Chapter 165
Chapter 165: Unconscious
Lotus ponds wound gently beneath curved bridges, and grand pavilions rose proudly amidst gardens bathed in lantern glow. Young masters in lavish robes waved their fans, reciting poetry, while noble young misses with jeweled hairpins moved gracefully among the blossoms. Beneath the soft curtain of night, hundreds of lanterns glittered like stars, their gentle glow accompanied by the melodious strumming of zithers and the ringing of silver spoons against delicate cups.
Hu Rui An and his two companions paused just beyond the corridor bridge. The gatekeeper who had guided them hurried onward, making his way swiftly towards a lively crowd.
Soon, he reached the side of a young master dressed in luxurious purple silk robes. Leaning forward respectfully, the gatekeeper whispered softly into his ear.
The young master in purple turned slightly, eyes narrowing as he glanced briefly toward Hu Rui An and his companions. After a moment, he nodded lightly and murmured something.
Hearing the reply, the gatekeeper promptly bowed, withdrew respectfully, and returned quickly to Hu Rui An, head lowered as he spoke. “Our young master invites Lord Hu to speak with him.”
Hu Rui An frowned slightly, his expression growing chilly. He spoke in a cold voice. “I came here specifically to see Deputy Commander Mei. If Lord Mei isn’t present, then I have no reason to speak with anyone else.”
After speaking, he turned as if to leave. However, the gatekeeper quickly interjected, “My lord is ill, and recently all family matters have been entrusted to the young master. Young master instructed me clearly that any matter you have, Lord Hu, can be discussed directly with him.”
Hu Rui An paused mid-step, visibly startled by this revelation. He turned back, asking carefully, “Lord Mei is ill? When did this happen?”
“About a month ago,” the gatekeeper replied, keeping his eyes respectfully lowered. “My lord was exhausted by matters of the Heavenly Brocade Guard and unfortunately fell ill from a chill.”
Though the servant spoke convincingly, Hu Rui An did not believe his words. A powerful martial artist of the Heavenly Union Realm falling gravely ill from a mere chill seemed impossible. Either Mei Yan was using illness as an excuse, or something else was wrong. The true reason certainly wasn’t so trivial as catching a cold.
Suddenly, a thought stirred in Hu Rui An’s heart.
A month ago was precisely when the haunting occurred within the Heavenly Brocade Guard. Perhaps Mei Yan had become entangled in this matter as well?
Hu Rui An pondered quietly for a moment, then finally chose to stay and meet the Mei family’s young master.
But what Hu Rui An hadn’t expected was that, when he did meet Mei Yan Yu, the young master immediately brought up why Sheng Province’s Heavenly Brocade Guard hadn’t departed for Lan Province.
“Lord Hu, I assure you, it’s not that my father refuses to obey orders,” Mei Yan Yu explained helplessly, pouring a cup of wine. “A month ago, the Prefecture City Heavenly Brocade Guard encountered a ghostly incident. Many guards died, and even my father suffered serious injuries.”
“Since receiving the commander’s orders, my father has tried hard to prepare, but due to his injuries, he’s unable to command Sheng Province’s Heavenly Brocade Guard.”
“That leaves this heavy burden upon me. But my abilities are limited, and the Pacification Commissioners across Sheng Province do not fully acknowledge me, making matters very difficult. This is why we’ve delayed until now.”
Listening silently to Mei Yan Yu’s explanation, Hu Rui An kept his expression neutral but didn’t believe a word. Glancing briefly at the untouched cup of wine before him, he said calmly, “I’ve also heard about the haunting within the Heavenly Brocade Guard. But tell me, how severe is Lord Mei’s injury now?”
“If possible, perhaps I could visit Lord Mei myself. Maybe I can offer some help?”
Mei Yan Yu took another sip of wine, then slowly shook his head. “Thank you for your kindness, Lord Hu. My father’s physical injuries are mostly healed, but his soul is gravely damaged. For several days now, he’s been unconscious and unable to receive guests.”
He bowed apologetically, but Hu Rui An waved a dismissive hand. Still, a glint of suspicion flashed through his eyes.
An unconscious state made an excellent excuse. Now, even if he demanded to see Mei Yan, it would be useless. What could he possibly gain from a man unable to awaken?
After some thought, Hu Rui An looked directly at Mei Yan Yu. “Frankly, we just came from the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s manor and personally encountered a ghost. Perhaps young master Mei can share more about this incident?”
At these words, Mei Yan Yu’s expression changed visibly. He examined Hu Rui An and the two men standing behind him, Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, and asked strangely, “Lord Hu, surely you aren’t joking with me? Did you truly see the ghost within the Heavenly Brocade Guard?”
