"...By this decree!"
The imperial envoy eunuch, with a long stubble, closed the imperial edict and, with a smirk that was not quite a smile, looked at Yang Ge behind the incense table performing a ceremonial bow, "Lord Yang, receive the decree."
Yang Ge stretched out both hands, "This humble servant Yang Ge receives the decree, may our Emperor live for ten thousand, ten thousand, ten thousand years."
The eunuch with the imperial edict passed the holy decree into Yang Ge’s hands.
Yang Ge stood up, stared with dead fish eyes at the eunuch, and said with a smirk, "Wei, aren’t you an imperial secret guard? How come you are also delivering decrees now?"
It never occurred to him that the eunuch delivering the decree would be Wei Heng, the legendary imperial secret guard he had once encountered.
He had reason to suspect that this formidable eunuch, who even grew a beard, was the sheath the Emperor Xiping had found for him.
Not even bothering to send an unknown secret guard shows it’s clearly a direct challenge to him, doesn’t it?
"Lord Yang, the favored often forget."
With his hands clasped, Wei Heng smiled warmly and harmlessly, "As an imperial envoy, it is only right for our Imperial Horse Supervisor to take care of everything before and after the saddle, including food, clothing, and accommodation."
Yang Ge was naturally not deceived by this smiling tiger.
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He hadn’t forgotten how this man singlehandedly subdued both him and Yang Tiansheng to the ground with impressive might.
Though he was no longer the half-trained Qi Sea of the past.
But truly, if it came to a fight, this bearded eunuch was an opponent more troublesome than the mad monk Liao Chen.
"May I ask Wei, the imperial edict is here, but where is the imperial sword?"
Yang Ge did not waste time probing and directly asked the most important question.
As if suddenly realizing, Wei Heng laughed, "Look at my memory... Xiao Chunzi, quickly bring the imperial sword to Lord Yang."
A junior eunuch quickly stepped out from the lineup with a package wrapped in bright yellow silk, handing over the long box to Yang Ge, "Lord Yang, receive the sword!"
Yang Ge put away the imperial edict, bowed deeply, and raised both hands high, "May our Emperor live for ten thousand, ten thousand, ten thousand years!"
The junior eunuch stepped forward, bowed, and handed the long box to Yang Ge.
With a grin, Wei Heng said, "Lord Yang may be young, but his imperial favor is rarely matched by others today. Lord Yang must speak and act cautiously, fulfill his duties diligently, and not disappoint the royal expectations."
Yang Ge chuckled softly, quickly opened the Sword Box, and grabbed the ornately decorated dragon-patterned sword placed inside, under the astonished gaze of all the eunuchs present, "May I ask Wei, are there any secret decrees or verbal commands with you? If there are, why not declare them all now, so as not to make me, a humble official, misstep in my duties? Although my life is insignificant, involving you in this matter would be a great trouble!"
With the sword in hand, roles reversed.
Wei Heng’s eyes twitched, and he opened his mouth several times, not knowing what to say.
Of course, he had secret orders with him!
But since it was a secret order, how could he speak of it?
Yet this cunning young man was questioning him with the imperial sword in hand.
How could he not answer?
Is that how you perform your duties?
Do you not understand the rules, or do you lack martial virtue?
"Clang."
Yang Ge drew the imperial sword two inches from its sheath and squinted his eyes, half-smiling, "What’s wrong, does the imperial sword not work? Or does Wei have some unspoken difficulties?"
Wei Heng’s face turned iron blue, waved his hand, and all accompanying eunuchs and guards instantly scattered like birds and beasts.
Only when he and Yang Ge were left alone did he say expressionlessly, "Since it is a secret decree, how could it be casually spoken?"
Yang Ge sheathed the sword, his smile also ceased, "I know you came prepared, Wei. All you need to do is watch and listen well, do not speak out of turn or interfere... Speaking truthfully in front of a real person, I’m determined to see this through, no matter the personal cost. Anyone who tries to stop me is my enemy; if I suffer, they will surely not fare well either!"
After finishing, he bowed with the sword, "I have yet to thank Wei for your favor in the past. The poor people throughout the land who have been tormented by the three major grain merchants also owe you a debt of gratitude for saving them from disaster!"
The color on Wei Heng’s iron-blue face finally softened somewhat as he gently helped Yang Ge up, saying lightly, "Lord Yang flatters me too much, I may be physically impaired... but my heart is not broken!"
Yang Ge nodded, "I hope that this time, Wei, you can still remain true to your original intention... If I defy the law for personal gain or seek revenge, you can take me back to the capital to report, but if I do not falter or break the law, I hope you can overlook my minor missteps."
He paused, then added, "A moment of your compassion can benefit thousands upon thousands of common people!"
He wasn’t asking to completely break free from this sheath.
He just hoped this sheath would delay in sheathing him.
Wei Heng hesitated for a few seconds, then sighed lightly, "Lord Yang thinks too highly of me, a mere servant, although advanced in years and dim of sight and hearing, must still act on command, I am hardly up to the task of saving thousands from disaster."
His implication was clear: "Take it easy, young man. At most, I’ll turn a blind eye; if the higher-ups really go after you, I can’t support you."
Yang Ge sighed in relief and sincerely smiled, "Wei, you’re too modest. It is because there are people like you, who emerge unsoiled from the filth, that this wretched world does not rot to its core..."
"Lord Yang, mind your words!"
Wei Heng scolded Yang Ge in a low voice, his smile harder to suppress than one might expect.
Just then, Fang Ke, who had been sent out on a mission, bowed and entered. As he stepped in and saw Wei Heng clad in his grand eunuch attire, he couldn’t help but slow his pace.
Yang Ge glanced at him and barked, "Speak if you have words, fart if you have farts, Wei is not an outsider!"
Immediately, Fang Ke responded loudly, "Reporting to my lord, Master Qin has already arrested all the officers of the Yangzhou Garrison!"