Chapter Six, the solitary parasol tree in the deep courtyard sways in the sudden wind and rain

Linghu Tuan Yuan gazed at him with suspicion. He gradually loosened his grip on her shoulder, and just when she thought he had completely released her, he suddenly seized one of her arms. Guard Gu was astonished to see the dagger in the girl's hand, which was swiftly pressed against the side of Prince Liang's waist

The delicate and trembling voice said: "It seems like... it seems to be called something like Ye... what was it... right, Ye Fengyao, that's the name!"

Second brother did not refuse

The setting sun cast a deep glow as Xihri Xuanhao locked eyes with the young girl for a moment. The girl noticed something unusual in his gaze. She lowered her head and spoke softly, "When I was very young, my mother passed away. I cannot even remember her appearance, only that she was beautiful when she smiled."

Two young servants arrived in the rain. Awen held an umbrella, his clothes soaked through to a large extent, while Pan Ping carefully carried a food basket as he walked into the side hall.

How did these notes end up in the study

Linghu Tuan Yuan looked at the men in the hall, including her father and brothers, Old Master Pan, the steward Pan Chi, the son of Hua Shuang, and several attendants. None of them mentioned the Wang family, which was rather strange. As she pondered this, Linghu Awen and Pan Ping arrived.

Linghu Tuan Yuan spoke eloquently, "What significance is there in great fortune and longevity, if one does not have the position of Zhonglu?"

My father has not played the zither for many years; among the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, he has always favored calligraphy.

Under the pressing inquiry of Guard Gu, E Nuo hesitantly said: "Hua Canjun likes the Second Madam. After the master has passed away, Hua Canjun will be able to be with the Second Madam for a long time!"

"Please thank your young master for me." Linghu Tuan Yuan was quite surprised; she also took the medicine? Wu Que smiled at her from the side. She glanced at him, and at that moment, Pan Ping took out an object from his bosom.

Hua Chen shed tears once more, and King Liang threw his brush at his head, saying, "Crying, all you know is to cry!" After throwing the brush, King Liang ordered Ping Zhen to pick it up again, for it was indeed a gift from Emperor Yong.

Linghu Tuan Yuan lowered his head, the dagger glinted as it passed by, but there was still a soft sword. If he forced her, she would draw her sword and execute the move "Into the Wood Three Points" to strike at his chest

Linghu Yue has indeed met Huaye, who many years ago was still a frail young man

Linghu Yue was taken aback, for this was precisely a portrayal of Hua Shuang's entire life. He achieved success at a young age and enjoyed a prosperous official career, dedicating half his life to his career. He abandoned his familial engagement and married into a prestigious family in Gaonan, only to find it all amounted to nothing in the end. When one dies and the lights go out, what use is wealth and fortune, no matter how abundant?

A profound silence enveloped the crowd

Linghu Tuan Yuan gently tapped the hand on her mouth, and the hand moved away. Just as she was about to say that King Liang still knew right from wrong, the hand pressed down on another pulse point on her other side. Xi Ri Xuan Hao stood behind her, listening intently to the conversation next door.

The young girl gazed out the window, while Liang Wang also looked into the distant sky. Suddenly, the two of them became aware of each other's presence side by side, and in that instant, they moved apart by half a foot.

A collective gasp echoed, as everyone sensed the imminent danger that was pressing upon them. Five hundred soldiers constituted the minimum defense of Tongshan City, and the surrounding two counties remained unaware of what further calamities might arise.

After scolding everyone, Xi Ri Xuan Hao sat back in the grandmaster's chair, reorganized the city defenses, and finally said to Ling Hu Yue: "Chief Ling Hu, after you return to the capital smoothly, keep a close eye on your girl. This king cannot guarantee that when I see her next time, I will not kill her without hesitation"

Linghu Yue and his son immediately felt a sense of unease. Originally, Linghu Tuan Yuan should not have appeared here, and now the King of Liang was competing with her, not knowing what astonishing words her temperament might utter next

Furrowing his brows, he repeatedly examined the dagger, which, apart from its sharpness, showed no abnormalities

Guard Gu returned to the side of Prince Liang, only to witness a beautiful scene. The setting sun cast a warm glow as Xiri Xuanhao leaned closely against the girl, one hand propped against the wall and the other resting on her shoulder. His long hair fell softly to the side, exuding a delicate and handsome charm, while the girl remained motionless, her face obscured by the figure of Prince Liang. Guard Gu dared not speak, just as he had refrained from reporting to Prince Liang earlier in the day when he treated Linghu Tuan Yuan's injuries.

