"Still alive?"

Tightly staring at Cheng Wanli's weird face, Min Rui suddenly turned his expression. He only felt that everything was in an incredible reversal.

Despite the fact that he was unaccountably excited to hear Leng Qingtang was alive, he was also astonished by Cheng Wanli's gloomy and weird face, being in puffs of chill.

"He is alive indeed..."

Cheng Wanli and Min Rui looked at each other in their eyes. In Cheng Wanli's dim and blank eyes, there were cloudy mists and plenty of coldness.

"But... but at that time, Master Leng was still in Southern Jiang. When and where did you meet him?"

Soon, another question occurred to Min Rui.

Certainly, even in the simplest assumption, when Cheng Wanli accepted the imperial decree and led his members be aboard on the sea, Leng Qingtang could be still in Southern Jiang. Therefore, they should never have a chance to meet each other.

Looking at Cheng Wanli again, he still showed no emotion. His expressionless look was so weird that Min Rui was afraid of having direct eye contact with him.

"It is not your business, Your Highness. I once said, the fleet of the Eastern Depot encountered rough seas and deviated. Now there is still one missing boat. Besides, among our internal people of the Eastern Depot, there are plenty of ways to deliver the message. Why is it necessary to meet each other in person?"

Min Rui was choked by Cheng Wanli, with hot blood flooding his brain. He didn't mind so much, but slowly loosen Cheng Wanli's collar, saying in a lower voice,

"Are you serious? Master Leng is lucky enough, and he is still alive indeed?"

Cheng Wanli smiled stiff, which looked a little ugly,

"When you meet him, you will not be suspicious. But now you are in trouble. Eunuch Liu gained a secret order. Before coming back to the capital, he must murder your whole family. Master suggested that you should make a decisive resolve, that is, taking the action first."

In a sudden astonishment, Min Rui held the red-lacquered barrier and staggered. He quietly pondered and considered, somewhat hesitating,

"We Min Clan is always loyal to the emperor, and my daughter is still in the Palace. Why...?"

Cheng Wanli walked and whispered to him,

"The Master understood that considering for your families would put you into a dilemma. Now we have a great idea, which may give you a hand. Do not wait, we come back to the fleet camp first, for fear that Eunuch Liu feels suspicious."

...

It was in Dongqing Fleet camp.

In the lobby, tables and chairs were in alignment. There were delicate plates and bowls, abundant foods, and fragrant wines.

In three junior banquet tables, eunuchs and guards from the capital were all devouring and gobbling, as their faces flushed and mouths became oily.

At the head table, Min Rui and Eunuch Liu toasted and greeted each other. By contrast, Cheng Wanli and the other three captains quietly and silently sat there, with their heads lowered. And they even didn't move a few chopsticks.

"Eunuch Liu, the camp is different from the outside. There is no instrument or dance. Please make do with it."

"You led the team to get south to the frontier, going and retracing. How painstaking and exhausted! I specially prepared a meagre present for you, and had dispatched people to carry it onto your boat. When you come back to the capital, please put some good words for me to His Majesty."

Min Rui managed to coax Eunuch Liu into drinking one vessel of liquor again. When the retinue fulfilled the vessel for Eunuch Liu, Min Rui got close to his ear and whispered.

But in fact, he was quite unwilling.

After all, he was proudly a top duke. When Emperor Jingxiao was on the throne, how honorable and proud he was. But now things were much different, he should be reduced to abasing himself by flattering a eunuch with bribes.

Ah!

Min Rui was not unconvinced of people in the Eastern Depot, however, there were plenty of considerations. As a result, he didn't want to apparently break up with the imperial court. If there was an opportunity of leaving a room for another leeway, he must tightly hold it.

Cheng Wanli sat on the table in a long silence. It seemed that he completely ignored Min Rui's swaying behavior.

On the other side, Eunuch Liu had already been grinning from ear to ear.

The meagre present from the Duke's Mansion must be out of the ordinary. Anyhow, Min Rui would be dead soon. When he finished the imperial task and came back to the capital, he could also gain some golds and silvers in vain. Could the new emperor be interested to know whether servants had taken bribes from a dead person or not?

