Detective Di Renjie: The Mysterious Dynasty

Chapter 392 Showing off one’s edge
When the guards in front of the palace gate saw the governor and the chief secretary coming with a large group of people, they hurried forward to greet them respectfully.

Cui Liang didn't know whether he was frightened by Zhao Ji or had the potential to be a lackey, so he took the initiative to step forward and explain.

"The imperial envoy has arrived to inquire about the condition of His Royal Highness Prince Ying. Let's prepare to welcome him!"

He specifically explained that Zhao had come to "visit the sick", and the guards who could guard the gate were all smart. They immediately understood, apologized, and went into the mansion to report.

With Yuan Gui, the half-master, around, Zhao Ji and the others had no chance of waiting in front of the door and strode in.

As one entered Prince Ying's mansion, the scenery still lacked any elegance, but instead was shabby and simple everywhere.

Cui Liang, Wu Wendeng, Yuan Gui and others have long been accustomed to this and are not surprised by it.

But when Zhao Ji and his Qianniu Guards saw this, they were so shocked that their eyes dropped to the ground.

The palace is only at this level?

Zhao Ji tried his best to suppress his laughter, and he already understood what was going on.

Although Yuan Qi is rich, he is most likely a miser and money-eater like Grandet, who only takes in money and never spends it out.

"Yuan Gui, why is the mansion so simple?" Zhao Ji asked knowingly, with a hint of teasing in his tone.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Gui finally put on a smile and explained, "Your Highness, my father has always been low-key, not fond of publicity, and prefers a simple life. This is the family motto passed down from generation to generation in the Yuan family!"

When Cui Liang heard this, he immediately seized the opportunity and flattered him to the utmost: "Your Highness Prince of Yan, you don't know that Prince Ying is kind and generous in Yangzhou, and he has donated generously to benefit the people. However, the prince's life in the palace is extremely simple. This is a good story praised by everyone in the officialdom of Yangzhou!"

Yang Jiucheng and Wu Wendeng also quickly echoed: "That's right! That's right!"

After hearing this, Zhao Ji couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh. There was a bit of elusive meaning in his laughter. He kept saying, "Good! Good! Excellent!"

Yuan Gui did not notice the irony in Zhao Ji's words, and respectfully asked: "I will immediately send someone to ask my father to stand up and welcome His Highness!"

Naturally, he tried every means to delay time so that Yuan Qi would have the opportunity to pretend to be sick.

Zhao Ji refused to give him a chance and shook his head with a smile: "Hey~ I'm here to visit the patient. Since your father is not able to move around easily, how can he work easily? I'd better go and see your father!"

Yuan Gui had no choice but to say yes again.

Under Yuan Gui's guidance, Zhao Ji and his party passed through the winding corridors, bypassed several courtyards, and finally arrived at the bedroom where Yuan Qi lived.

Outside the door, several attendants were waiting quietly. When they saw Yuan Gui, Zhao Ji and others arriving, they hurriedly saluted.

Yuan Gui was full of anxiety. He knew nothing about Yuan Qi's preparations, and anxiously asked the maid beside him, "How is my father?"

The two maids bowed slightly and replied softly, "Your Majesty has just taken the medicine."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Gui, Cui Liang and others all felt relieved, breathed a sigh of relief, and their expressions relaxed.

Zhao Ji sneered in his heart, secretly sighing at Yuan Qi's swift actions. There were indeed many spies around Yangzhou City, and it was clear how quickly information was transmitted.

Upon learning that Yuan Qi had already made a plan, Yuan Gui felt relieved and calmly invited Zhao Ji to come in: "Your Highness, please!"

Zhao Ji nodded slightly and walked into the room first.

However, as soon as I stepped in, I saw the room filled with smoke, mixed with a strange smell that made me feel uncomfortable.

"Cough, cough, cough! What's going on? Why don't you open the window to get some fresh air?" Zhao Ji waved his hand to disperse the smoke in front of him, his brows furrowed.

"Don't be surprised, Your Excellency. This is a spice specially prepared by the doctor, who said it is good for recuperation." A weak voice came from the couch in front.

Zhao Ji couldn't hold it in any longer. "The words of the quack doctor are really untrustworthy. How can a weak body bear such a strong smell?"

Then, Yuan Qi coughed a series of times: "Cough, cough, cough, please forgive me, Your Highness. I am just desperate and trying all kinds of treatments. I am used to it... cough, cough... Please help me get up!"

As he said this, he struggled to stand up and salute, but was quickly stopped by Zhao Ji.

The room was filled with smoke, but the windows were not opened and the lights were not turned on. It was deliberately made dark so that Zhao Ji could not see Yuan Qi's specific situation clearly.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to be like this. Just lie down and relax." Zhao Ji walked to the bedside and asked about his condition with concern. "Your Majesty said that Your Majesty was a brave general when he was young. How did he end up like this?"

