Minglong

Chapter 110: Iron Pot Stewed Prince

East Market, Yangji Pharmacy.

Outside the building, a drizzle fell. A young man in white, holding an umbrella, stood at the door of the pharmacy and chatted enthusiastically with the owner of the pharmacy who had just arrived.
"Mr. Yang."

"It's raining today. Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Xie. I've already contacted the seller and he'll be here soon. Come in, come in..."

"That's good……"

……

At the same time, on the second floor of a cloth shop on the same street, Nangong Ye, wearing a veil hat, stood at the window, looking at the scene of the drugstore through the gap, with a frown on his face.

Having just met by chance at the East Market Entrance, Nangong Ye was a little suspicious of Xie Jinhuan's purpose of coming to the East Market so early in the morning.

Seeing Xie Jinhuan and Yang Sichen interacting with each other, she naturally knew who the mysterious buyer of Jiazilian was.

Although she didn't understand the use of the Jiazi Lotus, which was only used by Xie Jinhuan, a third-grade cultivator, to obtain super-grade ones, she was 100% sure that this kid didn't have the Resurrection Grass!

After all, exchanging the Huanyang Grass for the rhizome of the Chinese lotus is a fair deal. As long as Xie Jinhuan has it, with his current reputation and background, he can just give it directly to the King of Dan and the Imperial Astronomical Observatory and exchange it for a rhizome of the Chinese lotus from the national treasury. The court has no reason to refuse, and there is no need to risk being robbed by the ancestors by trading with strangers.

Since he didn't have the Resurrection Grass, why did he secretly ask me to come out?
Relying on your eloquent tongue and the secret method of detoxification, you can get the secret treasure in my arms for free?
You have already told me the detoxification method!
Nangong Ye's eyes looked a little strange. He wanted to go over and see what other skills Xie Jinhuan hadn't used yet, but in his heart he was indeed afraid of this kid's "teasing skills".

If Xie Jinhuan really used some sweet words to trick her away with her treasures, it would be difficult for her to snatch them back openly given their relationship.

To do this, I still need to find out more about Xie Jinhuan's character, background, and so on before considering whether to continue the deal. After all, he can't escape...
-
At noon, the rain gradually stopped.

Xie Jinhuan walked alone on Zheng'an Street, his brow furrowed and his eyes slightly downcast. His expression could be summed up in one sentence:
The local gangs are so damn rude!
He waited for half a day at Yang's Pharmacy in the morning. Yang Sichen originally said that someone would be here soon and asked him to have tea in the tea room.

Not long after, Yang Sichen came back and said to him:

"That senior has already left. He said that since the young master is a third-rank Taoist, he definitely doesn't have the Resurrection Grass. If you really want to trade, ask your master to come..."

Isn't this looking down on others?

Regardless of whether I have it or not, since you are here, at least show up and talk!

What if?
If Xie Jinhuan didn't really have the Resurrection Grass, he would have taken the thing out to make tea and pissed off the seller who wouldn't even show his face!

After robbing Li Gongpu, I finally managed to collect enough money for the medicinal materials, but ended up losing my way to selling Jiazilian. Isn't this going to be a big deal?

But now that things have come to this, there is no point in him being furious. He can only ask Yang Sichen to continue to help inquire to see if there are other sellers.

Walking on the street at this time, Xie Jinhuan asked again:
"How much time do I have left?"

"Seventeen days and six hours. Refining the elixir and taking the medicine also takes time. You have to go in advance to prevent any unexpected events. So you have at most ten days to act. Move quickly."

"Alas, I've already split the day into eight parts..."

Feeling so worried, Xie Jinhuan returned to Zheng'an Street, only to find that there was an extra row of guards standing at the gate of the palace.

When Xie Jinhuan saw this, he knew the landlady had arrived. He hurried through the gate and looked up to see the sharp-nosed and monkey-faced housekeeper Hou, who was hitting Lai Fu with a white paper fan:
"Before the princess came, you were the housekeeper, and I didn't say anything; now that the princess is here, if you are still the housekeeper, then wouldn't the princess's mother have come in vain?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Butler Hou is the boss, I'm just a slacker..."

"You know who the butler is, but you still don't hand over the key to the treasury?"

"Ah? I didn't give it to you just now?"

"Who has the wit to keep the vault spotless? Where's the silver? Where's the vases and paintings the prince left behind?"

"Uh……"

……

When Xie Jinhuan saw Butler Hou, the shocking pendulum and hip-shaking dance flashed through his mind. His eyes sank slightly and he subconsciously pressed the handle of the mace!

