Chapter 519 - 305: Palace Murder!
Chapter 519: Chapter 305: Palace Murder!
[At exactly noon, Duke Dingyuan Xiao Yuan, accompanied by Xiao Jinghong, Commander-in-Chief of the Dingyuan Army, visited the Governor’s Office to suggest that Liu Hong stabilize the grain prices in Shu State. They had a very pleasant conversation.]
[Target not present, sound unheard, scene unseen. Failing to claim a heaven-sent Opportunity marks one as a naturally indolent person.]
*A very pleasant conversation?*
Chen Yi glanced at the golden words on the light screen and chuckled inwardly. It was truly hard for him to imagine a scene where Elder Master Xiao and Xiao Jinghong sat with Liu Hong, conversing pleasantly as host and guests. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to describe it as coercion and intimidation.
However, recalling how Liu Hong had just seen them off with a smiling face, Chen Yi couldn’t help but mutter, "The old fox is such a good actor. Maybe they really did have a ’very pleasant conversation.’"
Liu Hong was a man of profound shrewdness, the absolute epitome of someone whose outer appearance belied his true thoughts. His ability to steer with the wind was likely just as formidable. Had Elder Master Xiao not brought Xiao Jinghong along this time, Liu Hong probably would have found a way to brush him off. Now, even if he were unwilling, he had no choice but to take some action to stabilize the grain prices in Shu State Prefecture City.
This actually worked out perfectly.
Beside him, oblivious to his thoughts, Xiao Jinghong chatted casually with him. Yet, the two got along harmoniously. Even the physical distance between them gradually narrowed as they wove through the passing pedestrians. Chen Yi noticed this and turned to glance at her. Seeing that her eyes beneath her half-armor were as calm as water, he didn’t pay it much mind.
"Madam, did you and the Elder Master go to the Governor’s Office today for the grain prices?"
Xiao Jinghong tilted her head slightly. "Husband, how did you know?"
Chen Yi smiled. "I guessed. Ever since rumors began swirling in Shu State City a few days ago, the price of grain has surged. By today, it has multiplied by more than ten times. If this continues, the city’s commoners won’t be able to afford food. Given the kind-heartedness of the Elder Master and yourself, it’s only natural that you wouldn’t stand idly by."
Xiao Jinghong hummed in agreement. "Grandpa indeed doesn’t want a repeat of what happened five years ago."
"Did Governor Liu agree?"
"He agreed."
"That’s good. Now I can give my grand-disciple a proper explanation."
"An explanation?"
Meeting Xiao Jinghong’s puzzled gaze, Chen Yi recounted the story of Yuan Liu’er selling herself to bury her father. "If not for the drastic increase in the prices of food and medicine in the city, she wouldn’t have been reduced to such dire straits."
Xiao Jinghong’s eyes flickered slightly. She turned her head to look ahead and said in an inscrutable tone, "Yuan... Liu’er is a pitiful girl." After a pause, she shifted the topic. "Husband, do you think Grandpa should have gone to the Governor’s Office earlier?"
"You’re overthinking it, Madam," Chen Yi replied. "Despite being gravely ill, the Elder Master still cares for the people of Shu State. It is truly admirable. How could I ever speak ill of him?"
"It’s good that you think so. Now..."
Seeing her hesitate to speak, Chen Yi roughly guessed what she wanted to say and quickly changed the subject. "Now that I’m getting more used to Shu State, I really don’t want to see this place turned into a chaotic mess. Just like yesterday, when that ’Jackal’ suddenly showed up and kidnapped Eldest Sister. It was very worrying."
Xiao Jinghong paused upon hearing this. "Does my husband think the Guards in the Marquis’s Mansion... have too low of a Cultivation?"
"Did I... imply that?"
"You did. But you need not worry, Husband. Later, Jinghong will arrange for several experts with profound Cultivation to come and guard the Marquis’s Mansion."
Chen Yi secretly rolled his eyes. He had only mentioned it casually and never actually wanted experts guarding the Marquis’s Mansion. Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang alone made it hard enough for him to sneak out. If a few more of the experts Xiao Jinghong spoke of arrived, it would be almost impossible for him to go out after nightfall in the future.
However, thoughts were just thoughts. Chen Yi could only play along and say, "Whatever you arrange, Madam..."
He had no choice; the situation was out of his control. With his puny arms and legs, he was simply no match for Xiao Jinghong.
Before long, the two of them returned to the Xiao Mansion.
However, Xiao Jinghong did not step over the threshold with him. Meeting Chen Yi’s slightly puzzled gaze, she bowed slightly. "Please forgive me, Husband. Jinghong must take her leave now."
Chen Yi was taken aback and looked up at the sky. "It’s not past noon yet. Won’t you stay for lunch before leaving?"
Xiao Jinghong shook her head slightly. "The Mutual Market is nearing completion, and Jinghong needs to guard it for a few more days. Moreover, the New Army in the Three Towns has been training for quite some time, and it is time to test their strength... Please forgive me, Husband."
Chen Yi smiled and waved his hand. "Since you have urgent matters to attend to, Madam, go on and busy yourself."
A trace of apology flashed through Xiao Jinghong’s eyes. "Jinghong has already spoken to Grandpa in advance. I shall only escort my husband this far."
"Alright..."
After the deep Autumn Rain, the sunlight grew brighter, yet a lingering chill remained in the air. But on Xiao Jinghong, it cast a radiant glow that highlighted her sharp, commanding aura. Chen Yi watched her soar away until she disappeared into the southern horizon before he turned back and entered the Marquis’s Mansion.
Having a wife with such supreme martial prowess who could come and go like the wind, he was largely pleased. At the very least, whenever he wanted to slack off, Shu State had this formidable presence—a towering mountain in her own right—capable of suppressing all manner of scoundrels.
"How cozy..."
Chen Yi couldn’t have been anything but cozy even if he tried.
According to his guess, Xiao Jinghong would quietly return from the Wu Mountain Mutual Market in half a day at most. Her target would undoubtedly be the evidence of the crimes committed by Liu Hong and the others. As such, even if he wanted to go out and do something, he had to consider the risk of his tracks being discovered by her.
Fortunately, everything he needed to do had already been done. For the rest, he only needed to wait quietly.
That same afternoon, news that Elder Master Xiao and Xiao Jinghong had joined forces to pressure the Governor’s Office quickly spread.
Although Liu Hong had not yet taken any action to stabilize the grain prices, the commoners of Shu State City felt a glimmer of hope. Consequently, the number of people rushing to the East and West Markets to buy grain decreased significantly.
This situation was naturally not what the various grain merchants wanted to see. They had just bought back grain from Cui Qingwu yesterday at the exorbitant price of fourteen taels of silver per picul of fine grain, bringing their total cost close to fourteen million taels of silver.