Chapter 393: Clouds or City (Two in One)
Mei Cheng'an was not interested in Shen Zhong's interrogation of Sean because he was familiar with the plot, but Fan Xian was not sure about it and he was still a little concerned about it.
While peeling the charred skin of the roasted sweet potato, Fan Xian asked casually, pretending to be unintentional.
"Master Shen, what do you want to ask?"
"I don't know, ah~uh~"
Shen Zhong replied very honestly, but right after he finished speaking, he was scalded by the roasted sweet potato in his hand, so he quickly moved his hand away and touched his earlobe.
Upon hearing this, Fan Xian paused and looked at him in surprise. This answer was somewhat beyond his expectations.
"do not know?"
Shen Zhong tore off a small piece of sweet potato skin, lowered his head and took a bite of the roasted sweet potato, then looked up at Fan Xian and spoke frankly.
"really do not know!"
Retracting his gaze to the roasted sweet potato in his hand, Shen Zhong continued to tear off the burnt skin and threw it into the fire while continuing to speak.
"I know that the reason why Chen Pingping kept him alive for so long is because of a secret. The Queen Mother and His Majesty both want to know what the secret is. Senior Xiao refused to tell me, so I'll just ask more."
Something was wrong. Shen Zhong's honesty was very wrong. He actually answered the questions so honestly without any probing questions.
There was a fleeting look of surprise in Fan Xian's eyes. Wang Qinian and Gaoda, who had been listening attentively in the distance, also looked at each other.
Mei Cheng'an and Teng Zijing didn't react much. One of them didn't care at all, and the other turned a deaf ear to it. They were both concentrating on the roasted sweet potatoes in their hands.
After thinking for a while, Fan Xian looked at Shen Zhong and spoke tentatively.
"It turns out that he is an important official of your Northern Qi."
"Eh~"
Shen Zhong threw away the sweet potato peel he had just torn off and waved his hand.
"Times have changed."
After saying that, he took a bite of the sweet potato, looked at Fan Xian and added.
"He's Shangshanhu's adoptive father again, he deserves a reprimand!"
He wouldn't be so frank with them. He could tell them directly about such things. While Fan Xian was chewing a sweet potato, his eyes flickered. Although he didn't know why Shen Zhong was like that, it would be a waste if he didn't seize such a good opportunity to gather intelligence.
Thinking of this, Fan Xian frowned, with a look of confusion and curiosity.
"Shang Shan Hu...isn't he the God of War of Northern Qi?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhong paused his chewing and glanced at Fan Xian, unsure whether he was pretending to be dumb or really didn't know. He thought the Supervisory Council should have known the news a long time ago. Oh, yes, His Majesty recalled Shang Shanhu only in the past month or two. By then, Fan Xian and the others should have been on their way to Northern Qi. It seemed understandable that they didn't know. Well, it didn't hurt to tell him. Anyway, they would know the news sooner or later.
He blinked his eyes, then Shen Zhong withdrew his gaze, and his mouth began to move gradually. After formulating his words in his mind, he looked at Fan Xian again and leaned forward slightly.
"Shang Shanhu is indeed good at fighting, but this may not be a good thing. To be honest with you, Lord Fan, Shang Shanhu was transferred back to Shangjing not long ago. Although he is still a general in name, he only has a hundred private soldiers around him."
Fan Xian hummed and took the roasted sweet potato away from his mouth.
"Oh, this is a promotion in name only, a demotion in reality. He has lost his military power."
Shen Zhong looked at him with a smile.
"That's right, haha."
Fan Xian clicked his tongue twice and shook his head.
Shen Zhong seemed to be aroused to talk about sex and said more.
"As for this matter, I think it's actually his own fault. He doesn't know the current situation. As a minister, he neither pledges loyalty to His Majesty nor pays homage to the Queen Mother at this time. What does he want to do? Right, hahaha."
Mei Chengan, who had been quietly listening while eating sweet potatoes, also showed a rare reaction. He seemed to find it interesting and smiled.
Throwing the remaining roasted sweet potato skins into the fire, Mei Cheng'an took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiped his hands, and asked casually.
"Where is Lord Shen from?"
Fan Xian looked at him in surprise, because he had wanted to ask the same question himself, and he secretly sighed that his fellow villager and he really had a tacit understanding.
Shen Zhong's smile froze slightly when he heard this. He glanced at Mei Cheng'an, then quickly returned to his smile and exclaimed.
"I am a member of the Queen Mother's party."
Fan Xian broke off a small half of the roasted sweet potato that he had not eaten much of and handed it to Mei Chengan, saying at the same time.
"Master Shen really has nothing to say."
Now that I have understood most of the news, it's time to ask him about his purpose.
Mei Cheng'an waved to Fan Xian, saying he didn't need it anymore. He picked up a broad bean and put it into his mouth, chewing it with a crunch. Fan Xian silently took the sweet potato back and started chewing it himself.
Shen Zhong laughed.
"I have always admired scholars, and you two are both talented poets. In front of you, I will tell you everything I know."
No one paid any attention to the obviously perfunctory excuse. Mei Cheng'an picked up another broad bean and put it into his mouth, chewing it as if he hadn't heard it. Fan Xian didn't even bat an eyelid. He knew everything and told it to him, right?
"Oh? Did you find out the secret of Lord Shen?"
The smile on Shen Zhong's face slowly disappeared, his eyes moved between the two people who were unmoved and refused to say a polite word, but wanted to take the opportunity to spy on more information. He blinked, retracted his gaze, snorted silently, looked down at the roasted sweet potato in his hand, and replied in a deep voice while arguing.
"Keep your mouth shut, don't rush!"
Breaking off a piece and throwing it into his mouth, Shen Zhong raised his eyes to look at the starry sky and spoke softly.
"There are long years ahead for him."
Fan Xian rolled his eyes, and suddenly let out a "hmm", leaned towards him, and said with a half-smile.
"Lord Shen has dealt such a heavy hand to Sean. If he makes a comeback in the future..."
Pulling back his body, Fan Xian's eyes and tone were somewhat teasing.
“It’s not going to end well.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhong slowly turned his head to look at him. After staring at him quietly for a long time, he suddenly smiled, leaned forward and asked in a low voice.
"Is it Chen Pingping who is worried? Hehehe."
Hearing this, the teasing look on Fan Xian's face slowly disappeared, as if what he said had come true, and he looked at him expressionlessly.
Shen Zhong retracted his gaze and laughed for a while before looking back at Fan Xian and speaking cheerfully.
"Go back and tell Dean Chen, Sean!"
Pointing at his own camp, Shen Zhong smiled and waved his finger at Fan Xian.
"There won't be another chance. You saw it too. Someone just wanted to assassinate him. The number of people in Qi who want him dead is no less than that in Qing."
Fan Xian looked at him quietly without saying anything.
Mei Chengan chewed broad beans quietly and enjoyed the night view.
Shen Zhong smiled and withdrew his gaze from Fan Xian. He looked down at the roasted sweet potato in his hand, and when he saw that he had almost finished eating it, he casually threw the tail skin into the fire, clapped his hands, and looked at Mei Chengan.
"The sweet potatoes are delicious. Thank you, Master Mei, for the treat."
Hearing the voice, Mei Cheng'an looked at him and smiled.
"Not worth mentioning."
Shen Dian nodded, stood up and said to the two of them.
"In that case, then Shen will not bother you any more. We will arrive in Shangjing soon. As I said, we should know the current situation. Lord Fan and Lord Mei, please don't make things difficult for me."
Finally the real intention was revealed. It turned out that he was trying to use courtesy first and then force to warn them not to cause trouble.
Fan Xian forced a smile but said nothing.
Mei Chengan replied with a smile.
"Of course, don't worry, Master Shen."
"That's good."
Shen Zhong smiled and raised his hand to signal.
"Okay, you two continue eating, I'll take my leave now."
Mei Cheng'an smiled and nodded, and Fan Xian also smiled and nodded.
Shen Zhong smiled and waved to the two of them as well as Wang Qinian and Gaoda who were a little further away. After saying hello, he turned and left.
As soon as he left, the smile on Fan Xian's face suddenly disappeared. He glanced at the roasted sweet potatoes that were still quite a bit left in his hand and lost interest in eating them. He simply threw them into the fire.
Mei Chengan, who was standing by, sighed when he saw this scene.
"waste!"
Fan Xian glanced at him.
"If you want to eat it, I can pick it up for you."
"Shabi."
Mei Cheng'an rolled his eyes, not wanting to pay attention to him. He stood up, glanced at Wang Qinian and Gaoda who had been looking at them, then turned and walked towards the tent behind.
Fan Xian shrugged his shoulders, not minding the scolding. He stood up and walked towards the tent with a smile. Wang Qinian and Gaoda also stood up and walked over after receiving his eye signals. Teng Zijing also stood up a step later and followed.
Mei Cheng'an and Fan Xian stood still at the entrance of the tent, with no intention of going in. Wang Qinian and Gaoda turned their backs to them and kept watch on the surroundings. Teng Zijing leaned against the other side of the tent with his arms folded, glanced around and looked towards the entrance of the tent.
Mei Cheng'an did not rush to speak, but patted Wang Qinian on the shoulder first. When Wang Qinian turned around, he pointed at the roasted sweet potato in his hand that he had not had time to eat because he was so busy watching the show.
Wang Qinian looked down and quickly handed over the roasted sweet potato.
"Master, are you not full?"
Mei Cheng'an shook his head slightly without saying much. He took the roasted sweet potato, took a look at it, and raised his hand to pass it into the tent.
"There's not even a guard around that iron cage. You rushed into such an obvious trap. Are you stupid?"
Fan Xian, who was standing next to him, also had his arms crossed and smiled when he heard this.
Haitang in the tent was also sticking to the edge of the tent, separated from the two of them by only a piece of cloth. She rolled her eyes as she took the roasted sweet potato.
"You are stupid. I have to see it with my own eyes to know whether it is a trap or not. What if Shen Zhong does the opposite?"
While she was talking, her hands were not idle. She was deftly peeling the burnt skin of the roasted sweet potatoes. After working for a long time and being tempted by the sweet potato aroma, she was already a little hungry. Her fingers were flying and she was peeling the skin very quickly. As soon as she finished speaking, she had already peeled half of it and took a bite.
Mei Chengan nodded.
"What an excuse!"
Haitang glanced at him through the tent, but did not respond this time. Firstly, she had something in her mouth, and secondly, she realized it was a trap too late. However, even if he had discovered it earlier, she could not retreat. The teacher's orders could not be disobeyed, and she would be giving an explanation to the teacher by taking this chance.
Fan Xian said with a smile.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Duoduo, I guess we saved your life this time."
Haitang became unhappy when she heard this. After swallowing the food in her mouth, she glanced at Fan Xian through the curtain.
"You just lifted the curtain."
Fan Xian sighed.
"You're playing hard to get. You don't even understand."
Haitang rolled her eyes.
"What if I don't catch him well and I really get caught?"
Fan Xian shrugged in a nonchalant tone.
"Just arrest her. You are the Saintess of Northern Qi anyway. We have nothing to do with you. What does it matter?"
Haitang in the tent couldn't stand it anymore when she heard it. She let out a "Hey" and quickly opened the tent curtain and glared at Fan Xian accurately.
"You're watching a play, aren't you?"
Fan Xian chuckled and said nothing.
Mei Cheng'an almost burst out laughing when he heard that. Noticing Haitang's gaze sideways at him, he quickly pursed his lips and cleared his throat, pointed at his own throat towards Haitang, and waved his hand.
Haitang rolled her eyes. It was a poor performance.
Fan Xian suddenly asked.
"Hey, are you still going to kill Sean?"
Haitang glanced at him, lowered the curtain, took a bite of the sweet and soft sweet potato, chewed it twice, and sighed softly.
"Alas, there is no chance. Once we get to the capital, there will be no way or chance to kill him again."
Mei Chengan spoke ambiguously.
"Don't be so deadly. What if there's a chance?"
As he said this, he glanced at Fan Xian, who understood immediately and gestured an OK to him. Haitang was stunned when she heard this, somewhat confused.
"What do you mean?"
Fan Xian took over the conversation with a smile.
"What I mean is that if we cooperate when we get to Shangjing, there may be opportunities, if you still want to do so."
Haitang didn't have any obsession with whether to kill Sean or not. For her, the mission was over when her assassination attempt just failed. As for the cooperation...she hasn't reported it yet, but she can ask more.
"How exactly do you want to cooperate?"
Fan Xian shrugged.
"It won't be too late to discuss the details once the cooperation is finalized. We still have to stay in Qingguo for a few days."
Haitang did not respond in the tent. After a rustling sound of someone chewing something, Haitang's voice was heard again.
"Hand out."
"What?"
Fan Xian was a little confused.
Mei Cheng'an was also stunned when he heard this.
"Hand out!"
Haitang's voice came again from the tent.
Fan Xian subconsciously glanced at his fellow villager.
Mei Chengan shrugged to indicate that he didn't understand either.
After hesitating for a moment, Fan Xian raised his hand, palm facing up, and looked across the tent in confusion at the approximate direction of Haitang.
"Stretched, what for?"
A white and tender little hand stretched out from the curtain and placed something in Fan Xian's hand.
Feeling the warmth in his palm, Fan Xian looked down and saw the piece of sweet potato skin in the center of his palm. He was suddenly speechless.
Mei Cheng'an couldn't help but burst out laughing when he saw it.
"Hahahahaha."
Fan Xian rolled his eyes, flipped his hand, and wiped it on the tent cloth in disgust.
"Are you bored at all?"
Haitang in the tent also chuckled a few times and then spoke.
"I'll report the cooperation. I'm leaving."
Fan Xian curled his lips and rolled his eyes at his fellow villager who was still laughing.
"What are you laughing at, really."
After saying that, he turned his back to the tent.
Mei Chengan also turned around with a smile.
Seeing this, Gundam glanced at the tent, walked over, lifted the curtain and looked inside. Seeing that there was no one there, he turned back in surprise.
"gone?"
Wang Qinian exclaimed when he heard this, walked over, opened the curtain and went in.
Gao Da said to Mei Chengan and Fan Xian.
"Really gone!"
Mei Cheng'an glanced at him, feeling a little amused and helpless. What was the big deal?
After a while, Wang Qinian came out.
“The person is definitely gone!”
As he spoke, he observed the perimeter of the tent and hissed.
"Where did this come from? It's amazing."
Fan Xian turned around and spoke to Mei Cheng'an.
"It seems that Northern Qi is indeed in chaos."
Mei Chengan nodded and said lightly.
“This is our chance.”
Fan Xian hummed, his eyes thoughtful.
Wang Qinian and Gaoda looked at each other, and seeing that the two bosses were not interested in how the person disappeared, they did not mention it anymore.
After a moment, Fan Xian seemed to have some thoughts and looked at Wang Qinian.
"Old Wang, lend me some money, cash, no banknotes."
"what?"
Wang Qinian was quite surprised and glanced at his young master.
"Why do you want to borrow money?"
In fact, what he wanted to ask was why should he borrow from him, as his young master had plenty of money.
Mei Cheng'an glanced at him with a smile but said nothing.
Fan Xian stretched out his hand.
"Stop talking nonsense, I'm useful, give me more."
"this…"
Wang Qinian was a little hesitant.
Fan Xian rolled his eyes.
"I'll pay you back double!"
Wang Qinian's eyes lit up.
"Double? Um... that's fine!"
As he was about to stretch out his hand to take out the money, he suddenly stopped halfway and waved at the three people who were looking at him with burning eyes.
"Turn around, or I'll be embarrassed."
Mei Cheng'an smiled faintly and shrugged, while Fan Xian snorted and rolled his eyes. They both turned around, and Gaoda turned around too when he saw them do so.
Wang Qinian glanced at Teng Zijing, who was still leaning against the tent with his arms folded. Teng Zijing let out a cry and turned his head to the other side.
Wang Qinian, who heaved a sigh of relief, turned his back, squatted down and searched his body.
Mei Cheng'an, Fan Xian, Gao Datong and Teng Zijing all turned around and squinted at Wang Qinian in tacit understanding, wanting to see where this fellow hid the money on his body. They regretted looking at him as Wang Qinian seemed to be picking his crotch...
Ugh! How disgusting!
……
With a look of disgust, Fan Xian pinched the purse that Wang Qinian handed to him with his fingers and turned his head to look at his fellow villager.
"Let's go and have a chat with Master Guo."
Mei Cheng'an took a step back at this time, covering his nose and looking at Fan Xian. Hearing this, he thought about it and shook his head.
"You go, don't let him go alone, let Zhao Da accompany him, protect him and keep an eye on him."
In the play, Guo Baokun fell into a confused and bewildered emo mood because Zhao Da and his group were killed by Yan Xiaoyi. After receiving the task from Fan Xian, he stayed in the inn obediently and did not go anywhere.
But now the situation is very different. He is quite interested in assisting the Supervisory Commission in its mission. This makes Mei Chengan a little worried. How does the saying go...
I am not afraid of you being stupid, I am afraid of you being stupid and active!
