Long Zhengyang had attempted to advise against it, yet he was stopped by a meaningful glance from Long Yin. During this episode, he had came to roughly know that Ye Wuchen’s character was even stronger than steel. By using such a tone he clearly indicated that every statement and every word he made surely contained no room for bargaining. Shaking his head now that he was left without a choice, he sighed, “Old General Lin……”
With a plop, Lin Kuang neatly knelt down in front of Ye Wuchen. In response, Lin Zhan hurriedly extended his arm to pull him up, yet he was angrily shaken off by Lin Kuang who spoke in a stern voice, “Zhan-er, kneel down now! For the sake of His Majesty and the whole Tian Long Nation, even if we were to die horribly, we will do it without complaints, let alone the simple act of kneeling down! As long as His Majesty will be safe and sound, even if our Lin Family were to suffer from great humiliation to the extent that we die kneeling before him, there will be no harm in doing it!”
These words were said with devotion and righteousness that inspired reverence, causing people not to think that what he was doing would ruin their reputation. Instead, it made them feel deep veneration.
Lin Zhan did not hesitate anymore and he knelt down beside Lin Kuang “Okay… Today I have offended the Ye Family several times with my words, this was my mistake. I, Lin Zhan, admit my mistake!”
The Lin Family’s two most important figures had simultaneously knelt down before the youngest member of the Ye Family. Fortunately there were only a few people who witnessed this, or else it would surely surprise a lot of people. Ye Wuchen looked pleased as he said, “Very well. The attitude of Superior Lin in admitting his mistakes is quite considerable, so my Ye Family will surely forget and not to bear recriminations. I will give the whole city notice of the events today, as well as Superior Lin’s words from the bottom of his heart, that His Majesty, the Emperor, and all the superiors present here can attest to it.”
Upon hearing these words, the expressions on Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan, who originally had attitudes as hard as metals, swiftly changed. This time around they had remained calm because the people present were only few, mostly princes and imperial physicians who could see their willingness to sacrifice their own dignity for the sake of the Emperor. Were to spread out across the entire city for all the people to know, it would surely be a huge blow to the Lin Family’s reputation. The Lin Family would be unable to lift their heads in front of the Ye Family as they had now repetitively lost their reputation.
Yet they had already knelt. They could only grit their teeth to force themselves to refrain from speaking further. The lesson they learned, after several times of failure, had told them that confronting Ye Wuchen would only result in further humiliation.
“Please rise now, the two of you. Although His Majesty is present, forgive Wuchen for making this rude remark. No matter who you are, if you dare to offend my Ye Family, I will certainly make you pay the price!”
“Old General Lin, General Lin, please stand now. It must have been really hard for you.” Long Yin said apologetically, yet he did not get angry with Ye Wuchen.
Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan were just about to stand up, when a eunuch hurriedly entered. He was just about to speak, when he saw the two kneeling down before Ye Wuchen. For a moment he was petrified as if he had seen a ghost and was unable to utter a single word.
“What’s the matter? Why are you so frightened?” Long Yin said loudly with knitted brows.
“Ah…” The eunuch seemed to have woken up from a dream, but he faltered, “It’s… Superior Lin’s second son was injured by someone on the streets. Moreover, his right leg had been crippled…”
“What!?” Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan were shocked. Although Lin Yu did not become a person worthy of respect, he still belonged to the bloodline of the Lin Family. While standing up, Lin Zhan shouted in anger, “Who injured my Yu-er?”
“It’s…” The eunuch hesitated for a moment, then pointed at Ye Wuchen. “According to the second young master of Lin, he was injured by the young master of the Ye Family.”
This eunuch felt his own head spin for a moment. What was going on here… the young master of Ye had seriously injured the young master of Lin, yet the elders of the Lin Family were actually in here, kneeling down before the young master of Ye…
Lin Zhan was startled, pulled Lin Kuang up and glared at Ye Wuchen. “You… Why did you have to injure my Yu-er? Even if you hate me, there’s no need for you to use such vicious method!”
Long Yin also angrily said, “What’s going on? Did you really injure Lin Yu?”
Ye Wuchen laughed yet he did not say anything. Just as he had expected, there was no need for him to explain as Long Zhengyang had already stepped out and said, “We can’t blame him for this. All I can say is, Lin Yu brought it upon himself.”