"Eh? Looks like there's murderous intent!"

Butler Hou paused, looked around, and then set his eyes on Lai Fu beside him. He rolled up his sleeves and started to fight:
"You still dare to disobey?! I'm going to tear your head off today..."

"Eh? I'm not dissatisfied, it's just my fault..."

……

Xie Jinhuan sensed the instability of his Dao heart, and quickly suppressed his murderous aura, stepping forward and saying:
"Housekeeper, has Her Highness the Princess arrived?"

Butler Hou turned around and saw Xie Jinhuan, who was so elegant that even his posture straightened up a bit:
"Hey, thanks, kid. The princess arrived last night and is busy in the kitchen."

"kitchen?"

Xie Jinhuan was stunned, thinking:
Can the landlady cook?

Could it be that she prepared lunch just for me, just like Wanyi did?

I'm afraid I can't afford this...

While thinking, Xie Jinhuan said goodbye to the butler Hou and quickly came to the kitchen of the palace.

The autumn rain was drizzling, but the kitchen yard was shrouded in mist and white smoke could be seen rising from the wall.

The maids in the mansion were all standing neatly in the corridor, with bowls on their heads, standing motionless, apparently as if they were being punished.

In the originally empty courtyard, there was a large iron pot used to scald pigs, and next to it was a pig-slaughtering stool that came from somewhere.

Prince Zhao De, who had transformed into the "Danyang Red Dot", was tied up with hemp ropes and trapped on a pig-killing stool, with a linen cloth stuffed in his mouth, and a look of horror in his eyes:
"Woo-"

The landlady, dressed in a gorgeous peacock dress, stood next to the big iron pot and personally put the firewood into it.

The well-behaved coal ball was fanning the fire with its wings to make it burn more vigorously.

The two old brothers, Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi, were so frightened that their faces turned pale. They stood by and did not dare to stop the fight. When they saw Xie Jinhuan coming back, they quickly made faces to signal him.

The Dan King's son was also like 'Adou meeting Zilong':
"Woo-"

Xie Jinhuan was stunned when he found out that the pig he had killed belonged to the Dan King's son. He quickly stepped forward and said:
"Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Princess Changning continued to add firewood, and her face, which had been peaceful and serene, was now filled with a hint of anger.
"Kill the pig, what else can I do?" "Uh..."

Xie Jinhuan stopped the personal servant who was still fanning the flames and tried to persuade him:
"Is the princess angry about the Crown Prince going to Changle Street? Alas, His Royal Highness has settled down in the capital, so he's bound to have social engagements..."

Princess Changning frowned, holding the dry firewood and said in a deep voice:
"His squandering of money in the capital is my father's business, not this county's. But a few days ago, you helped me win three thousand taels of silver in the Golden Tower, and he squandered it all. I was planning to give you, my meritorious official, half of it after entering the capital, but now..."

what? !

Xie Jinhuan was shocked to find that the prince was so reckless that he even dared to embezzle his money. He took the dry firewood and helped to put it under the iron pot. However, considering that Zhao De had given him a share of the dividends, he still helped to persuade him:

"This is indeed a bit... well... Although siblings should settle accounts openly, they can't really stew each other. How about the princess give some time and let His Royal Highness make up for the shortfall within three days?"

"Woo!"

Prince Zhao De nodded like pecking at rice.

Princess Changning asked, "What if he can't pay it back?"

"I believe in the character of His Royal Highness. If he fails to make up for the shortfall within three days, I will not question the princess in any way."

Seeing her trusted general speak well of her, Princess Changning naturally took advantage of the situation and looked at Zhao De on the pig-killing bench:

"Did you hear me? Today, for Xie Jinhuan's sake, I'll let you off this once. If you can't gather three thousand taels of silver within three days, you know the consequences."

"Woo~"

Zhao De nodded repeatedly, full of gratitude to Xie Jinhuan.

"Let's put the pot aside first. When he makes up for the deficit, we can remove it."

"Yes!"

Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi hurriedly bowed, then ran forward to untie the ropes...

---

Not long after, in the main courtyard of the west house.

Princess Changning sat down on the lakeside terrace. The maid brought her various delicacies. Duoduo knelt beside the table, setting the dishes and pouring wine for Xie Jinhuan.

Meiqiu looked at the large table of dishes and the dried fish prepared specifically for it, his eyes wide open. He quietly moved to the front of Princess Changning, probably thinking secretly - a wise bird chooses a tree to roost in! A big bird was born between heaven and earth, how can it live in a depressed state for long...

