"Alright, alright, Brother Diao, lie down for half a year. When it's over, I'll ask Captain Zhou to put in a good word for you. I guarantee your salary won't be cut."
"Thank you, Brother Huang. Let's drink then."
After they drank for a while, the soldier named Huang stood up and said, "Alright, I have to go back. You stay here a bit longer. Drink a few more cups, and when you're drunk, you won't feel the pain of being beaten."
The man left quickly. Seeing that no one was around, Duobang had a thought and sat directly opposite the soldier. "Brother Diao, right?"
The man looked at Duobang and shook his head slightly. "Who are you? I, Diao Xiong, don't know you."
"Brother Diao, you don't know me, but I know you. You're quite famous, and the brothers all admire you greatly."
This kind of perfunctory flattery was meant to appease, but Diao Xiong found it very pleasing to hear. After all, when one is in a bad mood, they are particularly receptive to such words.
"Alas, you flatter me. I'm just an ordinary soldier."
Duobang smiled and took the wine pot, refilling Diao Xiong's cup.
"Brother, everyone knows you serve the Crown Prince. You're one of His Highness's favorites."
Diao Xiong shook his head again. "Hmph, favorites? I'm about to go get beaten."
Duobang glanced around. Seeing no one, he took a 500 tael silver note from his sleeve. "Brother Diao, keep this money for buying some supplements to nourish your body."
Diao Xiong squinted and scanned the silver note. It was indeed for five hundred taels. He was a little surprised and pushed the silver note back towards Duobang.
"You, just say what you want. I understand the principle of not accepting rewards without merit."
Duobang chuckled inwardly, appreciating this Diao Xiong. Although he had drunk a lot, his mind was still clear.
"Brother Diao, I'm a house builder. I've heard that His Highness the Crown Prince's palace is magnificent, but I've never had the chance to see it."
Upon hearing this, Diao Xiong shook his head like a rattle drum. "I can't help you with that. If you want to enter the Crown Prince's mansion, find someone else."
"Ah, Brother Diao, you misunderstand me. How would I dare to hope to enter the Crown Prince's mansion? How about this: you could simply draw me a rough sketch of the Crown Prince's mansion's layout, showing how many courtyards it has and how the buildings are arranged. Then, when I build houses for others in the future, I can proudly say that your house is built in the style of the Crown Prince's mansion. What else could they say then?"
After hearing this, Diao Xiong seemed to have been charmed. Looking at Duobang's sincere expression and then at the 500 tael silver note, he lowered his head and thought that telling him the layout of the Crown Prince's mansion was no big deal.
"Alas, isn't that simple? I'll draw it for you."
Diao Xiong dipped his finger in tea and began to draw on the table, explaining in detail.
"The Crown Prince's mansion has a total of five courtyards. At the very back is the imperial garden, which is nothing special!"
"The fourth courtyard is where the Crown Prince's several concubines live."
"The third courtyard is where the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess live!"
"The second courtyard is the Crown Prince's reception hall and study."
"The very front courtyard is where Captain Brother Zhou and the guards live."
Diao Xiong was quite diligent, explaining the arrangement of the side rooms and halls to Duobang one by one. After drawing, he wiped away the water stains on the table.
"Brother, I've told you everything I know. I have to go now to take my beating."
After watching Diao Xiong leave, Duobang smiled. Without any effort, he had figured out the layout of the Crown Prince's mansion. Next, it was time to explore it properly.
That night, Duobang waited in the inn until after the third watch. He changed into his night-traveling clothes, quietly left his room, climbed onto the roof, and headed towards the Crown Prince's mansion.
The Crown Prince's mansion was brightly lit. The Crown Prince, Xiao Jingyun, was still awake!
Xiao Jingyun was inexplicably overcome by a mixture of emotions, neither pure excitement nor pure sadness, but both. He did think of Liu Rumei, but more than that, he was immersed in happiness, as his sister had married Chen Xiaobei, whom he considered the best candidate.
Captain of the Guards, Zhou Quan, stood by his side. Seeing the Crown Prince restless, he couldn't help but advise him, "Your Highness, it's getting late. You should rest soon!"
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand. "I can't sleep even if I lie down. If you're tired, go rest. I'll stay here a bit longer."
Zhou Quan was speechless. As a guard, how could he be told to go rest first?
He could only try to make conversation. "Your Highness, are you troubled by something? You seem a bit agitated!"
Xiao Jingyun sighed.
"My heart is a little unsettled. Logically speaking, marrying Jingfeng to Chen Xiaobei should have fulfilled one of my wishes, but I still feel uneasy."
"Your Highness, perhaps you are still worried about Miss Liu? After all, she is in the Great Tu Kingdom and hasn't returned yet!"
"Yes. I sent out so many people to search covertly, yet there's not a single clue. It's truly hard for this prince to believe." Xiao Jingyun said this, shaking his head and sighing.
"Your Highness, why don't we go to the Xiangguo Temple outside the city tomorrow to burn incense and pray for Buddha's blessings?"
Xiao Jingyun nodded slightly. "That's a good idea. Then we shall go to Xiangguo Temple tomorrow."
Duobang, hidden on the rooftop, was secretly delighted.
He was aware of Zhou Quan's reputation, stating that his martial arts were on par with his own. With Zhou Quan present, it would be difficult for him to assassinate successfully. Therefore, the trip to Xiangguo Temple tomorrow would present him with ample opportunity.
Upon returning to his inn, Duobang had no desire to sleep. He took out the map of Wannian City from the Great Cang Kingdom that he carried with him and began to examine the route. About fifty to sixty li south of the city was Xiangguo Temple.
This was once also a place where Liu Xiangnan ate vegetarian meals and chanted Buddhist scriptures.
Having made meritorious contributions in repelling the Great Tu Kingdom, the Emperor Xiao An turned a blind eye, tacitly allowing Liu Xiangnan to remain in his residence.
Thus, a tacit understanding was maintained between them.
Duobang traced the route and eventually found two suitable ambush locations. One was about twenty li outside the city, where there was a dense forest by the side of the official road. The other was about ten li from Xiangguo Temple, where there was a steep slope by the roadside.
Duobang had a fierce warrior named Aliduo under his command.
Although this person looked thin, he possessed immense strength and was an expert archer, capable of hitting a willow leaf from a hundred paces. Therefore, ambushing Xiao Jingyun at either of these two locations would not be difficult.
After careful consideration, Duobang finally decided to launch a surprise attack on Xiao Jingyun at the steep slope ten li from Xiangguo Temple.
As dawn was breaking, he called for Aliduo. After hearing the plan, Aliduo patted his chest and said, "Captain, please rest assured. As long as I see him, he will not escape. He will surely die by my arrows."
Duobang nodded. "I will assist you from the shadows, but remember, you only have one chance. Whether you hit him or not, you must retreat quickly. Don't let anyone catch up to you."