Chapter 435: This fellow wants you dead (1/2)

Chapter 435: This fellow wants you dead

What’s going on? Someone wants to chase out Xu Donglin’s aunt? Han Yunxi was about to ask for clarification when another guard came calling over. As soon as the man entered, he fell to their knees and kowtowed against the ground.

“Esteemed wangfei, please leave my father here! When the Duke of Qin’s estate was first established, my father was the cook in the kitchens. He and I both serve His Highness Duke of Qin and esteemed wangfei with all our hearts! We definitely don’t harbor disloyal thoughts! May esteemed wangfei be clear headed!”

Very soon, a third guard joined the others, speaking and kneeling at the same time. Han Yunxi had spent the past few days trying to figure out the mystery of the explosion and was currently in low spirits. All the people attacking her with entreaties only made her cross and uncomfortable.

“Enough! Xu Donglin, speak. What’s this all about?!” she shouted.

Xu Donglin quickly stood up and relayed Chu Xifeng’s orders to the estate. Han Yunxi was shocked. “Change everyone? What a big move from His Highness Duke of Qin!”

Everyone present privately agreed, but none of them dared to express their views. They already had shocking gall to beg esteemed wangfei for mercy, so how could they dare judge the man who’d decided this all? They had always been trained to do as they were asked with no questions or unnecessary words. There was no telling whether Long Feiye would be angry enough to exchange all the guards too, if he found out about their actions today. None of his subordinates had ever acted this way.

In truth, if this was the past, none of the guards would have dared to beg for anything. But now that the Duke of Qin had a woman who could say ‘no’ to him, the situation had changed. The guards who shadowed their master and mistress day and night knew the situation best. Finding esteemed wangfei for help would definitely yield results.

Han Yunxi creased her brows but kept silent. This time, she had truly tasted the extent of Long Feiye’s heartless cruelty. There were about 50 or so servants at the Duke of Qin’s estate, most of whom had served him loyally for over a decade. Some, like Zhao mama, had followed him directly from the palace.

How could he reject them all over something that’s still unresolved? Leaving aside the fact of their feelings, how are these people supposed to make a living once they’ve been banished?

Who would ever dare to hire someone expelled from the Duke of Qin’s estate? How could they ever have favorable prospects in the capital after this? Even the lowest status servants had their own circle of contacts and personal feelings. Once they were driven out, how many of their peers would be sneering and mocking them for their fall? All doctors had a nurturing heart. Though Han Yunxi didn’t consider herself much of a nurturing type, her heart was still made of flesh and blood.

Finally, she said, “Tell His Highness that I’m still investigating the case, and to forget about dismissing anyone for now.

All of the guards rejoiced and thanked her before immediately delivering her reply. Very soon, Chu Xifeng passed on a reply that the Duke of Qin would follow esteemed wangfei’s wishes. Moreover, the guards were ordered to increase their vigilance. From that day on, a saying began to pass amongst the guards: With esteemed wangfei here, there’s nothing to fear!

There were only a few days left before the 15th, so Han Yunxi asked, “Is His Highness still with General Baili? When did he say he’d come back?”

Xu Donglin shook his head. “This subordinate isn’t clear. That’s something only the people at Hidden Pavilion know.” Like the Solitary Enclosure, the Hidden Pavilion was a very particular place, one of Long Feiye’s secret strongholds. All the guards there differed from the guards on the estate. Apparently they were even better trained. Supposedly, there were even suicide soldiers there—guards ready to throw their lives away to protect or defend a cause.

“Send someone over and make some inquiries, just say that the 15th is approaching. His Highness will understand,” Han Yunxi said simply.

Gu Qi Sha and Long Feiye had made an appointment to meet on the 15th. She wasn’t sure whether the man had found those ingredients, but she figured that Long Feiye would bring her along for another trip to Pill Fiend Valley. Han Yunxi waited for the fated day, ignorant to the fact that Long Feiye and Chu Xifeng were at Pill Fiend Valley already. When she was with them, Gu Qi Sha had clearly been around, but now he’d disappeared again.

Currently, it was late night. The moon shone upon Pill Fiend’s estate, making the entire scenery dreamlike. Long Feiye and Chu Xifeng were sitting on top of Pill Fiend’s roof.

“Your Highness, this is a little too convenient,” Chu Xifeng said, suspicious. Before esteemed wangfei had come to ask for medicine, they’d searched around for Pill Fiend, but didn’t find him. Even the steward said he wasn’t expected back until the 15th.

But as soon as esteemed wangfei showed up, Pill Fiend revealed himself. Now he was gone again. There was a week until the 15th, but his master had come ahead of time to avoid answering esteemed wangfei’s questions about the meeting. It was hard to explain. Judging from today’s situation, Gu Qi Sha probably wouldn’t show up until the deadline was here.

Long Feiye remained silent. He was lying on his back with his arms behind his head, staring at the stars in thought. Chu Xifeng didn’t dare to talk much, but went to a corner of the roof to stand on night watch. If there’s anything worrying His Highness, it’s probably esteemed wangfei. Actually, for a busy guy like his master to spend so much time waiting here was probably all for esteemed wangfei’s sake, too.

Chu Xifeng only wished to get the antidote sooner so they could cure Mute Granny and finish the whole business. Then His Highness Duke of Qin would finally be able to set aside his burdens. Those heavy weights of personal and national grudges, that weighty sense of hope, would all have a place to rest in peace.

The skies were still dark when a messenger pigeon arrived from the Duke of Qin’s estate. Long Feiye had spent another sleepless night staring at the sky.

“Your Highness, esteemed wangfei’s asked about the meeting on the 15th,” Chu Xifeng reported in a low voice.

While Long Feiye was hesitating, the old steward’s voice rang out. Your Highness Duke of Qin, Your Highness Duke of Qin! There’s been news from my master!”