Ena continued, "I have followed the master for so many years, and I know that the person he feels most guilty towards is not the madam, but the woman with the surname Ye. The master devoted himself to his career, abandoning the Ye family to marry the madam. When I was young, I once heard the madam scold the master, saying that she had devoted her heart to him, yet the master called out the name of the Ye woman in bed."

In the deep of night, Linghu Tuan Yuan could not sleep in her graceful room. The numerous strange occurrences of the day lingered in her mind, the matters concerning the Hong family, the affairs of the Hua family, and a chaotic mix of events. After much contemplation, she, whose mind was different from that of ordinary people, ultimately concluded that the reason for her insomnia was: she had taken medicine, and its effects were taking hold; Da Bai had died, and she missed it. When Da Bai was around, she always complained about it climbing onto her bed; now that Da Bai was gone, she longed for her dirty sheets and the morning meow.

Linghu Tuan Yuan rolled his eyes in response and said irritably: "He has eaten his fill and is just idly wasting time!"

Amidst the disdain of the crowd, he covered his face with both hands and wept bitterly, saying: "This is a disgrace to my family, and I hope Your Highness and the esteemed gentlemen will preserve my second mother's honor! She is innocent; she was violated by her uncle..."

At this moment, three guards suddenly rushed into the small study. Everyone felt a sense of unease, as it was the season of heavy rains in the Man Shen River, and the downpour showed no signs of stopping. The governor of Tongshan City, Hua Shuang, had died under mysterious circumstances, leaving a large mess for King Liang to handle. Given King Liang's youth, it was feared he would struggle to manage the situation properly. Ling Hu Yue recalled Fei Tengxiang's parting words, feeling the most unsettled in his heart.

Our fate is so bitter! The master left just like that, yet last month he promised to give us a proper status..." A woman was speaking, while E'na only cried. The woman rambled on about a long past of love, filled with self-pity and a sense of unwillingness.

Awen also said: "When Pan Ping and I arrived, the four members of the Hong family took their leave, fearing that Hong Fureng would come to kill again"

Urgent Message from Jiangjing County

The guard immediately said: "Your Highness, please stay here. Miss Linghu, you must stop your nonsense. I will go outside to take a look, but I won't go far." After saying this, he swiftly slipped into the rainy night

The Wang family has already gone to bed, and I have checked the room thoroughly without finding any suspicious items

Hua Chendao: "Indeed. My father had a lifelong passion for rare ancient books, and his collection is all housed here, while the four treasures of the study on the table each have their own story."

Xi Ri Xuan Hao felt that she was indirectly criticizing him, using the Iron Sand Palm to scold him had also become excessive

Xi Ri Xuan Hao's face turned pale and then green; he had underestimated this old man. If it were not for the urgency of the situation, it is likely that Pan Yue would not have revealed his actions of sending someone south to request troops. In terms of strategizing and anticipating the subsequent developments of the situation, he was still not as capable as Pan Yue. The two prominent families of Nanyue were not easy to deal with, and Pan Yue's willingness to rely on his old face to privately request troops was proof of that. He had no way to punish Pan Yue, after all, the old man was concerned for him, and if the situation was not as severe as anticipated, the governor of Kainan could also evade responsibility by claiming that the troop movement was merely a routine inspection of the border.

Hua Shuang's health condition has long been confirmed by Hua Chen and the people in the prefecture to be robust, with very few illnesses. Therefore, Pan Yue asked Hua Chen: "Has anyone in the prefecture fallen ill recently?"

