IDWBE -Chapter 189 Hosting a Banquet

Lin Yi looked at it. The monkey bared its teeth and grinned, completely disregarding him.

After finishing the peach, it even threw the pit at Lin Yi.

Lin Yi dodged just in time, or he would have been hit.

Xiao Xizi came out of the house carrying tea, terrified. Without hesitation, he ran up to the roof and kicked the monkey so hard it vanished without a trace.

When he came back down, not a drop of tea had spilled.

Lin Yi growled in anger, “Drive all the monkeys away from nearby—chase them eight hundred li, leave not a single one. No more spoiling them. Damn it, they’re completely ungrateful, shameless little beasts.”

He was genuinely furious.

Monkeys may be intelligent, but their vengefulness was just too strong. No matter how well you treated them ten times, one slight wrong would be remembered forever.

They had nearly destroyed the fish in his pond and the flowers in his garden.

Occasionally, they even threw their droppings at him.

The angrier he got, the happier the monkeys became.

Xiao Xizi said happily, “Your Highness, it should’ve been done long ago. Animals are animals—you can’t tame them completely.”

He also loathed the monkeys.

If Lin Yi hadn’t stopped him, he would have killed them already.

Lin Yi said, “Sigh, I’ve been more than generous to them.”

In plain terms, he had grown bored of them, and now he fully understood their nature.

Xiao Xizi placed the tea in front of Lin Yi. “Your Highness is wise. We cannot continue indulging them, or they’ll truly run wild.”

Lin Yi asked, “Is the shed on the hill not finished yet?”

Xiao Xizi smiled. “Your Highness, it will be done tomorrow.”

“Then we’ll go tomorrow.”

Lin Yi yawned, about to say something, when Wang Qingbang hurriedly ran in.

“Your Highness,” Wang Qingbang wiped sweat and said, “The Emperor has issued an edict, demanding that all feudal lords return to the capital to perform filial duties.”

“The Emperor?”

Lin Yi said weakly, “Which Emperor? My own father the Emperor, or the newly enthroned Crown Prince—Emperor Zhengchang?”

“The edict comes from the Retired Emperor,” Wang Qingbang said anxiously, “It will likely reach Sanhe within a month.”

“Let it come, what can be done?”

Lin Yi said listlessly, “Do you think Prince Yong can go back, or the Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth Princes? Everyone knows it’s a deadly trap—going back is practically suicide. They’re not foolish enough. Still, the eldest brother’s move is clever. If a ‘greatly unfilial’ label is pinned on someone, it would be hard to bear. The world talks endlessly—there’s no stopping it.”

Wang Qingbang sighed, “Exactly.”

“Let’s see how Prince Yong responds,” Lin Yi smiled. “They’re not anxious, so I’m not anxious. We’ll wait it out. Who fears whom?”

“Exactly, Your Highness,” Wang Qingbang said seriously. “The Crown Prince is ambitious—he won’t be easy to deal with.”

“Ambition, of course, he has,” Lin Yi smiled. “He’s much older than me, but I know him well. He doesn’t have this brain—someone else gives him ideas. Now, tell me, is there anything else?”

Wang Qingbang said, “The Crown Prince has welcomed Qi Shuhan, daughter of Qi Yong, into the palace and bestowed her the title of Guiren (Noble Lady).”

Lin Yi said, “As expected, all calculated. Forget that for now. In Sanhe, we stick to our plan—high walls, ample provisions. Live as best we can, die if we must—what’s there to fear? Also, write a letter for me to Sixth Brother.”

“For Your Highness?”

Wang Qingbang was surprised.

Lin Yi nodded, then said, “Tell him I miss him, and send along two pounds of tea.”

“Just that?”

“How much more do you want to write?”

Lin Yi told Xiao Xizi, “Prepare paper and an inkstone for Master Wang, and remember to seal it with my signet.”

The two bowed and left.

Lin Yi stayed in the courtyard lying down until late afternoon, only coming out when the sun wasn’t so harsh.

Riding a donkey, he looked at the hardworking farmers planting summer crops and felt a pang of shame.

They toiled from morning till night, ignoring the heat, without a single complaint.

Meanwhile, he was lying down and still finding things to grumble about.

He sighed, but had no intention of working hard.

He spent the day by the river, fishing, wandering idly.

The sun began to set.

After finishing the Xiao Chun case, Chen Xinluo left the Provincial Administration Office early.

“Chief Chen, the case is done. His Highness isn’t blaming you. Why the long face?”

Wang Xu asked puzzled.

Chen Xinluo shook his head. “It’s done, yes, but something feels off. This case isn’t that simple. Have you thought why Chen Ying didn’t go elsewhere but came to Sanhe? Sanhe has developed over the years, but it’s still a remote place.”

“This…”

Wang Xu looked around, seeing no one else nearby, and whispered, “Qi Peng mentioned Liu Ruyan is also Secret Guard. His Highness instructed us to watch carefully. Could Chen Ying have come to seek Liu Ruyan? They say the two are as close as sisters.”

