Volume One: The Emperor’s Sword Chapter 75: Let’s Play Together

Zhou Yuanliang had been frequenting the North Courtyard lately, not to visit Yun Que, but to seek out Luo Xiaoyu.

He would arrive carrying a large food box, the aroma of hot dishes wafting from within. The moment he saw Luo Xiaoyu, his face would break into an ingratiating smile, making him look like a waiter eager to please.

“Have you eaten yet, Sister Luo? Look what I brought you—delicacies! Braised pork knuckle from First Class Pavilion, roast duck from Immortal Guest House, and it’s all still steaming hot!”

“Marquis Yun, you’re back from seclusion? Perfect timing, join us for a meal!”

Without waiting for a response, he barged into Yun Que’s room and began laying out the dishes, filling the table.

At the sight of food, Luo Xiaoyu’s eyes sparkled. Like a cat drawn to fish, she pounced and began eating with relish.

Yun Que could only sigh and return to his room, seeing no alternative.

“Try the duck leg—it’s crisp and fragrant! By the way, Sister Luo, when do you have time to visit my home? I’ll treat you to a feast!” Zhou Yuanliang inquired obsequiously, forced to set aside his pride as he had a favor to ask.

“In a couple of days, I still need to train,” Luo Xiaoyu replied, cheeks bulging. “Do you have any of those crispy pastries from last time?”

“Absolutely! They ran out of ingredients last time and couldn’t make many, but this time there’s plenty!” Zhou Yuanliang swore solemnly.

“In that case, let’s go right after we eat—I’ve got time! I always have time!” Luo Xiaoyu’s eyes lit up.

“Deal! We’ll head out as soon as we’re done,” Zhou Yuanliang chuckled awkwardly.

Yun Que shook his head. He saw right through Zhou Yuanliang’s intentions—he was clearly using Luo Xiaoyu as a poison tester, bringing her home to try the food for his father’s safety.

Shameless beyond belief.

And looking at Luo Xiaoyu, her mouth glistening with oil as she devoured the meal, Yun Que could only sigh again.

Hopeless.

She was the kind of girl who could be lured away with two pieces of candy. With a table of delicacies like this, she’d probably help poison someone if asked, let alone test for it.

“Has the Grand Chancellor’s poisoning been cured?” Yun Que asked.

“It’s no longer a problem. My master isn’t skilled at detoxification, but the Sword Chief stepped in and the illness was instantly cured,” Zhou Yuanliang replied.

So it was the Sword Chief’s doing. Yun Que had little regard for the South Courtyard elders. For someone like Zhou Yuanliang, who was barely more than a bystander, it was unlikely that Quan Yu would have given it his all.

“What sort of poison was it?” Luo Xiaoyu was curious. Any poison she’d never seen before was bound to be extraordinary.

“The Sword Chief said it was a gu poison, very rare, most likely from the Barbarians,” Zhou Yuanliang explained.

“Yet again the Barbarians…” Yun Que was not surprised. What unsettled him was the means they employed.

Neither gu insects nor gu poisons could find their own way onto a target—they required someone to act as an agent.

It seemed that Barbarian spies had infiltrated the imperial capital, to the point of being everywhere.

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Neither the Duke of Yu’s residence nor the Grand Chancellor’s estate had been spared.

This realization was truly chilling.

After all, the Grand Chancellor was under the protection of elite guards assigned by the court. His personal security, if not on par with the emperor’s, was at least comparable to that of the highest-ranking nobles, with many experts constantly by his side.

For even the Grand Chancellor, one of the most powerful men in the realm, to be poisoned without anyone noticing—what astonishing methods must the Barbarians possess?

Not to mention the Duke of Yu, foremost among the generals, whose household guards were all elite soldiers, yet even he fell victim to the Barbarians’ schemes.

“How is Lan Yusheng’s injury? Has he regained consciousness?” Yun Que inquired.

“He woke up just yesterday—lucky fellow, took a stroll on the Bridge of Naihe and managed to come back,” Zhou Yuanliang remarked with some feeling.

“Are there any leads?” Yun Que pressed.

“None. Lan Yusheng remembers going hunting in the suburbs, then suddenly everything went black and he lost consciousness. Only after waking did he realize he’d nearly died. When he heard you saved him, he kept saying he wanted to thank you in person,” Zhou Yuanliang said.

