Chapter 269: Elder Cousin, Don’t You Want to Go Back?
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
When the generals who were trying to overturn Xiao Jin’s verdict heard this, their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. They didn’t care if Emperor Kangze showed a hint of humiliation on his face when he said this. They only knew that there was a chance for His Highness to turn things around!
In Sky Alpha City, Su Ying stood on the city wall and looked at the Nan State’s soldiers standing guard outside the city. She took a big bite of the roasted sweet potato in her hand.
“How long do these people plan to stay here?”
Xiao Jin untied the cloak on his body and put it on Su Ying. He even thoughtfully tied the cords securely around her. “Until after they defeat the Chu State, I guess.”
Su Ying frowned. “The Chu State is that weak?”
Xiao Jin murmured in the affirmative. There were only a few generals that were presentable in the Chu State. The capable ones were all guarding important military routes, and they would not be moved wantonly. After all, the Nan State was not the only neighboring state with the Chu State. Who knew if other states would take advantage of the situation once these generals were moved away?
“Are you waiting for your father to send someone to fetch you back?”
Xiao Jin’s expression suddenly became grave as he corrected Su Ying very solemnly. “Not fetch, but beg me.”
“Oh.”
“These people from the Nan State are here to stop the people your father sent to beg you.”
“You’re not wrong to say that.”
Just as Su Ying was about to take another bite of the sweet potato, it was snatched away by a large hand.
Xiao Jin bit on the sweet potato with a straight face. The sweet and soft texture made him close his eyes in enjoyment.
“It’s been roasted till it’s quite fragrant.”
Su Ying reached out to grab it. “Xiao Jin, I think you’re itching for a beating again.”
Xiao Jin, however, pulled her into his arms when she lunged at him and returned the sweet potato to her.
“It’s just a sweet potato. I will give you whatever you want.”
Su Ying glanced at the sweet potato that had been bitten off. She totally missed the point of Xiao Jin’s cheesy pick-up lines.
“Save it. I have everything 1 want.”
Xiao Jin was speechless.
Jiang Yang was also speechless. His Highness was really pitiful.
After Su Ying ate the sweet potato, she returned to the palace and asked the green-robed man to bring Second Master Li to her.
In contrast to when he was first tied up, Second Master Li was now in a sorry state. His hair was messy, and his eyes were sunken. He had lost a lot of weight. When he was carried into the inner hall, he was still trembling from the cold and fear.
After Second Master Li was captured, Su Ying had someone lock him up in a small dark room. Every day, he would be given a cone-shaped cornbread and a bowl of water to prolong his life, and nothing else.
Second Master Li, who had lived a luxurious life since he was young, had never suffered such a humiliation. Whatever remaining ounces of wisdom had long been worn away by the current hardships he was facing.
He knelt on the ground and cried hoarsely, “Something… something must have happened on the way. Don’t… don’t kill me. The things will definitely be sent here.”
Su Ying had wanted to rely on this old guy to store up a batch of supplies, but she hadn’t expected him to be so much less important than she had imagined.
Xiao Jin said that a large family like the Li Clan faced brutal internal conflicts. Second Master Li had controlled a lot of the Li Clan’s business in the past few years. When he was in power, those rivals did not dare to say anything.
However, now, it was a good opportunity to get rid of this obstacle. Why would the Li Clan obediently send the things over to save his life?
Su Ying looked at his forlorn face and totally lost all patience to wait. “Hand him over to Zhang Nuo and the rest. Let them decide how they want to deal with him.”
“Yes, City Lord.”
Winter passed and spring came. The snow outside the Sky Alpha City slowly began to melt, and the green color of new growth gradually appeared on the mountains.
In the slightly chilly atmosphere of early spring, a group of people on horses slowly approached Sky Alpha City.
When they saw the city gate that towered into the clouds, hope finally radiated from their faces.
“Lord Zhu, look! It’s so high. Such a high city wall. It’s that place. It must be that place.”
Zhu Lin looked in the direction of the city wall in delight, and he could not help quickening his pace.
However, just as they approached the city wall, they were stopped by a group of people dressed in the uniform of the Nan State’s soldiers.
“Who are you? Leave if you don’t want to die!”
Zhu Lin recognized the other party and said without batting an eyelid, “We’re here to visit relatives.”
“The relatives you’re looking for are not here. Get lost!”
“Er…” Zhu Lin looked at the dense crowd of people in front of him. It was definitely impossible to force his way through, so he could only shout in the direction of the city wall, “Elder Cousin, Elder Cousin! I’m here to look for you. I’m your most beloved younger cousin.”
Jiang Yang stood on the city wall and looked through the binoculars at Zhu Lin, who was waving both his hands repeatedly in the city’s direction. The corner of his eyes twitched. Why did the Emperor send this miserable creature here?
“Go. Tell His Highness that Lord Zhu has arrived.”
When Xiao Jin arrived, Zhu Lin was still locked in a confrontation with the Nan State’s soldiers.
“Bring him in.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
With a click, the entrance on the city wall suddenly opened.
The Nan State’s soldiers who had been standing guard at the wall for a long time suddenly stood up and looked in the direction of the entrance warily, but no one dared to go forward rashly.
The black-robed man led a herd of wild beasts and slowly walked out. He ignored the Nan State’s soldiers and turned to look at Zhu Lin.
“Let those people through.”
The Nan State’s soldiers blocked Zhu Lin. “Who are they?”
The black-robed man blinked. “My guests.”
“Who are they? They are people from the Chu State!” With a single eye signal from one soldier, the Nan State’s soldiers surrounded Zhu Lin and his group.
The biack-robed man frowned. “Either you guys let them through or you die.”
“These are definitely people from the Chu State. We must not let them through!” the Nan State’s soldiers shouted and surrounded the black-robed man.
Suddenly, a wave of sounds emitted by a conch reverberated through the air. The wild beasts began to become restless and then they charged at the Nan State’s soldiers with furious roars.
Zhu Lin had never seen such a bloody scene before and was so scared that he screamed out loud.
“Elder Cousin, Elder Cousin! Save me, save me!”
The guards who came with Zhu Lin fought viciously with the soldiers of the Nan State.
Zhu Lin ran with all his might towards the entrance.
Jiang Yang led his men and charged out. He pulled Zhu Lin onto his horse straightaway and turned to leave.
Zhu Lin hugged Jiang Yang’s waist tightly and cried out in fear.
“So many ferocious beasts! So many ferocious beasts!”
Jiang Yang brought him into the city and directly to Xiao Jin.
“Lord Zhu, there are no more ferocious beasts. Let go quickly.” Jiang Yang’s belt was almost pulled off by him.
Zhu Lin opened his eyes fearfully and looked around. When he turned around, he saw Xiao Jin’s face clearly. He hurriedly jumped off the horse but was not able to stand steadily. He staggered and fell to the ground flat on his face.
Xiao Jin glanced at him indifferently and turned to enter the room.
Zhu Lin scrambled to his feet and hurriedly followed him in.
“Elder Cousin, it’s great that you’re still alive…” Zhu Lin pounced on Xiao Jin but was immediately pushed back into the chair.
“Stay far away from me.” There was no lack of disdain in Xiao Jin’s words.
Zhu Lin’s foxy eyes turned red-rimmed and he appeared very aggrieved.
“Elder Cousin, it’s great that you are still alive.”
“What are you doing here?”
“To fetch you back, of course. His Majesty said that he will give you a chance to atone for your crimes with meritorious deeds.. Elder Cousin, don’t you want to go back?”