Chapter 25: The Prime Minister was Abducted
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Liu Yu Zhen felt a current surge through his body, like being shocked by electricity. He immediately became fully alert and, before King Yan’s tongue could breach his teeth, he quickly pulled back: “Awake! I’m already awake! Let’s go!”
The reluctant expression on King Yan’s face made Liu Yu Zhen unconsciously lick his lips. The taste in his mouth was pleasantly sweet. He often made this tongue-licking motion, but lately, he had been doing it more. He had to admit, King Yans taste was indeed quite appealing, but… he was a man!
Seeing King Yan remain still, Liu Yu Zhen felt very nervous, unsure if this man would suddenly pounce on him regardless of the situation. So, he continued to shrink into the corner, looking at him innocently yet warily. If he dared to make a move, Liu Yu Zhen was determined to kick him out of the carriage.
But King Yan did nothing, only said coldly, “Let’s go.”
For some reason, Liu Yu Zhen felt a bit regretful but still retorted stubbornly, “Okay.”
Outside the carriage, it was a bustling market scene. The late afternoon sun had turned crimson, and soon it would be time for the night watch to clear the streets. People were coming and going in an endless stream.
Ancient people all dressed similarly. Although there were slight differences in materials, overall, their clothes didn’t look very appealing. They couldn’t compare to the person beside him, who, even out of his dragon robes, still wore elegant silk garments.
They had parked at the busy street corner of this bustling market. Beside them was a quaint yet high-end inn, the rich aroma of wine already wafting into Liu Yu Zhen’s nose.
Liu Yu Zhen’s eyes lit up at the sight of something novel. Had he not been held by King Yan and guarded by Xiao Zipei, he would have immediately dived into the crowd to see those things he had never seen before and joined the bustling excitement he had always wanted to be part of. But he didn’t have that chance; King Yan was always stern, almost comparable to his team leader, but the team leader would never get so angry as to kiss him.
Why did they bring him to the market? Could it be for shopping?
Impossible, he thought.
They entered the high-end inn, with plainclothes guards dispersing to various positions, only a few following them inside.
He had slept from noon till afternoon, and by calculating the carriage’s travel distance, he knew this place was quite far from King Yan’s palace.
King Yan walked ahead with his personal guards, while Xiao Zipei kept a close eye on Liu Yu Zhen from behind. From this not-so-close but not-so-far distance, Liu Yu Zhen could see Yan Tenghua’s tall, robust figure clearly. He had experienced enough to know that opposing this man was no easy task unless he let down his guard.
Liu Yu Zhen didn’t really want to escape; he just felt his freedom restricted. If King Yan didn’t confine him everywhere he went, he would much prefer to stay in the palace and enjoy himself.
Just as he was thinking this, King Yan suddenly turned around, his eyes bright as he instructed, “Go up to the room and wait for me. Zipei, come with me.”
Ignoring whether Liu Yu Zhen agreed or not, several strong plainclothes guards came forward and practically “carried” him, pushing him up to the second-floor guest room.
Yue Lan followed behind, repeatedly saying, “Slow down, Prime Minister is not feeling well. Please don’t push him.”
But the guards acted as if they hadn’t heard, continuing to push forcefully, as if Liu Yu Zhen was being uncooperative.
Liu Yu Zhen wasn’t angry; being pushed upstairs was much easier than climbing up himself. So, he was leisurely pushed into room number one on the second floor.
The weather was hot, and the guards stationed outside the door were sweating profusely.
Liu Yu Zhen alternated between sleeping and restlessness, caught between two extremes of mood. At this moment, he was often drowsy due to the weather. In truth, he was waiting, waiting for something to happen… “They’re keeping something from me,” he thought.
Half-asleep with one eye open, the intoxicating aroma of incense in the room heightened the surreal setting. The lingering smoke enhanced the exquisite decorations, making him wonder if he was truly in this world.
A faintly mocking smile played on his lips. Seriously, who dreams of such familiar scents? “Ah, aphrodisiac incense.”
Downstairs in the elegant hall, before King Yan could sip his tea, a plainclothes officer came to report urgently, “Your Majesty! Prime Minister Liu has indeed disappeared.”
“What did you say?!” It wasn’t King Yan who nearly jumped up in shock but Xiao Zipei, who was perplexed about why King Yan had summoned him. Now he learned about Prime Minister Liu being abducted, feeling deeply remorseful for leaving his post.
King Yan’s eyes flashed with a vicious glint as he slammed his teacup down and coldly commanded, “Sit down.”
Zipei was utterly baffled. How could King Yan remain so composed and stern at a time like this? “Your Majesty, haven’t you heard that Prime Minister Liu has been taken away?”
“Zipei, Liu Yu Zhen is not your master; I am.” King Yan’s words carried an undercurrent of anger, as if everything was within his grasp yet uncontrollable. “Recently, Prime Minister Liu’s behavior has changed significantly. It may well be a scheme between him and Liu Ling. Let him go; what needs to happen will happen soon.”
“But…”
“Tomorrow, we will proceed as planned to the border of Liu Country to rescue Princess Zhi Jun. As for Liu Yu Zhen, I have long anticipated he would follow Liu Ling and will soon be dealt with by me. Finding Princess Zhi Jun is our priority; there’s no need to concern ourselves with him.”
Seeing Liu Country so composed only unsettled Xiao Zipei further. Others might not know, but he did. The heavily guarded Cold Palace would never let anyone swap Prime Minister Liu with another. Though he had never seen Prime Minister Liu in person, any outsider entering his restricted domain would have been noticed.
Prime Minister Liu had not been replaced by anyone; this imposter was definitely not the Prime Minister Liu known to King Yan!
“Your Majesty, I’ve followed you since childhood, through battles and half a lifetime of service. Honestly, without waiting for him, Prime Minister Liu won’t be able to find his own way back. Remember, it was he who proposed the method to find Princess Zhi Jun.”
King Yan listened without showing any outward reaction, but his thoughts were in turmoil.
This plan had been laid out since last year; why this sudden turn of events? Liu Yu Zhen, did you leave on your own or were you taken away by someone else? Initially, eliminating him alongside Liu Ling seemed the best course of action. Why was he wavering now?
I send you back to Liu Ling, not to let you be together. I would rather believe you wish to stay by my side. But now is not the time to test your loyalty. I don’t want you dead, nor do I want to see you…
Suddenly, at that moment, chaotic footsteps and the fragmented sound of hooves echoed from outside the inn.
King Yan’s fingertips exerted a slight pressure, and the porcelain cup in his hand disintegrated into white powder scattered by the wind. His handsome face now bore a grim expression. “So eager to meet your end, daring to cause trouble on these bustling streets. Xiao Zipei, I command you to ride swiftly to Liu Kingdom and immediately retrieve the Crown Princess.”
Huge shoutout to @denkoumaru on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
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