Chapter 104: Li Qinghe Goes Missing
t really is true that you can guard against thieves by day and night, but it is hard to guard against a thief within the family.
Hua Shan was solely focused on guarding against people sent by Li Xuanyue, but he forgot there was also the variable of Li Qinghe watching in the dark.
As a result, a great fire suddenly broke out in the Xihe Palace that night.
The fire came ferociously, startling Hua Shan awake from his deep sleep.
“Bad news! The Xihe Palace is on fire…”
The clamor outside quickly reached Hua Shanâs ears. Shortly after, Xiao Ce walked in hurriedly from outside the hall.
“Master, the rear hall is on fire.”
Hua Shan wasn’t as nervous as expected; instead, he appeared very calm. “Have you found the culprit?”
Few dared to set fire to the Xihe Palace these days. Did they want him dead?
“It was Li Qingheâs people.”
The moment the fire started, Xiao Ceâs men had already figured out the opponentâs path in the dark. They weren’t kept in the Xihe Palace for nothing. Every move inside was under their control. It was hard for others to find a loophole.
Surprise flashed through Hua Shanâs eyes. “Heh, that girl has guts. Much better than her father who likes to make small moves behind people’s backs.”
“Never mind. Come out with this Lord first.”
Since he knew who set the fire, Hua Shan felt somewhat at ease. It was better than being in the dark knowing nothing.
The fire burned fiercely. The flames from the rear hall soared to the sky, not much different from the Chaoren Palace that had been burned down before. The only difference was that the person in the rear hall had been moved by Xiao Ce to another place before the fire even started.
“Father Monarch, are you alright?”
After a short while, Li Xuanyue trotted over with Yinxin toward Hua Shan.
Heaven knew how scared she was when she heard the Xihe Palace was on fire. She was so anxious she ran over without even dressing properly.
Seeing Hua Shan standing safe and sound in the courtyard, her suspended heart gradually settled.
“Princess, the night is cold. Hurry and put on the fox fur.”
Yinxin, panting as she caught up, tried to drape the fur over her, but Li Xuanyue stopped her.
“This Princess is fine.”
“Father Monarch, are you cold?” She asked Hua Shan with concern. “If you are, this child will give this fox fur to you first.”
Hua Shan looked helpless. “You should look after yourself first.”
He sighed. “Look at you, a grown adult, yet still so reckless.”
Hua Shan took the fox fur from Yinxin and personally draped it over Li Xuanyue.
“You are not allowed to be like this in the future,” he said sternly.
Shortly after, Xiao Ce brought Hua Shanâs dark black cloak and draped it over his shoulders.
“Princess, this subordinate is here to look after the Lord Consort. nothing will happen.”
Only then did Xiao Ce have time to speak to Li Xuanyue.
Li Xuanyue smiled faintly at Xiao Ce, then shifted her gaze back to Hua Shan.
“Father Monarch, what exactly happened? Why did your Xihe Palace catch fire out of nowhere?”
Was it deliberate, or accidental?
Facing Li Xuanyueâs inquiry, Hua Shan didn’t intend to tell her the truth. He simply said, “The candle oil was too close to the curtains. The maids didn’t notice immediately, so it ignited. Itâs nothing serious.”
With a few words, he covered up the truth of the fire.
Although Li Xuanyue was suspicious, seeing Hua Shanâs serious demeanor, she didn’t press further.
The fire at Xihe Palace was a major event. The entire Phoenix Clan, including the Elders and key members, all rushed over.
Li Phoenix was no exception. Having just fallen asleep in the study, she heard about the fire before she could even figure out the situation. She rushed over and immediately ordered people to investigate step by step. She also punished all the maids who had failed to take good care of Hua Shan.
“Alright, since things have been investigated clearly, everyone should go back and rest.”
Seeing so many people gathered in front of the Xihe Palace, Li Phoenix frowned and waved her hand impatiently at the crowd.
“How about you sleep in the study with this Sovereign tonight?”
Seeing the crowd disperse, Li Phoenix looked sideways at Hua Shan.
“It just so happens this Sovereign still has some memorials in the study that haven’t been finished.”
Hua Shanâs glazed eyes met Li Phoenixâs troubled black ones, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“Is the Phoenix Sovereign asking this subject for help?”
Who in the Phoenix Clan didn’t know that Li Phoenixâs memorials used to be reviewed by Hua Shan? Unlike now, where she did everything herself. Was this invitation not enough to show she wanted his help?
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Li Phoenixâs face. “You are this Sovereign’s Phoenix Lord Consort. Naturally, you have an obligation to share the burden.”
“Do you not wish to help this Sovereign?”
This scene of flirtation looked incredibly sweet in everyone’s eyes. Was this the aloof Li Phoenix they knew? She was no different from an ordinary woman acting coy.
Seeing there was nothing for her to do here, Li Xuanyue naturally didn’t stay longer. After bidding farewell to Hua Shan, she turned and left with Junhe and the others who had just arrived.
Seeing the daughter leave, the others naturally couldn’t just stand there. After offering appropriate condolences, they followed suit.
Before long, the noisy Xihe Palace was left with less than a few people.
Seeing everyone gone, Hua Shan signaled to Xiao Ce.
After the fire, the night should have been peaceful for a while. However, Li Qinghe, who had done the deed, was secretly knocked out and taken away in the latter half of the night.
Consequently, early the next morning, the news of Li Qingheâs disappearance spread throughout the entire Phoenix Clan.
This shocked Li Xuanyue, who was having breakfast.
“Wasn’t she fine yesterday? How could she disappear?”
Although Li Xuanyue hadn’t been monitoring Li Qinghe constantly, the people she arranged in the Minghua Palace told her what Li Qinghe did every day.
“Yinxin, are you sure you heard correctly? Li Qinghe really disappeared?”
This sounded so unbelievable.
Seeing Li Xuanyue looking at her with suspicion, Yinxin nodded seriously. “Even if this servant had courage as big as the sky, I wouldn’t dare lie to the Princess.”
“The news of the Second Princess’s disappearance has spread throughout the Phoenix Clan. If the Princess doesn’t believe it, you can summon any maid to ask, and you will know if this servant is lying.”
Yinxin was Li Xuanyueâs most trusted confidant. She knew Yinxin wouldn’t lie. This proved Li Qinghe really had disappeared.
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