Chapter 40: Petty, Hunting, Fire

Thinking about it, it's also a coincidence that the Head of the Cabinet Ministers Ruan Rui Zhong, Head Minister of Rites Luo Pei Shan, and Judicial Court's Head Magistrate Diwu, these three people, all belonged to the neutral faction. Among the people of the neutral faction, their statuses weren't the highest, but their official positions were. It was also because of this that among the many officials that liked flowers, the three of them were the closest.

To be able to preserve oneself during the cruel battle for the throne, this in itself was very much proof.

For Luo Pei Shan, aside from his means, there was also the factor of the position he resided in there. At the moment, he was only just struggling at the edge, but perhaps not long after he'll be forced deep into it.

Head Magistrate Diwu appeared to look like a woman, but was truly a hard nut to crack. He was an absolute pure official, only loyal to his Majesty. Towards official business, he was truly strict and ruthless, not giving anyone face. That's why, if any major case were to appear below, it was for the best if the Ministry of Justice can handle it, and by all means, don't hand it over to him. However, this kind of person will never be the sharpest blade in his Majesty's hand. Because he was just, even if it was his Majesty, to want to borrow his hands to eliminate certain people, unless there was factual evidence for the crime, then it was a no go.

And as for the Head of the Cabinet Ministers, that was truly because of his own abilities. He was capable of striking the water on both sides, yet wasn't the mediator type. He handled matters smoothly and slyly, yet was in no way soft. Even Li Hong Yuan acknowledged his abilities.

"This kind of good thing, just let Cabinet Minister Ruan have it. Let's not involve ourselves." Head Magistrate Diwu smilingly said.

Luo Pei Shan also responded with a laugh.

Because it was fake, afraid after this incident, this pot of peony will probably never be seen again. Whether it's real or fake, an expert can easily tell up close. That's why, its purpose was only an appetizing bait used to lure them, and they can't let the fish touch it. As long as the fish can come close, and let others think that the fish has already chosen a direction, then it was enough.

Ruan Rui Zhong won't let certain people get what they want, but him doing something for this 'three color peony' was certain. Clearly knowing that it was fake, but they just won't tell him. Cabinet Minister Ruan's joke was too rare to see. And with him not giving Rui Qinwang any benefits, but still wanting to get this peony, Rui Qinwang will definitely be exhausted in dealing with him. That was also pretty good amusement too.

"Fake?" Inside the neighboring private room, Li Hong Yuan, who'd entered through a secret door, softly muttered. "As expected, only Wan Wan is able to raise that kind of rare peerless breed."

In his past life, the appearance of a pot of three color peony had caused quite a sensation. Li Hong Yuan was also very clear about Rui Qinwang, Li Hong Ming's, purpose. His real target should be Luo Pei Shan, but Luo Pei Shan had always been indifferent. Looking at it now, it must be that on this day in his past life, Wan Wan also saw the problem, and so naturally, Luo Pei Shan didn't have any movements. And it must also be the same case with Head Magistrate Diwu who was with them. However, Sun Yi Lin did make a move. Just, everyone all thought that it was because he was someone from the Empress's faction and was enemies with Rui Qinwang, that's why Rui Qinwang wasn't able to succeed. No doubt, on this day in his past life, Sun Yi Lin wasn't here, thus didn't know the truth. Ruan Rui Zhong and Li Hong Ming were 'entangled' for a period of time, but just exactly what the results were, no one knew, because the appearance of another pot of three color peony had masked this matter over. After all, the peony Wan Wan brought out, quite a few people have all personally touched it before.

According to Li Hong Ming's character, he must have had Wan Wan kept under watch even more tightly. Just before he was able to do anything, Wan Wan got schemed against by Li Ru Yu first.

Thinking about it like this, Wan Wan's life was indeed full of misfortune. There were wolves in the front and tigers in the back. As expected, without him, it was no good.

Arriving at these conclusions, Li Hong Yuan will naturally make some changes and arrangements to the layout of his plan.

"Grandfather, let's buy that pot of ink peony....." 'Thud....' Before Jing Wan could finish her words, that Gentleman Qin below had overturned the ink peony. The flower pot shattered, and the soil scattered all over. The peony was smashed up on the floor, having lost quite a few leaves and flower petals.

Jing Wan's heart ached terribly. She turned around, seemingly wanting to go out the door and run downstairs.

"Don't fret, judging by that quality, apart from you, afraid there aren't many that will want it. Wait until this is over with, then taking it back won't be a difficult matter."

Hearing this, Jing Wan had no choice but to settle her heart.

From the dark crack, Li Hong Yuan saw her look, and his expression darkened along with it. "Let Qin Tian Ming come see this prince at night."