Hu Rui An merely nodded lightly without further explanation.
Mei Yan Yu remained silent for a moment, observing Hu Rui An’s face as if searching for a lie. After a pause, he turned his gaze toward the garden, still bustling with carefree young masters and ladies, and sighed softly, “To be honest, I’d rather you were deceiving me…”
He trailed off, then suddenly turned back, his eyes narrowed. “Because if you’re not, Lord Hu, I fear none of you will live to see tomorrow!”
Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong paled immediately upon hearing this threat. Hu Rui An, however, appeared calm and coldly replied, “I don’t believe it’s that hopeless. Since Lord Mei survived the haunting, we might manage as well.”
Mei Yan Yu shook his head again, poured himself another cup of wine, and cast a sidelong glance at Hu Rui An. “Lord Hu, perhaps you’re unaware. The reason my father survived the ghost’s attack was mostly due to my mother. If not for her…”
Mei Yan Yu’s voice faded away quietly without finishing his thought.
Hearing this, Hu Rui An’s face shifted slightly. Mei Yan’s position vastly exceeded his own for two primary reasons. First, Mei Yan’s sister was none other than the queen herself, making him the esteemed uncle of the emperor. Even the commander himself had to offer Mei Yan some respect.
Second, Mei Yan’s wife was Madam Mu Qing Xia, famed as “Madam Yun Ni” throughout the Martial World. Her technique, the Rainbow Divine Art, was renowned for its dazzling elegance and unpredictable power. Madam Yun Ni once traveled widely across the Martial World, respected and unmatched in her prowess. More importantly, she was the beloved daughter of Mu Tian Xing, the Martial Saint of Yu Ming Mountain.
The status of Martial Saint Mu Tian Xing was legendary, and Mei Yan, as his son-in-law, enjoyed enormous prestige within the Martial World. Mei Yan Yu’s mention of his mother naturally referred to Madam Yun Ni herself.
Indeed, if Madam Yun Ni was involved, Hu Rui An could hardly match Mei Yan.
Seeing Hu Rui An’s reaction, Mei Yan Yu’s eyes sparkled momentarily with amusement, though he carefully concealed it. He calmly concluded, “I’ve told you all I can, Lord Hu. Whether or not you choose to believe me is entirely up to you.”
As he spoke, he paused briefly before adding, “Of course, if Lord Hu feels frightened at this moment, you are welcome to stay temporarily at Mei Residence. Though I cannot help you deal with those ghostly apparitions, surely Mei Residence would be safer than any other place in Prefecture City.”
Hearing this, Hu Rui An steadied the turmoil within his heart, and his gaze fell quietly upon Mei Yan Yu. Suddenly, an image appeared in his mind, and he found himself strangely calm once more. In a deep voice, he replied, “Thank you, Young Master Mei, for your generous offer, but we won’t be needing it.”
Mei Yan Yu stared thoughtfully at Hu Rui An, surprise flickering in his eyes, seemingly puzzled by the source of Hu Rui An’s confidence. But Hu Rui An had no intention of explaining himself. Instead, he swiftly changed the subject. “Returning to our main matter—though I deeply regret Mei Lord’s grave injury and unconsciousness, orders from the Commander must be obeyed.”
“Sheng Province borders Lan Province, and you still have some time. But I have only one mission entrusted to me by His Highness the Eighth Prince: to mobilize the Heavenly Brocade Guard of Sheng Province and dispatch them to Lan Province.”
His gaze sharpened as he continued, “If Mei Lord cannot fulfill this command, then I must personally take control of the Heavenly Brocade Guard in Sheng Province. Upon my departure, the Commander handed me a personally signed order—any who resist this command shall be executed without mercy!”
“Thus, tonight, I request that Young Master Mei clearly inform me whether the Heavenly Brocade Guard of Sheng Province can be dispatched to Lan Province within two days.”
Mei Yan Yu paused slightly, narrowing his eyes. Rather than directly answering Hu Rui An’s question, he remarked unexpectedly, “So Lord Hu is traveling alongside the newly recognized Eighth Prince. That, I truly didn’t foresee.”
Ever since Li Mu Sheng’s identity was officially recognized, news of Great Li gaining an Eighth Prince had rapidly spread through the realm by swift messengers, even reaching spies in neighboring nations. Indeed, Mei Yan Yu had long been aware of this matter. Yet he had not expected that this Eighth Prince, barely recognized and without a firm foothold in the Imperial Capital, would so swiftly involve himself in the affairs of the Heavenly Brocade Guard.
