Finest Servant

Chapter 481 Something Unusual

Gu Bingyan had long heard of Lin San's eloquence and cunning. Seeing Lin San's sinister smile, he instantly calmed down. He snorted and said coldly, "Lord Lin, your arrival is timely. Do you recognize General Xu Zhen, the commander of the city's defense? He trespassed into the royal mansion and even broke into the inner residence. I suspect he has ulterior motives and was about to send him to the Ministry of War for investigation."

Lin Wanrong glanced at Xu Zhen and chuckled, "You mean this General Xu? I know him, know him well, in fact. We've fought together."

Gu Bingyan snorted disdainfully, "I suspect it's more than just having fought together. If I remember correctly, General Xu Zhen followed you during the campaign against the White Lotus sect. He was among the top commanders under you, as reported by Minister Xu Wei of the Ministry of Revenue to His Majesty. Am I wrong, Lord Lin?"

Lin Wanrong looked at him, feigning surprise, and laughed heartily, "Oh, is that so? My, if you hadn't reminded me, I would've forgotten. As you know, I've always been indifferent to fame and fortune. It's you, Mr. Gu, who remembers even my minor achievements, and for that, I am truly embarrassed."

As the two spoke, the tension between them intensified. Behind Gu Bingyan, a hundred strong men armed with sharp weapons subtly shifted their stance. Xu Zhen, not one to be underestimated, subtly signaled, and a group of Divine Mechanism Unit soldiers advanced, their rapid-firing crossbows aimed squarely at those in front, gleaming darkly.

Seeing Lin San's evasive words, Gu Bingyan gave a cold laugh and declared loudly, "Lord Lin, today is not the day to discuss military achievements. This is a residence bestowed by the late Emperor, a place where his royal descendants reside. It holds a lofty status. You not only condoned your soldiers trespassing into the royal mansion at night and breaking into the inner residence, but you also engaged in violence and arson. What exactly are you plotting? If you don't explain yourself clearly today, no matter who you are, I will report you to the Imperial Palace and ask His Majesty to administer justice!"

Gu Bingyan was indeed a tough opponent; he had just accused Lin San of several severe crimes in a few sentences. Anyone less courageous would have probably retreated in fear by now.

"Report me?" Lin Wanrong put on an innocent face, spreading his hands, "Mr. Gu, what are you accusing me of? Condoning my subordinates to trespass into the royal mansion at night? That hardly makes sense."

"What doesn't make sense? Isn't Xu Zhen under your command?" Gu Bingyan snapped, visibly frustrated.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Xu Zhen was indeed under me—ah, no, let me correct myself. He was under me in the past. Mr. Gu, you seem to know a lot about me, so you should also know that I am now the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a minor position. As for General Xu, he has been promoted to the commander of the city's defense. His direct superior should be the high-ranking officials in the Ministry of War, not me. To say he is my subordinate is truly an overestimation. As for the charges of condoning my subordinates to trespass into the royal mansion, ah, I'm a timid man, Mr. Gu, please don't scare me like that."

He spoke with ease. With a few words, he had managed to absolve himself completely, leaving no room for others to pin anything on him. Gu Bingyan pondered his words. Indeed, Xu Zhen was no longer under Lin San's command; based on this point alone, he could not be accused. However, he was still dissatisfied, snorting coldly, "Even if Xu Zhen was not assigned by you, how do you explain assaulting someone in the royal mansion, or even attempted arson?"

"Attempted arson?!" Lin Wanrong's face paled in shock. "One can eat indiscriminately, but one mustn't speak carelessly. Mr. Gu, you accuse me of arson, but with what eyes did you see it?"

"This—" Gu Bingyan hesitated momentarily, then snorted, "What a coincidence it is that just as the palace caught fire, you happened to break in. If you say you're not involved, who would believe it?"

Lin Wanrong smiled faintly, leisurely asking, "So these are all your speculations?"

"What of it?" Gu Bingyan saw the contempt in Lin San's eyes and became enraged.

Lin Wanrong burst into hearty laughter, then abruptly stopped, slapping his palm heavily onto his wheelchair. "Mr. Gu likes to speculate? Then allow me to follow suit. Are you saying that it was your idea to plant explosives in the Xiao Mansion to harm me?"

His words were like a bolt of lightning, making everyone's ears buzz. Xu Zhen's soldiers, whom he had brought from Shandong, were instantly stirred into a passionate uproar. "Kill him—"

"Chop this scoundrel—"

"Avenge General Lin—"

"You—what did you say?" Gu Bingyan's face turned ashen. He unconsciously took a step back, "You can't falsely accuse me!"

To sneak explosives into a lantern and have them brought back to the Xiao family was a truly ingenious scheme. If it weren't for several advisors, Prince Cheng would never have thought of it. Seeing Gu's eyes flicker and recalling his astonished expression when they first met, Lin Wanrong gritted his teeth and chuckled coldly, "Falsely accuse? Mr. Gu, who did what is clear to the doer. You can speculate about me, but can't I speculate about you? What a joke!" ɽ

Faced with Lin San's predatory gaze and recalling various rumors about him, Gu Bingyan felt a tinge of fear and snorted softly, lowering his head.

