Minglong

Chapter 128 The All-Powerful Little Perilla

Li Gongpu Mansion.

It was well past midnight, but the main courtyard was still lit up.

Li Gongpu sat in his bare room, but he had no interest in worrying about the antiques and paintings he had collected over the years.

Du Mushan, a retainer, stood beside the Luohan couch, his brow furrowed as he inquired:

"Lord Li confirms, Your Majesty..."

Li Gongpu sighed softly: "Today in Linde Hall, I personally witnessed His Majesty coughing up blood. Looking at the Crown Prince's eyes... alas, if he had left in such a hurry, he might not have even made it through this winter."

Why is there no news of it in the capital?

"In such turbulent times, how can such a thing be allowed to spread like wildfire throughout the city?"

Li Gongpu had intended to examine the calligraphy and paintings bestowed upon him by the Emperor, but discovered they had been stolen and were now in the hands of someone else, who was now desecrating them. He then withdrew his gaze in anguish.
"His Majesty has always been open with me about everything, yet he hasn't even revealed this matter to me. This is probably because he's afraid that this old servant might take a risk. But I have no choice but to take this risky step."

Du Mushan felt that if he took this step, the Li family would soon be raided.

Although it had already been robbed once by an unknown 'master thief,' at least it still had its head.

If they come to confiscate again next time, there won't be any maids left!

Du Mushan rubbed his fingers: "Aside from reading, calligraphy, and learning military strategy, I don't seem to have heard of any other interests of the Crown Prince."

Li Gongpu shook his head:
"It's impossible for a person to be without preferences, but the Crown Prince's special status makes him afraid of displeasing the Emperor, so he dares not reveal them."

“I remember when the Crown Prince was four years old, Ruizhou presented him with a ‘Purple Thunder Sparrow’, which the Crown Prince especially loved. However, the Emperor feared that indulging in such things would distract him from his studies, so he did not bestow it upon him.”

"In recent years, the Crown Prince has mostly painted flowers and birds. Last year, the Heir Apparent, Zhao De, somehow acquired a parrot that could curse. He took it to the Crown Prince's residence to show it off. The Crown Prince played with it for two days, and when the Emperor found out, he gave him a few words of admonition..."

Du Mushan nodded thoughtfully: "Your Highness, do you enjoy watching sparrows?"

Li Gongpu nodded: "I like it very much, but I don't dare to raise it."

"Then shall I go and find a bird for ornamental purposes? Xie Jinhuan's eagle is quite intelligent, but he certainly won't sell it..."

Li Gongpu waved his hand: "I saw that fat bird today. Its plumage is fine, but it's too big and looks clumsy. It's not a top-grade bird. To win over the Crown Prince, we still need to get the 'Purple Thunder Sparrow' that we failed to get when the Crown Prince was four years old."

"People want things more the more they can't get them, especially those who never got them in their childhood and have suppressed their nature for years. If they have the chance to get them back, even the most rational person will lose their mind."

Du Mushan felt that Li Gong was the best at flattery and winning people's favor, so he thought for a moment and said:

"The Purple Thunderbird is already considered an auspicious beast worthy of being presented as tribute; it's impossible to find one on the market. We..."

“Li Chimo, the head of Xuanhu Temple, was from the same clan as me five hundred years ago. He also loved flowers and birds and had one in his possession.”

Xuanhu Temple was one of the three giants of the Great Qian Dan Ding Sect, and Du Mushan looked troubled:

"Master Li, you probably have little interest in worldly money..."

"Let him name his price. It doesn't matter if we suffer a loss. We can always get it back when the Crown Prince ascends the throne."

"understand……"

……
-
Imperial City.

At midnight, when the emperor should have already retired for the night, a faint light was still on in a hall within the palace.

Cao Fo'er, dressed in a red robe and carrying a palace lantern, stood on the steps below the dragon throne. His usually smiling, chubby face now showed a hint of worry.

The Qian Emperor, over fifty years old, wore a dragon robe and held a sword inlaid with red jade in his hand, saying:

"At that time, the second son was full of pride and put on a dragon robe late at night to experience being an emperor for a while."

"I, along with you, Ye Shirong, Xu Pingzhi... there were only a dozen or so of us. We disguised ourselves as eunuchs and sneaked here. It was very dangerous at the time."

"You were stabbed seven times, yet you clung to him and wouldn't let go. Ye Shirong was stabbed in the stomach, yet you still grabbed the gun barrel and tried to push it out..."

"I chased after the second prince with my sword, running around this entire hall before finally beheading him. I sat down on these steps to rest."

"Then Lu Wuzhen 'came upon hearing the news,' and with just one slap, he killed all those rebellious officials..."

……

Cao Fo'er stood before her, her eyes also filled with sighs:
"The struggle for the throne among princes is a family matter. It is taboo for Lu Wuzhen to interfere. It is reasonable for him to reappear after making a final decision."