“Lord Hu, might I ask where exactly His Highness the Eighth Prince is at present?” Mei Yan Yu inquired, watching Hu Rui An closely.
Hu Rui An gave him a sharp glance and replied, “Young Master Mei, please do not try to change the subject. With your Mei Family’s strength in Sheng Province Prefecture City, finding out our whereabouts should be a simple task. Now, please first answer my earlier question.”
Mei Yan Yu’s expression remained composed. After a moment’s silence, he cupped his hands politely and replied, “This matter is not something I can decide alone. I must first discuss it with my mother and the other lords of the Heavenly Brocade Guard. Why don’t I personally give Lord Hu a reply tomorrow?”
Though surprise flashed briefly in Hu Rui An’s eyes, he did not reject the suggestion. Instead, he nodded seriously and replied, “Very well.”
He stood, clearly not intending to linger. Just as he was about to leave with Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, Hu Rui An suddenly turned back, locking eyes firmly with Mei Yan Yu.
“I shall remind Young Master Mei—this matter involving Lan Province is of great importance. I advise your family to proceed carefully!”
With that, he departed, leading Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong down the path from whence they’d come, disappearing swiftly from Mei Yan Yu’s sight.
The young master of the Mei Family simply gazed quietly in the direction they had left, continuing to drink his wine without uttering a word.
Before long, Mei Yan Yu seemed to sense something. Turning suddenly, he saw an elderly man sitting quietly at his table, unnoticed until now. Had Hu Rui An been present, he would have recognized the elder immediately—the same old man who had previously pushed a cart filled with tea sacks.
“Elder Mu, you’ve returned?” Mei Yan Yu rose naturally, pouring a fresh cup of wine for the elder. “Is there any news from the Heavenly Brocade Guard office?”
The old man shook his head slightly, sipping his wine before answering, “Only encountered three unfortunate souls.”
At these words, Mei Yan Yu’s eyes flickered briefly but he said nothing more, as if the fates of those already doomed held no interest for further discussion.
…
After leaving Mei Residence, Hu Rui An, who had initially intended to visit the Zhu Clan and Provincial Governor Zhu Zi Ming, suddenly lost all interest.
“Forget it, we’re returning to Murong Manor,” Hu Rui An called to Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, urging his horse forward.
Quickly, the two men followed. “My lord, we only have two days,” Wu Shang voiced his puzzlement openly. “Why did you agree to the Mei Family young master’s request?”
Before Hu Rui An could reply, Cheng Zhong, riding beside him, frowned slightly. “It seemed to me that Young Master Mei fully expects that none of us will survive past tomorrow.”
Hearing this, Hu Rui An glanced back at Cheng Zhong. “Indeed, that is exactly his expectation. Whether or not we survive tomorrow will determine the outcome of our entire mission.”
Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong exchanged confused glances, clearly unsure what Hu Rui An meant.
Seeing their confusion, Hu Rui An explained clearly, “From what I’ve observed, Mei Yan’s serious injury due to the ghostly hauntings seems genuine. Otherwise, Young Master Mei wouldn’t be so certain of our demise by tomorrow.”
“As for why he won’t dispatch the Heavenly Brocade Guard to Lan Province, I don’t believe it’s simply defiance. Given the Commander’s and Great Li’s authority, no Pacification Commissioner would dare openly disobey a direct order unless there were deeper complications.”
“Therefore, I suspect there is another hidden truth behind all this—and it may have something to do with these ghostly occurrences among the Heavenly Brocade Guard.”
At this point, Hu Rui An ceased speaking, clearly placing his hopes on uncovering the truth behind the haunting of the Heavenly Brocade Guard. To uncover that truth, he first needed to survive tomorrow.
Previously, he might have felt confident, but now—after witnessing the ghostly shadows and eerie laughter at the Heavenly Brocade Guard mansion and learning of Mei Yan’s condition from Mei Yan Yu—his confidence was thoroughly shaken.
Yet even if he lacked the ability himself, it did not mean there was no one capable of handling such matters. Although Hu Rui An did not have the benefit of Mei Yan’s marriage into a family boasting a daughter who was a Martial Saint, he did have Li Mu Sheng, a prince powerful enough to punch Shen Jue Sheng clear across a room.
His Highness the Eighth Prince might dislike dealing with tedious affairs, but what if trouble came directly to him?
“Hmm… surely His Highness wouldn’t just stand by and watch me get strangled by a ghost?”
Facing the moment of truth, Hu Rui An felt slightly uncertain.
Returning swiftly with Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong to Murong Manor, he headed straight to his quarters without stopping, readying himself for whatever awaited.