Chapter 278 Self-indulgent
With Gao Nan's order, Emperor Jin's palace was on high alert, like an iron wall.
The high-ranking officials took turns guarding the gates, leaving two in each of the southeast, northwest, and northeast. All four sides reached a consensus and decisively declined Ning Fengzhe's request for an audience and did not report it. The rest were busy at the Supervisory Office, waiting to be dispatched at any time.
Out of habit, Zhuang Shao ordered the coachman to go to the main gate of Prince Di Jin's palace.
Ning Fengzhe had already grasped the situation and whispered, "The west gate is guarded by Lord Xiao and Lord Wen in turn. Since we have a plan to drive Dongshan away, they will definitely be convinced. Seeing that it is the emperor's uncle, they will definitely not stop us. Therefore, it is best for us to choose the west gate."
Zhuang Shao trusted him without a doubt: "Okay."
On the way, Ning Fengzhe added a countermeasure: "At this time, Lord Xiao happened to come here to change shifts. When the emperor's uncle saw him, he said..."
Zhuang Shao's carriage stopped at the west gate of Prince Dijin's palace.
Recognizing the pattern that symbolized the Fang clan, Xiao Xiangshuo took a few steps forward with a smile.
"Uncle..."
Just as he was about to say hello, he saw Ning Fengzhe got off the carriage first, and Xiao Xiangshuo's smile froze in an instant.
"Master Ning?"
The soldiers behind him looked solemn, their swords sharp and cold, which was intimidating.
Ning Fengzhe smiled slightly and bowed formally.
"I wish you the best, Lord Xiao."
Zhuang Shao then got off the carriage and took the initiative to show concern.
"It's not a busy hour, why is Lord Xiao here? Are you in charge of guarding Prince Dijin's mansion today?"
"On duty, Lord Xiao neither patrolled around nor sat quietly in the guest room. He led by example and personally guarded the place, just like his soldiers. His loyalty and loyalty are a model for all ages."
Xiao Xiangshuo smiled modestly and waved his hand.
"Thank you for your praise, sir. Actually, I am not on duty today."
Zhuang Shao pretended to be stunned.
"Then why don't you go back home?"
Xiao Xiangshuo answered truthfully.
"I have a heavy responsibility and I probably won't be able to return home in the next few days."
When he mentioned the word "important task", he glanced at Ning Fengzhe intentionally or unintentionally.
Following his gaze, Zhuang Shao turned around and looked at Ning Fengzhe.
"The important task that Lord Xiao mentioned is to refuse the guests without telling the prince?"
Facing the uncle, Xiao Xiangshuo smiled sincerely and was extremely friendly; when he turned to Ning Fengzhe, his expression immediately changed to indifference.
"There are some things that I don't need to explain too clearly, you will understand them. Please wait in the guest room, I will report to the prince and invite him to see me again. As for the outsiders... go back to where you came from, goodbye!"
Following Ning Fengzhe's instructions, Zhuang Shao imitated his brother's tone and asked questions in a very professional manner.
"This method avoids complexity and is straightforward. Perhaps it was decided by several masters?"
Xiao Xiangshuo conveyed his trust and smiled happily.
"My Lord, see you all the way."
Zhuang Shao looked embarrassed and sighed helplessly.
"Alas, Master Gao misunderstood my meaning."
Xiao Xiangshuo was stunned for a moment.
"how you said that?"
There is wisdom in Zhuang Shao's eyes, he is quick-witted and witty, and he expresses himself freely.
"I devised a plan to drive Dongshan away in order to help the prince and recruit Lord Ning to my side, so that Xi'er could cherish her family. Lord Xiao is a man of integrity, loyalty, and righteousness, and he must have seen it clearly. Why didn't I tell Lord Gao about it?"
Xiao Xiangshuo stared in astonishment, and was filled with shock all over his body.
"Ah?! Uncle actually has a deeper meaning?!"
Zhuang Shao acted as if he realized something belatedly, and then felt a little bit of self-blame.
"So even Lord Xiao didn't see my intention? No wonder Lord Gao misunderstood me and blamed me for not speaking clearly in time."
Xiao Xiangshuo's admiration for Zhuang Shao grew stronger and stronger, and when he saw him, he almost regarded him as an immortal.
"My uncle is really a very secretive person. I never expected that."
"Now that I think about it, it makes sense."
"No wonder Lord Bo asserted earlier that Lord Ning was willing to surrender, and also said that the prince's eagerness to recruit talents and his sincerity might make him surrender."
