Chapter 369: What Do You Think I Want to Do? (3)

This fellow is indeed a master at navigating the political arena with cunning diplomacy!

Han Lei took in everything, her delicate fingers pinching a silk handkerchief to cover the sarcastic curve at her lips.

There were six guards with swords standing outside the elegant room on the second floor, who greeted everyone with a synchronized bow.

Zhao Zun’s eyes flickered slightly as he turned his head and made a gesture to Xiao Zhengfei.

Xiao Zhengfei understood and sternly instructed his trusted aides, “You few, stay here.”

Zhao Zun’s four trusted aides immediately stood on both sides, forming a subtle confrontation with the Sun family’s guards.

The carved wooden door closed with a creak, and the room instantly filled with the aroma of wine and dishes.

Sun Wenyuan personally poured the tea, the tea leaves in the green porcelain cup unfolded like orchids: “Prince, taste this, it’s this year’s new early spring tea.”

He maintained a proper smile but continued to chatter incessantly.

“Prince, you have yet to taste the dishes of Tongfu Building! The food and wine at Tongfu Building are a sensation in Qingshui County, especially the marinated offals, said to be made with eighteen spices…”

“Indeed quite good.” Zhao Zun replied leisurely, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, “Not only is the business thriving, I just saw, there are also many dignitaries drinking here.”

Two little maids with double buns timidly set the dishes, even the noise of chopsticks hitting plates was very soft.

The Eight Immortals table was filled with delicacies: fish-flavored shredded pork glistening and inviting, sliced twice-cooked pork thin as cicada wings, with steam rising from the venison in the wild game platter.

After the maids arranged the dishes, Sun Wenyuan rose to propose a toast, his official sleeves sweeping over the dishes on the table.

“Congratulations to Prince for being appointed to Canzhou, this humble servant offers you a toast! The last time you rushed to Fufeng County, there was no time to welcome you. Let this meal be my welcoming dinner for the Prince.”

“Mr. Sun is too kind. Let’s all drink together.” Zhao Zun raised his cup high, signaling everyone to share the toast.

Han Lei and Luo Hai gladly responded, raising their glasses together, creating a convivial and harmonious atmosphere.

Zhao Zun took a bite of the fish-flavored shredded pork, chewing slowly and praising it highly.

Sun Wenyuan stood again and placed a piece of bear paw into Zhao Zun’s bowl.

“Prince, try this, this is the wild game you gifted me, so considerate of you to still think of me. I am truly grateful to you!”

“Oh? Truly grateful, are you?”

Zhao Zun looked at Sun Wenyuan, his tone rising but his expression suddenly changed to grim. He pulled out a memorial from his bosom and slammed it onto the table.

“Is this how Mr. Sun shows his gratitude to me?”

Seeing the familiar cover of the memorial, Sun Wenyuan froze, the silver chopsticks in his hand clattering to the floor.

He trembled as he opened the memorial, his face instantly turning ashen as he recognized the handwriting and content inside.

Isn’t this the secret memorial from last night imploring Zhao Zun for public support? How did it end up in Zhao Zun’s hands?

He suddenly had a feeling that things were about to go wrong.

“Prince, this…this is…” Caught red-handed, Sun Wenyuan was still thinking about how to cover it up.

“Mr. Sun, how do you explain this impeachment memorial?” Zhao Zun remained calm, but there was an unmistakable added pressure in his tone.

“Prince, please see clearly!” Sun Wenyuan jumped to his feet, knocking over the Taishi Chair, “This must surely be the work of a miscreant…”

“A miscreant?” Zhao Zun sneered, raising an eyebrow lightly, “Mr. Sun might as well guess why this memorial couldn’t leave Canzhou’s borders and where the messenger is now?”

Sun Wenyuan thought Zhao Zun merely intended to verbally accuse him. There was no need to fear, after all, the Sun family was the Empress Dowager’s kin, a Vassal King couldn’t really do anything to him.

Therefore, he boldly asked, “May I ask Prince, how…how did this end up in your hands?”

“What do you think?” Zhao Zun’s tone turned icy as he glared at him, no longer with the friendly demeanor of earlier. “I intercepted it last night.”

Intercepted?

Sun Wenyuan was shocked: “You…what are you planning to do?”

“What do you think?” Zhao Zun chuckled coldly, “Not only am I openly winning public support, but I also intercepted the court’s officials’ memorials. What do you think I’m planning to do?”

Sun Wenyuan’s pupils contracted, seemingly finally understanding something.

“You…you intend to rebel? I always knew you harbored wrongful intentions! Indeed… no, I must send a pigeon message to inform His Majesty immediately.”

Sun Wenyuan could hardly believe this was real, but Zhao Zun’s expression indeed let him sense danger.

He turned towards the door and shouted, “Someone, quick, come here!”