Chapter 1227: Nine Deaths and One Life
After listening quietly to Zhou Ping's words, King Ning's face had darkened so much that it seemed like water could drip from it. He never expected to be pushed to such a desperate situation by Zhou Ping with just words. If he had known earlier, he would have directly ordered him executed.
Now, he can't do that.
After a moment of silence, King Ning said through gritted teeth: “You think too highly of yourself. Killing me would be the same as rebelling?”
Zhou Ping'an smiled slightly and said, "I am not talented, but I am also a third-rank official appointed by the imperial court."
"As a lowly official, I live on the salary provided by the imperial court and serve my king loyally. Now, I have been sent here to collect taxes but was killed by the King of Ning. Is this not an act of rebellion?"
King Ning remained impassive, lost in a prolonged silence.
King Ning remained silent, and Zhou Ping'an also said nothing. Though the hall was crowded with people, it was eerily quiet. Everyone held their breath, afraid to make even a sound that might disturb King Ning.
On the contrary, Zhou Ping'an, who was right in the eye of the storm, was the most relaxed.
He stood there nonchalantly, as if he wasn't worried at all that the Prince would actually kill him.
Zhou Changshou sat beside him, feeling increasingly uneasy. At this moment, he suddenly felt Ning Wang's gaze fall upon him. Zhou Changshou looked up and met Ning Wang's eyes. He saw a hint of inquiry in them, and his heart was greatly relieved. However, his expression remained serious, only shaking his head slightly.
Seeing Zhou Changshou shake his head, King Ning suddenly smiled and said to Zhou Ping'an, "The journey from the capital is long, you must be tired. Why don't you rest at my mansion for a while? We can talk about other matters tomorrow."
Ning Wang's smile made everyone feel like a warm spring breeze, as if a large stone had been lifted from their hearts.
Zhou Ping'an raised his hand and smiled slightly: "Your Highness has invited me, I dare not refuse, so I can only stay in the Prince's Mansion for a while, disturbing Your Highness."

"It's okay."
King Ning twitched the corner of his mouth with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, and said softly, "It's late, everyone should rest."
After the King Ning finished speaking, he glanced at Zhou Changshou and then turned and left.
Then the steward of the Wangfu came to Zhou Ping'an and led him to a wing room to rest.
After King Ning left, Zhou Ping also departed. The soldiers successively withdrew, and the hall swiftly emptied.
It's as if the previous turmoil never happened.
Zhou Changshou knew what Ning Wang meant with that last glance. He rose and didn't leave the Prince's residence, but instead came to the back garden and Ning Wang's study.
In the study, Prince Ning was indeed already waiting there.
Zhou Changshou only entered the door and bowed deeply, saying: "Changshou has committed a crime, please punish me, Your Highness."
"What is your crime?" the Hades asked faintly.
Although he tried his best to suppress it, there was still a clear anger in his tone.
Letting out a long sigh, Zhou Changshou said, "Zhou Ping'an is actually my younger brother."
Ning Wang suddenly turned around, glared at Zhou Changshou and said, "Before this, this king didn't know you had a younger brother."
Zhou Chang's eyes were cast down, a flicker of guilt and unease crossing his gaze.
He said, “The prince also met him today. This younger brother Longshou is truly arrogant and unruly.”
"Although my brother and I are from the same mother, our ideas are vastly different. As a result, we haven't been in touch for many years. But unexpectedly, he suddenly came to find me as the tax commissioner."
"Such a major matter, I dare not act without authorization or hide it. That's why I took the liberty of bringing him to see the prince. I didn't expect the situation to develop to this point. To be honest, Changshou was also tricked by Zhou Pingan. If I had known this beforehand, Changshou would have never been so reckless as to bring him here."

(Editor in charge：james novel)