Chapter 1651: He Xiao's Delayed Informing

From every perspective, these displaced people had become a tough nut to crack.

If He Lingchuan were here, he would immediately notice that the wealthy families whose mansions were overrun by the displaced people had all previously purchased prime lakeside villas in the first and second rows at Quiet Lake Villa.

The time for reckoning had arrived.

News of the riot in Tianshui City immediately reached the palace. Hearing that Bai Tan and Colonel Li Qibo had already gone to handle the situation, King Yao felt a slight relief, and dispatched an additional two thousand Imperial Guards to assist them—the number of displaced people in the city was indeed too great. King Yao himself was struggling to cope with the persistent demands of the Qingyang and Beijia envoys, making it impossible to be in two places at once.

Soon after, the Fourth Prince, You Rongzhi, and other officials at various levels responsible for the Tianshui Eastward Expansion Project, hurried to Frost Immortal Hall.

Qiu Long asked, "Why aren't Gu Xuan and Jing Yuanxun here?"

Someone immediately replied, "Both their households were attacked by the displaced people; it's likely they…"

Everyone fell silent, feeling a pang of sympathy. Who could have imagined that the capital of the Yao Kingdom, which had enjoyed two centuries of prosperity, would face an unprecedented upheaval! Even many high-ranking officials and nobles in the north of the city were not spared.

King Yao reassured them, "A report just came from the city: the Qian and Bo family residences have been retaken, and the displaced people inside have been cleared out. My esteemed officials, do not be alarmed or agitated. The threat of the displaced people is nothing to fear; it has been so for the past two hundred years, and it will be so tonight! Before dawn, the riots caused by the displaced people will surely be suppressed!"

His resolute demeanor showed immense confidence, and the officials were naturally convinced. Though usually headstrong, the King was far calmer than his officials at critical moments.

King Yao, however, glanced at Qingyang. The old hag was standing by with the Beijia envoy, watching the spectacle. If it weren't for the Beijia envoy insisting on remaining there as a witness, King Yao might have ordered Qingyang to be executed on the spot! No matter how poor the reasons and excuses concocted afterward, they would still be after the fact. King Yao was well aware that the displaced people's rebellion in Tianshui City was likely eighty percent connected to Qingyang! But conversely, if she were dead, would the unrest outside the city cease? Ordinarily, he was unwilling to act rashly against Qingyang, but if killing this old hag could halt all the current chaos in Tianshui City, he would be willing to risk it!

King Yao secretly gritted his teeth, just as he heard the Fourth Prince ask, "Why hasn't Island Lord He arrived?"

Indeed, with such commotion tonight, and He Xiao being one of the most important figures in the Tianshui Eastward Expansion Project, why had he not appeared yet? King Yao's heart sank, and several troubling thoughts flashed through his mind. Considering the time, He Xiao should have arrived much earlier. Could it be that…

You Rongzhi, meanwhile, said to the Fourth Prince, "The entire route from the South Gate to Central Avenue is blocked by displaced people. Perhaps Island Lord He is stuck on the road?"

Frost Immortal Hall was abuzz with activity when a young palace attendant hurried in and whispered into Qiu Long's ear: "Zhao Song requests an audience, saying something significant has happened at Springing Fountain Villa."

The words 'significant event' now gave Qiu Long a headache. There had certainly been enough 'significant events' tonight. However, Zhao Song had not entered the hall directly but sought him out first, which suggested some hidden information. Qiu Long could only excuse himself to King Yao and follow the young attendant to the back.

The rear hall had a barrier, preventing others from eavesdropping. Zhao Song and Palace Steward Yu almost burst in, immediately kneeling and pleading, "Lord Qiu, save me!"

"Explain clearly, what happened?"

Zhao Song then recounted what had just happened at Springing Fountain Villa. Qiu Long, with one hand on a pillar, said gravely, "You let He Xiao escape?"

At this critical juncture, He Xiao had actually slipped away! With his escape, would the enormous amount of gold he owed King Yao also disappear? Qiu Long's first thought was that the King would be furious.

But wait, that wasn't the worst of it. If He Xiao had escaped, the blame for the explosion attack on Qingyang and the Beijia envoy would likely be placed on him! Otherwise, why would he flee? Could it be that he was truly responsible? However, the Beijia envoy and Regent Qingyang would also use this as a reason to constantly urge King Yao to apprehend He Xiao.

Zhao Song pulled a letter from his robe and presented it with both hands: "This is a letter He Xiao left behind, specifically for you!"

The young attendant took it, opened the envelope, verified it was not poisoned, and then placed it in Qiu Long's hand. The letter contained only one sentence: "The truth is at the bottom of the red jade box." Even if someone else intercepted this letter, merely reading that sentence would leave them baffled.

But Qiu Long understood immediately: Just a few days ago, He Xiao had given him a box of invigorating medicine, and it was in a red jade box! The bottom of the red jade box? He usually received so many treasures; why would he pay attention to a mere medicine box? But now, remembering, He Xiao had specifically instructed him that this specific elixir had to be stored in a red jade box to prevent it from spoiling. It seemed He Xiao had said this because he feared Qiu Long might discard the box.

Qiu Long took the medicine box from his robe, felt around the inside and outside of the bottom, and indeed found a hidden compartment. He pushed open the compartment and took out a tiny scroll of paper! The paper strip was only a finger's width, and when unrolled, a few words were written in a flourishing hand: "Bai Tan conspires with Qingyang; they rebel tonight!"

