276: Chapter 276 Ascending the River Moon Tower

Lin Xiao took the note from the carrier pigeon's leg, glanced at it, and felt slightly puzzled.

"My lady, take a look. Is this handwriting Su Wansha's?"

Lin Xiao handed the note to Xiao Qingxuan.

After reading it, the woman nodded, "That's right, it is Su Wansha's handwriting. It looks like she is passing on a message for the Linyuan Marquis Mansion?"

"Minister of Personnel, Official Xie Tong? What is his relationship with the Marquis of Linyuan?"

Lin Xiao found it strange. Why would Su Wansha ask him to send men to protect the imperial envoy, Official Xie Tong, who was touring the north?

Wanying waved the skewer in her hand and laughed, "I know Minister Xie. When I was still in the capital, he was already the youngest Vice Minister in the Ministry of Personnel."

"He is a cousin of the Marquis of Linyuan, but Official Xie Tong was originally just a child of a concubine in the Xie Family, so his status was very low."

"However, he was a child prodigy in his hometown and achieved the top score in all three levels of the imperial examinations, becoming famous overnight."

"Upon entering the court, he was appointed as an Imperial Academician and Reader-in-Waiting in the Hanlin Academy, a rank of 6a. Usually, a top scholar is at most given a rank of 6b as a compiler."

"Not only that, but the late Emperor also specially permitted him to study under the Imperial Academy Libationer, Great Scholar Meng."

"It is said that our Grand Scholar Zhu resigned from his post and left the capital back then because Official Xie Tong chose to study under Meng Sansi instead of him."

"However... my father said that Elder Zhu was most likely just looking for an excuse and wasn't really competing for a student."

"After all, he is the Crown Prince's teacher. If he were to take in a young and promising top scholar, the Emperor would certainly not be pleased."

Lin Xiao was somewhat surprised. Even if this was just a rumor, it was enough to prove that this Minister Xie was by no means an ordinary person.

"For such an important cabinet official to come as the northern imperial envoy to provide disaster relief and comfort on behalf of the Emperor..."

Lin Xiao frowned and said, "Who would be so blind as to try and assassinate him?"

Qingxuan said, "Husband, there is no smoke without fire. Since Su Wansha sent an urgent message by carrier pigeon, there must be a reason."

"Moreover, once Official Xie leaves the capital and enters the territory of Yong Province, if anything happens, Husband will inevitably face all sorts of suspicions."

"Our foundation is not yet stable, so we cannot give others grounds for criticism and create conflict with the Emperor."

Lin Xiao nodded. He really had to take this seriously; at the very least, he could not let him die on his own turf.

Immediately, Lin Xiao had someone call Lu Sanchuan over from the military camp outside the city.

This guy had followed Prince Bai for many years, so he must be adept at protecting important figures.

Upon hearing Lin Xiao's words, Lu Sanchuan was greatly surprised.

"General Lin, you... do you really want me to go and rendezvous with Official Xie?"

"What, do you think I'm overqualified for the task?"

"Of course not!"

Lu Sanchuan hurriedly explained, "The imperial envoy is a second-rank cabinet official and a close minister of the Emperor. Being asked to welcome him is a sign of trust and a great honor."

After all, Official Xie Tong had direct access to the Emperor. If he were to say some "bad things" about the Zhenbei Army in front of him, it might bring big trouble to Lin Xiao.

Therefore, Lu Sanchuan found it hard to believe.

"Isn't that enough?" Lin Xiao laughed, "Are you unwilling?"

Lu Sanchuan's expression was complex, "This subordinate just didn't expect that you would entrust such an important matter to someone who just arrived like me..."

"Alright, alright, don't talk about that useless stuff!"

Lin Xiao waved his hand, "I just find you an eyesore in Yong Province City. Once you leave, I'm going to properly whip your 150,000-strong army into shape."

Lu Sanchuan lowered his head and chuckled, his eyes carrying a hint of skepticism.

"General Lin, these soldiers have followed me for many years. They certainly won't get used to the identity of the Zhenbei Army overnight, so you'll have to take it slow."

Lin Xiao couldn't be bothered to argue with him. Once he turned the 150,000 troops into true people's defenders, let's see how arrogant he could be!

