Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!

Chapter 699 - 698: Must Not Remain Long [Additional Update]

The messenger’s eyes were unfocused, and upon hearing Prince Lan’s probing question, he shook his head slowly without hesitation: "I’m just a small role responsible for delivering messages... My master wouldn’t tell me any plans..."

Prince Lan furrowed his brow. This answer was clearly not what he was hoping for, but coming from the mouth of this messenger, it was quite reasonable and highly credible.

After all, someone sent to deliver a message, while trusted by the other party, is certainly not considered important.

Such a role not knowing their master’s plans seemed justifiable.

So, after a brief consideration, he changed his approach: "Then did your master instruct you on anything specific before you left for Lan Country?"

"Yes..." the messenger answered absently, "My master said the delivery must be timely, without any imprudent behavior, and under no circumstances should Prince Lan be made suspicious..."

As he spoke, it seemed as though he was entirely unaware of who was in front of him. Apart from speaking slowly, he appeared utterly oblivious to the implications of his words.

Prince Lan listened, squinting his eyes, clearly realizing something. Simultaneously, a suppressed excitement surfaced on his face, as if acknowledging the effectiveness of the pill the young lord had given him. This suggested that not only could he verify its effects this time, but he could also use it for things previously unattainable.

After some thought, he rephrased his question: "Have you heard your master mention anything related to Prince Lan to you or to others?"

The messenger was silent for a moment, just as Prince Lan wondered if the pill’s effect had worn off so soon, the messenger spoke again: "My master had mentioned both to me and to others... that no matter what, Prince Lan must be stabilized... allowing his senior brother to continue wielding power and having his pleasure in Lan Country... although..."

"Although what?!" Prince Lan’s eyelid twitched upon hearing the word "senior brother," almost causing him to rise from his chair, instinctively urging further.

He quickly realized, however, that while the guests in the courtyard couldn’t hear what the messenger was saying, if he leaped up from his chair, everyone with eyes would see.

So, he sat back down slowly.

"My master said... although... although his senior brother can’t stay long... but... before the overall situation is settled, he can’t be moved yet... we need to... get the formulas of those few medicines in his hand, and then he can’t be allowed to stay in this world anymore...

... My master said... that senior brother... lacks sagacity in handling matters, and if not eliminated, will certainly become a future misfortune...

He also said... that if it wasn’t for being reckless back then, revealing flaws, leading to the sect’s actions alarming the Emperor... it wouldn’t have resulted in the sect’s... destruction... or even the master’s... head being chopped off and hung on the city gate..."

"Shut up! Shut up!" Prince Lan, who had just been able to keep his composure, was suddenly filled with rage upon hearing this, unable to suppress his fury, he overturned the table before him with a wave of his hand, signaling the nearby guards, "Why don’t you quickly take this nonsense-spewing creature out and behead him for me!

I want his head chopped off and hung on the city gate! Let everyone see clearly the fate of those who dare offend me and humiliate me!"

While speaking, he grabbed various cups, melons, and even food scattered on the ground beside him and threw them all at the messenger who was still sitting there, eyes vacant, motionless.

A chicken leg flew over, hitting the messenger on the forehead, causing his head to tilt to the side unexpectedly, yet he seemed completely unaware of the anomaly, allowing the piece of skin on the chicken leg to stick to his eyebrow as he sat there dazed, unresponsive.

A few guards immediately stepped forward, grabbing the messenger and dragging him out of the Prince Mansion, the messenger offered no resistance, stumbling along as if his soul had left him.

Watching from the side, Hong Liu’er also quietly slipped away.

Prince Lan raged furiously; the courtyard’s earlier bustling music fell silent, and whether tipsy or half-drunk guests couldn’t help but notice, all quietly shrank back into their seats, some daring to glance repeatedly at Prince Lan, while others wished to hide their heads under the table.

Prince Lan suddenly realized his outburst was more than a slight loss of composure, it was entirely out of character compared to his usual demeanor.

Reflecting on the messenger’s words further unnerved him.

Thus, steeling himself, he shouted to the circle of guards standing in the courtyard: "Someone! Arrest all the people in this courtyard and lock them up, without my orders, none of them shall be released!"

After issuing that command, he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes and breathing heavily, evidently provoked by the messenger’s earlier statements.

After a moment, he was aware of the overwhelming silence, suspiciously reopening his eyes and looking outside.

The diners, previously stunned, remained sitting just as stunned below, seeming even more frightened, so much so that they didn’t dare make a sound, seemingly having their throats clutched.

The guards, who should have been executing his command to arrest everyone in the courtyard by now, stood motionless as if they’d turned to statues.

Prince Lan frowned, displeased, sweeping his gaze towards the guards: "Are you all deaf?! Why haven’t you arrested these people yet?!"

Despite his loud shouts, those people remained motionless, standing as if they’d stood too long they’ve turned to stone.

It was then that Prince Lan noticed something was wrong. He looked closely at the guards in the yard, suddenly realizing that standing there weren’t the usual guards assigned to the inner mansion, but the old guards who had been working at the Prince Mansion from the beginning.

But he distinctly remembered most of these old guards had been assigned outside, either patrolling or guarding the gates, definitely not allowed near the inner quarters, nowhere near him!