Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 138 - 134

Chapter 138: 134

About a half of a cup of tea later, under the guidance of a maid in palace attire, Li Xuan arrived in a uniquely elegant small courtyard in the Duke of Zhengdong’s Manor.

As Li Xuan stepped inside, the first things that caught his eye were two beautiful maidens, each as exquisite as the flowers of spring and autumn, standing beneath a mulberry tree.

Xue Yunrou turned to look at him the moment he walked in, then her eyes moved around, her cheeks flushing like peach blossoms.

Standing next to her was Princess Changle, her demeanor elegant and noble, so loveable that you couldn’t help but feel affection. Her extraordinary beauty was even more striking with the backdrop of her phoenix coronet and embroidered vest, it was exceedingly gorgeous and beyond comparison.

Li Xuan slightly narrowed his eyes, walked directly to within ten steps of Princess Changle, and with neither humility nor arrogance, he bowed in her direction: "Slay Demon Youjiao Li Xuan pays his respects to Your Highness the Princess!"

"Youjiao Li, you’re Yunrou’s friend, there’s no need for such formalities."

The gaze in which Princess Changle looked at Li Xuan was not only filled with curiosity and scrutiny, but also a dash of expectation: "In fact, before I left the capital, I had already heard of Youjiao Li’s renown. People told me that you are not only outstanding in appearance but also well-versed in both literature and martial arts. Seeing you today, indeed the real person isn’t as good as the reputation, Youjiao Li, you’re even better than I imagined."

Li Xuan thought to himself, isn’t this blatant flattery? You left the capital more than three months ago, what kind of a good reputation could Li Qianzhi have had at that time? What’s this about being outstanding in appearance and well-versed in both literature and martial arts?

It was apparent, this princess was quite skilled in official flattery.

He raised his fists in respect, with a serene expression he replied: "Your Highness the Princess overpraises, may I ask why Your Highness has summoned me here?"

Perhaps sensing his reluctance for small talk, Princess Changle got straight to the point: "The reason I have sought out Youjiao Li is that I have a matter in which I wish for your assistance."

Li Xuan did not respond, but indicated he was all ears.

"Youjiao Li, you may not know this, but on the night of Zhongyuan Festival, a robbery occurred in the Forbidden Palace in Nanjing. A large amount of valuables were stolen from the palace treasury."

Princess Changle’s tone was sincere: "The matter that I wish to request your help with is the unmasking of the perpetrator and return of the stolen goods."

At this, Li Xuan’s brows slightly furrowed, and he expressed his intention to refuse. "Your Highness, since this case occurred within the Forbidden Palace, it is the responsibility of the inner Jishi Bureau and Nanjing’s Ministry of Punishments. If need be, they could seek assistance from Liudao Division. I’m just a lowly Slay Demon Youjiao, and I fear my limited abilities will not be of any help to your highness."

He thought, it’s better if he avoids getting involved in affairs of the palace, even if it’s the Forbidden Palace in Nanjing.

The filth and darkness inside is unimaginable to outsiders and involves royal power. This case was dangerous, with potential pitfalls at every turn. He would be better off keeping a respectful distance.

Princess Changle blinked, seemingly surprised by Li Xuan’s straightforward refusal. She glanced over at her best friend, but found that Xue Yunrou was just staring up at the sky in a daze.

With a sigh of resignation, Princess Changle gave up on the idea of asking Yunrou for help. Her adorable face looked distressed as she carefully contemplated her next move: "Youjiao Li, to my knowledge, your family’s martial arts techniques are the ’Frozen Blade’ and ’Cold Breath Fierce Palm’, is that correct?"

"Indeed!"

Li Xuan was a bit confused as he looked at her. He then saw Princess Changle take out a blue crystal from her sleeve: "This is a piece of Xuanhan Ice Jade from Kunlun. In the hands of a skilled artifact refiner, it can be used to craft a top-grade Ice Style magical implement that would increase your capabilities, making you even more powerful. If Youjiao Li can solve this case, I am willing to reward you with this object."

Almost instantly, Li Xuan’s spirit lifted, thinking that the princess should have presented this sooner. If such a generous reward was at stake, he would have been easier to persuade.

However, he still chose his words very carefully. "May I ask Your Highness, could it be that both the Ministry of Punishments and the inner Jishi Bureau have made no progress over these days? And hasn’t Liudao Division been involved yet?"

"All the officials involved in the investigation have declared it to be the work of Demoness Zidie, and even your Liudao Division suspects her. The traces left at the scene are consistently similar to those left in previous thefts attributed to Demoness Zidie."

Princess Changle shook her head: "Originally, I had no doubts about this conclusion, but just now, when you all were cleaning up Lu Xuanniang’s suicide scene, I secretly asked Zidie. She seemed contemptuous and insisted that she had nothing to do with the theft that occurred in the palace."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan was taken aback, thinking that this was interesting. Considering Demoness Zidie’s actions today, her words are highly credible.

She already had so many cases on her back, she couldn’t possibly care less about one more theft from the palace.

"How could Your Highness trust the words of this demoness?" Li Xuan continued to ask: "Then may I ask, what exactly was stolen from the Forbidden Palace’s treasury?"

This was a point that made Li Xuan very curious. Ever since Emperor Taizong stabilized his rule, the Jin Dynasty’s royal focus has always been in the north. The Forbidden Palace in Nanjing had long been abandoned; many buildings were dilapidated due to disrepair.

As for the treasury of the palace, it was so vacant even a mouse would disdain it.

What could Zidie have stolen from there? It would make more sense if it was the storeroom of the Ministry of Revenue.

