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Chapter 541 Li Family of Chang County
A teacup on the seat next to Zang Tianlan and Wenren Luo floated up out of thin air and then tilted—Xu Yuan said in surprise, "Junior Aunt is here too?"

"Hmm." came the voice of Master Miaoyan from there.

She didn't want to deal with strangers, so she used magic to become invisible again...

But they clearly forgot what a fright it would be if a teacup flew up on its own in front of so many people.

The waiter at the tea stall, carrying a large copper kettle with a long, narrow spout, was about to refill the tea when he saw this scene. His legs trembled, and he turned and ran, crying, "My God, it's haunted!"

It was still early, and there weren't many people at the tea stall.

Besides Zang Tianlan and his group at their table, there was only an old man sitting not far away.

The old man reached out and caught the copper kettle that the waiter had accidentally dropped.

The copper kettle was filled with boiling water.

The waiter was also carrying it by the handle, with a towel underneath.

But the old man's hand steadily caught the bottom of the pot, seemingly not feeling the heat at all.

The old man scolded the waiter: "Didn't you see the officials of the capital? How could any evil spirits appear before them..."

Miao Yan Zhenren felt that being invisible like this was somewhat impolite.

It's one thing for others, but Xu Yuan is, after all... The sect has been buzzing about whether he has a chance to become their master's grandson-in-law.

After all, he had lived in someone else's government office for a long time.

The invisibility spell was dispelled, and her beautiful and alluring body slowly began to appear.

The old man was taken aback, clicked his tongue, and complained, "You little girl, I was just saying something, why were you doing what I said..."

A blush quickly rose on Miao Yan's beautiful, round face.

The trickery that had been withdrawn was quickly put back into effect.

Xu Yuan was trying to suppress his laughter, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to hold it in.

Sheng Shan waited quietly to the side.

As a commander of the Imperial City Guard, he was always surrounded by a large entourage wherever he went.

But now it sits quietly to the side, serving as a foil.

Regardless of his status, he wouldn't have more prestige than someone under the Imperial Censor.

The waiter was scolded by the old man, scratched his head and thought it made sense, then came over to take back the teapot: "Thank you, sir."

Zang Tianlan waved his hand and pointed forward: "Let's go."

Wenren Luo went to settle accounts and discussed with the waiter his desire to buy the teapot.

The tea stall uses ordinary, coarse porcelain teaware.

The lid of this teapot is even missing a corner.

But Wenren Luo just liked it.

The waiter asked the owner and asked for five large coins.

Wenren Luo happily hugged the item in her arms after buying it.

The group moved on.

Two more horses were added to the group—Zang Tianlan was on foot—one of which was "empty".

Zang Tianlan glanced at the two handcrafted horses in front of "Dreams Come True" from time to time, his eyes revealing an undisguised fondness.

The craftsmen under the Jianzheng Gate were led by Mr. Feng Si.

However, the Imperial Censor's staff did not engage in the creation of flesh-and-blood artifacts.

Zang Tianlan was faster than a horse, but he still wanted a mount.

Xu Yuan chatted with Wenren Luo, while the members of the Imperial City Guard followed behind.

A centurion stepped forward and whispered in Sheng Shancai's ear, "Sir, that old man just now was a bit suspicious."

Sheng Shancai glanced at him with a lingering look.

So what if they're suspicious? Look at that group of people in front of you, who would dare to mess with them?
By noon, the group had left the territory of Beidu, and there were noticeably fewer people on the road.

The centurion then stepped forward and asked Sheng Shancai, "Sir, are you releasing falcons?"

Sheng Shancai had a captain under his command who practiced the "Soul-Dissolving Technique," which allowed him to disperse his soul and store it in the bodies of different living beings.

By residing within the body of a hawk, one can use the hawk to monitor a range of more than ten miles in front and behind.

In the past, whenever Sheng Shancai went out, he would release falcons to guard the area after leaving Beidu.

Zhao Beichen doesn't have such talent under his command.

Sheng Shan thought for a moment, then said, "Let it go."

Behind the group, a falcon took flight and circled three hundred feet above them.

Unexpectedly, not long after, the captain who controlled the falcon came to report to Sheng Shancai: "Sir, that old man is following behind us."

Sheng Shan frowned, muttering to himself, "There really are some who aren't afraid of death," before waving his hand and saying, "Just keep an eye on them."

"Yes."

It's also possible that we're just going the same way as them.

……

Quyang Prefecture is not far from Beidu. They passed by the city in the evening without entering.

