Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

The air in the dungeon of the Imperial Censorate seemed to freeze, with only the occasional crackling sound of candlelight popping.

Fan Xian walked out of the cell. Although the air outside was still damp from the underground, it was much fresher than the torture chamber filled with the smell of blood and decay.

He took a deep breath, the last word Cheng Jushu uttered echoing in his mind—"Phoenix".

In Daqing, the dragon represents the emperor, and the phoenix represents the empress dowager.

Although the current empress is still in power, she has long lost her authority. She spends her days eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist prayers, and is indifferent to worldly affairs. She has neither the courage nor the motivation to mobilize an eighth-rank expert and plan the assassination in Niulan Street.

Excluding the Empress, the only woman left who could use the Phoenix Seal, possessed a noble status and immense power, and even dared to act recklessly in the capital's political arena was that one.

Princess Li Yunrui.

"It really is her..." A cold glint flashed in Fan Xian's eyes.

He had long known that taking over the Imperial Treasury would infringe upon the interests of the Eldest Princess, but he never expected that this woman's methods would be so direct and ruthless, even to the point of colluding with the Northern Qi people to openly assassinate someone on the streets of the capital.

Although he was 90% certain, Fan Xian was cautious by nature. He needed solid evidence, or rather, he needed to take this opportunity to investigate the mysterious organization "Luo Wang".

"Peaceful Residence..."

Fan Xian murmured the name, tightened his cloak, and turned to blend into the bustling crowds of Kyoto.

……

Heian-ju, located in a corner of Nishi-shi, Kyoto, looks like a rather elegant restaurant from the outside, without any ostentation.

Fan Xian strode into the lobby, and a waiter immediately greeted him with a beaming smile: "Sir, would you like a meal or a room?"

"I've heard you have a kind of wine here that can make people forget their troubles," Fan Xian said calmly, looking into the waiter's eyes. "I'd like a pot of 'Forget-Me-Not Wine'."

The waiter's smile froze slightly, then a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes. His previously snobbish demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a composed and capable air. He glanced around and lowered his voice, saying, "Sir, please come upstairs. Private room 'Number Two of the Heavenly Class'."

Fan Xian nodded and followed the waiter upstairs to the second floor.

Pushing open the door to "Number Two in the Heavenly Class," one finds no luxurious furnishings, only a table, two chairs, and a screen.

Behind the screen, a figure could be vaguely seen sitting.

Fan Xian didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the table to sit down. The waiter left, closing the door behind him.

"The Net?" Fan Xian poured himself a cup of tea, but didn't drink it; he just held it in his hand and played with it. "I'm here to buy information."

The figure behind the screen remained motionless, only a disguised, hoarse voice emanating from it: "Young Master Fan's presence is an honor. May I ask whose life you wish to buy, or whose secret you seek?"

Fan Xian raised an eyebrow: "Do you know who I am?"

"The net of infiltration is all-pervasive," the voice replied calmly. "If we don't even recognize Young Master Fan, then we might as well not do this business."

"Such arrogance," Fan Xian sneered. "But since you're so resourceful, I'll be frank. I want to know, in Daqing, whose personal seal bears a phoenix design?"

The person behind the screen remained silent for a moment, seemingly assessing the value of the question, or perhaps mocking Fan Xian's rhetorical question.

"Young Master Fan already has the answer in his heart, why ask such a redundant question?"

"I need a definite answer." Fan Xian pulled out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and slammed them heavily on the table. "This is five hundred taels. To buy a name."

"readily."

The figure behind the screen slowly stood up. Although separated by the screen, Fan Xian could still feel a faint sense of oppression.

"In Daqing, there is only one person who dares to use the Phoenix Bird Private Seal and has the ability to mobilize the experts of Northern Qi—Princess Li Yunrui."

Hearing that name spoken by the other person, Fan Xian's heart finally sank completely. Speculating is one thing, being confirmed is quite another.

"It really is that crazy woman." Fan Xian gritted his teeth.

"The intelligence has been delivered, and the payment is settled." The figure sat down again. "Young Master Fan, Luo Wang does business honestly and fairly. I'll also give you some extra information: the Eldest Princess not only wants to kill you, she wants to destroy you. Niulan Street is just the beginning."

Fan Xian stood up and glanced deeply at the screen: "Thank you. But I'm very curious, who exactly are you people from the Luo Wang organization? Why are you helping me? And why are you killing the Princess's people?"

"Help?" The voice let out a low laugh. "Young Master Fan misunderstands. The Luo Net doesn't help anyone, nor does it target anyone. We are merely a sword; whoever can afford the price, the sword will be pointed at. As for the Princess's people... perhaps it's because they blocked the Luo Net's path, or perhaps, it's simply because they deserve to die."

