Chapter 81

Li Que frowned; the death of Consort Ji was undoubtedly a major event that shocked the court and the realm.

If this leaked out, it would severely damage the reputation of the Li imperial family.

Thinking of this, he quickly turned and bowed to Wu Xiang Lao Ren and Zhe Lao.

"This matter concerns my third brother's mother and the Great Li imperial palace; I humbly ask the two elders not to spread word of it."

Wu Xiang Lao Ren waved his hand, his face breaking into an exaggerated smile.

"Relax, old man isn't one to gossip."

Zhe Lao nodded, then added a warning:

"Whether the killer is someone from within the palace or a master who infiltrated it, the fact that a consort was slain in the heart of the imperial palace means this is no simple matter."

"If the Great Li imperial palace can uncover this person, so be it; if not, I advise Your Highness to avoid stirring trouble altogether."

Hearing this, Li Que pondered for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

…

On the broad cobblestone streets of Shangyang City, a luxurious carriage drawn by four magnificent white steeds rolled forward.

The carriage body was crafted from premium nanmu wood, emitting a faint, elegant fragrance; at each corner of the cabin hung warm-toned white jade wind chimes, chiming softly with every gentle sway.

Not long after, the carriage came to a halt before a grand complex of towering pavilions.

Li Yuanling pulled back the carriage curtain, glanced outside, then waved to Li Musheng to follow her.

She lifted her green gauze skirt with both hands, unlike other noble young ladies or young masters who relied on servants as stepping stools—she leapt lightly down from the carriage in a nimble hop.

Seeing this, Li Musheng stepped down after her, glanced around, and stared at the magnificent eight-sided tower before him, grand as a palace.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly—he saw a gilded plaque mounted horizontally above the building, boldly inscribed with three large characters: "Jiaofang Si."

At the same time, a chorus of singing birds and dancing maidens, along with seductive melodies, washed over them, mingling with a pleasant scent of rouge.

Li Musheng turned to Li Yuanling, stroked his chin, and said:

"No wonder you're my adopted sister—you actually brought me to a place that looks this refined."

Hearing this, Li Yuanling smiled, revealing two dimples, then grabbed his hand and led him toward an alley beside Jiaofang Si:

"Don't worry—the even more refined part is still ahead; I guarantee you won't regret this trip."

Li Musheng's gaze shifted. Though he didn't understand why Li Yuanling, a Great Li princess, was so familiar with such places, he was more than willing to approach with a critical eye and observe the mystery.

Entering the alley, Li Yuanling began searching intently, muttering to herself:

"Where is it?"

Soon, her eyes suddenly lit up as she walked toward an unremarkable iron door deep in the alley.

The iron door was pitch-black as ink, carved with a massive image of a sailing ship; yet it looked ancient, scarred with deep scratches, clearly of great age.

Li Yuanling hurried to the door, pulled an ancient copper coin from her sleeve, felt along its surface for a moment, found a narrow slit the width of a thumb, and carefully slipped the coin inside.

Immediately, a soft mechanical click sounded—and the black iron door slowly swung inward.

Seeing this, Li Musheng raised an eyebrow.

So secretive? It only made him more eager to explore.

But when he saw Li Yuanling hesitate at the threshold after opening the door, his expression turned suspicious:

"Why aren't you going in?"

"It's my first time. I'm nervous."

Li Yuanling stared into the pitch-black interior beyond the door, her delicate brows tightly furrowed; the smile on her face had vanished.

Li Musheng waved his hand and laughed:

"Who said I wasn't nervous too? But life demands courage to try."

Saying this, he shoved Li Yuanling toward the doorway, thinking to himself:

This girl is dragging her feet—what a nuisance.

"You—you—"

Li Yuanling, caught off guard, stumbled forward several steps under his push.

As soon as they stepped inside, the black iron door silently closed behind them—and dim yellow oil lamps flickered to life in the darkness, illuminating the scene ahead.

At the end of a several-zhang-long corridor, a set of stairs descended downward, and from below came a soft, sweet female voice:

"Please, esteemed guests, come down and board the vessel."

Hearing this, Li Yuanling turned and glared at Li Musheng; he shrugged and said:

"Sister, come on—don't keep them waiting too long."

With that, he strode confidently down the stairs.

Seeing this, Li Yuanling rolled her eyes and snorted:

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to."

But she didn't linger—she hurried after Li Musheng.

As Li Musheng had just said, since they'd come this far, they might as well take a look first.

"Don't walk so fast—wait for me."

Li Yuanling called out; soon, they descended several winding staircases and reached a vast underground platform.

On one side of the platform's rocky wall, torches burned brightly, illuminating the entire underground space as if it were daylight; on the other side lay a sudden cliff.

Along the cliff's edge, thick iron chains, as thick as an arm, were fastened to a dozen wooden boats, each about ten feet long—five in total.

At this moment, besides Li Musheng and Li Yuanling, about a dozen others stood on the platform.

Men and women, young and old—some were wealthy young masters and young ladies, others were martial artists carrying swords and blades.

Seeing Li Musheng and Li Yuanling arrive, one burly martial artist immediately bellowed:

"Hurry over—you're just in time for the last boat; we're about to set sail."

Hearing this, Li Musheng glanced around, his brows knitting slightly.

This didn't look quite as he had imagined.

Upon seeing the scene below, Li Yuanling's face lit up with eager anticipation; she blinked and said:

"This is it. Rumor has it this place is thrilling and fun!"

"Is that so?"

Li Musheng looked thoughtful, his gaze shifting to the wooden boat ahead.

Just then, a young woman in a rose-red palace robe emerged from the shadows at the platform's edge and called out softly:

"Release the boats! Please, honored guests, board!"

As her words fell, chains began to move rapidly, and the sound of iron links grinding against one another, "clatter-clatter," echoed above the platform.

Soon, five suspended wooden boats settled quietly onto the platform.

Seeing this, the crowd that had waited long immediately split into four groups, each person eagerly boarding the wooden boats before them.

Li Yuanling immediately grabbed Li Musheng and hurried toward the last remaining empty boat.

(End of this chapter)