"Enough nonsense. I am entrusting Official Xie Tong to you. If he loses even a single hair, I will deal with you according to military law!"

"This subordinate obeys!"

Lu Sanchuan looked solemn, turned around, and strode away.

After he left, Lin Xiao came back to the women.

"Yaner, although Lu Sanchuan is skilled in martial arts and experienced, I am still not entirely at ease regarding some of the sinister tricks in the pugilistic world."

Lin Xiao said somewhat embarrassedly, "How about... you take a few scouts and follow him secretly?"

After all, the woman had just arrived after a long journey and had only just eaten a meal; asking her to go on a long trip again was a bit unreasonable.

Yaner puffed out her cheeks, "What about Qingguo Temple?"

"Next time, I will accompany you there alone, how about that?" Lin Xiao said with a grin.

Yaner giggled, "Silly husband, I'm just teasing you! Why are you being so polite with me? You can rest assured about Official Xie's matter. I'm off!"

Lin Xiao pulled the woman toward him and gave her a passionate kiss, to which Yaner responded with equal emotion. Afterwards, she waved goodbye sweetly.

Qingxuan and Wanying were quite used to it, but Zhao Caiwei on the side was "experiencing the world" for the first time, her face flushed red, and she didn't know where to look.

"Caiwei, since you have entered our Lin family, you must learn the rules of our house."

Lin Xiao, feeling playful, wrapped his arms around the woman's slender waist and said, "Come, let's practice once, just like Yaner did just now."

Although Zhao Caiwei didn't have much experience, she wasn't a fool and knew the man was just teasing her.

She covered the man's mouth with one hand and said, "Husband, there is something I forgot to tell you."

"What could be more important than our family rules?"

"Do you remember the Prefecture Governor's Mansion where we stayed temporarily when we were in Jingmen?"

"I remember," Lin Xiao nodded.

"A few days ago, there was always a sneaky, crazy-looking Taoist priest hanging around the Prefecture Governor's Mansion."

Zhao Caiwei said, "He seemed to be asking about a concubine in the mansion. The Old Butler was caught and questioned by the Taoist priest several times."

"A concubine? A Taoist priest?"

Lin Xiao's eyes shifted slightly. Could it be... that he had come looking for the white emperor thunder-fire seal?

A Heaven Grade Taoist treasure had just suddenly gone missing; who wouldn't go crazy?

Of course, he had found the treasure through his own ability, so returning it was impossible!

"Yes, because I remember that you also asked about that concubine, so I thought I should tell you."

Zhao Caiwei frowned, "Although I didn't fight that Taoist priest, I felt... that his martial arts were not weak."

Lin Xiao smiled mischievously, "Good, I'll keep that in mind. Now, let's continue with our serious business..."

In the garden, there immediately followed bursts of coquettish cries and pleas for mercy, along with the giggles of Qingxuan and Wanying.

Lin Xiao had cleared his whole day. He first accompanied the three women to stroll around Qingguo Temple, offer incense and pray for blessings, and enjoy the plum blossom scenery in the mountains.

After descending the mountain, because of the epidemic control measures, there was certainly nothing to see on the streets.

Lin Xiao then took the three women to the "Jiangyue Tower," which Prince Bai had built for his own pleasure.

Arriving at the top floor, they looked out at the river water rolling eastward. Under the gray sky, the houses of Yong Province City were scattered like stars.

The magnificent palaces and the dilapidated residential areas appeared absurd and tragic from this vantage point.

For the first time, Lin Xiao viewed the land he had conquered with the mindset of a "ruler."

What could he bring to this world? Could he do better than the rulers of the Great Gan Dynasty?

For a moment, an inexplicable emotion was about to burst forth from his chest.

"The boundless forest sheds its leaves, shower after shower; The endless river rolls away, hour after hour..."

This line from "Climbing High," recited on impulse, left the three women beside him instantly stunned, their beautiful eyes full of surprise.

"Husband, are you finally willing to write poetry again?"

Qingxuan was deeply moved, "You've come out with such an immortal masterpiece right away. Husband, won't you recite the whole poem for us to hear?"