Chapter 194: The Mantis’s Hunt
The bell in Tianning Temple rang melodiously, accompanied by the chanting of monks outside the great hall. Imperial Consort Li knelt on the cushion, with incense smoke wafting around her.
“Thank you, parents, for your protection.” She said devoutly, “I originally thought this time it was all for nothing, but unexpectedly, after going around in circles, I still got what I wanted.”
As she spoke, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Lord Li, kneeling opposite her, frowned: “Keep your voice down.”
Imperial Consort Li smiled and said: “I believe in my brother’s caution. Everything here must be arranged properly.”
Lord Li’s expression showed a hint of arrogance. This was indeed the case; at this moment, everyone inside Tianning Temple was his people, and not a single blade of grass or tree would reveal any inside news.
Everyone knew that Marquis Yichun’s family was powerful, but Marquis Yichun back then was just a local marquis. Their Li Clan had been nobility in the capital city for generations, and under their good reputation, they had nurtured countless disciples.
The thought flashed through his mind, and he also laughed.
“Marquis Yichun’s family must hate His Majesty very much right now.”
“His Majesty also hates Marquis Yichun.” Imperial Consort Li smiled and said, “Now I think it’s a good thing that Yang Luo didn’t die back then. If he had only heard that mother and daughter Yang were dead, His Majesty might have cried a bit and gotten over it, but until he saw this child with his own eyes”
The past affection became real, the pain more intense, and both new and old grudges surged to his heart.
At this point, Imperial Consort Li felt a bit regretful again.
“It would have been even better if I could have seen this child die right in front of me.”
In that case, the emperor wouldn’t just detain Chai Du; he would probably take Marquis Yichun directly to Dali Temple.
Unfortunately, the assassins they sent had not succeeded.
“Wei Jiao was sent by the emperor to protect Yang Luo. Even if his arm was injured, he’s not easy to deal with.” Lord Li said, unconcerned about it, “It’s fine if he didn’t die. It’s enough to let His Majesty know that his daughter has been under death threats all along.”
Imperial Consort Li nodded: “Earlier, Ji Ying was pushed out, but it was made into a small matter. His Majesty even executed the servant from Ji Ying’s family that we bribed. I thought His Majesty was really going to let it slide lightly, but it turns out he had already started investigating privately.” Her brows lit up with joy as she spoke, “Now we can bring out the prepared ironclad evidence, right?”
When Ji Ying’s bloody letter came out earlier, Lord Li did not fan the flames or provide more evidence; instead, he halted all actions and waited very cautiously for His Majesty to make the first move.
Once His Majesty made a move, it would prove he was truly going to avenge mother and daughter Yang and fall out with the Chai Clan.
At that time, when they presented the real evidence, the Chai Clan would be skinned alive even if they didn’t die.
Lord Li smiled, stroked his beard, and nodded: “Yes, it’s all prepared, just waiting for now.”
The blade dropped in White Horse Town could finally harvest now.
As the bell of Tianning Temple rang, the tightly closed mountain gate opened. Eunuchs and palace maids escorted Imperial Consort Li out, while Physician Li and his wife followed closely with their children, respectfully seeing her off together with the monks.
The imperial consort’s imperial carriage left under the protection of the imperial guard. Physician Li’s family did not take the opportunity to leave together; instead, they had their children distribute the sacrificial items to the poor civilians in front of the temple. Physician Li and his wife got into a simple carriage and sent some rice, grain, and vegetables to a private school called Bamboo Forest Temple.
This was a place in the capital city where poor families’ children studied. It didn’t charge tuition and even provided a meal, attracting not only many children to study but also some impoverished scholars to come for a free meal.
Seeing the Li Family’s carriage and horses, the surrounding civilians were not surprised; this had been a common sight for many years.
“Lord Li is truly kind-hearted.”
“Lord Li really takes care of scholars. I want to go study too.”
The civilians praised them, and quite a few children surged forward to beg for some food.
The Li Family’s carriage and horses soon left. When dusk fell and the private school ended its lessons, several misters picked up the rice and grain and walked home through the crowds on the street.
But what they didn’t know was that behind each private school mister, there were now following gazes—either from mischievous children, peddling vendors, or women chatting and laughing together.
When one of them turned into another alley near his home instead of going straight there, a mischievous child behind him who was holding food swallowed his cake and blew a toy whistle.
At the same time, several menial laborers walked out of Dali Temple, their expressions relaxed and joyful.
“No duty tonight again.”
“Today we even got reward money.”
“His Majesty came again and gave reward money to everyone.”
“I wonder if His Majesty will come tomorrow.”
They chatted and laughed as they dispersed. One old menial laborer clutched the reward money in his hand, his smile widening, and even specially bought a piece of meat to take home.
“Grandson, you worked hard studying today.” He pushed open the simple courtyard gate, “I bought you”
His words unfinished, his expression turned shocked as he saw a strange man standing in the courtyard, holding his precious grandson who studied at Bamboo Forest Temple in his hand.
The grandson’s mouth was gagged with cloth, struggling in terror.
The meat fell from the old menial laborer’s hand as he tried to shout, but someone suddenly appeared behind him and covered his mouth, while the courtyard gate slammed shut.
