The Bodyguard King's CEO Wife

Chapter 1704: Chapter 1704: Hidden Crisis

"No matter what, you’d better be more careful. When you left the government office just now, I sensed a trace of killing intent, and also a strand of Sword Qi." the Blade Soul reminded him, sounding like it was not joking.

"Sword Qi."

"That’s right, it was Xuanjian."

"You can even tell which sword it is?" Ye Shikai knew of Xuanjian; it was Mi Wen’s personal sword, one of the famed Eight Swords of King Yue, a renowned blade known throughout the world.

"Of course. Every famous sword, just like every person, has its own unique aura. It’s like a calling card for each blade." The Blade Soul continued, "At the very instant you left the government office, I sensed Xuanjian’s Sword Qi. Mi Wen is not coming with good intentions."

"Ever since I met her, I don’t think I’ve ever really wronged her. At most, I ruined some of her business back in Yang County. Other than that, I don’t think I owe her anything. On what grounds would she make a move against me?" Ye Shikai was somewhat unconvinced; on the contrary, he had helped Mi Wen fight many tough battles.

"But Mi Wen won’t see it that way. She’s a woman with ambition."

"Of course, what lord isn’t ambitious?" Ye Shikai let out a cold snort. At this moment, He Linghan also walked out of the kitchen. To wait for Ye Shikai to return, she had deliberately told the maidservants to prepare dinner; now it only needed to be reheated.

"Ling’er, if you’re sleepy, go back and get some rest first. I still have some matters to attend to; I need to go to the study."

"Matters? Haven’t you already resigned from office? What matters could there be?" He Linghan was a bit displeased, pouting as she spoke.

"Ahem, I did resign, but Shangguan and Man Cang are still in the army. They’re both my brothers. Yesterday they had something to consult me on; of course I couldn’t turn them down." Ye Shikai found an excuse to gloss it over. He Linghan didn’t grow suspicious; after watching him finish eating, she went back to the bedroom to rest.

For several days in a row, Ye Shikai had been on edge. That night, Mi Wen had practically used her beauty to seduce him, only to be coldly rejected by him. Any normal woman would find that hard to swallow, let alone someone as proud as Mi Wen—a princess of the Chu State royal clan, holding high office, ruling a region, haloed by countless honors. With her lofty pride, it was no wonder the Blade Soul had urged him to be cautious.

Yet things didn’t seem to be as bad as he’d imagined. These past few days had been peaceful; there were no rumors in the city either. That night’s incident seemed to have just passed like that...

Without Xu Jia by his side, Ye Shikai often felt lonely. Though Shangguan Jian and Man Cang were his brothers, they were Commander Generals. Only Xu Jia could be called his confidant. It had been over ten days since Xu Jia took his leave; Ye Shikai had no idea how he was doing now.

"Ling’er, the Dragon Boat Festival is almost here. Look how lively the mansion is." Ye Shikai said with a faint smile.

"Yes, and the markets outside are packed with people. I heard this year’s harvest was good, so the common folk are all out in the streets celebrating. Later I’m going to take the maidservants out to buy some things."

"All right, I’ll have the guards escort you."

"No need, I’m only going to the market. Besides, what could possibly happen?"

"Enough, stop arguing and just listen to me." Ye Shikai insisted. Knowing she couldn’t win against him, He Linghan could only agree. Besides, the market would be crowded; having protection was a precaution.

"Family Head, an official has arrived at the gate and requests to see the Family Head." At this moment, a house servant hurried over to report.

Ye Shikai walked to the gate and saw a group of people standing there; they looked like they were from the government office.

"Mr. Ye, on the occasion of the Dragon Boat Festival, the Lord invites all the officials in the city, great and small, to the government office to celebrate. I was specially sent to invite you, sir."

"I have already resigned from office, so don’t call me ’sir’ anymore. Besides, I hold neither civil nor military rank. Since the Lord is inviting the officials of the city, great and small, it wouldn’t be proper for me to go. Go back and tell the Lord that I appreciate his kindness." Ye Shikai intended to refuse outright. In this period of time, it was better he saw less of Mi Wen.

"Please stay, Mr. Ye. The Lord also specifically said that you have rendered great services to the country, with countless military merits to your name. Inviting you to the banquet is also the Lord’s way of honoring his meritorious subjects. If you do not go, the Lord will personally come to the mansion to invite you."

"In that case... very well, I’ll go with you." Ye Shikai thought it over; there was no better option. If Mi Wen truly came to the Ye Mansion, it would be worse. Better to go early and return early. After briefly explaining the situation to He Linghan, Ye Shikai mounted his horse and set out.

The government office.

"That’s strange." Ye Shikai muttered. As soon as he arrived at the gate of the government office, he faintly sensed something was wrong. Since Mi Wen was inviting all the officials in the city, it should have been bustling and lively, but there were no musicians, no decorations, nothing of a grand banquet’s atmosphere.

Just as Ye Shikai was puzzled, Mi Wen came out from inside.

"Greetings, my Lord." Ye Shikai bowed with clasped hands.

"You came. I thought you wouldn’t." Seeing that he had come in person, a faint smile appeared on Mi Wen’s face.

"If I hadn’t come, you would have come knocking at my door. How would I dare trouble you to go to such lengths, my Lord?"

"Let’s go inside." Mi Wen reached out and took his arm, directly "pulling" him in.

"Weren’t you going to host a banquet for the city officials? Why doesn’t it look like there’s any feast prepared?" Ye Shikai asked curiously.

"It’s still early. It won’t start until evening, so there’s no rush." Mi Wen explained.

"Someone, bring tea."

"This is tea newly offered in tribute from Nanyang. Have a taste." Mi Wen personally poured a cup of hot tea for Ye Shikai.

"It really is quite good." Ye Shikai drained the cup in one go. As the tea entered his stomach, it turned into a wave of heat.

"Something’s wrong, there’s a problem with the tea." Suddenly, the Blade Soul’s voice sounded in his mind.

"What?"

"There’s drug in the tea; it can seal your Inner Strength."

"No way." Ye Shikai’s heart jolted. He secretly tried to circulate his Inner Strength, and sure enough, the moment he moved it, his Dantian felt as if stabbed by ten thousand needles, the pain unbearable, making it impossible to circulate Inner Strength.

Ye Shikai panicked at once. Mi Wen putting drug in the tea was definitely deliberate. Moreover, the moment the drug entered his body, it started to take effect; it had to be some kind of "secret medicine." But what was she trying to do?

"Blade Soul, can you detoxify it?" Ye Shikai asked in haste.

"It’ll take some time. This is medicinal effect, not poison; I’m afraid even a Shennong Pill won’t be of much use. I’ll help you dispel it first." If it had been an ordinary person, they would truly have fallen into the trap. The key to detoxifying was Inner Strength, but once Inner Strength was gone, one couldn’t detoxify. The Blade Soul, however, was like an Energy Body "parasitizing" inside Ye Shikai. Even if he couldn’t circulate his Inner Strength to detoxify, the Blade Soul could still help him.

"Stall her first. Don’t let her notice anything."