The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!-Chapter 316: Lost

Huangfu Jinxuan looked at him with a mix of dumbfoundedness and impatience, as if this person wasn’t very intelligent, and couldn’t help but feel somewhat disdainful.

He couldn’t have imagined that for his uncle-grandfather, the current Emperor, whom he could see every few days without it being anything special, it meant something entirely different for someone like Shang Jingwang, who had been an outside official for over twenty years.

He glanced over again, thinking how the journey had become increasingly off-track, far less prosperous than even a tenth of the Capital City, which further displeased him.

What kind of errand had his brother involved him in, in the city of rings and horses? Wasn’t it delightful enough?

Moreover, for a mere fifth-rank official, to have an epidemic in his jurisdiction, personally being on the scene, wasn’t that within his duties? Did it really require an Imperial Uncle to specially send someone to deliver an imperial decree?

One must know, that even for a court official, merely a humble fifth rank, to receive a special honor through an imperial decree, that kind of supreme honor was hardly given to one in a hundred. Giving such recognition to a small fifth-rank Prefect, wasn’t it overly generous to him?

Little did he know, when the Imperial Censor reported the matter, and the dean of the esteemed Wenbo Academy, Gu Hongru, rarely offered commendation in the court, and when others reminded him which year Shang Jingwang became a scholar and what positions he held, the Emperor became a bit intrigued by this little fifth-rank Prefect.

Gu Hongru was correct. From what he had seen and heard, most officials valued their lives, knowing well the ferocity of the epidemic and the insignificance of life in its face, it was one in a hundred officials who dared to personally go to an epidemic site. Nanxia needs such officials; the people need such officials. Only when there are more officials like this can the people live in peace and the country grow strong!

Thus, the Emperor drafted an imperial decree, specially dispatching someone to offer praise.

Prince Kang particularly requested that this decree duty could be handed over to his inept younger brother!

Who delivers the decree doesn’t matter, the Emperor naturally gave his nephew this face.

Huangfu Jinxuan was reluctant, but after all, it was his first time taking on an imperial duty, and with father and brother’s persistent instructions, he hurried along the road without much delay.

Finally reaching Wangshan Town’s borders, even the horse was exhausted, so they slowed down. Spotting a military camp, he was curious when suddenly, Yu Shikui cursed him.

On the other side, Yu Shikui was secretly furious as well.

Why did the decree arrive so fast?

Clearly, as soon as he received Shang Jingwang’s report, he quickly conferred with Wen Hao on a strategy, hardly pausing before preparing to eliminate the entire Wangshan Town as a means to claim credit for eradicating the epidemic.

His calculations had been precise, he even rushed without rest, following half a day behind Wen Hao, who came on horseback, and arrived at the place.

Originally, today he relied on the power of the five thousand stationed troops to smooth over everything, and by tomorrow, he could submit a report claiming the epidemic in Wangshan Town was severely uncontrollable, requiring extreme measures, ostensibly asking for forgiveness, but truly seeking credit.

However, his affairs had not proceeded as planned; why did people from the Capital arrive so early?

Moreover, even the Imperial Censor knew about this?

The Emperor even praised Shang Jingwang!

Clearly, Shang Jingwang was up to something in the middle of all this.

A mere fifth-rank Prefect, to receive an imperial commendation, resorting to such means? He took note, determined that Shang Jingwang would face consequences he couldn’t bear in the future.

Seeing Shang Jingwang still in shock, Huangfu Jinxuan said, "Stunned? Take the decree!"

Shang Jingwang awoke as if from a dream, hastily expressing gratitude, receiving the decree with both hands. Huangfu Jinxuan snorted impatiently, thinking he was so old yet didn’t even know how to receive a decree, what a country bumpkin.

He rolled his eyes and extended his hands again.

As soon as he dismounted, his two guards also dismounted, standing by his side. At this moment, the guard on the left respectfully handed him a scroll.

Everyone couldn’t help but be curious, judging by the scroll’s appearance, was it another imperial decree?

How could there be two decrees?

Yu Shikui’s eyes widened, since there was one for Shang Jingwang, was the other maybe a commendation for him?

After all, Wangshan Town belonged to the Northern County, he was the Northern County Magistrate, and Shang Jingwang was his subordinate. It was credited to him being a good mentor and role model.

Thinking of this, he inadvertently kneeled two steps forward, looking expectantly and joyfully at Huangfu Jinxuan.

As the decree reader, he would likely call him forward to receive the decree too.

However, Huangfu Jinxuan’s gaze swept over the crowd, his manner was high-handed, and his expression was arrogant and flamboyant, appearing uncontainable. As his two hands separated, indeed, it was another imperial decree, with the five-clawed golden dragon insignia conveying royal dignity.

This decree, however, was an imperial envoy decree; this one was far more ordinary, the court, having learned of the epidemic outbreak in Northern County Wangshan Town, appointed Huangfu Jinxuan as the imperial envoy, leading ten imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to treat the people. During this time, all matters would be decided by imperial envoy Huangfu Jinxuan!

It was not his commendation decree, which greatly disappointed Yu Shikui.

After the decree was announced, Huangfu Jinxuan put away the decree, his gaze sweeping over the still-kneeling crowd. At this moment, he found it somewhat interesting.

Although in the capital he was also untouchable, others yielding to him was because of his father and brother’s connections, because of the Prince Kang Mansion’s standing. This time, though, it was due to his different status.

If it weren’t for serving as this imperial envoy, how could he have this majesty?

Hmm, he had better perform this duty well. Only then would the Imperial Uncle make him imperial envoy a few more times, allowing him to enjoy the experience of people kneeling and acknowledging him.

Although he also knew that those people were kneeling to the decree in his hand, not to him.

Huangfu Jinxuan’s gaze briefly swept over the quarantine area, then the stationed troops surrounding it, wondering aloud, "Why are there so many people here?"

Yu Shikui quickly said, "Second Young Master, these are the Northern County troops. Learning that an imperial envoy would come, they are here to protect the envoy’s safety!"

Huangfu Jinxuan’s eyes fell on him, lightly spitting, "Was it you who said this Young Master was a notorious scoundrel in Capital, bullying the weak, and if I wasn’t bullying the common folk, it was considered a good deed?"

Yu Shikui quickly said, "A misunderstanding, Second Young Master, it’s all a misunderstanding. It was Xiao Xiao impersonating your identity to scam and defraud, and I was berating him!"

"Oh, who else is bold enough to impersonate this Young Master? Bring him here immediately!"

Yu Shikui immediately said, "Yes!" He turned his head, changed to a flattering expression, but with an intense look, saying, "Bring that fraudster here!"

At the moment Shang Jingwang received the imperial decree, he vividly recalled his first encounter with Huangfu Jingchen. This Young Master Jing indeed had kept his word; everything went as he said: the epidemic was contained, the capital knew of his deeds, and a decree was given, offering him personal commendation.

At this moment, with the imperial envoy wanting to capture Huangfu Jingchen, he anxiously said, "Second Young Master, there is more to this than meets the eye, please be lenient!"