Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 228

Chapter 228 Turn On One’s Face
The next day, at dawn.

Qin Mubai and Chen Yan walked out of the small building again. Qin Mubai also stretched and yawned, laughing foolishly, “Yan, don’t tell me, being an assassin is quite exciting. It’s dark and windy, killing people and stealing goods. Wearing a beam, you fly up and down the wall without a trace. Haha! I won’t be an official anymore. I’ll hang out with you another day! Let’s go to Jianghu and become a couple of Immortal Warriors.”

“Nonsense. Let the duke go to the Wandering Jianghu without doing anything.” Chen Yan smiled and said, “How was your conversation with Li Ke last night?”

“Yes, it’s about time.” Qin Mubai heaved a sigh of relief and said, “I made a plan to deceive the spies, mainly to deceive them into trusting me.” Now I understand what it means that a strong dragon does not suppress an earth-shattering snake. These people were all Xiao Juniors, so they weren’t worth mentioning. However, the so-called great figures in the court, when they come here to fight against us, they really feel that their fists have hit the cotton, and they are unable to use any strength. So now we’ve changed our strategy. He couldn’t do it with all his might like before, and he had to use some exquisite tricks to deal with them. Yan, you are an expert in this field. You must teach me. ”

“Alright-” Chen Yan dragged her voice out and smiled. “Finally, there are some places where I can play a role. Can I not work hard? Let’s go, and then go back to the secretariat’s mansion. I’ll see how you and Li Ke act.”

At noon, the Secretariat Manor.

Qin Mubai and Chen Yan entered through the main entrance of the Governor’s Mansion and bumped into the head of the yamen, Elder Zhou Jiu.

“General Qin, you’re back! Are you alright? Your Highness Prince Wu is very anxious!” Elder Zhou Jiu greeted him with astonishment.

“I’m fine. Do you think I’m fine?” Qin Mubai smiled and patted Zhou Laojiu on the shoulder, “Where is His Highness?”

“Right in the back palace, this lowly one will lead you forward!” After saying that, Elder Zhou Jiuyin passionately led the way.

Qin Mubai and Chen Yan looked at each other and smiled as they quietly followed him forward.

Along the way, Elder Zhou Jiu still seemed to have something to say. He looked at Chen Yan but wanted to say something. Qin Mubai said, “Just say what you want to say. She is not an outsider.”

“Oh, oh!” Old Ninth Zhou smiled awkwardly and bowed to Chen Yan. He whispered, “General Qin, you went to Lady Hua’s Mansion for three days. Did you get anything?”

“Yes!” Qin Mubai nodded. She even put her hand on his shoulder and took a few steps forward to avoid Chen Yan’s gaze. She snickered softly and said, “Lady Hua, you are indeed coquettish!”

“Eh?” Elder Zhou was stunned for a moment, then laughed dryly, “General Qin, you are indeed romantic, romantic, haha!”

“Keep your voice down, you’re courting death!” Qin Mubai slapped his head angrily and gritted his teeth. “Must everyone in the manor know that I’m going to have fun? By the way, go get those two Baiji for me.”

“Those two?” Old Nine Zhou blinked his eyes and looked confused.

“Those two idiots I sent to protect Zheng Anshun!”

“Yes, this lowly one will go immediately!”

Elder Zhou’s nine butts ran away in a daze. Chen Yan hugged her sword to her chest and smiled coldly, “His concealment skills weren’t very good.”

“In the eyes of an old Jianghu like you, of course not.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “It’s not who is smarter than who is more patient, but who is more capable of concealing and deceiving. Sigh, if I had known that I would have been in Chang’an, I would have learned how to act from those disciples of the Pear Garden.”

“No master would accept a disciple like you.”

“Why?” Qin Mubai said in shock, “Could it be that my aptitude is really that bad?”

“Because … they have nothing to teach you.” Chen Yan smiled sweetly and strolled forward.

“Am I really that outstanding?” Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled embarrassedly as he followed.

Over the past few days, Li Ke, who was depressed, ignored government affairs and locked himself up in the courtyard of the back residence of the secretariat mansion. It was almost known to everyone in the mansion that he was either furious or worried by drinking wine. Therefore, no one dared to touch his bad luck at this time. At most, Quan Wanji would come to visit the gang sooner or later to persuade them, but nothing would happen. Li Ke’s mood was getting worse and worse, and he often heard him scolding and beating his servants after drinking.

