Три мандариновые утки и полторы пары

Глава 26

Hearing Yan Pingfei's shout, everyone on the lake was startled!

"Protect the Third Prince!" Seeing the fierce battle on the lake, Yan Pingfei shouted to the plainclothes guards around him. "Immediately mobilize the government troops and order all the patrolling soldiers in the vicinity to come to Yuqiong Tower!"

"So Yu Ziyan is actually Zifei Shuangyue!" In a pavilion belonging to high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants, a portly tycoon accompanying him patted his chest repeatedly, still shaken.

The others, still caught up in the unexpected situation, were all stunned, as if awakened by these words!

"The famous courtesan Yu Ziyan is the Purple Flying Twin Moons!"

"No wonder we couldn't catch him; he'd been hiding under an alias in the Jade Pavilion all along!"

"That's terrifying! We've been in contact with murderous thieves several times!"

The high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen who had spent a fortune to come here to listen to music several times were now sweating profusely, exclaiming how fortunate they were that nothing bad had happened.

"Brother Mingchao, what do you want to do?" Zhu Yu called out to Lu Mingchao from inside the pavilion.

"It is my responsibility to catch Zifei Shuangyue," said Lu Mingchao, who was about to leave the pavilion to assist.

"You can stay by my side; I don't need you for this battle!"

"But……"

"Are you worried? Are you worried that Feng Yan is no match for you, or are you worried that something might happen to Zi Fei Shuang Yue?" Zhu Yu's narrowed eyes were sharp.

"I just want to catch Zi Fei Shuang Yue as soon as possible and complete the mission."

"I'm afraid that if you join, things will change even more." He said with a slight smirk, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

"Third Prince!"

"I don't want to make things difficult for you. You're not allowed to make a move. Just stay here obediently."

"this……"

"Ming Dynasty, I've watched you grow up. You can't hide anything from me. No matter who I'm fighting against, I don't want you involved, understand?"

Seeing the serious look in Zhu Yu's eyes and hearing the implied meaning in his words, Lu Mingchao had no choice but to nod.

As Zhu Yu said, Zhu Yu could be considered an "elder" who watched him grow up. Although he usually liked to tease and joke with him in his words and actions, once he became stern and strict, Lu Mingchao, who always respected him as a father and brother, would mostly accept it and say no more.

On the lake, a rain of swords, sharp as glints, clashed, and the water surged like waves, causing red and white ribbons to churn. When the figure in purple rose into the sky from this frenzy, flying diagonally and flipping backward to the top of a small pavilion on the lake, the guests inside the pavilion screamed in surprise and rushed out of the pavilion!

Just as the red and white satin ribbons were poised to strike again, ready to meet the approaching sword—

"Purple Flying Twin Moons—A battle to take on my renowned sword of the martial world—"

A sudden roar, and a powerful force even faster than Feng Yan, swept across from the other end. Feng Yan's already arrived sword struck this force directly. A booming sound erupted with the flashing light of the powerful clash of weapons. In the lightning-like blur, the figure that had risen again on the pavilion roof was swept away by the fierce force, blood rained down in the air, and the figure lost its footing and fell into the lake!

Zhu Yu frowned in the uppermost pavilion, while Lu Mingchao remained silent with a solemn expression.

"The famous swordsman Fu Yaofeng?!" Even the usually aloof Feng Yan couldn't hide his surprise at this burly man who suddenly barged into the battle!

Standing atop the pavilion where the Purple Flying Twin Moons once stood, Fu Yaofeng spoke in a deep voice that resonated throughout the entire lake!

"I, Fu Yaofeng, am determined to take Zi Fei Shuang Yue's life, and no one is allowed to interfere!"

With almost no time to think, he swung his broadsword down again, with immense force, aiming it at the lake where blood was still gushing out!

The entire lake seemed to explode, with a deafening roar and a force as powerful as a mountain. The lake water rose several meters high, revealing the muddy bottom. The surging lake water poured onto the shore, crashing against other pavilions, and the screams of the terrified crowd were incessant.

Zhu Yuchen frowned, while Lu Mingchao watched the battle with tension.

The surging lake water crashed down, splashing up waves. Suddenly, two figures appeared, each perched atop a pavilion facing the other, separated by the ruined Chenyue Lake. Under the moonlight, red and white ribbons shone again, their movements creating dazzling light and shadow that dazzled the combatants!

"Purple Flying Twin Moons—Prepare to die!"

With a loud shout, a powerful longsword flashed horizontally, its imposing aura piercing through the red and white illusion, its fierce and sharp force reaching two arm lengths, the blade's rainbow light slashing towards the person behind the ribbon!

Those watching below were all horrified. Seeing that Zifei Shuangyue was about to be cut in half, and recalling Yu Ziyan's graceful figure just now, everyone screamed in shock!

