Minglong

Chapter 74: Concealing one's own corruption?

Danwang Mansion is located on Zheng'an Street, adjacent to the imperial city and not far from Buzheng Street.

Xie Jinhuan rode his horse through the streets and when he arrived outside the majestic palace, it was already late at night and only a few patrol officers could be seen on the street.

Linghu Qingmo practically grew up with Princess Changning, and everyone in the palace knew her. When they arrived outside the mansion, the black-armored warrior standing guard at the door hurried forward:

"Lord Linghu, when did you come to the capital?"

"Just came here."

Linghu Qingmo dismounted outside the door and introduced:

"This is Master Xie Jinhuan, the new halberd bearer of the Princess's Mansion."

The two soldiers had already heard rumors about Xie Jinhuan, and they immediately bowed with deep respect.

"Greetings, Mr. Xie!"

"You're welcome. I just arrived. You don't have to be so polite."

Xie Jinhuan returned the greeting with a bow, followed Mo Mo up the stairs, and asked:

"Has His Royal Highness gone to bed?"

"Uh……"

The leading soldier was a little embarrassed and seemed to want to report first.

Linghu Qingmo came over, actually she also had the task of helping her bestie monitor the movements of the prince, so she walked directly ahead:
"No need to inform, just take us there directly."

Wu Zu did not dare to say much and hurriedly led the way.

Xie Jinhuan followed Mo Mo carrying the coal briquettes, and together with Yang Dabiao and others, they walked through the courtyard and corridor and soon arrived at the shore of Xizhai Lake.

At midnight, the lakeside garden was shrouded in moonlight.

Xie Jinhuan looked up and saw a man in a black robe, one hand behind his back, his eyes covered with a cloth, standing on the grass and listening to any movement around him.

The man looks very similar to the King of Dan, and it is no surprise that he is the Crown Prince Zhao De.

Although the posture is a bit sparse, but at this moment, standing alone under the moon, it also reveals a sense of majesty without anger.

Xie Jinhuan took a quick look and was a little surprised:

"Your Highness is still practicing martial arts so late at night?"

Linghu Qingmo was also quite surprised. Just as he was about to go closer to take a closer look, he saw Lai Fu, the servant boy, standing in the corridor and asked:

"Is your highness ready?"

Prince Zhao De put one hand behind his back and said in a clear voice:
"Let's get started. Let's get everyone on board together this time."

"Your Highness is sure?"

"I'm sure."

There was a sense of confidence in his voice.

Xie Jinhuan wondered if this was a martial arts demonstration or a "I'm going to beat ten of them!", so he naturally stopped and watched carefully. Linghu Qingmo also watched in confusion.

Lai Fu didn't notice a group of people popping up at the corner of the corridor. After making sure that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was ready, he raised his hand and clapped.

clap~
stomping on...

The next moment, the sound of footsteps came from the room next door.

Then more than ten maids in cool clothes came out of the house, tiptoed into the garden, and circled around His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Prince Zhao De smiled wickedly, raised his hands, and groped around to locate the location:

"At this!"

"Hey~ Your Highness didn't catch it..."

"You think you can get away? Um...it's Xiuqin!"

"Wow~ Your Highness is amazing..."

"You have the biggest face in this mansion, how could this prince make a mistake?"

"Oh, Your Highness is so annoying..."

……

The corner of the corridor fell into dead silence.

Yang Dabiao had just thought that the Crown Prince had been possessed by another body, but now he felt relieved and felt that this was the Crown Prince he was familiar with.

Linghu Qingmo took a deep breath and the feeling was obviously similar.

Xie Jinhuan had never heard of the news about the Dan King's son, and at this moment, he was as shocked as the coal ball:
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is the same as the Princess..."

"Brother and sister, what do you think?"

"The princess is my elder sister?"

"if not?"

Princess Changning has a baby face and looks like a noble princess of sixteen or seventeen. Xie Jinhuan originally thought they were brother and sister, so he was a little surprised at this.

Linghu Qingmo felt that the scene was really damaging to the image of the palace, so he thought about it and came closer:
"His Royal Highness?"

"..."

The laughter and joy died down.

Zhao De, who was chasing the maid around, paused for a moment and turned around to ask:

"Which maid is this?"

The servant Lai Fu was startled and quickly waved the maid away:
"It's Miss Linghu."

Zhao De's movements froze noticeably, and he raised his hands and performed a smooth and flowing "Wild Horse Parting Mane" move, then began practicing Tai Chi on the spot:

"Father, I'm practicing, listening to the sound to determine the position..."

"The prince didn't come." "Sister, let me explain..."

"The princess didn't come either."

"?"

Zhao De paused again, then stood up, assuming the dignity of a prince, and pulled down his blindfold.
"Eh? Miss Linghu? Why are you here? Who is this?"

Xie Jinhuan bowed and said, "I, Xie Jinhuan, pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Although Zhao De was uneducated, he was not deaf. He was obviously aware of Danyang's situation. He was surprised when he heard the voice and stepped forward quickly, his demeanor like "Adou meeting Zilong":
"Are you Brother Xie? No wonder I was wondering why the paint on the wall was coming off."

"Ok?"

Xie Jinhuan was puzzled and looked around with Meiqiu.

Zhao De walked closer and wanted to touch the coal ball, but found that he was holding an eye mask in his hand, and quickly put it behind his waist.
"What a blessing! Brother Xie doesn't seem to be very funny."

"Uh……"

So it's this 'ash'? Xie Jinhuan thought this was a good joke and chuckled:

"Been taught a lesson."

Zhao De noticed Linghu Qingmo's expressionless face and realized that the scene just now was too embarrassing. He explained softly:

"Brother Xie, do you know what I was doing just now?"

you still need to ask?

Xie Jinhuan thought he was giving him a way out, so he asked:
"Your Highness, are you practicing the art of locating objects by sound?"

Zhao De waved his hand and explained in a serious tone:
"As the saying goes, 'Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger.' I am the son of a prince, and I have taken root in the capital. My father also controls the military, politics, and finances. If I can show my talent for both civil and military affairs..."

Xie Jinhuan understood:
"Your Highness, are you trying to hide your incompetence and defile yourself?"

"Shh~"

Zhao De patted his shoulder, pretending to see through everything but reveal it.

Linghu Qingmo, Yang Dabiao and others who knew the prince's character well took a deep breath, and their eyes probably meant:

With your current appearance, do you still need to hide your shortcomings?
I guess Your Highness has never been suspected by the Emperor, partly because of his straightforward character and his poor scheming, and partly because of the 'father's inferiority'. When the court officials saw you like this, they didn't dare to take sides!

However, Zhao De was the future King of Alchemy after all, and no one present dared to ridicule him.

Under normal circumstances, Zhao De still had the demeanor of a son of an aristocratic family, and was as approachable as the Dan King:
"Thank you, brother, for your great contributions to Danzhou. If I don't treat you well after coming all this way, my father will definitely accuse me of being ignorant of etiquette. Lai Fu, go to Zijin Pavilion and order a banquet for the Eight Immortals. Charge it to the palace account!"

"okay!"

Xie Jinhuan and even Yang Dabiao were genuinely shocked when they heard this.

Zijin Pavilion is the most famous brothel in the capital, and the entrance fee for tea and drinks starts at ten taels.

As for the 'Eight Immortals Banquet', it is the supreme service of Zijin Pavilion. Delicacies from all over the world are secondary. The most important thing is the company of eight courtesans who perform various exciting programs.

Xie Jinhuan had lived in the capital for sixteen years, and he had never found out how much strength was needed. He only knew that no man could leave the house standing under the pressure of "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, Each Showing Their Magical Powers".

Although he was interested, he also realized that the Dan Prince was using his name to eat and drink at public expense, so he declined politely:
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I have already received a generous reward from the prince, so how dare I ask Your Highness to spend more money..."

Linghu Qingmo, perhaps worried that Xie Jinhuan would be led astray, quickly interrupted:
"Your Highness, he is injured and cannot drink these days. He deserves a rest after a long day. How about we wait for another day?"

Zhao De felt very sorry, but he couldn't miss this opportunity to spend public funds, so he said:
"If drinking isn't your thing, then go have some fun. There's going to be a good show at the Golden Tower tomorrow. Zhang Huaiyu from the Imperial College will compete with Wei Lu from Snow Eagle Ridge in willpower.

"This prince is betting three thousand taels of silver on Zhang Huaiyu. If he loses, it will be put on the palace's account. If he wins, we will split it in half and treat it as a treat for Brother Xie."

Jinlou is an auction house, and it often holds events such as chess competitions, cockfighting and dog fighting.

Although Xie Jinhuan was in urgent need of money, he felt that this treatment was a bit outrageous, so he turned to look at his secretary Mo Mo.

Linghu Qingmo knew that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had to make a fortune by using Xie Jinhuan's name, so he thought about it and asked:

"How to compare?"

"It's a meditation competition where both sides compete in concentration. We'll send people to perform a show to see who loses their composure first. The loser will become the laughing stock of the entire capital. It's really fun."

"Comparing concentration..."

Linghu Qingmo thought for a moment and said, "Zhang Huaiyu is a disciple of Mr. Fan, the Imperial College's chief academic officer, and Mr. Mu's nephew. He's even been to the academy several times before. He's an absolute gentleman. As for Wei Lu... I think he's Wei Wuyi's grandson. Why would he want to compete with a Confucian disciple in concentration?"

Zhao De waved his hand. "Wei Lu came to the capital to celebrate the Empress' birthday. He went to the Imperial College and accidentally ran into Zhang Huaiyu reading 'The Story of Wei Wuyi'. The two got into an argument. Wei Lu called Zhang Huaiyu a hypocrite, but Zhang Huaiyu insisted that he was studying historical materials. Wei Lu set up this trap to expose Zhang Huaiyu's true face."

"Oh."

Linghu Qingmo suddenly understood.

Because she had seen the masterpieces of those Confucian scholars in Jiwenzhai, she understood how angry Wei Lu was. After thinking for a while, she said:

"Zhang Huaiyu is a disciple of Confucianism, and his determination is definitely extraordinary. However, Wei Lu is no ordinary person either. In my opinion, this battle is a 60-40 chance. Your Highness would be better off being conservative..."

Zhao De waved his hand confidently:

"If Wei Lu can get so angry over a piece of idle book, his willpower can never be compared to Zhang Huaiyu's. This is a sure win. If Jinlou wasn't afraid of not being able to afford the limit bet, this prince would have bet hundreds of thousands of taels of silver."

Linghu Qingmo felt that this statement seemed to make sense.

While Zhao De was speaking, he looked at Xie Jinhuan again:

“However, Brother Xie is a true hero and righteous man. If he were to fight tomorrow, the outcome would be unpredictable.

"Brother Xie, do you want to give it a try? It's just meditation, anyone who signs up can participate. As long as you make it through the first level, you'll get a reward. The more levels you pass, the higher the reward. Winning first place will earn you 1,000 taels of silver!"

Xie Jinhuan now saves an average of 10,000 taels of silver per week and is quite interested in this matter, but he has never denied that he has a love of beauty...

This kind of competition of concentration seems to be quite risky, so I said conservatively:

"I'm new here, so I don't know the ins and outs of the water. I'll go and see tomorrow."

"Okay. Let's talk about it tomorrow..."

……

(End of this chapter)