Chapter 334: Chapter 334: Blockhead

Yu Shikui initially planned to play along, but as soon as he saw Huangfu Jinxuan’s sly smile, he immediately became wary and said, “No, I don’t want to eat. This Prefectural Governor has already eaten!”

“Glad you have some sense! You’ve already eaten, yet you still linger here. Do you intend to watch me eat?” Huangfu Jinxuan said rudely.

If Huangfu Jinxuan had said something pleasant, Yu Shikui would have suspected this lad had some scheme. Now that he was so ill-tempered, Yu Shikui felt more disdain than anger.

This unlearned person is just good at being born into the right family.

If he had such a background, rising to high office wouldn’t be a problem.

But this playboy, Huangfu Jinxuan, aside from indulging in drinking and merrymaking and causing trouble everywhere, has no accomplishments whatsoever!

Anyway, he had come to pay his respects, and fulfilled all the formalities, albeit reluctantly. Having swallowed his displeasure, it was time to return to his camp.

This small place, Wangshan Town, doesn’t even have a temple, let alone any revered monks. I must think of a way to find a powerful master to disperse Bai Yi’s spirit.

Capital City, Marquis Anning Mansion study.

Marquis Anning, Yu Sheng, held a letter in his hand. It was from his grandson, Yu Shikui.

This grandson is very sensible. Ever since he was sent out, he has sent gifts during the festivals each year. Of course, if there is anything, he would also write to inquire. Originally, he didn’t like this child of a concubine, but now he is slowly relying more on him. After all, not everyone is so sensible. He not only changed his surname to Yu but is also so cautious and meticulous.

Therefore, he was not stingy in giving some guidance.

Even though the Marquis Anning title is hereditary, by his generation, it was not as prestigious as it once was. Having more juniors like Yu Shikui, who are intelligent and good at maneuvering, as allies in the court, would also strengthen the power of the Marquis Anning’s lineage.

He opened the letter.

The letter wasn’t long. Looking at those few lines, the Marquis Anning’s expression changed, and he cursed, “Fool!”

This letter was sent by Yu Shikui to him on his way to Wangshan Town, with people rushing nonstop. It reached him on the second day after Yu Shikui arrived at Wangshan Town, without any delay.

However, Yu Shikui thought this was firsthand information. But he didn’t know that, with Huangfu Jingchen’s reminder, Shang Jingwang had sent the news to the Capital much earlier. Even before Yu Shikui received the news, the Imperial Physicians from the Capital had already set off for Wangshan Town.

In the letter, Yu Shikui explained his plan in great detail, showing thorough consideration and a comprehensive plan.

If not for Marquis Anning already being aware that the imperial envoy had left the Capital long ago and was likely on the way already, he would have praised Yu Shikui for acting decisively and seizing the opportunity upon receiving this letter.

He quickly ordered, “Someone, come!”

A guard outside the door pushed it open and came in: “Marquis!”

“Urgent pigeon message to Yu Shikui: If he hasn’t acted yet, do not act rashly!” Sending someone to notify him would be too late; only a pigeon message could possibly reach Yu Shikui before the imperial envoy.

The pigeon message would take one or two days to arrive. Calculating the time, Yu Shikui should have reached Wangshan Town by now?

He didn’t know whether Yu Shikui had already acted.

Marquis Anning frowned slightly. This seemed to be some kind of plot. Why did the news reach the Capital so early while Yu Shikui received it so late?

If Shang Jingwang sent the message at the same time, when Yu Shikui reached Wangshan Town, the Capital should have just received the news. But the imperial envoy had already set off so long ago before Yu Shikui reacted.

Could it be that Shang Jingwang was afraid Yu Shikui would steal his credit?

But Shang Jingwang’s memorial sent to the Capital was clear, stating that an epidemic had broken out, and measures were being taken to control it. Although doctors had been dispatched and manpower and medicinal supplies mobilized, there was still a shortage of medicine and supplies, which was why it was reported to the Court.

It was precisely because he rushed to the epidemic area at the first moment and because the issue was raised in the morning court by the Imperial Censor, with backing from Wenbo Academy’s Dean Gu Hanmo, that the Emperor felt that Nanxia needed ministers like Shang Jingwang, who cared about the people and led by example, and thus personally issued a commendation decree.

If Shang Jingwang aimed for merit and political achievements, this commendation decree indeed accomplished his aim.

Or, perhaps Shang Jingwang intended to claim the credit himself, avoiding Yu Shikui, but since he couldn’t control the epidemic, he reported the situation to Yu Shikui?

If so, Yu Shikui’s plan would be perfectly timed, although there were some issues, there was still room to mitigate them.

No, tomorrow, he must submit a memorial regarding Shang Jingwang.

Whether or not it’s a plot, Shang Jingwang cannot be let off easily!

What comforts him is that the imperial envoy dispatched this time is none other than the trifling Huangfu Jinxuan. Given his hedonistic nature, unable to bear hardships, delays on the road are inevitable, and the imperial envoy’s guard cannot move swiftly.

If Yu Shikui arrived first, as long as he had three days, with his abilities, he could handle things beautifully. With this thought, the Marquis Anning felt relieved again.

He didn’t know that in his eyes, the pleasure-seeking dandy actually, unable to endure hardships, simply broke away from the imperial envoy’s guard with three men and three horses, took the Holy Decree, and arrived at Wangshan Town first.

“Yes!”

In the quarantine area of Wangshan Town, Xia Wenjin had been busy all morning, not even noticing the quiet passage of time.

Until Doctor Yan called.

Xia Wenjin put down the well-sorted medicinal herbs in her hands, raised her head, and said, “Doctor Yan, is there something you need?”

Doctor Yan smiled at her and said, “Young Master Huang is here, waiting for you outside!”

Xia Wenjin picked up two more herbs, sniffed them lightly, categorized them, and said, “I know!”

Doctor Yan approached and said, “I’ll handle it here, you go ahead. Don’t keep Young Master Huang waiting!”

Xia Wenjin smiled helplessly, put down the herbs, and walked out.

Huangfu Jingchen, holding a food box, smiled gently and kindly at Xia Wenjin: “Wenjin, I know you haven’t eaten yet. I asked Aunt Zhang to make this. She’s quite skilled; you’ll definitely like it!”

Only then did Xia Wenjin feel her stomach growl; she was indeed a bit hungry. The warmth in her heart rose at Huangfu Jingchen’s thoughtfulness, but soon, a more complex feeling surged forth.

She glanced at Huangfu Jingchen, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and sighed softly, “Why go to so much trouble? I can just eat with everyone.”

“It’s the Poison Doctor who said you just recovered, and you should nourish yourself well!” Huangfu Jingchen quickly used the Undying Poison Doctor’s name as a shield.

Xia Wenjin chuckled and said, “By the way, where is my master? He probably hasn’t eaten too!”

“At least you, this brat, still remember my presence!” A voice drifted over on the breeze from not far away.

Following the voice’s direction, Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin looked up and saw, atop a nearby rooftop, the Undying Poison Doctor standing with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering.

He appeared middle-aged, with a touch of elegance, but the venerable century-old experience had honed his aura into something profoundly deep, hidden from sight.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep