CH 85

Seeing his acquiescence, the man circled around a few times and said hesitantly, “That’s impossible! Your Excellency, we are all aware of your assassins’ skills. They have never failed, and yet all of them were lost this time. It is … who could it be?!”

Pang Shao smiled and stared intently at the candle flame flickering on the table.

“It’s not all useless.” He said, “At least it confirms my suspicion, proving that someone has long been watching Zhao Dunting and has tampered with his house.”

Another official next to him said, “But without catching someone, there’s no way to confirm who did it! Today’s incident, everything fell flawlessly into place. The person who directed this, however, remains hidden behind, making us unable to find a trace.”

Pang Shao remained silent for a long time, and his hand fell on the tea lamp on the table.

“Speculation does not require evidence.” He said, “It’s enough for me to know deep inside who it is.”

His fingers slowly played with the lid of the tea marigold. He turned his head sideways, and his gaze fell on the south side.

That was the direction of Qinghe Lane.

“Who started to add fuel to the flames, who ultimately felt complacent, and who secretly competed with me and made a tie with me, and who fought with me secretly, and kept me in check… It’s all clear to me,” he stated slowly.

His voice sounded calm, and there wasn’t a trace of gnashed teeth at all, but it made the people around feel chills creeping up their spines.

When everyone heard what he said, they all knew that he did not intend to name someone explicitly.

No one dared to ask. Only one official stepped forward cautiously and changed the subject: “Yes, Chief Minister’s heart is like a mirror, so these lowly officials can feel at ease. But, on His Majesty’s side… What can we do? ”

The Emperor threw such a big tantrum towards the Chief Minister today, and all civil and military officials of the dynasty knew it.

The Emperor didn’t even call him uncle today, and for the first time in history, he called the Chief Minister directly by his first name.

Everyone knew that the Chief Minister was so illustrious and majestic now, but his status all depended on the one sitting on the throne who had always accepted whatever he advised.

Pang Shao sneered, picked up the tea cup and lifted the lid.

“What happened today was that Zhao Dunting quarreled with Qi Min. When he harmed him, he borrowed my name and tried to plant the blame on me in vain. That’s all. As for how to tell His Majesty, do you need me to teach you?”

Several officials bowed and saluted him, indicating that they understood what to do.

Pang Shao lowered his eyes and took a sip of tea.

After just one sip, he put down the cup of tea and looked quietly at the tea swirling in the cup with downcast eyes.

“The first-rate Mingqian Longjing is spoiled without rhyme or reason,” he said.

A servant quickly approached his side in response.

Pang Shao put the tea cup on the table with a clang.

“Go ask who prepared it,” he ordered lightly.

“If you spoil such good tea, you should pay with your life.”

——

After Jiang Suizhou got drunk, he slumped on the table and didn’t get up.

Huo Wujiu swung his wheelchair to his side, reached out and held his arm to help him up. Jiang Suizhou couldn’t open his eyes, and definitely had no strength to carry himself, so he fell towards Huo Wujiu due to the latter’s force.

Jiang Suizhou went from lying on the table to leaning on Huo Wujiu’s arm.

Huo Wujiu felt as if struck in his acupoints, freezing in place for a while. His arm went numb all the way up, and the left side of his heart all but lost consciousness.

He initially intended to call Meng Qianshan in, but all the words got stuck in his throat.

After some unknown time, he slowly lowered his head and gazed at Jiang Suizhou, who was leaning in his arms.

The lamp light illuminated his eyelashes with a seemingly golden glow, and his lips were stained with strong wine, glistening with moisture.

Huo Wujiu’s throat rolled up and down.

Just then, Jiang Suizhou, who was leaning on his arm, seemed to feel uncomfortable. He moved and plunged straight into Huo Wujiu’s arms. An unconscious low hum emerged from his throat and gently fell into Huo Wujiu’s ear.

Huo Wujiu’s ears burned.

A flame rushed from his originally numb heart like magic and fiercely burned straight into his brain.

With a bang, a certain string seemingly ignited.

Two points of force seeped out of Huo Wujiu’s hand that was holding Jiang Suizhou’s arm, and it trembled imperceptibly.

He realized one thing clearly.

Jiang Suizhou indeed bore no improper thoughts towards him, but he seemed to…

He stared closely at Jiang Suizhou.

He seemed to have dirty thoughts about Jiang Suizhou at some point.

He had been among men since he was a child, fighting and making trouble, so he was certain he sure he should be more than a little disgusted with such thoughts. However, in his heart, he was now left with only a dawning nearness to home.

He had never had any particular interest, and had always been indifferent to everything.

He had never had such a raging desire for monogamy and overwhelming fondness. These emotions sprouted so fiercely and it made him cringe in disbelief. This confusion gave birth to fear.

It turned out that people could become cowards before the person they love so dearly.

He lowered his head, quietly gazing at the man. Under the light, Huo Wujiu seemed to become a sculpture, not daring to move a muscle.

Huo Wujiu stayed in such a posture until Jiang Suizhou stirred in his arms.

Huo Wujiu seemingly reacted, but it was already too late. He looked up at the door, moved his lips, but made no sound.

He had never read books of sages and men of virtue, nor did he understand what it meant by taking unfair advantage in a dark chamber. No one had taught him that where there was no one, he should restrain his instincts and make the choices he should make.

The evil dragon wanted to guard his treasure tonight.

He withdrew his gaze and tightened his hold, directly bringing the man into his arms. He leaned forward a bit, carried Jiang Suizhou straight up, and stood up from his wheelchair.

He was only now able to stand on his feet, thus he walked strenuously.

Nevertheless, he slowly but steadily carried Jiang Suizhou and walked to the bed where he laid him down on his own bed.

The moment Jiang Suizhou landed on the pillow, he opened his eyes hazily.

Seeing that it was Huo Wuju, a rather slow smile stretched on his face.

“Huo Wujiu.” His voice rang softly, and almost only his lips moved.

“I won’t let you kill me.” He was so intoxicated long ago that he actually blurted out his heartfelt words to Huo Wujiu.

But due to the rubbing of clothes and silk together, Huo Wujiu only heard the head and tail.

“Huo Wujiu, I won’t let you die,” he heard Jiang Suizhou mutter.