Chapter 878 Elaborate Scheme

In the end, Xia Huanyu agreed with Luo Qingyan's request. He issued an imperial edict in ordering the seventh Prince, Xia Houjing, to take in charge of the disaster relief, going to the three disaster-affected cities, Liucang City, Nanyang City and Siyang City.

After reading the secret report, Yun Shang handed it to Ning Qian. With a smile at the corners of her mouth, she said, "I'm afraid the reason Xia Huanyu was surprised when he heard His Highness recommend Xia Houjing to take in charge of the disaster relief was not because Xia Houjing as a condemned prisoner had been recommended.

After scanning through the content, Ning Qian cut in, "No matter who the officials recommend, Xia Huanyu would find a way to persuade them to let Xia Houjing take in charge of this matter. He is surprised because what His Highness said just hit the nail on the head."

After saying that, Ning Qian turned to Yun Shang with a frown. "I still can't understand His Majesty's attitude towards the seventh Prince. I don't know why the seventh Prince have been saved several times by His Majesty."

Yun Shang narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "I don't understand either. But one day, all the truth will be revealed. I'm getting more and more curious. I've sent my secret guards to secretly investigate it before, but they didn't find anything."

Ning Qian nodded slightly and stared at the secret report in her hand for a long time. "His Highness is very thoughtful. He knew what Xia Huanyu was thinking, so he took the initiative to bring it up and said that the seventh prince could atone his crime by accomplishing the task. He emphasized that the seventh Prince would have to go all out to send the relief materials to the disaster area in order to save his life. In this way, if this task is messed up, the seventh Prince will not be able to make any contribution, and naturally he will not be pardoned. Even if it is done well, that's just what he should do."

Yun Shang also smiled and nodded slightly. "Yes, His Highness was indeed thoughtful. Both Xia Huanyu and Xia Houjing have to jump into this trap."

While the two were talking, Qin Yi came in with a piece of paper in her hand. "Your Highness, have a look. His Highness has invited rich businessmen in the city to have dinner. Are these dishes suitable?"

Yun Shang took the list over and looked down. "Tofu with Chilled Almond, Yulong Hot Pot, Sweet and Sour Lotus Root, Arhat Prawns, Bumper Grain Harvest..."

Yun Shang frowned slightly and looked up at Qin Yi, "These dishes are comparable to the imperial banquet in the Palace."

"Didn't His Highness ask us to prepare a special banquet? I make the list according to the highest standard of banquet in our mansion. By the way, Your Highness, do we need to hire a theatrical troupe?" Qin Yi asked softly.

Yun Shang shook her head and kept silent. "I feel that what His Highness wants is definitely not this kind of menu. It is not a banquet to entertain guests. His Highness have a special purpose when inviting those businessmen. Since we want to take money from them, the menu is surely not suitable..."

Yun Shang meditated for a long time. Ning Qian chuckled, "Bumper Grain Harvest, the name of the dish has a good omen."

He

eyes fell on the man, who was in his thirties. He was tall and strong, with a bit of heroic spirit because he was a martial artist. Yun Shang had heard of the Gusu family before. Generally speaking, security escort agencies always did business in just one area. However, the security escort agency of Gusu family had branchies every city in the State of Xia, which worth no less than five thousand taels of silver. It was rare for Yun Shang to see someone gain such a fortune through running security escort agency. The Gusu family was quite capable.

Luo Qingyan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you."

Then, Luo Qingyan asked others to introduce themselves one by one. Luo Qingyan had a good memory and soon memorized all their names. All the businessmen were sitting seiza-style on both sides of the room with a short table in front of each of them.

Yun Shang glanced around and found that there were twenty-seven people in total, only three women. The man who came on behalf of Xiao's looked a little strange. He was a young man in her twenties with a handsome face.

The Xiao's was rising very fast recently, so everyone was very curious about its mysterious owner and glanced at him frequently. The man said his name was Xiao Yun.

Yun Shang squinted her eyes. She was very familiar with this name. When she disguised herself as a man, she also introduced herself like this. After the man finished speaking, he winked at Yun Shang. Yun Shang was stunned and then smiled. It turned out that it was Ning Qian who came here with a disguise.

"Everyone is here. Let's start the banquet." Luo Qingyan said softly and turned to look at Yun Shang. Yun Shang nodded slightly and clapped her hands. Then Qin Yi asked the maid who had been waiting outside to come in with trays in their hands. They put five plates in front of everyone, which were covered with lids.

Luo Qingyan removed the lids first and looked at the five dishes. A smile flashed through his eyes. He raised his head and said, "Enjoy yourselves please."

Hearing this, everyone immediately lifted the lids. When they saw what was on the plates, their expressions became very interesting.