Chapter 458 - 300: Eastern Outskirts Hunt (Part 3)

"Your Seventh Highness, this Snow Qilin Cloak is very warm, and as for the Chu Mansion, Su Xin manages it in an orderly manner."

In one sentence, three rewards were mentioned: the Snow Qilin Cloak, the residence, and the near maid.

The Seventh Prince smiled softly, "These things, at most, are only worth as much as Fifth Brother’s millennium treasure medicine, they are nothing significant."

"I had originally thought of giving you more, but upon careful thought, it seems I truly have nothing more to offer you."

The Seventh Prince felt a bit bitter in his heart.

For the Empress Dowager Duaan’s birthday gift of Ghostly Sea Rhyme Xia Ni, he had almost emptied his family assets.

But these words, he clearly wouldn’t say to Chu Ming.

"I actually called you here for no particular reason..." The Seventh Prince hesitated.

"Please speak, Your Highness." Chu Ming cupped his hands.

The Seventh Prince paused, and with a serious expression, said, "Yesterday in the heavy snow, did you go to Mei’an Mountain Stone Factory?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I saw the snow was heavy and was worried something might happen at the stone factory, so I went there." Chu Ming made up a reason.

"You encountered an attack by the Blood Evil Sect at the stone factory?" The Seventh Prince frowned slightly.

"Yes, I was rescued by General Lu Ji."

"Besides General Lu Ji, was there anyone else?" The Seventh Prince asked again.

"Anyone else?" Chu Ming feigned confusion, "I woke up in bed, and Su Xin told me it was General Lu Ji who saved me, I am not aware of anyone else."

"..." The Seventh Prince paused, his eyes like a hawk’s stared at Chu Ming, then withdrew his gaze, and said in a low voice, "That’s all, the snow outside is getting heavier, you should head back earlier."

"Yes."

Chu Ming and Fang Xiao rose, cupped their hands in salute, and then left the place...

Not long after the two left, the Fifth Prince arrived.

"Seventh Brother, does this mean Chu Ming truly doesn’t know there’s a mysterious expert protecting him?"

"Chu Ming’s eyes are clear, and his expression appeared puzzled, it doesn’t seem like he’s pretending."

"Then we shall speak to Big Brother about it."

"Very well."

"..."

...

Imperial City, Shangren Hall.

Emperor Qin was reviewing memorials on the golden desk.

"Your Majesty."

Someone emerged from the shadows, it was a Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm expert, Tang Guang from the Astronomical Bureau.

"Speak." Emperor Qin didn’t raise his head.

"Your Majesty, yesterday a scholar from a First-Grade Cold Family, Chu Ming, was attacked by the Blood Evil Sect." Tang Guang reported respectfully.

Emperor Qin continued to review the memorials as if he didn’t hear.

"This child survived, saved by Lu Ji."

"Fang Xiao and this child appear to be master and servant, but are actually family."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qin paused his writing, then casually asked, "So, Wushi last night, was it for this scholar named Chu Ming?"

Chang Qin Wushi is the official name of the Crown Prince.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it appears so. Today, the Crown Prince summoned Chu Ming to the palace, rewarding him not only with treasure armor and medicine but even that scroll named ’Qin’ was given to Chu Ming."

"Oh?" Emperor Qin lifted his eyes, a hint of brilliance flashed across, "It seems this scholar harbors significant secrets, have you discovered anything?"

Tang Guang cupped his hands, "Reporting to Your Majesty, behind this child, there seems to be a master protecting him."

"A master?" Emperor Qin lowered his gaze again, "To have Wushi’s attention, it should be at the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm."

Tang Guang remained silent.

"Heh, is it some idle old geezer or an outsider?"

"I haven’t found out yet." Tang Guang bowed and said.

"Then keep investigating. If they can be used, keep them. If they can’t..." Emperor Qin held the brush with thick ink dripping, "it’s a pity about these memorials."

He casually threw it aside, as if tossing away not a minister’s memorial but trash.

"Understood." Tang Guang understood the implication.

"How is the arrangement for the hunting in the eastern suburbs?" Emperor Qin asked, "Considering the Blood Evil Sect attacked a scholar yesterday, does it mean they have infiltrated the eastern hunting grounds as well?"

"..." Tang Guang paused, then said, "Your Majesty, the eastern hunting ground spans three hundred miles, it’s already densely forested with exotic beasts roaming around, and now it’s heavily snowing too..."

"What, Master Tang can’t handle it?"

"Your servant fears there might be oversights..."

"Then let Master Hoong watch over it as well."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"..."

...

Qin Capital, Inner City, Chu Mansion.

In the mansion, two figures sat facing each other.

One was a handsome youth draped in a Snow Qilin Cloak, the other a gray-haired but sharp-eyed old man.

"Young Master..."

Fang Xiao looked at the current young master, recalling the young master from the Chu Family in Baiyuan County and the small courtyard in Liuu Town, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

"Housekeeper Fang, won’t you try on that Thunder God Battle Armor?" Chu Ming pointed at the armor gifted by the Crown Prince.

Fang Xiao glanced at it, waved his hand casually, a gray light flashed, the armor disappeared, replaced by a suit of dark gold armor.

"This Black Gold Armor given by the young master is far superior to that Thunder God Battle Armor."

This armor was specially refined by Chu Ming for Housekeeper Fang.

As for the gray light, it was Chu Ming’s World in the Palm treasure given to Housekeeper Fang.

"Young Master," Housekeeper Fang looked at Chu Ming, his eyes fluctuating, "why do you seem paler?"

"It’s the cloak’s effect." Chu Ming chuckled softly, not lingering on the topic, and shifted to current matters: "You came from the Xiang Mansion, what did the master say?"

"Commander Xiang said it’s a good thing, one less trouble now."

"..."

That was what the master said.

"Commander Xiang assured young master needn’t worry."

"Mm." Chu Ming nodded.

Master Xiang Yue had a master in the National Guardian Realm, although not one to meddle, he would never watch his disciple being harmed, so for now, there was indeed no need to worry too much about the master.

"Young Master, I heard that this place was originally called Cui Mansion, the residence of Cui Ye from the Camp Repair Department. The young master had this person dealt with in just a few days after arriving in Qin Capital, then acquired this mansion?"

"..."

Listening to this, why does it always feel like something’s off?

"This mansion was indeed Cui Mansion first, Cui Ye from the Camp Repair Department was charged with corruption and collusion, the Regent’s Mansion investigated, and then Your Seventh Highness gave me this residence to stay in."

At this moment.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knocking sound came from outside the room, a faint silhouette of a woman could be seen.

"Master just returned from outside, Su Xin has specially prepared some hot water, hot wine, hot dishes." Su Xin said from outside.

```