701 Someone Is Waiting, Someone Is Blocking (1/2)
At a moment like this, there weren't many people who could be as calm as Shangguan Yangyu, to accurately find the critical points in this complicated world. However, there were still others who could.
Chao Xiaoshu's house was on the second street of Eastern City's Spring Breeze Pavillion.
He held the child in his arms and sat beside his father. He talked softly and dipped the tip of his chopstick into the alcohol and placed it to the mouth of the child. Before the child could lick at it curiously, Linzi grabbed it hurriedly and glared at him.
Today was the Old Lord Chao's birthday. There was no huge banquet at the Chao Mansion and only a few close friends were invited. All the brothers from the Fish-dragon Gang then had taken leave from their posts and brought their gifts over early.
Thinking about the enthronement of the new Emperor and the undercurrents surging in Chang'an City, the elders must have something to talk about during the banquet. After kowtowing to the Old Lord Chao, they quietly waited for instructions. However, Chao Xiaoshu didn't say much at the banquet and it was a joyous scene.
At this moment, the steward from the Chao Mansion entered and said a few words. The guests at the banquet were slightly shocked but Chao Xiaoshu had no reaction as he asked nonchalantly, ”What did Her Highness send?”
The steward took out the gift list as he reported it again, not daring to leave anything out.
Among the gifts that Li Yu had sent to the Chao Mansion, a large portion of them was for the Old Lord Chao. There was the boxwood cane, a Shoushan Rock, a lake crab from the Great Lake, Nine-river double-distilled wine from the county of Hebei, cosmetics from Chenjinji Cosmetics Store for Mrs Chao and finally, countless toys for the child.
Hearing the steward's voice, Chao Xiaoshu raised his eyebrows slightly. He didn't expect Her Highness to send these household gifts to them and after keeping silence for a while, he said, ”Let's continue eating.”
Hence, everyone continued to eat and drink.
When the banquet was over, Old Lord Chao when to the backyard to enjoy some opera. Mrs Chao carried the child to rest while all those working for the steward were asked to leave the drawing room. Only the brothers from the Fish-dragon Gang remained.
Chao Xiaoshu carried the teacups shakily and said, ”You guys are no longer the men from the Jianghu world like in the past. You all should keep a lower profile, especially Chen VII. For the next few days, ignore the arrangements of the Bodyguard office. Even if Xu Chongshan suspects you, do not bother. Qi IV, placate our brothers from the gang.”
It had been a long while since he had bothered with the things in the Fish-dragon Gang. However, his words were like the imperial edict to them. Chang Siwei and the rest seemed to have left the Fish-dragon Gang on the surface and were working in the imperial court. However, they would not reject his arrangements and they didn't even question him.
The only one who would question him was Chen VII. This was because he was the brains of the Fish-dragon Gang.
”What should I do about Fifth brother?” Chen VII looked at the middle-aged man who was silent and said, ”Her Highness' response is very appropriate and we can only accept it. But Fifth Brother controls the Valiant Cavalry Battalion now, and the palace would definitely not allow him to continue being silent. They would need him to take a clear stance.”
Chao Xiaoshu put down the teacup and said, ”Many of our brothers are working in the imperial court now. Since that is the case, they would need to share worries with the imperial court and follow what the law of our Tang Empire says.”
The drawing room was silent. Even though everyone admitted that Chao Xiaoshu was right, things were no longer like in the past and when it came to many things, everyone was still clueless.
Chen VII looked at the elders and said with his brows furrowed, ”I understand what everyone is worried about but I do not think that there is any cause for worry. There can't be anything wrong with the Edict as it would be too easily exposed. One must know that when His Majesty passed away, at least tens of thousands of people from Helan City could vouch for it.”
Liu V kept silent all this while. He had the highest ranking now and his position was the most crucial. Only now did he look at Chao Xiaoshu with a solemn expression and asked, ”Big brother, did His Majesty tell you who he would hand over the throne to?”
Chao Xiaoshu shook his head and thought about the true big brother of the Fish-dragon Gang. Thinking back to how that friend of his would be someone he would never see again, he could not help but had a smear of fatigue between his brows.
”Everyone, do not do anything during this period.” He said.
Qi IV had a headache as he asked, ”Are we supposed to wait like this?”
Chao Xiaoshu said, ”What we need to do is wait.”
”Wait for what?”
”Wait for Her Majesty and Master Huang Yang to return to Chang'an.”
”What if they do not return?”
”That means there is a problem.”
The horse hooves flew as the grass that was soaked in water was kicked up in patches.
Over ten Tang cavalry soldiers rode into the Northern Military Camp. Whether it was the riders or the war-horses, they seemed especially tired with rainwater and mud on them. They looked extremely disheveled.
The Commandant of the Northern Military Camp compared the documents and welcomed riding arrivals into the Military camp as quickly as he could. He then asked some soldiers to arrange for hot water, food and drinks for the guests.