"Damn it."

Fan Xian didn't ask any more questions; he knew he wouldn't get any answers. This organization was even more mysterious than the Censorate and more arrogant than the Northern Qi's Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He turned and pushed open the door, his back view resolute.

After Fan Xian left, the screen was pushed open, and a man wearing a half-mask walked out. Looking at the silver notes on the table, a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"Your Highness guessed correctly; he did indeed come. Earning those five hundred taels was quite easy."

……

In the Forensic Laboratory, in that secluded room that never sees sunlight.

Chen Pingping sat in a wheelchair with a thick wool blanket covering her knees.

He held the secret letter sent by Fan Jian in his hand, and his usually half-closed eyes opened a crack, revealing a chilling light.

"The Net..."

He murmured those two words softly, his fingers lightly tracing the edge of the letter.

"Pingping, Xian'er is going to contact the Net..."

Chen Pingping deeply empathized with Fan Jianxin's concerns. However, he considered things more deeply and extensively than Fan Jianxin.

If the Net of Law was truly a contingency plan left behind by Miss, why has it never shown itself all these years? Why doesn't even he, the head of the Detective Agency, know about it?

If it wasn't left behind by the young lady, then what exactly is the purpose of this suddenly appearing behemoth?

"Shadow," Chen Pingping called softly.

The shadow in the corner shifted, and a figure completely wrapped in black cloth appeared out of thin air.

"Investigate." Chen Pingping's voice was as cold as ice. "Find out who Fan Xian met at Ping An Residence and what they said. Also, send a team of top experts from the First Division to secretly protect Fan Xian. If the Luo Wang dares to harm Fan Xian..."

Chen Pingping's fingers tightened suddenly, crumpling the letter into a ball of powder.

"Then kill them without mercy."

"Yes," the shadow replied, and its form vanished once more.

Chen Pingping leaned back in her wheelchair, her gaze fixed on the void, as if conversing with the woman who had long since passed away.

"Miss, is this truly a trap you set up? Or... is there another person like you in this world?"

……

The Second Prince's Mansion.

Li Chengze was barefoot, squatting on the railing of the corridor without any regard for his image, holding a plate of freshly washed grapes in his hand, and throwing them into his mouth one after another.

"Your Highness."

A rogue dressed as an ordinary servant strode over and whispered a report, "Fan Xian just left Ping An Residence. He spent five hundred taels of silver to buy information that the Eldest Princess is the mastermind behind it all."

"puff--"

Li Chengze spat out a grape skin, a bright smile spreading across his face, and he even couldn't help but pat his thigh.

"Five hundred taels? This Fan Xian is really a sucker! Hahahaha!"

He laughed so hard he almost cried. "If my dear aunt knew that I sold her off for only five hundred taels, she would probably be so angry she'd vomit blood on the spot."

Xie Bi'an, standing to the side, held his sword and watched his prince go mad with an expressionless face, already used to it.

"Your Highness," Xie Bi'an coldly reminded him, "if Fan Xian learns the truth, he will definitely fight the Eldest Princess to the death. At that time, the court will be even more chaotic."

"Chaos is good." Li Chengze stopped laughing, jumped down from the railing, and his eyes gleamed with cunning. "Since everyone wants to play, this prince will naturally play along with them. Going straight to the finale is too boring, don't you think, Bi'an?"

Xie Bi'an remained silent. Who could have imagined that the Luo Wang, which had stained the martial world with blood since its inception and is now recognized as the number one assassin organization, would be a weapon in Li Chengze's hands?

How old was he at that time?

Li Chengze ignored Xie Bi'an's expression, stretched, and glanced at the sky.

"Bi'an, prepare the car."

"Where to?"

"Let's go to the Royal Villa." Li Chengze's lips curved into a gentle yet meaningful smile. "It's been a long time since I've seen my cousin Wan'er. I miss her a bit."

Royal Villa

A carriage bearing the insignia of the Second Prince's residence slowly came to a stop at the entrance.

Li Chengze jumped off the carriage, still looking lazy and casual, carrying an exquisite food box in his hand.

Xie Bi'an followed behind him like a demon, his sword never leaving his side.

"Your Highness!"

The guards at the gate immediately knelt down to pay their respects when they saw Li Chengze.

"Get up, no need to announce me, I'll go in myself." Li Chengze waved his hand and walked straight through the gate.

After passing through the winding corridors, we arrived at a warm pavilion in the backyard.

Before even entering the gate, I saw a beautiful figure swinging on a swing under the flowering tree in the courtyard.

The girl wore a light pink dress, which billowed as she swung high on the swing, like a butterfly dancing gracefully. Her face was rosy, and her eyes were bright and lively.

