Sudden Change in Chapter 47

  On the round table of Wangfu Xiyu Pavilion, there was a jug of clear wine and two jade cups. One person sat idly at the edge of the table, holding the jug to take a sip, while another leaned against the pillar of the pavilion, playing the flute.

  The rain has just stopped, the moisture in the air has not yet dissipated, and the water droplets on the leaves quiver with a gentle tremble to the sound of the flute. The fallen flowers are half struggling on the ground and half buried in the soil. The autumn atmosphere is gradually becoming thicker, even the wind carries a slightly cool temperature.

  The man at the desk poured himself a drink with a cold expression, his every move revealing elegance and nobility. Although his face showed no joy or anger, his eyes revealed a faint desolation as he raised his head to take a sip.

  The flute's sound is sometimes smooth and lingering, sometimes gentle and jumping, quietly conveying comfort and persuasion in soft whispers. The flute's tone is not like the usual jade flute's clear and gentle sound, but rather has a somewhat low and rough feeling, subtly revealing a hint of exotic flavor.

  Zhou Song led the way, followed by Yuan Longlin, Yun Wuqi and Yuwen Qiming, slowly approaching Xiyu Pavilion. Before they reached the front, the three were attracted by the flute sound coming from inside the pavilion.

  Yuwen Qiming gazed at the green sky with a distant look in his eyes, as if lost in thought.

  "What tune is Qingming playing? How come I've never heard it before?" Yuan Longli asked with interest, staring at the pavilion without turning his head.

  Yun Wuqi's eyes narrowed slightly as he pondered for a moment, then turned his head to look at Yuwen Ximing with an air of sudden understanding.

  Their eyes met, and the two of them simultaneously cast their gaze towards the person in the pavilion. Yuwen Qiming nodded slightly: "I had my suspicions earlier, now it seems he indeed is."

  Although he had some awareness, when he heard Yuwen Qiming's affirmative words, Yun Wuji couldn't help but be surprised again.

  "What's certain?" Yuan Longlin turned back with a puzzled expression.

  Yuwen Qiming took a deep breath, lowered his voice to a volume that only the three of them could hear, and said: "Ten years ago, our tribe's chief suddenly died, and his only son also mysteriously disappeared. I didn't expect him to be by San Dianxia's side all along."

  "You're saying that Qing Meng is one of your Mani people? No wonder his appearance has some resemblance to yours." Yuan Longlin suddenly realized.

  A few people approached the pavilion, and when they heard the sound of footsteps, Ruan Long raised his eyes slightly and continued to sip slowly. Qing Ming immediately stopped playing the flute.

  "Third Brother, we're here." Yuan Longlin gave a quick greeting and sat down at the table with a big smile.

  Yun Wuqi and Yuwen Qiming simultaneously cupped their hands in a salute, "Third Highness."

  Yuan Longqiao nodded and gestured for them to sit down at the table as well.

  Neatly put away the wine cups of Qingming, and ordered people to serve fragrant tea to everyone. Seeing that Yuan Longqiao had no other instructions, Zhou Song quietly retreated.

  Qing Ming put away his flute and stood by the pillar, not coming over to chat with them. The others didn't pay attention either, treating him as if he didn't exist.

  "What news?" Yuan Longqiao asked lightly.

  Yuwen Qiming solemnly said: "The copper and sulfur of Jizhou, Ganzhou, and Lingzhou have been stolen in large quantities. Although the prefectures have dispatched more soldiers to guard them, the effect is minimal, and instead, the situation has become increasingly severe."

  "Moreover, many counterfeit coins suddenly appeared in Jizhou. It is said that now it takes four big coins to buy a head of garlic there, which is the usual price for buying a basket of garlic." Yun Wuqi's expression was equally solemn.

  Yuan Longqiao remained silent, his fingers idly kneading the cup, the wine inside gently swaying, stirring up a faint, almost imperceptible aroma.

  "They stole copper to mint coins, what about the sulfur?" Yuan Long's eyebrows furrowed, his slightly childish face showing a mature expression, "It can't be for making fireworks, can it?!"

  A sharp glint flashed in Eagle's eyes, and just as Yuan Long was about to speak, he suddenly saw Zhan Jing walking over from a distance. His mind stirred slightly, and a bad feeling instantly filled his chest.

  "Your Highness." On one knee, he bowed his head to report. "The Crown Prince went to the Guardian General's mansion today and sent two imperial physicians after leaving the mansion."

  The green-robed girl by the pavilion's edge straightened her back and pricked up her ears to listen carefully when she heard the words "Protector General's Manor", the hair hanging down her back got wet with water stains on the pillar, and a few strands that were particularly wet had lost their color and turned silver.

  His teeth clenched tightly, and although there was no great fluctuation on Yuan Long's face, the cold aura that suddenly emanated from his entire body was enough to reveal his emotions at this moment.

  Yuan Longlin and others also stopped speaking, all intently listening.

  "Unable to enter the general's mansion, they could only intercept one of the imperial physicians outside."

  "Who exactly is ill? Why do we need to invite two imperial physicians at the same time?" Ah, come on, speak quickly!" Yuan Longyun pulled up Zhan Jing, somewhat unable to bear his slow and deliberate manner.

  "It was the princess and Xia Er who fell into the water at the same time, but now they are both fine." Zhan Jing said calmly as he was pulled by his collar by Yuan Longlin.

  For a moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Yuan Longqiao. Qing Ming frowned in disgust, and although he couldn't see, he also turned his head in the direction where Yuan Longqiao was.

  His piercing eyes scanned the crowd, and the feeling of being scrutinized made him extremely uncomfortable. "Go down," he ordered in a light and airy tone, his hand slowly bringing the jade cup to his lips, with no change in strength or posture from before.

  "Third Brother, why don't you go and bring Third Sister back?" Yuan Longlin released his grip, retreated two steps, turned around and left.

  Yuan Longqiao's eyes flashed with a hint of helplessness, and although he moved extremely quickly, he still couldn't escape the notice of the other three people.

  With a slight movement of his mouth, Yuan Longlin was about to speak again when Yun Wuji suddenly cut him off. "The theft of copper and sulfur is no trivial matter, we absolutely cannot ignore it, otherwise there will be endless troubles."