Wouldn’t that be sending Gao Qing and the others straight into a trap?
But Qi Wang’s trust in Eunuch Xu was clearly extraordinary. He simply glanced back at them and squinted slightly. “I’ll send a few men to go with you. Tell Huang Hongzhong and the magistrate of Jinxian County to release them. If not, I’ll kill them!”
Old San and Old Si still wanted to speak, but Eunuch Xu’s icy gaze had already swept over them.
They immediately understood, no matter what they said, it was useless.
In any case, Qi Wang had already said he would assign a few people besides Eunuch Xu. They could only try to come up with a plan along the way.
Everything else could wait until Gao Qing returned to Hongdu.
As long as he made it back, they wouldn’t fear that d*mned eunuch playing any dirty tricks.
Qi Wang instructed Eunuch Xu, “Bring them back as soon as you retrieve them!”
Eunuch Xu looked a bit troubled. After hesitating slightly, he finally said, “Your Highness, forgive this old servant for being meddlesome, but the region is plagued with disease. They’ve already been there for two days…”
Qi Wang’s face darkened. “I don’t care!”
“Why rush, Your Highness?” Eunuch Xu tried to gently persuade him. “Let the doctors examine them first. Wait a few more days to ensure everything’s safe before bringing them into the residence. That would be more foolproof.”
Qi Wang seemed to think this sounded reasonable and eventually agreed.
Only then did Eunuch Xu turn to leave.
Since Qi Wang had also assigned several capable men to go along, Eunuch Xu didn’t do anything to Old San and Old Si.
He wasn’t in a hurry.
As long as Huang Hongzhong moved quickly, by the time they arrived, Gaojia Town would already be blown up.
At that point, all they’d be bringing back would be Qi Yuan’s ashes.
As for Old San and Old Si… they’d be dealt with later.
No one would care anyway.
Meanwhile, Old San and Old Si were desperate to return, anxious about Gao Qing’s situation. They wished they could urge Eunuch Xu to move even faster.
Eunuch Xu merely lowered his eyes, casually rotating a jade thumb ring in his fingers, and instructed the group to speed up, just as they wished.
Everything appeared completely normal.
Even to Qi Wang’s attendants, nothing seemed amiss.
Eunuch Xu smiled faintly to himself.
He had never been afraid.
At that very moment, Liang Jianping was terrified out of his wits. When he appeared in front of Huang Hongzhong, his face was as pale as paper, and he stammered out, “Brother-in-law…”
Huang Hongzhong was busy sending people to find those heroic, spirited beauties that Qi Wang liked. Seeing Liang Jianping arrive, he immediately asked, “How did it go? Is the Gaojia Town matter settled?”
Liang Jianping’s lips moved, but before he could speak, seeing Huang Hongzhong look past him, he suddenly lowered his voice. “Brother-in-law, he’s one of ours, the one who bombed Gaojia Town.”
Oh, one of their own.
Huang Hongzhong didn’t pay much attention and waved for the servants to leave the room.
Then he knocked on the table, gesturing for Liang Jianping and the others to sit.
Liang Jianping took a step forward and sat down in the chair. He had just settled when he heard Huang Hongzhong ask, “So, how did it go? Is the Imperial Grandson dead?”
Although asking that sounded irreverent, they were doing irreverent things anyway. And since this was his own wife’s younger brother, there was no need for pretense.
Liang Jianping’s face grew even paler, and he didn’t respond.
Huang Hongzhong finally sensed something was wrong. He knew exactly what kind of person his brother-in-law was.
Coddled by his two sisters, Liang Jianping acted like a tyrant in Jinxian. Half the street was his property. Any woman he fancied, whether from a good family or not, he would drag back home.
It had caused many scandals.
Someone so lawless now looked utterly broken.
He frowned. “What happened?”
“He’s… fine,” a man behind Liang Jianping suddenly spoke.
Then he lifted his head, revealing his face and smiling at Huang Hongzhong. “But I, I’ve come to see you, sir.”
The newcomer had sword-like brows and striking eyes, exuding a composed, dignified presence. Huang Hongzhong instinctively frowned. “You are…?”
Was this someone from Jiangxi’s political circles?
Even if they were bombing Gaojia Town, not just anyone could be involved. They had specifically chosen Fang Yuanping, the general stationed in Wannian County.
Could this be one of Fang Yuanping’s subordinates?
As if sensing his confusion, the man raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. “Lord Huang went to such lengths trying to blow me up and now you don’t recognize me?”
“Me”? Huang Hongzhong’s heart skipped a beat. In a flash of realization, he blurted out: “The Imperial Grandson?!”
Xiao Yunting?!
By now, Liang Jianping looked utterly ashen.
Xiao Yunting gripped his shoulder and smoothly shoved him aside, then looked directly at Huang Hongzhong. “Lord Huang doesn’t seem that remarkable after all. Who would’ve thought you’d dare try to blow up an imperial envoy?”
His tone was calm, as if discussing something trivial, almost teasing. “A historic first, perhaps. Lord Huang, you plotted to murder an imperial envoy and harm the Imperial Grandson. What punishment do you think fits?”
Huang Hongzhong was speechless.
His face now mirrored Liang Jianping’s earlier look of shock and despair.
He couldn’t comprehend how Xiao Yunting had escaped and infiltrated the yamen alongside his brother-in-law.
But one thing he did know was what had to happen now.
He instantly shouted, “Guards! Guards!”
Liang Jianping moved his lips. “Brother-in-law… don’t bother. It’s no use. His Highness’s men have already dismissed all the constables from the yamen.”
In other words, the yamen was now a toothless tiger.
Even if the constables were still around, so what?
Could they compare to the Imperial Grandson’s personal guards?
Liang Jianping had already witnessed the ruthless efficiency of Xiao Yunting’s methods.
No wonder he had come to Jiangxi killing his way through everything.
Nothing was faster than killing fast.
But Huang Hongzhong refused to give up. While still shouting for help, he bellowed, “Assassin! There’s an assassin!”
The smile on Xiao Yunting’s face faded. He shoved Liang Jianping aside, stepped forward, and grabbed Huang Hongzhong by the throat.
His hand was like an iron vise.
Huang Hongzhong immediately began to choke, unable to breathe, clutching at Xiao Yunting’s hand in a panic, to no avail.
With a single hand, Xiao Yunting lifted him and slammed him hard against the wall.
A loud crack, Huang Hongzhong’s back collided with the wall, and he felt as though his internal organs had been shaken. His chest hurt so badly he nearly vomited blood.
But he didn’t even get the chance.
Xiao Yunting struck him again with a palm, and Huang Hongzhong collapsed to the side, completely unconscious.
Liang Jianping fell to the ground.
Both of his brothers-in-law… were dead.
