Chapter 27: Coup d’état (6)
In order not to attract attention, Zhao Ziheng and his group had already changed into the clothes of ordinary people. Even though Zhao Ziheng was wearing ordinary people's clothes, he still looked so dignified. Compared with other soldiers, of course Zhao Ziheng was dressed as a nobleman. They neither hid nor disguised themselves. At most, they just changed their original clothes. Moreover, they lived in an inn in the city. Occasionally, pursuers passed by or entered the inn to search, and Zhao Ziheng drank tea leisurely. Those who behaved strangely were all taken away. As the saying goes, 'to lose your composure is to ask for trouble', it is better to do what should be done as if nothing had happened.
"Sir, your food is here—"
A waiter brought a table full of delicious food and wine. After the meal, the waiter left on his own accord. Zhao Ziheng and his group were in a compartment on the second floor of the inn, and they knew everything that was going on outside...
"Everyone sit down and eat—"
"How can this be——"
"There is no such thing as a monarch and a subject here, so don't call me Your Majesty anymore, just call me Young Master. Since I asked you to sit down and eat together, then sit down. Do you want to go against my wishes?"
"Of course not—"
The guards sat down one by one with an attitude of trepidation. Under normal circumstances, they would never have the chance to dine at the same table with the king of a country. The special circumstances were one of the reasons, but more importantly, Zhao Ziheng was usually not too restrained about these things and was very approachable to the soldiers. Although they had dined together at a celebration banquet, they had never sat at the same table.
No one would believe that the king of a country would dine at the same table with soldiers. A scene like this would only make people think of a group of low-class rich kids eating with their entourage. No one would think that their status was not only high, but also the targets of the pursuers. I'm afraid that even if the pursuers caught up with them, they would not have any suspicion of them.
Eating at the same table with the king of a country made the accompanying guards very nervous. Even though they were looking at the table full of delicious food and wine, they were still hungry. None of them dared to eat like they usually did when it was time to eat...
"What's wrong? Eat. You've worked hard just now. In order to deal with the situation that may happen at any time next time, shouldn't you fill your stomach first? Even if you are stronger than others, being hungry is no different from ordinary people, right?"
"Yes, yes, everyone, please eat—"
Zhao Ziheng raised his chopsticks but no one else at the table started eating, so he reminded them with confidence. Under Zhao Ziheng's enticement, the guards began to pick up their chopsticks and start eating. However, it was somewhat because of Zhao Ziheng even with a table full of delicious food and their hunger, they still ate like everyone else.
And they had never thought about it, or even considered it, that they were being hunted, but they could still sit here and eat delicious food. According to common sense, they should hide and eat dry food. It seems that hunger and thirst can really make people forget everything for a while. Seeing the guards eating with big mouthfuls, Zhao Ziheng's mouth curled up slightly. He thought that even if they were usually braver than ordinary soldiers, they were no different from ordinary people at this moment. Even if it was just for a while, it would be good for them to eat like this and forget their current situation...
After finishing the meal, when Zhao Ziheng and others came to the waiter to settle the bill...
"Someone has paid for this table, and they told us that you guys can ask for anything you need, and that the fees have been paid in advance—"
The waiter's words immediately made Zhao Ziheng more alert.
"Who is the other party?"
"I don't know, but the messenger said that if you want to know, you can go to Feiyun Pavilion to find him—"
"My Lord, this——"
After hearing what the waiter said, a guard was about to call the emperor when he immediately realized it and changed his words. This incident was too sudden for him to be suspicious, as if someone had set a trap intentionally.
“…Lead the way!”
Zhao Ziheng hesitated for a while and decided to go to Feiyun Pavilion to find out, because he was very curious about who would do this. If the people chasing him could catch them all on the spot, why would they beat around the bush? This shows that the other party may know his identity, but he doesn't know whether they are enemies or friends.
Led by the waiter, Zhao Ziheng and others came to a side room with an independent courtyard at the back of the inn. The house was divided into two floors and was very exquisitely built. It was obvious that it must be the inn's most important guest room.
There were two people guarding the front door of the first floor. When they saw the waiter and Zhao Ziheng and his party coming, they immediately stepped forward and said, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Zhao?"
He ignored the waiter and asked directly Zhao Ziheng, whose outfit was in sharp contrast.
"It is me!"
"My master has been waiting here for a long time. Please come in!"
The guard was very respectful to Zhao Ziheng, which showed that the person waiting for him must be someone important.
Zhao Ziheng and the others came here. The waiter had nothing else to do and left on his own. When they entered the house, a middle-aged man who seemed to have some status walked towards Zhao Ziheng and the others. The guard gently closed the door...
"Mr. Zhao is polite. I will lead you to the master. The master hopes to meet you alone, so -"
"No, we can't let the young master go to see your master alone!"
"Don't be rude—"
After hearing the middle-aged man's words, one of Zhao Ziheng's guards was about to express his objection, but was stopped by Zhao Ziheng.
"But--"
"I am free and you can just wait here—"
"……yes!"
Faced with Zhao Ziheng's majesty, the guards shut their mouths obediently, because they knew that although Zhao Ziheng was usually very kind to them, once he got angry they would feel an indescribable fear. That fear made them feel a kind of timidity, so they were very foresighted and did not dare to disobey Zhao Ziheng's wishes, not just because he was the emperor.
After seeing that Zhao Ziheng had suppressed his followers, the middle-aged man began to lead the way. In fact, since arriving at this villa, Zhao Ziheng could hear bursts of beautiful piano sounds. As he went up to the second floor, the piano sounds became more and more obvious.
On the second floor, through the gauze, one could see a man in white sitting on the balcony with his back to Zhao Ziheng and the others, playing the piano. After bringing Zhao Ziheng to the second floor, the middle-aged man did not say a word, but extended his hand to invite Zhao Ziheng to come forward. Zhao Ziheng realized what he meant and cooperated very well. The middle-aged man then left...
Zhao Ziheng gradually came to the person playing the piano on the balcony. The person was concentrating on playing the piano and was not disturbed by Zhao Ziheng's arrival. Although Zhao Ziheng did not understand music, he had listened to many musical instruments and music since he came to ancient times. Zhao Ziheng could definitely say that no one could play such a beautiful timbre as the person in front of him, including the Zither Girl, one of the Five Beauties in the World who was famous for her piano skills, and the piano sound of Zhang Ying who he heard by chance. They were comparable. Even in the 21st century, Zhao Ziheng had never heard such an unreal and beautiful timbre.
Intoxicated by the beautiful sound, Zhao Ziheng's mind flashed with the scenes of him and Yin Yin . The happiness and joy of that time made him feel that life was so beautiful...
However, the beautiful memories that only existed in his memory ended when the piano music stopped. What he had to face remained unchanged, and the reality still made him physically and mentally exhausted.
"Who are you?"
Breaking away from the dream-like memories, Zhao Ziheng regained consciousness immediately after the sound of the piano stopped, and immediately asked questions to the person playing the piano.
