Chapter 20: Not Knowing One's Place

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One-touch audiobook.

“The scout you sent out, was he killed on the spot?” He thought for a moment, “That demon harrier has been with Ah Hao for many years. It always perched on his shoulder. I even fed it myself.”

“It was tortured to death.” Hearing his father call the demon harrier a “scout,” He Lingchuan felt greatly relieved. This meant it wouldn’t just be treated as a small monster. “Nian Songyu and Grand Advisor Sun must have learned from it that I sent it.”

He couldn't fight alone; he had to remember that his father was his solid backing.

If his powerful father, who held office, couldn't handle it, then he certainly couldn't.

He Chunhua, however, said lightly, “It’s just a harrier; what’s the big deal if it’s dead?” He picked up his brush and continued writing.

He Lingchuan was startled. “Father!”

He hadn't expected He Chunhua’s reaction and quickly tried to persuade him:

“They clearly have a favor to ask of the He Manor, they clearly knew that Little Ash was sent by me, and they clearly knew this was just a minor misunderstanding, yet they crushed it to death with a single grip!”

He lightly thumped the table, and the ‘four treasures of the study’ all bounced. “Father, these two men don’t put our family in their eyes at all. They think they can mold us however they want, twist us into any shape, and they expect us to bow down and work for them without uttering a sound!”

“Sun Fuping is a Grand Advisor favored by imperial grace, while I am merely a prefect in a remote, barbaric land. This is a world of difference. Normally, he could mold me however he wants, twist me into any shape, and then crush me with his pinky. How else would you have such a strict hierarchy?” He Chunhua smiled despite himself. “You’ve been too comfortable in Blackwater City for too long; you don’t know your place or how things truly are!”

As he spoke the last few words, his tone became chilling.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't resentful; the other party truly looked down on them.

We crushed your scout, and you still have to work for us, even die for us!

Yes, that’s how superior they felt.

But a higher rank can crush someone, and Grand Advisor Sun had come bearing a royal decree. What could Prefect He do?

He Lingchuan protested, “But Uncle Hao…”

“Those who are subordinate must accept their fate!” He Chunhua frowned. “Is he still brooding?” He’s already decades old.

He Lingchuan decisively changed the subject: “You also said, that’s *normally*!”

“Stop complaining, stop being clever, and start thinking of solutions.” He Chunhua dropped his brush and stood up, flicking his elder son on the forehead. “However, we can’t always be passive. This is still the He family’s territory after all. Tell me, how do you plan to respond?”

“It would be better to let the second brother come up with ideas; he’s full of tricky schemes. But as I see it—” He Lingchuan sneered, “Even if we ultimately have to do their bidding, there’s no harm in using a delaying tactic first to curb their arrogance. Besides ourselves, who knows the exact whereabouts of Sha Bao’s relics? Furthermore, they killed our person… well, a monster. Shouldn’t there be a price?”

“A price?” He Chunhua cracked a smile, feeling that these words resonated with him. “You have a point.”

His elder son had matured; he felt a little pleased.

“Oh, right, what about those two guards from Donglai Prefecture?” He Lingchuan knew that He Chunhua had originally intended to let them go.

“Hold them,” He Chunhua said just as lightly. “We’ll talk about it in a few days; they don’t care anyway.”

Nian Songyu and Grand Advisor Sun were concerned about the whereabouts of the token, and Donglai Prefecture cared about the Great Square Cauldron; the guards themselves were irrelevant.

At the banquet that evening, both sides chatted and laughed merrily, and both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves.

Emboldened by the alcohol, He Chunhua practically thumped his chest and guaranteed that he would find the pass for the Coiled Dragon Desert.

Then, twenty hours passed.

Nian Songyu, of course, felt like an eternity had passed and urged him once. He Chunhua admitted he had found nothing but guaranteed again that he would go all out.

This time, he sent men into Blackwater City, pretending to put up notices and search the entire city.

Their attitude was excellent, but their efficiency was abysmal.

Naturally, such a search would yield no results.

The He family’s advantage was time; they were not in a hurry.

The esteemed Grand Advisor finally couldn’t sit still and paid a visit with Nian Songyu. Unfortunately, Prefect He was out, so his second son, He Yue, received them.

Both men’s eyes lit up upon seeing He Yue, and they showered him with praise. Nian Songyu, especially, after chatting with He Yue for a few moments, felt as if they had known each other for ages, even blurting out, “We’re of similar age; we should communicate more in the future.”

He Lingchuan grudgingly took a sip of tea. When it came to age, weren’t he and Nian Songyu closer? How could this guy shamelessly say that? His second brother always had a good appearance and was generally more likable than him, but wasn't their behavior a bit exaggerated?

He Yue was reciting official platitudes as his father had instructed: “The entire Blackwater City has been mobilized, but as the Red Cliff trade route is about to close, the flow of visitors has greatly increased, a mix of all sorts of people, which has added much difficulty to our search efforts.”

He Lingchuan, fearing his second brother would be taken advantage of, sat by his side accompanying him. He watched the young man, whose appearance was exceedingly sincere yet in reality was impenetrable, just like his father He Chunhua.

Nian Songyu lost patience and couldn’t be bothered with pleasantries anymore. “Then close the city gates and search! This matter concerns the fate of the nation; what’s the big deal if the city is closed for a few days?”

“That won’t do,” He Yue smiled wryly. “The delegation from Baling Kingdom will arrive in Blackwater City in the next two days and then return west from here. This is their last chance to return home this year. If delayed, it could cause serious misunderstandings between our two countries!”

He paused. “The Baling Kingdom has been eyeing Great Yuan covetously, and there have been many border skirmishes. They’re just looking for an excuse.”

Nian Songyu laughed in anger. “So you’re saying Blackwater City cannot be closed, or closing it would trigger border conflict?”

“Highly likely!” He Yue said firmly. “Qiansong Commandery cannot afford that!”

Sun Fuping couldn’t stand their bickering and wasted time, so he cut straight to the chase. “I heard that the First Young Master He was injured and secluded himself for recovery for forty or fifty days?”

“Yes, it nearly cost me my life.” He Lingchuan had been drinking tea for a while, and the topic finally shifted to him. He pulled open his collar, revealing the wound on his neck. “Look.”

At that time, Sha Bao had bitten fiercely into his neck. Although the wound had healed, it left a hideous, torn scar, showing how critical the situation was that day.

Nian Songyu stared at the scar. “How did you get this injury?”

“I got this when I went to Gourd Mountain…” He Lingchuan paused as if startled. “Oh, where did Captain Nian hear that I was gravely injured? Not many people knew about it.”

Nian Songyu said without thinking, “My subordinates found out. As you said, there are too many people in Blackwater City, and news travels fast.”

“These sons of bitches dare to spread rumors about me?” He Lingchuan indignantly put down his cup. “Specifically, who? Captain Nian, tell me, I will definitely not let him off!”

Nian Songyu fell silent, his gaze growing even sharper.

That feeling of sharp needles pricking his face returned, and He Lingchuan glared back, unwilling to show weakness.

A staring contest? He never backed down.