Hua Chen replied sadly: "The offerings. In a few days, it will be the anniversary of my mother's passing. My mother was from Gaonan, and every year during this time, my father would make a trip to Gaonan for her. This year, it is my turn to go. Had I known such a thing would happen, I would never have left Tongshan!"

Linghu Tuan Yuan was so engrossed in listening that just as she was about to speak gracefully, a hand suddenly covered her mouth, followed by pressure on the pulse point of her neck. Linghu Tuan Yuan was taken aback; after her battle with Tie Sha Zhang, she was already weak and short of breath. Moreover, she had been so absorbed in eavesdropping that she failed to notice someone entering the room, and she was unexpectedly subdued by the other party.

Linghu Tuan Yuan got up from the lounge chair and did not see Wu Que and Pan Chi, "Where is my brother"

Linghu Tuan Yuan felt indignant on behalf of Wang Shi after hearing this. A woman whose husband does not love her is already unfortunate enough, and being insulted by a man and losing her chastity only adds to her misfortune. It is no wonder that Wang Shi felt only sadness but no deep sorrow over Hua Shuang's death, for her heart had already died. However, Linghu Tuan Yuan, who had never adhered to social conventions, was even more indignant about the societal prejudices against women's marriage. A woman must follow her husband and remain loyal to him for life. Since Hua Shuang did not cherish Wang Shi, and Hua Ye admired her, why could she not remarry? However, Linghu Tuan Yuan, who had never adhered to social conventions, was even more indignant about the societal prejudices against women's marriage. A woman must follow her husband and remain loyal to him for life. Since Hua Shuang did not cherish Wang Shi, and Hua Ye admired her, why could she not remarry?

Xi Ri Xuan Hao, however, did not deal with her; he finally understood that one cannot handle a troublemaker with force. The first time he knocked her out, the second time he nearly got bitten by her.

Linghu Yue was indeed aware that this was Pan Yue's usual cautious demeanor. However, Linghu Yue was puzzled as to how, in previous years during the floods of the Man Shen River, without the Liang King, Hua Shuang managed the prevention and control efforts. Why is it that now, three thousand soldiers are insufficient? Fe Tengxiang's words echoed in his ears: at present, the situation in Tongshan City is fraught with danger, and everything should prioritize His Highness's safety. Master Fe must have sensed something amiss; the looming crisis is not an exaggeration. His death may have been caused by being buried under mud and stones, but what if it was man-made?

Hua Chen quickly said: "I will speak, I will speak!"

He first presented several rare old books and then provided a detailed explanation of the Four Treasures of the Study. The inkstone is a round stone Xu inkstone, and the ink along with the Xu inkstone is a set of antique items from the Southern Yue dynasty, passed down through the Hua family for a century; the set of brushes representing fortune, prosperity, and longevity was bestowed by Emperor Yong during the tenure of Hua Shuang as the governor of Tongshan ten years ago; the set consists of three brushes, with distinctly varying thicknesses of the large, medium, and small brush handles; the paper is Jingfei white, which was popular over a decade ago.

Linghu Tuan Yuan picked up the dagger and kept it close to him. He thought to himself, it is not that you do not want to impose a punishment, it is clearly my father who silenced your father.

Hua Chen was deep in thought. Wu Que noticed the flickering gaze of his servant, realizing that there was another important matter to report, so he quietly left his seat

"How is the situation?" Xi Ri Xuan Hao asked coldly

Linghu Tuan Yuan retorted, "Why are you looking for my mother?"

Hua Ye? Joining the army is not a position of prominence; even Xi Ri Xuan Hao has not heard of the name Hua Ye

As the setting sun cast a slanting light, Xuan Hao was about to utter harsh words when he heard commotion outside. Someone in the provincial government was calling out, and the voice grew increasingly clear

Detour south

The guard Gu, who had seen through the situation, instantly appeared before the two and struck down the girl's dagger with a single palm, "I apologize for the offense!" Although he suspected that the prince had an ambiguous relationship with this girl, when it came to the prince's life, there was no need for suspicion.

