“Are you sure they were bandits?” They were only several hundred meters away from the vicinity of the Imperial City. Within the first ten miles they would pass Longyang County. The pursuers were simply too audacious as bandits.
“Yes.” Meeting his gaze that seemed to have seen through everything, Shen Liang nodded his head. After a short pause, he then continued, “Them being bandits is real. But whether the encounter with them was a coincidence is debatable. If we had not met with your Lord, I’m afraid this childe’s and my servants’ lives would be in jeopardy. In the near future, Shen Liang will ensure to come with gratitude and pay my respects.”
If he wasn’t reborn, then Liu Shuhan’s brother Liu Wenjin would save him in half a month’s time from the bandits’ den. If everything was nothing more than a coincidence, than it defied the odds. Shen Liang could not bear to face his stupidity from his previous life. But now…
“Is Your Highness aware of the disappearance of Elder Princess Yuehua’s grandson?”
Shen Liang recalled the matter from his recall of the past. When Liu Wenjin saved him, the decomposed young body of Elder Princess Yuehua’s grandson was also found. Because of this matter, Liu Wenjin had received the Elder Princess’s gratitude and even His Majesty had passed a decree rewarding him for his effort and promoted him with the title of Marquis Longyang. With careful analysis, it was evident that Liu Wenjin conspired with the bandits. How could Liu Wenjin be innocent in this matter? The Elder Princess Yuehua’s grandson being dismembered and himself being kidnapped, followed by Liu Wenjin’s saving graces at just the right time with all the justified reasonings, this was all truly one excellent script and play.
“Oh?” The disappearance of the Elder Princess Yuehua’s eldest grandson was no secret within the bounds of the Imperial City, but how was one who had not yet stepped foot within the city bounds aware of such news? And if Shen Liang had a better information channel compared to the Ironclad Guards themselves, how was it possible Shen Liang had been driven to such a state himself?
The young man before him seemed to have many secrets hidden about him.
The phoenix eyes had intrigue mixed within their deep gaze. Pei Yuanlie toyed with the teacup to hide his amused smile.
“If Your Highness wishes to save the young master, perhaps Your Highness should further pursue this matter and uproot the bandits’ den. The sooner the better as the childe of Princess Yuehua may not have much longer to wait.”
Ignoring the blatant inquiring gaze, Shen Liang stared into them without qualms. If his memories didn’t fail him, the young master had been dead for three days when Liu Wenjin saved him. That means at this time, the childe was still alive, but had only ten or so more days left to live. Whether the young master could be saved would depend on whether Pei Yuanlie believed him and acted fast.
Shen Liang’s vengeance started now. He would not miss any opportunities to suppress Liu Shuhan and those around Liu Shuhan. Without this feat, Shen Liang wanted to see just how Liu Wenjin would be granted the Marquis title and the support of the Elder Princess.
Pei Yuanxian didn’t say anything. He only stared at him with that pair of seductive phoenix eyes. Only after a long time did his deep voice sound out, “Investigate!”
“Yes!”
Several Ironclad Guards immediately called out their obeisance and proceeded to carry out the orders they had received from their lord.
“Your Highness, the bandits have been eradicated.” Simultaneously, a dozen more Ironclad Guards hurried back, accompanied by the deafening sound of the horses’ hooves hitting the ground. Along with the cacophony was a loud thud as the incomplete corpses were thrown to the ground.
Included with the corpses of bandits were those of the three servants Shen Liang had forced off the carriage, Grandma Wei, Jin Zhi, and the coachman. None were spared and contributed to pile of corpses.
“Marquis’s subordinates?” Sparing them a brief glance, Pei Yuanxian returned his gaze back onto Shen Liang again, as though questioning, why was the Marquis’s servants with the bandits? He didn’t believe that these people had sacrificed themselves to the bandits to save Shan Liang. Had they had that much loyalty, Shen Liang’s fate wouldn’t have amounted to being exiled to the countryside.
“En, I wonder if Your Highness would be willing to help me send these remains to the Longyang County not far ahead?” He hadn’t even returned yet and others had started to put so much effort in him. Wouldn’t it be too disappointing and unworthy of their efforts if he didn’t return with some souvenirs?
“It’s no bother. Tianquan, take some men and escort childe Shen back.” As though seeing through Shen Liang’s plans, Pei Yuanlie was filled with interest. His title as the Imperial City’s number one playboy was not exaggerated.
