67 The Fish That Jumped Across the Sea II (2/2)

Xu Shi was the greatest general in Tang. Wang Jinglue was a genius in cultivation. Under the guidance of Xu Shi, he would have improved greatly. The prince was startled for a moment before thanking the emperor profusely.

”Don't thank me. At least, don't thank me on his behalf.”

The emperor looked at his brother and said frigidly, ” It was no easy feat for Tang to have talent like him. That's why I wanted to protect him. However, the talent of Tang can only serve Tang and not any wealthy individuals. Understand?”

These were words that hit home. The prince felt his heart contract and sweat ran down his back, wetting his royal robes. He did not know how to answer that question, and could only lower his head, praying for forgiveness in a position of humility.

”I've given you some good things over the years. The royal coffers are a little empty these days. You should offer some tribute. I'll remember your gesture of goodwill.”

”I don't dare.”

”Is there anything in the world that you dare not do?”

The emperor said smilingly, ”You're a prince, and yet you allowed your steward to run a brothel. If Mistress Jian were not the childhood friend of the empress, how long would you hide this from me?”

Even though the emperor did not sneer, and nor was there any trace of sarcasm in his speech, the prince felt that the immeasurable pressure on him raised yet another notch. The sweat on his back trickled down quickly as he waited for the emperor's edict. However, he did not hear any after waiting for a long time and started getting suspicious.

The smile on the emperor's face faded slowly as he looked upon the prince. ”I shan't punish you heavily, only because the man who watched the people at the House of Red Sleeves on behalf of your steward said that you were loyal only to me,” said the emperor.

It suddenly dawned upon the prince, that his valet had reported Cui Delu's report after Chao Xiaoshu visited the House of Red Sleeves. While he had admitted that he was loyal only to the man on the throne, he did not wish for his subordinates to say too much about it. He felt the blood drain from his face, and thanked his lucky stars that he had mentioned his allegiance to that person.

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…

All had been smooth sailing for Tang since the first year of Tianqi. There were few large criminal issues, of which, one was the issue with the imperial astronomer, and the other was the most recent incident, which they now call the Spring Breeze Pavilion Incident.

There were over 10 officials who were stripped of their positions and seven from the Military Department were sent to the gallows openly in this incident. However, in the bowels of the palace where secrets lay, it was known that several key figures in key positions were completely overhauled. It was only because these positions were important to the palace's security that the news was kept secret.

In that rainy spring night, the Deputy General of the Yulin Royal Guards, Cao Ning, welcomed Eunuch Lin as well as his own death. Chang Siwei and Fei Jingwei who were previously imprisoned had killed him after they received the imperial edict written personally by the emperor. Cao Ning was reported to have died from an illness after that.

In that same night, Liu Si from the Fish-dragon Sect fulfilled their orders from the emperor and got their long-awaited revenge as they rode their horses wielding spears, killing the Deputy Commander of the Valiant Cavalry Battalion, Chu Ren who had framed them 10 years ago.

It was after this spring rain when the senior officials of the Tang found out about Old Chao from the Spring Wind Pavilion. Or perhaps, one could say, they finally began to take this name seriously. They wanted to know who the masked young man from the Yuelun Kingdom who had killed beside him was.

Chao Xiaoshu stood at the edge of the lake in the imperial gardens. He stared at the lake, which was called the leaving sea silently. His indigo robes moving gently in the slight breeze.

The eunuchs and palace maids who walked by him would turn away humbly. Now that everyone knew who he was, and knew what he would become, they could not hold back the envy, curiosity, and respect in their eyes.

Chao Xiaoshu seemed not to notice, and the cold-blooded look in his face that he had the previous night had dissipated. Neither could one see the look of nervousness those from the Jianghu world usually display when they entered the palace. His face was completely calm and he seemed to be at ease.

A goldfish jumped up from the leaving sea, jumping over the dragon gate that the palace maids had weaved using flowers before entering the waters again happily.

To many people, Chao Xiaoshu was like the fish at this moment. He was about to rise through several ranks and become a key figure in the palace.

But yet, Chao Xiaoshu did not wish for that to happen.

…

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