Considering good things in his mind, Eunuch Liu became happy and complacent. But he still said courteous words,

"Aye yo! You are so courteous, Duke Min! Take it easy! You are the top duke in the imperial court, and your daughter is also the Imperial Mother in the Palace. When the new emperor is on the throne, he will never treat you badly."

"When I went out of the Palace, the new emperor was not on the throne. But he especially ordered me to take a jar of one-hundred-year liquor. It is the reward for your achievement of leading Dongqing Fleet and beating An Guo. Servant, bring the liquor."

Suddenly, Min Rui's heartbeat a few flops faster. With butt on the chair, he felt a prickle of disquiet.

Then Min Rui slightly turned his intensively sweaty head to look at Cheng Wanli. The man still sat there with his eyes lowered. The same as those captains of captain, Cheng Wanli was just like a silent tower.

Along with Min Rui's line of sight, Eunuch Liu also found the unusual condition of people of the Eastern Depot. With his sparse eyebrows frowned, he questioned Cheng Wanli,

"Aye yo! Chiliarch Cheng, what's up? Could it be that the banquet is not to your taste? Since you sat down, I have not seen you move chopsticks."

Cheng Wanli sat still, slowly and softly saying one word. It seemed that the word was floating in the air,

"I also want to taste the liquor awarded by the emperor."

"Awarded by the emperor? Oh, that's right. Now Prince Chen has been on the throne. The liquor is indeed awarded by emperor..."

Eunuch Liu raised his orchid fingers and wiped his mouth, smiling obsequiously,

"But it is a pity! The liquor is rewarded to Duke Min and Heir by His Majesty. When Kunhuang Tomb is opened, you people of the Eastern Depot make achievements. At that time, let alone great liquor, even the beauty can be rewarded by His Majesty to you, hahaha..."

"Anything he rewards me, is not better than giving me a Master."

Before Cheng Wanli finished his gloomy words, all had been quiet.

Several eyes, in maliciousness or amazement, were all instantly paid to Cheng Wanli's half-lowered and gloomy face. Even Min Rui on the host seat looked embarrassed, being nervous about Cheng Wanli's bold and frank words.

Eunuch Liu looked pale and nervous. With a stunned look, he instantly turned to smile, saying slowly and mildly,

"Ha-ha, Chiliarch Cheng, that makes sense. After all, the Eastern Depot is a key institution of the imperial court. Of course, it can't be left with no leader. I believe that before long, His Majesty will make an arrangement."

"Heehee..."

Holding hands on the knee, Cheng Wanli made some weird laughs, which sounded chilling. He turned his eyes directly on one point of the table,

"It doesn't need a particular arrangement. Eunuch Liu, you are well believed by the new emperor. In my view, the new Master of the Eastern Depot, must be conferred to you."

"Aye yo! Please don't joke, Chiliarch Cheng. Presumably, there are plenty of talents in the Palace. How could I compare with them...?"

Though Eunuch Liu spoke modest words, in fact, he had already been complacent in his mind. While sitting on the chair and wriggling his body, he took a pink handkerchief. With his mouth covered, he snickered,

"Ha-ha, the affairs of the Eastern Depot are not difficult indeed. If His Majesty trusts me, I will never refuse to be the Master. Anyhow, it is also my contribution to the imperial court. Ha-ha, at that time, I will rely more on your help, Chiliarch Cheng."

Uncovering the handkerchief, Eunuch Liu raised his mouth and laughed. While slightly greeting Cheng Wanli as cold as a mountain, he caught sight of the complex expression of Min Rui on the host seat.

In the hall, people became much too quiet again. Everyone was in complicated expressions. The depressed and sullen atmosphere, in contrast with the wonderful banquet, appeared strange and distinct.

Immediately, Eunuch Liu realized that he had made an indiscreet remark. He lowered his back, as his expression became more and more unnatural.

Then he held the handkerchief to partly cover his face. The eunuch shifted his attitude so quickly that he should make a mock cry in public,

"Aye yo! As far as the ability, no one can match Master Leng. Let's talk about that. How could such a handsome and erudite man suffer the shipwreck? Even God is jealous of the talented young..."

