Chapter 286
Book 25 Chapter 09 - The Cruel Truth
Comprising of more than a hundred large, three-mast s.h.i.+ps, the colossus Imperial Fleet is sailing commandingly against the current towards the southern harbour of Yongdu.
Ahead of the fleet, two battles.h.i.+ps unloaded a hundred Palace Guards which rapidly a.s.sembled to form a protection squad, exhibiting a fearsome and serious ambience.
Leading the officials of Yongdu, Lao Ai formed a welcoming party at the harbour.
Disguised as Wu Guo, Xiang Shaolong and Jing Jun remained at the side of An Guxi, viewing the enormous fleet from a distance.
Jing Jun leaned towards Xiang Shaolong and whispered: "Take a closer look at Lao Ai; I am certain he did not sleep well last night."
Not knowing that Han Jie had flown the coop, of course Xiang Shaolong and Jing Jun are puzzled over Lao Ai’s lethargic appearance.
The royal s.h.i.+p of Xiao Pan rumbled as it begins to approach the sh.o.r.e.
Jing Jun was restless: "If that fellow Wu Guo failed in his impersonation and is escorted down the s.h.i.+p with ropes tied around him, what should we do?"
Xiang Shaolong bitterly smiled: "The only way is for me to confess to Yingzheng that we are trying to confuse the enemy. Nonetheless, our scheme will fall apart."
At this juncture, An Guxi turned to Jing Jun and cheered: "It has been a long time since I laid my eyes on Third Brother. In my heart, I have been pining for him. Come!"
Patting his horse, he rode forward.
The two men hurriedly followed him.
As the gangplank slide down the side of the s.h.i.+p, from the sh.o.r.e, Lao Ai ordered the musicians to play a welcoming song.
First off the s.h.i.+p are three hundred Palace Guards who formed a three layer human wall on the left and right while maintaining a ten feet gap in the centre. Their well-synchronized movements are neat and pleasing to the eye.
An Guxi and the others jumped off their horses and kneeled at the side of the horse.
Taking large strides, Lord Changwen took the lead in coming down the gangplank. Behind him are twenty elite palace guards who are responsible for clearing the travelling path of obstructions. The first two palace guards are bearing the royal flag and clan flag respectively.
Hot on their heels are ten palace attendants bearing gifts and prayer accessories. Behind them are another twenty palace guards before the appearance of the future Qin s.h.i.+huang Xiao Pan and his Crown Princess. Surrounding Xiao Pan and his wife are various important officials such as Lord Changping, w.a.n.g Guan, Li Si, Cai Zhe, Qin Qing with a head veil and of course, Wu Guo who is disguised as Xiang Shaolong. Together, they alighted from the s.h.i.+p.
Beyond the barrage of Palace Guards, tens of thousands of Yongdu dwellers instantly exploded into earth-shattering cheers and calls of ‘Your Majesty’. Kneeling down to pay their respects to Xian Pan, it was a highly robust scene.
Seeing that Wu Guo is ‘unmolested’, Xiang Shaolong and Jing Jun heaved a sigh of relief.
Xiang Shaolong stole a glance at Lao Ai who is a distance away from him and noticed his face darkening at the welcoming cheers of the crowd. He inwardly sighed: You are just a gig.olo who managed to obtain your current official position through nepotism. In terms of military might, popularity vote and image, you are simply no match for Qin s.h.i.+huang.
With an expressionless face, Xiao Pan acknowledged Lao Ai’s congratulations. With Crown Princess, he boarded the royal carriage. Under the protection of Lord Changwen’s Palace Guards, the carriage drove towards the city gates while An Guxi and his forces provided additional security along the road, guaranteeing a flawless journey. Seizing an opportunity, Xiang Shaolong and Jing Jun boarded Wu Guo’s carriage. Both Xiang Shaolong and Wu Guo swiftly removed their masks and clothes before switching their attires.
Wu Guo proudly proclaimed: "Fortunately, I am good at malingering; otherwise, it is really hard to handle all the socialization."
Xiang Shaolong probed: "Did Crown Prince approach you?"
Wu Guo answered: "He merely sent the Imperial Physicians to check on me. He did mention that after landing in Yongdu, he requires that I accompany him to Dazheng Palace to pay his respects to Empress."
Xiang Shaolong was thunderstruck: "What?"
At this moment, An Guxi finally found the time to ride to their carriage. Xiang Shaolong hastily sat on Wu Guo’s earlier seat and smiled: "Greetings to General."
An Guxi appears to be ignorant about the friction between him and Xiao Pan. He chuckled: "Shaolong can simply address me as Guxi like before! Shaolong is truly remarkable and is a pillar of our Great Qin."
Xiang Shaolong engaged An Guxi in an uninteresting conversation. When the convoy is entering the city, An Guxi excused himself and speedily attended to his affairs.
Leaning on the back of his chair, Xiang Shaolong heaved a sigh of relief.
The first part of his plan has reached a successful conclusion. The remaining plan is to try and survive Xiao Pan’s hidden attack and flee back to Xianyang.
With Crown Princess and a large group of officials, Xiao Pan disembarked from his carriage in front of Dazheng Palace’s main hall.
Noting that Xiao Pan is accompanied by numerous officials, Xiang Shaolong began to relax. He secretly thought: It would be disastrous if Xiao Pan and himself were the only ones who are meeting Zhu Ji.
After Ji Yanran’s reminder, he excruciatingly forced himself to face the stark reality: Zhu Ji is beyond redemption and it is impossible for her to forsake Lao Ai and leave with him.
Is there a way to protect her from the impending ma.s.sacre?
There is some hope.
But after losing Lao Ai and her sons, and realizing that Xiao Pan is not her own flesh and blood, what is the point of living? She would be pa.s.sing her days like a lifeless zombie.
At this interval, Mao Jiao came out of the hall. After kneeling down to pay his respects, he announced: "Today, Empress is not feeling well and does not wish to face a large crowd. She specifically asks for Crown Prince and Great General only."
Everyone was taken aback.
Xiao Pan and Xiang Shaolong exchanged glances. Both of them were having the same thought: If there were soldiers ambus.h.i.+ng them from within the hall, wouldn’t the two of them end up as mincemeat?
Lord Changwen insisted: "General (I) has to escort Crown Prince at all times."
Standing beside them, Lao Ai cheekily remarked: "Empress is merely against a huge number of visitors. Of course the Head of the Palace Guards must accompany Crown Prince!"
Xiao Pan suddenly declared: "It’s all right! To enter the palace and pay my respects, Guaren only requires Great General’s company."
Noting Mao Jiao secretly signaling Xiao Pan, Xiang Shaolong finally comprehended Xiao Pan’s abrupt display of bravery.
Gesturing at Xiang Shaolong, Xiao Pan boldly ascended the stairs to the hall. Xiang Shaolong hastily chased up to him.
Without turning his head back, Xiao Pan whispered: "In your opinion, what is that lady thinking of?"
Xiang Shaolong whispered in reply: "She probably wants to clarify matters and from our meeting, she will decide whether she wants to support Lao Ai whole-heartedly or otherwise."
Without the least hint of surprise, Xiao Pan coldly hissed: "This is called: Making one mistake after another."
Xiang Shaolong wanted to make a last ditch attempt to remind Xiao Pan to keep his promise. But he is also fully aware that his effort would be in vain. Therefore, he suppressed the urge to talk about it.
Perched high up on her Empress throne, Zhu Ji is alone in the hall. As their boots stepped on the