Finest Servant

Chapter 358 Dead?

"Something's wrong?" Lin Wanrong paused momentarily, then blurted out, "Has the Emperor passed away?!"

Xu Wei was so exasperated that he almost fainted. Couldn't this youngster utter something pleasant? How dare he speak so carelessly? Shaking his head with a bitter smile, he said, "Young Master Lin, you can't say things like that recklessly. Such words could lead to decapitation. Don't ask any more, just come with me." As the two men stepped out, a carriage awaited outside. Without uttering a word, Xu Wei solemnly ushered him into it. One could easily tell that something serious had happened.

If the Emperor had met with misfortune, why would Old Xu be so eager to involve him? Despite asking several times, Xu Wei remained gravely silent, shaking his head without answering. The carriage sped hastily, heading out of the city. Lin Wanrong recalled Xu Wei mentioning earlier in the day that the elderly Emperor had gone to Grand Prime Minister Temple to offer incense. Could the incident have occurred there? The old Emperor couldn't be dead; he was Xian'er's father and his future father-in-law. If he were to die and Prince Cheng took the throne, he would be doomed.

Lost in his turbulent thoughts, the carriage soon reached the foot of the hill where Grand Prime Minister Temple was located. Today, the temple was different than usual. Soldiers were everywhere; every few steps there was a guard or a sentry. All were armored, their weapons shining clearly, emitting a forbidding aura. As they drew closer to the temple entrance, security became even tighter, with countless soldiers standing solemnly, eyeing everyone warily.

Anxious, Lin Wanrong tugged on Xu Wei's sleeve, "Master Xu, what exactly happened to the Emperor? Please, tell me. The situation looks dire."

Glancing outside and noticing their proximity to the temple, Xu Wei spoke with unparalleled gravity, "Young Master Lin, you must promise me that whatever you witness today won't be revealed. Otherwise, not only are our lives at risk, but our great nation might also plunge into chaos."

Lin Wanrong thought sarcastically, ‘Reveal what? I haven't seen anything yet.’ Seeing Xu Wei's unprecedented solemnity, he nodded, "Master Xu, don't you trust me? I'm known for my integrity. I promise not to divulge anything."

Xu Wei's face turned pale, a weariness evident in his eyes. Heaving a sigh, he murmured, "Young Master Lin, the Emperor... he was assassinated."

Assassinated?! Lin Wanrong grabbed Xu Wei urgently, "How is that possible? Just a few days ago, His Majesty told me he was well-protected and I shouldn't worry. How could he be assassinated today? Old Xu, you better not be deceiving me."

With a bitter smile, Xu Wei replied, "In times like these, do you think I'd dare jest? This morning, while the Emperor was offering incense in Grand Prime Minister Temple, he was ambushed by more than ten assassins. They hid inside a golden Buddha statue. As the Emperor bowed in reverence and the guards were momentarily lax, they emerged, attacking... The Emperor... he..." Xu Wei choked, tears shimmering in his eyes, unable to continue.

"The Emperor... Is he... dead?!" Lin Wanrong murmured in disbelief, a cold chill running through his body. ‘The old Emperor is dead? How could he just die like that? Just yesterday, he was simultaneously threatening and advising me, and now he's gone? I haven't even officially become his son-in-law. This is utterly unjust.’

Xu Wei saw Lin Wanrong's stunned expression and quickly patted him on the shoulder. "Stay calm, little brother Lin. The situation is not yet clear. I don't even know whether the Emperor is alive or dead."

Hearing this, Lin Wanrong quickly looked up, "Master Xu, are you toying with me? You were the one who summoned me, and now you don't even know if the Emperor is alive or dead? Those assassins burst out from the belly of the Buddha statue, and the Emperor had only a few guards around him. Doesn't that spell doom?"

"I'm not sure about the specifics," Xu Wei responded. "Li Tai and I were both acting on orders from Eunuch Gao. While Li Tai was gathering troops and locking down the capital, I was sent to fetch you. All the imperial doctors from the palace have been summoned. Judging by Eunuch Gao's expression, the Emperor's condition seems..." Xu Wei paused, not finishing his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Lin Wanrong clenched his fists tightly, an indescribable feeling swelling in his heart. His interactions with the old Emperor had been short-lived. The Emperor had tried various methods to manipulate him: threats, temptations, intimidation, deceit... Yet, strangely, Lin Wanrong couldn't harbor any resentment toward him. Many saw the elderly Emperor as weak and ineffective, especially when compared to the charismatic Prince Cheng. However, appearances were deceiving. When it came to endurance and determination, even ten Prince Chengs couldn't match the old Emperor. The true titan had been proven two decades ago; some just failed to recognize it.

As Lin Wanrong was lost in thought, an elderly general approached, his white hair standing out against his splendid armor and the treasured sword at his waist. It was the leading general, Li Tai.

"General, how are things?" Xu Wei hurriedly asked with palpable anxiety as he approached.

