Секретный агент Винд Бой

Глава 21

The slap left Prince Duan so enraged that he refused to wash his face for days. He not only commissioned Xu Liancao, the most famous painter in the capital, to meticulously trace Miss Zhang's handprint onto his face, but also happily wore this painted face to court. Upon seeing this in the imperial palace, the Emperor, enraged, slapped him again. All the officials tried to persuade him, but Prime Minister Zhang remained indifferent, watching coldly from the sidelines.

Prince Duan, who had been slapped on both cheeks, smiled and said, "Your Majesty's slapping me is a sign of your affection. A beating is a sign of love, and I dare not complain." As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Prime Minister Zhang.

The Emperor had no choice but to speak: "Since your daughter has already been intimate with Prince Duan, and the Prime Minister is a pillar of the nation, I will make the decision on this marriage. I will ensure that your daughter does not suffer the slightest grievance."

Zhang Xiang was so enraged by the two brothers that his hands and feet trembled. He was a poet of his generation, the head of all officials, and had countless students. Even if he wanted to bow his head, he had to stand tall in the imperial court and say fiercely: "If Prince Duan can satisfy my daughter, I will have no objections. If Your Majesty wishes to issue an edict, I will go home immediately to prepare the mourning hall to express my gratitude to Your Majesty."

Prince Duan swore in the palace that he would never use force. Then the people of the capital saw the ruthless Prince Duan soften his heart again and again.

For example, the Zhang family cook suddenly begs the young lady for help, crying because the rent on his land has suddenly increased. If he can't pay the rent, he'll have to return the land, and without land, he can't make a living. A family of dozens of people can't survive on his wages alone.

Of course, this land was bought by Prince Duan. No matter how powerful Zhang Xiang was, he couldn't control Prince Duan's land.

Miss Zhang decided to rent out the farmland in her mansion to the cook's family. The cook cried and said that his whole family had been bought as servants by Prince Duan, and that he would also have to work in Prince Duan's kitchen. So, Miss Zhang angrily went to Prince Duan to reason with him. Prince Duan immediately agreed to reduce the rent and invited Miss Zhang to dinner.

For example... In short, when Miss Zhang finally saw Prince Duan, a smile bloomed on her face. This smile was even more beautiful than the peonies in full bloom in the capital. The ending of the story is easy to guess: Prince Duan got his wish and won the heart of his beauty, and he never took a concubine or a secondary wife.

Prince Duan was nearing thirty and had only one son, Yongye.

The Crown Prince was attacked on his return to the capital, and all forty guards who accompanied him were killed. Only the steward Li Yannian and the servant Li Er managed to escape. Therefore, the person standing below Prince Duan to report the news was so frightened by the prince's question that he stammered and had to break his sentence into several parts before he could explain the situation.

"Have General Lin lead five hundred Leopard Cavalry to bring the Crown Prince back," Prince Duan ordered.

Everyone in the Prince's mansion blinked, somewhat unable to believe their ears.

“Your Highness… you should not mobilize the guards of the capital region except in special circumstances… it’s better to mobilize the entire battalion…” Liu Fuzi, a staff member of the Prince’s residence, advised.

"Am I a pillar of the nation?"

"Your Highness has a distinguished military record and is awe-inspiring throughout the land. As long as Your Highness is alive, how dare other countries easily invade..."

Before he could finish his flattery, Prince Duan interrupted him: "To oppose me is to oppose Anguo, and to oppose Anguo... Isn't this a special case?!"

Master Liu didn't speak, he just wiped his sweat.

"Give the order to thoroughly investigate this matter and see if the Song state on the border has any ulterior motives," Prince Duan added.

Master Liu bowed deeply: "Your Highness is wise!"

He secretly admired Prince Duan's talent and strategy. The Song Kingdom, sandwiched between the An and Chen Kingdoms, possessed a strategically important location and had always been unable to find a reason to wage war. The Crown Prince's attack occurred in An Kingdom, but it was only a few days' journey from Song. If Prince Duan wanted to pin this blame on Song, Song could only accept it with tears in its eyes. After all, forty guards of the Prince's palace had died; petty highway robbers wouldn't have that kind of ability.

If it weren't for the fact that the prince doted on his wife and treated his son like a precious treasure, Master Liu would have suspected that this was a scheme set up by the prince.

After riding on horseback for half a month, Yongye got tired of it. He wasn't used to riding the same horse as Li Yannian, and he wasn't used to snuggling in Li Yannian's arms. He kept his back straight and tried to stay as far away from Li Yannian as possible. After half a month, he was exhausted.

