Tang Dynasty Puppet Doctor

Chapter 93: Rebellion
Three days later, Wuling Yue still hadn't found any trace of Xiao Muchen and Murong Huan. Even though she later realized what was happening and went to Princess Taiping's mansion again, and searched the entire Zhengpingfang and even the Imperial College, she still didn't find a figure similar to Xiao Muchen.

After the hair was examined, it was confirmed that there were no traces of drug staining. There was also a military officer named Xiao Anjie in the Prince of Xiang's Mansion, and Xiao Anjie did have a son named Xiao Zhizhong. She even got a portrait from the Prince of Xiang's Mansion that looked very similar to Xiao Muchen.

But Wu Lingyue was still unwilling to give up, and even had a premonition that Xiao Muchen might be hiding next to her, but she just couldn't figure out where he was hiding.

The city of Luoyang was still in a state of panic. Lai Junchen's henchmen, led by Hou Sizhi, Li Renjing, Kang Wei, and Wei Suizhong, often rode their horses on the streets of Luoyang. If they encountered anyone they disliked or was suspicious, they would arrest and imprison them for any reason.

Ever since Xiao Muchen was secretly accused of treason and imprisoned, the King of Wei has repeatedly petitioned Lai Junchen to replace Xiao Muchen as the Chief Censor. Although the empress has not yet given a clear response, Lai Junchen's power is enough to keep all officials silent and no one dares to offend him.

The empress was reluctant to issue an edict to convict Di Renjie and others, and Wu Chengsi was already anxious. In addition, Xiao Muchen had not been found yet, which made him even more worried that the matter of the underground money house in the White Horse Temple would reach the ears of the saint.

But the ghost-faced man was confident and said, "Don't worry. Even if the Saint heard of this, he wouldn't dare to make it public. She originally ordered Xue Huaiyi to rebuild the White Horse Temple. The monks there recite the 'Da Yun Sutra' to prove that she was appointed by heaven and the orthodox one. If the White Horse Temple's reputation were to be tarnished, wouldn't it also have a huge impact on her reputation?"

At this point, he let out a mocking sneer, "A person like her can ruthlessly plot and kill even her own sister, niece, brother, and children. How could she care about the lives of those poor women working in the underground bank of the White Horse Temple?"

Wu Chengsi certainly knew that the empress did not care about those insignificant lives, but who knew if she would abandon them now that the dynasty was stable, and her recent attitude towards Cen Changqian, Di Renjie and others was really hard for him to understand.

"And Xiao Muchen, whose whereabouts are still unknown. His existence is a threat. My aunt has always valued him. He was the only one who escaped imprisonment in the Magistrate's Court after Lai Junchen's false accusation. This shows that my aunt still wants to spare his life. If he goes to my aunt and complains about me..."

"Don't worry, he won't have the chance to get in front of the Saint. Didn't you set up spies and ambushes on all the roads outside the Purple Palace?"

"But I'm afraid... if I think about it carefully, what exactly has led us to this point today? It seems that ever since the murder of Zhou Xing and his son, we have been in a passive situation. We wanted to use the death of the two Xie maids to get rid of that little girl Murong Huan, but she found out about Qiu Shenji's massacre to gain credit. Then, in order to kill Guo Hongba and silence him, they took Qiu Shenji away, and they discovered the underground bank in the White Horse Temple.

All of this seems to be related to that lowly servant Murong Huan. It's no exaggeration to say that she is a disaster! I thought that if I told the Saint about her identity, he would definitely kill her, but I didn't expect..."

Having said this, Wu Chengsi was already gritting his teeth in anger.

"What's the point of you saying this now? Xiao Muchen has already said that the saint has examined her body and found no plum blossom mark on her body. Without the plum blossom mark, your attempt to use the prophecy to get rid of her will no longer be possible."

Of course he knew it was impossible, but he couldn't help feeling bad that he was schemed to this point by a little girl.

But at this moment, a servant came hurriedly to report: "King Wei, something terrible has happened."

"What's wrong?" King Wei was immediately furious.

The servant was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he knelt down and said:

"The Saint... The Saint wishes to visit the White Horse Temple."

Wu Chengsi's face suddenly turned pale with horror, and he almost fell down because he lost his balance with one hand.

