Chapter 35: A Chill
Chapter 35: A Chill
Xiao Rui waited not only for the imperial physician, but also for Emperor Xia!
Emperor Xia had actually come in person.
Xiao Rui wanted to get out of bed to pay his respects, but Emperor Xia stopped him, excusing him from the formalities.
After examining the injury, the imperial physician reported, “Your Majesty, His Highness has the blessing of your sacred grace. It is a great fortune amidst misfortune. The dagger only wounded His Highness’s flesh, not harming the meridians or bones. Removing the dagger and applying the secret Golden Sore Ointment will allow a full recovery within a month. Had the dagger moved just a bit to the side, it would have certainly severed the meridians and damaged the bones and tendons. The consequences would have been extremely grave.”
Only then did Emperor Xia breathe a sigh of relief.
Xiao Rui stole a glance at the imperial physician. He was really good at flattery, but Xiao Rui wore a shaken expression on his face. He said, “Your son only suffered a minor injury, yet it made Your Majesty come in person late at night. Your son feels deeply distressed.”
“Rest well.” Emperor Xia stood by the bed, his face full of fatherly affection as he tucked the blanket around Xiao Rui. He said, “Don’t worry, your father will see justice done for you. Rest well.”
“Yes, Father.” Xiao Rui nodded obediently.
Emperor Xia looked at Zhang Jinfu and then left the room. Zhang Jinfu said to Xiao Rui, “Rest well,” and hurriedly followed him out.
The imperial physician continued to treat Xiao Rui’s injury. He did not fall asleep until the early morning hours.
Coming out of the residence, Emperor Xia said to Zhang Jinfu, “Send people to protect Xiao Qi. Also, send people to discreetly protect the mansions of the other Imperial Princes.”
“This general obeys the command.” Zhang Jinfu saluted with a fist.
“Any leads on the assassin’s whereabouts?” Emperor Xia asked.
Zhang Jinfu shook his head. “No. When this general sent men to search, the assassin vanished without a trace. Patrols in the other city districts also found no sign of the assassin. It seems the assassin hid in the Southern District.”
The Southern District housed high-ranking officials and imperial relatives.
“The capital has been too quiet for too long, making some forget this is the important heart of the nation.” Emperor Xia was very angry and shouted, “Starting tomorrow, increase patrols and conduct strict inspections!”
“This general obeys the decree.” Zhang Jinfu received the decree and withdrew.
Emperor Xia returned to the palace under the escort of the Imperial Guards.
“Eunuch Hai.” Emperor Xia, feigning sleep in the carriage, suddenly called out.
Hai Dafu, who was accompanying the carriage, stepped forward and said respectfully, “Your servant is here.”
“Notify the Eastern Depot and the Brocade Guard. Prepare to close the net.” Emperor Xia said.
Hai Dafu replied, “Your servant understands.”
Suddenly, Emperor Xia opened his eyes and asked, “Who is that middle-aged man in Xiao Qi’s residence?”
Hai Dafu was startled, a slight sweat breaking out on his forehead. “Your servant’s investigation was not thorough. I have not yet looked into that person’s background. He should have entered the Seventh Highness’s residence recently. He was not there before.”
“Check him out.” Emperor Xia said sternly.
“Yes.” Hai Dafu became even more respectful.
“You tell me, wasn’t the assassin last night too coincidental? Thinking about it carefully now, it feels worthy of scrutiny.” Emperor Xia tapped the armrest beside him and suddenly spoke.
Hai Dafu felt more sweat beads on his forehead and said cautiously, “This servant does not know.”
Emperor Xia chuckled lightly. “If Xiao Qi had such cunning, I would be very pleased.”
Seeing that Emperor Xia would not pursue the matter further, Hai Dafu secretly let out a sigh of relief in his heart. Accompanying a ruler was like accompanying a tiger. He deeply understood Emperor Xia’s fearsomeness. Having climbed to this position, Eunuch Hai had long been treading on thin ice.
The next day.
The people of the Capital City noticed that the Patrol Battalion patrolling the streets became more diligent. Upon spotting rascals and troublemakers, they would immediately teach them a lesson and then arrest them. The imperial relatives and officials who knew the inside story all told their family members to behave properly and not provoke the Patrol Battalion.
Xiao Rui’s small residence became lively. Hearing that Emperor Xia had come in person yesterday was like a signal, causing all imperial relatives, high officials, and powerful nobles to visit Xiao Rui.
The previously unwelcome Xiao Rui became a hot commodity. He received gifts that filled a whole room—an unexpected windfall.
Meanwhile, Xu Xianyang’s face was dark and grim.
