Before Hua Manman could answer, He Qiuwen scrambled into the carriage.
Seeing this, the carriage driver frowned.
He Qiuwen didn’t notice the driver’s change in expression. She waved enthusiastically at Hua Manman.
"What are you waiting for? Co on up."
Unwilling to argue over such a small matter, Hua Manman used the small stool to get into the carriage.
Si Yun then folded the oil-paper umbrella and followed her inside.
The driver cracked his whip, and the wheels rumbled to life, carrying them into the distance.
...
Dozens of Royal Guards from the Prince Mansion had gathered at the foot of the mountain.
Two of the guards were carrying a stretcher, which was covered with a white cloth.
Chen Wangbei bent down and lifted the white cloth, revealing the male corpse lying underneath.
"Prince, this is Hong Hui."
Li Ji crouched down, lifted the corpse’s chin with a gloved hand, and carefully examined the wound on its neck.
"A single, fatal blow. The work of an expert."
Chen Wangbei said, "The scene was wiped clean. We can’t find any clues."
Li Ji stood up, pulled off his gloves, and tossed them aside.
"Have you found out where he ca from?"
Chen Wangbei reported truthfully.
"We only know that his ancestral ho is in Shanyang County, but he left there many years ago. No one knows what he’s been doing all these years, and he has no family or friends."
Li Ji gazed at the distant, rolling peaks shrouded in misty rain and said calmly.
"This kind of person is the perfect candidate for a Death Warrior."
No past, no future. No one cares if they live, and no one knows if they die.
Li Ji took the straw raincoat handed to him, draped it over his shoulders, and swung himself onto his horse.
"Send the body to Jingzhao Mansion."
"Yes, sir."
Li Ji and his n rode back to the Prince Zhao Mansion through the drizzling rain.
Gao Shan reported to Prince Zhao that the Princess Consort had gone to visit her family.
After hearing this, Li Ji left again without even changing his clothes.
Gao Shan hurried after him. "It’s almost dark, Prince! Where are you going?"
Li Ji mounted his horse and replied without looking back.
"To bring the Princess Consort ho."
Gao Shan was speechless.
He knew his prince and princess consort were on excellent terms, but he never thought it was to this extent—that the Prince would eagerly chase after her even for a simple trip to her parents’ ho.
Li Ji rode straight for the Zhong’an Bo Mansion.
But when he arrived at the mansion, he was told that Manman had never returned.
Upon further questioning, he learned that Lady He was not sick either.
A bad feeling imdiately welled up in Li Ji’s heart.
He turned to leave.
Lady He quickly called out to stop him.
"Prince, why have you suddenly co asking about these things? Has sothing happened to Manman?"
Li Ji fought to suppress the unease in his heart, forcing himself to maintain a basic level of calm.
"Soone impersonating a mber of the Zhong’an Bo Mansion picked up Manman."
Lady He’s eyes widened. ’How could such a thing happen?!’
Even Hua Dingzong, who was standing to the side, was utterly astonished.
Hua Dingzong murmured, "That child, Manman, used to be a bit willful, but she’s changed for the better now. Logically, she shouldn’t have any enemies. Why would soone target her? Could there be so kind of misunderstanding?"
Li Ji didn’t answer his question, only tossing out a single sentence.
"I’m going to find her."
And with that, he left the Zhong’an Bo Mansion without a backward glance.
Unable to wait for news at ho, Hua Dingzong and Lady He mobilized everyone they could and began searching the entire city.
The great commotion caused by the Zhong’an Bo Mansion and the Prince Zhao Mansion’s large-scale search quickly drew attention.
The matter soon reached the Fourth Prince Mansion.
When Li Ying heard that Princess Consort Zhao was missing, he forgot all about dinner and was about to go out and search for her.
However, Liang Yong blocked his path.
"Mr. Wu has given orders. You are to stay ho and practice your calligraphy for the next few days. You are not permitted to go anywhere."
The Mr. Wu he spoke of was Wu Wang.
Given Wu Wang’s status, it would be more appropriate to call him Eunuch Wu, but Liang Yong was more accustod to addressing him as Mr. Wu.
As soon as Li Ying heard this, he imdiately understood.
"Is the Princess Consort Zhao’s disappearance related to my uncle?"
Liang Yong pleaded earnestly.
"Now that the Fifth Prince has been deposed, the Second Prince and Prince Zhao are still alive. They must both be eliminated for you to ascend to that position.
Mr. Wu didn’t originally plan to move against Prince Zhao so soon. But Prince Zhao brought this on himself by secretly investigating the truth behind the Fifth Prince’s injury.
If left unchecked, Prince Zhao would likely have uncovered your involvent, and the situation would have beco extrely unfavorable for you.
Mr. Wu had no choice but to strike first.
First, we eliminate Prince Zhao, then we can slowly deal with the Second Prince."
Li Ying’s voice was low and nacing as he pressed.
"Did you know all along that my uncle planned to target Princess Consort Zhao? Why didn’t you tell beforehand? Why did you act on your own behind my back?"
Liang Yong explained in a low voice, "This was all Mr. Wu’s arrangent. He said you would definitely be unwilling to harm Princess Consort Zhao, so he specifically ordered this servant to keep it from you."
Li Ying laughed in fury.
"So you’re all in this together, and I’m the only one left in the dark, is that it? Since you distrust so much, then get out now."
Liang Yong stood motionless.
Li Ying turned, went into the room, and ca out with his personal sword.
He drew the longsword, its tip aid at Liang Yong.
"I’ll say it one last ti. Get out!"
Liang Yong didn’t flinch, staring at the sharp point of the blade just inches away.
"Mr. Wu ordered this servant to watch you. I cannot let you take a single step out of this mansion for three days. If this servant fails his mission, I can only atone with my death."
Li Ying’s eyes filled with malice. "Do you think I don’t dare to kill you?!"
Liang Yong replied, "This servant’s life is worthless, so it is no great loss if I die.
But don’t forget what all your years of forbearance and sacrifice have been for.
Are you really going to throw away years of planning for one woman?!"
Li Ying gritted his teeth. "The person we’re dealing with is Prince Zhao! It has nothing to do with her. She’s innocent!"
Liang Yong said, "From the mont she married Prince Zhao, she was already drawn into the vortex. If we want to deal with the Prince, she is the most effective way in."
Li Ying’s eyes slowly turned red.
"But she’s innocent..."
Liang Yong retorted, "So what? In a power struggle, no one cares about right or wrong. All anyone cares about is who survives in the end."
Li Ying’s hand, gripping the sword, trembled slightly.
He knew Liang Yong had a point. He also knew how much his uncle expected of him.
’But I’m a person, a living, breathing person.’
’And people have feelings and desires.’
’I just want to protect the person I like. Why can’t even this small wish be granted?’
Liang Yong continued, "Mr. Wu had this servant ask you a question: Do you still rember the oath you swore before your mother? Are you going to abandon vengeance for your own mother for the sake of a woman?"
The tragic image of his mother on her deathbed flashed through Li Ying’s mind. His heart felt as if it were being squeezed tightly, the pain excruciating.
With a sudden swing, the tip of his sword sliced across Liang Yong’s shoulder, leaving a wound.
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