Yuan Qi smiled bitterly and took a breath: "Ah... Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I injured my foundation when I was young, and now my body is almost exhausted, cough cough cough..." Zhao Ji heard this and secretly complained in his heart: "This old fox, his acting skills are perfect!"

He moved closer to Yuan Qi and looked at him carefully. Although Yuan Qi seemed to be deliberately disguising himself, his pale face and haggard look were not fake.

However, this complexion was inexplicably inconsistent with Sect Master Yuan's plump and wealthy appearance.

Looking at his body shape and saying that he is about to die, no one would believe it!

Looking at Yuan Qi's slightly bloated body, Zhao Ji curled up a smile.

He deliberately took Yuan Qi's chubby hand and comforted him: "Mr. Yuan, don't be pessimistic. I know a medical expert who is particularly good at acupuncture. With three needles, he can bring people back to life and restore their souls. He has never failed. Ask him to treat Mr. Yuan, and he will definitely be able to cure his illness!"

This is another true statement. Once Di Renjie shows up, Yuan Qi’s “illness” will surely be cured.

There was another deeper meaning behind Zhao Ji's action. He took the opportunity of shaking hands to quietly feel the calluses on Yuan Qi's palms. They were undoubtedly the marks left by years of martial arts training.

Yuan Qi noticed Zhao Ji's little movement, but he didn't know whether he did it intentionally or unintentionally, so he could only pretend that he was unaware. He was a master at pretending to be confused.

He shook his head slightly and said, "Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness, but life ends, and you can't force it!"

Seeing this, Zhao Ji knew that it was not the time to completely break up with Yuan Qi, so he also pretended to be confused: "Mr. Yuan is open-minded, but His Majesty specifically ordered to take care of Mr. Yuan, so I can't help but do my best!"

When Yuan Qi heard this, a strange color flashed across his eyes, but then he immediately changed his expression.

"Hmm... Your Majesty! How could this humble minister deserve such favor from Your Majesty..."

After saying this, Yuan Qi actually burst into tears. Those who were not aware of the situation might have thought that there was a touching love between him and Wu Zetian as a subject.

Zhao Ji tried hard to suppress his inner discomfort, and after some consolation, Yuan Qi finally stopped shedding tears.

After all this ordeal, Yuan Qi’s “sick body” could no longer bear it and he was gasping for breath.

Seeing this, Zhao Ji had no choice but to go with the flow and prepared to say goodbye and leave.

Before leaving, Zhao Ji specially called Yuan Gui aside and wiped away two crocodile tears: "Alas, your father was a hero of his generation, but now he is in such a miserable state at such an old age!"

"I hereby grant you permission to temporarily hand over your duties in the Qianniu Guards. You do not need to travel any further and can return home to take care of your father!"

Yuan Gui felt annoyed by Zhao Ji's hypocritical appearance.

But he was able to escape from the surveillance of the Qianniu Guards. The situation was stronger than him, so he could only accept it with a pinch of his nose: "Thank you for your sympathy, Your Highness!"

However, Zhao Ji had more to say: "I will have to stay in Yangzhou for a while. Once I am free, I will come to visit you again. You can rest assured!"

Yuan Gui heard this and a million alpacas ran through his mind: "Come again? Don't worry? I can go to yours!"

This time the Yuan residence was in chaos, what would happen if it happened again?

However, he could only smile and obediently and respectfully escorted Zhao Ji, Cui Liang and other officials out of the mansion.

Back in Yuan Qi's bedroom, how could Yuan Qi still look terminally ill at all?
His face was solemn, his eyes were as sharp as knives, and he looked out the window coldly, not knowing what he was thinking about.

"Dad, the King of Yan has bad intentions!" Yuan Gui came up behind him, "Just now, before he left, he put the child back in the mansion and said he would come to visit more often when he has time!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Qi sneered and was extremely fearful: "This is to lock my father and me in the palace. He can come to visit at any time. If we are not here, it will be a situation where there is no way to defend ourselves!"

"No wonder this guy is so successful in the capital, stirring up troubles, and even Wu Sansi suffered a great loss. After seeing him today, I can see that he is really a man of many tricks! I thought he was a child before, and I really underestimated him!"

Hearing this, Gui couldn't help but feel terrified: "Did he find out something? Otherwise, why would he target us directly?"

Yuan Qi was filled with thoughts. Recalling Wu Zetian mentioned by Zhao Ji before, he couldn't help but feel worried: "If he really found something, it would be good."

"Otherwise, could it be that my father's patience and restraint over the years, even at the cost of tarnishing his own reputation, have finally angered His Majesty?"

As he was speaking, a servant came from outside the door and reported: "Master, Long Feng is back!"

Yuan Qi's face suddenly darkened, and he knew in his heart that the answer he wanted was most likely in the mouth of the latecomer Long Feng.

(End of this chapter)