TSWPF -Chapter 410 Threats

The Prefect glanced at Liu Zhimou and ground his teeth. What did Liu Zhimou mean by this? Did he want to tear things open between them? Huh?

If he hadn’t been punished by the Emperor, just wait and see how he would deal with Liu Zhimou.

“Lord Liu, do you know where those rebels are being held?”

Liu Zhimou picked up his teacup, took a graceful sip, and spoke slowly: “Is that really the Prefect’s concern?” He wasn’t thinking of taking the rebels away himself, was he?

The Prefect’s expression darkened. He said solemnly, “Lord Liu, matters involving rebels against the court are not something you can handle.” No matter what, today he would personally take the rebels into custody.

Once he had captured these court rebels, he would find a way to make sure the Emperor couldn’t punish him.

A faint smile curved Liu Zhimou’s lips, his tone calm: “It’s rare that the Prefect knows that court rebels are indeed a serious matter.”

Now suddenly claiming that rebels are a serious matter—something he couldn’t handle—where had he been all this time?

Trying to use his own achievements to avoid punishment? Impossible. Liu Zhimou wouldn’t give him that chance.

The Prefect looked sharply at Liu Zhimou, questioning if he intended to obstruct the investigation.

“Hm?” Liu Zhimou’s expression didn’t change. His eyes were cold as he returned the gaze. “I don’t understand your meaning, Prefect. Could you be a bit clearer?”

Lan Gang really had a thick skin—he could say this out loud and not fear losing his teeth.

Seeing Liu Zhimou pretending to be oblivious, the Prefect sneered. “It seems Lord Liu intends to obstruct my investigation. If so, don’t blame me for using force.” If push came to shove, he would use force to take the court rebels.

A threat, then?

Liu Zhimou gave a mocking smile. Before he could speak further, he heard Mr. Luo clear his throat.

Mr. Luo carefully placed his teacup back on the table, lifted his eyelids slightly, and looked at the Prefect, smiling faintly: “Prefect, such bravado!”

Daring to threaten his young disciple in front of him? Did he really think that having a prince as backing meant he could be ignored?

As the Imperial Tutor to the Emperor, Mr. Luo still carried weight and could subtly teach him a lesson.

“Mr. Luo, you wouldn’t interfere in matters of the yamen, would you?” The Prefect glanced at Mr. Luo, his expression softening as he smiled.

An Imperial Tutor—what right did he have to meddle in yamen affairs? His reach was far too long.

Mr. Luo nodded slightly at the Prefect’s words. “If the Prefect has objections, I shall write a memorial to the Emperor, declaring that I will no longer concern myself with any court matters.” A cold glint appeared in his eyes. “Prefect, are you satisfied?”

The Prefect’s expression shifted. He bit his back teeth hard and forced a smile. “Mr. Luo, you misunderstand me. I did not mean that.”

Though he wasn’t afraid of Mr. Luo, he feared trouble—and even more, being abandoned by the Prince.

In truth, as soon as he received news that Ninghua County had court rebels, he rushed to report it to the Prince and seek instructions.

Only after receiving the Prince’s orders did he issue a command not to deploy troops.

Unfortunately, their plan had failed, allowing Liu Zhimou to escape once again.

By the time he heard the returning soldiers’ report, he hadn’t had time to inform the Prince, so he rushed personally with troops.

He feared that any further delay would lead to irreparable losses.

“So, Prefect, what do you mean by this, hmm?” Mr. Luo’s face suddenly darkened. He fixed the Prefect with an intense gaze. “Do you not know I was sent by the Emperor to support Lord Liu?”

As the saying goes, if a tiger does not show its teeth, one might mistake it for a sick cat.

Although he didn’t usually involve himself in court affairs, for major incidents, he still advised the Emperor. He had not fully retired into the shadows.

Moreover, even in the capital, when the Prince saw him, he had to show some courtesy. Here, he had been belittled by one of the Prince’s lackeys—how ridiculous was that?

The Prefect, upon hearing Mr. Luo’s words, looked at him suspiciously, then at Liu Zhimou. How had he not received this information?

“If you don’t believe me, you can ask the Fifth Prince whether this is true,” said Mr. Luo, reading the Prefect’s thoughts at a glance.

Had Liu Zhimou not known what was happening, even he might have been fooled by Mr. Luo’s expression.

The young disciple truly was brazen, and it earned Liu Zhimou’s quiet admiration.

He looked at the Prefect with mild sympathy. To play tricks in front of his master was truly reckless.

His heart warmed as he glanced at his master. Even though his master had a plan in mind, he couldn’t bear to see him wronged, so he intervened early.

He felt both moved and guilty toward his master—moved by his kindness, guilty that someone of his age still had to worry about him.

