PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 98.1

An Ruochen retreated into the room, looking around in contemplation.

Meng Jiayue was surprised and said, ”Are you suspecting something, Miss An? Although I also don’t believe that Mr. Huo would kill himself, that’s just the way the facts stand. If there’s any mistake in the middle, one or two people can hide it, but with hundreds of people here staring at it, how could they possibly hide it?”

“Madam is right.” An Ruochen chimed in but added, “That makes things even more odd.”

Meng Jiayue froze there for half a day, picking up the sword and storing it away, unable to hide her sadness, “I’m the one who caused him harm. If I didn’t give this sword back to him, perhaps he wouldn’t have died.”

Indeed, it was disheartening that the person who wanted to seek peace for the people and the Emperor used his own ‘Sword of Peace’ to cut his throat, but An Ruochen couldn’t believe it. How is it possible? This was Mr. Huo, ah! The same Mr. Huo that everyone admired and praised! After so many storms and ups and downs, seeing who knows how many dangerous fights, if he wished, he may have chosen not to come to the Great Xiao. But he came and voluntarily set out on the journey to the capital to face the Emperor to express his feelings.

An Ruochen looked toward the desk. The Governor was very considerate. Although this courtyard was not big, all the supplies were complete, and all the writing equipment prepared was new. Mr. Huo used this equipment to write the last letter.

An Ruochen carefully examined things on the table and looked everywhere in the room but did not find anything special.

It could only have been a suicide. Otherwise, how could the assassin have given Mr. Huo enough time to grind his ink to write a suicide note? What’s more, no one saw the killer.

An Ruochen stood stiffly in that room, smelling the disgusting odor of blood, her heart filled with grief and helplessness. Why is it that every time she sees hope, she makes mistakes? But in the end, where did it go wrong? She was not willing to admit it. She was really unconvinced!

When Meng Jiayue looked at An Ruochen’s behavior, she felt hopeless. There was no way out. The person was dead in Zhonglan City’s Governor’s mansion. Meng Jiayue hugged An Ruochen and sobbed sadly.

Yao Kun’s mood could be described as shocked, full of grief and panic. Huo Mingshan’s death shattered all previous plans! It was like a heavy thunderbolt! He has already sent out the reports and paperwork of the envoy caravan through the counties. Not only the whole of Great Xiao but the whole world was aware that Huo Mingshan was here, ready to leave in his splendor, but then suddenly killed himself!

Who would believe that? He couldn’t even believe it with his own eyes! How can he explain this to the Emperor? How will he explain to South Qin? How can he explain this to the inspector? He was jumping out to share the blame for Shi Pingqing, and now Shi Pingqing would laugh his teeth off.

All the officials who rushed here were all gloomy. No one could say anything. Jiang Song’s face was even harder to see. Yao Kun first inquired about the situation of the documents sent to the counties and whether it was possible to retract them. But in his heart, he also understood that this was an impossible thing to do. He only would consult with the people on how to report and dispose of this matter.

“We mustn’t divulge this matter. My Lord, quickly order all the people in the mansion not to spread the word, including the guards, the magistrates, and all the subordinates, to avoid rumors and to buy some time for you to dispose of the matter. After my Lord has a good countermeasure, only then inform all the places.” County Deputy Xia Zhou said.

Mr. Zhou was anxious and hurriedly said, “We can’t delay on the General Long’s end. This matter is important. We must let him know soon.”

Jiang Song added, “General Long must know about this matter immediately.”

Jiang Hongqing said: “And that Cao Yihan, he must be confined here. Whether to seal the mouth or take him hostage, we must wait for things to die down, wait for the inspector or the Emperor’s decree, see the South Qin’s reaction, and then discuss how to handle him and Mr. Huo’s remains.”

At this time, Cao Yihan was locked in the room and covered in cold sweat, clenching his fists. He drank some water to slow down his emotions. Then, he pounced on the front door and vigorously banged on it, screaming: ”I want to see General Long! Let him look at Mr. Huo! He should feel guilty and blame himself! He should take responsibility! He is the one who caused this matter! He forced Mr. Huo to go to the capital! He should apologize to Mr. Huo! Let me see General Long!” No one paid attention to him, so he shouted again, “I want to see the Lord Governor! Why are you leaving like this? Is my master’s life just going to be forgotten? I want to see the Governor! I want to see General Long!”

The door opened, and Meng Jiayue and An Ruochen stood outside the door. Cao Yihan stopped shouting and stared at them.

Meng Jiayue softly said: “Mr. Cao, Lord Governor is discussing Mr. Huo’s matter. I’m afraid it will take some more time. I will help you to convey the message. Let him come here after he finishes his work. Do not shout again. This kind of anger will hurt the body. Mr. Huo is gone, so you must take care of yourself.” She paused, almost in tears again, took a breath, and said, “We will take care of Mr. Huo’s aftermath properly. I’ll ask a priest to perform a ceremony for him so that he can rest in peace and go well. If you need anything, say it. If there is anything, let the guards call me. Regarding Mr. Huo’s matter, there are many things that need to be handled by the Lord Governor, but I can come at any time, so if you have any requests, just let me know.”

Cao Yihan said stiffly, “The Master wants to be cremated. Let me bring his ashes back to South Qin.”

“Okay.” Meng Jiayue agreed in one gulp. “Once the funeral and the rituals are complete, we’ll send Mr. Huo off with fire.”

“Before I take Mr. Huo’s ashes to South Qin, I want to see General Long.”

Meng Jiayue said, “I’ll talk to the Lord Governor and have him make arrangements for you.”

Cao Yihan stared at her and shouted again, “False kindness, you hypocrites, all of you are full of false kindness. You have killed my Master!” He turned around and went back inside, crouching on the table and crying, ignoring Meng Jiayue.

Yao Kun listened to Meng Jiayue recounting the events and agreed to hand over Huo Mingshan’s funeral matters to her but not for Cao Yihan’s request to meet Big Long. “With this change of events, the frontline will go to war at any time. Is General Long someone I can summon back? Furthermore, it’s fine if it’s an urgent matter. But an attendant wanting to reprimand him? If I call General Long back over this matter, what kind of business am I doing? If something happens at the front line, won’t I be taking the blame again? Isn’t there enough trouble now?”

Meng Jiayue pondered. “Then let Mr. Cao meet General Long at the border before he returns to South Qin. I assumed General Long also wanted to give Mr. Huo the last farewell before he returned to his country.”

Yao Kun shook his head, “No, we’ve agreed. Cao Yihan can’t leave for the time being. He has to stay in the territory of Great Xiao, in Zhonglan.”

Meng Jiayue was shocked.