"Yes." An Yi replied.

Not educating the son was the fault of the father, this was a typical case. Just, Qin Tian Ming was even more pitiful. At least, if it was someone else, he wouldn't have had to suffer. But when facing the future wangfei, that heart of master's was narrower than a needle. That flower originally didn't belong to Miss Luo anyways, and she'd only just expressed the desire to own it. But after witnessing her feel heartache from seeing that flower suffer, this one immediately looked like he wanted to have that person torn limb from limb.

Meanwhile, at another place on the same street, three different forces were currently acting out a fight called 'mantis stalking the cicada, while the oriole follows behind'.

Rui Qinwang had unintentionally learned that in this flower market, Gong Qinwang had a hidden stronghold, and there even appears to be some disgraceful things inside. And Kang Qinwang, from the start, already knew everything about this place, as well as Gong Qinwang's every little movement here like the back of his hand. In order to obtain even more information, he didn't eliminate this place. He didn't need to expend his own energy and effort, and there were also lots of benefits, who wouldn't like it? When Rui Qinwang was setting up his plans, causing this flower competition today, Kang Qinwang had already sensed something and naturally move forwards with his plans.

When Rui Qinwang's men nearly finished exterminating all of Gong Qinwang's people, while searching for the thing he needed, a group of men in black suddenly charged in. Although Rui Qinwang had already planned ahead, but at the moment, his men were also injured. In addition, Kang Qinwang had dispatched even more people, and in an instant, Rui Qinwang's men fell into a predicament. One of them, under the protection of the others, eventually managed to escape.......

Seeing that the oriole was about to peck the mantis to death, a black hand quietly appeared. The organization of these people were orderly, and they were all highly skilled in martial arts. Their hands were ruthless, and very soon, they had all the people cleanly taken care of. And the people that had entered the room also quickly came out, the two sides nodding to one another.

Even though the Left Commander, Qin Tian Ming, 'worked' for Kang Qinwang, the Guan Jun Marquis Manor behind him still supported Gong Qinwang. That's why, although Gong Qinwang was just a pitiful bug, he still more or less held some useful things in his hands.

A fire very quickly spread as they withdrew. And almost at the same time, the most densely populated Hundred Flower Building, as well as a few other places, all simultaneously caught fire......

The intensity of the fire was too big, and was burning too quickly. The Hundred Flower Building instantly fell into chaos. Even if those noble young ladies all squeezed towards the exit with all their might, if one accidentally fell, then the people behind all toppled over top. Sounds of screaming, cries of help, blood curdling screeches.......

Jing Wan was also somewhat frightened by this sudden disaster. However, she knew that at this time, she needed to stay calm, and absolutely mustn't panic. Just when she was about to open her mouth to say something, her nose and mouth was suddenly covered by a wet handkerchief, "Miss, quickly go!"

"Grandfather....."

"Miss don't worry, the old master has people at his side." Gong mama led Jing Wan towards an exit. The others all closely followed behind. However, at the bottom of the stairs on the lower floor, in addition to the people coming down from upstairs, the place was immediately blocked up. This kind of shoving was the most dangerous. Moreover, Jing Wan discovered that at her side, aside from Gong mama, the others all disappeared. Clearly they were separated.

Jing Wan tightly grabbed onto Gong mama. Although she was extremely worried in her heart, she also knew that right now wasn't the time to turn around and search for them. Amidst the chaos, her head seemed to have been accidentally struck by someone, and in an instant, she felt somewhat dizzy.

Before Jing Wan lost consciousness, she seemed to have felt her body leaving the ground and soaring into the skies. She wanted to struggle, but was mercilessly dragged into darkness.

Her own family's Miss was kidnapped under her watch, how was that still okay. However, in an instant, Gong mama seemed to have thought of something, yet didn't stop in the slightest bit. She held onto the railing and jumped down with a leap, following after the man in black in front. Her movements were quick and steady, completely unlike a forty some year old older woman. Soon after, she chased after the person out the back door.

The back courtyard of the Hundred Flower Building was a three sectioned house. It wasn't considered big, but at the same time it wasn't small either. Although this place wasn't as chaotic as the front side, it was still surrounded by smoke and flames. It wasn't any better. Gong mama had already lost sight of the person that took Jing Wan away. However, her footsteps still did't stop. She very confidently headed straight towards a certain direction.

Coming out of the Hundred Flower Building's surroundings, Gong mama carefully sniffed the air. Then afterwards, she found a horse carriage two alleys away.

Next to the horse carriage stood who someone Gong mama was extremely familiar with. Carrying a solemn look, she walked over.