“You can guard against a thief for a thousand days, but you’re bound to slip up eventually. Is there any way to deal with this once and for all?” asked Yun Que.

“Unless we uncover the Barbarians’ lair in the capital and wipe them out, there’s nothing we can do but remain vigilant. They’re in the shadows while we’re in the open,” Zhou Yuanliang sighed.

“Have there been any Barbarian movements lately?” Yun Que asked.

“None. My father and the Duke of Yu have deployed many men to investigate, but there are no clues. Strangely enough, these Barbarians are usually only good for charging on the battlefield, yet this time their schemes are flawless—two assassination attempts without a single trace left behind,” Zhou Yuanliang said, puzzled.

If it weren’t for the fact that gu insects and gu poisons were specialties of the Barbarians, he would have suspected someone else was behind the incidents.

“The Barbarians’ arrival is strange. Who knows what plot they’re hiding. The safety of the Grand Chancellor and the Duke of Yu is paramount; you should be careful as well,” Yun Que reminded him.

“Don’t worry, Marquis. The Duke of Yu has already dispatched secret guards from the army to protect both our households. If the Barbarians try anything again, they’ll surely leave a clue. As for me, I’ve always been idle. My father thinks I’m unreliable and wrote to my little sister a few days ago—she should be back soon.”

Zhou Yuanliang did indeed have a younger sister. Yun Que was surprised—he thought Zhou had just made her up back when they were in prison together.

“Is your sister skilled in martial arts?” Yun Que asked, curious.

If she wasn’t, what difference would it make for a young lady to return home regarding the Grand Chancellor’s safety? If she was weak, she’d just need extra protection, making her return pointless.

“Of course!” Zhou Yuanliang’s pride was evident. “She’s a true disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and was the youngest Sword Child in the Sword Palace’s history!”

Luo Xiaoyu was astonished. “Your sister is that formidable? She must be very young!”

“In the flower of youth, just budding,” Zhou Yuanliang replied, arching his eyebrows mischievously. “Didn’t you once say you wanted to have some fun, Marquis Yun? How about I set you two up?”

Yun Que’s head ached. That offhand remark in prison—this guy still remembered it.

Luo Xiaoyu piped up eagerly, “Is your sister fun? Can I play with her too? Let’s all play together!”

Zhou Yuanliang nearly choked, hastily coughing to change the subject.

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“Oh, right. Junior Sister Mu was in a hurry this morning. Knowing I’d be coming to the North Courtyard, she asked me to bring this to you.”

With that, Zhou Yuanliang produced a sheet of paper. Yun Que unfolded it—it was the promissory note for one hundred million taels of silver.

He’d originally left this note with Mu Qingzhou, but now it had found its way back to him.

Looking closely, he noticed an additional fingerprint at the signature line, and beneath it, the name “Mu Qingzhou” was clearly written.

Yun Que had left the note with Mu Qingzhou to keep Mu Gui from defaulting—whether he got the money back or not, at least it would trouble the old man. Now, with Mu Qingzhou’s signature and fingerprint, it meant that regardless of whether Mu Gui acknowledged the debt, Mu Qingzhou, as head of the family, had assumed the responsibility.

Seeing the signature, Yun Que was unsure what Mu Qingzhou intended.

He was pondering this when Zhou Yuanliang’s voice grew heavy. “Something has happened to the Mu family.”

Yun Que’s brow furrowed.

He had anticipated this, but not so soon.

Zhou Yuanliang recounted the events in detail.

It began with one of the Mu family’s mines being discovered trading with Barbarians, selling weapons to them.

A Mu family mine providing arms to the Barbarians—this was a serious crime.

The emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation.

Overnight, all the Mu family’s mines were shut down, and every member was thrown into prison.

The Mu family spent vast sums trying to smooth things over, but to little effect.

Until the truth was uncovered, none of the family members would be released, and any attempt to escape would be treated as treason—collaborating with the Barbarians, a crime punishable by execution of the entire clan.

Yet before the investigation was even concluded, the emperor prematurely issued an order to confiscate their property.

The reason given: “Merchants subvert the law with wealth, and warriors defy prohibitions with force.”

Thus, the Mu family, once the most powerful house in Yan Kingdom, became the first victim to fall beneath the executioner’s blade of imperial authority.

According to Zhou Yuanliang, today was the day their estate would be seized.