The Eldest Daughter Is Beautiful and Saucy
Chapter 1328: treachery
Chapter 1328: Betrayal
In fact, regarding the assassination attempt on Liu Rushi by Zhong Xingxiao’s men, Xiao Rongyan was not worried that it would really bring any trouble to the two countries’ strategy of gambling the country. Perhaps he would have to spend more time talking to the officials of the Zhou Dynasty, but as long as the kings of the two countries were determined to gamble the country, it would not be a big deal.
He could even take advantage of this opportunity to detain Zhong Xingxiao in Da Zhou with a legitimate reason. In this way… With Zhong Xingxiao staying here as a hostage, there would be no one with ill intentions instigating the Queen Mother. This would not only be a good thing for A Li, but it would also make his sister-in-law somewhat fearful and not dare to do anything treacherous to Da Zhou again.
After all… before coming to Da Zhou, he saw with his own eyes the worry and resistance his sister-in-law showed when she knew that Zhong Xingxiao was going to go with them. His sister-in-law must have cared a lot about her brother who was born to the same mother.
“This… is this possible? What if I really go to jail? This is the Great Zhou, and if I go to jail it will be a disgrace to the State of Yan.” Zhong Xingxiao looked up at Xiao Rongyan, his heart beating.
Xiao Rongyan leaned forward, staring at Zhong Xingxiao who was kneeling on the ground with his calm yet deep eyes behind the mask: “If you don’t go and ruin His Majesty’s plan, then we… will settle the score after returning to Yan State. By then, we’ll see if the Queen Mother can protect your Zhong family.”
Xiao Rongyan’s voice was calm, but it stirred up huge waves in Zhong Xingxiao’s heart.
How could a shrewd man like Zhong Xingxiao not understand the meaning of this statement? If this time the Great Zhou used this incident as an excuse to disagree with the strategy of gambling on the country, the entire Zhong family would be in trouble when they returned to the State of Yan!
Now, Yan State is in danger. It is Yan State that is begging Great Zhou to agree to the gambling agreement. If Great Zhou uses this as an excuse to let the Great Zhou army stationed at the border of Yan State march westward…
Zhong Xingxiao took a breath of cold air.
“Looking at Lord Zhong’s expression, I think he understands. We can’t waste any time… let’s go now!” After Xiao Rongyan finished speaking, he turned around and left.
In a flash, Zhong Xingxiao weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Although he was extremely scared, he still resolutely picked up the bamboo slips on the ground and went to Lu’s mansion again. On the way, Zhong Xingxiao’s hands were shaking and his face was pale.
Although Zhong Xingxiao is afraid of death, if his life is compared with the honor of the whole family, then his life is not important. If this matter destroys the strategy of gambling the country, not only will the country be destroyed and the family will be ruined, but as the regent said, even the queen mother will not be able to protect the entire Zhong family when they return to Yan State.
This time he was blinded, he was the one who caused the trouble out of his cowardice. If it costs his life… he will use his life to pay for it. I only hope that the Queen Mother and His Majesty will consider his sacrifice and preserve the honor of the Zhong family.
Zhong Xingxiao was determined to die. He sat in the sedan chair holding the guard’s background in his hand. He was thinking about his son who was far away in Yandu. He hoped that his son could fight for his reputation. If his father died, he should not just live a life of idleness and wait for death. At least he should restrain himself so that the empress dowager can find him a position in the court.
Thinking of his son, Zhong Xingxiao’s eyes turned red. He was afraid that he would die this time. If he had known, he would beat that brat before leaving. Now he couldn’t go back alive, and he didn’t know if that boy would regret talking back to him.
Zhong Xingxiao knows his own son well. He has no special abilities and is good at eating, drinking, whoring and gambling. However, he really has a pure heart. Although he is always irritated… he is truly filial.
And he has his youngest daughter, who is born out of wedlock but is well-behaved and cute. Now that he is gone… he doesn’t know how the tigress will torture her little daughter. He hopes that his son, as the eldest brother, will protect his cute little sister and not let anyone bully her.
Just when Zhong Xingxiao was rushing to Lu Jin’s residence with a fearless attitude, he heard that Lord Lu had gone to Lord Liu Rushi’s residence. He also heard that… the Emperor of the Great Zhou had gone to Liu’s residence in person.
At this moment, Zhong Xingxiao felt completely shattered in his heart, thinking that his life was over, and he hurried towards Liu Mansion.
The capital city is destined to be restless tonight.
·
Bai Qingyan was dressed in casual clothes, sitting in the main hall of Liu Mansion, reading the letter sent by Yue Shi.
The old lady of the Liu Mansion came out with her family and sat stiffly below Bai Qingyan. She did not seem to be worried about her son. Instead, she was extremely terrified in front of Bai Qingyan.
Soon, Liu Rushi, who had bandaged his wound, hurried in and wanted to greet Bai Qingyan.
“Master Liu, there is no need to be so polite. Please take a seat!” Bai Qingyan motioned Liu Rushi to sit down.
Liu Rushi bowed to his mother, nodded slightly to his pregnant wife to let her know she was not worried, and then sat down on the other side.
“My minor injury has alarmed Your Majesty. It is truly my fault!” Liu Rushi was filled with guilt.
By the time, the palace gate had already been closed. His Majesty rushed here immediately after hearing the news that he had been assassinated. If this had happened in the previous dynasty… even if General Lu had been assassinated at night, the emperor would probably not have come to visit. At most, he would have sent his personal eunuch to ask a question, which would have been a great favor.
Their emperor is indeed… different from other emperors.
Bai Qingyan casually lit the letter with a candle and said, “How can it be your fault if someone else assassinated you? What a lie! However… since Yan State dared to attack an important official of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it must bear the wrath of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”
Liu Rushi heard the signal that his mother, who was sitting upright, did not need to stay here, as he had something to say to the emperor.
Old Lady Liu was also a sensible person, and she quickly stood up and said goodbye.
“Old Madam…” Bai Qingyan also stood up and said to Old Madam Liu with a smile, “Although Lord Liu only suffered superficial injuries this time, for the sake of our Great Zhou, we will have to announce to the outside world that Lord Liu was seriously injured!”
Old Lady Liu was startled, and immediately understood what Bai Qingyan meant. She quickly said, “Your Majesty, rest assured. I understand. My son was assassinated today and his life is in danger. He is still unconscious and his life or death is unknown. My pregnant daughter-in-law couldn’t bear the shock and had a miscarriage and is bedridden. I was also frightened and fainted. I am bedridden. We must ask the State of Yan to give us an explanation!”
Bai Qingyan didn’t say anything, but Old Madam Liu had already made clear arrangements. When Bai Qingyan came just now, although the old lady was reserved, she also had her own rules for receiving Bai Qingyan. Although a little reserved, everything was appropriate. She was not timid just because Bai Qingyan was the emperor. She was indeed a lady who could teach a good son like Liu Rushi.
“The old lady is very wise and should be respected by Bai Qingyan!”
Bai Qingyan bowed to Old Lady Liu, who was so frightened that she quickly dodged Bai Qingyan’s greeting and returned the greeting to Bai Qingyan: “Your Majesty, please honor me like this. My son, daughter-in-law and I are all citizens of the Great Zhou. We should do anything for the Great Zhou!”