Wu Que returned to the hall just in time to hear Hua Chen say: "Upon reflection, the only instance I can recall is when Master Fei took medicine for a few days over a month ago, reportedly due to catching a cold."

Are you Hong Fureng of the Southern Yue Iron Sand Palm?" In the midst of the battle, a guard revealed the identity of the intruder, "Do you not value your life anymore, daring to assassinate King Liang?"

Pan Ping placed the candied fruits in front of Linghu Tuan Yuan, and everyone's gaze shifted to the table. Linghu Tuan Yuan picked up the medicine bowl and drank it all in one go, then opened the box of candied fruits. This candied fruit was different from the others, and she simply tossed it into her mouth. This action was understood by several clear-headed individuals in the hall.

Then why do you not say that it was Hua Canjun who caused the death of the master, but instead claim it was the second madam

Linghu Yue heard about the battle between Linghu Tuan Yuan and Tie Sha Zhang, and after being injured, he was assisted by Guard Gu, causing his expression to turn unpleasant again. Pan Yue could only sigh, noting the recklessness of such actions; he would much prefer someone like Pan Yixin.

Hong Furens gritted his teeth and said: "I did not come to assassinate King Liang, I came to find the young girl of the Linghu family"

Linghu Tuan Yuan followed the servant to the backyard, where the servant explained to the master: "Miss, you may not be aware, but there are only seven women in total in the prefectural office. There are two ladies, two maids of the master, two rough women, and one cook. The place you are going to now is where two young ladies are together, leaving one room vacant."

Pan Yue glanced at Linghu Yue and said, "It is not a problem; our people have arrangements made by the steward of the Linghu family. Linghu Liqiu has always been someone to rely on."

Uncle Hua has just been appointed as the military advisor of the provincial government in Tongshan City. After the celebratory banquet, he was dispatched by his father to manage the water affairs of the Man Shen River. Hua Chen said sadly, "My father has encountered this situation, but Uncle Hua is still unaware. If he knew, he would definitely rush back."

As Xi Ri Xuan Hao saw her calm down, he slowly released his hands, allowing her to touch the ground. After sneaking into the backyard in the middle of the night to investigate, he found the reason to be inexplicably consistent with Ling Hu Tuan Yuan's doubts. Growing up in the Da Gao court, the Liang Wang was accustomed to the jealousy and unscrupulousness of women, having seen many different expressions and appearances of women. Naturally, he noticed the unreasonable behavior of the Wang family. Before he and the guard Gu could stealthily enter the Wang family's courtyard, they first heard the commotion from the maid's room. Upon seeing Ling Hu Tuan Yuan eavesdropping, the Liang Wang's first reaction was to apprehend the troublemaker. Growing up in the Da Gao court, the Liang Wang was accustomed to the jealousy and unscrupulousness of women, having seen many different expressions and appearances of women. Naturally, he noticed the unreasonable behavior of the Wang family. Before he and the guard Gu could stealthily enter the Wang family's courtyard, they first heard the commotion from the maid's room. Upon seeing Ling Hu Tuan Yuan eavesdropping, the Liang Wang's first reaction was to apprehend the troublemaker.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao questioned Ling Hu Tuan Yuan, "Tell me, why is Tie Sha Zhang looking for you?"

The lady sighed softly, "My lord is too sentimental!"

Mr. Awen said: "The second young master has already mentioned it, but old Mr. Hong said that this is a gift for the young lady, whether to accept it or not is up to the young lady."

Outside the side hall, Awen handed over a dagger and said, "This is a token of gratitude from the old master of the Hong family to the young lady." Wuqie took it, and although the sheath of the dagger was old and the patterns were damaged, once drawn, it gleamed with sharpness, revealing itself to be a fine weapon

Hua Chen arranged the guests one by one, but it was somewhat difficult to accommodate Linghu Tuan Yuan. After much thought, he could only reluctantly have Linghu Tuan Yuan temporarily stay in the maid's room

Linghu Yue could not avoid exchanging pleasantries with Pan Yue

Pan Yue cleared his throat and said: "Let it go!"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao sighed in her ear, the breath momentarily warming her ear, "We need to have a serious talk"

Linghu Tuan Yuan was taken aback; how did this villain change his tone?