When Qin Mubai walked to the front hall of the rear mansion, he heard Li Ke roar from afar, “What are you doing eating? You can’t find a single person in Xiangyang City! This king orders you to find that thief Qin Mubai today! Even if you dig three feet into the ground and dig the Han River, strangers will die if they see a corpse!”

“Yes” Yuwen Hongtai and Xue Rengui clasped their hands in agreement with a worried expression. Just as they were about to turn around and retreat, they suddenly saw Qin Mubai and Chen Yan walking towards them. Immediately, they cried out in surprise, “Your Highness, Your Highness! General Qin is back!”

“Where is it?” Li Ke almost jumped up from his seat and rushed to the threshold, shouting, “Mubai, so you’re not dead!”

This roar was really loud. The servant maids who were walking around the mansion were all shocked, and they all looked sideways.

“Without His Highness’ Jun Ling, how dare I die so easily?” Qin Mubai smiled and quickly walked forward. He cupped his hands and said, “Your Highness, I’m back.”

“Good, good, just come back.” Li Ke took his hand and walked into the room in surprise. “Tell Little Wang what progress you have made? Is the princess and the others alright?”

Chen Yan stood under the eaves with her sword in her arms and secretly laughed, “These two grown men really know how to put on airs.” Needless to say, even Xue Rengui and Yuwen Hongtai had to be deceived. If I wasn’t an insider, how could I possibly see through it? In this way, it wouldn’t be difficult to deceive Zhou Laojiu and Zhang Tong, the two spies.

Just as they were muttering, two Hundred Cavalry, led by Zhou Laojiu, arrived in front of the hall. “General Qin, this lowly one has been ordered to invite the two Hundred Cavalry Generals over,” Elder Zhou said with an arch.

“Bullshit, what general? Two rice buckets!” He heard Qin Mubai roar loudly inside, “Get the hell in here!”

Zhang Tong and the other Baiji soldiers’ faces instantly changed. They lowered their heads and walked in trembling.

Yuwen Hongtai and Xue Rengui also stood outside the door, their faces filled with astonishment. Yuwen Hongtai whispered, “Brother Rengui, have you ever seen Third Brother Qin curse in public?”

“Never.”

Yuwen Hongtai clicked his lips and said, “Then he really is angry. I wonder where he went and what he did in the past few days. I suppressed my urge to ask, but I didn’t dare to say anything.” She turned her eyes to glance at Chen Yan. He then smiled and leaned forward and said, “Chen … heroine, can I ask you a question?”

“No.” Chen Yan said coldly without turning back.

“Uh” Yuwen Hongtai was stunned, “I haven’t said anything yet!”

“All you want to ask is where Qin Mubai has been these past few days and what he has done, right?” Chen Yan said teasingly, but her expression was still as cold as ice.

Yuwen Hongtai was stunned, “How did you know? Could it be that you know how to read minds?”

“I don’t understand.” Chen Yan said, “It’s just that your ears are easier to use.”

“What do you mean?” Yuwen Hongtai was even more stunned.

Xue Rengui smiled bitterly and hurriedly pulled Yuwen Hongtai back, “Don’t be embarrassed, come back!”

“Why are you in such a hurry? Let me ask you clearly!” Yuwen Hongtai was confused.

At this moment, the two Baiji in the main hall had already knelt down, not daring to raise their heads.

Qin Mubai stepped forward and raised his foot. Without saying a word, he came to the left and right of the two of them and kicked them to the ground on the spot. The two of them didn’t dare to say anything. They rolled on the ground and hurriedly returned. They knelt on the spot, not even changing their appearance.

“You guys deserve to be called Baiji?” Qin Mubai sneered, “Pack your bags and scram back to Chang’an to marry your mother-in-law and nurse your child!”

“General! This lowly one knows his mistakes, this lowly one deserves to die! But please give us a chance to atone for our sins!” The two Baiji pleaded anxiously.

“Scram! This daddy doesn’t need people like you!” Qin Mubai roared.

“Mubai, Mubai!” Li Ke hurriedly stood up and pulled Qin Mubai and said, “Everything is easy to discuss, why are you angry?” As the saying goes, Old Ma has stumbled, let alone a human? The two of them have followed you for a while, traveling thousands of miles from Chang’an to Xiangzhou, at least this loyalty is commendable! Although he had made a mistake, there was no need to kick them away. This is a bit too heartless. ”

“I’m heartless?” Qin Mubai raised his eyebrows and shouted angrily, “Ask the two of them. What is the first rule of the Hundred Cavalry Army Catchphrase?”