At that time, a young eunuch came into the hall. On his hand, he held a delicate long-necked flagon ornamented with engraved patterns.

Eunuch Liu eventually met his deliverer. Immediately he frequently wiped his drenched forehead with the handkerchief, instead of rubbing his eyes with tears.

"Quick, quick to present the wonderful liquor awarded by the emperor."

He raised his half body, waving the pink handkerchief to the young eunuch.

The young eunuch walked close to the table and fulfilled one vessel. Then he bowed and stepped back to the side.

"The liquor has been heated up. Duke Min, please drink it."

Eunuch Liu lowered his eyes and took a glance at the vessel. Then he raised them to stare at Min Rui sharply.

Min Rui blankly stared at the clear liquor in the five-colored vessel, slowly standing up, as his face gradually turned pale.

It seemed a vessel of poisonous liquor!

At the moment, Eunuch Liu asked Min Jun beside him to drink it.

"Heir Min, it is the upper liquor called 'Clear Drink'. Even in the national banquet, our deceased emperor didn't take it out and have a drink. What a wonderful liquor! Quick to taste it!"

Min Jun was too young to understand the underlying things. As he squinted and smelled the banquet, he didn't hesitate and immediately held the vessel.

"Wait a minute!"

Suddenly, Cheng Wanli made a loud shout, stopping Min Rui in time. Then he raised his stalwart body up from the chair, instantly turning his cold and gloomy eyes to Eunuch Liu.

"Eunuch Liu, you will be the next Master of the Eastern Depot soon. Anyhow, you should taste the wonderful liquor awarded by the emperor first."

"Don't... Don't joke..."

Eunuch Liu appeared much too scared and nervous. In his forehead, beads of sweat occurred again. He repeatedly waved and stepped backward,

"The, the liquor is what His Majesty rewards Min Family. How can I dare to drink it?"

"Why not dare? Since His Majesty is fond of you, could it be a matter to have a drink?"

Said Cheng Wanli gloomily. Then he held his hands and suddenly grabbed Eunuch Liu's one arm.

Eunuch Liu felt painful and squealed as sharply as the pig.

The guards on the senior banquet tables stood up, rustling to fight against Cheng Wanli.

"Unappreciative..."

At that moment, Cheng Wanli's blank eyes became so blazed as the fire. As he dragged Eunuch Liu to be backward on the other side, he motioned for Zhao Wuji with one look.

Zhao Wuji’s head was also half-lowered. But he precisely rushed forward and held the toast eunuch in his arms, gripping him by the neck with two fingers.

"Heehee, now that Eunuch Liu refuses to drink, you can replace him to have a taste!"

With an evil smile, Zhao Wuji reached his other hand, grabbing the flagon on the table and pouring the liquor into the eunuch's mouth.

Before the liquor was completely poured down, the eunuch's organs had already bled.

"The liquor is poisonous!"

Min Jun felt anxious. In madness, he flopped the vessel down.

As the scheme was revealed, the guards of Eunuch Liu instantly fight with the people of the Eastern Depot.

But they didn't match those people of the Eastern Depot in strength. Besides, the latter was assisted by Min's members of the fleet camp. Therefore, just for a few minutes, those guards were all captured.

At that time, Min Rui was boiled with rage. He staggered and walked in front of Eunuch Liu, grabbing and shaking him violently. In sadness, he shouted,

"Why! We, Family Min, are loyal to the deceased emperor and the new emperor. We have never had a rebellious mind. Why the imperial court can't let us live, why...?"

Eunuch Liu felt dizzy and saw stars, continually struggling and shouting,

"Min Rui, don't be impolite! I am the imperial envoy appointed by His Majesty. How dare you act against me? Don't forget, your daughter is still in the Palace!"

Instantly, Min Rui was frightened. Then he loosened his hands and let Eunuch Liu go.

At that time, an official rushed into the hall, and his face was drenched with sweat,

"Report! Your Highness, there is a terrible matter! After eating the pastries awarded by the emperor, Duchess Min began to vomit blood. Now several doctors are diagnosing her together!"