52 - Old Master Si

Chapter 52 – Old Master Si

Suddenly, Yi Dingfeng’s fists started to feel itchy and wanted very much to punch Gong Changxiao. He really could not understand what Wuhuan sees in him.

Yi Dingfeng ignored him and turned his head around to look at the young servant. “I wonder whether it is convenient to let us enter and wait for Lord Di’s return?”

As the Lord and Madam were not at home, the young servant did not dare to make a decision. While the young servant was faced with this dilemma, Gong Changxiao straightaway made a decision.

“Of course! Come in and wait. Don’t be courteous. Servants! Invite these distinguished guests to the reception hall and serve them well.”

The servant who was guarding at the door was stunned and Yi Dingfeng was also stunned.

Listening to his tone, does he think this is his home?

Then Gong Changxiao said to the young servant who was standing there in a daze. “Don’t worry. I know this person. He is a well-known Head Constable with an imperial gold medal on him. If Lord Di knows that you had slighted this man, he will blame you when he comes back.”

As soon as the young servant heard, he did not dare to hesitate any longer and hurriedly bowed to invite the five people into the mansion. Then Gong Changxiao led the five men towards the reception hall with familiarity and also instructed the steward to prepare tea as though the Di Mansion was his home.

Since Yi Dingfeng was not wearing the constable’s blue robe and had deliberately dressed up as a civilian, Gong Changxiao knew he was not on duty now. Although the four people who followed behind Yi Dingfeng were also dressed as commoners, their ordinary clothes were unable to conceal the imposing aura emanating from them. For them to come and look for Lord Di, they must have some important matters and it was the reason why Gong Changxiao allowed them to enter.

Although they were love rivals in the past, Gong Changxiao admires Yi Dingfeng very much. A lot of news about the famous constables solving crimes and arresting criminals was spread among the commoners through word of mouth and Gong Changxiao has always respected those who punished and eliminated evildoers.

“In honesty, Head Constable Yi is very handsome, has a righteous air and your fame had spread far and wide. Regardless of whether they are men or women, the people admire your demeanor very much. This small one can’t be compared to you.”

Yi Dingfeng did not expect that Gong Changxiao would praise him like this. He looked at Gong Changxiao and saw that the other party had spoken sincerely and also magnanimously admitted that he was incomparable to him. It can be seen that this man is broad-minded.

Originally, Yi Dingfeng is not a petty person, and the suffocation he felt instantly disappeared. Holding up his fists, he modestly denied.

“Sir had flattered and overpraised.”

However, Gong Changxiao changed his words, patted him on the shoulder, and said to him in earnest consolation. “It’s not enough for a man to be handsome only……strength is also very important.”

Yi Dingfeng stiffened again and this time, his face turned black.

This guy deserves a beating!

Yi Dingfeng had the urge to throw a few punches at him.

When the few people following behind heard their conversation, they could not hold back their smiles.

This Chief Cao is indeed a funny person and very interesting!

Gong Changxiao ignored Yi Dingfeng’s darkened face and continued to behave boldly and straightforwardly with him in an intimate brotherly manner. He also said that since the matter was over and done with, Yi Dingfeng should not keep it in his heart any longer. Later when Yi Dingfeng meets with his wife, Wuhuan, Yi Dingfeng should not feel awkward because for them to be together, it has to be fated. Even if they cannot become a couple, they can still be friends.

With Gong Changxiao telling him all this, it did not seem right for Yi Dingfeng to feel angry nor was it right for him not to feel angry.

This guy’s behavior is so confident and at ease that if he is to dispute with him, wouldn’t he look petty?

So he could only take a deep breath and refused to lower himself to the same level as him*.

(To lower oneself to the same level as someone else means to lower oneself to the level of people who have little knowledge and are of poor character.)

As the group of people passed through the courtyard and walked along the corridor, they happened to meet Ling Wang, Si Liujing. When Ling Wang saw Yi Dingfeng, he was startled at first but when he saw the middle-aged man behind Yi Dingfeng, he was even more surprised.

Although he felt surprised, he immediately calmed down and asked. “Changxiao, this is……”

“They are here to look for Lord Di and this is Head Constable Yi. Your Highness should recognize him, right?” Gong Changxiao said to Ling Wang.

Ling Wang nodded. “Sure.”

