Chapter 391: Chapter 391: Content of the Secret Decree

Upon hearing this, Valley Chief remained calm and composed, saying leisurely, “Your Highness Prince Duan, His Majesty the retired emperor declared twenty years ago that no matter what circumstances ensue, all matters relating to Anping Village and the Tong Family are to be handled by him.”

“The retired emperor has not left the Capital City for over ten years. But now, for the sake of the Tong Family, he is about to make a move. Are you really going to contradict his Majesty’s explicit orders?”

The retired emperor, who has not left the Capital City for over a decade, was about to make a move on behalf of the Tong Family. The importance of the Tong Family was self-evident to anyone with the slightest discernment.

And besides, it was clear that the retired emperor’s words meant there was a relation between the Tong Family and the treasure.

So why not question the Tong Family directly instead of digging up the village?

Yang Wang failed to perceive the subtlety in Valley Chief’s words. Gritting his teeth, he argued, “What if the treasure cannot truly be redeemed? Who will bear the great losses then?”

“I assure you, my only aim is to unearth the treasure by digging in the village. I swear not to disturb anything else. As Grandpa Emperor has instructed specifically about the Tong family, I will absolutely refrain from disturbing them. I will only dig up the village.”

Seeing this, Valley Chief sighed internally that Yang Wang was as uncarvable as a block of rotten wood. Turning to Yang Ye he said, “Your Highness Prince Wei, His Majesty presented you with a secret decree a while ago, instructing you to open it when situations go out of control. In my view, that moment has arrived.”

Yang Ye was silent.

He slapped his forehead in frustration; he had been flooded with so many messages that he had completely forgotten about that royal decree.

Initially, he had agreed to dig up the village after hearing Yang Wang’s reasons.

But now Valley Chief brought forth his grandpa emperor’s instruction from twenty years ago, and naturally, he must heed his grandpa emperor’s words.

His grandpa emperor knew of the problems with the Tong Family and had found this batch of treasure twenty years ago. How wise!

Must listen to grandpa emperor!

With this thought in mind, he turned to his guard and commanded, “Go retrieve that secret royal decree.”

He brought the decree with him during his stay in Anping Village, anticipating Cen Hong’s reckless behavior, it could come in handy.

Now, it was indeed useful!

However, he was surprised that Valley Chief was aware of the secret decree. It appeared that Valley Chief truly was a trusted aide to his grandpa emperor and his own father, the current emperor.

While thinking along these lines, Yang Ye looked at the Valley Chief, his thoughts straying a bit.

Whilst Yang Wang and Cen Hong exchanged glances, a sense of foreboding welled up in their hearts.

A secret decree?

His majesty the Emperor had secretly sent Yang Ye a decree?

When did that happen?

And why should it be opened when the situation is out of control? What does that mean?

Taking a deep breath, Yang Wang looked at Yang Ye, “Fourth Brother, what secret decree are you talking about and when did this happen?”

“Remember when the Village Chief of Tong turned sixty and General Cen forced Aunt Qiao to recognize the wily woman from the Sun family? It was then.”

Cen Hong was silent.

A secret decree followed his demotion?

Yang Wang was naturally shocked. However, he had more concerns than Cen Hong, “Why was it given to you?”

“You’d have to ask the emperor about that.” Yang Ye gave a dismissive raise of an eyebrow.

He was confused at the time too.

A mere Bailu Town, what could possibly go out of control with Valley Chief there?

It seemed now that he was naive. This decree was meant for this exact day and was targeted at Yang Wang and Cen Hong.

With this realization, his heavy thoughts lightened a bit.

Good. It seemed his father, the emperor, also held many grievances against Yang Wang and Cen Hong.

The displeasure of the emperor.

Yang Wang and Cen Hong had thought of this too. The duo exchanged glances again, their faces all gloomy and somber.

Shortly after, Yang Ye’s guard brought the secret decree. The seal on the decree was intact. Yang Ye had never opened it before. He showed everyone the intact seal, broke it, and opened the secret decree.

Then he froze.

With a twitch of his mouth, he turned the decree around to face everyone else.

Everyone looked at it, only to see a simple single line written: Whoever messes with the Tong Family messes with me; bear the consequences yourself.