Volume 5: The Gathering of Storms Chapter 288 Out of Control
evening.
Yongming Water Town, seaside market.
After all, the cold winter has just ended, and the sea breeze is still unusually cold.
The air was filled with damp water vapor and a salty smell.
In ancient times, many people had never seen the sea in their entire lives, such as Huo Anu and Ani. They were both particularly excited and in a good mood today.
At this moment, Xu Zun, along with Zhao Yu, Huo Anu, Ani and Ku Niang, were strolling in the seaside market.
Although we were just strolling around, we were also trying to avoid the chaos and talk about going out to sea.
"First," Xu Zun instructed Zhao Yu as they walked, "find a studio and paint a portrait of the prince based on the description of the people in the prince's mansion.
"There are only a few people in the Prince's Mansion, and when we go to the Ten Kingdoms of the East China Sea, we can't just let them look for him, so everyone on the ship must know what the prince looks like."
"Understood." Zhao Yu took note.
"Also," Xu Zun asked again, "will the expert you are looking for arrive tomorrow?"
"Don't worry, sir," Zhao Yu said, "I've given you the money and they'll be there tomorrow. It's said that the two are husband and wife and made their fortune by doing business in the East China Sea. Not only are they familiar with the area, they also know a lot about the unknown Black Stone Shop."
"Okay," Xu Zun said again, "Old Zhao, I just saw that there are many people from the Donghai tribe living in Yongming County, right?
"Just in case, take the guards and see if you can bring a few more East Sea natives with you tomorrow to at least help with the language problem."
"Yes," Zhao Yu nodded, "We thought of the same thing, and I was just about to tell you!
"The court didn't send us a professional ceremonial officer this time. If we don't understand the local etiquette and customs, there might be misunderstandings."
"My Lord, my Lord," Ani said excitedly, holding up a shell necklace, "Do you think this necklace is beautiful? It only costs 200 coins to buy one. It's too cheap!"
"..."Xu Zun and Zhao Yu were speechless for a moment.
"Look!" Huo Anu pointed at the necklace on his neck and said happily, "How beautiful! I bought two. Here!"
As he spoke, Huo Anu gave the string in his hand to Ku Niang, and helped Ku Niang take off the veil and put it on her.
All right……
Xu Zun originally wanted to remind them that they bought it too expensive, but when he saw how happy the girls were, he gave up.
"There are corals and conchs over there, they are very beautiful!" Ani was eager to try.
At this time, Huo Anu saw that Xu Zun and Zhao Yu looked upset, and hurried forward and said, "Sir, you are not still worried about this voyage, are you?"
"What do you think?" Zhao Yu said, "Even the survivors were killed. How can we not be worried?"
"I don't think it's necessary," Huo Anu analyzed, "Look, according to what Lord Xu taught us before, the most important point of our trip is to see the essence through the phenomenon.
"So...what is the purpose of going to sea? Is it to find the prince?"
"Hmm?" It was the first time that Ani heard this kind of analysis. She immediately put down the jewelry in her hand and asked, "Isn't it?"
"Of course not!" Huo Anu said, "First of all, since the prince was attacked and the survivors were killed, it means that someone does not want the prince to return to Daxuan.
"Then... who will benefit if the prince cannot return to Daxuan?"
After Huo Anu said this, Ani was even more confused and asked hurriedly: "Who?"
Huo Anu looked around and whispered, "Of course it's the Queen Mother's side!"
"What are you talking about, Sister Anu?" Ani was surprised. "Didn't the Queen Mother ask me to come to the Crown Prince?"
"Yes," Huo Anu said confidently, "So this matter is just a formality. Our so-called sea voyage to find the prince is just for others to see.
"Actually, whether we can find the prince or not is not important..."
"Well..."
After hearing Huo Anu's analysis, Xu Zun and Zhao Yu were speechless again.
"We just need to take a boat out to sea, travel around the East China Sea and come back to complete the mission." Huo Anu looked at Xu Zun and said, "Is that right, sir?"
"Ah... that's great!" Ani got excited again, "Willn't it be possible for us to buy a lot of good things?"
"Shh... shh..." Zhao Yu couldn't bear it any longer and quickly shushed the two beauties to stop them.
"What's wrong?" Huo Anu saw Xu Zun's serious expression and asked hurriedly, "Am I wrong?"
"It's not that what he said is wrong," Zhao Yu muttered softly, "It's that it's completely wrong!"
"What?" Huo Anu stared, "Isn't it?"
"Of course not," Zhao Yu shook his head, "If we were just going on a trip, would Lord Xu have to be so anxious?
"Have you all forgotten that iron rule? Wherever we go, trouble will happen. Sigh..."
"Anucheh!" Huo Anu cursed, "Nonsense, the prince had an incident in the East China Sea first, and then we came here. Stop being so stupid, okay?"
"Sister," Ani corrected, "it's a crow's mouth, not a dove's mouth!"
"Alas!" Finally, Xu Zun sighed and said towards the sea, "Huo Anu has learned all my true teachings, but he is still far from perfect.
"Let me give you a few points!" He pointed a finger at Huo Anu and said, "First, you don't know the Queen Mother. She really doesn't care about the life or death of the prince, but she doesn't like the feeling of being out of control!"
"Out of control?" Huo Anu was puzzled. "What is out of control?"
"Even if the matter is as serious as the Xuanmen Heavenly Tribulation," Xu Zun said in a low voice, "the Queen Mother is still sitting on the Diaoyutai, everything is under her control.
"But...she didn't know about the attack on the crown prince, so..." Xu Zun shook his head slightly, "We have to find out the result when we go to the East China Sea!"
Gurgle...
Huo Anu swallowed and realized that his speculation was wrong.
" Secondly ," Xu Zun stretched out his second finger, "various signs indicate that the prince may have had an affair with Xuanmen, which is also what the queen mother is more concerned about.
"Whether the prince is dead or alive, we'd better find out something, otherwise... we won't be able to report back!"
"Ah? This..." Huo Anu pushed Zhao Yu and complained, "Why didn't you tell me such an important thing?"
"You didn't ask me?" Zhao Yu looked innocent.
"Third," Xu Zun stretched out his third finger, "Can't you see? If the survivors hadn't been silenced, this matter would have been much easier to handle.
"What a pity..."
oh?
This time, Zhao Yu and the other two all looked confused, obviously not understanding what Xu Zun meant.
"Sir," Zhao Yu was the first to guess, "Is it because there are no survivors that we don't know what ? Where should we go to find the prince?"
"I think..." Huo Anu guessed, "Your Excellency is worried that there is a traitor among us? Once we find out something, someone will harm us?"
"Tsk tsk..." Xu Zun turned around and looked at these comrades who were like family members. He smacked his lips bitterly and said, "You only guessed half right, but you never thought about why the survivors were silenced?"
"Why?" the three asked at the same time.
"Because..." Xu Zun answered word by word, "The prince must still be alive!!!"
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