Chapter 81: Underground Floating Vessel

Li Que frowned; the death of Imperial Consort Ji was undoubtedly a matter that would shock 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 the Wu Xiang Elder and the Zhe Elder.

“This matter concerns my third brother’s mother and the Great Li imperial palace—I beg both elders not to spread word of it.”

The Wu Xiang Elder waved his hand, his face stretched into an exaggerated smile.

“Rest easy, old man isn’t one to gossip.”

The Zhe Elder nodded, then added a warning:

“Whether the killer is someone inside the palace or a skilled assassin who infiltrated it, killing an imperial consort in the heart of the palace is no simple feat.”

“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 paused to think, then gave a slight nod.

…

On the broad blue-brick streets of Shangyang City, a luxurious carriage drawn by four majestic white horses rolled forward.

The carriage body was crafted from premium nanmu wood, faintly fragrant; at each corner hung warm, lustrous white jade wind chimes that chimed softly with every sway.

Not long after, the carriage halted before a grand complex of towering pavilions.

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

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

Seeing this, Li Muxian stepped down after her, scanning the surroundings, his gaze fixed on the towering, palace-like octagonal tower before him.

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

At the same time, the sounds of singing birds and dancing swallows, mingled with decadent melodies, swept over them along with a pleasant scent of rouge.

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

“No wonder you’re my adopted sister—you brought me to a place that looks so refined.”

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

“Don’t worry—the most refined part is still ahead. I guarantee you won’t regret this trip.”

Li Muxian’s gaze shifted. Though he didn’t understand why Li Yuanling, a Great Li princess, was so familiar with such places, he was happy 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, carved with a massive ship under sail, yet it looked ancient, scarred and worn, clearly old beyond measure.

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

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

Seeing this, Li Muxian 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 furrowed tightly—her earlier smile had vanished.

Li Muxian waved his hand and laughed:

“Who said I’m not nervous too? But life demands courage to try.”

Saying this, he pushed Li Yuanling forward into the doorway, thinking to himself:

This girl, dawdling like this—isn’t she just getting in the way?

“Y-you…”

Li Yuanling, caught off guard, stumbled forward several steps under Li Muxian’s push.

As soon as they entered, the black iron door slowly closed behind them, and at the same time, dim yellow oil lamps flickered to life, 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 shot Li Muxian a glare; he shrugged and said:

“Sister, come on—don’t keep them waiting.”

With that, he strode confidently down the stairs.

Seeing this, Li Yuanling pouted and snorted:

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”

But she didn’t linger—she hurried after Li Muxian.

As Li Muxian 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, and soon they passed several winding staircases to reach a vast underground platform.

On one side of the platform, torches burned along the rock wall, lighting the entire underground space as bright as day; on the other side lay a sudden cliff.

Along the cliff’s edge hung thick iron chains, each tied to a wooden boat nearly ten feet long—and there were five such boats.

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

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

Seeing Li Muxian and Li Yuanling arrive, one burly martial artist shouted loudly:

“Hurry over—you’re just in time for the last boat. We’re about to set sail.”

Hearing this, Li Muxian glanced around, frowning slightly.

This didn’t look quite like what he’d imagined.

Li Yuanling, however, upon seeing the underground scene, beamed with excitement, blinking eagerly:

“This is it! They say this place is thrilling and fun!”

“Is that so?”

Li Muxian looked thoughtful, his gaze shifting to the wooden boats ahead.

At that moment, a young woman in a rose-red palace gown stepped out from the shadows beside the platform and sang softly:

“Launch the boats—esteemed guests, please board!”

As her voice faded, the iron chains began to writhe rapidly, and a clattering sound of metal scraping against metal echoed above the platform.

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

Seeing this, the waiting crowd immediately split into four groups, each rushing eagerly to board the boats.

Li Yuanling immediately grabbed Li Muxian’s hand and hurried toward the last remaining empty boat.

(End of chapter)