Chapter 100: The Troublesome Little Devil

  On the third day, in the early morning, behind a mountain slope outside Lulong Pass, people began to bustle about. Snow was shoveled into pots and heated until steam rose, dried wild vegetables and dried meat were thrown in, and the fragrance of vegetable and meat porridge wafted out.

  Xi Ri Ba held a snowball in his hand, pinched a piece of cheese and chewed on it while searching for Dai Yu Bin: "An Da, this is really strange, didn't we agree to make the transaction last night? Why wasn't there a signal light on the city gate that allows passage? You take a few people over to investigate what's going on."

  Dai Yubin said, "Alright, don't worry too much, sir. There hasn't been any news of changes in Lakshen, so nothing should happen. They need over a hundred carts of goods at once, it's probably hard to gather the vehicles, and that's why they're delayed. I'll go take a look later."

  "Umm, it's taking too long, we've brought so many goods, thinking that as soon as we arrive, we can trade, but we only brought two tents, most people can only sleep in the snow pits, and even then, they have to squeeze together, if this goes on for a long time, they'll all get sick from the cold."

  Just then, the tall and majestic Mo Yihan came over with a shoulder covered in frost: "Sir, Xi Rihou Ligena that old fellow has caught a chill, after all he's getting on in years, has a bit of a fever, and his spirit is lacking, what do you think we should do?"

  "Did we bring medicine? He can't afford to have any accidents. The palace is very complicated, not to mention the secret passages, and who knows how many changes Zhu Di made after he moved in. If there are any additions or deletions to the palace buildings, only he would be able to recognize the roads. Just drawing a map won't do, we can't find our way."

  "Medicines for dispelling cold and heat are available, I just made him a bowl of medicinal soup to drink. However, the old man's body is weak, and he's been feeling unwell, so it's unlikely that he'll recover immediately."

  Xiribajie shook his head and said: "First move him into my tent, this man has great use, can't be sick to the point of not being able to get up."

  He turned back and said to Dai Yubin, "It's really what you fear will come. Damn it! By the way, is the gunpowder buried in the secret passage okay? This is very useful."

  Dai Yubin said: "Even without gunpowder, just the tung oil is enough to create a sensation that shakes the heavens."

  "Otherwise, the flames of the tung oil will rise, and Zhu Di might escape. I want to blow him up in the palace, blow his whole family to pieces, and only when he's dead can we boost the morale of our Mongolian soldiers."

  Dai Yubin smiled and said, "The secret passage has only been entered by Xiri Kurugeltei, so I don't know how the gunpowder is stored. However, according to what Xiri Kurugeltei said, those military gunpowder packages are extremely tightly sealed. The outer wooden barrels have multiple layers of waterproof and moisture-proof oil paper, and then another layer of wax is applied. It's estimated that even after a hundred or eighty years, they won't get damp and lose their effectiveness."

  Heizi Ba smiled and said: "That's good."

  Two people were talking, when Mu Yihan brought two men, carrying Xirui Keluke over. Xizhaba took one look at Xirui Keluke's flushed face and labored breathing, and frowned, saying: "Just one night's work, how did you end up in this state? Quick, quick, help him into the tent to rest, and get the medicine ready. This is terrible, if we were to make a transaction tonight, I would have had to bring him over, wouldn't that have aroused suspicion?"

  They planned to buy some necessities as an excuse, and some people who participated in the plan were going to pass by. Xierihouli Ge was one of them. But he was old, and so many young people didn't need him, they had to bring an elderly person over, which would inevitably arouse suspicion from others. So they planned to disguise Xierihouli Ge as a younger man, attach a black beard, and take advantage of the darkness to barely pass.

  But he's now become so ill, if everyone is busy transporting goods, there's one who can't even move and still wants to bring him in, wouldn't others be suspicious? Although it may not necessarily ruin their big plan due to this suspicion, but this matter is really too important, Xi Ri Ba Ri will personally oversee the crossing, no room for any delay.

  Dai Yubin furrowed his brow, and suddenly a plan came to mind. He said, "Sir, don't worry about this. I've just thought of a good way to get Xirijihanmu off the hook."

  "What's the solution?"

  Dai Yubin said, "If his illness is not getting better at the time of the transaction, then there's no need to let him struggle with makeup. Just make him look even older and say he's an elderly member of the clan who has fallen ill and wants to go to the capital for medical treatment."

  "Great! This excuse is perfect, it's seamless, haha... Alright, An Da, let's just say he's your dad when the time comes. Filial son bringing his old man to get treated, this excuse is really good, haha..."