When the dusty city walls finally came into view again, Yongye yawned: "Still, we'll just pass through the city without entering?"

"No, we'll go into town and stay at a hotel. It's only a day's journey from here to Kyoto, so it's very safe."

These were the most sweet words Li Yannian had said in half a month. Yongye's lips twitched; being with Li Yannian was the most unsafe thing.

The inn was large, with birchwood tables and chairs painted a natural white. The innkeeper was the plump old man I had imagined, and the waiter, still with a towel draped over his shoulder, greeted me with a broad smile: "Guest, are you here for a stay or a meal?"

"Let's get a room and go to sleep!" Yongye yawned again. He rubbed his lower back and thought that if this continued, he would get a herniated disc at such a young age.

Before Li Yannian could even mention dinner, Yongye said wearily, "I've seen everything I needed to see. Can I finally get a good night's sleep tonight?"

"This humble servant will personally keep watch for the Crown Prince." Li Yannian was clearly pleased that Yongye had understood his intention. He bowed, closed the door, and sat down at the doorway.

Yongye sighed deeply, just to let him know that for this mission, no sacrifice was too great. If he ruined their plans, what could they do to him? He couldn't think of anything that could threaten him—kill him? That was the only thing, which was why they had repeatedly revealed their strength.

He didn't sleep well that night either. A large number of people suddenly flooded into the inn, easily waking him up. He muttered to himself, "That's the downside of being an assassin; you can't even sleep soundly."

The sound of armored horses' spurs clashing came from outside the door.

Li Yannian seemed to stop the visitor: "General Lin, the young master has already gone to sleep."

"His Highness has ordered that Steward Li, who has escorted the young master all the way, has been working hard and, to prevent the thieves from returning, we are instructed to welcome the young master back to the manor overnight."

Li Yan knocked on the door: "Is the young master awake? General Lin is here on the Prince's orders to welcome the young master back to the manor."

Yongye yawned and knocked on the door, only to be surprised to see an incredibly cool person. Encased in black armor from head to toe, he was truly imposing.

"General Lin Hong, Left Wing General of the Leopard Cavalry stationed in the capital, greets the Crown Prince! I am here on His Highness's orders to escort the Crown Prince back to the capital!" General Lin's words were firm and powerful.

Yongye really wanted to touch his armor, but then thought that he could get a set to wear someday; just reaching out to touch it seemed too petty. He smiled and said wearily, "Thank you for your trouble, General... Ah!" He yawned again and went downstairs.

Soldiers in gleaming armor lined up from the inn's lobby all the way to the door, each one looking sharp and spirited. Upon seeing Yongye, they all knelt on one knee and shouted in unison, "Welcome back to the manor, Your Highness!"

What a grand display! What a magnificent sight! The innkeeper and his staff knelt on the ground, not daring to lift their heads.

Yongye really wanted to wave and say "Comrades, you've worked hard," but he raised his hand and covered his mouth, continuing to yawn.

With so many people protecting him now, he felt he could sleep comfortably even in the carriage tonight.

There was only one carriage parked at the entrance. Yongye didn't dare to use his lightness skill. He reached out and helped Li Yannian get on. Seeing that Li Yannian intended to follow the carriage, Yongye stood on the carriage to block him and said with a smile, "I'm very tired and don't want to be disturbed." But he was speaking to General Lin.

"Don't worry, Your Highness." General Lin felt a pang of pity when he saw Yongye's tired face. He understood the prince's deep protectiveness towards his son. This beautiful and delicate only son was initially unwilling to speak, and after finally being cured, he was still assassinated. Even bystanders would feel sorry for him, let alone the Prince Duan.

Li Yannian was a little stunned. Li Er, knowing better, led the horse over. He glanced at the carriage and mounted the horse.

"Back to the capital!" General Lin shouted, riding his horse and flanking the carriage with Li Yannian on either side.

Yongye chuckled to himself inside the carriage. If they were in the villa or in Youli Valley, how would Li Yannian retaliate against him for not letting him onto the carriage? He wanted Li Yannian to know that even after completing the mission in the valley, he was no longer the Star Soul he could manipulate at will. From now on, Li Yannian was merely a servant in the Prince's mansion.

Want an explanation? It's simple. A young prince who spent half a year being treated in the valley returns and acts according to his mood. The prince and princess will become suspicious.

He closed his eyes and truly fell asleep. The carriage traveled along the official road, its thick blankets swaying gently, creating a soothing effect.