Linghu Tuan Yuan immediately understood that what she held in her hand was likely the very thing that the Iron Sand Palm's Thousand-Mile Pursuit sought to obtain. Wu Que also realized that it was not a damaged pattern, but rather that it originally only had four petals

Pan Yue immediately focused and listened intently

The items on the desk had been reviewed countless times by King Liang, and now, even with Ling Hu Yue personally touching them, he still found nothing of value. Wu Que and Pan Chi soon arrived at the small study, while Ping Zhen followed King Liang, bringing an end to the inquiries regarding matters in the provincial government.

Hua Chen conversed with Pan Yue for a long time, and finally apologized, saying: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Hua Chen is unable to accommodate the families of the two gentlemen in the residence, I hope for your understanding." King Liang brought a considerable number of people, occupying more than half of the rooms in the prefectural government.

The guard returned at an inopportune moment, unexpectedly encountering the two individuals facing each other closely. For a moment, he was unsure whether to advance or retreat

Pingzhen has restored the voice of the Liang King, "It will take two days to arrive, I am afraid it will be too late!"

The sound of rain became constant, and the raindrops transformed into lines, splashing straight onto the ground. Linghu Tuan Yuan felt a warmth enveloping him, and upon opening his eyes, he found himself facing a strange woman.

After Huachen's attendants sealed off the small study, the group went to the side hall. Linghu Yue met with Linghu Tuan Yuan, scolded her briefly, and then inquired about her injuries. Upon seeing Huachen arrive, Wang hurriedly greeted everyone before returning to her room. It was not until the attendants from the prefectural office brought the evening meal that Pan Yue thought of his family in the ancestral temple, but he heard Linghu Yue say: "There is no need to worry; there is still plenty of food in my carriage."

After snorting, he said: "The trouble you caused still requires my guards to clean it up for you"

Taking advantage of Linghu Tuan Yuan's embarrassment, Xi Ri Xuan Hao pressed down on her shoulders once again with both hands. The dagger was immediately drawn, yet it did not strike down. The two were locked in a stalemate, their gazes locked in confrontation.

After Linghu Tuan Yuan steadied herself, countless thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. The King of Liang would not insult her mother without reason. The King of Liang had previously inquired about her parents, and he had also visited Xiangjiang. What secrets were hidden within her mother, and what mysteries surrounded her own origins were both elusive.

"I do not dare, Your Majesty," Fei Tengxiang quickly knelt down and said

Xi Ri Xuan Hao turned her body, while his other hand still supported the wall, enclosing her in his embrace. The melancholic gaze in his eyes made her momentarily forget to stab him.

After a moment, Linghu said: "Our random speculations here are of no help to the provincial government, and our schedule is tight. If His Highness Prince Liang returns late, His Majesty will only say a few words, but if we arrive late, we will be in trouble."

Xi Ri Xuanhao merely uttered a harsh remark, yet he complied with Fei Tengxiang's words. He instructed Pan Yue and the others to continue their thorough investigation, while he took Fei Tengxiang to the main hall of the prefectural government, with Gu and the guards following closely behind

Pan Yue spoke again, and Xi Ri Xuan Hao shouted: "Do not speak any further! You should be ashamed as officials of my great Gao, receiving the emperor's salary yet failing to share in his concerns! A mere storm has sent you scurrying for your lives; what use is the court in supporting you?"

Hua Chen remained in the study, personally questioned by King Liang

Everyone was taken aback. Linghu Tuan Yuan stared at King Liang, his handsome face filled with hostility, and the respect he had just felt for him instantly vanished.

Pan Yue understood that he was speaking on his own behalf; naturally, it was better to stay in the side hall rather than with King Liang

The setting sun cast a dark shadow as Xiri Xuanhao sneered, "Do you really think this broken knife can do anything to me, the king?" Linghu Tuanjuan stared at his hand that was gripping hers, and he mocked, "Can you still come and go like the wind, rolling away like a ball? Put away that broken knife, and I will take you with me." Linghu Tuanjuan hesitated for a moment, then heard him say, "It's up to you whether you want to go or not; I don't want to take an extra person anyway." Seeing that he still held onto her hand, the young girl understood; she could not put away her small knife.

