NFBE Chapter 276: Parting Ways
Chapter 276: Parting Ways
It should be noted that the emperor sent them to the south of the Yangtze River because of the war.
Now, however, someone is obstructing things. It's not hard to understand who is causing trouble from Zhongshan. However, concrete evidence is still needed.
Judging from Li Xiao Kui's expression, the fact that he didn't help them means that he didn't intend to do so.
Thinking of this, Lin Rusi cautiously probed, "So I want to know, why didn't you kill us?"
“I only agreed to help them stop you, I didn’t agree to kill you. I’m a good bandit who robs the rich to help the poor, not a bad one. Besides, I took some money with me when I ran away from home.”
"..."
Lin Rusi was speechless. People came to be bandits simply to have fun.
They actually have principles and bottom lines!
Thinking about this, she found it inexplicably funny.
Seeing that the two understood, Li Xiao Kui immediately asked, "By the way, who exactly are you people? And why are you with an army? Are you from the capital?"
Lin Rusi subconsciously turned to look at Li Jingyang, her eyes filled with a hint of uncertainty, as if she was considering whether or not to speak up.
Seeing this, Li Jingyang nodded in agreement: "He is the current Prince Jinglie, and I am his queen."
But to everyone's surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, the chicken leg in Li Xiao Kui's hand fell to the ground. He opened his mouth wide, his face full of astonishment.
"Really? You're not kidding me?"
Li Xiao Kui quickly wiped his greasy hands and looked at Li Jing Yang excitedly. He even awkwardly extended his hand to Li Jing Yang: "Can I shake your hand? I've liked you for a long time!"
Looking into Li Xiao Kui's eyes, they were sparkling, just like someone seeing their idol.
Lin Rusi watched, her feelings complicated.
It turns out that Li Xiao Kui had liked Li Jing Yang for a long time and had heard of the prince's reputation long ago.
"Thank you. I did this because of the border conflict. Could you tell us who ordered you to do this?"
Li Xiao Kui would never refuse, and quickly added, "Of course, Your Highness, why don't you take me with you? I'll go to war with you."
He was extremely excited, as if he could already see himself going to the battlefield to fight.
Lin Rusi frowned and didn't say anything more.
"However, it was the prefect of Suzhou who made me do this. He said you are not good people, and with the border in turmoil, we can't let you cause any more trouble."
Li Xiaokui's explanation was both unexpected and reasonable.
The emperor did not keep the fact that he had sent Li Jingyang and the General of Zhenbei to fight separately a secret. The prefect of Suzhou, who had something to hide, would certainly not miss the opportunity to find out about the news in the capital.
"Since when has a mere prefect dared to be so lawless?"
Li Jingyang was furious, and his hands unconsciously tightened, his slender fingers turning white.
"The people of Suzhou have also suffered greatly, but since the emperor is far away, what can they do besides endure it?"
Li Xiao Kui seemed to have thought of something, and a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes: "Those bastards will stop at nothing to prevent their dirty deeds from being exposed."
Li Jingyang knew that now was not the time to lose his temper.
He tried to calm himself down, frowned and thought for a long time before looking at Li Xiao Kui: "I still have to thank you this time, but the situation in Suzhou is very chaotic, and the people of the Suzhou prefect have dealt with you before. If you go to Suzhou with me and are discovered, your life may be in danger."
Li Xiao Kui had already offended the man by not attacking them as ordered. If he went to their doorstep at this critical juncture, given their vengeful nature, there was no guarantee that something unexpected wouldn't happen.
"What are you afraid of?"
Li Xiao Kui quickly stood up, patted his chest, and declared his stance: "A true man should not be cowardly and afraid of trouble when he walks between heaven and earth. If I, Li Xiao Kui, didn't even have this much courage, I would have been hiding in my comfort zone in my hometown long ago. Why would I come out to venture into the world?"
As he spoke, he looked at Li Jingyang with fervent eyes: "I heard of Your Highness's illustrious reputation when I was young, and I often reflected on myself because of it. That's why I made up my mind to leave home and make a name for myself. If I desert now, I will regret it for the rest of my life."
Li Xiao Kui seems to have a stubborn temper. He abandoned his family's wealth to become a Robin Hood-like bandit who robs the rich to help the poor. Now that he has met someone he has long admired, it seems unlikely that he will change his ways anytime soon.
Seeing that the two were still arguing, Lin Rusi stepped in to smooth things over, feeling a bit annoyed: "If the boss wants to go, then let him go. He has his own legs; who can stop him?"
"Besides, you're going to Suzhou soon, so the fact that we're still alive can't be kept a secret anytime soon."
“You said it yourself, that Suzhou prefect is vindictive. Even if they don’t leave, they’ll be found. Rather than waiting to die, we might as well go along with him and find a new place.” Lin Rusi squeezed Li Jingyang’s hand, then turned to Li Xiaokui: “You have to promise that you won’t act impulsively and that you’ll prioritize your own life. The lives of the people of Suzhou are lives, and so are your lives and the lives of these brothers.”
Li Xiao Kui may seem straightforward, but he actually has his own agenda.
He was unwilling to do anything harmful, but after learning the other party's identity, he pretended to agree and befriended Li Jingyang. He had a clear plan for everything he did.
It's rare that he still has a chivalrous heart, and he's not without the ability to protect himself. So let's follow him; he might come in handy someday.
As soon as Lin Rusi spoke, Li Jingyang's expression softened. In addition, her words did make sense, and after thinking about it carefully, he slowly nodded.
Li Xiao Kui was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed to the two of them, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Your Highness."
In his excitement, he also gained more respect for Lin Rusi, the Princess Consort of Jinglie.
The prince was wise and mighty, and in his heart he was already the greatest being. He believed that no woman in the world was worthy of him.
Princess Jinglie had a good reputation in the capital, but I had only heard about her before and then forgotten about her. Now that I have met her, I can see that she is indeed different from ordinary women.
As expected, the prince's judgment was excellent.
Although he had agreed to bring Li Xiao Kui along, Li Jingyang had other plans for him.
"I have already made arrangements for the matter in Suzhou. You may take your men and make a trip to Lingzhou."
Li Jingyang dipped his finger in water and sketched a simple map: "Lingzhou is right next to Suzhou. If the situation in Suzhou is already out of control, I'm afraid the surrounding cities will also be affected."
Li Xiao Kui was somewhat disappointed when he heard that he could not travel with Li Jing Yang, but he became excited again after hearing about his mission.
This trip could relieve Li Jingyang of these concerns, which sounds like a good thing.
Li Xiaokui was an impatient person who acted immediately. Li Jingyang also knew that the situation was urgent and they couldn't linger here for too long.
After agreeing on the plan, the two parties parted ways and went to their respective destinations.
The mountain stronghold was not far from Suzhou; otherwise, the Suzhou prefect would not have approached Li Xiao Kui and his group.
However, this time, he clearly miscalculated!