Zhu Shun: "Can the envoy of the Yan Kingdom just seize someone in our Zhao Kingdom?"
Song Lun immediately retorted: "Zhu Shun, why speak such nonsense?!"
Zhu Shun: "Chancellor Song, you have come as a guest. There is no need to cause a commotion. That person, however, must come with us! Hand him over to us. Then we shall pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, we will search everything, and if we find anything, the Yan Kingdom will have a great deal to explain to us! Chancellor Song, this is not the time for empty talk. I repeat, hand over the person, and we shall pretend nothing happened!"
The captured man was here, the residence surrounded. There was nothing more to be done. The other side's intentions were clear. Song Lun began to consider the consequences.
The fur of a Golden King Bear was precious, but it was not worth the repercussions that would arise afterward. Moreover, Song Lun himself had no particular use for the bear, other than as a gift.
Song Lun's true target was Niu You Dao!
His eyes gleamed, and he tilted his head: "Drag him out."
The people beside him immediately headed into the residence, while Niu You Dao whispered to Zhu Shun: "A dead man cannot heal!"
He worried that Yuan Fang might be killed as a witness. After all, abducting a person was no small matter. They could kill him, then claim they found him on the street and tried to save him. There would be no way to prove otherwise.
Zhu Shun's eyes flashed, and he sternly warned:
"I need him alive! If he is dead, then no one here will leave this place alive!"
He spoke with utmost severity, for he knew what would happen if they lost a truly skilled physician. He understood what Xiao Tian Cheng meant to them. He understood what the Xiao family meant to him, and to the entire province.
Song Lun sneered coldly:
"How audacious! I am the Yan Kingdom's envoy! Even the imperial court of the Zhao Kingdom dares not speak so. It seems Qingzhou wishes to overstep its bounds!"
Zhu Shun: "Chancellor Song misunderstands. Qingzhou does not intend to overstep the bounds of the Zhao Kingdom. It is simply that Qingzhou does not fear the Yan Kingdom, and that is all. We will not allow the Yan Kingdom to cause an uproar on our territory! If Chancellor Song does not believe me, then you may bring out a dead man, and you shall experience our self-assurance. And our actions, the Yan Kingdom can logically understand!"
...Song Lun bristled with anger. Though Zhu Shun spoke softly, he implied: "Even if I kill you, the Yan Kingdom will do nothing!"
For him, as an envoy, to hear such words—it was simply a humiliation! Indeed, the Yan Kingdom was currently weak compared to the Zhao Kingdom.
Though these were the Song family's private matters, he was, after all, an envoy of the kingdom! How could such a thing be tolerated? Must the Yan Kingdom defer to a local prince of the Zhao Kingdom here?
In truth, he understood that the combined might of the Yan Kingdom was not weaker than that of the Zhao Kingdom. It was merely that the Yan Kingdom was currently in chaos. It was fragmented. A few years ago, when Prince Ning commanded all the valiant troops, the Zhao Kingdom seemed but a child before him. It was only because the Emperor believed that if Prince Ning conspired with foreign princes, he would wield an even more terrifying power. Some matters were better left unsaid to such ministers.
In the end, a bloodied Yuan Fang was carried out. Song Lun handed the man over before everyone.
Upon seeing Yuan Fang, Zhu Shun asked Niu You Dao: "Is this him?"
Niu You Dao nodded: "Indeed!"
Seeing Niu You Dao again, and moreover, that he had brought so many people to help, Yuan Fang was on the verge of tears. He hadn't abandoned him!
Just moments ago, during his interrogation, he had inwardly understood that whether he confessed or not, he would still be killed. Why would they ever let him go? He had already resigned himself to death. But who could have imagined that less than an hour after the interrogation, he would be rescued! At this moment, a whirlwind of emotions churned within his heart!
Some things, even if Niu You Dao had said them a thousand times, he still wouldn't have believed. But now, having experienced it firsthand, he truly understood. When Yuan Fang appeared before Niu You Dao, he spoke with emotion:
"Lord Dao!"
Niu You Dao examined him and asked: "How are your injuries?"
Yuan Fang: "My skin and body held up. Everything's fine!" — For him, the most important thing was that he had emerged alive.
Song Lun immediately began to smile, cupped his hands, and said:
"Zhu Shun, it seems this was merely a misunderstanding! I hope you can understand!" — He wanted to see what the other side would say now. Did Qingzhou have any other cards to play?
Zhu Shun cupped his hands and replied in kind:
"Chancellor Song speaks truly. This was indeed a misunderstanding. It is now in the past. This old servant must attend to matters. I take my leave!" — He made it clear that everything was now settled.