"They took the full set of ceremonial objects and various sacrificial offerings we brought from Beijing for the worship of the Xiao Mausoleum, as well as some personal belongings of mine and my second brother’s, and some silver bars."

Princess Changle’s expression also manifested a trace of confusion: "That’s also why I’m willing to believe Zidie. As everyone knows, this demoness thief loves cash and items that can be quickly converted to cash or are unusual treasures. How could she be interested in the palace treasury? What concerns me more is, among the personal items stolen that night, there were some things I greatly cared about."

"I see," Li Xuan then looked at Princess Changle with inquisitive eyes: "But why choose me? There are dozens of skilled detectives in Jinling City, and I don’t rank at the top of them."

"You’re Yunrou’s friend, which makes you more trustworthy than others." Princess Changle spoke with a candid tone, a blush on her pretty face, with a touch of hesitation: "There are items among my personal possessions that should not be known by others."

Li Xuan immediately understood, thinking this was like ordering something on an e-commerce website, not wanting others to see it.

Understood, understood!

"As Yunrou’s friend and your princess, I naturally can’t refuse to help a friend in need! But I am, after all, a member of the Liudao Division, duties to fulfill, and not allowed to leave irresponsibly. I can only spare time after getting off work..."

"Don’t worry about that." Princess Changle interrupted Li Xuan before he could finish speaking: "As long as Youjiao Li agrees, I will request the emperor to communicate with Liudao Division and assign you to take charge of this investigation. Qiu Qianqiu, the vice lord of Zhuque Hall, is the martial arts teacher of his majesty, he will definitely agree."

Li Xuan thought he had no reason to refuse. The princess’ proposal allowed him to balance both public and private affairs.

The key was the ’Xuanhan Ice Jade’, which tempted him immensely.

Li Xuan had a precise understanding of the scarcity and preciousness of a top-grade magical implement, knowing that it was a rare opportunity that could not be sought after.

For example, his own ’Kuiniu luminous armor’, Peng Fulai’s father once offered 200,000 teal of patterned silver, along with three earth elemental pills, to purchase an armor of the same grade, but no one was willing to sell.

And the ’Xuanhan Ice Jade’ not only greatly enhances his cold-style martial arts, but it can also aid in practicing the Ice Style.

※※※※

What Li Xuan didn’t know was that shortly after he left, Princess Changle broke the image by sitting on a nearby rock, her composure entirely gone. She cradled her face, a look of frustration and bitterness written on her face.

"Yunrou, why am I so despised? Men in Nanjing City are as wary of me as they are of thieves. Look at Li Xuan, he’s been frolicking in the brothels for the past few years and he has the nerve to dislike me?"

The words ’liar wanderer’ made Xue Yunrou a bit unhappy: "Your Highness, Li Xuan has already changed his past and is not like he used to be."

After making an excuse for Li Xuan, Xue Yunrou comforted her friend, considering their friendship: "Those people are blind and cannot see your virtues. Don’t bother with them. You are from a noble lineage, how can they despise you? There are many people in Nanjing City who want to propose marriage, and some of them are outstanding."

Princess Changle was amused upon hearing this: "What are you talking about! I am not interested in men. It’s just these scoundrels; they are really infuriating!"

She propped her chin up, sighed long and deeply, "I envy you , Yunrou, for being free. I’m not like you. Since I was born, I’ve been confined to a small space, and I have to abide by rules. If occasionally surpassed, I am often chastised. It’s vexing to be shunned even when I finally get a chance to go out."

"Then get married." Xue Yunrou suggested a distasteful idea for her friend: "Find a man to marry soon, then you can fly high and swim deep. Look at how relaxed your aunts are ouside the palace."

Princess Changle’s face turned black as soon as she heard this, and she threatened to touch Xue Yunrou: "Yunrou, I think you are asking for trouble!"

She knew very well the characters of her aunts. Her plight could be said to be largely due to them.

"Okay, okay, I surrender, I apologize, okay? Our Changle doesn’t want men, doesn’t care."

Xue Yunrou hid behind a tree, looking at the angry Changle, "But Changle, do you really plan to entrust the palace theft case to Li Xuan for investigation?"

Although he was her heart-throb, Xue Yunrou was aware that Li Xuan was merely a junior demon slaying officer. His formal involvement in a case had only been going on for a little over a month.

"What? Don’t you trust your sweetheart?"

Changle raised an eyebrow and teased Xue Yunrou in return. However, she soon realized that her best friend’s cheekiness was beyond her expectations.

Xue Yunrou was unperturbed, and didn’t show the slightest embarrassment.

She could only shake her head and gaze in the direction outside the courtyard solemnly: "I have no choice. In this city of Nanjing, I cannot find even one trustworthy person. Moreover, among the stolen items, there is one that I must retrieve at any cost. It’s of crucial importance. Moreover, the officers from the Ministry of Punishments and the internal Jishi Bureau will still be involved in the investigation."

She then cast a sidelong glance at Xue Yunrou: "But Yunrou, if you truly like Youjiao Li, you must act quickly. His sister-in-law is seeking marriage prospects for him everywhere before I leave the Capital City. Some uninformed are deceived by her and have taken a fancy to Li Xuan."

"Is that true?" Xue Yunrou started to look serious, sirens started blaring in her head.

"Could it be false? ’Li Xuan is handsome and accomplished in both literature and military,’ this sentence indeed someone mentioned it to me. Do you think I’m lying?"

Princess Changle laughed, then suddenly lunged forward and caught Xue Yunrou: "Where are you going to escape? Eh? It’s only been three months, but it feels like these two bundles on your chest have grown another size?"