  Dai Yubin's face stiffened, his smile a bit bitter: "Make a eunuch a father? Haha, haha......"

  The King of Yan sat down with a mixture of laughter and tears, saying: "A dignified prince, actually doing these things that compete with the people for profit, this is tolerable. But to directly get involved in forbidden palace matters? What's his name?"

  Xu Fei said softly: "Shi Hong has just interrogated them, the two men's public identities are Xia Jun and Gao Sheng, their true identities are Yang Xu and Xi Men Qing. One is a student from Qingzhou, the other is a doctor from Yanggu County."

  The King of Yan shook his head repeatedly: "Ridiculous, Seventh Brother is indeed ridiculous."

  Xu Fei said, "Your Highness, since he is a subordinate of the Seventh Prince, you have to give him face. Not to mention several times sweeping the north, the Seventh Prince has helped you greatly. Just talking about brotherly love, it's not worth making things awkward for such a small matter. Anyway, the transaction was originally secretive, so just let them go."

  King Yan said: "Oh? What's going on with that little girl over there, isn't she angry?"

  Xu Fei smiled and said, "That little servant girl doesn't know how to hold a grudge. When she talked about that night's events, she was so excited all the way home, thinking it was a very interesting thing, and as soon as she returned to the mansion, she told your several daughters about it, showing off quite a bit. Last night, seeing those two reckless little brats shivering with cold in their cages, she actually went to deliver blankets to them, silly girl that she is, she won't bother with these things."

  "Alright then," said the King of Yan with a sigh. "Tell Shi Hong to take them away. This matter has caused quite a stir, and my seventh brother is indeed... Alas!"

  The Shi Hong in his mouth, surnamed Zhu, named Neng, from Huaiyuan, Anhui, inherited his father's position as the deputy commander of the Yanshan Guard, responsible for guarding the palace of the Prince of Yan. After Xiaojie and Ximen Qing were brought back to the palace, it was he who interrogated them.

  Xu Fei continued, "They are people of the King of Qi. Due to a temporary misunderstanding, they were captured by us and suffered on the way. As the saying goes, 'When beating a dog, one must consider its master.' If we send them back like this, it will not look good for the Seventh Prince. You also know his temperament; among brothers, he is the most concerned with saving face."

  "The King of Yan glared and said: 'What's going on? Do you want me to send them off with a drumbeat and gongs or something?'"

  Xu Fei covered her mouth and said: "That's not necessary, what they did wasn't very glorious, you wouldn't want to show your face."

  She thought for a moment and said, "Let Gao Chi send them away. With the presence of the Crown Prince of Yan, it's already giving them enough face. If the King of Qi finds out, he won't be able to say anything more."

  Zhu Dian nodded and said: "Alright, let Gao Chi get rid of these two troublesome little ghosts."

  Xiaojie and Ximen Qing have moved from the thatched cottage to a secluded temple, although it is still empty inside, there is no heating or fire basin, and this temple has been neglected for many years, with some desolation and more dust, but it is already warmer than the thatched cottage.

  Ximen Qing stamped his foot and paced back and forth in the room: "We've all confessed our true identities, so by rights Yan Wang shouldn't be giving us a hard time anymore. Why won't he let us go?"

  "Don't worry, even if that Xu Guogong's daughter doesn't give up, we won't be in danger of losing our lives."

  Ximen Qing said, "That little girl called Meng'er? Haha, then it's nothing. The little girl has a good heart, didn't you see her sending us a quilt yesterday?"

  "Ah, yes, I sent a quilt, a small quilt for the young lady, a very small quilt. At first, you said one person gets half, but after falling asleep, you wrapped it all around your body, and I could only get one foot in."

  Ximen Qing dryly laughed and said: "This... haha, I was sleeping like this..."

  Two people were talking when the temple door creaked and a sound of unlocking came, the two immediately stood together, staring intently at the entrance.

  As soon as the gate opened, four palace guards came in first and stood there with their hands on the hilts of their swords, looking majestic. Then a big fat man appeared at the door, supported by two tall and powerful eunuchs, who helped him step over the high threshold and enter the hall.

  This big fat man wore a dark blue Confucian robe, with his hair tied back in a knot. His facial features were quite dignified, with large ears and an air of elegance. However, his figure was really too fat, and despite being tall and in his early twenties, the loose-fitting robe seemed to be stretched to its limits by his obese body, requiring two sturdy eunuchs to support him on either side.

  Xia Xun said: "I remember that the records mentioned that Zhu Di's eldest son suffered from obesity, and he was fat since childhood. Could it be this person?"