Fan Xian shrugged his shoulders and did not comment. He had experienced Guo Baokun's amazing train of thought more than once, so he had to send someone to keep an eye on him to prevent him from causing unnecessary trouble.
The reason why Fan Xian wanted to use him was to find an obvious excuse to divert some of Shen Zhong's attention. He didn't need him to actually do anything. He was not a registered member of the delegation and was a stranger, so he was just the right person.
"Okay, I'll go."
……
Nothing happened that night. Early the next morning, Mei Cheng'an got up and, with the help of Hongshu, changed into a black suit with wide sleeves that was fully embroidered with dark gold, and looked extremely luxurious.
We are almost arriving in Beijing today, so we still have to pay attention to etiquette. A long robe with wide sleeves is more formal.
Fan Xian also changed into a brand new dark purple robe and changed his hairstyle. Compared to the dark and strong man when he came to Beijing, he was now much thinner and his skin was much whiter. When he stood next to Mei Chengan, he was finally on par with her, both of them were handsome and extraordinary young men.
Wang Qinian, who had also changed his clothes, saw the two of them, especially Fan Xian, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Your hair style is beautiful, your clothes are bright, and you look... more energetic than before."
Gundam changed into the same black clothes as before. I don't know how many sets of the same clothes he brought with him. After looking at Fan Xian, he exclaimed and said in surprise.
"You know what, it's true. I feel like I look much better than when we first set out. Is it because of my clothes?"
Fan Xian felt embarrassed by the compliment and smiled shyly.
"Clothes make the man, saddles make the horse."
"fart!"
Mei Chengan said to the two of them with a smile.
"He just got thinner and whiter, and he looks more energetic. It has something to do with his clothes, but not much."
Fan Xian was stunned for a moment and touched his face.
"Have it?"
Wang Qinian uttered a sound.
"Yes, the adults have become whiter and thinner."
Gundam suddenly realized and nodded.
"really!"
Fan Xian was delighted, thinking that business trips could also help him lose weight!
After breakfast, the delegation set off again. Today the weather was clear and cloudless. Perhaps because the journey was about to end, the mood was different from before. Looking at the boring scenery outside the window, which was no different from before, they didn't feel bored at all.
In the swaying carriage, the perception of the passage of time was not very clear, and I didn't know how long we had been traveling. Suddenly, a black shadow appeared at the end of the road ahead without any warning, abruptly stacked right above the row of trees that were gradually becoming thin and pointed, looking a little scary.
Fan Xian thought it was a dark cloud, and suddenly recalled his bad taste in childhood. Whenever it rained, he would always stand on the eaves to warn everyone loudly, shouting "Put in the clothes when it's thundering and raining." He couldn't help but smile, and after thinking about it, he opened his mouth to remind Teng Zijing and Wang Qinian who were in the driver's seat.
"Zi Jing, Lao Wang, get ready to put on your raincoat!"
The two of them subconsciously looked up when they heard this, and saw that the sky was still clear and there was no sign of rain, so they were confused.
Teng Zijing asked.
"What?"
Wang Qinian followed up with another sentence.
"Yes."
Fan Xian was stunned for a moment. He couldn't even see the huge dark cloud ahead? He raised his hand and pointed, opening his mouth to say something.
Mei Chengan suddenly interrupted him.
"Take a closer look. Are you sure it's a dark cloud?"
Fan Xian was startled when he heard this, and squinted his eyes again to look forward, and then he hissed as he looked ahead.
"That is…"
The carriage continued to move forward, and the black shadow continued to approach, and gradually everyone finally saw the dark shadow clearly.
It turned out that it was an extremely huge city!
This city is taller and more majestic than the capital of Qing Kingdom. Its three-meter-high walls are made of huge bluestones and are slightly tilted. Every guest who comes from afar can feel an indescribable sense of oppression even if they just look at it from afar.
There are double-eaved pavilions on the towering city walls, perhaps used as corner towers. Soldiers are patrolling back and forth on them, and a solemn and majestic feeling comes to the face.
At this moment, the area in front of the city gate had already been cleared, and no idle people were lingering here. Officials from relevant departments of Northern Qi were waiting for the arrival of the Nanqing delegation in the square in front of the city gate.
As the carriage got closer, its speed gradually slowed down. Mei Cheng'an glanced at the two big words on the city gate from afar, then retracted his gaze and began to tidy up his clothes.
We have arrived at Shangjing City!
……
(End of this chapter)
