Chapter 599: Yao Family's Sincerity

Chapter 595: The Yao Family's Sincerity

Since his father would scold him regardless, he might as well thoroughly teach Fu Shanyue a lesson and accomplish his goal of going to the lower city that day!

Anyone traveling to or from the Floating Island had to pass through Jinghong Crossing. They lay in wait on Fu Shanyue's only path.

Want to file a complaint? Get beaten first!

To their surprise, the brat never showed up!

Another half hour passed, and dawn broke. A different squad of palace guards hurried over, glaring as soon as they arrived. "Why are you blocking this place?" they demanded.

"The Crown Prince ordered us to find someone."

"Who are you looking for?" the other side pressed. "Dozens of officials passing through have seen you, thinking something major happened on Tianxin Island! Your actions in the lower city have already alerted the palace. The Crown Prince and the Grand Tutor were just summoned by the Emperor; you must also go to the palace to await judgment!"

The Crown Prince's guards could only respond, "Yes."

"What are you still standing there for? Come with us!"

An hour earlier.

He Lingchuan sat with his legs crossed, the window open, in the dining room on the inn's second floor, watching lightning flash like dragons and snakes in the sky and countless crystal raindrops falling.

"Hey, since the Floating Island appeared, do the thunderbolts from the sky no longer strike the lower city?"

Fu Shanyue paused, thought for a moment, and replied, "I hadn't noticed."

Anyway, it wasn't him getting struck.

Fu Shanyue wolfed down his fine breakfast, then wiped his mouth. "I'm off to Tianxin Island," he declared.

It wasn't even dawn yet. He was determined to press this complaint until the world turned upside down!

He Lingchuan didn't turn his head, merely waving a hand behind him, signaling "have a good trip."

Fu Shanyue put on his rain cloak and was about to leave with a dozen subordinates when, unexpectedly, a guard rushed in with a report.

"Your Highness, the Grand Minister of Agriculture has arrived."

Fu Shanyue was startled. "The Grand Minister of Agriculture?"

Several people walked in from the torrential rain outside. The one leading them took off his oilskin cloak; it was indeed Yao Mao, the Grand Minister of Agriculture of Lingxu City.

When it came to the Elixir of Immortality case, the Grand Minister of Agriculture's family was unavoidable. He Lingchuan looked down and observed the high official: he had a square face and thick, raised eyebrows, exuding authority without anger. It was clear he was a person accustomed to high positions and giving orders.

He was not yet fifty, with thick black hair and a vertical wrinkle between his eyebrows, clearly indicating frequent frowning.

The person beside him had bright eyes and white teeth; He Lingchuan recognized her as well:

Yao Xingning.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture's eldest daughter, Cen Boqing's wife.

She didn't resemble her father.

Fortunately not.

Meanwhile, Fu Shanyue put a hand on the railing and jumped straight down from the second floor, landing right in front of the Grand Minister of Agriculture before cupping his hands in greeting.

"Lord Yao, what brings you here in this weather?"

In terms of age and seniority, Fu Shanyue was junior. If the Grand Minister of Agriculture had visited under normal circumstances, Fu Shanyue would have walked down the stairs, bowed, and politely said, "Oh, honored elder, why did you personally grace my humble abode? Your presence honors me."

But not only did he jump from the floor, he also spoke with a sarcastic, mocking tone.

Who gave him the right to act like this now?

Yao Mao, as expected, didn't mind at all. He even raised a hand in return greeting and said earnestly, "I was alarmed to hear about the incident at Panshan Residence. Was Your Highness injured?"

He should have shown concern, but his face remained unyieldingly serious.

"What do you think, Lord Yao?" Fu Shanyue spread his arms and spun 360 degrees in front of him, his attitude dismissive.

"Your Highness, I brought my daughter to clarify that this matter has no connection whatsoever with my family!" Yao Mao's stance was clear.

