Chapter 398: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada (1)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Clomp, clomp!

The constables of the Black Office clear the way ahead, and the luxurious carriage set off again toward the majestic Imperial City.

Dongfang Liren had been busy with work the entire day and wanted to relax in her free time. She didn’t enter the carriage and followed the carriage on foot on the brightly lit street. She said unhappily, “You went to investigate a case today. Why didn’t you wait for me to come back from court and go with you?” Ye Jingtang followed beside Dongfang Liren with a saber hanging at his waist. He shook his head and smiled. “I just passed by to take a look. Calling Your Highness over for such a trivial matter feels like making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“Hmph- Now, everyone in the Black Office is saying that you have sharp eyes. There are all kinds of rumors. There’s even a ridiculous statement like ‘Sir Ye slid his hand between his eyebrows and immediately golden light overflowed to reveal a heavenly eye’. It’s a pity that I didn’t see it with my own eyes.”

Dongfang Liren turned around and said in a dignified manner, “Next time there’s a case, remember to call me. Otherwise, I won’t reward you even if you solve the case.”

“Hehe~” Ye Jingtang felt like his girlfriend was complaining to him about not being attentive enough. He smiled helplessly at this and said that he would remember.

Only then was Dongfang Liren satisfied. She walked forward with her hands behind her back and talked about serious matters. “The case of the Prince of Wu’s rebellion has been concluded. At the court assembly today, the ministers discussed rewards and punishments. Thanks to you, I’m first in contribution, so I’ve asked for a reward for you. Guess what the Imperial Court is rewarding you with?”

Ye Jingtang had already communicated with Yuhu, but seeing the mysteriousness in Dumdum’s eyes, he still pretended to be curious and asked, “What?”

Dongfang Liren’s fat-headed dragon stood tall and proud. “At first, I wanted Her A/lajesty to confer you a hereditary marquis title, but the ministers felt that the reward was too heavy and didn’t agree. In the end, after Her A/lajesty considered it carefully, Her Majesty decided to confer you the title of Marquis of Martial Peace.

“Although it’s only a false title and can’t be inherited, it’s one of the most prestigious titles in the past dynasties, second only to the Marquis of Champions. There were only three in the Great Yan Dynasty, and the last one was Feng Guancheng.

“When the ministers heard this, they had objections. They said that you were too young and that it would be more appropriate to change your title to the Count of Martial Might. I was angry and told them to pick anyone to fight with you. If they win, you won’t receive any rewards. 1 told them to put their money where their mouth is…”

Ye Jingtang looked at Dumdum’s proud expression and chuckled. “There’s nothing wrong with what the ministers said. I’m indeed young. If I have this resounding title now, it won’t be easy to reward me if I defeat Feng Guancheng in the future.”

Dongfang Liren didn’t expect Ye Jingtang to be so broad-minded. “If you can really defeat Feng Guancheng, I’ll give you a better title. As a subject, you must have great ambitions. Although the Imperial Court is afraid of princes with different surnames, officials who don’t even dare to pursue the title of prince definitely don’t have much ability. The Imperial Court will look down on them even more.”

Ye Jingtang nodded. “That’s true.”

“The reward has been finalized. The court attire and other items are being made in a hurry. Aren’t you moving? When the time comes, I’ll write a plaque for you to hang above your door… By the way, where’s your new residence? I’ll go take a look at the place first. Don’t be a marquis personally conferred by Her Majesty and live in a small alley again…”

Ye Jingtang hadn’t visited the new residence since the last time he went to take a look at it, so he naturally agreed…

Meanwhile, in the center of Parasol Street, at Dragon Cry Pavilion…

Dragon Cry Pavilion was the most famous romantic venue in the capital, and 90% of the people playing there were the sons of rich, noble, or powerful families in the capital.

As the Prince of Jing’s carriage arrived on the street, Dragon Cry Pavilion immediately became quieter. After all, the Prince of Jing was the younger sister of the empress, and her personality was cold and strict. If these idle hedonistic playboys accidentally bumped into her, they would inevitably be reprimanded.

On the second floor of Dragon Cry Pavilion, in an elegant room facing the street, several young masters in beautiful clothes gathered around the table and conversed softly. There were many banknotes and dice cups on the table.

In the lounge next door, the heir of the Prince of Yan, Dongfang Shuoyue, was dressed like an ordinary rich young master. He was holding a folding fan behind his back and looking at the distant carriage.

The goateed old steward was standing silently in the dark. After the carriage left, he whispered, “I asked the Green Bandits last night. Shi Yanfeng and Zheng Kun from Liang Province’s Hong Mountain Gang seemed to have come to Yun Province after Liu Qiansheng was arrested.

“According to the report of the spies in the Six Gates, this morning, Ye Jingtang went to the Imperial Boxing Dojo to investigate the murder case a few days ago. Then Yuwen Chengde from the Ministry of Justice went to the case library to find Jianghu experts who use meteor hammers and are good at unarmed combat. If I’m not wrong, this crime was committed by Hong Mountain’s Zheng Kun.

“Shi Yanfeng and Zheng Kun are both formidable characters in Liang Province’s Jianghu. It’s a little difficult for them to kill Ye Jingtang, but they’re good enough targets to attract Ye Jingtang’s attention. If Your Highness wants to deal with Ye Jingtang first, Your Highness can use the strategy of driving a tiger to swallow a wolf. When the two sides fight, Your Highness can find an opportunity…”

Dongfang Shuoyue rubbed his folding fan and asked, “Do you know where Zheng Kun and his group are?”

“The enmity between Liu Qiansheng and Jiang Zhahu is difficult to resolve. Now that Liu Qiansheng has joined the Imperial Court, Jiang Zhahu will definitely be worried that Liu Qiansheng won’t give up and fan the flames to get the Imperial Court to clean up the Hong Mountain Gang. Sending Zheng Kun and his group here must be to eliminate the root of the problem.”

The goateed steward thought for a moment and continued, “Liu Qiansheng has just been released from the Black Office’s dungeon and lives on Dragon Creek Alley. Recently, many experts and nobles’ descendants have come to seek guidance. It won’t be difficult for Zheng Kun and his group to find out. We can send the news to Ye Jingtang and wait.”

Dongfang Shuoyue deliberated for a moment and nodded. “Go make the arrangements. Martial Chiefs can come and go freely in a head-on battle. There’s no chance of any mistakes. Let Zhong Sunyan go over and watch from the sidelines while secretly finding an opportunity to strike. Even if we can’t kill Ye Jingtang, making him lie down for three months will solve the problem.”

“Yes, Your Highness..”