Chapter 1256 - 1092: Too Many Fanboys
Chapter 1256: Chapter 1092: Too Many Fanboys
"What do you intend to do?" Prince Gong gripped the armrest of the chair, unconsciously clenching it until his fingertips turned white.
"I hope that from now on, Your Highness will prioritize the greater good! I take my leave!" For the first time, Liu Dong felt disappointed in Prince Gong. After bowing, he quickly turned and left the study without waiting for Prince Gong to dismiss him.
The crowd looked at each other, the atmosphere becoming subtly tense. Lu Chen glanced at Prince Gong, whose face was ashen, a gleam of insight flashing in his eyes.
"Cough! Liu Zuo Ling, mourning the loss of a loved one, is naturally consumed by grief and anger. Please don’t hold his rudeness against him, Your Highness. He has always been loyal to you, so don’t take it to heart."
"He has suffered a great loss of family blood; how could I be petty about such a small matter? Make sure Liu Meng’s body is properly buried!"
Prince Gong sighed and, turning his gaze, saw the young officer still kneeling on the ground. He pointed at the young officer, "This person is truly a despicable man, daring to deceive me. Have him dragged out and executed!"
Having said that, he also left the study with a swish of his sleeve.
...
Outside, the snow was falling endlessly, yet the dark twilight devoured its whiteness, merging it with the darkness.
On the snow-covered rooftop, a black figure lay prone. Ming Mo looked into the room where two people were talking, holding his breath. When he heard the details of their secret conversation, his eyes widened.
"How is it? Is there anyone guarding?" Prefect Qiu stepped forward and asked urgently.
"Reporting to you, sir, the doctor has left, but two servants remain guarding the door."
"Find a way to divert those two servants. Have the maid preparing the medicine seize the opportunity to carry out the task. As for Gu Chengyu, keep a close watch on him. If there are any movements, report immediately!"
Earlier today, at the city tower, Prefect Qiu felt that Gu Chengyu was suspicious of him. But as long as Yuan Bin remained unconscious and they endured the night, there would be no need for concern.
"Yes!"
Ming Mo followed the steward to the small kitchen, witnessing as the steward handed a small paper package to a maid, instructing her carefully. However, their voices were too low for him to hear what was said.
Gu Chengyu paced back and forth inside the room. After some thought, he changed into nightclothes and headed towards Yuan Bin’s room.
Yuan Bin opened his eyes, struggling to lift his arm to get up from the bed. He tried a few times but failed.
He glanced around the room, confirming that he seemed to be lying in the bedroom of the Wujun Prefecture. Seeing the familiar surroundings, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
This incident was truly perilous; he almost didn’t make it back. As he marveled at his survival, he suddenly remembered the daytime battle.
The enemy must have failed; otherwise, he wouldn’t be comfortably sleeping in his own bedroom. Liu Meng had always been against him; could he have passed up a chance to harm him?
He remembered the young man who fought against Liu Meng, whose martial skills were exceptionally high — a promising candidate to be a military general. If the border were guarded by such a fierce general, Da Xing wouldn’t dare be so brazen.
As Yuan Bin’s thoughts wandered, he suddenly heard a faint noise from the window.
Enduring severe pain, Yuan Bin reached out towards the bedside. But as his hand extended, he stiffened.
He was accustomed to sleeping with a long sword by his side, but today he was carried back unconscious and wounded, so the sword wasn’t beside him.
His heart tightened. Given how he had been ambushed twice since returning to Yumen Pass, whoever was behind it wouldn’t stop until he was eliminated.
The long sword lay silently on the central round table in the room, but Yuan Bin was too weak to reach it now.
Gu Chengyu landed softly, looking towards the bed where Yuan Bin still appeared to be asleep.
"General Yuan is awake? It seems the poison is cured!" Gu Chengyu approached Yuan Bin’s bed, stopping two meters away.
Though Yuan Bin kept his eyes closed, Gu Chengyu could tell from his breathing pattern that he was awake. Perhaps fearing for his safety without a weapon nearby, Yuan Bin pretended to sleep to gain the upper hand.
Realizing he’d been seen through, Yuan Bin decided not to pretend any longer. Since the other didn’t attack immediately, it indicated they weren’t there to kill him.
"Who are you?" he rasped, finding even speaking difficult.
His chest and abdomen were pierced with multiple sword wounds, the wounds were deep. Though bandaged, any movement caused them to bleed profusely.
"Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Gu Chengyu, sent by the court as the Imperial Censor!" Gu Chengyu didn’t hide his face, seeing no need.
"You are Mr. Gu? Is that highly skilled follower of yours?" Yuan Bin’s eyes gleamed. If he could ask about that follower, he wondered if the other would agree.
"Indeed! But you seem unconcerned about the current state of Wu Jun Prefecture!" Gu Chengyu felt a bit frustrated. Was Ming Mo such a prized asset? He certainly had many admirers!
However, this Yuan Bin seemed to have a straightforward nature; despite his lower rank, he spoke quite casually. Although respectful, he lacked the cautiousness usually observed by civil servants in front of superiors.
"My survival indicates the rebels didn’t succeed, doesn’t it? Was it your follower who repelled the enemy? His martial skills are so high; being just a servant is a waste of talent. If you’re willing, I could introduce him to General Huaiyuan. With his skills, he could achieve great things."
Yuan Bin assumed that the safeguarding of Wujun Prefecture was thanks to Ming Mo. Thus, he sincerely hoped Gu Chengyu would offer Ming Mo a promising future, as the border needed such capable individuals.
"Ming Mo is my servant. Do you know how much effort I invested in cultivating him? How can you just poach him away; without him, who would protect me?"
No wonder they said this person was inflexible and loyal to the court. As expected. He even contemplated taking Ming Mo; how could Gu Chengyu agree?
Gu Chengyu didn’t put on airs around this straightforward man. Yet the other’s poaching attempt annoyed him greatly.
This person probably offended people often; no wonder, despite notable military achievements, he remained merely at a secondary fourth rank till now.
Over recent years, with frequent border disturbances, it wasn’t hard for military officials to gain accomplishments.
"That’s truly a shame! Mr. Gu, perhaps you might reconsider. If he has a future, it would benefit you as well."
Gu Chengyu wanted to roll his eyes and, unwilling to argue, switched the topic.
"Attacking Wujun Prefecture was just a facade; Prince Gong’s true target is Huadong Prefecture. I just received news that Prince Gong has already seized Huadong Prefecture. You’re seriously injured. Protecting Wu Jun Prefecture will be difficult. Changing commanders now is too late; Prince Gong will certainly act tonight."
"What? How come?" Yuan Bin was shocked, not expecting such surprising news the moment he woke up.
Gu Chengyu cast a glance at the startled Yuan Bin, "We’ll discuss the details later. What matters is you need to be cautious of Prefect Qiu, as he has betrayed the court. I have a plan that requires your cooperation."