Yao Xingning also stepped forward and declared, "Crown Prince Huan killing and setting fire in Panshan Residence was absolutely not instigated by me! After returning to Lingxu City from Baisha Jue, I haven't seen Crown Prince Huan at all."

The Beijia Crown Prince's name was Wuhuan.

Fu Shanyue let out a long "Oh." "So that's how it is," he said.

He said only those four words, then closed his mouth.

Just two empty words, and they thought they could shirk responsibility?

"If Xingning truly did that, what benefit would it bring to my family? Cen Boqing's case is backed by irrefutable evidence; it cannot be overturned."

As Yao Mao said this, Yao Xingning's expression beside him subtly changed, but he ignored it.

"Even if there's no benefit, it's good to vent anger. There are plenty of people in this world who enjoy doing things that harm others but don't benefit themselves," Fu Shanyue said, unmoved. "I have a survivor here who said that when Crown Prince Huan killed my servants, he fiercely declared he was venting anger for 'Little Xing'!"

Yao Xingning closed her eyes, and a vein pulsed in Yao Mao's temple.

"Crown Prince Huan is too young and easily instigated. He has been with Xingning since childhood, and their bond is deep. But after Xingning returned to Lingxu City, the Emperor forbade her from visiting Crown Prince Huan, which is why Crown Prince Huan has been quite unhappy these past few days."

Fu Shanyue said indifferently, "He's unhappy, so he kills my people and burns Chiyan's residence?"

What did the old man mean, bringing Crown Prince Huan into it to pressure him? The Grand Minister of Agriculture implied that Crown Prince Huan would fly into a rage and commit murder not because of Yao Xingning's instigation, but precisely because he lacked Yao Xingning's company and comfort.

"Your Highness, we are also victims; someone is secretly trying to divert trouble to us. You and I must not fall for their scheme," the Grand Minister of Agriculture reiterated.

"What is true, what is false? I'm a bit confused," Fu Shanyue said, spreading his hands. "I stayed at the inn, and the inn was bombed; I stayed in Panshan Residence, bought by Chiyan, and it was set on fire with murders, half of it burned to ashes. I merely came to Lingxu City to follow up on the Elixir of Immortality's progress, conducting official business, so why does someone wish me to be utterly destroyed?"

The "Elixir of Immortality case" was now a huge scar on the Grand Minister of Agriculture's heart; no one in his mansion dared to mention it. But Fu Shanyue deliberately stepped on his sore spot, and had to press on it a few more times.

"This person deserves to die a thousand deaths!"

"This incident truly should not have happened; I am deeply distressed by Your Highness's losses," the Grand Minister of Agriculture sighed. "Since Your Highness's residence in the lower city is now gone, my family is willing to offer a property on Baiyun Mountain, named Xiangxue Residence, for Your Highness to rest."

Panshan Residence had already been transferred by Fu Shanyue to He Lingchuan, but outsiders didn't know and still believed it was the Chiyan Crown Prince's official residence in the lower city. Therefore, the destruction of Panshan Residence was a grave matter, almost equivalent to furiously slapping Chiyan Nation in the face.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture, however, emphasized in his words that Panshan Residence was Fu Shanyue's private property, an attempt to downplay the severity of the matter.

Fu Shanyue gave a faint sneer. "Since the Grand Minister of Agriculture claims innocence, why must you compensate me with a residence?"

"Ultimately, this matter began because of Cen Boqing. My daughter was blind, choosing this husband who ruined our family. He not only dragged my entire family into the mire but also caused Your Highness to suffer collateral damage!" The Grand Minister of Agriculture glared at Yao Xingning, not bothering to hide his anger. "From this perspective, my family bears responsibility!"

Fu Shanyue secretly cursed him as an old fox, but said coldly, "Thank you for your good intentions, Grand Minister of Agriculture. My Chiyan is not so poor that we can't afford a residence or a place to stay!"

"As for how this matter will finally conclude—" he said slowly, "it's entirely up to the Emperor to handle!"

