Chapter 36: Huarong

Leaving the grand hall, Li Yuanling led Li Muxian to her room in Jiguang Pavilion.

“Let’s cut to the chase—who are you, Miss Li?”

Li Muxian sat casually on a stool in the room, calmly gazing at the handsome young man before him.

Li Yuanling fell silent for a moment, then sat across from Li Muxian, picked up the teapot, poured him a cup of water, and propped her chin on her hand to ask:

“How much do you know about the Seventh Imperial Prince?”

Li Muxian raised an eyebrow:

“Which aspect do you mean, Miss Li?”

“For instance, do you know what kind of person the Seventh Prince’s mother was? Or that he has an older sister, the current Crown Princess? Or how much you know about his maternal family?”

Hearing this, Li Muxian studied her suspiciously for a moment, then said:

“Are you that Crown Princess of Great Li?”

Li Yuanling rolled her eyes and said:

“She wouldn’t come to see you. The Crown Princess is busy running around trying to free the fake prince from the Celestial Prison—she even knelt for several nights outside the Celestial Palace.”

Li Muxian’s gaze shifted, and he asked:

“Then who are you?”

“Guess,” Li Yuanling said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Li Muxian rubbed his chin, squinted, and said:

“I guess… you’re that naturally beautiful, peerlessly talented Princess Huarong.”

At this, Li Yuanling froze, then beamed and nodded:

“You got it!”

She blinked her eyes, unexpectedly delighted:

“And you speak rather nicely.”

Li Muxian wore an expression of “as expected.”

He had heard of the Seventh Prince’s affairs from Cang Yinyue during his journey to Shangyang City.

The Seventh Prince’s mother was Consort Jing, but she had passed away three years ago.

He had an older sister—the Crown Princess of Great Li—but she showed little interest in finding her own brother, instead fixating on the fake prince.

She had repeatedly begged Emperor Yuanwu for mercy to release him, and had been scheming nonstop to rescue him.

Besides that, the Seventh Prince had an adopted younger sister, originally the only daughter of the Southern Pacification Marquis.

After her parents died defending Tianqiu City ten years ago, she was taken in by Consort Jing as an adopted daughter and raised by her side. Emperor Yuanwu, remembering the Marquis and his wife’s service to Great Li, specially decreed her the title “Princess Huarong.”

Consort Jing doted on this adopted daughter, and their bond was indistinguishable from that of a true mother and daughter.

This was why Li Muxian had guessed her identity—Princess Huarong’s name was Li Yuanling, matching this young person’s name, and given her character, she truly would come to Jiguang Pavilion to meet her unknown adopted brother.

Still, after studying her for a moment, Li Muxian asked curiously:

“You seem certain I’m the real Seventh Prince?”

Li Yuanling nodded seriously:

“The moment I saw you, I knew you were my adopted brother. You resemble His Majesty slightly, and you look six-tenths like Dry Mother.”

She stuck out her tongue and grinned:

“You said you’re handsome—well, that’s all from Dry Mother’s beauty.”

Hearing this, Li Muxian touched his face, suddenly recalling that Cang Yinyue had also been utterly convinced he was the Seventh Prince.

Besides her confidence in her own skills, it was likely because of his face.

Thinking of this, Li Muxian began to truly believe, at least partly, that he was the Seventh Prince—after all, genetics were universally reliable.

“Enough. Since you’ve seen me, go back where you came from and leave Jiguang Pavilion as soon as possible—it’s a nest of trouble.”

At this, Li Muxian waved his hand, stood up, and prepared to leave.

Now that he had confirmed Li Yuanling’s identity and resolved his doubts, there was no reason to stay.

Honestly, Li Muxian had no strong feelings about his identity as the Seventh Prince or the web of relationships it brought.

What truly interested him in the Great Li capital was transcending martial arts.

“You’ve met your sister—don’t you feel any excitement? Don’t you want to stay and talk with me?”

Li Yuanling suddenly stood, stepping in front of Li Muxian, staring at him in confusion.

Li Muxian glanced at her, thought for a moment, then shrugged:

“Miss Li, this has all happened too suddenly. Give me time to adjust—everything takes time.”

Saying this, he brushed aside her hand and walked straight out the door.

Li Yuanling turned, watching Li Muxian’s retreating back, feeling he had been dismissive.

He said it was too sudden, that he needed time to adjust.

But she had seen no trace of surprise or joy on his face just now.

“I won’t leave. I’ll stay here to protect you for Dry Mother.”

Li Yuanling called after Li Muxian’s back.

Hearing this, Li Muxian waved his hand without turning, then walked up the corridor to his room.

Closing the door, Li Muxian glanced at the young soldier beneath the bed, noticing his eyes flickering as if he had something to say.

But Li Muxian remained unmoved, shaking his head:

“I gave you a chance before—you failed. Now it’s too late. You’ll regret it when night comes.”

With that, Li Muxian ignored him entirely.

Even if the man chose to speak now, Li Muxian couldn’t be sure his words were true or false—better to leave it to Cang Yinyue than waste time.

Soon after, Jiguang Pavilion grew bustling—not only the Tianjin Guard, but also the Six Ministries’ Constabulary arrived in force.

The chief eunuch of the Imperial Palace’s Direct Supervision Office and the Tianjin Guard’s Deputy Commander personally took charge, assuming full control of Jiguang Pavilion.

All guards at Jiguang Pavilion were replaced, and security tightened several times over—so tightly that not even a fly could get in.

The young people inside Jiguang Pavilion underwent another meticulous inspection; only after confirming they were all clean did the pavilion finally settle into temporary calm.

Meanwhile, the Tianjin Guard and Six Ministries’ Constabulary were racing to track down the escaped soldier.

Not only because he had killed and caused chaos, leaving Beiqi Ming Qi in the bodies of the ten young men at Jiguang Pavilion.

But also because Yu Jin, along with four senior eunuchs including An Quan, and Ji Feiyun and Gong Lishan had all been poisoned by the soldier’s Beiqi Ming Qi.

Though Yu Jin and the others could suppress the poison with their own true qi, it remained a grave threat—only by capturing the soldier could the problem be fully resolved.

But none of this had much to do with Li Muxian.

As time passed, night finally fell.

(End of Chapter)