“Yes.” The Ironclad Guard who had been called out responded in a deep voice.
Shen Liang scowled but it was almost imperceptible as he lowered his eyes and stood up to bow, “I thank the Duke.”
The other party obviously wishes to participate and observe. It was the equivalent of helping him though and Shen Liang didn’t have a justifiable reason to object, much less the power to do so.
“Shen Da’s younger brother is far more intriguing than the rest of those fools of the Shen Family.” With the wave of his hand, Pei Yuanlie proceeded to close the carriage door when Shen Liang called out, “Your Highness…”
“En?” The gaze that had been withdrawn once again swept over to him and Shen Liang, who had only asked for help out of impulse, almost fell into a trance from the suddenness.
Shen Liang lowered his eyes to conceal his emotions. When he raised his head once again, the indifference had returned to his expression, “Does Your Highness know this one’s brother?”
The matter concerning his brother must not be rushed. He needed to proceed with caution and slowly. Most importantly, besides Qi Xuan and Qi Yue, Shen Liang couldn’t trust anyone else.
“No. But Huo Yelin does.”
It wasn’t that Pei Yuanlie couldn’t sense Shen Liang’s defenses, but rather that he didn’t care. He also didn’t trust Shen Liang and neither of them amounted to much in the other party’s eyes.
But Pei Yuanlie and the War God Huo Yelin had a good relationship?
Having derived such a news, Shen Liang felt comforted slightly more. It was just that if Shen Liang wished to build a connection with Huo Yelin it would be inevitable that he would have more interactions with Pei Yuanxian. His instinct told him this man was dangerous, that it was better to stay far away from this man, but…
“Shen Liang will come to pay his gratitude in the near future,” Shen Liang said.
For the sake of his brother, even if Shen Liang had to traverse a sea of swords and fire, Shen Liang would be willing, not to mention interacting with Pei Yuanlie, regardless of how dangerous the Duke was.
His black obsidian eyes were filled with determination. Shen Liang clenched his fists. There was still a year’s worth of time remaining. He had to save his brother.
“Liang….Fifth young master, your arm…”
Seeing that blood seeped from Shen Liang’s arm, Qi Yue couldn’t help but call out in a low voice with concern. At the same time, it would allow Pei Yuanlie to notice his blood-stained arm. With the furrow of his brow, Pei Yuanlie then made a gesture with his hand and signaled, “Have young master Shen’s injury looked at.”
“No need. I’ll have to bother Your Highness to just escort me back to the Marquis Manor.” After coldly rejecting the Duke’s intentions, Shen Liang turned around and returned back into the carriage. Seeing this, Qi Yue followed closely behind. Qi Xuan remained in the driver’s seat, but naked concern permeated her face.
“Oh? Doesn’t wish to owe this honored one too much?” What an intriguing little one. Clearly, he was only in his teens, but he behaved like an old man. Amongst his actions permeated a noble demeanor and every word he spoke stoked Pei Yuanlie’s intrigue.
The Ironclad Guards separated out a portion of the corpses from the mount before trailing after Shen Liang’s carriage. As their entourage passed by Pei Yuanlie’s carriage, Shen Liang clearly sensed an oppressive force, but that sensation dissipated immediately after the brief brush by. Within the carriage, Shen Liang allowed Qi Yue to clean and bandage his wounds as he casted aside all thoughts regarding Pei Yuanlie. Instead, his mind begins to fill with thoughts on how to exact his vengeance. How to deal with those animals at the Marquis Manor.
“Your Highness, the young master Shen’s words weren’t a lie. The young master of the Elder Princess was indeed found from the bandits’s den. There is no foreseeable threat to his life in the moment.”
Pei Yuanlie didn’t leave. The Ironclad Guards also followed the trails that eventually led them to the den.
He raised his eyes. Sarcasm saturated Pei Yuanxian’s expression, “Have the news of the young master’s circumstances reach the Elder Princess’s ears. She will understand how to proceed. It will suffice for the Elder Princess to remember this deed. As for the old emperor, I have no need for him to remember our merits.”
“Yes.” The Ironclad Guards were not without indignation and resentment but could only comply. The old emperor’s suspicion and doubts with them had inevitably chilled their hearts.