We headed directly to Chang County.

The old man was still following behind.

Before nightfall, we stayed overnight in a village about 20 miles outside the city.

The villager was an elderly man around fifty years old, who remained calm even in the face of the large contingent of the Imperial City Guard.

This place is very close to Beidu, and many high-ranking officials and dignitaries come and go here.

He made it clear that there were not that many houses in the village.

Sheng Shancai ordered his men to set up camp, and Wenren Luo brought a "fire curtain" which he spread out around the perimeter, intending to make do for the night.

Sheng Shan then summoned the captain and asked, "Where is that old man?"

"In that dilapidated temple outside the village."

Sheng Shan frowned and went to tell Xu Yuan and Zang Tianlan about it.

Anyone who dares to spend the night in a deserted temple is either courting death or has extremely strong confidence in their own strength.

That old man is no fool, he's quite old.

Xu Yuan smiled bitterly to himself.

I don't know which side this old man is from.

Zang Tianlan simply said "I know" and then turned around and pulled Lang Xiaoba out: "It's been several months since I last saw you. Let me test you and see if you've made any progress."

When Zang Tianlan was in Champa, he gave guidance to Lang Xiaoba and Ji Shuangqiu.

There is a mentor-mentee relationship between them.

Lang Xiaoba's face was somewhat bitter. There was no other way for martial arts practitioners to "test their skills" than to rely on their own abilities.

Soon, the sounds of fists landing solidly came from the other side.

Sheng Shan shook his head. He had already given a warning, but the people under the Jianzheng Gate were arrogant and unwilling to talk to him, the "Heaven's henchman."

He ordered the captain to retrieve the falcon; leaving it outside at night would surely lead to something sinister from the captain.

Then he secretly instructed his men on night duty to be more vigilant during the night.

But the night passed peacefully.

There were indeed evil spirits that came to harass them, but they were not very good and foolishly crashed into the fire curtain and turned into ashes.

Wenren Luo would even sleep with that rough porcelain teapot in his arms.

The team set off again early the next morning.

Sheng Shan then ordered his men to release the falcon once again.

Sure enough, the old man was still following behind.

Sheng Shancai whispered to the captain, "Go to the temple and take a look."

In the sky, the hawk hovered and flew towards the dilapidated temple.

After a while, the captain solemnly reported, "Sir, there are obvious signs of a battle in the temple."

The temple was mostly collapsed, and there were signs of widespread blood and gore surrounding it!

Sheng Shancai: "What level do you estimate it to be?"

"Above the fifth rank".

Sheng Shancai had some doubts in his heart.

This estimation is very inaccurate; a person who is above the fifth tier may be third tier, or they may only be fifth tier.

But Xu Yuan and Zang Tianlan didn't seem to care at all.

"Sir, should we send some brothers to test the waters?"

"That's enough, no need to complicate things further," Sheng Shancai shook his head.

We'll be arriving in Chang County soon.

Once Xu Yuan is delivered to Chang County, my job will be done.

Moreover, since Zang Tianlan was cold yesterday, Sheng Shancai did not want to have too much involvement with the Jianzheng Gate.

Two hours later, a small county town appeared on the horizon.

Sheng Shancai escorted Xu Yuan to the low city gate, secretly relieved, and cupped his hands, saying, "Lord Xu, this is all I can take you this far."

Xu Yuan smiled and returned the greeting: "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Sheng."

Sheng Shan waved his hand: "Brothers, let's go back to Beidu."

Without saying goodbye to Zang Tianlan and the other two, he and his two squads of captains turned their horses around and returned the way they came.

Before long, he passed the old man behind him.

Sheng Shancai was secretly nervous, but the old man acted like an ordinary traveler, with his hands in his sleeves, head down, making way for the people from the Imperial City Guard, and walking slowly past from the side of the road.

……

The emperor gave Xu Yuan a title: Doctor of Geography of the Imperial Observatory.

The Imperial Observatory did indeed have this position, and its main task was to travel around the world and investigate the hydrology and geography of various places.

The Superintendent observes the stars, but he cannot simply observe the stars; he must also compare them with changes in the hydrology and geography of the land.

Therefore, this position allows one to go wherever one wants within the territory of Huangming.

Moreover, they have certain "investigative" authority.

But once Xu Yuan arrives at Quyang Prefecture and reveals his identity, everyone will understand what he has come for.

Logically speaking, the position of censor would have been more suitable for Xu Yuan.

However, Xu Yuan was not a court official, and the emperor did not want his court officials to get involved in this matter.

So they created this position and added it to Xu Yuan's resume.

In any case, the Bureau of Purification was a subordinate of the Imperial Observatory.

However, the title of "Doctor of Geography" was a genuine sixth-rank official position, which was a promotion for Xu Yuan.

At the gate of Chang County, there were five lazy old soldiers who did not care at all about checking people coming and going. Two were leaning against the city wall and three were hiding in the gate opening.

What kind of profit could these struggling people possibly make?
Only large caravans could rouse their spirits.

They had already seen Xu Yuan and his group—could someone sent by two teams of Imperial City Guards be an ordinary person? So they had no intention of questioning them at all.

Isn't that seeking death?

Seeing Xu Yuan and his group approaching rapidly, the veteran soldiers simply made way for them.

Lang Xiaoba, his face bruised and swollen, grumbled, "The local officials are so rude, no one even came to greet us!"

Wenren Luo, holding his teapot, said casually, "Do you even know what your master is investigating? You still expect someone to come and greet you? Every official in Quyang Prefecture is terrified of us coming to them, so why would they come to greet us?"

Even after arriving in Chang County, Lang Xiaoba and his men still didn't know Xu Yuan's true purpose for coming. Xu Yuan glanced at his subordinates and said, "Find a place to stay first. I have something to tell you."

Aren't we going to the post station?

Xu Yuan shook his head: "They don't want to be associated with me, and I don't want to have anything to do with them either."

While everyone was looking for a suitable inn in the county town, only the "housekeeper" Yu Yunhang was worried about who to ask for reimbursement for the inn expenses.
The Bureau of Purification? The Imperial Observatory? Or should we go directly to His Majesty?
None of them seem suitable.

Chang County was not prosperous; in fact, it appeared more dilapidated than Champa.

The sandstorms in Beizhili during spring and autumn are very strong, making the town of Changxian appear gray and dusty.

There weren't any high-end inns, so after wandering around the county town, they finally chose one that was fairly clean. Yu Yunhang negotiated a reasonable price with the owner and booked the entire place.

Then Xu Yuan gathered everyone together and explained the situation in general terms.

Of course, I can't explain it too clearly.

Astute individuals like Di Youzhi and Yu Yunhang immediately understood.

Lang Xiaoba and Zhou Leizi, being impulsive, just stared blankly, wanting to continue asking questions, but Yu Yunhang pulled them aside: "I'll explain in detail later."

Liu Hu is very simple—he doesn't care at all.

Anyway, my job is to take good care of our family.

The investigation has nothing to do with me, Lao Liu.

After Xu Yuan finished speaking, he looked around at everyone and finally realized with some speechlessness that the only person who seemed to be able to discuss the case with him was the unreliable Wenren Luo!

Di Youzhi can be considered half a person.

However, Di Youzhi was too unfamiliar with Beidu and the various forces within it.

Xu Yuan could only look at Wenren Luo: "Senior brother, what do you think?"

Wenren Luo held his teapot, turning it like a walnut: "This matter is actually very simple. The case itself is not complicated. What's complicated is how you can find concrete evidence and bring it back to Beidu."

Xu Yuan didn't speak.

Well, there's no one to discuss the case with.

Wenren Luo's focus was still on the case.

Judging solely from the facts of the case, Wenren Luo is right.

But the key to this case is not the facts of the case, but rather figuring out the emperor's intentions.

What kind of outcome does the emperor desire?

He traveled all the way from southern Jiaozhi to the northern capital to earn merit and remove the label of a criminal from Hegong Lane!
If the case being investigated this time is indeed some kind of bizarre case, Xu Yuan will not hesitate to find out the truth and bring the murderer to justice.

But what needs to be investigated this time is whether Consort Yi has ever been married—once the investigation is completed, whether Consort Yi can be considered to have "deceived the emperor" is not a crime that Xu Yuan can determine.

What's there to investigate?

Xu Yuan was disdainful of this.

Is it really necessary to bring in someone from afar who is acceptable to all parties and seems to have no connection with any of them to investigate this mess?

So what if you've been married?
If His Majesty is pleased, and Consort Yi has already given birth to Prince Zheng for His Majesty, do these past events matter?
But His Majesty's intentions are truly difficult to fathom.

However, it seems that His Majesty intends to protect Consort Yi.

Xu Yuan said, "Little Eight..."

Seeing the injuries on Lang Xiaoba's face, Xu Yuan changed his words: "Old Di, Lei Zi, come with me to the old residence of Consort Yi's family."

Then Xu Yuan looked at Wenren Luo and asked, "Are you going or not?"

Wenren Luo seemed uninterested, intently fiddling with the rough porcelain teapot in his hands: "I'm not going."

Xu Yuan nodded, got up and walked outside, with Di Youzhi and Zhou Leizi quickly following.

With everyone else at the inn having nothing to do, Zang Tianlan beckoned to Lang Xiaoba: "Come here, let me give you a few pointers."

Lang Xiaoba immediately looked distressed.

There's no other way to "guide" martial arts practitioners; it all comes down to skill and experience.

……

Xu Yuan, along with Di Youzhi and Zhou Leizi, changed into civilian clothes and went to a teahouse. They easily found out the general situation of Consort Yi's family.

Consort Yi's maiden name was Li.

They weren't considered a large family in Chang County.

Her father was a bamboo craftsman.

She gave birth to four children, two sons and two daughters. Consort Yi was the second oldest in her family, with an older brother, a younger brother, and a younger sister.

Mr. Li was a skilled cook, and before the Li family became wealthy, they were considered to be comfortably well-off.

Such a family would not normally sell their daughter into the royal palace as a dancer.

But how could ordinary locals possibly see through all this?
The tea master in the teahouse, along with the few tea drinkers who had gathered around to watch the spectacle, kept talking to Xu Yuan and his two "outsiders," boasting about the current glory of Consort Yi.

The Li family's house is also easy to find.

The only seven-story pagoda in the county was built in what is now the backyard of the Li family.

The Li family's backyard was their ancestral temple, where the Li family matriarch, who was also the grandmother of Consort Yi, had been worshipping Buddha for many years.

Aside from this seven-story pagoda, the tallest buildings in Changxian County are only three or five two-story buildings facing the street.

Two of these were brothels.

Xu Yuan, accompanied by two of his men, headed toward the pagoda and soon stood before the gate of the "Li Mansion".

The main gate is very grand, with two stone lions, each taller than a person, standing in front of it.

The brass door studs on the vermilion gate are each the size of a large bowl.

Four servants stood at the bottom of the steps; they were all martial arts practitioners who had entered the sect, and they were a head taller than ordinary people.

As soon as Xu Yuan and his companions arrived at the door, the servants stepped forward to stop them, but they were not rude. Instead, they asked politely, "What brings you three here?"

Xu Yuan handed over the jade plaque bearing the inscription "Doctor of Geography": "Looking for your master."

The servant took it: "Honored guest, please wait a moment."

He then called out to the gatehouse, "Distinguished guests have arrived; prepare tea and refreshments."

Xu Yuan and the other two were invited inside to wait. They were served tea and two plates of snacks.

Di Youzhi looked around suspiciously, then leaned close to his master and said, "Sir, the Li family... doesn't seem like the behavior of a maternal relative."

Xu Yuan and Zhou Leizi both laughed: "It really doesn't look like it."

In the folk tales of the Ming Dynasty, the family members of any of the emperor's favorite concubines were always portrayed as ignorant, tyrannical, and oppressive to the local people.

Zhou Leizi, with a sweet tooth, picked up a lotus seed paste pastry, ate it, and nodded in praise: "It tastes much better than the ones sold in Zhancheng."

The three of them didn't have to wait long before a man in his thirties, leading his servants, came quickly towards them.

"Lord Xu," he greeted Xu Yuan with a cupped hand from afar, his tone earnest, "You've finally arrived."

Xu Yuan stood up to return the greeting, but he quickly grabbed Xu Yuan's arm and said, "No, I mustn't. I am Li Ken. I have been granted a sinecure of the seventh rank by His Majesty's grace. Lord Xu's rank is above mine. I cannot accept this."

Xu Yuan was secretly increasingly surprised.

I heard the tea drinkers mention Li Ken earlier; he's the third brother of Consort Yi.

Of Consort Yi's family members, the most capable is her eldest brother, Li Huai, who serves in the Court of State Ceremonial. However, he went on a mission to the Western Regions last year, and it is unknown when he will return.

Or rather, it's uncertain whether I'll ever be able to come back.

The Ming dynasty learned a trick from the powerful Han dynasty: it liked to offer sacrifices to envoys.

Because the eldest son is away from home for many years, everything at home is now managed by Ken Lee.

He was the younger brother of Consort Yi, and it was truly remarkable that he was able to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of the court.

Li Ken pulled Xu Yuan inside, saying, "Sir, let's talk inside."

Walking down the street, Li Ken couldn't help but complain to Xu Yuan: "Lord Xu, our whole family has been waiting for you day and night. You must clear our family's name!"

Lee shook his head and sighed repeatedly.

Xu Yuan remained noncommittal.

Upon entering the main hall of the Li residence, Li Ken invited Xu Yuan to take a seat, which Xu Yuan could not refuse and had to accept.

Li Ken added, "My father isn't in Chang County. After this happened, he took my grandmother back to our old home in the countryside to find some peace and quiet."

Xu Yuan nodded: "I just arrived in the county today, so I came to your residence to inquire about the situation first."

Li Ken looked aggrieved and was full of complaints: "Lord Xu, I know that everyone in the world believes that the auspicious golden rooster was something our Li family created ourselves."

But I can swear on the lives of my entire Li family, we really don't know what happened.

Thinking about the things that would follow, Li Ken gritted his teeth even more: "Don't let me catch who did it! If I really catch him, I'll take him to His Majesty and file a complaint!"

Xu Yuan thought Li Ken's behavior didn't seem like acting.

It wouldn't be surprising if the Li family truly didn't know.

Throughout history, whenever the matter of "establishing an heir" is involved, the person in charge is often the most passive one, being swept along by many people around them.

Xu Yuan then asked, "Then... about the information that Imperial Censor Dai found out..."

Li Ken slammed his fist on the table in anger: "Nonsense! Lord Xu, all of my sister's household registration documents are kept in the county government office. You are free to check them. As for those rumors that Censor Dai found..."

Li Ken gritted his teeth before saying, "I can tell you frankly, sir, that my sister did have a marriage agreement with a family in the county when she was in the county. But that guy passed the imperial examination and looked down on our family. They broke off the engagement on their own initiative!"

"That heartless bastard, my father paid for his schooling back then, and he even borrowed that money."

Xu Yuan nodded.

The Li family desperately wanted to clear the "rumors" surrounding Consort Yi, and Li Ken went so far as to reveal old stories from that time.

This matter is by no means disgraceful for the current Imperial Noble Consort Yi, even though she is the one who was abandoned.

"Where is that man now?"

Li Ken: "That man's name is Lei Chengyuan, and he is currently an official in Mu Province."

Mughal Province is one of the four northern provinces.

After the imperial court seized a large amount of land from the Xue Sha Gui, it established four new provinces, collectively known as the Four Northern Provinces.

That place was incredibly harsh and cold...

After the Li family rose to power, they mostly sought revenge in secret.

“There’s another question,” Xu Yuan said, “How did Your Highness enter the Rong Prince’s mansion and become a dancer back then?”

Li Ken sighed: "My father borrowed a lot of money to support Lei Chengyuan's studies. Later, that heartless bastard not only broke off the engagement, but also refused to pay back the money."

Creditors came to our door every day to demand repayment, and my family was in complete chaos during that period.

Just then, the old prince sent people to the county to search for beauties. My sister, being a woman of strong will, went alone quietly.

well……"

Needless to say, Consort Yi couldn't bear to implicate her family, so she sold herself into servitude to pay off her debts.

Even if the Li family found out and wanted to redeem the person, at that time, how could the Li family have the ability to snatch the person from the old prince?
Having clarified the general outline of the matter, Xu Yuan asked for some more details before taking his leave.

Li Ken repeatedly urged them to stay for lunch, but Xu Yuan declined.

After leaving the Li family, Xu Yuan kept his head down and pondered.

Neither Di Youzhi nor Zhou Leizi dared to disturb them.

As he walked, Xu Yuan suddenly looked up.

Di Youzhi and Zhou Leizi also sensed that something was wrong.

The surrounding sounds grew fainter and fainter. They were clearly walking in a bustling city, but for some reason the streets on both sides were getting narrower and narrower, leading into a secluded and narrow alley!
The alley was a dead end.

The three of them turned around and found that the path they came from had disappeared, and all that remained behind them was a high wall!
The surrounding walls suddenly began to writhe.

On the wall right in front of the three people, a human face appeared, and then a head peeked out!
It was the old man at the tea stall.

He grinned sinisterly: "Someone asked me to make a deal with Lord Xu: if Lord Xu helps to confirm Consort Yi's crime of deceiving the emperor, I will spare your lives."

The human head, about the size of a water vat, twisted and turned on the wall, looking incredibly bizarre and terrifying.

"Don't count on Zang Tianlan and the other two. Since I dared to take action, I naturally have ways to deal with them."

(End of this chapter)