Catching Monsters

Chapter 471 Boundless Grass

At the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Feng Yu arrived immediately with the imperial edict.

Upon learning the news, Wu Chi immediately rushed to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to inform Tao Yuelan.

Upon hearing this, Tao Yuelan's expression changed slightly. She quickly changed into the attire of a noblewoman, dressed neatly, and notified Xu Xiaogang and Xu Suwen to come to the main hall immediately.

Wu Chi nodded hastily, but before leaving, he stopped and subconsciously looked at Tao Yuelan, asking in a low voice, "Madam, should we inform the son-in-law?"

“He is currently wanted by the imperial court… Eunuch Feng came with the imperial edict, after all, representing His Majesty.”

"Notify Jiang Yun to come over together," Tao Yuelan said in a deep voice.

With his hands behind his back, Feng Yu was quickly led by the servants to the main hall of the Duke's mansion.

Tao Yuelan, Xu Xiaogang, Xu Suwen and others were standing inside.

To Feng Yu's surprise, Jiang Yun was also there.

"You're back, kid!" Feng Yu was so excited that he forgot about the imperial decree. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Yun's hand, pulled Jiang Yun aside, and whispered, "Why didn't you go to the palace immediately for such a big thing as returning?"

"Has there been any progress on the matter of the elixir?"

Hearing Feng Yu's words, Jiang Yun gave a wry smile and took a deep breath: "Eunuch, why do you think the Imperial Guards have suddenly strengthened their defenses?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu's heart skipped a beat. As an old hand in the palace, his sensitivity to the power struggles within the imperial court far surpassed that of ordinary people. Jiang Yun's words gave Feng Yu an almost instantaneous understanding of the general situation.

"The crucial question right now is, have we brought back the immortal herb?" Feng Yu asked in a low voice.

Jiang Yun nodded slightly and whispered in Feng Yu's ear, "My apprentice is in the inn at No. 18, A-class, Anyun Lane, behind the purification room. The item is on him."

"When you return to the palace later, just take him with you."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu became somewhat agitated, his breathing quickening. He stared intently at Jiang Yun and said in a deep voice, "Good, good, good!"

If there's anyone in this world who least wants Xiao Yuzheng to get into trouble, it's probably Eunuch Feng.

Although there is a saying that "a new emperor brings a new court," this is an exaggeration.

Most of the civil and military officials in the imperial court had been deeply entrenched in the court for many years, with various complex and intertwined relationships.

But it wouldn't necessarily lead to a complete overhaul of the political landscape upon a new ruler taking the throne.

But the personal eunuchs serving by his side might completely lose their protection because of this.

Feng Yu knew very well that he had offended countless people over the years. If Xiao Yuzheng died, being relegated to guarding the imperial tombs would be considered a good outcome.

Then Feng Yu remembered the important matter, slowly took out the imperial edict, and said: "Duke Xu Xiaogang, receive the decree. His Majesty has learned that you were wounded on the front line and is concerned about you. He summons you to the palace immediately to meet His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaogang, who was worried about how to enter the palace, hurriedly knelt down to receive the imperial decree: "Xu Xiaogang receives the imperial decree!"

After handing the imperial edict to Xu Xiaogang, Feng Yu turned to Jiang Yun and asked, "You have performed an extraordinary feat this time. Why don't you come with me to the palace to receive His Majesty's reward?"

"Doesn't your father-in-law know that I am now a wanted rebel by the imperial court?" Jiang Yun smiled.

"Traitors? What's going on?" Feng Yu was taken aback. He had just left the palace and was rushing to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, so he hadn't noticed the notice posted by the roadside.

Jiang Yun quickly found a notice he had brought back from the hall and handed it to Feng Yu: "Not only me, but even Princess Ningyi has now become a rebel."

"What?" Feng Yu's eyes widened in disbelief. He knew that His Majesty had always felt he owed Princess Ningyi a great deal...

After reading the notice, and with Jiang Yun and Princess Ningyi going to fetch the elixir for His Majesty the Emperor...

As soon as they returned to the capital, the entire Imperial Guard was placed under martial law.

Feng Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, and his gaze became unusually sharp.

“Alright, since it’s inconvenient, let’s wait until His Majesty recovers before we talk about it.” Feng Yu coldly placed the notice into his robes. “Lord Duke, let’s go to the palace.”

……

The Imperial Guards were on high alert, constantly patrolling around the palace gates.

Soon, Feng Yu, accompanied by Xu Xiaogang and a young eunuch, appeared in front of the palace gates.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yao, the commander of the Imperial Guards, was standing at the palace gate, looking at the situation with his hands behind his back.