Li Tai, with a solemn expression, shook his head, "All the imperial doctors are inside, and no outsiders are allowed in. We've received no word. I don't know the Emperor's condition."

Xu Wei glanced at Lin Wanrong. If outsiders were not permitted, why was Master Lin summoned?

Seeing the questioning look, Lin Wanrong unexpectedly spoke up with a grave face, "General Li, what's the situation in the capital? Have there been any unusual movements?"

"After receiving the news, I immediately ordered the city gates to be sealed — allowing entry but not exit. The news is currently contained, and there haven't been any unusual activities in the capital. Lin San, what are you thinking? Speak up!" Li Tai commanded in a deep voice. The Li family had a long-standing military lineage, known for their loyalty and patriotism. Their reputation was esteemed, and as long as Li Tai was in command, Lin Wanrong was confident there would be no major chaos in the city.

Lin Wanrong paced a little before speaking, "Currently, the envoys from the Turkic Khaganate, Dongyin, and Goryeo are all in the capital. With various powers at play and the sudden assassination attempt on the Emperor, is there a connection?"

Both Xu Wei and Li Tai were taken aback by his words. Lin Wanrong's point was indeed valid. The Turkic Khaganate was on the brink of war with their Empire, and Dongyin had always coveted their land. Even Goryeo, which used to be relatively weaker, had started to act defiantly in recent years. If these countries banded together to target their Empire and sent assassins for the Emperor, it wasn't an unlikely scenario.

"I'll send men to keep an eye on them right away," said Li Tai, about to leave, but Lin Wanrong called out, "General Li, please wait a moment."

Li Tai halted in his steps and glanced over at Lin Wanrong, who pondered for a moment before saying, "It's still uncertain whether they're the culprits. But these assassins, having dared to act, surely aren't ordinary individuals. Your men, General, are warriors on the battlefield, but for this sort of espionage, I fear they might be ill-suited. In my opinion, it's better to set a trap and wait for them to expose themselves."

"Set a trap and wait?" Xu Wei asked, puzzled. "What kind of strategy is that?"

"Think about it, Mr. Xu," Lin Wanrong said gravely. "You and General Li are the Emperor's closest confidants. If even you two don't know whether the Emperor lives or dies, how would outsiders?"

"If neither General Li nor I know, then outsiders certainly wouldn’t," Xu Wei nodded. "What are you suggesting, little brother Lin?"

"If you two appear unaffected and continue your daily routines, the real culprits, driven by anxiety, will inevitably expose themselves."

Xu Wei and Li Tai exchanged glances. Master Lin's logic was sound. Instead of scouring the vast city for the assassins, it made more sense to have them reveal themselves.

"So, what should we do now?" General Li Tai asked. "I've shut down the city gates, but if it goes on for too long, it might lead to rumors, which would be detrimental."

Lin Wanrong gave a slight smile. "General Li, if you trust my words, then withdraw the sentries from the city gates. The assassins, being prepared, will have their own escape routes. Closing the gates not only doesn’t help, but it might cause unnecessary panic. I suggest retaining some troops around the Grand Prime Minister Temple and redeploying the rest. Furthermore, secretly increase the guard around the Emperor's quarters to ensure his safety. As for the rest, continue as usual. General, continue with your military drills, and Mr. Xu, attend to your state affairs. Proceed as if this incident never occurred."

Xu Wei clapped his hands. "Excellent! This strategy is akin to releasing the enemy intentionally to capture them later. What do you think, General?"

Li Tai nodded, "Very well, let's proceed this way. Master Lin, I'll leave thousands of my men stationed in the rear mountain under your command. Here's the seal."

Handing over a small seal, Li Tai waited for Master Lin's response. As Master Lin tried to decline the offer, Li Tai fixed him with a stern gaze. "A true man should be eager for battles and thirsty for the challenges of the field. With such a meek disposition, how can you take on such a significant responsibility?"

This old man truly possesses the spirit of a tiger! Lin Wanrong gave a resigned smile as he took the seal from Li Tai. Seeing the subtle smile on Li Tai's face, he watched as the general strode away, his departure as imposing as a gusty wind.

Xu Wei nodded gravely. "Little brother Lin," he said seriously, "The general truly values you. In the days to come, when we face the northern invaders, I hope you can help bear the burdens of our great nation."

"Let's not talk about sharing burdens right now," Lin Wanrong replied with a wry smile. "We should focus on the immediate problem at hand. With the Emperor's fate still unknown, are we just to wait here indefinitely?"

Xu Wei waved his hand, as if to say he was equally at a loss. Looking at the older man's graying hair fluttering in the wind, Lin Wanrong couldn’t help but chuckle. Fortunately, they had stalwarts like Xu Wei and Li Tai to hold up the heavens of their great land. If everyone were as lazy and cunning as he was, the nation would be doomed.

"Master Lin, Master Lin!" A shrill and urgent voice interrupted his thoughts. "The Emperor requests your presence!"

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