“I’m taking them to the reception hall to wait for Lord Di’s return.”

“If that’s the case, let me lead them there. I happen to have something to discuss with Head Constable Yi.” Ling Wang said.

Gong Changxiao did not refuse either. “Alright then, this will have to trouble Your Highness.”

Both of them, one is a prince and the other is a commoner but the way they spoke to each other was very casual without any identity formality between them as though they were familiar friends. This whole scene was all taken in by Yi Dingfeng and the rest of the people present.

After Gong Changxiao left and no one was around, Ling Wang immediately stepped forward then bowed from the waist to perform a ceremonial greeting to the middle-aged man.

“This Son greets Royal Father.”

It turned out that the middle-aged man was the Emperor of the Daxing Dynasty, Ling Wang’s Royal Father.

Before the Lantern Festival arrived, the Emperor had ventured out of the palace in plain clothes for a tour. He did not visit any famous mountains or scenic spots but instead, came to Di Mansion as a guest.

When Di Jing received news from the guards sent by Ling Wang, he was accompanying his wife, Yan’er, strolling around the market. Immediately upon hearing the news, he and his wife returned to the carriage and rushed back to Di Mansion to meet the Emperor.

As soon as they returned to Di Mansion, the couple immediately dismissed all the servants in the mansion and knelt to offer greetings to the Emperor.

The Emperor waved his hand. “Get up, get up, this is not the palace. This time, Zhen also came out to relax, so don’t be too formal.”

Relax? There are so many ministers in the imperial court but Your Highness did not go anywhere but especially came to Chen’s residence………isn’t this giving Chen trouble?

Although Di Jing was having such thoughts in his heart, his face still showed respect without a trace of abnormality.

“Your Highness’s visit to this humble abode is an honor for Chen .”

The Emperor smiled and said. “If that’s the case, Zhen will stay in Minister Di’s mansion for a few days.”

Ah?! Shangguan Yan’s heart thumped a beat and she looked silently at her husband. But her husband’s expression did not change and he turned his head around to give her some instructions.

“Clean up our main courtyard, replace all the pillows and quilts with new ones to let the Emperor move in and rest.”

He is indeed worthy to be Lord Di. After being an official for such a long time, he can now control his facial expression at will.

Shangguan Yan sighed, lowered her head to conceal the surprise on her face, and respectfully withdrew from the hall.

As the Emperor had graced the mansion with his presence, Di Jing had to arrange for the Emperor to stay in the main courtyard. Even the small rooms next to the main courtyard had to be cleaned up for the Four Great Constables to move in so it would be convenient for them to protect the Emperor.

Fortunately, Di Jing’s family is small and simple without elders, uncles, aunts, or a large group of relatives. Therefore, the mansion was still big enough to accommodate everyone but still, it was a bit crowded.

Although Shangguan Yan did not explicitly announce the identity of the Emperor, Gong Wuhuan and the two sisters are secret constables, so naturally, they know the identities of the Four Great Constables. For someone who can have the Four Great Constables as personal guards and the Lord Governor had to wait on him with so much respect, that person must at least be a First-ranked Official and above.

Bai Yuxiao is a royal daughter-in-law, therefore, she recognized the Emperor. So, very soon, Yeqing and Gong Changxiao also came to know about the true identity of the middle-aged man.

The Emperor leaving on a private tour was top-secret and except for the few of them, the servants in the mansion were not aware. Since the Emperor was on a private tour, he shunned unnecessary ceremonies and ordered everyone to simply greet him as ‘Old Master Si’.

Although the Emperor had given the order, everyone knew that the Emperor is still the Emperor after all and still had to be respected as a god.

However………the Emperor coming out of the palace on a private tour……is it only for such a simple reason?

“How long will the Emperor be staying?”

At night when Di Jing and his wife were in bed, Shangguan Yan snuggled into her husband’s arms and asked in a soft voice.

The Emperor’s dragon body is precious therefore, accidents must not happen. If there is any mishap, she is not afraid of death but is only afraid that her husband could not shoulder this responsibility and feels worried for her husband.

In the room, the candlelight flickered and the weak light and shadows fell on his wife’s delicate facial features making her into a hazy beauty. Her normally shrewd and pretty eyes were filled with worry and showed delicate weakness.