He saw that his objective was safe and sound, and he certainly had no desire to cause a stir and become the reason for a dispute between the Zhao and Yan Kingdoms. As for the other observers, whether they liked it or not, they simply departed.
Song Lun breathed a sigh of relief and added with a smile:
"Zhu Shun, take care. I shall not see you off!"
"You too, Chancellor Song!" — Zhu Shun replied courteously. Then he waved his hand and departed from the courtyard with his men.
Before leaving, Niu You Dao and Song Lun exchanged glances. They looked at each other calmly, yet ill intent lingered in their eyes.
They had just met, and already their blades had crossed. Niu You Dao tasted bitterness, while Song Lun lost face. Who had won, and who had lost...
People were leaving Liusu Courtyard, Niu You Dao supporting a limping Yuan Fang.
Many envoys gazed at Niu You Dao and Yuan Fang. They did not know who these two were. In the end, they began to inquire about them from people who had some understanding of Qingzhou's situation. However, everyone shook their heads and claimed not to know them. Niu You Dao and Yuan Fang became the subject of curiosity for many.
Who could have compelled Zhu Shun himself to surround the Yan Kingdom's envoy's residence? Everyone wondered what had transpired between the Yan Kingdom's envoy and Qingzhou. Could this escalate into an even greater conflict? Could it alter the relationship between the Yan and Zhao Kingdoms?
After the collapse of the Wu Kingdom, hundreds of independent principalities emerged. Since then, the structure of states constantly shifted, eventually giving rise to the Seven Kingdoms. The scent of blood from the recently crushed Qin Kingdom had yet to dissipate. Thus, after Zhu Shun's departure, the envoys from the Jin, Han, Song, Wei, and Qi Kingdoms immediately approached the Yan Kingdom's residence and expressed their concern.
"Brother Song, why would Zhu Shun put you in such a disadvantageous position?" — the Han Kingdom's envoy was among the first to ask. He seemed quite surprised.
It was a young man in white robes. He spoke with considerable disdain. Among all the envoys, he was the youngest, and thus, he appeared to be the most refined.
Everyone understood his demeanor. After all, the Han Kingdom had recently seized a province from the Yan Kingdom, and tensions between the two kingdoms were strained. It would have been strange if he had treated the Yan Kingdom's envoy well.
Song Lun replied indifferently: "You are still but a lad. I am old enough to be your father. How can the Han Kingdom send such envoys? You should address me as Uncle."
Zhuge Xiong chuckled in response:
"So, among envoys, everything is measured by age? Then, if the Han Kingdom sends a centenarian elder, must you call him grandfather? My apologies, then."
The Song Kingdom's envoy, an aged man standing nearby, stroked his mustache and beard and remarked:
"How can a mere stripling serve as an envoy?"
He wasn't exactly helping Song Lun. It was simply that the Song Kingdom bordered the Han Kingdom, and their relations were also far from ideal. Thus, this young man irritated him as well.
The envoys from the Jin, Wei, and Qi Kingdoms — Chu Xiang Yu, Sui Pai, and Zuo An Nian — stood to the side, simply smiling and observing the unfolding scene.
There was nothing to be done. The Yan, Zhao, Han, and Song Kingdoms shared borders and often engaged in disputes. Only the Jin, Wei, and Qi Kingdoms were relatively distant from the others.
Generally speaking, all these envoys had come for Hai Ru Yue's birthday not merely to congratulate her, but also to sow discord between her and her brother, Emperor Hai Wu Ji.
Song Lun had little desire to argue with them, so he waved his hand, turned, and left.
Upon returning to his residence, his expression immediately darkened, and he issued commands:
"Go and find out what connections Niu You Dao has with Qingzhou!"
Meanwhile, at the provincial ruler's palace, Zhu Shun had already led his people back. He sent Yuan Fang to wash up and tend to his wounds. Given the recent events, it was not the best time to attend to Xiao Tian Cheng, much less to visit Hai Ru Yue.
When no outsiders remained in the room, Yuan Fang whispered:
"Lord Dao, I revealed nothing beyond your stay at Fuling Inn."
Niu You Dao smiled: "No need to explain. I trust you!"
...Yuan Fang froze. He was once again deeply moved.
No one realized that Niu You Dao already knew Yuan Fang had said nothing. For if Yuan Fang had divulged anything, Song Lun surely would not have handed him over.
"Just now, circumstances spiraled out of control. I had to act according to the situation to save you...." Niu You Dao recounted everything that had transpired when he rescued Yuan Fang.
"Ah!" — Yuan Fang exclaimed in alarm: "Lord Dao, how can I accept this?"
Niu You Dao calmly replied:
"You don't need to heal. Just do what is necessary and keep your mouth shut. I will handle the rest."