Jinglong obediently following him.

"Your Highness," Old Dowager Shen paused and bowed slowly.

Though only a month had passed without seeing her, this elderly woman, whose complexion once glowed with vigor, now appeared notably haggard.

The creases on her face etched with exhaustion and weariness hidden in each wrinkle.

"No need for such formalities, Grand Dowager," Prince Jing feigned displeasure, personally assisting the high-ranking woman into the parlor.

After the servants offered tea and snacks, Prince Jing inquired with concern about the burial arrangements for the second son of the Shen family. Learning that the coffin had been laid to rest, his face turned somber, offering the customary words of comfort: not to mourn excessively.

Beyond that, he didn’t mention a word about the recent conflicts between Zhao Douan and the Shen family.

As if oblivious to the storm outside.

Grand Dowager Shen sat in the black sandalwood chair, silent for a moment, and then said directly, "Prince Jing, I’ve come here uninvited today to ask one question. The words Young Master spoke at our Shen family’s mourning hall, do they still hold true?"

What did I say again? Oh yes, proclaiming the doors of the royal mansion always open for the Shen family... Xu Jinglong paused, then smiled: "Naturally, they stand."

Grand Dowager Shen ignored him, continuing to fix her gaze on Prince Jing.

Xu Jinglong: "..."

Prince Jing Xu Wen struggled to suppress his smile: "Indeed, they do."

Grand Dowager Shen nodded. The elderly woman, leader of the foremost Jiangnan aristocracy, took a deep breath, as if finally deciding, her eyes, clouded with sleeplessness, stared at Xu Wen, saying, "The Shen family requires the royal mansion’s aid."

Prince Jing was overjoyed, unable to contain his smile: "Of course, of course... what does the Grand Dowager require?"

The elderly woman in mourning attire calmly stated, "I don’t covet anything else, only Zhao Douan’s life to accompany my grandson in death."

Nearby, Young Master Xu Jinglong frowned, "It was the Tributor Song Jinxi who killed your grandson..."

Grand Dowager Shen snorted coldly, "A mere eunuch acting under orders? What’s his worth? I only want Zhao Douan’s life. After that, the Shen family will follow the Prince unconditionally."

The Young Master spoke irritably, "Don’t you overstep..."

Prince Jing interrupted, lifting his hand as if anticipating, nodding: "Agreed."

At that, it wasn’t just Xu Jinglong, even Grand Dowager Shen was taken aback, looking to Xu Wen with suspicion at how readily he agreed.

Xu Jinglong pondered anxiously, wondering if his father had invited Mr. Duan to the mansion just for this purpose?

Indeed, the assassination at Hu Ting hadn’t succeeded, but this time it’s on their own turf, of course, the success rate differed.

"How does the Prince plan to proceed? Zhao Douan is surrounded by many experts, I’m afraid..." Grand Dowager Shen hesitantly asked.

Prince Jing smiled slightly, as if prepared, reaching into his sleeve, retrieving an envelope.

Then, from the envelope, he poured out a strand of jet-black hair.

...

Outside the reception hall.

A maid from the royal mansion looked up unexpectedly to see Lu Yaner walking through the rain, "Your Highness Princess Consort?"