"Oh, Commander Zhang, what brings you here today to personally stand guard at the palace gates?" Feng Yu asked with a smile as he stepped forward.

Zhang Yao said with a smile, "Eunuch Feng, things have been a bit unsettled in the capital lately. You may not know this, but some villains are trying to kill His Majesty. I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's favor and have personally taken up this post to guard the capital."

"Furthermore," Zhang Yao said, his gaze falling on their group, "doesn't Your Excellency know that the Imperial City is currently under martial law, and ordinary people cannot easily enter."

Feng Yu chuckled, slowly raised his hand and took out the imperial edict, saying, "His Majesty's edict summons the Duke of Zhenguo. Does Commander Zhang intend to stop him as well?"

"Oh, Duke, you've almost recovered?" Zhang Yao quickly clasped his hands in greeting and nodded to Xu Xiaogang, while inwardly he couldn't help but mutter to himself that His Highness the Crown Prince had repeatedly invited this guy to the Crown Prince's residence.

But this guy always made excuses that he wasn't fully recovered and couldn't go out.

Now they're full of energy again.

"No need for Lord Zhang to trouble himself." Xu Xiaogang said with a cold face, not giving Zhang Yao a friendly look.

Seeing this, Zhang Yao's gaze finally fell on the little eunuch behind the two: "This little eunuch looks quite unfamiliar."

"The Duke of Zhenguo has been summoned by imperial decree, so our Imperial Guards can certainly let him in. But this young eunuch, I'm afraid he cannot go in."

This little eunuch was naturally Wen Chen in disguise. When he heard Zhang Yao's words, he felt a slight tension in his heart, afraid of revealing his true identity.

Although Wen Chen had been a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for more than half a year, he was still a nobody. Among the important figures present, he didn't even have the right to speak.

"This is my recently accepted apprentice. What's wrong? Can't I bring my own people into the palace anymore?" Feng Yu asked with a smile.

“Oh, Eunuch Feng, you’re exaggerating. You are the Grand Eunuch of the Palace; who enters and exits is entirely up to you.” Zhang Yao paused, then a helpless expression appeared on his face: “But I also have my own duties…”

Feng Yu closed his eyes, and after a moment, opened them. He looked at a minor officer not far from the Imperial Guard and said, "If I remember correctly, this person should be a distant relative of Lord Zhang, right?"

“My wife’s distant cousin.” Zhang Yao hadn’t finished speaking.

Feng Yu flicked her finger lightly, and a gentle breeze blew by. Instantly, a faint bloodstain appeared on the man's neck, and then, with a thud, his neck fell to the ground.

“Commander Zhang, it has been a long time since I’ve killed anyone.” Feng Yu’s smile remained unchanged: “However, my methods of killing are still as sharp as ever.”

The moment Feng Yu made his move, several terrifying divine senses within the palace sensed something and instantly locked onto the direction of the palace gate.

However, after these divine senses identified that the person who made the move was Feng Yu, they quickly withdrew their divine senses.

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Zhang Yao's forehead. For the past four months, the Crown Prince's position had been secure, and Feng Yu had rarely left the palace.

This made him a little complacent.

I've already forgotten.

Feng Yu's terror.

"Let's see who dares to stop me today."

After Feng Yu finished speaking, she turned to Xu Xiaogang and Wen Chen and said, "Come with me."

He strode forward, and the numerous Imperial Guards soldiers and their leaders, including the God-Slaying Crossbows mounted on the imperial city walls, dared not move an inch.

They were afraid of angering the old eunuch.

After Feng Yu had gone far away, Zhang Yao, who had been slightly weak from fright, finally recovered. He took a deep breath, then quickly mounted a fast horse and rode towards the direction of the Crown Prince's residence.

Upon reaching the door, he rushed straight into the Crown Prince's study and knelt on the ground: "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! Feng Yu, along with Xu Xiaogang and a strange eunuch, has entered the palace."

"Xu Xiaogang, and a strange little eunuch?"

Upon hearing this report, Xiao Jingfu, dressed in the yellow robes of a crown prince, changed his expression slightly and then said, "Why didn't you stop them?"

“Feng, Feng Yu has made his move… He killed my wife’s distant cousin.” Zhang Yao, his forehead beaded with sweat, took a deep breath and said, “If I had continued to stop him, given Feng Yu’s attitude at the time, I’m afraid I would have been killed by him as well.”

Xiao Jingfu's expression changed drastically: "Quickly, go to the palace now. Also, have you prepared the things I asked you to prepare?"

……

In Xiao Yuzheng's bedroom, Feng Yu had already brought Xu Xiaogang and Wen Chen in.

The Eighth Prince, Xiao Jingqing, who had been serving Xiao Yuzheng in the palace, saw Feng Yu arrive with his entourage and quickly said, "Father, I must excuse myself for a moment."