The two Baiji were stunned for a moment before replying with a bitter face, “No one is allowed to fail the mission that Baiji took over. Those who commit an offense will be dismissed from their posts.”

“It’s not that serious, is it?” Li Ke was stunned.

Qin Mubai said, “That’s because the Hundred Cavalry are different from other armies. Actually, all missions we take over can only be successful and cannot fail. If we fail, it means that the lives of the people we protect are at stake. Your Highness, think about who the Hundred Cavalry will protect. From the looks of it, this punishment is still light.”

“Sigh, the military rules are dead, people are alive!” Li Ke was still trying to persuade the peacemaker in front of him, “You sent them to protect Zheng Anshun. He’s lost, but that doesn’t mean that his … life is in danger!” The most important thing now was to think of a way to save someone, not to be too busy punishing his own brother. I also know that your Baiji’s military rules are strict, but this time, for Little Wang’s sake, how about letting him off lightly? Now is the time to employ people, ah, hope you think twice. ”

The two Hundred Cavalries knelt down and didn’t dare to move, quietly listening to their orders.

After a moment of silence, Qin Mubai coldly snorted, “Hurry up and thank King Wu!”

“Thank you Your Highness Prince Wu, thank you General for your kindness!” The two Hundred Cavalries bowed in pleasant surprise.

“Alright, alright, get up.” Li Ke smiled and stepped forward to help the two of them up, saying, “Actually, the thing that your general hates the most about you is your hard-hearted and soft-hearted words–Oh, Mubai, where did you tell me just now?”

“Oh, speaking of which … I entered the Hua Niangzi mansion.” Qin Mubai said casually.

The two hundred cavalry obediently stood behind Qin Mubai, as if they were normal guards from the side. Naturally, Qin Mubai did not chase them away. Instead, he sat down with Li Ke and began to discuss the matter.

Qin Mubai told Li Ke everything that had happened in the past few days. Of course, his personal matters with Chen Yan were naturally as obscure as the depths of his heart.

Finally, Qin Mubai said, “Your Highness, I have no other choice. It seems that we have no other choice. In fact, since the Water Ghost has already agreed to my two conditions, that is, to ensure the safety of the hostages, to guarantee that they will not commit crimes in Xiang Province in the future, and that they will disband themselves within a year. We can compromise for the time being.”

“What are you talking about?” Li Ke raised his eyebrows in surprise and anger, “This group of thieves robbed the official ship, kidnapped my princess, and captured your subordinate general to threaten them. To be so reckless is to have no law in your eyes, yet you actually want to compromise with them? Where do you think you will put the law of the Great Tang Dynasty in, and how will you humiliate me, Li Ke?”

Qin Mubai’s face turned embarrassed as he whispered, “Your Highness, don’t get angry. Isn’t it urgent to save people now? I’m also helpless! The princess and the imperial daughter’s lives are in their hands. With just a single move of their fingers, it’s a matter of life and death! Why don’t we take a step back and rescue them first?”

Li Ke snorted coldly, “Then who can guarantee that after they succeed, they will really disappear from the Xiangzhou Prefecture?” Will they really be disbanded in a year? Let me tell you, thieving is hard to change. If they succeeded this time by threatening, it would be hard to guarantee that there would be no next time. We compromised this time, so what next time? Moreover, if we compromise with the thieves, that would be a great crime of conniving at and protecting them! I really don’t know how I will continue to be a secretariat in the future if I have such a big hand in their hands! “Perhaps when they are unhappy and throw a folding piece at Chang’an, I, the prince, won’t be able to continue!”

Qin Mubai frowned, “So what if you think?”

“If we can’t even deal with a few water bandits, how are we going to stand on our feet in the future?” Li Ke slapped his hand on the table. “There’s no saying, we will never compromise!”

Qin Mubai shook his head and sighed, “Your Highness, do you think I want to compromise? What’s the difference between that and breaking my teeth and swallowing them in my stomach? In the end, it’s because I’ve taken care of the lives in their hands!”

“Qin Mubai, when did you become so fearful of death!” Li Ke suddenly became furious and pointed at Qin Mubai and scolded, “I will not compromise! If they harm the princess and her daughter because of this, I, I…”

“What will you do?” Qin Mubai said coldly.

“I’ll take it that they both died a year ago because of dystocia!”

Outside, Yuwen Hongtai and Xue Rengui’s faces changed, and their expressions became cold. Chen Yan faintly smiled as she raised the corner of her mouth, but she remained calm.