  That big fat man had a smile on his face, and he didn't show any arrogance due to the low status of these two people. Before the guard could report, he had already cupped his hands and smiled: "I am Zhu Gaogui, the son of the King of Yan. My mother led the guards to hunt at Lulong Pass, saw that you two were secretly traveling, mistakenly thought you were bandits, and ordered the guards to investigate your identities. It was also the fault of the guards who were reckless and didn't clarify your identities before taking action, which led to this misunderstanding. You two have suffered on this journey, this is the fault of the Yan Wang Fu, Gaogui apologizes to both of you."

  He said with great difficulty and bent down.

  Xia Xun said, "I've long heard that the three sons of the King of Yan, the eldest son Gao Jiong is a man of great kindness and benevolence, treating others with utmost sincerity, refined and loving. His younger brothers repeatedly spoke ill of him in front of Zhu Di, even secretly harming him, yet he still treated his brothers with great kindness and defended them in front of their father. Now that I've met him once, I realize the rumors are true. As the son of the King of Yan, if not for his naturally kind and gentle nature, there would be no need for him to be so courteous to us."

  Xia Bing and Ximen Qing stepped forward together to return the courtesy, Zhu Gaizhi being the Crown Prince of Yan, the future King of Yan, according to imperial etiquette, was equal to a close relative of the emperor. In formal settings, even high-ranking officials in the court had to pay homage as subjects. What's more, Xia Bing and Ximen Qing were merely lowly scholars, yet they hastily stepped forward to pay their respects, saying: "Your Highness must not be so polite, we are indeed at fault, otherwise the princess would not have doubted us."

  "Please, no need for formalities, you two don't have to be so polite."

  He smiled again and said, "Just now, Zhu Qianhu has already asked about your identities. If there's any offense, please forgive me. Gao Chui came here for two reasons: one is to apologize, and the other is to send you two out of the mansion. If you don't mind, please follow me."

  Just as Zhu Gaojiu had barely turned around, a little girl in white came bouncing in, followed by two guards. As soon as she saw Xia Xian and Xi Menqing, she shouted: "Ah ha! So you're from the Qi Wang's household! No wonder you have such big guts! Does being from the Qi Wang's household mean you can bully me?"

  Zhu Gaogui hastily stood up straight, clasped his hands together in a fist and bowed down with great difficulty due to his large belly, solemnly greeting Xu Man'er: "Nephew Gaogui has seen Aunt Man'er."

  The little girl flashed past him, and Zhu Gaogui struggled to lift his stomach again. He looked up to see that his aunt had gone nowhere. Zhu Gaogui clumsily turned around and saw that Xu Man'er was already standing in front of Xia Zhen and Xi Menqing, with her hands behind her back, bowing her head to examine them.

  Zhu Gaogui had already heard about what happened, and said that Xiao Yi was still making things difficult for these two people. He hurried over to remind her: "Ming Yi, this is all a misunderstanding. Father and mother have instructed me to send them out of the mansion."

  The little girl waved her hand and said: "I know, I know. You go out first, I have something to say to them."

  Zhu Gaogui hesitated and said: "Mei Niang..."

  Xu Ming'er impatiently turned around and pushed him: "Get out, get out, I said I wouldn't make things difficult for them, Xu Ming'er's words are as good as a promise, absolutely won't go back on my word."

  Zhu Gaogui's body was like a mountain of flesh, and Xu Meng'er couldn't budge him. But Zhu Gaogui was an extremely proper gentleman who attached great importance to seniority, so no matter how young Xu Meng'er was, she was still his aunt and elder, and he didn't dare disobey her. He could only follow her wishes, supported by two eunuchs, and slowly moved out of the side hall.

  "Hehehe......"

  She pushed her big fat nephew out of the temple gate, and Xu Meng'er shouted to close the door. She turned around to look at Xia Yu and Ximen Qing, not knowing if she had learned from some play or not, with a sly minister-like appearance, one shoulder high and the other low, her two beautiful big eyes narrowed on purpose, letting out a sly laugh, threateningly staring at the two of them.

  Xia Liu and Ximen Qing looked at her appearance, not feeling afraid, but rather amused. However, the two of them cleverly shrunk their necks, revealing a timid expression. Xu Ming'er was very satisfied with the intimidating effect her pose had on them, so she straightened her waist and pointed at Xia Liu: "You say, why do you want to catch me?"

  Xia Yu looked at her with a bewildered expression: "Young mistress, the one who caught you was him, why did you insist that I was the mastermind?"