When he learned that Xiao Rui had been assassinated, he felt extremely pleased in his heart, wishing he had been killed. But later, upon hearing it was only a minor injury and that Emperor Xia had come personally at night, Xu Xianyang suddenly collapsed into a chair.
He realized he had fallen into a terrifying whirlpool that could very well crush him.
Because who would assassinate the low-key Xiao Rui?
He had just accused Xiao Rui yesterday, was reprimanded, and then Xiao Rui was assassinated that same night. Coincidence? It was, but what would Emperor Xia think!
Xu Xianyang was somewhat dazed. He actually couldn’t plead his own innocence!
Moreover…
He thought about his own actions. He had other matters on his hands. Although done very discreetly, could he guarantee they were foolproof?
In the Wang Family massacre, only the son died. But if his other matters were exposed, it would mean the destruction of the entire Xu family, not just one life.
“Prepare the carriage. Quickly, prepare the carriage!” Xu Xianyang roared.
Xiao Rui was resting and recuperating in his residence. Gao Quan attended to him by his side. Jia Xu had gone out early in the morning and had not returned until evening.
With too few usable people, Jia Xu had to handle things personally. Xiao Rui lamented the awkwardness of having no one to rely on. He decided to carefully cultivate trusted aides in the future.
“Sir, any gains?” Xiao Rui hurriedly asked.
Early this morning, Jia Xu had said Xu Xianyang was already a frightened mouse. A frightened mouse likes to run back to its nest to check if its food stores are missing. So Jia Xu speculated that Xu Xianyang would leave the Xu Manor and, like a mouse, check on his own crimes, seeking ways to cover them up and hide them.
If not for his injury, Xiao Rui would have wanted to go along and tail him. It sounded thrilling.
Jia Xu nodded and said, “Xu Xianyang was very cautious. He had a servant go out in his own carriage, while he himself left through the back door and got into a simple carriage. I followed him. He wandered around the Capital City for a long time. Only near evening did I see him enter an official workshop. It was a workshop of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories. I inquired a bit; it produces soldiers’ armor.”
Xiao Rui said joyfully, “For no reason at all, why would the Minister of Works sneak into an official workshop in such a secretive manner? It seems his mistake has finally been exposed.”
“Sir, what should our next step be?” Xiao Rui asked.
But Jia Xu suddenly shook his head. “For now, we don’t need to act.”
“Huh?” Xiao Rui blinked, not understanding.
Jia Xu said, “Outside the official workshop, I also discovered fellow observers. Judging by their appearance, they were likely Brocade Guard and Eastern Depot men. It seems His Majesty has long wanted to move against Xu Xianyang, just waiting for the right time. And last night’s assassination tolled the death knell for Xu Xianyang.”
“Father…” Xiao Rui was shocked.
Jia Xu praised, “Last night, I was fortunate to see Emperor Xia up close. He truly lives up to his reputation. Emperor Xia rose from nothing to seize the empire of Great Xia. He was never an ordinary man in the first place. Xu Xianyang is a malignant tumor. Judging by Emperor Xia’s character, he should have removed him long ago. But why delay for so long? I’m wondering, could Emperor Xia have kept Xu Xianyang for a test as well?”
A shiver ran down Xiao Rui’s spine. He couldn’t believe it. “That’s… probably not possible, right?”
“Maybe I’m overthinking.” Jia Xu smiled.
Xiao Rui kept this matter in mind, deciding to ask Xiao Yan properly tomorrow.
“So we just wait quietly for Father to bring down Xu Xianyang?” Xiao Rui asked.
Jia Xu smiled and said, “Let’s quietly observe the changes for now. I cannot fathom Emperor Xia’s thoughts.”
Xiao Rui nodded.
The next day, Xiao Rui had Gao Quan go and invite Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan skipped his lessons and came.
“Seventh Brother, what did you need me for?” Seeing him so anxious, Xiao Yan quickly asked.
Xiao Rui asked, “Do you still remember why you, Tian Boguang, and Zhang Lianchuan went hunting at the hunting grounds back then?”
Xiao Yan was taken aback, scratched his head, and said, “It was Lianchuan’s idea. He heard his father, the Loyal and Brave Marquis, mention it. He said when His Majesty summoned several Imperial Princes who had opened their own residences and the Loyal and Brave Marquis, he unintentionally mentioned that a tiger had appeared at the hunting grounds, and the tiger skin in his Imperial Study was old. Before we went hunting, Second Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, and Eighth Brother had all already gone once. Unexpectedly, we shot the tiger and also discovered the bodies of the Wang Family people. Didn’t you know? It seems Fourth Brother didn’t tell you.”
Xiao Rui instantly fell into a deathly silence, feeling a chill sweep over him.