Xie Jinhuan was somewhat flattered by the landlord's hospitality:

"My Lord, you are too polite. I am a simple man, so I will just eat a simple meal."

Princess Changning was quite angry with the prince, but she was still very gentle in front of Xie Jinhuan. She sat sideways behind the table, legs curled up, her round buttocks resting on her calves, and first helped Meiqiu pick up a few small dried fish:

"It's just a family dinner, no need to be so polite."

Duoduo was dressed quite warmly outside, but as soon as she entered the house, she took off her long-sleeved coat, revealing her chest. She interrupted:

"Yeah, this isn't outside. And what's so crude about Mr. Xie? When it comes to literary talent and musical melody, you're no worse than those sour scholars."

"Oh, you're too kind..."

Xie Jinhuan was full of dirty talk, but it was difficult to say it in front of the princess. He just took the wine glass and chuckled, looking around:

"Miss Linghu, don't you want to come over?"

"She didn't sleep last night, and being kindhearted, she couldn't bear to see the pig being slaughtered, so she went to catch up on some sleep."

Princess Changning rubbed the coal briquettes she was working on while eating, and fixed her gaze on her trusted and beloved general:
"When my father heard that you were assassinated in the Golden Tower, he was furious and extremely worried. When he came here, he also asked me to remind you that if you can, you should investigate the matter of the Hades Cult's spies. Don't force it. Your safety is the most important thing."

Duoduo also nodded. "Yes, I heard that the captain of the Red Scale Guard was involved. The prince was furious and wanted to go to the capital in person to ask for an explanation. Several gentlemen dissuaded him. Then he heard that the prince had gone to the palace to cause a scene, so he gave up. He even rarely praised him, saying, 'This rebellious son finally did something humane'..."

Xie Jinhuan knew that the Dan King valued him, and hearing this, his heart was indeed warmed. He thought for a moment and said:

"Your Highness is overly concerned. I'm acting with discretion and will prioritize self-preservation. As for the Underworld Cult, well... I suspect my father was murdered by a demonic creature and has a connection to these people, so I must get to the bottom of it, even if Your Highness doesn't tell me."

Princess Changning came here on the orders of her father, the king, to investigate the matter of the underworld cult's spy with Xie Jinhuan.

Of course, this matter was more about the King of Dan trying to bring the two together and deliberately create an opportunity for them to work together.

Princess Changning knew her father's thoughts, but she couldn't make a hasty decision about marriage. For now, she still focused on her work. After thinking for a moment, she continued:
"If we investigate the market, most of the clues we find are pawns. The spy planted by the Hades Cult in the capital must be in a high position.

"Tonight is the Queen's birthday, and all the dignitaries in the capital will be in the palace to celebrate, and that hidden chess piece is likely to be among them.

"Using the Hidden Immortal Sect's magical powers, are you sure you can spot the evil creatures?"

Xie Jinhuan blinked his eyes and felt that this was indeed a way.

The Hades Cult has spies in the palace and government offices. The person behind the scenes must be a powerful person, and such a person must attend the Queen's birthday banquet.

However, in order to prevent evil spirits from disrupting the country, the imperial court would regularly conduct physical examinations on officials. If the secret agents of the Hades Cult wanted to take root in the surface, they either had not practiced the magic techniques, or had concealed the traces of the magic techniques with secret methods, ensuring that physical contact and the exploration of the qi sea would be difficult to detect, otherwise they would be easily exposed.

Xie Jinhuan was not sure whether Apia could see through the true nature of such a person.

Ye Hongshang obviously understood Xie Jinhuan's thoughts. He appeared beside him, supporting his face with his hands and said:
"If you haven't practiced demonic techniques, then your 'heart' is in the demonic realm, and I definitely won't notice anything unusual.

"As for using secret methods to cover up all traces, even if the disguise is flawless, I can still lure them in. Then I can observe their expressions and identify them. For example, if you say 'there's a demon' in court, the hidden demon will definitely panic, and it will be easy for me to lock onto the target."

Xie Jinhuan felt that the Queen's birthday banquet was not a good opportunity for him to speak out, but he had to try if he had the chance, so he said:

"A demon who dares to enter the palace for a banquet must be hiding very deeply. I may not be able to see it, but I can try. Hmm..."

At this point, Xie Jinhuan suddenly remembered that Li Gongpu had not yet been cleaned up, and that this grandson would definitely be there tonight, so he frowned and asked:
"Your Highness, do you think this Dark God Cult's hidden agent could be Li Gongpu?"

---

I haven’t finished writing it yet, please wait a moment, sorry or2!

(End of this chapter)