Chapter 317

This teahouse looked like an ordinary one found everywhere in the Imperial Capital, but Wei Manying had already set an ambush here.

In the rooms near the private chamber, several powerful remnants of the former dynasty were hiding; they were Wei Manying's trusted aides, and as soon as she gave the order, they would defend this place and deal Xiao Ming a fatal blow.

At this moment, Xiao Ming was still immersed in Wei Manying's stunning beauty and gentle smile, unable to extricate himself.

His eyes were filled with infatuation and longing, and he hadn't noticed the murderous intent hidden in this place in the slightest.

Seeing Xiao Ming's infatuated and feigned ignorance, Wei Manying sneered in her heart, thinking: This fellow is acting too much like those second-generation heirs I used to see in the Imperial Capital; I really can't see any clues.

However, Wei Manying did not reveal anything unusual and continued to spar with Xiao Ming.

She smiled slightly, that smile carrying a hint of depth and cunning, and said softly: "For example, rumors about the remnants of the former dynasty."

These people who played with conspiracies and schemes never said things directly; they always probed indirectly like this.

When Xiao Ming heard the four words "remnants of the former dynasty," his expression changed immediately, and he set down the teacup in his hand.

Wei Manying thought she had hit the mark, but Xiao Ming sighed and said: "Don't mention it. The Minister ordered me to investigate the remnants of the former dynasty, but I've been out for months and gained nothing, failing the Minister's cultivation. But since you mentioned the remnants of the former dynasty, have you heard any rumors?"

Xiao Ming had always been a child of fortune with good luck, able to solve any case with ease; not being able to find the remnants of the former dynasty this time made him feel somewhat unaccustomed to it.

Moreover, during this period, he had returned to his "lick-dog" ways, and his master couldn't be bothered to manage him; if Xiao Ming hadn't actively summoned him, the Sage's remnant soul would have remained in a state of rest.

Seeing this, Wei Manying secretly speculated: Could it be that he really doesn't know?

After all, at this point, for you, Xiao Ming, to still play dumb is a bit excessive.

Are you really playing me for a fool?

She sneered, her tone laced with sarcasm: "Official Xiao, stop pretending. With your abilities, you must have known my identity long ago."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming showed a look of confusion on his face; he scratched his head and said with a silly smile: "Miss Wei, you are the eldest daughter of the Wei family, a merchant family; I know that. Why? Do you have another identity?"

Wei Manying was so angry she almost couldn't help but slam the table and stand up. She glared at Xiao Ming and simply said directly: "I am the remnant of the former dynasty you are looking for! You've been playing me for a fool this whole time, using me to find the Dragon Emperor's tomb. Now, if you arrest me directly, it will be a great achievement. I wish you a promotion and wealth, Official Xiao, and a bright future."

Hearing this, Xiao Ming was shocked. He stood up abruptly, and the teacup on the table fell to the ground, making a crisp sound.

He stared at Wei Manying with wide eyes, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

Seeing Xiao Ming's intense reaction, Wei Manying became even more certain of her speculation.

Just then, Xiao Ming suddenly walked to the door, carefully poked his head out, and looked left and right.

Wei Manying thought he was going to run away and was preparing to call her people to rush in, but Xiao Ming suddenly closed the door tight, returned to the table, lowered his voice, and said: "Shh! This matter is not a joke. How dare you say it here? This is the Imperial Capital! If anyone hears us, we're both finished!"

Wei Manying frowned. Looking at Xiao Ming's nervous appearance, she frowned and said: "Do you really not know my identity?"

Xiao Ming quickly explained: "Miss Wei, why would you say that? Not to mention that I don't know your identity, even if I did, I couldn't possibly betray you! Tell me what happened? Why would you suddenly say that? How was the Dragon Emperor's tomb discovered?"

Although Xiao Ming was a "lick-dog," he wasn't stupid to an absurd degree.

As a staff member of the Ministry of Justice, he had been in the Imperial Capital for so many days and certainly knew some of the situation.

After all, that involved the simultaneous mobilization of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of War—a massive force of tens of thousands of people.

Thus, Wei Manying briefly explained how the Dragon Emperor's tomb was discovered by the May Tian Ce Dynasty after Xiao Ming left Shanghe City.

She did not mention Lin Mo, which was also an agreement between her and Lin Mo.

After Wei Manying finished speaking, she looked at Xiao Ming seriously, waiting for his reaction.

After hearing these words, Xiao Ming immediately said: "So that's it! No wonder you would suspect me. But I can guarantee you that I absolutely did not do this!

To tell you the truth, I have a grudge against the Emperor of the May Tian Ce Dynasty. My joining the Ministry of Justice is also an expedient measure. Once I develop, I will definitely become a powerful official and hollow out that dog Emperor!"

Catching his breath, Xiao Ming continued: "And you also know that when you went to the Dragon Emperor's tomb, I had already returned to the Imperial Capital. I didn't even know where the Dragon Emperor's tomb was, so where would I go to report it?

If I had really done it, I would have definitely arrested you too, or sent people to follow you. How could you have come to the Imperial Capital without me knowing anything about it?"

Xiao Ming's words were impassioned and righteous; this wasn't acting—he indeed had an irreconcilable hatred for the Emperor of the May Tian Ce Dynasty.

Hearing him say this, Wei Manying felt it was also quite reasonable.

Most importantly, at this point, since she had already laid her cards on the table, it would be meaningless for Xiao Ming to continue acting.

Wei Manying thought: Could it be that I really made a mistake?

Seeming to think of something, Xiao Ming pondered for a moment and said: "Miss Wei, I think it must have been Lin Mo. This fellow hides very deeply. I always feel he has an unknown side, so I don't dare to be close to him. His approaching you must be with some ulterior motive."

After hearing Xiao Ming's words, Wei Manying rubbed her temples with a headache.

She hadn't expected Xiao Ming and Lin Mo's explanations to be so similar, which made it difficult for her to judge who was lying for a moment.

However, there was one thing Wei Manying was clear about: Xiao Ming really didn't intend to arrest her.

"Since that is the case, then I have wronged you, Official Xiao."

"Didn't we say before, don't call me Official Xiao; just call me Xiao Ming."

After this communication, the two of them seemed to know each other's secrets, and their relationship began to improve again.

Xiao Ming felt that since Wei Manying was a remnant of the former dynasty, she certainly needed a pillar of support, and he was her pillar.

As a Chief of the Ministry of Justice, and also responsible for investigating the remnants of the former dynasty, it was simply too easy for him to protect Wei Manying.

Wei Manying certainly didn't fully trust Xiao Ming, but she had no other way now and could only use Xiao Ming to inquire about some information.

As they chatted, Wei Manying asked Xiao Ming if something unhappy had happened today.

Wei Manying was just asking casually, but who knew that Xiao Ming would actually tell the truth and recount how he had been made difficult by that fellow Fang Qian.

He used all sorts of unpleasant vocabulary to describe Fang Qian's ugly face.

(End of chapter)