Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

When Xie Jingxing returned to the inn, his face was so gloomy it was almost as if water could drip from it.

He sat silently on the couch, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his knees, his gaze blankly fixed on the night outside the window.

Liu Wei stood aside, carefully observing his master's expression, his heart pounding with anxiety.

After pondering for a while, Liu Wei finally couldn't help but tentatively speak up: "My lord, I've been thinking about this..."

Could that so-called "Miracle Doctor Li" be lying and trying to scam us?

And the leader of the Seven Kill Pavilion wore a mask from beginning to end, not daring to show his true face. Is he an imposter?

You said...could it be that Liu Tao'er and the others paid someone to act in this?"

Xie Jingxing slowly shook his head, his tone low but firm: "No... it can't be fake."

I had seen this Dr. Li from afar once in my younger days.

Although many years have passed, I remember his appearance clearly; I can't be wrong.

As for that pavilion master, he is real.

It's rumored that the Seven Kill Pavilion Master never shows his true face, and I've heard about the silver fox mask he's wearing today.

Liu Wei, however, was unwilling to give up. He took another half step forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Is there such a possibility?"

The people from the Seven Kill Pavilion were simply covering for Liu Tao'er.

Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? Yesterday during the day, Ah Wang and I discovered them, and tonight she moved out.

My subordinate has a feeling that Liu Tao'er and that brat never left and are definitely still in that courtyard.

"I simply can't understand how the Seven Kill Pavilion, the number one gang in the martial arts world, could get involved with such an insignificant country bumpkin as Liu Tao'er."

Xie Jingxing snorted coldly, his tone carrying a hint of disdain: "What kind of status does the Seven Kill Pavilion Master have?"

Countless people in the martial arts world yearn to see him but fail to do so; how could he possibly protect a mere young girl?

As for Doctor Li, he was known for his eccentric temperament, and even royalty and nobles might not be able to persuade him to come out of seclusion.

Perhaps... it really was just a coincidence that Liu Tao'er sensed the danger and ran away in advance.

That brat is always cunning and treacherous; I'm not surprised she ran away at all!

He said this, but as he finished speaking, a subtle hint of hesitation appeared between his brows.

Seeing that his master's expression had eased slightly, Liu Wei hurriedly asked, "Young master, what should we do next?"

Should we stay and keep watch over that courtyard, or head south to Jiangnan first thing tomorrow morning to catch up with Liu Tao'er and the others?

Xie Jingxing pondered for a moment, then tapped his fingertips lightly on the edge of the bed: "Liu Wei, thinking back on what you just said..."

It's not entirely impossible.

Here's what we'll do: wait until midnight, then sneak into that courtyard and investigate.

Let's see if Liu Tao'er is there or not.

If they are there, there's no need to come back to report; just arrest them and bring them here.

If not... then after breakfast tomorrow, we'll take a carriage south to Jiangnan.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Liu Wei respectfully clasped his hands in acceptance, then turned and left the room.

On the other side, Xiao Yi and Elder Li quickly tidied up the courtyard.

Elder Li took out several sticks of homemade mugwort incense from a cloth bag in the room and lit them one by one. The faint herbal fragrance spread and gradually dispelled the lingering smell of blood in the air.

After finishing these tasks, Elder Li dusted off his hands, gave Xiao Yi a few instructions, and then returned to the neighboring courtyard to rest.

He stopped worrying about the rest and left it to the young people to handle.

He's getting old and needs to get some sleep.

But before going to sleep, I have to check on Ayan, his little apprentice.

Even though the children didn't know what had happened, he still had to check to make sure they were alright.

Xiao Yi did not go inside, but instead moved a chair to sit in the courtyard, looking up at the moon that was not yet full.

The night breeze was cool, carrying the refreshing feeling unique to early autumn.

Not long after, a dark figure silently scaled the wall and entered; it was Qingfeng.

"Why can't you just come in through the gate? Why do you have to climb over the wall?"

Xiao Yi shook his head.