"My Lord, I didn't understand what you said. I am so stupid."
Having said that, he quickly turned to Ning Fengzhe and bowed.
"I apologize for offending you just now, Lord Ning, please don't take it as an offense."
Ning Fengzhe returned the greeting humbly and bowed a little lower to show his respect.
"I dare not, Lord Xiao's words are too serious."
Xiao Xiangshuo signaled his men to make way for him and then waved his sleeves to invite them.
"That's great, Lord, please wait in the guest room. I will go and report in person."
Zhuang Shao smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Lord Xiao."
At this time, Gao Ji entered through the main gate and asked to see Yan Yu.
Yan Yu allowed him to meet her and gave him a seat after the ceremony.
"Is there any result on the matter of the man in black?"
Gao Ji's face was like lake water, calm and deep.
"Yes."
"According to the order of the prince, I have investigated all the officials stationed in the Guardian Office and Shengjing. It took two days and I have finally completed the investigation."
"No black-clad man with superb archery skills was found."
Yan Yuxing's eyes were stern and her brows were heavy.
"Are you sure you have checked it clearly?"
Gao Ji answered confidently.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I am sure."
Yan Yu thought carefully.
"I think the other party is hiding too deeply, and ordinary questioning cannot reveal the truth."
"I have heard from my little sister that Lord Ning is particularly good at arranging informants and questioning suspicious people. With him, we may be able to find some clues."
Having said this, he turned his gaze to Gao Jing and asked a question.
"By the way, has he come to see me in the past two days?"
Gao Ji signaled to his son with his eyes, asking him to answer carefully.
Gao Jing was nervous inside, but he looked calm.
"Reporting to the prince, Lord Ning has never been here."
Yan Yu nodded slightly.
"I think he was concentrating on perfecting his strategy and had no time for anything else."
He turned and ordered.
"Go to Ning's Mansion quietly and invite him here. Let him investigate the matter of the man in black."
Gao Jing was a stern-looking but timid person, so he followed his father's wishes and expressed his dissatisfaction at appropriate times.
"Perhaps the prince trusts me too much. If he really lets Lord Ning take charge of this matter, wouldn't he know all the secrets of the Guardian?"
Gao Ji was secretly satisfied and pretended to scold him.
"Don't discuss the prince's decision."
Then, Qiao gave advice to Yan Yu.
"Please forgive me for speaking frankly. My son is rude, but what he said makes sense. It's not that we don't want to trust Lord Ning, but because he has just arrived and the people are not convinced. If Your Majesty suddenly entrusts him with an important task, there may be some dissatisfaction among the people. In my humble opinion, we should postpone this matter and use him when the time is right."
Yan Yu was unable to react in time.
"What you said makes sense, but... why does it sound weird?"
Before the prince could figure it out, Gao Jing increased his firepower and struck again with a heavy hammer.
"You haven't come to see me for a long time. You have no achievements and no strategies. It is obvious that Lord Ning is not sincere in his intention to join us."
"His move to drive Dongshan away is obviously his plan to get out of this situation. Your Majesty, don't let him fool you. We are foolish enough to take it seriously and end up being laughed at by others. Your Majesty, please think carefully. Lord Ning has followed the Emperor for many years, so why would he be willing to leave?"
He knew the prince's weakness and attacked him from behind.
"Does the prince think that he is sincere to others, has the people in his heart, and is flawless? As long as he stands somewhere, people will come to him with sincerity?"
"Could it be that the Governor-General, the Governor-General, and the Governor-General are willing to serve like dogs and horses, and that all the credit belongs to the prince alone?"
"Could it be that Lord Qin's heart is in his heart and he has no regrets because the prince accepted his beloved son as his apprentice and taught him medical skills?"
After listening to him patiently, Gao Ji finally said something reproachful.
"Shut up, you're even more unruly!"
After saying this, he immediately comforted her.
"Please do not worry, Your Majesty. We serve you because we admire your kindness and justice, not for any other reason."
Yan Yu felt lonely and inferior.
"Gao Jing is right. Without the planning of Aunt Fang and Little Sister, and without your own loyalty and courage, how could I be so glorious today?"
"Since he is just being sentimental, forget it and don't mention him anymore."
Gao Ji and Gao Jing smiled at each other.
On second thought, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the prince. Just as he was about to comfort him, he heard Xiao Xiangshuo come to report: "Prince, Lord Fangbo and Lord Ning, the governor of the state, want to see you!"
Gao Ji and Gao Jing looked at each other in shock.