SEC Chapter 193 Slaughtering the Aristocratic Families
Chapter 193 Slaughtering the Aristocratic Families
"Just say that when you see His Majesty."
Lu Xiao patted Yuwen Chenglong on the shoulder.
He didn't offer any further explanation or instructions.
He left those words behind and then departed the palace alone.
Yuwen Chenglong stood there, watching the figure disappear through the palace gate, silently repeating Lü Xiao's words once more.
He clearly remembered the actions of the clans in the Jianghuai region, Longxi, and Shandong.
Inside the Prince Shuo's residence, Yang Ruyi and the others had already returned.
As Lü Xiao stepped into the mansion, Yang Ruyi quickly came to greet him.
She looked Lü Xiao up and down, her gaze sweeping from his face to his body and back again.
She was completely relieved after discovering that Lü Xiao was alright.
"Husband, are you alright?"
Her voice carried a hint of urgency and worry.
"Yes, it's alright." Lu Xiao took her hand and gently squeezed it. "Is Zhen'er alright?"
He wasn't worried about himself, but he was afraid that the turmoil might frighten his eldest son into something serious.
After all, Lü Zhen is only a few years old, and this is the first time he has seen such a grand scene. It would be troublesome if he were left with any trauma.
"Father, I'm alright."
A childish voice came from the side.
Lu Zhen walked out from under the corridor, clutching a delicate little box in his small hand, but his face showed a worry that was very different from his age.
His two small eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his small mouth was pursed into a line, making him look like a little old man who was worried about the country and its people.
Seeing his appearance, Lü Xiao couldn't help but reach out and pinch his little face, gently swaying it from side to side.
"What's troubling you, kid?" he laughed. "Cheer up."
If he's so serious at such a young age, won't he become a little old man when he grows up?
Lu Zhen's face was distorted from being pinched, but he did not struggle.
He let his father hold him, and only spoke after Lü Xiao released his grip:
"Father, this time they came for my maternal grandfather and us... They hurt so many people..."
Lu Xiao's smile faded.
Looking into his son's clear eyes, he suddenly understood what the boy was worried about.
"The fault is not ours," he squatted down to look Lü Zhen in the eye, "Don't worry, the people will not have died in vain."
Lü Zhen lowered his head and remained silent for a while.
Then he looked up, opened the small box, and handed it to Lü Xiao.
The box contained some gold and silver items.
A few ingots of silver, a few gold melon seeds, and a few small jade ornaments.
"Father, I have money," Lü Zhen said earnestly, "which I can give to the families of those who perished."
Lü Xiao was stunned.
Looking at the small box full of things, and at his son's serious little face, he suddenly felt a little unfamiliar.
He never imagined that this usually irresponsible boy, who always wanted his younger brother to take the blame, would have such a kind heart.
It seems he really misjudged Yang Ruyi.
Although this woman was always thinking about usurping the throne, she did not neglect any of the eight virtues her son should have.
Their character has been cultivated to an excellent degree.
When he grows up, this boy will surely be a kind and virtuous person.
"What are you looking at?"
Yang Ruyi's voice came from the side, tinged with dissatisfaction, "Do you really think I don't care about our son's eight virtues?"
Lu Xiao turned his head and saw Yang Ruyi with her hands on her hips, looking at him with a "what do you mean?" expression.
"I didn't say anything."
Lu Xiao quickly replied.
"You didn't say anything? Your eyes said it all!" Yang Ruyi persisted.
"Lu Zilie, it seems like I'm not a good mother to you?"
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
She considered herself a virtuous wife and loving mother, but in Lu Xiao's eyes, she seemed to be a shrew with a belly full of bad intentions.
"My mother is the best person in the world!"
Lü Zhen was very clever. He immediately ran to Yang Ruyi's side, looked up at her with a sincere expression.
"He's right," Lu Xiao immediately seconded, "I second that too."
He really didn't dare say no.
Otherwise, Yang Ruyi would definitely make his life miserable.
"Hmph," Yang Ruyi snorted lightly, but her expression had already brightened.
"I will take out my dowry later and give it to the people who died in the disaster."
She didn't act on impulse.
She wanted to build a good reputation for her son.
Since it has already happened, there's no point in saying more.
All they can do is put on a good show.
Those who deserve compensation will receive it, and those who deserve burial will be buried, so that the people can see how benevolent the Prince Shuo's Mansion is.
As for how to repay this grudge...
That's something for Lü Xiao and his team to worry about.
"Here you go, I already had the pharmacist compile the list of victims."
Lu Xiao truly hadn't anticipated the collapse of the lamppost and the assassination attempt.
He's not Zhuge Liang; he doesn't have the ability to devise divine strategies.
The secret agents had been deployed long ago, and Yuwen Chengdu began his investigation a few days ago.
But those people had been plotting this for a long time, waiting for this very moment.
Hard to guard against.
"That's good then," Yang Ruyi took the list, glanced at it, and nodded. "I'll go check on Yan'er first."
Although Lü Zhen was not frightened, Lü Yan, who was still young, was indeed frightened.
But kids forget about it after a good night's sleep.
Yang Yu'er stood aside and did not say a word from beginning to end.
After Yang Ruyi left, she walked to Lü Xiao's side and gently took his hand.
"Sister Yu'er, you should go and rest too," said Lü Xiao.
Yang Yu'er shook her head: "I'll go with you."
Lu Xiao looked at her, smiled, and did not refuse.
He sat down in the chair, picked up a cup of tea, and slowly began to drink it.
It seems he has no choice but to make a trip to Jianghuai.
Xu Maogong, and those rebels, they all have to be dragged back and beheaded.
At the same time, Yuwen Chenglong also met Yang Guang.
After resting for several hours, Yang Guang's complexion improved considerably.
He leaned back on the soft couch, holding a bowl of freshly brewed medicine in his hands, and was slowly drinking it.
"Your Majesty," Yuwen Chenglong bowed, "the matter has been investigated and found that the assassins were sent by a powerful family."
Yang Guang didn't even lift his eyelids, continuing to drink his medicine, and casually asked, "More specifics?"
"Hmm..." Yuwen Chenglong pondered for a moment, carefully choosing his words.
"Most of the work was done by clans in Guanzhong and Shandong, but those in Jiangnan were not clean either."
Lu Xiao only asked him to point to the Jianghuai region.
But after thinking about it, he felt it still wasn't enough.
Among these powerful and influential families, the Yuwen family also had many enemies.
In particular, his proposal to launch an eastern expedition against Goguryeo offended many powerful families.
Those people had often humiliated the Yuwen family, and had even come to their door to block it and hurl insults.
That being the case.
Then bring on more.
Yang Guang paused slightly as he drank his medicine.
He raised his head and glanced at Yuwen Chenglong.
His gaze was deep and unfathomable, making Yuwen Chenglong feel a little uneasy.
A moment later, Yang Guang put down the medicine bowl, took out a token from his sleeve, and then took out a list, which he threw to Yuwen Chenglong.
"Take this list," his voice was calm, yet chillingly cold. "Go find the Prince of Shuo. Kill all these traitors."