Read Novel Full Chapter 10
Chapter 10
“Why not? Wealth stirs people’s hearts,” Li Cheng said meaningfully. “Zi Shu doesn’t have to worry, this incident doesn’t involve you.”
Li Cheng considered himself quite knowledgeable about Li Shu. Knowing his child’s ambitious nature, he was certain Li Shu wouldn’t resort to cheating. Moreover, during this period, Li Shu had been staying in the mansion, avoiding contact with the outside world. The repercussions of this massive fire wouldn’t reach him.
“Father, what happened exactly?”
“Some people have been coveting the benefits inside for a long time. They think they were being secretive, little do they know they’ve long been targeted, just waiting for the right moment to be given a fatal blow. You’re about to enter the officialdom, so be careful in your actions. Look ahead at least five steps for every step you take.”
As his legitimate eldest son, Li Shu would naturally become part of his faction in the officialdom. He didn’t mind offering him some advice at this crucial time to prevent him from becoming a stepping stone for others. After all, he was his child, and he deserved to be exceptional.
“I understand, Father,” Li Shu respectfully replied.
“You weren’t involved in this matter, no need to worry. You’re still young, and there’s a long road ahead. I’m your father, if there’s anything you don’t understand, come and ask me.” Li Cheng walked to Li Shu’s side and patted him on the shoulder.
“Alright, I won’t disturb your rest. Recharge your energy, there’s still a tough battle ahead.”
[System, why are there so many changes to the plot this time?] After Li Cheng left, Li Shu called out to the system in his mind. What surprised him wasn’t the leaking of exam questions but the timing of its exposure. It happened much earlier than in the original plot.
In the original plot, this revelation occurred in the middle of the plot. The involvement was much broader than now. It led to the downfall of many officials. The Fourth Prince’s faction suffered a heavy blow, and the male protagonist also suffered significant setbacks. However, the Eldest Prince escaped early and became the biggest beneficiary.
[Wait, Host, I’m investigating the reason.] Fluorescent green characters in the system space flowed rapidly, occasionally accompanied by flashes of silver light. After a quarter of an hour, 1314 returned to the small world, [Because the male protagonist’s injuries from the previous plot point improved significantly, the situation no longer posed the same danger as in the original plot. This caused a deviation in the plotline, advancing the leak incident. But rest assured, host, this event doesn’t impact our mission.]
[Is it because this event is unrelated to the romantic storyline of the main characters? When is the next plot point?] From the time he came into this world, the male and female protagonists have had little intersection. One was active in the court, and the other was a young lady who did not leave the boudoir. It was impossible for the two to have much intersection.
1314 flipped through the world plot and replied: [The next plot point is the Deer Ming Banquet.]
After the announcement of the examination results and the exposure of this large-scale cheating case, can the world’s trajectory remain the same as before?
Imperial Study.
Several ministers knelt on the ground tremblingly, heads bowed and not daring to make a sound.
Various memorials were scattered on the floor, and the emperor stood in the center with a furious look. He was so angry his face turned red.
“They… They have such audacity, openly selling exam papers, do they not regard Us?!”
“Your Majesty, calm down.”
“Calm down?” The emperor laughed angrily, “Tell me, how can We calm down in this matter? Last night, Prince Qin came to me urgently, bearing injuries. We don’t need to investigate to know where the injuries came from. To prevent Prince Qin from speaking about this matter, you chose to silence him?”
“Good, very good, these are my good ministers!” The emperor kicked over a table and roared, “Do they still see Us as their Emperor?!”
Looking at the ministers kneeling below, these courtiers, who professed loyalty and patriotism, harbored who knew how many ulterior motives. Among them, how many were truly loyal to him?
His gaze swept over the ministers, pausing for a moment at a certain point. “This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Xuan’er has injuries and shouldn’t be overworked. Left Prime Minister, you will work together with Xuan’er on this.”
“Yes.”
After entrusting this matter, the emperor didn’t want to see these troublesome people anymore. He softened his tone, “You may all leave.”
The ministers left one after another. The emperor rubbed his forehead, showing signs of fatigue. Chief Eunuch An saw this and stepped forward in a timely manner to express concern, “Your Majesty, please be cautious with the dragon’s body.”
“We can see that they wish for something to happen to Us!”
“Your Majesty, don’t say such angry words. Everyone hopes for Your Majesty’s well-being. Prince Qin even sent supplements from the northwest for Your Majesty. Prince Yu also sent something over.” Chief Eunuch An supported the emperor into the inner chamber, casually discussing some trivial matters with the Emperor.
Having served by his side since he was a prince, he knew how to keep the emperor happy. Sure enough, after saying these words, the emperor’s furrowed brows slightly relaxed, “Xuan’er is indeed a good child. He doesn’t compete or grab, he works diligently. We remember there’s an ancestral sword in the treasury. Choose an appropriate time to send it to him.”
Although he was displeased with what Prince Qin’s mother had done, he was somewhat satisfied with Prince Qin himself. This child had been thrown to the border since childhood, and he didn’t complain at all. Even when he was in that harsh and cold place, he would think about his father and send something good to the capital. Those things might not be considered valuable to him, but the key was that the sender had the intention, right?
Thinking of these things, the emperor’s mood improved a bit. He hadn’t been good enough to Xuan’er before, and he could make up for it in the future.
“We remember there are some high-quality medicinal herbs presented by one of the small kingdom’s in the treasury. Pick some and send them to Prince Qin without making a big fuss.”
“Yes.”
Chief Eunuch An was efficient, and when Qi Mingxuan finished his tasks and returned home, he was already waiting at the mansion.
Because it was a private reward, Chief Eunuch An didn’t make a grand arrangement. He brought only a few young eunuchs, two carrying sword cases, and two holding trays of tribute medicine. Seeing Qi Mingxuan return, he quickly stood up and bowed, “His Royal Highness Prince Qin.”
“There is no need for so much courtesy, Chief Eunuch.” Chief Eunuch An was a powerful figure, and Qi Mingxuan wouldn’t deliberately distance himself from him. But…
Why would he come at this time?
“His Highness must be curious about how a servant like me comes at this hour. I am here to deliver rewards to His Highness as ordered by the Emperor. The Emperor is concerned about His Highness’s injuries and specially sent medicinal herbs.”
“Thanks to Father.”
A servant behind Qi Mingxuan stepped forward, taking the rewards from the young eunuch’s hands.
“There is also this,” Chief Eunuch An turned and took an exquisitely packaged sword case from the young eunuch. Holding it with both hands, he presented it forward, “Your Highness, please.”
“What is this…” Without summoning a servant, Qi Mingxuan personally received the sword case. When he saw the sword inside, his pupils slightly contracted, and it took a long time to prevent himself from losing his composure.
“The Emperor is very fond of His Highness,” Chief Eunuch An said with a smile, “Now that the items have been delivered, Your Highness, I’ll take my leave.”
“Please go slowly, Chief Eunuch. An Yu, see Chief Eunuch An off.”
After closing the study door, Qi Mingxuan held the sword case and remained silent for a long time.
After a while, he sighed, and slowly opened the sword case, revealing the true face of the sword laid inside.
With a cold gleam, a sharp blade was unsheathed. No one would deny that this was a good sword, and indeed, it was. This sword accompanied the army in conquests far and wide, and laid a great foundation for Great Zhou. Later, it was bestowed upon the ancestors of the Mu family. Twenty years ago, when the Mu family was found to be colluding with foreign enemies, this sword was reclaimed by the royal family. After many twists and turns, this sword was now in his hands.
Why did the Emperor suddenly bestow the sword upon him, and in this manner?
Was it to warn him? After all, the Mu family, who committed the heinous crime of colluding with foreign enemies, was his maternal family.
Lowering his eyes, he concealed the lingering hostility within.
He shouldn’t be anxious; he won’t spare anyone who deserved to pay the price!
A wind blew through the air, bringing a chill to the room.
~
Madam Zuo took off Li Cheng’s robe, and asked softly, “Why did you come back so late today? This little girl, Xinuo, kept clamoring to see you for some unknown reason.”
*Madam Zuo is Li Xinuo’s mother (Li Cheng’s second wife after the first died).
It was already dark, and the candlelight in the room flickered, softening the features. Li Cheng changed out of his court attire, took a sip of water handed by a maid, and said, “Some matters delayed me. The Emperor assigned me to assist Prince Qin in thoroughly investigating this case. There’s still much to do. Please take care of Xinuo, I appreciate your efforts.”
Madam Zuo was the daughter of Li Cheng’s mentor, and came from a prestigious family. Her vision was not inferior to that of ordinary men. Li Cheng didn’t keep anything from her, and, of course, she didn’t interfere in political matters. Doing her own responsibilities, she was Li Cheng’s capable assistant.
“Husband, you should take care of yourself. I will pay more attention to Xinuo.”
Li Cheng’s return wasn’t overly loud, but it wasn’t secretive either. Li Xinuo received this news immediately.
“Does Miss still want to see the Master?” The maid, Lu Yuan, held a cloak on the side, looking at her mistress with some concern.
Since waking up from her nap today, Miss had been acting strangely, appearing absent-minded. She even asked her several times about what happened in recent days. She asked if she had any nightmares, but Miss refused to answer.
Just like now, her Miss seemed distracted again, and Lu Yuan raised her voice a bit, “Miss?”
“Huh? What’s wrong?” Li Xinuo snapped back to reality from various thoughts.
“Miss, the Master has returned home, do you still want to go there?” Lu Yuan had to repeat the question again.
Glancing outside at the almost blackened sky, Li Xinuo shook her head, “No, you can go down first. Let me stay alone for a while.”
“Miss…” Lu Yuan was a bit worried, her Miss wasn’t acting right today.
“I’m fine,” Li Xinuo reassured her with a smile, “Don’t worry.”
Unable to resist her mistress, Lu Yuan had to withdraw, but the worry on her face never diminished.
After sitting quietly for a while, as if making a significant decision, Li Xinuo picked up the copper mirror placed upside down on the table.
The mirror reflected a face that was still childlike but unable to conceal its beauty. She frowned, and the person in the mirror followed suit; she smiled, and the reflection smiled too. She touched her face with trembling fingers, and the mirrored figure mimicked the same movement.
Looking around, it was her familiar yet unfamiliar boudoir. The fingers holding the copper mirror unintentionally tightened, causing the fair skin to turn pale. The brows of the girl in the mirror furrowed more and more.
What on earth was going on?