These few words flashed before his eyes, almost freezing Qiu Long's mind. Bai Tan! He Xiao was accusing General Bai Tan of being Qingyang's accomplice? Qiu Long's first reaction: Impossible, isn't it? For so many years, General Bai Tan had been fiercely loyal to the King, charging into battle and diligently serving in Tianshui City. Even during the sale of Quiet Lake Villa this time, Bai Tan had quickly paid to secure a first-row villa, even faster than You Rongzhi! But conversely, if General Bai Tan were to betray them, the King and Tianshui City would be in grave danger! The thought that Bai Tan currently commanded several thousand men, and his nephew Bai Hengbo was in the palace, sent cold sweat down Qiu Long's back.

He composed himself, dismissed Zhao Song and Steward Yu, and then personally took a golden tray with several medicines on it. He then returned to the front hall and said clearly to King Yao: "Your Majesty, it is time for your medicine."

The elixir prescribed by the imperial physician, which replenished energy and restored vitality, needed to be taken regularly by King Yao. Especially with busy state affairs, King Yao had to rest briefly every one or two hours. After all, he was getting on in years and his energy wasn't what it used to be. Moreover, Qiu Long's tone was higher than usual, and King Yao immediately knew something was amiss.

He grunted, "Everyone, leave. Take a break for half an hour."

The ministers were accustomed to this and, after bowing, filed out. No matter how urgent state affairs were, the King could not be allowed to overexert himself; otherwise, if the old monarch fell ill, who would take over such a huge mess? Qingyang fixed her gaze on King Yao for a moment, said nothing, and also exited.

Once the hall doors were closed and the barrier activated, King Yao turned to Qiu Long and asked, "What urgent matter is it now?" Having been master and servant for decades, King Yao immediately understood Qiu Long's intention: he had turned to the rear hall earlier, and now returned with medicine and urged him to take it, signaling an urgent secret report.

Qiu Long asked him to take the medicine first, then swept his gaze around the hall, ensuring no magical eavesdropping was present, before whispering: "He Xiao fled as soon as he saw the palace steward."

"What!" King Yao's face changed color. "Zhao Song actually let him…"

Qiu Long interrupted him, "This is the note He Xiao left behind." The old palace attendant had never been so abrupt. King Yao, for a moment, did not reprimand his rudeness. He reached out, took the note, and upon seeing it—his eyes widened!

Bai Tan? Bai Tan! He Xiao was claiming that the Qingyang accomplice he had struggled to identify was actually Bai Tan?!

Qiu Long cautiously said, "Your Majesty, this could also be He Xiao deliberately framing someone before his escape…"

He Xiao had given him the red jade box days ago. Assuming Bai Tan was truly colluding with Qingyang in rebellion, why didn't He Xiao report it earlier? Why only expose it now? What did that signify? The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became.

"No!" King Yao glared at him, his eyes suddenly much clearer. "Although He Xiao's motives are unclear, he rarely speaks falsely. Bring Yuwen Xu in."

Qiu Long went outside the hall and summoned Yuwen Xu privately.

"Your Majesty." Yuwen Xu faced King Yao, showing his usual respect.

King Yao got straight to the point: "How did you obtain the complete set of evidence exposing Shi Songwei?" Previously, when Yuwen Xu presented this information, because the evidence was exceptionally thorough, King Yao immediately handed it over to the Judicial Minister for action. Moreover, after Shi Songwei's arrest, he quickly confessed without reservation, so King Yao, being busy, didn't delve deeper. Knowing it could be done, he didn't necessarily need to know how it was done.

Caught off guard by the question, Yuwen Xu was startled. If he were caught lying, it would be a crime of deceiving the monarch. The King's temperament was such that he resented deceit more than incompetence. Fortunately, he had prepared himself. He swallowed and said, "It was… it was discovered by the Yangshan Merchant Association and submitted to me." When he had initially reported the Shi family lead, he hadn't emphasized that he had diligently sought it out; he merely understated it as 'having obtained a lead.' King Yao, focused on the rich and detailed content, hadn't asked further questions.

King Yao said darkly, "He Xiao gave it to you?"

"Yes, yes." Yuwen Xu forced himself to admit, "This afternoon, he sent his personal guards to deliver it to my home." And then he took this item into the palace to claim credit. Even though King Yao's tone was now harsh, Yuwen Xu had no regrets. This precisely indicated that the King, following the evidence, had indeed uncovered something, which was why he needed to confirm its source. The clue was real, and the evidence was useful; that was what mattered most. Afterward, he would simply await his reward.

"I wondered why Minister Yuwen suddenly became so meticulous, able to catch the Shi family red-handed. So, you were taking credit for someone else's work!" King Yao said with a cold, mirthless smile. "Didn't you ever wonder why He Xiao would give such a huge credit to you?" Didn't he know the character of these official-merchants under him? They clearly held the best resources in the entire Yao Kingdom—no, the best resources in the entire Glittering Gold Plain—yet they only earned him, and the national treasury, a meager sum each year. Sometimes they even had to manipulate accounts to balance the books, or, when that failed, they would claim losses with various excuses—otherwise, how could the national treasury be empty year after year, and how could the country be so desperately short of money? How could it even require an outsider like He Xiao to secure funds for King Yao and the national treasury? These official-merchants couldn't even count money correctly while sitting down; otherwise, how could there be such losses and deficits? With such incompetent standards and such work efficiency, for Yuwen Xu, who had been an official-merchant for ten years, to suddenly become sharp and capable, immediately uncovering the Shi family's speculation and misconduct, King Yao found it abnormal. With all the major events unfolding one after another today, he hadn't had time to think deeply before. Now, reflecting on it, something didn't seem right.

Yuwen Xu lowered his head, not daring to speak.

King Yao waved his hand, having no time to be angry or argue further with him. "You may leave."