The red and white satin ribbons shattered into fragments upon contact, and the purple twin moons were no longer in sight. Fu Yaofeng, in the night sky, turned around instantly, raised his sword again, and the sword flashed and struck the purple-clad figure who was about to climb over the wall!

A burst of crimson light emanated from Zi Fei Shuang Yue's body, and her injured form began to sway, about to plunge into the swift-flowing river just a wall away!

"Fu Yaofeng, I, Dongyu Banmei, will take your fate of being Zifei Shuangyue!" A sharp, cold voice flew out along with a gentle, chilling palm strike!

Fu Yaofeng, who was a few steps away, was shocked to see this unexpected palm strike catch up with Zi Fei Shuangyue, who was about to fall over the wall. A burst of blue light suddenly appeared, and the pale purple figure trembled violently and cried out in pain. In the blink of an eye, she was thrown out like a kite with a broken string!

"Young Master—" The words that almost escaped his lips were swallowed back down by Fu Yaofeng!

"Fu Yaofeng, I was the one who took the fate of the Purple Flying Twin Moons, not your famous swordsman!"

The newcomer had a pale, bluish face and a short stature, barely reaching Fu Yaofeng's chest. His short stature also gave him lightning-fast agility, making his sneak attacks almost always successful.

When Banmei faced Fu Yaofeng, she had a fierce, wolfish glint in her eyes. This was because Fu Yaofeng had been opposing the Demon Sect in the Eastern Region. Now, being able to snatch the person he wanted to kill and destroy his prestige was a satisfying act of revenge.

"Hmph! Only by seeing the person alive or the corpse can we know who killed Zifei Shuangyue!" Fu Yaofeng sneered, leaping out of Yuqiong Tower, eager to find the person!

"Let's see who finds Zifei Shuangyue's body first!" Banmei was not about to admit defeat, and she followed suit, leaping over the wall!

"Pingfei, take your men and follow!" Zhu Yu ordered. "Find Zifei Shuangyue and capture her alive!"

Yan Pingfei accepted the order and left.

Upon seeing the people from the Eastern Region make a move, even Zhu Yu was taken aback. Then, he saw Lu Mingchao's astonishment and urgency. When the Purple Flying Twin Moons were sent flying by a single blow, Lu Mingchao disregarded his previous instructions not to make a move. He rushed out the moment the people from the Eastern Region launched their sneak attack. This time, Zhu Yu couldn't stop him!

"Third Prince, you have been frightened. This humble official failed in his duties and was unaware of this woman's background, allowing her to cause trouble with her seductive charms. Please forgive me!" The local official who arrived later hurriedly bowed.

"It's good that you've found out the truth. Feng Yan, let's go back to the manor!" Zhu Yu was too lazy to say more and turned to leave.

"Guards, escort the Third Prince back to his residence!" The officials in charge immediately swarmed around him and shouted.

The once bustling and chaotic Jade Pavilion was now in complete disarray, and several pavilions on Chenyue Lake were also destroyed. The officers and soldiers who arrived one after another began to take over the investigation.

"Seal off Jade Pavilion, bring the madam in charge, and investigate Yu Ziyan's background!"

At the same time, rumors that the famous courtesan Yu Ziyan was Zifei Shuangyue and that Zifei Shuangyue was dead instantly spread, and the next morning, this latest shock would spread throughout the entire capital!

"Feng Yan, let's go to the Su residence." As Zhu Yu sat in the sedan chair, escorted by guards, he suddenly said, "I was originally going back to my residence."

"yes."

The procession, in a grand procession, headed towards the Su residence.

The arrival of the royal guests in the dead of night caused the entire Su family to sprang into action. Servants rushed about, and lights illuminated the main gate and the hall, creating a grand and imposing scene.

"The Third Prince has come late at night. Dongling has been quite inconsiderate. Please forgive him."

Su Dongling, the eldest son of the Su family, rushed to the hall to greet the guests. He saw Zhu Yu, dressed in a stunningly beautiful outfit, enter the hall alone, with all her entourage waiting outside the door.

"It is truly presumptuous of me to disturb you so late at night." As soon as he sat down, a servant immediately served him tea. "Let's skip the formalities. If your fourth young master is in the manor, may I ask him to come out of his room for a brief meeting?"

"Little brother!" Su Dongling was slightly taken aback when Zhu Yu barged into the Su residence late at night and made it clear that he wanted to see his fourth brother. He then clasped his hands and said, "My fourth brother is not in the residence. He is away for a few days to investigate clues because of the important task given to him by the Third Prince: to arrest Zi Fei Shuang Yue within a limited time."

"Oh! Did they say where to go?"

"My fourth brother is the one whose whereabouts are the most unpredictable in the family. Even when investigating something, as long as it doesn't affect his work, he likes to travel to more places to see the local customs and interesting things. So it's hard to say exactly where he's going. Before he leaves, he only says that he'll be back home in a few days."

"It seems that Brother Dongling is quite open-minded and permissive towards his brothers."

"My younger brother is afraid of being restrained, so I've let him do as he pleases since he was little." Su Dongling asked with concern, "Third Prince, you seem so concerned about Shao Chu tonight, has Shao Chu done something wrong?"

"Brother Dongling, don't worry, he hasn't done anything wrong." Zhu Yu picked up his teacup and, with a slow, tedious sip, said, "I've come tonight specifically to inform you that you no longer need to investigate the matter of Zifei Shuangyue, my beloved brother Shaochu."

"Is there news of the Purple Flying Twin Moons?"

"Yes." Zhu Yu looked at him and said clearly, "He's already dead!"

"Zi Fei Shuang Yue is dead?!" Su Dongling exclaimed in shock! "When did this happen?"

"Tonight, just now, Yu Ziyan has been confirmed as Zi Fei Shuang Yue and was assassinated on the spot!"

"With this villain executed, the people of the capital can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

Unfortunately, the body was never found.

"No body found!"

"Having been struck by a famous sword from the martial world and then ambushed by members of the Eastern Region's Demon Sect, he should be seriously injured even if he doesn't die." Zhu Yu put down his teacup, stood up, and said, "So, is Zi Fei Shuang Yue truly dead? We'll have to wait and see if their bodies are found in the end."

"The Demon Cultists of the Eastern Regions!"

"You look very worried. Who is it for?" Zhu Yu glanced sideways at Su Dongling's furrowed brows.

"The people of the Moxi Cult act in extreme ways and their actions are far from righteous. Now that they have come to the capital, Dongling is worried about their intentions."

"Is that so?" Zhu Yuyou sneered. "As one of the four great families, Dongling, you truly have a heart that cares about the people!"

"The Su family, having received the emperor's bounty, must bear the emperor's worries. If the Demonic Sect causes chaos among the people, the people will suffer, and the emperor will surely suffer as well."

"Excellent! Father Emperor is truly blessed. If all four great families possessed your magnanimity, Dongling, what trouble would our Tiandu Dynasty face!"

Zhu Yu scoffed, and Su Dongling also sensed that the other party was different from his usual calm and composed demeanor tonight, with a hint of irritation in his expression!

"Since Zifei Shuangyue has perished, the Three Emperors seem disheartened rather than pleased. Is there anything in Dongling that can be of service?"

"Yes!" His scrutinizing eyes rang out, his tone dripping with a mocking sarcasm. "If I, this prince, wish to reside in your Su residence until your younger brother returns, is that permissible?"

"The Third Prince's favor is an honor for the Su family. Dongling immediately ordered people to prepare a courtyard for the Third Prince..."

"I, this prince, would like to stay in my beloved younger brother Shaochu's courtyard and wait for him!"

"As long as the Third Prince does not feel wronged, Dongling will give the order immediately."

"No need for that, Young Master Su." Zhu Yu suddenly called out to Su Dongling, who was about to give instructions to the servants. "I realize that my abruptness tonight was truly offensive. Please forgive me."

"Indeed, Third Prince is only doing this for Shao Chu's sake. On behalf of my younger brother, Dongling thanks the Third Prince for his concern."

Unable to discern Zhu Yu's sudden change of expression, Su Dongling could only proceed with caution.

"This prince remembers that the Su family has four brothers and two sisters. Why is Shao Chu, the youngest, ranked fourth?"

With an air of nonchalant arrogance, aside from Lu Mingchao and Su Shaochu, Zhu Yu always glanced sideways at everyone else with a dismissive expression, a half-smile playing on his lips—that was Zhu Yu's usual demeanor.

"To be honest, Shao Chu is ranked sixth. If we don't include the second and fourth sisters, Shao Chu is indeed ranked fourth," Su Dongling said cautiously.

"Why is it that the Su siblings aren't considered women in terms of seniority?"

"Since we are all siblings of the Su family, we will naturally be included. There will be changes in the generation and titles. However, back then, our parents used games to train our siblings in martial arts and wit. They divided us boys and girls into two groups, and at that time, the generation was rearranged based on the boys. Shao Chu loved to play this game, and the servants also liked to call him Fourth Young Master. Over time, we started to call Shao Chu based on his ranking among the brothers."

"Shao Chu is the sixth in line!" Zhu Yu's eyes gleamed, sparkling as if he had found something. "Shao Chu belongs to... the order of brothers?!"

"Does the Third Prince have a different perspective?" Su Dongling asked, neither humble nor arrogant.

"You think it's ridiculous that I, a prince, even confuse men and women!"