Xiao Yuzheng lay on his sickbed, nodding slightly as he watched Xiao Jingqing walk out of the palace.

"Who is he?" Xiao Yuzheng slowly raised his trembling hand and pointed at the unfamiliar Wen Chen.

Didn't you say you wanted to meet Xu Xiaogang? Why would Feng Yu bring a strange little eunuch to her palace?
He had known Feng Yu for many years and naturally understood Feng Yu's character; he would never act recklessly.

Then, Feng Yu turned around and glanced at Wen Chen.

Wen Chen hurriedly knelt on the ground, picked up an exquisite wooden box with both hands, and then opened the box. A fragrant aroma filled the room.

The fragrance made Xu Xiaogang feel refreshed and relaxed as soon as he smelled it.

"Your Majesty, my master Jiang Yun went through many hardships and difficulties to finally obtain this Boundless Grass for Your Majesty on the Immortal Island!"

"If one consumes this Boundless Herb, one's lifespan can be extended by ten years!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng, lying on his sickbed, widened his eyes and stared intently at Xu Xiaogang. Then, he slowly opened his mouth and praised repeatedly, "Good, good, good!"

The three consecutive "good"s were enough to show how excited Xiao Yuzheng was.

He took a deep breath and said, "Feng Yu, quickly give it to me!"

Feng Yu dared not delay, fearing that things might change if he was too slow, so he quickly took out the Boundless Grass.

This Boundless Grass looks somewhat like a five-leaf clover, but it is crystal clear and obviously not an ordinary thing.

Before, when he was in good health, Xiao Yuzheng would probably have doubted whether this thing was real or poisonous...

But now that he's nearing the end of his life, he can't care about anything else.

Soon, Feng Yu brought the Boundless Grass to his lips.

The moment the Boundless Grass entered his mouth, it seemed to turn into liquid and melt instantly in Xiao Yuzheng's mouth.

"Your Majesty, how are you feeling?" Feng Yu asked in a low voice, somewhat nervously.

After a moment, Xiao Yuzheng slowly opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and was able to sit up from the bed: "Feng Yu, where is Jiang Yun? I want to see him. I want to reward him handsomely!"

“Your Majesty, I’m afraid my brother-in-law won’t be able to come to the palace right now,” Xu Xiaogang said in a deep voice. “When my brother-in-law was rushing back to the capital with the immortal herbs he had painstakingly obtained from the Immortal Island, he was stopped by the Imperial Guards.”

"Furthermore, right now, my brother-in-law and Princess Ningyi are both wanted criminals by the imperial court."

At that moment, Feng Yu handed the notice he had been holding to Xiao Yuzheng.

Xiao Yuzheng took the notice and his eyes narrowed slightly.

In an instant, he understood what was going on.

At the same time, a soft knock came from outside the door. It was Xiao Jingqing's voice: "Father, Fourth Brother has arrived and says he wants to pay his respects to you."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng closed his eyes, pondered for a long time, and then said to Feng Yu, "You take Xu Xiaogang and the others away first. I'll go see Jing Fu first."

Feng Yu nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "This servant will wait outside."

Xiao Yuzheng shook his head calmly: "No need. You escort Xu Xiaogang out of the palace and, in front of Jing Fu, declare that you are sending the Duke of Zhenguo back."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu seemed to understand something, and he nodded slightly.

At this moment, Xiao Jingfu stood outside the palace with a somewhat anxious expression. He held Xiao Jingqing's wrist beside him and said, "Eighth brother, I have been quite busy with things lately and have not been able to come and pay my respects to Father. I'm sorry to have troubled you by Father's side all this time."

"As your son, this is my duty." Xiao Jingqing's youthful face revealed no trace of scheming.

Just then, Feng Yu led Xu Xiaogang and Wen Chen out.

"Eunuch Feng."

"Oh, Your Highness, you've finally found some free time to sit with His Majesty." Feng Yu said with a faint smile, "The Duke of Zhenguo was wounded at the front line, and His Majesty was worried about him, so he specially issued an edict to see him."

"He even specially asked me to escort the Duke back to his residence."

Xu Xiaogang, who was standing next to him, also joined in the act, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I, Xu Xiaogang, am unworthy of such a favor."

Watching Feng Yu lead Xu Xiaogang slowly away into the distance.

Xiao Jingfu's eyes flickered slightly, and he looked towards the palace before walking inside.

Upon entering the room, one sees Xiao Yuzheng still lying on his sickbed, his condition critical.

He hurriedly ran over and knelt on the sickbed: "Father, your son is unfilial, only now coming to visit you."

(End of this chapter)