In the early morning of the next day, someone came to pass an edict that Jiang Suizhou should make preparations. He would go into the mountain with the Emperor to hunt.
Jiang Suizhou had a long day of travel yesterday and did not want to move at this time. He initially intended to send Meng Qianshan back and have him report that he was weary and sick, but the eunuch who delivered the decree insisted on waiting there, saying that the Emperor had decreed that Jingwang must go today.
Of course, Jiang Suizhou knew that the Hou Zhu didn’t mean well.
He had no other choice but to turn over and sit up from the bed, asking Meng Qianshan to help him change into his riding outfit.
But at that instant, Huo Wujiu entered with his wheelchair.
“What’s the matter?” Jiang Suizhou promptly raised his head and asked.
Huo Wujiu glanced outside.
Although all the servants in the courtyard were from Jiang Suizhou’s manor, all the guards around were from the palace. They guarded every exit in the yard.
“Before you leave, start a conflict with me,” Huo Wujiu instructed, “Make a lot of noise, just say you are ill at ease with me and lock me in the main room.”
After a pause, he continued, “Only Wei Kai alone in the room will be fine.”
Jiang Suizhou froze in his tracks: “Why is that?”
Huo Wujiu opened his mouth to explain, but when he raised his eyes, he discovered someone outside the window who seemed to be trying to look in from afar. He lowered his head and said succinctly, “It’s for self-defense.”
Jiang Suizhou found it reasonable after consideration. He would take his people away, leaving Huo Wujiu here alone. If the Emperor were to send someone over, what would he do?
Jiang Suizhou nodded quickly and imperceptibly, signaling that he understood.
Hence, the eunuch sent by the Emperor waited for half an hour, and saw His Highness Jingwang looking vexed and walking out of the room in a riding suit. The servants around him also looked as if they had received reprimand and came out of the room with their heads bowed.
Seeing this, the eunuch immediately approached.
He heard Jingwang coldly instructing his servants to lock the door.
“Give the key to this Prince. If this Prince doesn’t come back, even if he dies inside, no one is allowed to open the door,” he stood at the door and ordered coldly from a commanding height.
“Oh no, Your Highness, you…” The eunuch quickly stepped forward and spoke.
“What?” Jiang Suizhou turned his head sideways and said grimply, “Do you also want to manage this Prince’s household affairs?”
The eunuch hesitated for a moment, but he was quite quick-witted. He slipped along the gap in the door and found the ice-cold Huo Wujiu, sitting inside with a cold face, with only a wheelchair pusher behind him.
The eunuch uttered an ow.
“Your Highness, the accompanying ministers all have their families with them today!” He added, “Why do you bother to lock the Madam in the room…”
“He can’t even ride a horse, so is he going to lose under this Prince?” he countered.
“Err…”
The eunuch was about to speak again when he saw Meng Qianshan bitterly step forward and pulled him aside.
“Gonggong, you should stop persuading him!” Meng Qianshan said, “Don’t mind the one in there!”
Speaking of which, he lowered his voice and said mysteriously, “The one inside is a captive, and it’s not like you don’t know… The Prince locked him up, not only because he doesn’t want to bring him along, but also to prevent him from going out. He locked him up for fear that he might escape.”
The eunuch responded with understanding and thanked Meng Qianshan.
Jiang Suizhou told Meng Qianshan earlier that the eunuch would definitely tell the Emperor everything he heard. Therefore, after finishing what he should say, he folded his hands and stood away. He made sure that the heavy locks locked the room tightly, and even the windows were closed one by one.
Only then did Jingwang lead the people and leave the court with great fanfare.
The courtyard gradually quieted down.
“General?” Once Wei Kai heard no movement outside, he quickly moved forward. He was also shocked by today’s sudden scene, and was unable to regain his senses for a while.
Just then, the General in the wheelchair stood up and neatly loosened his belt.
“Let’s exchange clothes,” he ordered Wei Kai.
Wei Kai was stunned, but he did not dare to disobey the General’s order and moved to take off his robe.
“Listen carefully to my next words,” Huo Wujiu said.
Wei Kai hurriedly answered.
“What happened this morning was deliberate on my part,” he said. “I’m going out for a while. You just sit in the wheelchair and wait for my return. Just remember not to make any noise. The doors and windows are locked, so no one will come in.”
“Got it,” Wei Kai said. “But General, what are you going to do?”
Huo Wujiu had already taken off his outer robe, draped the short top Wei Kai had placed on the table over his body, and put it on with alacrity.
He tied his long hair at the back of his head and looked at Wei Kai.
“That day, didn’t I tell you I want to take someone with me?” he asked.
Wei Kai nodded in response.
He watched Huo Wujiu tie his hair, and when he finished, he raised his hand and patted Wei Kai on the shoulder.
“That person is Jingwang,” he said. “It’s unsafe in the wilderness, so I’ll go and protect him.”
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