Chapter 374: Chapter 374: Forbidden to Look

Shang Jingwang was quite puzzled. How could there be a theater troupe in Wangshan Town?

However, having arrived in Wangshan Town, he had been urgently preoccupied with controlling the epidemic and hadn’t paid attention to much else. But this young nobleman’s interest clearly differed from his own—perhaps he had paid attention?

He wanted to refuse, but then Huangfu Jinxuan’s eyes widened: “Are you saying that even I, the imperial envoy, cannot summon you?”

What could he say? Of course, he had to agree.

Seeing Shang Jingwang nod, he turned to Zhou Mu: “Isn’t that right?”

Zhou Mu was a soldier; even if others were dispirited, he couldn’t show it. Even if he felt tired, he had to keep up appearances, so he immediately replied: “Yes!”

The reply was loud and clear.

He was just as bewildered as Shang Jingwang.

His staying behind was arranged by General Wen, who instructed him to follow the imperial envoy’s orders for all matters. Zhou Mu certainly couldn’t refuse, and he felt somewhat grateful. Staying and working closely with the imperial envoy, considering the influence these noble figures wield, a single word from them could save him many years of struggle.

He had just completed his patrol, which had become much simpler and easier now.

The villagers knew the plague could be cured and there was no threat to their lives, so who would think of sneaking away? With no one attempting to escape, there was no need to remain on high alert day and night. The soldiers were relaxed, and so was he.

Just as he returned to the camp, he was intercepted by Lord Imperial Envoy, who asked him to choose twenty men to act as guards.

After the Imperial Physician arrived, so did the Imperial Envoy’s Guard, accompanying the envoy’s insignia. Zhou Mu wanted to caution against something, but Huangfu Jinxuan wasn’t listening; instead, he wrapped an arm around his shoulder in camaraderie and led him out of the camp. Thinking it was also a command from General Wen, who had instructed him before leaving, he selected twenty garrison soldiers to follow.

Only after they regrouped did he realize that it wasn’t just him, but the Imperial Envoy Guard as well.

The Imperial Envoy Guard comprised five hundred men, with the captain, Xiong Wu, leading ten.

With such a large force, Zhou Mu had a vague feeling that something major was about to happen.

They were all assembled by the Lord Imperial Envoy, and since the envoy did not reveal the purpose, they had to follow orders blindly.

The most bewildered was Wang Bolao, who not only had a stunned look throughout but also had wet hair with droplets hanging, unsure if it was sweat or something else.

He was still napping under a table at Hongfu Restaurant.

The restaurant owner was in a quandary, unsure whether to wake him or just let him sleep. Just as he was hesitating, Huangfu Jingchen arrived and asked for a bowl of hangover soup and a bowl of cold water.

The hangover soup was readily available, as was the cold water. The restaurant owner personally brought them in, with cold water in his left hand and soup in his right. Huangfu Jingchen pulled Wang Bolao out from under the table, took the cold water, and splashed it on his face.

The sudden coldness caused Wang Bolao, who was groggily drunk, to open his eyes and, wiping his wet face, he angrily began to curse: “Which bastard…”

But the moment he opened his mouth, Huangfu Jingchen pushed the bowl of hangover soup to his lips.

After pouring down over half the bowl, almost causing him to choke, his anger was tempered by seeing the face in front of him.

The handsome face was expressionless, the eyes deep and serene, silently observing him.

Whether it was the hangover soup or the shock that sobered him up, he stammered, “Young Master Huang…”

This Young Master Huang Zheng’s background was unknown, but Shang Jingwang treated him with great respect, and the Lord Imperial Envoy was courteous and amicable towards him. Wang Bolao wasn’t foolish; he wouldn’t dare offend someone of unclear status.

Huangfu Jingchen said, “Awake? Lord Imperial Envoy is looking for you!”

Upon hearing that the Lord Imperial Envoy was looking for him, Wang Bolao instantly became alert, sitting up fully awake. Ignoring his attire, he joined Huangfu Jingchen to regroup with the others.

At that moment, even amidst the questioning by Huangfu Jinxuan, while he was still in a daze, it didn’t prevent him from saying confidently, “Yes, we are in high spirits!”

Xue Wei: “…”

He found it odd; he casually asked a question, and yet everyone reacted so strongly?

He had a faint foreboding in his heart.

As Kong Tixin’s Master of Finance, he was aware of how much Kong Tixin had embezzled over the years for personal gain. Firstly, Kong Tixin had connections in the Capital City, and secondly, benefits received were often shared, letting them also profit. This was a well-kept secret, known to him and two other stewards, aside from the County Magistrate Tian Zhenlin.

He wondered if the Lord Imperial Envoy was also investigating embezzlement?

Kong Tixin was too impatient, dissatisfied with the accommodation in town and eager to please Yu Shikui, so he clandestinely bought this manor. Though it was done secretly, secrets are rarely kept hidden forever.

If the Lord Imperial Envoy was investigating Kong’s corruption, it would be wise to prepare to flee with whatever valuables he could carry.

Amid his musings, they reached the courtyard of the guest room, where he pushed open the door, and a crowd poured into the courtyard. Although numerous, they made little noise.

With Xue Wei unlocking the gate ahead, there was no need for Wei Jun to kick it open forcefully.

Xue Wei swallowed hard to calm his nerves, pointing to the central room, “That’s the guest room.”

After speaking, he paused, hearing sounds from the guest room.

Something was off about this noise!

Xue Wei’s gaze quickly swept over the group brought by the Lord Imperial Envoy, remembering the county prefect’s order to the attendants, and his face changed.

As they moved closer, not only he but others behind him began to hear it, the noises were simply too pronounced, marked by shameful cadences.

Huangfu Jingchen’s expression darkened slightly.

Huangfu Jinxuan’s eyebrows raised subtly.

Shang Jingwang frowned.

Tian Zhenlin was dumbfounded.

Zhou Mu was shocked.

Xiong Wu was surprised.

The two other stewards’ faces changed slightly, quietly falling back a few steps.

Wang Bolao remained puzzled, as ever…

Huangfu Jinxuan said, “Such audacity from Kong Tixin. While I diligently attend to the epidemic, he enjoys himself here! I’d like to see how he dares show his face!”

Saying this, he stepped forward.

As if recalling something, Xue Wei’s face paled slightly, quickly stepping forward to block Huangfu Jinxuan, forcing a smile, saying, “My lord, my lord, this is indecent, it’s best not to look!”

Huangfu Jinxuan shrugged him aside and said, “I’m not afraid of seeing something I shouldn’t.”

Xue Wei hurried forward again to block the door, his voice changing, “No, no, you can’t look…”

His actions startled Tian Zhenlin and the other two stewards. Regardless of what scandalous acts the county prefect might be involved in, his reaction was overly dramatic.

Those two stewards, recalling how favored Xue Wei was by Kong Tixin, realized he must know some secret. But they themselves were totally in the dark.

The disturbance outside was so great, yet it failed to break the indulgence of those inside.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep