CHAPTER 671: CHAPTER 553: JUST THAT ARROGANT

Prince Ming laughed unceremoniously: "What kind of thing are you to dare to expect me to make things convenient for you? Just because your brother became a State Preceptor, do you think you are something too?"

This was not an easy remark to respond to.

Whether he was something or not, it felt like he was being scolded.

The two factions that nearly allied through marriage once, are now at odds, truly catching people off guard.

Gongsun Yu’s expression darkened as he restrained his inner anger and said to Prince Ming, "I am considering the safety of both Prince Ming and the Crown Prince. After all, that traitor is cunning and ruthless. Our sect’s disciples personally saw her sneaking into the Crown Prince Mansion. If we don’t capture her, she might put Prince Ming, the Crown Prince, and the Imperial Grandson in danger."

Prince Ming sneered: "How do I know you’re not trying to frame the Crown Prince Mansion?"

Before Gongsun Yu could reply, Prince Ming turned to the guards and servants behind him and asked, "Did any of you see a suspicious person sneak in?"

Everyone shook their heads in unison.

"No!"

"No!"

Prince Ming smiled and said to Gongsun Yu, "You hear that? There’s no suspicious person in the Crown Prince Mansion."

Gongsun Yu glanced at the high-hung plaque, "Prince Ming, this is the Crown Prince Mansion, not the Prince Ming Mansion."

Prince Ming and Gongsun Yu’s eyes met in mid-air, filled with murderous and provocative intent.

Prince Ming shook the folding fan in his hand: "Someone come."

Behind the artificial hill, Meng Qianqian signaled to Steward Jia with her eyes.

Steward Jia was about to cry.

Why is it always him?

Not knowing her identity was fine, but now that he knows, there’s no choice but to listen...

Steward Jia stiffened his resolve and ran to the entrance: "What are your instructions, Prince Ming?"

Prince Ming pointed at Gongsun Yu with his folding fan: "He says I can’t make decisions in the Crown Prince Mansion, go and invite my second brother."

Steward Jia smiled and said, "Look at what you’re saying, the Crown Prince has long instructed that your decision is his decision. The Crown Prince Mansion is both his home and yours. Family, your own home, of course you can make decisions."

Gongsun Yu seemed to have anticipated that this visit would not be smooth.

His cold gaze swept over Steward Jia and the faintly sensed dangerous aura in the darkness.

He took out a Token from his bosom: "The National Master Hall wants to conduct a search, let’s see who dares to stop it this time!"

Emperor Liang granted the National Master Hall the highest authority, except within the Imperial Palace, the National Master Order can carry out search tasks in any mansion.

Though having such privileges, Gongsun Yanming had never used it.

Once used, it would mean completely tearing off the pretense on the surface.

Whoosh!

In the night, an arrow shot through the air, fiercely knocking down the National Master Order from Gongsun Yu’s hand.

Gongsun Yu’s expression changed as he looked up.

Only to see a Mystic Robe youth, holding the Houyi Bow, without hesitation, drawing a second arrow.

This youth was only sixteen or seventeen, yet could already draw the Houyi Bow.

"Giving face to your Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, have you forgotten that the Great Liang’s country is the Lu’s, not the Gongsun’s?"

Accompanied by a nonchalant voice, Lu Yuan strolled out.

Gongsun Yu gave a slight bow to Lu Yuan: "What does the Imperial Grandson mean by this? This order is bestowed by Your Majesty, is the Imperial Grandson defying the Emperor’s awe?"

Lu Yuan’s lips curved slightly, "Guess why I am the Imperial Grandson?"

Gongsun Yu frowned strangely.

Lu Yuan arrogantly said, "Because my imperial grandfather dotes on me. Even if it’s merely a National Master Order or even the National Master’s plaque, if I smash it, so be it!"

Gongsun Yu clenched his fists.

Prince Ming and the Imperial Grandson, one is more fearless than the other.

Lu Yuan said indifferently, "You’re not leaving? Are you waiting for me to chase you away?"

