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Xiao Yi

2007.9.20 18:06

Chapter 45 The Emperor's Summoning is Complete.

Chapter 46 Deceit and Treachery

Chapter 46 Deceit and Treachery

I explained Zi Mo's plan to Yun Yan. She neither objected nor agreed, but frowned and said, "Why go through all this trouble? Why not just poison that princess, so she either dies or remains unconscious for a few months?"

I pondered for a while and said, "That would easily draw other people's attention to you. After all, when it comes to poisoning, no one can compare to you. However, if my method is really not feasible, I will have no choice but to use poison."

Yun Yan stretched and said, "Anyway, I'm not good at these kinds of planning, so Lin Yu, you decide. I'm going to go to sleep."

I looked up in surprise and asked, "Yunyan, aren't you going to sleep with me?"

Yun Yan gave a sly smile and glanced at Yi Han: "Not tonight, let's leave some time alone for you to discuss the plan."

After saying that, he hurriedly left without waiting for me to stop him.

Yihan and I looked at each other awkwardly. I turned my head away and said, "Yihan, I'm sorry, I've dragged you into this."

Yi Han said calmly, "Young Master, you flatter me." His voice was neither sad nor happy, as if it came from a machine.

I felt a bit irritated and waved my hand, saying, "I'm a little tired, you can go out now."

He leaned forward slightly and said, "Yes, young master." The jade pendant hanging from the Qing Shuang sword at his waist swayed, and the crystal-clear snow jade gently swayed in front of me.

I suddenly said, "Yihan, may I take a look at that jade pendant?" He was taken aback and looked up at me. I pursed my lips and walked step by step to him, holding the white jade in my palm.

Two lines of characters were inscribed on it in traditional clerical script: "Fragrance like orchids, beauty like pine." The characters were simple and elegant, like the work of a master calligrapher. The jade in my hand was cool and refreshing, clearly not an ordinary item.

I looked up and asked, trying to sound joking, "This jade is small and elegant, like something a woman would give you. Was it a love token from someone?"

Yi Han looked down at me, his cool breath only inches away: "What exactly does Young Master want to say?"

What do I want to say? I want to ask you what your relationship is with Mu Shuangshuang. I want to ask you why you always carry this jade with you; is the owner of the jade someone extremely important to you? So, what exactly do I want to know?

I shook my head and let go of your hand, saying, "I was just curious. Who gave you this jade?"

He suddenly grabbed the jade I had loosened and gently pulled it off the hilt of the sword. I cried out and widened my eyes, but he gently took my hand, placed the jade in my palm, and then squeezed my hand to envelop the jade.

I stared at him blankly, and he stared back at me, a hint of a smile suddenly flashing in his eyes: "Young master, you have exceptional hearing. Did you overhear my conversation with Mu Shuangshuang that day?"

My face flushed, and I turned my face away, muttering, "You never tell me about your background, even though you know I don't remember. You also don't say who your master was. I know less about your past than she does."

Suddenly, I felt a tightness around me as he pulled me into his arms. Though it was only for a moment, I heard him whisper in my ear, "This is a keepsake left to me by my teacher's wife. I've never been separated from it since I was ten years old."

I was still frozen there when he released me, and as if afraid I would see something, he hurriedly turned and left. Listening to the sound of the door opening and closing quickly, I stared at the crystal jade pendant in my palm, its silvery tassels still swaying back and forth, and I was mesmerized.

A few days later, my weakness completely disappeared, and Yang Yi repeatedly sent people to invite me to discuss political affairs before I finally entered the palace. In this way, even if I happened to meet the princess in the palace, Yang Yi would not suspect anything.

As we walked, I whispered to Yi Han, "Although Yang Yi is unlikely to touch me now, I'm not entirely certain. Inform Uncle Li to get the secret camp up and running, but remember to be careful and don't let anyone see anything amiss. In any case, even if we betray Jin Yao, we must leave a way out for all of us."

Yi Han nodded and said, "Don't worry, young master. I secretly passed the message to Samsung yesterday, and I think they have already begun preparations."