‘”Prince Wu” Qin Mubai took a deep breath and said, “I know that you are just being righteous. No one cares more about the safety of their mother and daughter than you.”

“You don’t have to say it so beautifully.” “I have my bottom line and principles. I can’t compromise between a prince and a bandit! Let alone capture my concubine and daughter, even putting a knife on my neck is impossible!” Li Ke’s expression suddenly turned cold and even harsh as he said in a deep voice, “I have my bottom line and principles. I definitely can’t do it! Let alone capture my concubine and daughter, even if you put a knife on my neck, Li Ke!”

“I understand what you mean.” Qin Mubai nodded and coldly snorted, “Compared to your throne and future, a woman with a little bone blood is nothing. Anyway, the one you need the most is a woman, right?”

“What are you talking about?” Li Ke was instantly enraged. He turned around and grabbed Qin Mubai’s clothes. He gritted his teeth and shouted, “Say it again?”

“Am I wrong?” Qin Mubai looked coldly at Qin Mubai. He used some dark energy to open Li Ke’s hand and coldly snorted, “Today, I finally saw you clearly. Perhaps one day, I, someone from Qin, can sacrifice myself for you, right? Because compared to the princess and the princess, who is closer to each other is clearer at a glance!”

“Qin Mubai, you’re going to turn against me, aren’t you?” Li Ke stared at Qin Mubai with his eyes wide open, his body trembling with anger.

Qin Mubai shook his head with an indifferent expression, “There is no face to turn against, because I feel that it is shameless enough for me to stay here and beg for nothing. Let’s put it this way, Your Highness Prince Wu. I, someone from the Qin Dynasty, am at least the Commandant of Zhechong in Xiang Prefecture. There are bandits under my control. I will take care of them myself and not trouble with the Prefecture Monarch of the Secretariat.”

“Qin Mubai! How dare you!” Li Ke was furious and almost shouted, “You mean, what are you going to do? I don’t care about you, right?”

“If you want to understand this, you can.” Qin Mubai said coldly, “Historically, the governor and the commandant have nothing to do with each other. You care about your people’s livelihood, and I’ll take care of my military affairs. The Water Ghost case is a big one. The case should be handled by your secretariat office. However, it is the responsibility of our military office to eliminate the bandits and control the bandits. There is no need for you, the secretariat, to judge. Just wait for me to take care of the water ghost case and hand the criminal over to you for trial. “Don’t bother with anything else.”

At this time, Yuwen Hongtai, Xue Rengui, and the two Baiji in the hall were stunned. The four of them all wanted to come forward to persuade him, but seeing Li Ke and Qin Mubai’s posture, they were afraid and didn’t dare to step forward.

“How could this be? Why would the two of them fall out?”

“According to what you said, am I interfering?” “You mean you insist on doing what you want? Compromise with the water ghost and exchange for the hostages?” Li Ke stared at him in surprise and indignation.

“It’s useless to say more.” Qin Mubai let out a long sigh and softened his tone. “Your Highness, I understand your difficulties, but if you do what you say, you will definitely risk your life by adding more blood.” You’re cold and heartless, and I can’t do it. If anyone wants to accuse us of having an affair with a thief, let me, someone else Qin, bear the blame alone. From today onwards, this case has nothing to do with you. “You can be at ease in the secretariat and be your righteous and righteous prince’s secretariat!”

“You’re presumptuous!” Li Ke casually picked up a cup of tea and smashed it hard on the ground. Immediately, the cup of broken water splashed and everyone was shocked to the point of bouncing.

“Qin Mubai, if you persist, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“Help yourself.” Qin Mubai said coldly, “You are only preparing to impeach me, report me to the Imperial Stage, and report me to His Majesty the Emperor, aren’t you?” However, for the sake of our friendship, for the sake of your loyal subordinate, Yin Yang, and those Prince’s Palace QinBing who sank to the bottom of the river, for the sake of … your closest relative, Princess Consort, and Imperial Daughter, I would like to ask you to do such a thing after the case is over. ”

“Do you think you’re great?” Li Ke’s face changed. His expression was twisted as if he was smiling but not angry. He stared at Qin Mubai and exaggerated his movements. “Compared to this, I, Li Ke, am a cold-blooded and heartless beast. And you are willing to fight for your friends and family, aren’t you?”

“Goodbye.” Qin Mubai coldly snorted with extreme disdain. He cupped his hands and strode out, shaking his robe.