Lin Wanrong gave Xu Zhen a knowing look. Xu Zhen nodded slightly and shouted, "Brothers, charge with me—"

A thousand soldiers roared in unison, brandishing their weapons and rushing towards the crowd on the other side. Gu Bingyan's face turned pale, angrily shouting, "This is a crucial area of the royal palace. Whoever dares to trespass will be accused of rebellion. General Lin, you've seen it; Xu Zhen is assaulting the royal mansion. You'll be my witness on the Imperial Throne tomorrow."

"An assault, you say? Oh, I must testify then." Lin Wanrong laughed. Turning to Xu Zhen, he said, "General Xu, Mr. Gu says you assaulted the royal mansion. Is this true?"

"General Lin, please consider the facts carefully." Xu Zhen saluted with a clenched fist and spoke solemnly, "As the Commander of the City Defense, it is my duty to maintain stability within the capital. Tonight, while I was patrolling the city, I heard that the royal residence was on fire. I immediately rushed here with troops to provide aid. However, to my surprise, Mister Gu here not only obstructed us but also gathered his own forces, brandishing weapons and confronting my official army. I suspect that he harbors malicious intentions and that the prince might already be in his grasp—"

"You're talking nonsense!" Gu Bingyan angrily pointed his finger at Xu Zhen's nose.

"Who is talking nonsense will be clear by tomorrow," Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Mister Gu, you accused General Xu of attacking the royal residence, but I disagree. Ensuring the safety of the capital and maintaining stability are the primary responsibilities of the City Defense Commander. The royal residence is an important place in the city and should be a focal point for defense. If General Xu had ignored the fire at the royal residence, he would be the one neglecting his duties. Therefore, your accusation is baseless. General Xu is dutiful and should be commended. General Xu, please proceed with the firefighting efforts, otherwise, we may have bigger problems."

"Yes!" Xu Zhen smirked, ready to give orders when Gu Bingyan stretched out both arms, standing in front of everyone and shouting, "Hold on—"

"Mister Gu, could it be that you started this fire?" Flames roared, already reaching the inner chambers as the sound of collapsing beams and walls continued to ring. Lin Wanrong spoke with a deceiving smile, "Otherwise, why would you keep stopping General Xu from putting it out?"

"We don't need him to put out this fire!" Gu Bingyan roared, "My royal residence has its own methods for firefighting."

"Is that so?" Lin Wanrong smirked, "Mister Gu, may I ask what your role is within the royal residence?"

Gu Bingyan hesitated. Though he held no official position, he was widely respected and feared. Lin Wanrong feigned ignorance, leaving Gu Bingyan speechless. Finally, Gu Bingyan said, "I am a close friend of the prince—"

"So, you are a guest minister," Lin Wanrong interrupted, speaking indifferently, "The safety of the royal residence concerns the future of our nation. The City Defense cannot and dare not ignore it. Neither the prince nor the young prince have spoken, yet you, a mere guest minister, are giving orders and obstructing the firefighting efforts. What are your intentions?"

Flustered and unable to outwit Lin Wanrong, Gu Bingyan shouted in frustration, "Lin San, how dare you disrespect me! My father is a mentor to both the Emperor and the Prince. I've grown up with them; we are as close as brothers—"

"What is your official position?" Lin Wanrong interrupted, coldly smiling.

Gu Bingyan was furious, "I don't need an official position—"

"How dare you!" Before he could finish, Lin Wanrong interrupted with a shout, "You audacious commoner! Holding no official position, ignorant of state affairs, yet you dare to incite armed resistance and obstruct an official from performing his duties. Your audacity is truly unbearable! General Xu, the Princess is here with me today. Go ahead and perform your duties boldly. I'd like to see who dares to stop you!"

"By your command!" Xu Zhen's face instantly turned cold as he shouted loudly, "All soldiers listen up! Quickly enter the mansion and put out the fire. Should anyone obstruct the execution of official duties, treat them as violently resisting the law, akin to committing treason. Show no mercy!"

"Show no mercy!" A thousand soldiers roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

"Who dares?!" Gu Bingyan, his eyes red with desperation, stood firm before the crowd. Behind him, a hundred burly men were ready to move. Xu Zhen sneered and with a swift wave of his hand, the Divine Machine Unit launched their repeating crossbows in unison. These crossbows had been modified by Xu Zhiqing to shoot three or five bolts in quick succession, each with astonishing force and unparalleled power. These royal mansion guards might have been well-trained, but they were no match for battle-hardened elite soldiers, especially the archers of the Divine Machine Unit, carefully chosen by Xu Zhen, whose arrows never missed their mark.

Amidst a shower of arrows, screams rang out incessantly. In the blink of an eye, over a dozen royal mansion guards behind Gu Bingyan had been hit by arrows. Whether struck in the neck or chest, their crimson blood gushed out, staining the garden red.