Gongsun Yu gave him a deep look: "Being close to a ruler is like being close to a tiger, the imperial heart is hard to predict, the Imperial Grandson better pray he can always win the Emperor’s favor."

Lu Yuan said effortlessly, "Thanks for the good words."

Gongsun Yu ordered: "Let’s go!"

The trusted disciple said: "Second Master!"

Gongsun Yu mounted his horse, face livid, and left.

Once all the people from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion had left, Prince Ming said to Lu Yuan, "You really dare to speak, even shooting the National Master’s plaque? Father does pamper you, but being disrespectful to the National Master Hall, you’re bound to face the consequences."

Lu Yuan thought for a moment, "Why not say those words were taught to me by Sixth Uncle?"

Prince Ming’s body shook, retreating: "My pig-headed face just got better!!!"

Lu Yuan arranged a tranquil and elegant courtyard for Meng Qianqian.

Just as Meng Qianqian was about to rest, Lu Yuan arrived holding a small child drooling in his sleep.

Meng Qianqian looked at the father and daughter suspiciously.

Lu Yuan said without change in expression, "She’s looking for you."

Meng Qianqian saw through the ruse without exposing it, opened the door, and let the two in.

Lu Yuan placed the little child on the fragrant and soft bed.

Meng Qianqian asked, "Isn’t it problematic to embarrass the National Master Hall like that tonight?"

Lu Yuan nudged Treasure Piggy’s little feet: "She’s here."

Letting the little child take the blame.

In her sleep, Treasure Piggy twitched.

Seemed like she was being plotted against...

At this moment, the two of them had no sleepiness.

Lu Yuan inquired about Shang Wuyou’s situation, and Meng Qianqian told him truthfully.

Upon hearing she handed him to Mao Tu, he too thought it was a good idea.

Then, Meng Qianqian talked about Madame Yan and Great Uncle Master.

Lu Yuan suddenly understood: "So that person is your Great Uncle Master, Gongsun Yanming is really not something, imprisoning his own Great Uncle for so many years, what leverage does he have against him?"

Meng Qianqian said, "I suspect leverage is only one aspect."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Then the things your Great Uncle Master has must be remarkable, enough for Gongsun Yanming to hold on for so many years, even with insanity, not giving up."

Meng Qianqian murmured, "Yes, what could it be?"

-

Tonight the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion was in utter chaos.

A wedding in the morning, a funeral at night.

Gongsun Ziyu could not have been buried, but the commotion from Elder Qiu’s death was too great, discovered by several patrolling disciples at once, and next to him lay the unconscious Xiao Rong’er.

Although Gongsun Yanming issued a gag order, it seemed to be too late, news of Elder Qiu’s death had already spread.

Routinely, the sect’s mundane affairs were handled by Xiao Rong’er, and now she too had fallen.

Gongsun Yanming did not want to personally go to the Crown Prince Mansion to capture people; he simply could not get away.

Even after a whole night, there was still an endless mess to clean up.

When Gongsun Yu entered Mingxin Hall, he saw his exhausted elder brother.

He hesitated: "Elder brother..."

The bloodshot in Gongsun Yanming’s eyes stood out distinctly: "What is it?"

Gongsun Yu truthfully informed Gongsun Yanming about being turned away: "... didn’t expect that within a day, the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion would face such upheaval, elder brother, that one called Yan Xiaojiu..."

Gongsun Yanming: "Speak if there’s something."

Gongsun Yu swallowed his doubts: "Elder brother, the Imperial Grandson’s attitude was very unusual. Yan Hanshuang and his apprentice must be hiding in the Crown Prince Mansion. Should I send someone to secretly search?"

Gongsun Yanming said solemnly: "No need, I will enter the palace to see the Emperor tomorrow."

Gongsun Yu said, "Elder brother thinks ahead. Once the Emperor issues an edict, I don’t believe the Crown Prince Mansion would shelter that girl anymore!"