Chapter 22

The term "归心似箭" (returning heart like an arrow) aptly describes the Emperor's current mood. Although the journey was not one of constant exposure to the elements, and there was no shortage of chicken, duck, and fish, it was still markedly different from life in the palace. Just as the Emperor showed his palm to Ling Ling, "My skin has become rough!"

Without realizing it, the road had become smoother, and gradually, scattered villages began to appear on both sides. Ling Xiao felt a slight excitement. The capital was the political and cultural center of the Great Ming, and the closer they got, the more prosperous it became. The Emperor was already eagerly looking into the distance. Ling Xiao knew what he hoped to see; after being away for so long, he truly missed the towering walls of the capital.

"See! See!" The Emperor pointed to the faintly visible high walls in the distance, and Ling Xiao felt a bit sympathetic. Poor child, spoiled and pampered, he had barely survived this long journey!

Ling Xiao didn't want to dampen his spirits. As the saying goes, "Looking at the mountain from afar can tire a horse," meaning that seeing something doesn't mean it's close. The two carriages, stopping and starting, took a full day and night to reach the city walls by dawn the next day.

The city gates opened very early, and when they arrived, it was already a bustling scene.

"Hey! You! Open your basket and let me see if there's anyone hiding inside!" The stern command made Ling Xiao quite surprised. He watched with a black line across his face as a village woman opened the basket she was carrying, and the gate official actually leaned in to inspect it!

Come on! If there were someone in there, they would have to have practiced bone-shrinking to the point of becoming a cabbage! Although absurd, it also indicated that something significant had happened in the capital!

"Uncle Laogen, what are you doing?" Ling Xiao jumped off the carriage and called out to a middle-aged man who was inspecting, his tone light and pleasant, instantly making people feel good. The Emperor looked at Ling Xiao in surprise; he had transformed from a decisive and ruthless imperial secret agent into a neighbor's obedient young man. Who would have thought he had this skill! Ling Ling also looked at Ling Xiao in surprise, admitting that Ling Xiao was better at hiding his identity.

The middle-aged man turned to look, "Oh! Isn't this Little Ling! It's been a long time. Your aunt has been wondering why you haven't come back yet!" He nodded to Ling Ling, and everyone knew that Ling Ling and his master had gone to the Jin Kingdom for a medical conference. Seeing his smiling face, it seemed they had returned with a full load.

"Hehe! Thanks for your aunt's concern. I'll come over for a meal another day." Ling Xiao pouted like a big child.

Uncle Laogen laughed, "Sure! I'll have your aunt make braised pork, and I'll get to enjoy it too!"

Ling Xiao put on a serious face as if he had just remembered something, "What are you checking for?"

Uncle Laogen was taken aback, then realized, "I forgot, you just got back from outside and don't know. This news has spread like wildfire. Tutor Zhao Shenyan has colluded with the Commander of the Jinyiwei, Qinglong, to plot a rebellion!"

Ling Xiao felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. So soon! "What! How is that possible? How could the Tutor..." The Emperor's exclamation was stopped by Ling Ling.

"This is..." Uncle Laogen looked at the Emperor.

"Oh, this is my master's patient. He's just a bit shocked. By the way, we have something to do, so we'll leave first. We'll come find you for a drink another day." With that, they hurriedly drove away.

"Huh? I thought Little Ling's master specialized in gynecology?" Uncle Laogen muttered as he went to inspect others.

In the carriage, which had already driven away in Uncle Laogen's eyes, there was now complete silence. Ling Ling closed his eyes, his calm demeanor telling everyone, "It's none of my business!" Although Ling Ling felt the same way, seeing Ling Xiao and the Emperor's grim faces, he held back his words. Tutor Zhao Shenyan was a man of integrity and had been assisting the Emperor since he was a child. If the Emperor trusted anyone, Zhao Shenyan would be in the top three. Qinglong was also significant to Ling Xiao. If not for Qinglong's support, it would have been much harder for him to leave the Jinyiwei, especially when his position was precarious.

Ling Xiao's brows relaxed as if he had made a significant decision, "Your Majesty! You said you would reward me upon our return to the capital. I boldly ask for one thing!"

"What is it?" The Emperor paused, looking at Ling Xiao with some surprise. From what he had observed on the journey, this guy didn't seem greedy!

"The jade pendant on your waist!"

"Oh? This one? I have many. Take it!" The Emperor said, unfastening it from his waist and handing it to Ling Xiao.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I have to go to the bathroom, so I won't enter the palace." Without waiting for the Emperor's reaction, he jumped off the carriage. By the time the Emperor looked again, Ling Xiao was already far away.

"Your Majesty, Little Ling used to be in the Jinyiwei. You don't need to worry about the Tutor's matter. Since he jumped off the carriage, it means he will investigate it." Ling Ling advised.

The Emperor rolled his eyes at Ling Ling, "Duh! His face was even worse than mine! My jade pendant is very precious, but to get rid of him, it was simple."

"Oh! I've never seen such a stingy emperor before. I wonder if I'll ever get my candied haws." Li Yingqiong looked at the Emperor with big, watery eyes, but the contempt in her eyes was too obvious.

The Emperor's mouth twitched, "Don't think that saving me gives you the right to be so bold! I am..."

"Are you planning to welsh on your promise?"

"No, I didn't say I would welsh on it. I'm warning you..."

"Then fulfill your promise quickly! What are you rambling about!"

"You... Fine! I'll give it to you when we return to the palace."

"Remember to write it in the imperial edict!"

"..."

Li Gui couldn't handle his daughter, "Since we're already in the capital, we'll take our leave." He seemed to be afraid of being associated with the Emperor and quickly left with Li Yingqiong.

The Emperor was stunned, touching his face, "Have the days of rough travel made my imperial aura fade?"

...

The damp and moldy air was mixed with a hint of blood, and the cold wind whistled through the walls, creating a mournful sound. The sour, rotten, and decaying smell emanated from the torture instruments scattered around.

This was the Jinyiwei prison, a place that never held people, but was only used for torture! Whether innocent or guilty, it didn't matter; if the Jinyiwei needed you, they would invite you for a talk, and then you would either be alive or dead.

Clank, clank, the chains clanged. In the vast dungeon, only two strong men were chained. One stood with his eyes closed, while the other, with a face full of anger, pulled on his chains, causing them to shake violently. However, the iron hooks through their shoulder blades prevented any movement.

"Welcome, Commander Xuanwu of the Jinyiwei!"

A young man in a flying fish robe slowly stepped out of the darkness. If Ling Xiao were here, he would recognize that this attire was once worn by Qinglong. Xuanwu wasn't as imposing as Qinglong but was still strikingly handsome.

"Xuanwu? Xuanwu! You bastard! If you have the guts, let me out, I'll kill you!" The angry man roared, while the other, who had his eyes closed, seemed to be oblivious to everything around him.

"Xuanwu, since they are so stubborn, kill them all!" A lazy yet smug voice came from the second floor of the dungeon. The man, with his hands crossed over his stomach, slowly walked out, smiling and exuding an air of nobility.

Xuanwu bowed to him but hesitated at his command. The man was slightly annoyed, "When people see the light of your success, they will forget the darkness of your methods!" His words were quite persuasive, and Xuanwu believed them!

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