bullyxtreme Chapter 785: A Familiar Name!
Chapter 785: A Familiar Name!
"Princess!"
"What happened?"
Rong Si also rushed out, looking at the empty rear garden, her face cold.
Just now, she also took a quick glance, only seeing Long Yue go out, then a shadow flashed by, and when she focused again, Long Yue had disappeared, taken away.
Due to Princess Consort Jing’s childbirth, there were quite a few people here in the rear garden, palace maids, and guards all gathered here waiting for orders. Unless the shadow’s martial arts were extraordinary, it would be impossible to take someone away right under so many peoples’ noses.
"You Su!"
Li Qingmu shouted angrily. Thinking it over, only this person could have such speed!
"Mu’er, how can you be so unruly to call the State Preceptor’s name?"
Rong Si came to Li Qingmu’s side, furrowing her brow upon hearing him call You Su’s name.
"Mother, it’s him! It must be him who took Yue’er away! Only he has such speed; no one else does!"
"Nonsense! You must never say such things again!"
Rong Si spoke and then looked at the kneeling palace maids and eunuchs, "Your Majesty has a son today, overwhelmed with joy, yet some words have been spoken out of turn. You must not spread the words spoken today; otherwise, you will be executed without mercy!"
Facing such a harsh command, the palace maids and eunuchs could only nod desperately and agree, not daring to utter a disharmonious word.
Li Qingmu truly felt Rong Si was captivated by You Su’s influence. Any news or words even slightly unfavorable to him, she would strongly oppose.
Li Qingmu knew relying on Rong Si to find Yue’er was impossible, so he turned and headed to Qianyang Palace.
"Mu’er?!"
Rong Si also felt a flash before her eyes, and when she focused again, Li Qingmu—where was he? The person?
This lad, he unexpectedly disappeared?
"When did his martial arts become so advanced?"
Rong Si was momentarily shocked, turning to Chen Liu.
Chen Liu quickly pleaded, "Princess, this servant is also keeping eyes on Your Majesty. He usually keeps to himself, at most showed some skill in Beifeng Forest last time, but just that much; back then, this old servant could still see clearly. But now..."
"Now, you can’t see him clearly?"
"Yes! I guess even my foster father can’t see through him now."
Chen Liu had a foster father, a top master within the Da Liang Palace, who usually wouldn’t appear in front of everyone, only coming forth if there were a threat to the country.
Of course, because he’s so inconspicuous, hardly anyone knows of him, but Rong Si knows.
Chen Liu’s foster father also highly values the imperial lineage, which is why Rong Si hasn’t acted against Rong Zhuo yet; she still has to be cautious.
"Your foster father..." Rong Si paused a moment, looking at Chen Liu, "Is he in good health now?"
This foster father, like a sword of sworn justice, hung over each of their heads. Generally, he won’t appear unless something significant happens, but Rong Si wants him to end his life.
Chen Liu thought for a moment, "This old servant doesn’t know; I haven’t seen my foster father in a long time."
"Oh, have you gone to find him?"
Chen Liu shook his head, "No, my foster father always comes to find this servant, asking this servant to bring him some good wine. But for the past two years, he hasn’t come to find me!"
Rong Si’s pupils contracted slightly. What does this mean?
Could it be that person... he’s already dead?
Dead is good, dead is fine! The fear is he’s half-dead, half-alive!
Rong Si thought to herself, waving a hand to signal Chen Liu to leave.
Chen Liu took his leave.
"Find Your Majesty, ensure he is found!"
"Yes!"
The Imperial Army and Imperial Guard were all mobilized to find Li Qingmu, who was now at Qianyang Palace.
His speed was astonishing, like a gust of wind.
No, it was a gust of wind.
The gatekeepers didn’t expect the wind wasn’t just wind but a person, standing blankly in place.
Inside Qianyang Palace, Rong Zhuo’s health had much improved since Li Qingmu scolded and executed those misbehaving palace maids and eunuchs; the people here also understood the severity, no longer daring to treat Rong Zhuo poorly.
As an imprisoned emperor, at least he was no longer experiencing days without meals.
"Cousin, are you looking for me?"
Rong Zhuo’s face was flushed; he was sipping a bowl of sweet rice wine.
Sweet and intoxicating, the taste was indeed delightful.
"I was impulsive just now."
Seeing Rong Zhuo, Li Qingmu, with his childlike bright eyes carrying innocence, yet amid innocence lies a hint of wisdom. His agitated heart instead calmed down, realizing he had been too reckless earlier.
Not knowing if it was indeed You Su’s doing, even if it was, he shouldn’t have said it.
Li Qingmu couldn’t help it, although capable of handling other matters, but with Long Yue’s matter, he loses his reason.
"Cousin, what happened? Why do you look so distressed?"
Rong Zhuo set down his spoon, losing interest in his sweet rice wine.
"My wife disappeared, taken from right under my nose."
Li Qingmu spoke, his fist clenched, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
Rong Zhuo froze for a moment but quickly understood, "Was it You Su?"
"I suspect it was, but I’m not certain!"
"Probably it was; that You Su is quite formidable. He should know we’re devising ways and planning to deal with him, so he took advantage while we weren’t prepared, striking early to catch us off guard."
"Yes, this person is too powerful, also blame me for being careless, underestimating him."
Actually, Li Qingmu hadn’t underestimated him; it’s just that You Su is too cunning, as if he has x-ray vision and can predict the future, knowing their actions.
"Rong Zhuo, we might have a traitor among us! Someone is reporting to You Su, allowing him to consistently stay ahead of us."
Rong Zhuo fell into deep thought, traitor, who could it be?
They don’t have many capable people under them, each crucial, if there really is a traitor, then the whole scheme might collapse.
If there truly is a traitor, they must be found; otherwise, all efforts would be in vain.
He immediately fetched two lists, opened them, "Cousin, these are my people, and these are Tianxing Pavilion’s people, take a look!"
Li Qingmu had already given Rong Zhuo the list last time, now taking it out again for him to see.
Li Qingmu carefully examined the two lists.
Rong Zhuo’s people pose little issue, they are his direct line, having always followed him, while on the Tianxing Pavilion side, many were unfamiliar to him, but they’re mostly officials tied together on court, except for...
Suddenly, Li Qingmu’s gaze fell upon a name.
This name was familiar yet somewhat strange.
He thought for a moment, recalling where he’d seen this person.
Beifeng Forest!
Yes, it was him!
Back then, You’er had found an ink jade among them, and inside that ink jade was a mechanism, with a needle containing deadly poison.
Yet, looking at that ink jade, translucent enough to see the writing on the paper beneath, how could a needle be hidden?
This isn’t an ordinary tool.
Only Tianxing Pavilion could make such things.
This person is from Tianxing Pavilion, but he seems somewhat different!