Chapter 509 - Chapter 509: Chapter 516: Endless Tolerance (2/2)
The City Gate Officer was still wrestling with his dilemma when the previously galloping horse had already surged past him in pursuit of Sikong Ling’s carriage, followed by a large cavalry troop that completely ignored him and swept by like the wind, kicking up a cloud of dust. The City Gate Officer choked on several mouthfuls of dust, spat out a few times, and though he internally wanted to curse, he maintained a reverent expression, daring not to show any displeasure. Damn, they were all the mighty uncles, and he couldn’t afford to offend any of them!
“The ones up ahead, halt immediately! A notorious criminal has escaped from Prison, Prime Minister Wang has ordered the closure of the city gate, no one is allowed to enter or leave. Search for the convict throughout the city, we can’t let anyone escape the Capital City!” Wang Yu announced, and with a swift gesture, the Guards he had brought instantly surrounded Sikong Ling’s horse carriage.
Wang Yu had long been irritated by Sikong Ling’s haughty and overbearing demeanor. As the eldest son of the Wang family, Sikong Ling didn’t even regard him with any respect, often treating him with indifference. His father always condoned Sikong Ling’s behavior and even forbade them from provoking Sikong Ling, making them step back.
As of today, the Wang family had risen to become the foremost in Chang’an, with even the Emperor conducting affairs according to Wang Mang’s expressions. This showed the immense power of the Wang family, hinting even at the notion of deposing the Emperor. As Wang Mang’s eldest son, Wang Yu naturally assumed that he would inherit everything from the Wang family. The people flattered Wang Yu out of respect for Prime Minister Wang, thereby inflating Wang Yu’s ego, making him exceedingly self-satisfied.
Yet, it was precisely at this moment when Sikong Ling refused to play into his hands. With intentions to win him over, Wang Yu had shown goodwill several times, but Sikong Ling not only ignored them but also showed disdain and a lack of interest to even engage, paying him no heed.
“If you don’t have the ability, don’t provoke others. Who do you think Sikong Ling is? Someone you can just co-opt at will? Even your father doesn’t have the ability. After so much effort, he’s only managed to tip the Sikong family’s scale slightly in our favor. In the future, don’t do such stupid things out of self-righteousness. I really don’t understand, we both have sons, so why is theirs so smart while you’re so foolish, not even matching up to one-tenth of Sikong Ling!”
Those were Wang Mang’s exact words. Wang Yu, upset by how Sikong Ling treated him and instigated by others, wanted to teach Sikong Ling a lesson. To his shock, he was instead played by Sikong Ling, losing face. As his father, instead of defending him, Wang Mang scolded him severely and even praised Sikong Ling while belittling him.
Wang Yu couldn’t bear this. With the Marquis Beian and his son mysteriously disappearing from Prison, Wang Yu, piecing together some clues and deductions, felt that Sikong Ling was involved. Furthermore, Sikong Ling’s departure from the city at this time led him to speculate much. It was possible that the Marquis Beian and his son were hidden in Sikong Ling’s carriage at this moment. If they were found, it would be solid evidence of Sikong Ling’s collusion with enemies. His father would surely be infuriated, and it could bring about the ruination of not just Sikong Ling, but the entire Sikong family.
“Eldest Young Master Wang, you’ve brought soldiers to surround our master’s carriage, what does this mean?!” Qing Zhu, facing Wang Yu, showed no sign of yielding. Although Wang Yu was Wang Mang’s eldest son, he held negligible standing in his father’s eyes, yet was completely lacking in self-awareness. A little favor, and he fancied making the Young Master serve him; failing that, he became angrily embarrassed, opposing the Young Master at every turn, which was utterly detestable.
“Haven’t you understood what it means?! My father has issued an order; with felons escaping Prison, no one is allowed to leave or enter the city, not even Sikong Ling!” Wang Yu declared, and thinking about explaining so much to a servant, while the main subject, Sikong Ling, remained inside the carriage without showing his face, he couldn’t help but feel ignored, his eyes reddening as he stared intently at the carriage.
“My master knows of Prime Minister Wang’s order. Now, may I ask Eldest Young Master Wang to make way for us?” Qing Zhu, ignoring Wang Yu’s malevolent gaze, was evidently impatient with the fool. If it weren’t considering that Wang Yu was, after all, Prime Minister Wang’s son, and out of respect for Prime Minister Wang, the Young Master wouldn’t be overly harsh, thus tolerating Wang Yu’s provocations time and again.