Emperor Qian examined the sword in his hand and continued:

"Ye Shirong served as my loyal bodyguard, and I treated him well. Why do you think he couldn't understand why he joined the evil path?"

Cao Fo'er was also quite surprised when she heard the news, and after a moment's consideration:
"Perhaps Ye Shirong was so severely injured that his foundation in martial arts was severed, which is why he desperately sought treatment and went astray."

Emperor Qian also hoped for this, but the reality was clearly not so simple:
"Ye Shirong has been in contact with quite a few people. Since the evil Taoist has won him over, it's impossible that he hasn't made any moves over the years."

"The seed that the Underworld Cult planted in the capital may have been slowly infiltrated through Ye Shirong's connections."

“I may not last more than a few years. This person must be found before Jing Huan ascends the throne.”

Cao Fo'er thought for a moment and said:
"This person is too well hidden. He may hold a high position and have a clean reputation, so no one in the court would even think of investigating him."

"The Imperial Observatory and the Crimson Scale Guard are searching, and even the Pill King is secretly investigating, but before today, not a single clue has been found..."

Emperor Qian stood up and tossed the imperial sword bestowed upon Ye Shirong to Cao Fo'er:

"If they can't find out, let those who can find out investigate. Send word to Princess Changning: if Xie Jinhuan can find out who is behind Ye Shirong, I will grant him a marquis title."

Cao Fo'er followed behind, pondering for a moment:

"With Xie Jinhuan's abilities, it shouldn't be difficult for him to expose the person behind the scenes. He will surely achieve many unparalleled feats in the future. He will start by being granted a marquisate, and next year he will probably be granted the Nine Bestowments."

Add nine bestowals...

Emperor Qian agreed and changed his mind, saying, "If you can find out who is behind this, you will be granted the title of Viscount; if you can eliminate the person behind this, you will be granted the title of Earl."

Cao Fo'er thought this made sense, so she didn't say anything more and escorted Emperor Qian to his bedchamber.

Emperor Qian glanced back at the dragon throne, took a few steps, and then spoke to Cao Fu'er, who had been with him since childhood:

"This chair is actually not comfortable to sit on. If it weren't for the fact that the second son wanted to exterminate his brothers, I really wouldn't want to take on this mess."

"If it were so comfortable, why would an emperor call himself 'the lonely one'? But Your Majesty has done a very good job."

"Heh, why are you copying Li Gongpu too..."

……
-
The next day.

Autumn days are often cloudy and rainy. Before I had even woken up from my nap, I heard a soft rustling sound outside the window again.

Xie Jinhuan silently opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and was immediately greeted by a rich and intoxicating female fragrance wafting from beside his pillow... Forced to take a deep breath, he felt his body, which had been violently squeezed by the big ice block last night, instantly revive.

Turning my head, I saw the stunningly beautiful woman with glasses lying on her side on the edge of the bed, arms crossed, fast asleep fully clothed, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, lost in some blissful dream.

Xie Jinhuan had indeed exhausted himself last night, and it took him a while to recover before he remembered that he had run into Xiao Zisu when he came over last night, and Xiao Zisu had given him a "Domineering Leak Pill". Afterwards, Wanyi helped him lie down and wiped his face, and he somehow fell asleep...

Finding Wanyi sleeping soundly, Xie Jinhuan didn't wake her. He quietly got out of bed, changed into the robe Wanyi had prepared, hung the Tiangang Mace and Zhenglun Sword at his waist, and after tidying himself up, he even lowered his head and gave the big kitten a kiss on the face.

"Huh~..."

As it turned out, Wanyi learned quite quickly. In her dazed state, she even knew to slightly part her red lips and let him in...

?

Xie Jinhuan, seeing this, didn't stand on ceremony. He carefully tasted the rouge red, rubbed the bowl, and then, still wanting more, got up and quietly disappeared into the misty autumn rain through the window.

Not long after, on the outer street of the Lin residence.

"Steamed buns and wontons..."

"Have you heard? Xie Jinhuan, the great hero, chopped Ye Shirong to pieces yesterday..."

Why is Master Xie attacking Yip Sai-wing?

"It's said that Ye Shirong is the legendary thief who ransacked the Li family mansion, and they even found more than thirty male concubines he had abducted from the Li family under the house..."

"Huh—!"

……

???

Xie Jinhuan sat down at the wonton stall, completely bewildered by the idle chatter of the street urchins.

But that's just how rumors are in the streets, and he didn't pay any attention to them.

After eating three or four bowls of chicken soup wontons, his stomach, still empty from a long night's work, was surprised to find a carriage waiting at the Lin residence's gate, with guard Jia waiting there.

Then, the still-charming Madam Lin led the exquisitely beautiful Zisu out, giving her instructions along the way:
"Be careful when you go shopping with Miss Wang and the others. Besides, you're not a child anymore, so watch out for those wicked young men..."