Recalling Lin Yu’s behavior on his journey back to the palace, Long Zhengyang’s heart was filled with anger. Under his raging temper, he did not feel like calling him his cousin and directly addressed him by name.
“How can you say this?” Long Yin asked. Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan’s heart just a bit. They had already understood thoroughly what kind of person Lin Yu was. Could it be that this young fellow had done some malicious deed to cause offence?
Long Zhengyang coldly groaned, “In order to rescue Mother, brother Ye and I rode horses on our way home. We didn’t dare to delay, but on the road, Lin Yu summoned his servants to use rods to smash and hit brother Ye’s horse to throw him off of the horse’s back. Brother Ye didn’t want to waste any time to save my mother and he directly used the horsewhip to injure him. We cannot blame brother Ye in this matter. Lin Yu was just reaping what he had sown. I would also like to ask… since my mother had been seriously ill, Though it is fine if he didn’t have time to visit, but to obstruct us intentionally, what was he thinking?”
Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan’s hands and feet were similarly ice-cold. They clearly knew that Lin Family would surely suffer another blow. Not only were they unable to put the blame on the Ye Family, they might need to also find a reason to absolve it. This time, Ye Wuchen had already saved the Empress, attaining a great merit, and he now had to undertake the important mission to save the Emperor and the Empress. Even if they were to take offense, it would not be feasible anymore.
Ye Wuchen had consequently crippled Lin Yu. He really disliked this kind of person who brought disaster to others with the use of his family’s powers. Lin Yu being handicapped would surely make a lot of people clap their hands in pleasure.
“Your Majesty, I will surely investigate the cause until the truth comes to light. Please allow me to leave, as I need to visit my Yu-er.” Lin Kuang said with a terrified expression.
“You go ahead.” Long Yin waved his hand.
Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan immediately left hurriedly.
Ye Wuchen also saluted and said, “Your Majesty, Wuchen needs two days to prepare, then we will set out on the journey right away. I will absolutely not betray the hopes of Your Majesty. The Empress is now temporarily in good health, but the onset of the poison had caused her body to become extremely weak. Taking care of her health for few more days will suffice. Wuchen shall leave now.”
Long Yin sighed, nodded his head and said, “Go ahead. I will personally go over to inform Old Master Ye. For the things you might need for the journey, you must tell me without hesitation, I will surely satisfy your needs.”
“Then Wuchen thanks Your Majesty in advance.”
Heading out of the palace gates, Ye Wuchen heaved a very long sigh. Everything progressed according to his predictions, without any mistakes or anything overlooked. He did not believe that Long Yin would suspect anything. Suspicions were just suspicions, so he would not dare to bet his life. The higher the position the person has, the greater the chance they would treasure their life.
This time, a nicely dressed young man with a lofty expression leading some imperial bodyguards with spears entered. Seeing Ye Wuchen blocking his way at the entrance of the palace, he yelled with a strict expression, “Get lost!”
Ye Wuchen stepped aside, looking at the person walk past. The young man did not even get a glimpse of him. Waiting for the man to enter, the imperial bodyguards at the doorway immediately bowed down and said, “Third Prince…”
Ye Wuchen looked at him indifferently as they walked farther apart, until the figure disappeared from his line of sight, he kept walking away as if nothing had happened. Soon after he appeared to be talking to himself saying, “Tong Xin, remember that person.”
Long Yin currently has seven sons: the eldest, Long Zhengyang and the second, Long Zhengyue were both born from Empress Lin Xiu. The third son, Long Zhengqi, born from an imperial consort. Although Long Zhengyang was the crown prince, Long Yin was not pleased with him, because since he was small, he did things indecisively and as any way he pleases, completely lacking the style of a leader of monarchy. He clearly had no ambition to take over the throne, these certainly show that he would not be a very good ruler in the future. Moreover, the second prince, Long Zhengyue, was fond of literature and calligraphy. He was interested in the literary aspect yet he disliked martial arts, and was uninterested in politics; he also did not have the interest to take over the throne which thoroughly disappointed Long Yin. The one who Long Yin appreciated the most was the third son, Long Zhengqi. Rumor has it that this third prince was arrogant since he was small. He handled matters firmly and resolutely; sometimes he would reveal his bold and fierce side. Within the imperial palace there was a rumor circling around, that Long Yin will soon depose his eldest’s crown prince title and give it to the third prince. It was just a matter of time.
That person a while ago was Long Zhengqi.
“The target still had not been determined, yet you showed up by chance. This can be considered as the will of heaven. Since the heavens wanted you to die, then you will certainly die,” His voice was too low—so low that it could only be heard by him.
“Brother, please stay there.”
Behind him, an old and amiable voice echoed. Ye Wuchen turned to see a face full of smiles looking at him. He obviously knew the owner of this voice.
After Ye Wuchen left, Shui Nanhe had followed. Prior to that, his only reason for staying was to wait for Ye Wuchen.
Shui Nanhe proceeded in front of him, laughing as he said, “Brother, can this old man ask you some questions?”
“No.” Ye Wuchen answered laughing. This word blocked out all other opportunities for Shui Nanhe to speak further.
This was the second time in many years that someone did not to give him respect. Shui Nanhe did not get mad. “Then, may I invite you for some tea?”
Ye Wuchen waved his hand. “Please return home, Elder Medicine Expert. Lady Shui might worry if you make her wait for a very long time. It seems that you have already found out the true cause of the Empress’ illness, you shouldn’t be affected by some of my lies and doubt yourself. You are the well-known Medicine Expert.”
An expression of shock flashed through his face, as he immediately remarked, “As it turns out, you are actually the person that the princess mentioned to me. So it can be said that… the one who planted the poison to make the Empress suffer, was indeed you?”
“That’s right, it was me.” Ye Wuchen said without any hesitation. He shook his head and said, “But you are wrong on one point. That was actually not a kind of poison, I will only say that much. Please excuse me as I take my leave now. Medicine expert, you must go back at once to report the completion of your mission.”
Ye Wuchen turned and left. Shui Nanhe watched his figure as it went farther and farther away, immersed in a deep thought himself.
After Ye Wuchen left, Long Yin did not stay much longer in the Empress’ palace. He excused himself as he returned to his own study, brows knitted as he thought hard.
“Elder Li, Elder Liu, Elder Yan, do you think his words are credible? Why do I always feel that there’s something wrong?”
The figures of the three old men were like ghosts appearing before Long Yin. One of them said, “Your Majesty, it’s a fact that he healed the Empress, understanding the cause of the illness and the antidote were part of that. Besides, to help get the antidote, he will risk his life to proceed through a dangerous path. I am not able to determine whether or not he was lying, let alone why he would sacrifice his life.”
“But my intuition tells me that there’s something wrong.” Long Yin said.
“Where is something wrong?”
Long Yin shook his head, and said, “Indeed, he doesn’t have any reason to lie, because based on the situation, he simply doesn’t have the advantage; it even endangers his life. With his intelligence and wisdom and the fact that he isn’t afraid of water and fire, he still pointed out the only antidote. The only one for me ask to go there is him. Although he was willing to follow my orders, it is not to the degree where he would sacrifice his life for me. This one point, I am really unable to understand.”
“Your Majesty, you worry too much. He should have no idea that you know of his ability to resist water and fire within a period of three months. In fact, this matter has been confirmed by Your Majesty when you asked the Old General Ye privately.”
“Maybe. Have the three of you ever heard anything about the ‘Three Most Peculiar Poisons in the World’?”
“No. Since the three of us have been living inside the palace for a long time, we are ignorant and inexperienced. How could we compare to the God of Sword who is able and experienced? It is normal for us not to have any idea about it.”
Long Yin nodded and silently pondered for a moment, then in a low voice, “If everything Ye Wuchen said was true, then the one who planted the poison… could be the clan of the Northern Empire who conceal themselves in Cang Lan Nation. Humph. Aside from them, who else have such capability? No. If the Northern Empire Clan moved, then it will certainly alarm the Southern Empire Clan. If the Northern Empire Clan were to take their revenge, they wouldn’t make use of such a shameful method……”
“So who was it?”
Translated by:
Fatty_Uncle
Edited by:
seriouspotato patrick_father_of_dragons
Comments