txolops Chapter 158 The Prince of Pingnan's Mansion
Chapter 158 The Prince of Pingnan's Mansion
Chapter 158 The Prince of Pingnan's Mansion
Jiang Fengyue smiled slightly and said, "Since I brought this up, I must have some confidence in it."
The Snake King exclaimed with delight, "Good! Good!"
He trusted Lu Xiaofeng a lot, so naturally he would also trust Lu Xiaofeng's friends. Lu Xiaofeng said that Jiang Fengyue had superb medical skills, so Jiang Fengyue must have the ability to treat people.
Jiang Fengyue said, "However, as a physician who treats illnesses with acupuncture, I did not carry any needles with me when I went out. I wonder if the Snake King could find me a few silver needles?"
The Snake King nodded and smiled, "Convenient, of course convenient. Not to mention silver needles, even if Young Master Jiang wanted gold needles, I could find a way to get them."
As soon as he finished speaking, he instructed his men to take out a box of treasured silver needles and hand it to Jiang Fengyue.
Jiang Fengyue opened the box, picked out a few silver needles and tossed them up, then channeled her energy to apply the needles, first pricking the snake king's temples, and then pricking several other important acupoints in succession.
The Snake King felt no pain at all, only a tingling and unusually comfortable sensation in his head. After a while, his eyes shone brightly. Jiang Fengyue's acupuncture was more effective than any of the so-called miracle doctors he had sought in the martial arts world.
Jiang Fengyue and Lu Xiaofeng chatted while administering acupuncture to the Snake King, and half an hour passed in this way.
As Jiang Fengyue put the silver needles into the box, the Snake King opened his eyes, and the headache that had plagued him for more than ten years had disappeared.
The Snake King stood up excitedly, almost stumbling and falling. Lu Xiaofeng helped him up, but he gently pushed Lu Xiaofeng's hand away, took a few steps on the ground, and jumped a few times, and was perfectly fine.
To celebrate his recovery from a long illness, the Snake King drank three large cups of wine.
He held Jiang Fengyue's hand tightly and said gratefully, "Young Master Jiang, I already owe Lu Xiaofeng a lot of favors, and now I owe his friend a favor too. I really don't know how to repay you."
Jiang Fengyue smiled and said, "Snake King, you're too kind. Those who study medicine should help everyone, especially since you are Lu Xiaofeng's friend. Now we need your help again."
The Snake King said, "No matter what it is, I will definitely help you. Even if it means my death, I won't hesitate. You saved my life!"
He has regained some of his energy; after years plagued by headaches, he was practically indistinguishable from a dead man on his sickbed.
Lu Xiaofeng smiled and said, "I want a picture."
The Snake King asked, "What picture?"
Lu Xiaofeng said, "A map of the Pingnan Prince's residence, as well as the locations of their hidden checkpoints and their shift change times."
This was definitely not a simple matter. The Prince's mansion was heavily guarded, like an impenetrable wall, making it highly unlikely that such intelligence could be leaked out.
The Snake King showed no sign of difficulty, and without even asking Lu Xiaofeng and the others why they wanted the picture, he simply smiled and said, "Alright!"
Lu Xiaofeng didn't even say thank you, because given their friendship, saying anything would be superfluous.
Before leaving, the snake king asked again, "Where do you plan to stay?"
Lu Xiaofeng said, "Ruyi Inn."
The Snake King smiled and said, "I will send someone to deliver the map there before sunset tomorrow."
Leaving the dirty and messy alleys, a warm evening breeze blew along the riverbank of Guangzhou. Unlike the far north, there was no cold winter or snow here, and sometimes there wasn't even autumn. It felt like the whole year was warm.
Xue Bing had almost fallen in love with this place. She loved the food, admired righteous people like the Snake King, and even the tiny fishing lights on the river seemed enchanting to her.
She had just had a few drinks, and the evening breeze made her even more tipsy. She closed her eyes and smiled, saying, "I'm starting to like this place. Maybe I'll settle down here someday."
Jiang Fengyue's expression was complicated as she said, "Then let's not."
Xue Bing's words seemed to foreshadow her fate; she loved Guangzhou, but in the end, she was left there forever in a tragic way.
Jiang Fengyue shook her head and sighed. Some words that sound beautiful are often prophetic.
Lu Xiaofeng sighed, "Not only are the people nice and the weather great here, but the food is also delicious. Now you finally understand why this city is so unforgettable for me."
Xue Bing raised her right hand. The man-eating tigress now seemed to have transformed into a lively young girl. She laughed and said, "I agree! The most delicious thing was that bowl of meat soup you took me to eat. I'll never forget it!"
Lu Xiaofeng laughed and said, "If you knew what kind of meat that bowl of meat soup was made of, you would probably find it even more unforgettable."
Xue Bing tilted her head, asking curiously, "What kind of meat?"
Lu Xiaofeng said calmly, "Snake meat and cat meat."
Jiang Fengyue looked helplessly at Lu Xiaofeng, who seemed to have planned this all along, as if he wanted to take revenge on Xue Bing for delivering that piece of red satin for Situ Zhaixing.
This revenge was clearly successful. Xue Bing's face turned very dark, and he almost vomited bile. No wonder there were so many venomous snakes and wild cats in the Snake King's courtyard; it turned out they were preparing ingredients for that delicious meat soup.
The following evening, to make amends to Xue Bing, Lu Xiaofeng treated them to Hundred Flower Chicken and Boiled Conch Slices. When the three returned to the inn, an envelope was found prominently on the table in Lu Xiaofeng's room.
The envelope was large, and inside was a clear map of the Pingnan Prince's Mansion, marking the location of each hidden guard and their detailed shift change times.
If the Snake King has a way of getting his hands on such top-secret items, how could a local gang leader possibly have such influence over the royal palace?
Although Xue Bing couldn't understand the map's secrets, she knew the dangers involved. She frowned and asked, "You really have to go?"
Jiang Fengyue and Lu Xiaofeng nodded at the same time.
Xue Bing seemed to have made up her mind, and suddenly said, "I want to go too."
Lu Xiaofeng sighed, "If it were just me and Young Master Jiang going, we could still get away easily, but if we take you with us, the chances of success will be reduced by at least half."
Xue Bing only regretted not practicing her martial arts properly. With her level of martial arts, she would indeed have been a burden in a place like the Prince of Pingnan's mansion.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she turned her head away so no one could see, and said, "I understand."
Jiang Fengyue sighed and said, "Old Lu, let her go with us. I can guarantee her safety. Even if the City Lord of Baiyun is in the Pingnan Prince's Mansion, I am confident that I can get out unscathed."
For Xue Bing, being left alone outside might be more dangerous. Although the Prince of Pingnan's mansion was heavily guarded, it might be safer.
Xue Bing shook her head vigorously and said firmly, "Even if you beg me now, I will not go. You don't need to pity me, and I don't want to be a burden to you."
As soon as she finished speaking, seemingly not wanting others to see the tear stains on her face, she darted out of the inn.
Jiang Fengyue's expression was solemn, but she did not stop him.
Lu Xiaofeng seemed relieved. He had no idea what kind of fate Xue Bing was about to face. This parting might very well be the last time they saw each other!