"Grandma, you're overthinking it. Any man who's heard of me will avoid me like the plague. If I even glance at them, they'll suspect I've drugged them. And if I give them that mysterious smile, they're doomed. They'll turn tail and run to a secluded spot, afraid of being humiliated in public..."

"Sigh, you've all grown up, just like your aunt, a beauty of unparalleled grace. There will always be a few reckless idlers in the world who aren't afraid of death..."

……

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinhuan stood up and straightened his clothes.

Xie Jinhuan had inquired about the reason why Zisu called Wanyi "Auntie" but addressed Madam Lin as "Grandma."

Zisu was originally the daughter of Mr. Lin's friend. She showed an amazing talent for preparing medicine when she was only three or four years old. Mr. Lin, who had no children, took a liking to her and adopted her to inherit his mantle. Because Mr. Lin was getting old, he originally intended to wait until Wanyi was fifteen or sixteen years old and then take her in as a son-in-law. In reality, the two were not related by blood. "Little Aunt" was actually a term used to refer to her aunt.

As a result, Wanyi has delayed her marriage due to witchcraft beliefs, and it's now very difficult to change how she's addressed...

In the end, Wanyi got the better deal...

Xie Jinhuan waited a moment by the street, holding an umbrella. As the carriage approached, he pretended to take a stroll and walked towards it, waving from afar.
"Jia Zheng, getting ready to go out?"

"Eh? Young Master Xie?"

Jia Zheng quickly got out of the car and bowed.

Lin Zisu also peeked out of the car window, her lively face peeking out:

"Young Master Xie, are you here to see your aunt?"

"Yes."

Xie Jinhuan paused outside the carriage, as if he had just come from the Prince's residence:

“I have a friend from the martial arts world who isn’t feeling well, so I’ve come to ask him some questions.”

Jia Zheng frowned: "Oh dear, then Young Master Xie, hurry and go find the master or madam, or even the head of the household, but please, whatever you do, don't go to the young lady..."

"Cough cough!"

Lin Zisu coughed twice, reminding Jia Zheng not to delay her medical practice, then looked at Xie Jinhuan and said with a smile:

"What illness is it? My aunt only treats minor ailments, she might not be able to cure complex or difficult cases."

Xie Jinhuan had come to invite the Purple Perilla Immortal, and now, standing by the car window, he asked:
"Does Miss Zisu know about the Immortal-Burning Gu of the Crescent Moon Manor?"

"The Immortal-Burning Gu?"

Lin Zisu came from a family of physicians and possessed astonishing talent. She had heard of the renowned Gu poison sect's extraordinary poison, which was famous throughout the cultivation world. At this moment, she leaned against the window and thought carefully:

"The effects of the Burning Immortal Poison are unique. It uses the victim's own energy as a catalyst, becoming stronger with stronger attacks. Only the person who cast the poison can eradicate it without harm. However, I happen to have a 'Yin-Yang Strange Qi Powder,' which should temporarily alleviate the poison's effects."

The strange and eerie atmosphere dissipates...

Xie Jinhuan blinked, her head full of question marks:

"What is this?"

Lin Zisu rummaged through the carriage, took out a small medicine box, opened it to reveal two rows of small porcelain bottles, and took one out:
"If one is poisoned by this medicine, the internal energy will be disordered, and even a normal cultivator will suffer a stroke."

"However, if a cultivator's own qi is pure yang and he is infected with the Burning Immortal Gu, then according to pharmacology, the pure yang qi will become weaker and the toxicity will also become weaker. The part of pure yin qi that is converted can also counteract the yang poison of the Burning Immortal Gu."

"The cost is the depletion of internal energy, which will inevitably reduce one's skill level by half a grade to the first grade, and it can only last for a few hours, not as a long-term solution."

Oh, the literal meaning of sarcastic or ironic...

Xie Jinhuan examined the medicine bottle carefully, thinking that this stuff should be able to save Da Bingtuo from his emergency. After thinking for a moment, he turned his attention to the small box—"Smiling Face Powder," "Full-Footed Pill," and "Inseparable Powder"...

Most of them are household names!
Xie Jinhuan's expression turned serious as he picked up one of the bottles:
"This inseparable bond is..."

Lin Zisu blinked, subtly encouraging him:

"This makes people want to hug the person next to them, but the price is that once they hug, they won't let go. It's very powerful. Young Master Xie, why don't you take it and give it a try?"

Xie Jinhuan was quite curious about these ingenious medicines and put the medicine bottles in the box:
"Would you sell these medicines, Miss Zisu?"

Lin Zisu said generously, "These things are so bad that no one would dare to eat them even if they were given away. I'm only showing them off to my classmates in the Imperial Pharmacy. If Young Master Xie likes them, please take them."

Xie Jinhuan had no right to take Zisu Daxian's things for free, so he took out the silver notes donated by Ye Shirong and gave them to Zisu as pocket money...
-
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(End of this chapter)