Wu Que dismissed Awen, and Awen left in the company of Pan Ping

Xi Ri Xuan Hao assessed the situation and, knowing well that a single strike from the young girl would be difficult to counter, allowed himself to gain the upper hand. However, she did not answer any of his questions. Reluctantly letting her go left him unsatisfied. After pondering for half a day, he slowly said: "Come with this king, I will take you to investigate the case!"

Without flaws, one is also unafraid. Having already fallen out with Hong Fureng, what is there to fear from him?

Pan Yue and others were awakened, indeed, they had held onto Tongshan City for two days, and in terms of terrain, they were completely surrounded. The closest provincial capital to Tongshan City, besides Kainan, was the territory of Prince Qin, Xiri Xuanshuo—just a river apart from Gaonan. While Pan Yue and others were concerned about the threat of flooding, Linghu Yue was preoccupied with the potential for human disaster

"Lord Linghu, do you mean to say..." As Pingzhen saw that King Liang did not speak, he asked on his behalf

Xi Ri Xuan Hao detested men with such behavior the most, and he gave a glance to Pan Yue, who immediately took over the conversation. Pan Yue mostly asked about family matters, which Ling Hu Yue was well aware of. Hua Shuang's original wife, Wang, came from a prestigious family in Gao Nan, and she passed away when Hua Chen was young. Hua Shuang's current wife is Wang's biological sister. Ling Hu Yue also knew something that Pan Yue and Liang Wang were unaware of: Hua Shuang had once been engaged to Ye Feng Yao, but the engagement later fell through.

Linghu Tuan Yuan carefully put away the dagger and said with a smile, "After all, it is a weapon, and it suits me well."

Xi Ri Xuan Hao slammed three letters onto the table, his narrow eyes scanning the people in the room one by one, before returning to the table. He picked up the two boxes of preserved fruits and coldly stated: "This case is closed! Hua Shuang died from mistakenly eating poisonous jujubes, which had been left out for too long and had gone moldy"

The envelope is old; I fear that if I apply too much force, it will tear open

The attendants moved about outside the side hall, yet none entered the side hall, which left Linghu Tuan Yuan feeling quite vexed

The interrogation in the next room continued, "Why do you say that Second Lady would harm Hua Shuang?"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao pondered and said: "I have something to ask her, you go investigate the Wang family."

Pan Yue finally smiled, but it was a bitter smile. The carriage of the Linghu family was loaded with enough provisions for two families to last a month, and it was truly puzzling what Linghu Yue was thinking.

I... I was just speaking randomly

"Linghu Tuan Yuan, listen carefully," Xi Ri Xuan Hao said solemnly, "I came to Nan Yue to find the whereabouts of your mother. Upon reaching Yi Shui Lou, Mama Chen mysteriously died. On my way back to the capital on imperial orders, Hua Shuang died as well, and he also knew your mother, not to mention that musician Ye Qin from Xiang Jiang. Tell me everything you know, who exactly is your mother?"

You think like I do, Wang is peculiar, and I am also puzzled about my mother. Linghu Tuan Yuan said solemnly, "But you should not speak ill of my mother. A man liking a woman, or a man liking many women, is his own business; how innocent women are! Is it a crime to be beautiful and liked by others? Is it improper to be liked by many men? You can scold me, catch me, or hit me, and I won't take it to heart, but when you insult my mother, I am very angry! Is it a crime to be beautiful and liked by others? Is it improper to be liked by many men? You can scold me, catch me, or hit me, and I won't take it to heart, but when you insult my mother, I am very angry! Regardless of your status or your martial skills, I will seek justice for my mother.

The maid added: "Young Master Linghu is concerned about you staying here alone, so Lord Ping has invited the lady to take care of you."

With a thud, Linghu Tuan Yuan dropped the dagger, while Xi Ri Xuan Hao let go of his grip. He said nonchalantly, "Women tend to be overly sensitive. If I were to hold you accountable for your transgressions, I would have bound you at Wang Shu that day."