Night fell over the imperial city, with lights blazing in the Hall of Diligent Governance. The imperial guards outside were strict, but when they saw Wei Jiao coming, they didn’t stop him or announce him, letting him push open the hall door with a bang and go in.
The emperor was not in the hall. Wei Jiao went to the side chamber nearby, lifted the heavy curtain, and saw a young girl reclining on the couch, stuffing a dried apricot into her mouth.
“Senior Brother, you’re here. Great, I’m safer now.” Mo Zheng let out a sound of delight and smiled brightly.
“Safer?” Wei Jiao frowned and said, “Isn’t being by the emperor’s side the safest? Weren’t you supposed to go with His Majesty to see the evidence? Why didn’t you?”
If she went, Wei Jiao would certainly follow. With her there, the emperor and Yang Luo’s father-daughter talk wouldn’t be convenient, so she deliberately stayed in the imperial city.
“Sigh, I saw Chai Du today and was so excited, heartbroken and exhausted. The imperial physician told me to rest more.” Mo Zheng said, then picked up a dried fruit, crunching it crisply, extracting the nut, and putting it in her mouth.
Where was there any sign of heartbreak or exhaustion? This dog thing wasn’t even pretending in front of him anymore. Wei Jiao sneered and looked around: “So, you only sent your maidservant with His Majesty?”
He looked at the young girl again.
“Your maidservant is quite capable. In front of His Majesty, she showed no fear or timidity at all.”
Mo Zheng smiled: “Haven’t you heard that like master, like servant? My young lady is capable, so of course her maidservant is too.”
Tonight, the capital city shrouded in darkness felt quieter than usual.
Countless shadows surrounded a small alley. Then, two figures slowly entered a courtyard and stood outside the window, looking into the indoor room.
Inside the room, an old menial laborer knelt on the ground, choking with sobs.
“Yes, it was the private school mister who told me to do it. My grandson studies under him, and I admire him greatly”
“I passed the message to that servant from the Ji Family on his behalf”
“I didn’t see the specific message; it was a slip of paper. The servant read it and ate it.”
The emperor glanced once at the indoor room, then looked away, turning to the young girl beside him with a surprised expression: “A Luo, you investigated this long ago”
His expression grew complicated.
Originally, when A Luo said Ji Ying was in her hands, he was already very surprised. Unexpectedly, besides Ji Ying, A Luo had done so much more. She had brought many people, personally investigating the murderer who killed her.
Originally, he thought his daughter had gone to all lengths to find him and reunite just to get his help in finding the murderer.
In fact, his daughter had already handled all these matters herself and only came to him after doing so.
His daughter was truly extraordinarily capable.
Beyond his imagination.
Yang Luo smiled at him: “Your Majesty, since I was born to such an extraordinary father, my mother naturally made extraordinary preparations for me.”
Because such an extraordinary father would bring her disaster.
His Luo Ying, from birth, had received no care from her father and instead had to endure death threats. The emperor’s eyes stung, and he heard his daughter’s voice continue.
“Originally, I didn’t know who wanted to kill me, but I guessed the murderer came from the imperial city. After all, few in the world knew my identity, and even fewer cared about it.”
The emperor understood her meaning; Yang Luo’s guessed murderer included him, since she had bluntly asked him before if he had killed her mother.
“So my people kept watch on all the powerful people in the imperial palace.”
“I was in the light, and also in the dark.”
“They thought I was alone and weak, treating me as prey to hunt.”
“But actually, I was hunting them.”
“Finally, I discovered many anomalies, especially after Ji Ying was thrown out.”
“Through this menial laborer in Dali Temple, I discovered that the Li Family was raising people through the private school.”
“By watching the private school’s movements, I discovered Chai Du’s confidant who was bought by the Li Family.”
“This man is in charge of the mines and entered the capital over ten days ago.”
She turned and gestured as she spoke.
“I think the Li Family will soon have him come forward to testify against Chai Du.”
“Today my people found his hiding place. Your Majesty, come with me to see…”
Before she finished, the emperor shook his head and interrupted: “No need to see, A Luo. I believe you. The Li Clan is the mastermind behind it. I’ll order their home raided right now.”
Yang Luo looked at the emperor.
The murderer who had harmed so many people in her previous life and caused her to die confused was no match for the Son of Heaven’s power.
She felt a bit dazed; this outcome was both real and illusory.
Power.
“Your Majesty.” She reached out and pulled the emperor, “Why not wait a bit.”
Wait for what? The emperor was stunned.
Yang Luo looked at the emperor: “Why not wait until after he testifies against Chai Du.”
The emperor’s gaze sharpened slightly.
“Your Majesty.” Yang Luo said softly, “Don’t you think this is a good opportunity?”
Opportunity. The emperor looked at the young girl before him, wanting to say something, his lips moving.
Yang Luo smiled: “Is Your Majesty going to say that I hate the Marquis Yichun’s family?”
She no longer looked at the emperor, gazing into the night of the courtyard.
“I do hate them.”
“Although it wasn’t them who harmed my mother.”
“But I saw with my own eyes them bullying my father.”
“Bullying my father into driving away my mother, bullying my father so he couldn’t recognize his own daughter.”
Father. The emperor was stunned, soreness spreading in his eyes. Luo Ying had called him father!