"Hehe, young master, I'm used to it."

Xiao Yi chuckled and scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Has that bastard Awang been dealt with?"

Xiao Yi stopped talking about climbing over the wall and started discussing serious matters.

Qingfeng nodded, a pleased smile on his lips: "Don't worry, young master, it's been handled properly."

I threw that bastard deep into the back mountains. There are plenty of wild wolves and dogs in the mountains; they'll definitely find him by the smell of blood.

Right now, that beast's bones might already be a delicious meal in the mouths of wolves!

"That's good."

Xiao Yi then turned his head slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"It's too good for him to die."

Such a person is nothing but a waste of food; his death can be considered revenge for Ayan.

Qingfeng clenched his fist and said angrily, "Young Master, that dog Prince Cheng is still under house arrest, yet he dared to defy the imperial decree and leave the palace. This is a crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Isn't he incredibly audacious?

Why did he chase after her all the way here? Just how much did he want Peach Girl dead?

Xiao Yi sneered: "Qingfeng, do you think Xie Jingxing sneaked out of the palace?"

I don't see it that way.

He doesn't have that kind of guts.

"But didn't he send assassins to kill the Crown Prince before?"

That's different!

After all, he himself did not show up.

"Young master is right, he can find a scapegoat!"

Qingfeng nodded, agreeing with what the young master said.

"King Cheng has made quite a few mistakes lately!"

One thing led to another, and the court officials began to have many complaints about him.

If I were him, I would obediently stay in the palace to recover from my injuries, and I would never dare to cause any more trouble.

On the surface, he only brought one trusted confidant, that scoundrel Liu Wei, with him when he left the palace this time!

Such a low profile clearly indicates a desire to avoid being discovered.

Qingfeng was taken aback, then scratched the back of his head thoughtfully and said, "What does Young Master mean..."

Was that bastard King Cheng sent out of the palace by imperial decree?

Their goal is to find Miss Tao and the young master.

But why do I get the feeling that the Emperor is determined to kill Miss Tao and the others?

Xiao Yi nodded, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Peach Girl is just a young girl and poses no threat to the emperor whatsoever."

Although the young master is the only grandson of the Xiao family, surely that doesn't warrant such a ruthless act from the emperor?

Xiao Yi did not answer immediately, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he were untangling some complicated knot.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, his tone tinged with confusion: "Qingfeng, what you just said is exactly what I can't understand."

This is certainly not like the old emperor's style.

As for why he issued a secret decree to hunt down Ayan and the others...

I don't quite understand either.

Could it be... that Tao'er is hiding some secret?

"Young master, what secrets could a mere maid like Tao'er possibly have?"

Qingfeng waved his hand dismissively.

"Perhaps we've misunderstood."

Hmph! In my opinion, it's just that the old emperor is wary of the Xiao family and wants to eliminate them completely!

The old emperor was also a foolish ruler who couldn't distinguish right from wrong!

As he spoke, he actually started cursing.

Xiao Yi did not stop him, but lowered his eyes slightly and said in a low voice, "Perhaps."

"If I weren't afraid that the prince's death would implicate too many people, I would have killed Prince Cheng today."

Anyone who dares to touch him is asking for death!

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng quickly stepped forward to advise, "Young master, please don't act impulsively."

Killing Prince Cheng would only vent my anger temporarily, but the old emperor will definitely hold the Xiao family accountable, and the entire Xiao family will suffer as a result!

"you're right."

Xiao Yi nodded, but a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

"We can't take his head for now, but we can teach him a lesson and make him stay in bed for ten days or half a month. That should be achievable."

Qingfeng, let's do this at midnight tonight...

He lowered his voice and whispered a few words in Qingfeng's ear.

As Qingfeng listened, his eyes grew brighter and brighter, and finally he couldn't help but nod with a happy smile: "Young Master is indeed wise!"

This move is enough to give King Cheng a run for his money.

As expected, the young master is still as cunning as ever!

A dark and windy night is perfect for doing bad things!