Chapter 111: Imperial Sister, Help Me
Hua Shan’s finger, holding a white chess piece, paused over the board for a second before returning to normal. “He didn’t say anything?”
Given his understanding of Zhao Huan, the man had played the fool for several hundred years just to survive. Now, for the sake of his daughter Li Qinghe, he had suddenly stepped forward. This was enough to show that he hadn’t completely ignored her in private. At least at the critical moment, he knew to step up and save her life.
Xiao Ce lowered his gaze. “Zhao Guijun said for you to behave yourself.” He hesitated for a moment before slowly continuing, “He also said… the Fenghuang will see your true face sooner or later.”
The Central Harmony Palace was silent for a few seconds.
Clatter!
The white piece Hua Shan was holding was tossed casually back into the box.
“That is indeed something he would say.” He picked up a teacup and lightly brushed away the foam, speaking leisurely. “Unfortunately… that day will never come.”
As his words fell, a guard hurried in and whispered into Xiao Ce’s ear. Xiao Ce, who had been frowning, now looked as if his brow were tied in a knot. Seeing this, Hua Shan knew something was wrong. He set down his cup and looked at Xiao Ce.
“What is it?” he asked softly.
Xiao Ce looked up at Hua Shan, his face grim. “It’s bad, Master. Mr. Hua is gone.”
“What did you say?”
The previously calm Hua Shan instantly turned cold and frigid.
“Search!” he commanded, gritting his teeth. “This Hou wants to see who is so tired of living that they dare to make a move behind my back.”
Xiao Ce’s efficiency was high. Almost the moment the command was given, he had his people search the Phoenix Clan from top to bottom. Such a large movement couldn’t be detected on the surface, but those who were closely watching Hua Shan noticed it.
For example, Li Xuanyue. Although some of her people had retreated from the Central Harmony Palace, she still had eyes near the partially burned Xihe Palace. From those informants, she learned that Hua Shan was looking for someone from the Crane Clan.
“Are you sure our scouts didn’t get the information wrong?” Li Xuanyue asked Yinxin.
She still found it hard to believe. Given Hua Shan’s steady nature, he didn’t seem like someone without a plan. The person he wanted to find should have been under his surveillance. Now that he was making such a big move, it meant that person had escaped his control.
“Have they found any clues?”
Instinct told Li Xuanyue that the person Hua Shan was looking for was likely Hua Sang—the person who had removed the toxins from her body. If that were the case, it meant there were more than just three forces (herself, Hua Shan, and Li Feng) in the Phoenix Clan. There might be a hidden party monitoring them.
Yinxin shook her head. “Gongzhu should know our efficiency is high; there won’t be a mistake.”
“The person the Junhou is looking for is likely the one Gongzhu has been searching for.”
“However, the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. It won’t be easy to find them.”
Li Xuanyue didn’t think so. She fell into deep thought.
“Fujun shouldn’t be limited to just these methods,” she said deeply. “The other party dared to take someone from the Xihe Palace under his nose; he’s likely lost his composure by now.”
Knock, knock, knock!
While they were secretly discussing in the study, a knocking sound interrupted them.
“Gongzhu, the Third Prince seeks an audience!”
Li Xuanyue was startled. For a moment, she couldn’t remember who “Third Prince” referred to. It wasn’t until she saw Li Lan walking into the study in a deep blue robe that she realized it was him. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
“This Chendi greets Huangjie!”
To have Li Lan come to her instead of resting in his Shanren Palace so late at night—Li Xuanyue was naturally surprised.
“Sit.” Although surprised, she remained calm.
“Thank you, Huangjie.”
Li Lan appeared extremely observant of etiquette, perhaps because he had grown up without much care in the Phoenix Clan and had been bullied by those below him. He sat down only after she told him to. Yinxin quickly arranged for someone to bring tea and snacks. This small gesture was noted by Li Lan. His hand holding a folding fan tightened and then relaxed.
“Is Huangjie not curious why this Chendi has come to see you so late?” After a while, seeing that she didn’t ask but instead leisurely tasted her tea, Li Lan finally spoke up.
Li Xuanyue glanced at him. “If you want to speak, you will. Why should this Bengong keep asking?”
However, Li Lan’s visit was truly unlike his usual style. Their relationship in her previous life hadn’t been particularly good or bad—they had almost no interaction. Now, they were like strangers. For him to come now meant he had business. She just didn’t want to worry about it unless he brought it up.
Li Lan froze. “This Chendi has a matter I wish for Huangjie to help me with.”
After a few seconds of consideration, he finally spoke. “This Chendi has done something.”
Li Xuanyue didn’t speak, quietly waiting for him to continue.
“But this matter might put Huangjie in danger as well,” Li Lan said hesitantly. “However, in this Phoenix Clan, besides seeking Huangjie’s help, I truly cannot think of anyone else.”
“So, I ask Huangjie to please help me!” By the end, his tone was almost pleading.
Li Xuanyue wasn’t a fool who could be easily tricked. Seeing Li Lan’s grave expression, she knew the matter was more serious than he admitted. Otherwise, why would he come to her now?
Translator’s Note: Huangjie (皇姐) means Imperial Sister, and Chendi (臣弟) is a humble way for a prince to refer to himself when speaking to his royal sister.
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