"Higher! Higher still!" The girl's silvery laughter echoed throughout the courtyard.

Li Chengze stood under the corridor, watching this scene, a slight smile curving his lips.

"Wan'er."

Li Chengze called out softly.

The girl on the swing turned around abruptly upon hearing the familiar voice.

When she saw that purple figure, her eyes lit up with surprise, as if the whole world had lit up.

"Second cousin!"

Lin Wan'er jumped off the swing before it had even come to a complete stop. Her movements were light and agile, startling the maids around her. But she didn't care and ran to Li Chengze while lifting her skirt.

"You've arrived."

Lin Wan'er tilted her head back, her large, watery eyes reflecting Li Chengze's image, her face filled with undisguised affection and joy.

"Slow down, don't fall." Li Chengze reached out to support her, his tone doting, and handed her the food box. "Here, the sour plum cake from 'Yipinju' that you wanted. I had someone line up to buy it as soon as it came out of the oven."

"Slow down, don't fall." Li Chengze reached out to support her, his tone doting, and handed her the food box. "Here, the sour plum cake from 'Yipinju' that you wanted. I had someone line up to buy it as soon as it came out of the oven."

"Wow! My second cousin is the best!"

Lin Wan'er cheered, took the food box, and eagerly opened the lid. She picked up a piece of crystal-clear plum cake and put it in her mouth. The sweet and sour taste exploded on her tongue, and she squinted her eyes in satisfaction, like a cat that had successfully stolen some fish.

Seeing her greedy expression, Li Chengze couldn't resist reaching out and playfully pinching her nose, laughing, "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you. By the way, the weather's perfect today, spring is in full bloom. Instead of staying cooped up in this courtyard swinging, how about I take you for a spring outing outside the city?"

"Really?" Lin Wan'er's eyes lit up, still with a pastry in her mouth, she asked indistinctly, "But... what about Mother..."

"Don't worry, I'm here. I'll talk to the Princess." Li Chengze patted his chest and assured her.

"Yay!" Lin Wan'er was so happy she almost jumped for joy, grabbing Li Chengze's arm. "Let's go, second cousin!"

……

The carriage drove out of bustling Kyoto, heading west, and finally stopped in front of a secluded villa nestled against the mountains and beside the water.

This secluded courtyard, named "Tingyuxuan," is Li Chengze's private property, and few people usually know about it. The courtyard is filled with mountain spring water and exotic flowers and plants. It is currently springtime, and the garden is bursting with spring colors, with red apricot blossoms adorning the branches.

Li Chengze held Lin Wan'er's hand as they strolled along the cobblestone path. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and earth, a truly delightful experience.

"Wow, this place is so beautiful!" Lin Wan'er was like a bird released from its cage, running to smell this flower and then to look at that tree, her face beaming with unprecedented ease and joy.

Li Chengze followed behind her, watching her cheerful figure with eyes so tender they seemed to melt.

"Are you tired?"

After walking for a while, Li Chengze took Lin Wan'er's hand and led her to a pavilion by the water.

Light gauze curtains hung around the pavilion, fluttering in the breeze. Inside, a thick Persian carpet was laid out, and a low table was placed in the center, on which exquisite tea, snacks, and fruits had already been prepared.

Li Chengze pulled Lin Wan'er down to sit and gently pulled her into his arms.

Lin Wan'er's body stiffened slightly, then softened, and she obediently leaned against his chest.

Neither of them spoke; they simply nestled together quietly, listening to the babbling of the stream and the chirping of birds outside the pavilion.

Sunlight filtered through the sheer fabric, casting dappled patterns on the two figures, a scene of serene beauty.

"Second cousin..."

After a long while, Lin Wan'er suddenly raised her head, her clear, watery eyes fixed on Li Chengze, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, like butterfly wings.

"Hmm?" Li Chengze lowered his head, his gaze meeting hers.

The two were extremely close, close enough to see each other's reflections clearly, close enough to exchange breaths that mingled and intertwined.

A faint blush spread across Lin Wan'er's cheeks, like ripe water. , To gather.

She bit her lip, seemingly gathering her courage, and asked softly, "Will you always be this good to me?"

Li Chengze's heart stirred as he looked at the expectant yet slightly uneasy eyes of the girl in his arms.

He reached out and gently stroked Lin Wan'er's soft, long hair, his voice deep and firm: "Silly girl, if I'm not good to you, who else should I be good to? As long as I'm here, no one can bully you, no one can make you suffer."

"real?"

"More real than real gold."

As Li Chengze spoke, he slowly lowered his head and gently kissed Lin Wan'er's smooth forehead.