Han Ding let out a mocking laugh, he found Liang Jianping’s question rather ridiculous.
But it also showed just how arrogant Liang Jianping had become over the years, relying on being the magistrate’s brother-in-law. Even now, surrounded by armed guards, he still hadn’t realized the tide had turned.
Han Ding patted Liang Jianping’s face, then suddenly slapped him hard, nearly twisting his whole face aside.
Afterward, his expression turned cold as he growled: “Who are we?! We’re the imperial envoys’ guards, sent to Jiangxi on orders to provide disaster relief. And you, what’s your current position that gives you the guts to shout about executions and torture?!”
Imperial envoys?!
Liang Jianping’s pupils contracted violently. He had never imagined that the group they thought had already gone to Gaojia Town would now appear here, at the county yamen!
Then, everything that happened in Gaojia Town and Xujia Village… His Royal Highness the Imperial Grandson must know it all by now!
His expression shifted rapidly, pale one moment, flushed the next. For a time, he didn’t even know how to react.
That was when Xiao Yunting emerged, ordering that the corpses of Wang Weiqi and Madam Wang be brought forward and laid out in front of Liang Jianping.
Liang Jianping let out a terrified scream and fell heavily to the ground.
He could ignore the lives of the common folk, callously ordering the soldiers to blockade roads and burn villages. He had watched over a thousand people die before his eyes without blinking.
But when it came to seeing his own sister and brother-in-law dead before him, he couldn’t handle it.
Different.
To him, people’s lives were not equal.
Those lowborn peasants, dead or alive, were just numbers on a report.
But his sister and brother-in-law? They were different.
And yet, not a single person present felt a shred of sympathy for him.
If you only see yourself as a person, then you are not one.
Xiao Yunting stared down at him icily: “If you don’t want to be buried next to your sister and brother-in-law, this is your last chance.”
Liang Jianping was already scared out of his mind. Just a few hours ago, everything had been going according to plan, everything was under control.
So how had the situation flipped so drastically in such a short time?
Why hadn’t Xiao Yunting gone to Gaojia Town?
Why had he instead come straight to the county yamen, and even killed his sister and brother-in-law?
His mind was buzzing like a swarm of bees. It wasn’t until a basin of cold water was dumped over his head that he snapped out of it with a violent shiver.
Xiao Yunting’s lips curled into a mocking smile: “I’m not exactly known for patience. If you want to die, you can go ahead right now.”
He glanced at Han Ding.
Han Ding immediately drew his blade and pressed it to Liang Jianping’s neck.
After the shock of blow after blow, Liang Jianping couldn’t hold out anymore. He had no doubt that if he dared lie or dodge the question, Xiao Yunting would truly kill him.
Just like he had killed his brother-in-law.
Shaking all over, his survival instinct kicked into overdrive: “No, no! It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! Your Highness, you can’t kill me, my brother-in-law, he prepared explosives! They’re all buried around Gaojia Town, meant to blow you up!”
He blurted out: “You may not fear death, but there are still residents living near Gaojia Town! Half the town hasn’t even been infected by the plague! If you kill me, they’ll set off the explosives according to plan!”
So that was the real killing move.
Xiao Yunting and Qi Yuan locked eyes, they both saw the same cold light in each other’s gaze.
Huang Hongzhong had gone mad.
To dare plan an explosion to kill the imperial envoy, unbelievable that he could even think it, let alone try to carry it out.
But of course he dared. Huang Hongzhong felt justified in his desperation.
No one wanted to die, and he thought all of this was Xiao Yunting’s fault, for being so stubborn and uncompromising, for refusing to consider the plight of the officials.
So Huang felt forced into a corner, and chose such a vicious route.
At that moment, he sat across from Eunuch Xu, respectfully pouring him a cup of wine.
But Eunuch Xu casually raised his hand to stop him: “I’ll be serving His Highness again this afternoon, it’s not appropriate to drink. If Lord Huang has something to say, just say it.”
Huang Hongzhong quickly signaled the servants to present an exquisitely crafted gold-and-jade inlaid box, then said: “I’ve heard Eunuch Xu is fond of Cai Fangweng’s Analects commentary. By chance, I came across a rare copy and brought it to you as a humble gift.”
If it were ordinary silver or gold, Eunuch Xu wouldn’t care.
But this particular gift struck the right chord.
With a slight smirk, Eunuch Xu held the box in his hand: “Such a fine gift, Lord Huang. Surely you’re hoping for a favor?”
This time Huang Hongzhong picked up the teapot and respectfully poured tea for him: “I just wish Eunuch Xu could introduce someone, see if it might be possible?”
Introduce someone?
The words were vague, but Eunuch Xu immediately understood what Huang was implying.
He wanted an introduction to Qi Wang.
Eunuch Xu raised his chin: “Who?”
Huang Hongzhong smiled slightly and clapped his hands.
The door opened.
A beautiful young maiden dressed in purple Sichuan brocade stepped in, walking delicately like a lotus blooming. She approached the table and bowed gracefully in greeting.
Not only was she lovely to behold, her voice was like an oriole’s song, gentle and melodious.
How could Eunuch Xu not understand now?
So it was to gift a beauty to Qi Wang.
He had been about to refuse outright, but then, a thought of Qi Yuan flashed through his mind.
By now, Qi Yuan should already be dead.
Sooner or later, Qi Wang would hear of it. If she were alive, of course he’d cling to her memory endlessly, after all, what’s out of reach always seems the most desirable.
But if she were dead, would Qi Wang really follow her into the grave?
Of course not. He’d grieve for a while, and then let go.
And if, by that time, the woman he favored most turned out to be someone his own side had planted, well, that would certainly be advantageous.
He gave a slight cough and leaned back in his chair, casting a scrutinizing gaze over the girl: “How old are you?”
The girl bowed her head demurely and answered softly: “This servant is sixteen.”
Sixteen. A truly excellent age.
Eunuch Xu tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Huang Hongzhong quickly asked: “What does Eunuch think?”
This beauty had been carefully selected, it wasn’t easy to find someone of her caliber. In his eyes, she was one in ten thousand.
Even Qi Wang, who was surely used to beautiful women, would likely be pleased.
But Eunuch Xu shook his head: “She’s quite pretty, yes. But she’s not the type His Highness likes. You’re aiming in the wrong direction, His Highness isn’t fond of weak, indecisive, soft little beauties like this.”
Huh?
Huang Hongzhong was momentarily baffled.
Aren’t all men into these gentle, fragile little ladies?
If Qi Wang doesn’t like this, then what does he like?
Could it be… young boys?
He stared, dumbstruck.
