Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 539 - 432: Who is it really_1

Chapter 539: Chapter 432: Who is it really_1

Li Xuan found the atmosphere around him had become quite strange.

Apart from Jiang Hanyun, who maintained her usual composure, the other girls were eyeing each other suspiciously, their gazes clashing sharply like weapons.

Their stares were as lethal as swords and spears. Yue Qianqian, overwhelmed by their intensity, was trembling uncontrollably.

Li Xuan quickly guessed what the situation was, and yet he pretended to be ignorant, acting as if he hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

However, Xue Yunrou didn’t let him off the hook. As she unlocked his chains, she asked, "Xuan, you’re quite the ladies’ man. I wonder which one of us cared for you last night? Someone was very kind, sneaking into your room in the middle of the night to help you alleviate the effects of that drug."

Luo Yan scoffed, "I too would like to know who has the ability to evade our keen senses. Truly, an exceptional display of power."

Yu Hongshang thought to herself, isn’t she the one? Speaking of incredible power and unrivaled illusions, who else but Luo Yan could pull off such a feat? But the woman was quite the actress, her facade making Yu Hongshang unsure of what to believe. Was the person who sneaked into the palace last night not her after all?

Or perhaps it had been Leng Yurou? With her masterful use of concealed weapons and comprehensive knowledge of Arrays.

Li Xuan wore a puzzled expression. "What on earth are you all talking about? Wasn’t I tied up by you all last night? It seems like I was drugged, and I’m still feeling pretty hazy."

These girls were obviously not easy to fool. Fortunately, his older brother, Li Yan, sought him out soon after for a business discussion.

Feeling like he had been pardoned, Li Xuan chose to meet Li Yan in the main hall of Shangqing Temple.

Upon meeting, Li Yan scanned his gaze over Li Xuan and the girls behind him before hesitatingly asking, "Li Xuan, are you okay?"

He was not oblivious to the strange tension between the girls and noticed Li Xuan’s slightly stiff demeanor. He had also seen the large amount of chains in the adjoining chamber when he arrived.

The Taoist boy who had guided him in had insisted that a certain Earl Jingan had been locked in the chamber by the girls of the temple for an entire night.

However, as soon as the words left his mouth, Li Yan felt regret.

His wife, Su Zhaojun, had warned him to ignore the affairs of Li Xuan’s household, and to keep a safe distance unless there was no other choice. A misstep could spell disaster for their family, according to her.

Li Yan agreed that it was indeed a precarious situation. Any one of these women had the ability to bring about the total downfall of the Li family, yet the reckless Li Xuan seemed to attract them in droves.

Regardless, whatever predicament his younger brother found himself in the future, he would certainly deserve it!

"I’m doing well," Li Xuan forced a smile, and then asked in a serious tone, "You came to see me, big brother, is it about the Fuguogong family?"

"What else could it be? Huai Bi and Jiu Deng, the chief culprits, are already dead at the hands of Dr. Jiang, thus their crimes can no longer be pursued. But my father and I have no intention of letting this other group off the hook."

A cold smile played at the corner of Li Yan’s mouth, then his face grew somber, "Little brother, do you remember Si Zhengliang from the Huguang Branch of Jiancha Yushi?"

Li Xuan, of course, remembered this man. He was one of the two people who was directly involved in orchestrating the restoration of Wu Zhiqi’s official duties during their trip to the Dushui Bureau.

"Did you manage to capture him? Did he confess to anything?"

"We’ve apprehended him, relying on the confession from the Dushui Bureau, executed by the brocade clothed Qianhu of the Huguang Branch."

Ice frosted Li Yan’s eyes: "However, on the day of his arrest, this man took poison and killed himself. Upon examining his body, we discovered he was not the real Si Zhengliang of the supervising Yushi, this was just a stand-in.

We investigated his hometown only to find his entire family missing, showing that he was prepared. The Xiuyiwei are already tracking Si Zhengliang. It’s just a matter of time before we find him."

Li Xuan furrowed his brow, then continued asking, "What about the Zhifu of Zhijiang? This person couldn’t have also escaped, could he?"

"The Zhifu of Zhijiang and his seventeen bureaucrats have all been imprisoned by the Huguang Xunan Yushi. However, it’ll be hard to convict him in such a short span of time."

Li Yan’s expression remained indifferent: "This man insists on his innocence. He says he had already obeyed the Dragon King’s orders to evacuate long ago. Orders for evacuation within Zhijiang City were given early, and official documents were dispatched to the towns and villages of Zhijiang. The people under him were the ones who were incompetent and concealed this from him, so at most, he is guilty of negligence.

As he is a civil official without any obvious crimes, the Xunan Yushi find it difficult to use torture on him. My father has already intervened in the case through Xiuyiwei. This Zhifu of Zhijiang may think he is clever, but neither my father nor I will let him leave the prison alive."

After giving it some thought, Li Xuan said solemnly, "The key lies with Lin Youzhen and Huangfu Xuanji, the Dudu Tongzhi of the Left Army. Si Zhengliang might escape, but these two cannot."

"Indeed, that is the case!" Li Yan mildly nodded, "My father has already prepared to move against these two. As of now, he has a plan in place, and within ten days at most, he can leave Huangfu Xuanji without a burial place.

Originally, this matter would not have required your involvement, but one should use full strength even when hunting rabbits. To prevent any accidents, my father feels it’s necessary to inform you beforehand, just for caution. If there are any changes or if my father’s strength is insufficient, you can step in at any time."

Even though this is what he said, his gaze was fixed on the women standing behind Li Xuan.

Xue Yunrou took the hint immediately: "My elder brother, rest assured, almost all the power of Longhu Mountain in the Capital City is under my control. Whenever Uncle gives the signal with a talisman paper, they are ready to follow the orders."

In the eyes of Yu Hongchang, there was a hint of killing intent: "Actually, my father has already ordered Xiuyiwei and the members of the inner Jishi Institute to secretly investigate Huangfu Xuanji. Since Huangfu Xuanji is the younger brother of the former Fuguogong Huangfu Shenji and without conclusive evidence, it wouldn’t be appropriate to arrest him directly and put him under trail. Besides, I also have a few people on hand who can be of use to Uncle."

At present, even though the Dushui Bureau supervisor testified against him, this man has never directly interacted with Huangfu Xuanji, and the ’Weisuo Institute position hereditary’ promise that the Dushui Bureau supervisor spoke of has not been fulfilled yet.

Therefore, right now, this is just a one-sided statement from the Dushui Bureau Supervisor. The man has no evidence whatsoever to prove that Huangfu Xuanji is involved in this case.

Had the case involved anyone else, he would have been put under trail long ago. However, Huangfu Xuanji’s status is no ordinary matter.

For decades, the father and son team of Huangfu Shenji has planted seeds throughout the military, earning them considerable renown and respect. Now, with the downfall of the Jingnan nobles during the Tumu Fort battle, Huangfu Xuanji has emerged as the headfigure of the Jingnan nobles.

So even the Jingtai Emperor must tread cautiously.

Li Yan silently scoffed. His father’s critique of the Emperor could not have been more accurate: too rule-bound.

However, when he heard the last sentence from Yu Hongchang, he paused, giving her a second look. This princess had her personal strength in court, he noted.

Li Yan again shifted his gaze back to Li Xuan.

Having thought for a moment, Li Xuan responded, albeit reluctantly, "As for the dragon clan, there should be no problem. This matter is also related to them."

The power of the dragon clan in the court should never be underestimated.

Ao Shuying may have secluded herself in Poyang Lake, but Li Xuan figured the dragon lords would most likely still heed his words.

"Then, everything is settled!" A cold flicker passed Li Yan’s lips: "From now on, all you need to do is stay here and listen for any news from our father."