"How could such a major event as the Saint's visit to the White Horse Temple be kept secret from the court officials?"

"It's said that it was a private visit. Three days ago, Princess Taiping went to the palace to meet the Saint privately. The two of them chatted for a long time in the Saint's chambers. Only the Upper Palace Attendant was listening at the time. No one else was there. It was only today that the Saint suddenly announced that he needed to leave the palace for a visit to the White Horse Temple, and our spies planted by the Saint spread the news."

Upon hearing this, Wu Chengsi's face turned completely pale and he sat down on the chair.

"Oh no! Since this news just came out today, has the Saint already..."

"Xiao Muchen must have informed Taiping about the White Horse Temple incident, which is why Taiping went to the palace to see the Saint. If we had known this, we should have destroyed everything in the underground bank."

Having said that, he turned his rebuking gaze towards the ghost-faced man again, "It's all your fault. You've repeatedly blocked my way..."

Before he could finish his words, the man sneered.

"That's the bad thing about the King of Wei. When things go well, you and I are brothers, but when things go badly, you blame me for everything. I've been waiting for this day by not letting you destroy it. Since that woman wants to visit the White Horse Temple in disguise, why don't you take this opportunity to have her write the edict of succession?" Wu Chengsi's face changed. "What do you mean? You want me to force the emperor to abdicate and rebel?"

"Since ancient times, victors have been kings and losers have been bandits. After the success, it's up to you to decide who rebels. And you've been planning this for so long, isn't it just to one day seize the throne like this woman?"

"You could send a group of secret guards to assassinate the Saint in the name of Prince Li Dan, then personally rescue her and bring her to the underground bank in the White Horse Temple. Then, you could summon a group of ministers who have pledged allegiance to you and force her to write a decree of succession. Wouldn't that be legitimate?"

Wu Chengsi's eyes lit up after hearing this, but then he became hesitant and timid.

"King Wei, I have said all I can. If you still hesitate, then wait for the sage to have those cruel officials imprison you in the Imperial Court of Inquiry!"

He was about to leave in a huff. Wu Chengsi turned pale with fear, and immediately lost his mind. In the end, he could only steel himself and said, "At this point, this is the only way! Hurry and get ready!"

The man smiled, then left the King of Wei's mansion and came to his own residence.

……

This is an abandoned house built behind the Prince of Wei's Mansion. After being renovated, it became a prison for him. It is also a place that cannot be seen in the light, just like him. Since he "died" on the way to exile twenty years ago, he has almost become a "ghost".

Sitting in front of the mirror, looking back on the past, he carefully took off the ghost mask that made him feel inferior and resentful with trembling hands. Seeing the ugly face distorted by anger in the bronze mirror, the hatred hidden in his heart burned like a raging fire.

With a "crack", he suddenly swung his fist and shattered the mirror.

"This revenge is finally going to be avenged."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hong Xian walked in. As if afraid of angering him, she took a step forward and then quickly retreated.

At this moment, the man's voice coiled around him like an icy snake.

"Now that you're here, why are you going out?"

He carried the red thread into the house with one hand.

"Have you found those two people?"

Hong Xian replied immediately with a trembling voice, "Yes, Master, Hong Xian discovered that someone seemed to have been missing for a long time. Hong Xian believed that this person must have been hidden by Xiao Muchen and Murong Huan."

"Who?"

"Su Yu, the third master of the Su family."

Upon hearing this, the man let go of Hong Xian's neck and asked, "When did she disappear?"

"Ten days ago, after Xiao Muchen was rescued from prison by Murong Huan, Su Yu went to Shaohuayuan and never returned to the Su family or the pharmacy."

"Very good, it seems they have found out a lot of information from Su Yu's mind." After saying this, the man fixed his eyes on her and asked, "Where are they now?"

"It's right here at the White Horse Temple! Recently, several merchants have come to our underground bank at the White Horse Temple. Although these people were contacted by our pre-arranged contacts, there's no guarantee that others haven't sneaked in to investigate. Hong Xian noticed a merchant couple from the Western Regions whose behavior is different from that of ordinary merchants. They're very likely these easily deceived people!"

A ferocious and complacent smile immediately appeared on the man's face.

"Really? You still want to personally enter the tiger's den and explore the secrets of my underground bank? Then you must be prepared to leave your life here!"

(End of this chapter)