Chapter 1 The Bonfire Party

Upon hearing this, the shop assistant smiled and said enthusiastically, "Hey, I can tell you two are from out of town."

"In our Yunzhou, we hold a bonfire party every month."

"This party is personally organized by the White Moon Society's leader, Young Master Bai. Anyone who goes can get a share of food."

"Moreover, I heard that a big shot will be killed tonight."

"Rumor has it... it's a prince from the imperial court."

"We common folk have suffered from the court's exploitation all our lives. Those princes do nothing but eat well and dress warmly, all fat and pale. Some time ago, that damned dog emperor even sent some eldest prince to suppress bandits. But as soon as he entered Yunzhou, he was captured by our Young Master Bai."

"That damned eldest prince was also very stupid. He came here acting all high and mighty, wanting us to welcome him. He should take a look at himself."

By the end, the shop assistant's words had turned from enthusiasm to disdain.

Of course, not disdain for Xie Jin Yan, but disdain for the eldest prince, disdain for the entire royal family.

Hearing this, Xie Jin Yan felt a chill run down his spine. He suddenly understood why his father had repeatedly told him to hide his identity.

If he revealed his identity to these rebellious people, he probably wouldn't even be able to keep his corpse intact.

But Xie Qi Yun, could that eldest prince the shop assistant mentioned be him?

Xie Jin Yan took a deep breath, trying to keep his expression calm and indifferent, even showing a bit of curious bewilderment. He frowned and asked the shop assistant, "Brother, you... you really caught a prince?"

"Aren't... aren't you afraid of the court's punishment? And what is this White Moon Society?"

"Yes, who is this Young Master Bai? You all seem to respect him very much."

Yu Qing Wu also spoke at this moment, echoing Xie Jin Yan with a curious and gossipy tone.

Seeing that the two of them didn't seem to be defending the court, but were simply surprised and curious, the shop assistant smiled again and proudly introduced, "Speaking of the White Moon Society, it's the number one sect in our Yunzhou. It's on par with the Xiao Sect, the top sect in the martial world."

"Our Young Master Bai is the eldest grandson of the former leader, Old Master Bai Yue. Young Master Bai, like his grandfather Old Master Bai, is kind and compassionate, with the world in his heart. Without Young Master Bai, we would have starved to death long ago. That damned court's taxes are getting heavier every year. A few years ago, during the famine, they didn't offer a single grain."

"It was Young Master Bai who bankrupted his family to save our lives, and later taught us to plant crops that were easier to grow. Then, that damned official came to increase taxes again, trying to take away most of our harvest. Tell me, is that supposed to let people live?"

"Later, it was our Young Master Bai who led us to resist, and set up many traps outside Yunzhou City. Anyone who steps into Yunzhou, either joins us or doesn't think about leaving Yunzhou alive."

"..."

So, that idiot Xie Qi Yun was captured as soon as he arrived at the city gate?

Heh, if he hadn't tried so hard to hide his identity, he might have ended up the same way.

A close call, a close call.

Xie Jin Yan patted his chest, feeling increasingly chilled. He was also more confused.

He nodded, found an excuse to watch the fun, and asked the shop assistant for directions to the bonfire party, then stepped out of the inn.

"Your... husband, if I remember correctly, the court hasn't increased taxes in the past ten years. How... how could the shop assistant say that Yunzhou's taxes are increasing every year?"

As soon as she went out, Yu Qing Wu frowned, feeling both fear and confusion.

She pursed her lips, held Xie Jin Yan's hand tightly, and vigilantly scanned the surroundings. Finally, she whispered to him, "Husband, could there be something more to this?"

"There definitely is."

"The mountains are high and the emperor is far away. The court can't see everything that people below are doing. There are countless false reports and concealments. But Yunzhou's situation is unique. The mastermind behind this is probably not ordinary. Maybe we are already within his sight."

"In any case, let's go to that bonfire party and see what's going on."

Xie Jin Yan's eyes were cold and heavy. He took Yu Qing Wu's hand, looked at the people coming and going around him, squeezed her hand tightly, and said softly, "A Wu, stay close to me. It's too strange here."

Hearing this, Yu Qing Wu nodded slightly and moved closer to Xie Jin Yan.

In this situation, even if he didn't say it, she would stick close to him.

All the way through the crowd, Yu Qing Wu stayed close to Xie Jin Yan.

After a long time, the two finally arrived at a very wide open space.

In the center of the open space, a large stage was built. Several cooks were constantly bringing rice up to the stage.

Yu Qing Wu heard from the people next to her that today's bonfire party was to select a gluttonous king, and the first place tonight would reportedly receive a hundred taels of gold as a reward.

However, the most important reason why these people gathered here today was not to see who would win the hundred taels of gold, but to see the fate of that eldest prince.

At this moment, the crowd was also cursing.

"The damned emperor's son! He's been extorting us common people every day. If it weren't for the damned court raising taxes and taking away most of my family's food, my children and wife wouldn't have starved to death."

"Isn't that right? My husband was taken to repair the river, but after the river was repaired, my husband was gone."

"Later, I found out that they only let people work and didn't give them a single meal a day. When a batch of people died from exhaustion, they would replace them with another batch."

The woman next to her wiped away tears, her eyes already red as she spoke.

The surrounding people also cursed more and more loudly, gnashing their teeth.

Some said that their son was beaten to death by the mistress of a high-ranking official, some said that their daughter was bullied by the son of that mistress, and some said that the emperor destroyed evidence to protect court officials.

Listening to the waves of curses, Yu Qing Wu's mood gradually changed from fear at the beginning to heaviness.

She turned her head slightly and found that Xie Jin Yan's face had also become gloomy, and his narrow phoenix eyes were filled with complex emotions.

The hand holding hers tightened imperceptibly, and sweat broke out unknowingly.

"Husband," Yu Qing Wu leaned close to his ear and whispered.

Xie Jin Yan turned his head, looked down at her, and asked with his eyes.

Yu Qing Wu looked up at him and asked softly, "Are... are you okay?"

"You've been a little silent from just now until now..."