Gu Bingyan was flustered and exasperated, never having witnessed such a brutal slaughter before. Frightened, he collapsed to the ground, his face as pale as paper. Trembling, he raised his head, "Lin San, you... you have a lot of nerve! I will report you, I will tell the Emperor!"

In the heat of the moment, no one was paying attention to what he was saying. Xu Zhen's elite soldiers rushed in, clashing with the remaining guards. The royal mansion garden was expansive and the royal mansion guards had the advantage of superior martial arts skills and familiarity with the terrain. The official army excelled in disciplined training and tactical formations, and with the support of their expert archers, the sounds of killing filled the air as flames and bloodshed lit up the chaotic scene.

Lin Wanrong furrowed his brows. Such slaughter was costly and ultimately pointless; those who could have fled had already done so.

He whispered a few words into Qin Xian'er's ear. She nodded and spoke in a soft yet commanding voice, "Everyone in the royal mansion, listen! General Xu is here on official duty. Resisting him is the same as resisting the imperial army, and resisting the court. This is treason, a crime punishable by death and the extermination of nine generations of one's family! I, under the name of Princess Nishang, command you to lay down your weapons. Considering that you may have been misled or even be completely unaware, I can plead for leniency on your behalf. Anyone who continues to resist will be deemed a traitor, subject to death and the extermination of their family. Think carefully!"

Qin Xian'er was no ordinary person; many in the royal mansion recognized her. Having a princess here represented the will of the Emperor. To continue resisting her would mean committing treason, even if they were in the right. Understanding this, the remaining guards' resistance gradually weakened.

The soldiers' spirits lifted, their formations tightened, quickly capturing the remaining guards. Lin Wanrong nodded at Miss Qin, who then ordered the ropes binding the captured individuals to be untied. She spoke softly, "I keep my word. You are free to go! Just remember never to commit unjust acts in the future."

The captured guards, numbering around forty or fifty, initially assumed that although they might escape execution, imprisonment was inevitable. To their surprise, Princess Nishang graciously set them free herself. Confused, they glanced at each other, uncertain of how to react. A few of the braver ones cautiously moved toward the door. Seeing that both the princess and Master Lin paid them no mind, as if they were invisible, they felt a sudden surge of confidence and bolted. Within moments, all the captured guards had vanished without a trace.

Qin Xian'er looked at Lin Wanrong and smiled, "Husband, your strategy really worked wonders. Had I known, I would have shouted earlier, sparing your men some casualties."

"Darling, if you had shouted earlier, it wouldn't have been convincing," Lin Wanrong playfully caressed her cheek, "Ah, your skin is getting smoother. Let your husband touch it some more!" He was entirely unserious, a mysterious smile on his face.

Gu Bingyan collapsed on the ground, speechless. No matter what, he couldn't have predicted that a massive conflict would end like this. It was as if the collapse of a tree had sent the monkeys scattering. Lin Wanrong's tactics were truly unfathomable.

"Lin Wanrong, I will report you to the Emperor," Gu Bingyan's face flushed with rage as he struggled to his feet.

"You're more than welcome to," Lin Wanrong grinned, "By the way, Mr. Gu, you might want to bring the prince along when you go to the Imperial Throne. Otherwise, with your obstruction of official duty, calling you a troublemaker would be putting it lightly. Accusing you of treason—well, your father wouldn't be pleased, would he?"

"You, you—" In a battle of words, no one could match Lin Wanrong. Gu Bingyan was choked silent, his face turning pale, nearly gasping for breath.

Xu Zhen emerged from the inner residence, his face serious, and shook his head slowly at Lin Wanrong, indicating that they had found nothing. Although Lin Wanrong had expected this outcome, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. The cunning Prince Cheng had emptied the residence in advance. If he had escaped, the empire would never know peace.

The air was filled with the acrid smells of gunpowder and dust. Soldiers were busy using water hoses to extinguish the flames. Xu Zhen had sent a dozen more to clean the garden battlefield. The crimson stains of blood had seeped into the soil, and the garden was in ruins, its beauty lost.

All the servants and maids, along with Gu Bingyan, were detained in the garden. A few soldiers with shovels started digging beneath a large tree nearby, burying various remnants and blood stains, a sight that made everyone's hearts quiver.

"What's this?" A soldier unearthed something while they were covering up the stains. As they lifted the soil, a glint of golden fabric was revealed beneath the tree. Though it was just a corner, it shimmered brilliantly under the lamplight.

The garden's servants and maids were gathered around the area. When they saw the soldiers dig up this object, their faces filled with astonishment. Those with keen senses immediately changed their expressions, and a buzzing sound filled the garden as people whispered amongst themselves, tension rising. Gu Bingyan, hearing the commotion and casting an inadvertent glance, turned as white as a sheet when he saw what it was.

"What is the commotion?" Lin Wanrong asked, furrowing his brow.

Xu Zhen rushed over, falling to his knees in a state of panic. "Report, report to Lord Lin, something unusual has been found under the large tree over there."

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