Chen Xinluo frowned. “It’s possible, but Chen Ying arrived last year. We’ve been keeping an eye on Liu Ruyan and haven’t seen them meet.”

Wang Xu smiled, “Chief Chen, if it were that easy to catch, the Secret Guards wouldn’t even count as spies.”

“Don’t inflate others’ courage or diminish our authority,” Chen Xinluo snorted, “Who could dare act under our noses?”

Wang Xu chuckled, “Chief Chen, you’re watching second-rank or low-level officers. If the Secret Guards wanted to act, wouldn’t it be simple?”

“Hmph,” Chen Xinluo said, hands behind his back. “Then tonight, we’ll investigate the Chunxiang Teahouse.”

Wang Xu’s eyes gleamed. “Chief Chen says it!”

Chen Xinluo smiled. “You’ll treat us.”

“What?”

Wang Xu thought he misheard, hurried after him. “Chief Chen, you know my pay! How could I afford it?”

Their monthly pay was decent, but Baiyun City had countless gambling games—dog fights, cockfights, horse races. Every month, he bet everything.

Chen Xinluo laughed, “It’s settled then!”

“No, we must ask if Chunxiang Teahouse will allow credit,” Wang Xu said anxiously.

“I can’t embarrass myself.”

Chen Xinluo rolled his eyes. “Think—who around us is the richest?”

“Of course, Miss Mingyue and Miss Zixia,” Wang Xu answered immediately.

They controlled the prince’s finances—of course there was money.

Chen Xinluo casually said, “If you can invite the two ladies, that works too.”

Wang Xu sighed, “Then we’ll have to ask Wang Xing.”

“Wang Xing?”

Chen Xinluo clapped his hands. “Almost forgot that old kid.”

Among Sanhe officials and soldiers, who had more money than Wang Xing?

His father was the richest man in Sanhe.

Wang Xu said, “Then it’s settled?”

Chen Xinluo said, “Bring Ma Gui too. Say Ma Gui and I invite him to dinner.”

Wang Xu nodded and returned to the Provincial Administration Office.

Though Wang Xing was just a militia captain, he had his own office there. At that moment, he was scolding his two subordinates.

The two cowered, not daring to speak.

“Brother Wang, esteemed guest, please sit,” Seeing Wang Xu, Wang Xing stood and told his subordinates, “What are you standing for? Pour the tea quickly!”

Wang Xu stopped them. “No need for formalities. I’m here to say something and leave.”

Wang Xing pounded his chest. “Brother Wang, speak freely! I’m listening.”

Wang Xu smiled. “Tonight, Chief Chen and Commander Ma are hosting a banquet at Chunxiang Teahouse. Captain Wang, please honor us with your presence. Commander Ma originally wanted to send you an invitation, but I stopped it. I thought we’re all brothers, no need for formalities—it might make things awkward.”

Wang Xing thought he misheard.

Ma Gui and Chen Xinluo inviting him?

One was the Prince’s Guard Commander, the other the Chief Constable of the Provincial Office.

Neither would usually even glance at him.

Now they were inviting him to dinner—at Chunxiang Teahouse!

He couldn’t help feeling happy.

Quickly, he said, “Much obliged, much obliged.”

Wang Xu said, “It’s settled, see you tonight.”

“Safe journey.”

Wang Xing personally escorted Wang Xu to the office door.

Night fell. The moon hadn’t risen yet; it was pitch dark.

Chen Xinluo, Ma Gui, and the others wore plain clothes and stood outside Chunxiang Teahouse.

Even if turned to ash, Guinu would recognize them.

They were regulars here—not for leisure, but to investigate human trafficking, turning the teahouse into chaos.

The place was so intimidating that no customers dared enter—a true disaster!

“Chief Chen, Commander Ma,”

Guinu greeted them with a smile.

Chen Xinluo smiled. “Tonight, we’re here for pleasure, nothing to do with business.”

“…”

Guinu didn’t know how to reply.

Chen Xinluo kicked him gently. “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and call all your girls. Don’t worry—they won’t shortchange you!”

“Ah!”

Guinu hurriedly said, “Please, sir, inside!”

With a flick of his white towel, he led them upstairs to the best private room.

Tea was served, towels discarded. Chen Xinluo said to Guinu, “Wait at the door. When Captain Wang arrives, bring him straight here.”

“Yes.”

Guinu ran off again.

Soon, Wang Xing came upstairs, entered the room, and saluted Ma Gui, Chen Xinluo, and the others.

“Sorry for being late, brothers, please forgive me!”

“We’re all family,” Ma Gui said with a smile, “no need for formalities. Sit.”

When Wang Xing sat, Ma Gui personally helped pour wine.

“No, no,” Wang Xing stood with his cup, “I’m overwhelmed with honor.”

Ma Gui said, “We owe you for looking after us in Sanhe. Today, we specifically host this banquet to express our gratitude. Don’t mind the simplicity.”

“Brother,” Wang Xing said loudly, “your words touch me deeply! How could I let you spend?”