NCCnovel Chapter 260: Longmen Prefect Chen Shuo
Chapter 260: Longmen Prefect Chen Shuo
The night was as dark as ink, hanging heavily over the sky of Longmen City. In the main hall of the He Mansion, candlelight flickered, and light and shadow cast ghostly outlines on the wall.
He Weifeng stood straight with a solemn expression, knelt on one knee, breaking the silence in the hall.
"Mother, something terrible has happened! Because of the assassination of their general, Donghai Island is now leaderless and in chaos. After much deliberation, I have decided to send my spy Manqian to deliver a message to Yan'er, asking him to prevent the escape of those criminals. If they make it to Longmen City, the people here will be in great trouble."
He Weifeng spoke earnestly, his eyes fixed on Mrs. He who was sitting at the top of the table.
Old Madam He sat on a carved nanmu chair, the Buddhist beads in her hand rustling, her brows furrowed into the shape of the Chinese character "川".
She had long heard about the ferocity of the fugitives on Donghai Island. Those people burned, killed, looted and committed all kinds of evil on the island, but deep down she didn't want the He family to be involved in this mess.
"Feng'er, Longmen City has the prefect in charge of all matters, big and small. Even if Donghai Island is in chaos, that's the prefect's business. How can our He family get involved? Don't meddle in other people's business and get yourself into trouble for nothing."
Madam He's tone was calm, but it revealed an unquestionable determination.
He Weifeng's lips curled up slightly, revealing a determined smile. He said calmly, "Mother, you don't know that Master Chen has been bedridden for a while now. He is seriously ill. All the affairs of the mansion have been handed over to the care of the legal advisor. It was the legal advisor who came to me personally and earnestly begged me to help the He family. I couldn't refuse, so I decided to let Yan'er go over and help."
He Weifeng had been preparing for this matter for a long time and had arranged everything foolproof. He was hoping to find an opportunity in this situation so that the He family's power could be further enhanced.
When Mrs. He heard this, she stared at He Weifeng with a sharp gaze, as if she wanted to see through him.
After a long moment, she sighed softly and nodded slowly, "It's good that you understand. Our He family has accumulated wealth over generations, step by step to where we are today. I don't know how much effort it has taken. You must remember the teachings of our ancestors, don't act impulsively, and never do anything that will damage the foundation of the He family."
"Mom, just put your mind at ease! I know everything very well and always keep the teachings of our ancestors in mind. I will never do anything that goes against them." He Weifeng quickly agreed, his face full of respect.
"Okay, it's getting late. You've been busy all day. Go back and rest early!" Old Madam He waved her hand, her expression showing a bit of fatigue.
"Mother, I will take my leave now."
After He Weifeng finished speaking, he turned around and strode out of the main hall. His back looked hurried and anxious.
Old Madam He looked at his departing back, her eyes instantly reddened, filled with disappointment and heartache.
As a mother, she knew her second son too well. He was ambitious, like a hungry wolf, and his desire for power was almost crazy.
Her thoughts drifted back to many years ago, and Mrs. He's eyes became more and more moist.
She thought of her eldest son who died young. Back then, the two brothers should have worked hand in hand to protect the glory of the He family, but who could have imagined that the tragedy of brothers killing each other would happen.
The eldest son was a loyal and kind man who always cared about the family, but he died at the hands of his younger brother. Even his only grandson was missing in the incident.
"If the old man hadn't sent his second son there and taught him well according to his personality, perhaps he wouldn't have developed such a wolfish ambition..." Old Madam He murmured to herself, her voice tearful and full of regret.
But now that things have come to this, what can she do? This is her only son left. Even if she knew the truth, could she really be so cruel as to punish him?
Madam He lowered her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, wetting her clothes. She kept muttering, "What an injustice! This is all the He family's injustice..."
In the main hall, the candlelight flickered softly, as if lamenting the fate of Old Madam He. The swaying light and shadow stretched out Old Madam He's lonely and desolate figure.
The night was as dark as ink, and everything was silent except for the occasional call of the night watchman, which drifted leisurely in the silent night.
Murong Ling'er was dressed in black, her figure as agile as a ghost in the dark night. She lay silently on the roof of He's house, and the tiles felt slightly cold under her hands.
Inside the house, every word of the conversation between He Weifeng and Old Madam He entered her ears.
Old Madam He was full of worry and repeatedly told He Weifeng not to act rashly, but He Weifeng spoke sincerely and his words were well-reasoned and finally made Old Madam He relent.
Murong Ling'er narrowed her eyes, and a hint of vigilance flashed in them. She knew very well that every move of the He family might involve many secrets.
After He Weifeng strode away, she glanced at the sad old lady He again, and a complicated emotion arose in her heart. Then, like a ghost, she quietly followed He Weifeng.
He Weifeng stepped into the study and the door slammed shut with a bang.
He did not light the lamp, and the room was instantly plunged into darkness. Only the faint moonlight coming in from the window cast mottled shadows on the ground.
He Weifeng slumped behind the desk, his head in his hands, his figure looking particularly depressing in the darkness.
Murong Ling'er lurked outside the window, waiting quietly. Time passed by minute by minute, but He Weifeng seemed to be frozen in place, without any movement.
Murong Ling'er was getting a little impatient waiting, and suddenly the thought of Lord Chen, whom they had just mentioned, flashed through her mind.
She thought that Lord Chen might know more about the inside story. Since He Weifeng had made no progress, it would be better to go to the government office to find out.
Having made up her mind, she flashed and took advantage of the night to run towards the Longmen City government office like an arrow.
Compared with the luxurious He Mansion, the Longmen City Government Office appears simple and unpretentious. Although it does not look dilapidated, the traces of time are clearly visible on the old eaves and mottled walls.
Relying on her superb lightness skills, Murong Ling'er landed on the wall of the back house of the government office as lightly as a swallow skimming the water.
The moonlight shone down, revealing a familiar figure. It was Lin Yu!
Murong Ling'er was shocked and full of doubts: Why is he here?
Lin Yu looked around vigilantly, and after making sure that there was no one, he quickly walked into one of the rooms.
Murong Ling'er was not willing to let it go. She tiptoed lightly and landed quietly on the roof like a fallen leaf. She held her breath and listened attentively to the movements in the house.
"Lord Lin... cough cough cough..." A violent coughing sound came from inside the room. Murong Ling'er frowned slightly. Judging from the sound, the person who was coughing was seriously ill.
"Master Chen, what happened to you? Why are you so sick?" Lin Yu's voice was full of surprise and concern.
Murong Ling'er looked through the crack in the roof and saw a haggard man lying on the bed. It was the prefect Chen Shuo.
He was so thin that he seemed to be blown down by a gust of wind. His face was as pale as paper, with only his cheeks showing an abnormal flush. Every cough seemed to require all his strength.