All talk, no sincerity. Did they think two words would persuade him to just let it go?

The Grand Minister of Agriculture sighed deeply. "Your Highness, rest assured, my family will certainly help uncover the mastermind!"

Fu Shanyue said meaningfully, "The Grand Minister of Agriculture should just help himself."

Yao Mao then said, "Lingxiao Peak is probably about to summon us. Your Highness, we'll go have an audience with the Emperor first. We'll keep in touch frequently afterwards!"

Fu Shanyue hummed in response, still indifferent.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture and his daughter left in the rain once more. He Lingchuan soon heard the sound of horse hooves outside, clip-clopping further and further away.

The inn had been booked out by Chiyan Nation yesterday, with no other guests. Fu Shanyue jumped back to the second floor and said to He Lingchuan:

"Interesting," he said. "The Grand Minister of Agriculture has never been so amiable with me. Before, every time I saw him, he was impassive, looking down on everyone as if his eyes were on the top of his head."

"He needs something from you," He Lingchuan said with a smile, as the true victim and an observer throughout. "No one's spine is so unyielding it can't be bent."

"He brought Yao Xingning here in the rain just to let me know that they didn't do this," Fu Shanyue said, understanding clearly. "Crown Prince Huan suddenly came down to cause me trouble; the Emperor is nine-tenths likely to summon them, father and daughter. They just came over to say hello and state their position, without offering any substantial benefits."

He said to He Lingchuan, "That large mansion on Baiyun Mountain, Xiangxue Residence, covers at least three to five times the area of Panshan Residence. The garden landscaping goes without saying; it also has several hot springs with different medicinal properties. I heard that one of the springs is exceptional for brewing wine and making pastries. Also, it's called 'Fragrant Snow' because the area is full of white magnolias and fringe trees, which are covered in white in summer and autumn like frost and snow, their fragrance carrying for ten miles."

"How about I get it for you as compensation?" Fu Shanyue patted his companion's shoulder. "Though, when I come to Lingxu City in the future, I'll stay here."

He Lingchuan smiled. "No rush, let's wait and see."

Fu Shanyue stared at him, then, after a long moment, gave a thumbs-up. "You brat, you're truly ruthless."

By now, he understood He Lingchuan somewhat, and seeing his expression and attitude, he knew He Lingchuan had a substantial appetite.

Panshan Residence, to put it plainly, was merely a medium-sized house; if not for the issue of Chiyan Nation's prestige, it wouldn't even be considered a mansion in the main city area.

Anyone else receiving the Yao family's Xiangxue Residence as compensation would likely be overjoyed.

As for the servants killed in the residence, Fu Shanyue had never cared about them, but a murder incident in Panshan Residence would certainly devalue it.

From this perspective, Xiangxue Residence became even more appealing.

He asked He Lingchuan, "How much of the Grand Minister of Agriculture's words do you believe?"

"Until he can prove his innocence, I don't believe a single bit!" He Lingchuan sipped his tea. "All our adversaries in Lingxu City can claim that dealing with us brings them no benefit. Moreover, a prominent name still needs to be added to the list of suspects."

Fu Shanyue crossed his arms. "Are you referring to the real culprit behind the Elixir of Immortality case?"

He Lingchuan nodded. "We've caused them so much trouble; if they don't seize the opportunity to retaliate, they wouldn't feel right, would they?"

"They are being relentlessly pursued by Envoy Bai; can they still spare the effort to retaliate against us?"

"They are not just one person," He Lingchuan said seriously. "If Yao Xingning truly didn't complain to Crown Prince Huan, then who did he hear it from? The person who orchestrated this probably wiped away all traces, making it difficult for the palace to investigate."

He Lingchuan poured himself another cup of hot tea. "Oh, by the way, aren't you in a hurry to go to the Floating Island?"

"Not anymore," Fu Shanyue said, narrowing his eyes. "Let the relevant parties go first; I can wait in line."