Chapter 1141: Ruse

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“There’s huge trouble!”

Panicked cries echoed out into the hall from outside, making everyone frown.

Yuwen Yong was the only one still sneering.

The one howling staggered inside and Yuwen Cong shouted at him, “What’s all this fuss? Speak clearly about what happened!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The man wiped his heavy brow and bowed, still shaken up, “Your Majesty, Sword Star Empire’s envoy, Prince of Harvest Bali Yunming w-was…”

“Was what?” Everyone’s hearts sank as Yuwen Cong howled.

The man cried as he bowed, “Killed…”

“What?!”

Yuwen Yong smacked the table as he raged, “What did you say? What happened to the Prince of Harvest?”

The man shook all over, “The envoy, Prince of Harvest, was killed…”

“Absurd! How could this have happened?”

Yuwen Yong raved and looked around, “Do any of you have any idea who Prince of Harvest is? He is the fifteenth grandson of his imperial majesty, bestowed the title of prince at the age of eighteen, out of deep love. He was sent to the western lands to entrust you with his safety and learn of the world. But you had an assassin at every corner I see. Sword Star Empire will not stand for this! Everything that comes is on you!” 

Everyone’s heart was in their throats. The central area envoy, a prince no less, was killed here. They had to answer for it, unable to escape such dire consequences.

Yuwen Cong pondered, “Brother, it’s too early to assume. You said that the prince was unwell and can’t attend the feast. Then he must be in his quarters. How could he be assassinated?”

“Yeah, the guards there are thorough. Not only Deputy’s men, but also Luo Alliance’s. How could there be a hit?” Luo Yunhai spoke with conviction.

Yuwen Yong mocked, “How should I know?”

“Where was Prince of Harvest attacked?” Yuwen Yong looked with disdain at the man. 

“Sir, Prince of Harvest was murdered… at Fragrant Manor.”

“Fragrant Manor… a brothel?” Yuwen Cong let it slip and earned the ire of his empress, Long Kui, who whispered, “What’s with that quick reaction in calling it a brothel? Do you know it?” 

“Uh, no, not at all. I just… heard about it, yeah, from Xiao Lizi, ha-ha-ha…”

“Him? Won’t an eunuch feel crushed going there?” Long Kui had a cruel smile.

Yuwen Cong gulped and switched topics, “Empress, this isn’t the time for trifles. The envoy is dead, with heavy implications. We must ascertain the truth!

“Brother, why did the Prince of Harvest, safe in his quarters, appear in a brothel? Is there something we should know?” Yuwen Cong spoke earnestly, “This is no longer a matter of protection. We can’t protect him if your envoy goes wherever without telling us. We need to be aware of his every move, be it the brothel, or the bathroom.” 

Luo Yunhai gave the emperor a thumb’s up. 

[The emperor ain’t just for show, so quick to shirk the blame.]

The empress did not complain further, knowing this was matters of national security.

Yuwen Yong rubbed his beard, his eyes flashing, “Guard, execute all who were on duty! What’s the point of them if they can’t even notice the prince sneaking out?”

“Yes!”

A man next to him bowed and ran off.

Yuwen Yong glanced at Yuwen Cong, “Satisfied with my unbiased decision, brother? Who’s at fault will get the blame. I know how to be fair.”

“I have no comment.” Yuwen Cong refused to reply.

Yuwen Yong looked at the man he sent, “Though the guards are punished for neglecting their duty, they’re not to blame for the murder. Now, who was it that killed the prince? Have you caught the outrageous criminal?”

“Yes, but…” The man hesitated, glancing at Luo Yunhai.

Luo Yunhai’s heart sank with unease.

Yuwen Yong demanded, “Stop blabbering and bring them here! Let us see who had the nerve to commit such a treasonous act!”

“Yes!” The man nodded and sighed as he went to pass the order. Five people came in, escorted by many guards. 

Luo Yunhai cried out, “Sifan!”

“Dad!” Luo Sifan teared up, looking victimized along with Long Jianshan and Xie Nianyang, “Alliance Leader!”

“What’s the meaning of this? What did they do this time?”

“You’re supposed to bring the criminal, not a girl.” Yuwen Yong said the obvious.

Prince of Harvest’s guards bowed and pointed at them, “Deputy sir, these three killed the prince. The body is outside, scattered.”

“What?!”

Luo Yunhai gasped, “I-it can’t be!”

The three lowered their heads, admitting with their silence.

Luo Yunhai held his head, with Yuwen Cong growing restless. 

[What’s with this girl getting involved in this huge problem? A ruse must be at play here.]

Yuwen Yong snickered, his hand gushing with Yuan Qi, “Since we have the culprits and it’s due to our neglect, I shall do away with the criminals and not trouble you, ha-ha-ha…”

Yuwen Yong’s hand came down on Luo Sifan’s head.

Luo Sifan cried out in fright, the attack stopping inches from her hair. She cracked a frightened eyelid to see her father gripping the deadly attack with fury.

“Peak Soul Harmony Alliance Leader, a man among men deserving his name, humph.”

Yuwen Yong’s face shook, pain stabbing his hand as he released his attack, yet challenging Luo Yunhai, “Alliance Leader, what’s this? You ought to know this matter involves the envoy and shouldn’t be biased. I killed the guilty guards and killing the culprits should be the best resolution for you…” 

Luo Yunhai took a deep breath, not releasing his grip, showing the deep worry plaguing his heart. Yuwen Yong laughed, “Alliance Leader, are you impeding me in exacting judgment on the culprits? The Sword Star Empire won’t stand for it. Central area and western lands will be at war because of you. Are you ready to take on such a burden?” 

“Brother Yunhai!”

Yuwen Cong cried out, figuring something out, “What has niece been doing in a brothel? What exactly happened?”

Luo Yunhai came to, finding a lifeline, and asked, “Yes, what were you doing there?”

“Dad, I don’t know how, but as we walked around the city, someone knocked me out. The next thing I knew, some naked man jumped me and I smacked him back. I fended him off dozens of times but didn’t kill him.” Luo Sifan pleaded her innocence.

Long Jianshan and Xie Nianyang bobbed their heads, “Yes, Alliance Leader, we chased the black figure, unable to catch him as he toyed with us. Then we reached a building where we heard sister Sifan’s screams and ran there. But the two guards at the door wouldn’t let us in and we had to fight our way in. What we saw inside was a weird thing jumping Sifan. I acted without realizing, running my hand through his chest…”

“I sent his head flying with a kick.” Xie Nianyang admitted, “We had no way of knowing he was the prince.”

Everyone knew then and there.

[It’s a ruse, clear as day.] 

Luo Yunhai glared at Yuwen Yong, gnashing his teeth, “Sir Yuwen, you come at me, do not drag children into this! You didn’t like how Danqing Shen couldn’t take my head, did you?” 

“Alliance Leader, what are you saying? Everyone knows it’s between you and Danqing Shen. I represent an empire as a peaceful envoy. Why would I ever want the great Marshal of the western lands dead?”

Yuwen Yong’s words dripped with cruelty, “You need to stop being so biased! Brats, you said someone did this to you. Well, where is he?”

The three lowered their heads in defeat…