“Stop right there!-Someone, capture Qin Mubai!” Li Ke shouted from behind Qin Mubai.

A group of yamen servants and QinBing rushed forward, but Xue Rengui and YuWen HongTai were dumbfounded as they looked straight at Qin Mubai.

Chen Yan’s figure flashed to Qin Mubai’s side. Holding her sword, she coldly swept her gaze across the crowd in front of her and said, “Go to the former and die.”

Yuwen Hongtai swallowed a mouthful of saliva, “General Qin … Third Brother Qin! What, what’s wrong with you guys?”

“Yuwen Hongtai, you dare to resist? Get me someone!” Li Ke roared.

The two Baiji also strode to Qin Mubai’s side, their eyes shining fiercely as they waited in formation.

Xue Rengui frowned and stared at Qin Mubai for a long time before saying, “You can leave, General Qin.”

“Xue Rengui, what did you say? Did you do the opposite?” Li Ke roared angrily.

“General Qin dares to risk his life for righteousness. Xue Ligan and I will receive the punishment of His Highness’ death!” After Xue Rengui finished speaking to Qin Mubai in a low voice, her eyebrows suddenly sank and she shouted, “Spread out the troops!”

Xue Rengui, the commandant of the Imperial Palace’s QinBing army, ordered the soldiers to spread out.

“Your Highness, Third Brother Qin! You, don’t do this!” Yuwen Hongtai was anxious. He jumped in and out like a child who had lost his candy. “Don’t, don’t be like this! Aren’t we all on the same boat! We should live and die together!” He shouted anxiously.

“That was yesterday, Hong Tai.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Your Highness, the Dao is different. We are not conspirators. You and I are easy to gather and disperse. Why should we use saber weapons? We are not friends anymore, but we are still colleagues. If you are dissatisfied with me, you can write an impeachment letter and have your people detain me privately. It would be impossible to justify a private court.”

Li Ke gritted his teeth and his bones rang.

“Good, very good. Since you’ve already said that, then our past friendship will be canceled. Qin Mubai, from today onwards, you and I will not offend each other. We will do everything on business.” “From now on, I, Li Ke, don’t know Qin Mubai. I only know the Commandant Zhechong of the Xiang Province Military Manor,” Li Ke said, panting heavily. “From now on, I don’t know Qin Mubai!”

“Your Highness is wise.” Qin Mubai smiled coldly and strode forward.

The yamen attendants and soldiers surrounded Qin Mubai one layer after another. They stopped him, and neither did they disperse. They could only retreat along with Qin Mubai with their blades and spears. They actually “escorted” him like this and left the palace.

After leaving the manor, Qin Mubai and Chen Yan mounted their horses and left without saying a word. They raised their whips and went straight back to the small building.

At this moment, Qin Mubai heaved a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.

“It’s so good. Even I’m almost cheated.” Chen Yan smiled and said, “Those two Baiji have been following behind our horses for a long time, but they didn’t dare to ask you to stop and wait.”

Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled bitterly, “I still don’t think it’s enough, because … Xue Rengui seems to have seen through the clue.”

“Not necessarily.” Chen Yan smiled faintly and said, “Perhaps he is revealing his true feelings? I think he is a man with a real temper.”

“None of this matters anymore.” Qin Mubai heaved a sigh of relief and said, “The key is to … deceive that Zhou Laojiu and Zhang Tong. Perhaps, there are other spies ambushing in the palace.”

“What are you going to do next?” Chen Yan asked.

Qin Mubai thought for a moment and said, “I’m going back to the military manor to explain some matters. Then, I’ll contact the water ghosts and arrange the plan. I think the water ghosts should have more trust in me now.”

“But you agreed, but Li Ke didn’t nod. You guys are still upset because of this. Will they be at ease?” Chen Yan asked.

“Grain trade must be on the surface of the water, Li Ke even want to tube also can’t tube. Furthermore, I can explain that Li Ke’s disagreement with me was only for the sake of his throne and future. Why didn’t he worry about the princess and the imperial daughter in his heart? If he doesn’t fall out with me, he’s an accomplice; “Now that this is happening, can you not only avoid being dragged into the water by me, but also rely on me to save people?” Qin Mubai said, “Aren’t both of them beautiful? Therefore, I can definitely convince the water ghost to start the trading plan boldly and at ease!”

Chen Yan smiled bitterly and shook her head, “Is this the mental skill of your officials?”

Qin Mubai laughed dryly, “It’s not as vicious and sinister as you think. At least, Li Ke and I are not.”