I nodded, then remembered Zi Mo's words. Although I still had many doubts, I said, "Do you remember Han Jingyuan? You asked the Shadow Hunters to send people to monitor the Han family mansion, but not Han Jingyuan, but his second brother Han Ning. If there is any unusual activity, report to me immediately."

Yi Han frowned slightly: "This man has never been well-known, and compared to his two younger brothers, he is far more cowardly and lacks intelligence. Why did you take notice of him, young master?"

I frowned. I couldn't very well say it was a hint from a ghost. When I asked Zimo why, he wouldn't say. I could only make up an excuse: "I just had a feeling that he might ruin our big plans."

Just as Yi Han was about to reply, Xiao Guizi, dressed as the chief steward, hurried over and bowed, saying, "Prime Minister, His Majesty has been waiting for you for a long time." He glanced at Yi Han, his tone still respectful, "Greetings, Commandant. His Majesty has instructed me to inquire why you have not yet taken up your post. Are you preparing to disobey the imperial decree?"

Yi Han glanced at him coldly, which immediately made his face stiffen. I quickly smiled and said, "I was just about to take him to apologize to the Emperor. Please lead the way, Eunuch Gui."

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Guizi's eyes. He raised his eyebrows and said in a high-pitched voice, "No need. His Majesty only wishes to see the Prime Minister. Commandant, please wait here for a moment." Yi Han and I exchanged a glance. The worry and coldness between his brows were even more pronounced.

Thinking back to when I first arrived in ancient times, Yang Yi always allowed Yi Han to accompany me wherever I went, and he never even knelt down to pay his respects to Yang Yi. I never expected that today would be like this... I shook my head and said helplessly, "Please lead the way, sir."

It was the same imperial study. Yang Yi sat at the head of the table, looking at me with a gentle smile. He was just over thirty years old and exuded the confidence of a mature man and the elegance of an emperor. He truly deserved to be known as the humble and benevolent ruler praised throughout the world.

I knelt down respectfully and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

He gladly stepped down and helped me up: "No need for formalities. Lin Yu, I received intelligence from Xiangxi the other day that Meng Zhao has already withdrawn his troops, and the disaster in Xiangxi is now completely under control. This is all thanks to you."

I quickly bowed and said, "This is all thanks to His Majesty's benevolence and protection of the people. I dare not take credit for it."

Yang Yi grabbed my elbow and dragged me to the table, laughing, "Don't be modest anymore. Come and help me see how to arrange the military defenses in Xiangxi. Now, you are the only ever-victorious general in my Jin Yao."

I had no choice but to stand beside him at the rosewood table. The faint scent of incense swirled around me, making me feel somewhat irritated. Yang Yi pointed to every part of the military deployment map on the table and asked for my opinion. I either answered according to Zi Mo's wishes or gave perfunctory replies. Before I knew it, a long time had passed.

"This place doesn't need too many troops. Just a few people skilled in naval warfare will be enough to prevent the river from being blocked." I gathered my wide sleeves with one hand and pointed with my index finger to those spots.

Yang Yi reached out his hand, as if to point out a spot, but suddenly turned and grabbed my hand. I shuddered and was about to pull away when I heard him laugh and say, "Lin Yu, has anyone ever told you that your hands look like a woman's?"

My heart pounded a few times, but I managed to remain calm and said, "Your Majesty is joking."

"No, I'm not joking." Yang Yi suddenly moved closer to me and breathed in my ear, "Your hands are even more beautiful than the hands of any of my concubines."

====================

I frowned, about to step back, but he tightened his grip around my waist. His deep eyes looked at me, his breath hot and unsteady, mixed with a pungent incense scent that hit my face: "Lin Yu, if you were a woman, I would definitely marry you. Of the three thousand beauties in my harem, I would only favor you."

"Your Majesty!" I pushed him away violently, my face contorted with rage, and said coldly, "Your Majesty, a scholar can be killed but not humiliated! Your Majesty doubts my loyalty, and I have nothing to say but to repay Your Majesty's kindness with my life. However, Your Majesty insults me as a woman and makes disrespectful advances towards me, which has truly chilled my heart."

I knelt down before him with a thud, and said calmly, "If Your Majesty truly cannot tolerate your subject any longer, then please grant Lin Yu his death!"