If only he could grow up sooner, his master wouldn’t have to toil so much.

Sigh…

Liu Zhimou caught Mr. Luo’s gaze and gave him a glance, silently signaling: stay calm, leave this to me.

As long as he was around, no one would bully his young disciple.

Even if it was the Emperor, he would not yield.

The Prefect swallowed hard. His palms, clenched tightly, were slick with cold sweat. If it was really like this, what was the Prince’s intention in forbidding him from sending troops?

Could the Prince’s true goal be to make Mr. Luo disappear? Liu Zhimou was only a byproduct?

The Prefect’s heart pounded wildly. Had he been abandoned by the Prince?

Otherwise, how could he have offended Mr. Luo?

If he had known Mr. Luo was the Emperor’s favored Imperial Tutor, dying in Ninghua County would have had disastrous consequences…

Before, he had relied on the Prince’s prestige to act boldly before Mr. Luo. Now, thinking clearly, he dared not act so arrogantly.

“Mr. Luo, I was unclear on the situation. I hope Your Excellency will forgive me and not hold it against me.” The Prefect shifted quickly, flattering Mr. Luo with an apologetic smile.

Mr. Luo gave him a long, slightly bewildered glance. He had expected the Prefect to remain stubborn, to continue opposing him—but he had surrendered so quickly…

Disappointing. Truly disappointing…

He wanted to continue testing him, to hear the rest of what he had to say.

If the Prefect knew Mr. Luo’s thoughts, he might have been so angry he’d spit blood.

“Lord Lan, your face changes so quickly, I can barely keep up,” Mr. Luo chuckled. “You could have stuck to your position, really…”

He genuinely wanted to play a little longer.

Liu Zhimou turned his face slightly, pinching his own thigh to prevent bursting out laughing.

Was his master being mischievous again, and not afraid of scaring anyone?

The Prefect forced a smile, then turned to Liu Zhimou. “Lord Liu, may I ask, the court rebels are in prison, correct? May I have a look?”

Since he was here, he had to see for himself who had the audacity to manufacture weapons in secret.

Liu Zhimou raised an eyebrow and nodded. “If the Prefect wishes to go, I will not stop you. Otherwise, you might accuse me of obstructing your investigation.” His words dripped with sarcasm, making the Prefect silently resentful, though he had to maintain his smile.

Had he not been quick to consider the situation, he might have indeed used force against Liu Zhimou.

If it had come to that, things would have spiraled out of control.

And he, as a pawn, would have been swiftly abandoned by the Fifth Prince.

Thinking of the Fifth Prince, his heart burned with anger, yet he could do nothing.

Just for relying on the Prince’s favor, he dared not offend him.

Otherwise, he might not even know how he’d die.

Liu Zhimou took another sip of tea, set the cup down, and slowly stood. He told Mr. Luo to rest at home while he escorted the Prefect to the prison.

Mr. Luo nodded slightly, telling him to go and return promptly.

Seeing the Prefect dared not trouble Liu Zhimou, he stayed behind.

Moreover, he trusted Liu Zhimou to make the Prefect behave.

If he hadn’t been upset earlier, he wouldn’t have intervened on Liu Zhimou’s behalf.

From here on, he could leave things to Liu Zhimou.

He was no longer young; it was time he grew properly.

“Mr. Luo, see you later,” the Prefect stood, saluting Mr. Luo with a slight smile.

Mr. Luo merely nodded, ignoring his words.

Who wants to see you later? Thick-skinned, indeed.

The Prefect said no more and followed Liu Zhimou to the yamen.

Upon exiting the gate, the Prefect was about to get into a carriage, but Liu Zhimou called out repeatedly.

“Prefect, the yamen is very close. There’s no need for a carriage.”

No carriage?

The Prefect turned to Liu Zhimou and noticed his expression wasn’t faked. He paused, surprised: Does he normally walk to the yamen?

Liu Zhimou nodded.

“…Ninghua County isn’t so poor that it can’t afford a carriage, is it?”

“Lord Liu, when I return, have two carriages sent over,” the Prefect said.

Liu Zhimou looked at him as if he were an idiot, then nodded lightly. “Since Prefect is so sincere, I will reluctantly accept.” If someone offers, one might as well not refuse.

His gaze—what did it mean? The Prefect frowned, strode forward with hands behind his back.

Liu Zhimou stood still, watching him for a moment, then spoke: “Prefect, you’re going the wrong way.”

If he hadn’t feared offending Mr. Luo by storming off, he would have done so already. How could he tolerate Liu Zhimou’s insolence here?

The Prefect gritted his teeth, took two deep breaths to compose his snarling expression, and walked back.

“Lord Liu, are you deliberately laughing at me?”

Liu Zhimou shrugged: “I didn’t know the Prefect would be so impatient.”