Chapter 208 - Poaching?

"Your Majesty, this…!"

Emperor Xuan raised his hand, preventing that official from speaking any further. His eyes were still looking in Wei Liuying's direction with interest. 

Wei Liuying swung the sword.

The advisor didn't seem to be full of remorse. Instead, he was relieved and glad as he smiled lightly.

Slash!

Thud!

His body fell to the ground in the middle of the hall and several other officials fainted on the spot. They were not used to violence and seeing someone killed right in front of them was a bit too much for some of them.

They had already learned martial arts and participated in the hunting. But at those times, they would not see someone got killed so swiftly in front of them. The way Wei Liuying killed the advisor only sent nightmare to many of them.

Emperor Xuan's expression was also not too good. He looked at the fallen body and then his attention shifted to Wei Liuying.

"Liu Ying, you're a brave boy."

"Many thanks for your compliment, Your Majesty. This one is also a soldier, so this is only my duty."

The reply only sent a faint smile on the Emperor's face. How could it be possible that this kind of ruthlessness and decisiveness be nurtured in such a short period of time? He had the feeling that in Liu Ying's previous residence, the young boy was also taught this way.

In fact, the Emperor was not the only one who was thinking that way. Many other officials were thinking the same thing when they saw how swift Wei Liuying's movement was. Added with the fact that there was no hesitation at all, they were even more convinced of this.

"Clean up the mess."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The officials began to move while Wei Liuying returned back the sword to the guard. She walked back to Yang Xian's side and stood beside him. This was something that they had agreed upon, which was to make Wei Liuying as a bit of pitiful child.

While she didn't really like being pitied, this would be a good cover because it would reflect her real background a bit.

Emperor Xuan sighed and waved his hand. "I would like to talk more with you when we have time, but Liu Ying had just recovered, so I won't be taking more of your time. You're all dismissed."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The Emperor is wise. Long Live the Emperor."

It didn't take long for Emperor Xuan to leave and the officials heaved a sigh of relief. They never liked the morning meeting because it was so tiring when there was nothing really important to talk about. Besides, their real schedule was over a long time ago, and they were only here to wait for Yang Xian's arrival.

And now, they have to work a lot because of the sudden news that Yang Xian gave to them. No one protested as they knew that this would involve the safety of the entire kingdom.

They had to make sure the tribes didn't do anything bad in their territory.

Wei Liuying also heaved a sigh of relief and looked at Yang Xian as if asking what they were going to do now.

"We should return back soon since our task here is done."

"Yes, Strategist Yang."

"You're still calling each other formally?"

The sound of a young man made them turn their head. They could see a young man around the age of 23 or so standing not far from them. He had exquisite face and also fine temperament. Right now, he was showing a beautiful smile on his lips.

Even after the gory sight from the court, he still looked very normal.

"Official Fang," Yang Xian greeted. "Is there anything I can help?"

Official Fang, Fang Lin, smiled back in response. "I'm surprised to see you're still well and alive, Yang Xian. Considering how the north has been so violent, I would have thought that you have already been eaten by the sand alive."

Yang Xian smiled. "I guess I'm quite lucky."

"Also, I have only heard about you before, Liu Ying. Let me introduce myself, I'm rank 8 official Fang Lin," Fang Lin introduced himself.

Wei Liuying smiled. "I'm Liu Ying, Strategist Yang's apprentice."

The ranking for officials was simple. They were numbered from 1 to 9 with the ninth was the lowest. Fang Lin was still fairly young, so it was not really weird for him to have low ranking. Even those who had passed Imperial Examination didn't always reach high ranking immediately as they have to climb slowly with accomplishment.

Fang Lin nodded. "I still have a lot to learn, and I wish that we can have a talk over a dinner?"

"I'm afraid that I have to reject the offer. Liu Ying is still not in good condition, so we plan to depart after having a short meal," Yang Xian refused.

"You're really cold, but I appreciate your thoughts. Let's meet again in the future, Yang Xian."

"Likewise."

Afterwards, several other officials were also trying to get on Yang Xian's good side or try to invite him for dinner. Even though their real aim was Wei Liuying, they couldn't do it so blatantly with Yang Xian was still standing guard beside Wei Liuying. It would be better for them to ask covertly.

It took half an incense stick time before Yang Xian could release himself from the officials' pestering. When they came out of the hall, Yang Xian noticed that Wei Hong and Prime Minister Xie along with Xie Han, were still standing there. It was clear that they also didn't want to lose this chance to interact with Yang Xian without Prince Ji Sheng's presence.

"Strategist Yang," Prime Minister Xie greeted first. "I haven't been able to meet with you directly. It's truly a pleasant surprise for you to come here today."

Yang Xian smiled without mirth. "It's indeed a surprise."

Back when he first came to the capital city, Prince Ji Sheng would never allow him to roam around the street on his own. He had to follow Prince Ji Sheng whenever he visited the palace because Prince Ji Sheng didn't wish to see anyone trying to poach Yang Xian. In the end, Yang Xian never had a chance to talk with any of the officials.

Since Prince Ji Sheng was not here, they naturally took this as a chance for them to step forward.

"If it's not a bother, would you like to talk while enjoying tea in my office, Strategist Yang?"

"Prime Minster Xie, I think that it's impolite to speak first when there are two people here. Strategist Yang, I would like to invite you for a short tea break and have a talk."

Wei Liuying was keeping her composure, but it was clear that she was trying her best not to make eye contact directly with Prime Minister Wei. All in all, he's still her father, and Wei Liuying didn't wish for her father to recognize her. Her facial face had been tampered slightly, but the similarities with Wei Liuying would be seen if Wei Hong were to come close to her.

She didn't know how much her father remembered her. After all, Wei Hong always thought of her as nothing but disgrace and seemed to be unwilling to even look in her direction.

But she didn't want to take the risk and possibly lose everything.

Yang Xian also knew that, so he put on a smile. "I'm terribly sorry for your loss, Prime Minister Wei. But since Prime Minister Xie had asked me first, it'll be impolite of me to reject him."

"That's…" Prime Minister Wei glanced to Prime Minister Xie and saw the annoying smug smile. He had no other choice but to concede since Yang Xian had said so much. "In that case, I'll be waiting for another chance to invite you to have a drink, Strategist Yang."

"I'll be waiting for that, Prime Minister Wei," Yang Xian replied politely. He looked at Wei Liuying. "We'll be having a short tea with Prime Minister Xie. It won't take a long time."

"Yes, Strategist Yang."

Contrary to her father, Wei Liuying had been a bit curious about Prime Minister Xie. She had only seen him from a distance away during the hunt several months ago and only heard about him. This would be the first time she ever met with him directly.

Prime Minister Xie was delighted. "In that case, please follow me, Strategist Yang."

"I hope it won't take too long as Liu Ying is still not fully recovered."

"Don't worry, it won't even take half an incense stick time."

Yang Xian nodded and followed Prime Minister Xie and Xie Han. Xie Han glanced over to Wei Liuying, but he refrained from talking since his father hadn't given him the permission. Nevertheless, he truly wondered whether the Emperor was truly thinking so highly about this little boy or not.

No matter which angle he saw, he couldn't see this malnourished brat as someone special.