The rain fell in torrents, and Linghu Tuan Yuan suddenly heard a faint crying sound amidst the sound of the rain. She slowly climbed down from her bed and moved along the wall to locate the source of the sound. The crying was coming from the room next door. Upon reaching the front hall, Linghu Tuan Yuan found a good spot to listen through the wall.

She said with a hint of helplessness: "I still have quite a bit of personal money, what about you?"

Linghu Yue would not tell him that staying in Tongshan would make it more difficult for the murderer to surface. What Linghu Yue was thinking was that it was already hard to find any clues in the small study, so he would temporarily note down the suspicions and needed to go outside the prefecture to investigate. The cause of Hua Shuang's death was poisoning, but poisoning was merely the method; the reason for the death was the key.

Linghu Tuan Yuan said: "I only know that the water of the fragrant river in our place is high during the summer."

Hua Canjun... he is a good person! With a melodious tone, E Nuo defended Hua Ye, saying, "He was raised by the master himself, and he has great respect for the master. How could he possibly do something so despicable? It must have been the second madam who did it!"

The hall was enveloped in silence, and Pan Ping was at a loss, feeling as if everyone's gaze was fixed on the small box of preserved fruits in his hand

The young master, fearing that the medicine would be bitter, also instructed me to buy some candied fruits while fetching the medicine

Wang replied: "Young Master Linghu and Steward Pan were summoned by Lord Ping, who said that the two of them are capable and can be of assistance."

Linghu Tuan Yuan clenched her fist, and Xi Ri Xuan Hao whispered extremely softly in her ear: "Your mother is nothing but a promiscuous woman!" Linghu Tuan Yuan's arms went weak, and she lowered her head to bite his hand but couldn't reach it. Stamping her feet, she was instead tightly grasped by him by the throat and lifted off the ground, "If you move again, I will strangle you!"

The heavy rain continued until evening, showing no signs of stopping. In the small study, there was one more person, Fei Tengxiang, the provincial secretary. After the incident with Hua Shuang, the governance of Tongshan City fell upon his shoulders. Fei Tengxiang, over fifty years old, was stout in build, with small, sharp eyes, and his words weighed heavily on Liang Wang's heart.

Linghu Tuan Yuan looked at that brush, which was indeed the thickest one among the set, with a conspicuous character "Fu" seemingly mocking her. She shook her head, and was asked by Xi Ri Xuan Hao with a glance: "What are you shaking your head for?"

Old Gu, you have arrived just in time! Oh, you still dare to escape!

After a moment of contemplation, Hua Chen replied: "No, there isn't. If there is anything to mention, it would be that my uncle, Hua Ye, was promoted to serve as a military officer, and the provincial government held a celebratory banquet for that occasion"

With a graceful demeanor that seemed to have wept away all sorrow, she coldly remarked: "Men are all no good! One in the heart, one in the arms, and still another to gaze upon!"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao ordered that everyone in the state government be interrogated, asking where they were and what they were doing last night. Ping Zhen was also ordered to go.

King Liang did not speak again, and Guard Gu did not dare to leave. Linghu Tuan Yuan felt the faint, lingering scent of the man in front of her, the fiery allure of the man exuding a dangerous and oppressive heat that enveloped her body. She did not dare to relax her grip on the dagger in her hand, and similarly, the internal energy seeping from her shoulder into her body showed no signs of letting up.

Xi Ri Xuanhao understood clearly that Fei Tengxiang meant that the provincial government was currently short-staffed, and he was asked to postpone the individual verification of everyone and first address the water issues. How could he not know that every summer, the Man Shen River caused his father, the emperor, great concern? Although Hua Shuang was not a high-ranking official, the reason he commanded three thousand soldiers was precisely because of this.

The two women each held to their own words, and the guard, realizing there was nothing more to inquire, knocked them unconscious and tossed them onto the bed

Pan Yue agreed. Hua Chen was worried that once these two gentlemen left, his father's case would become even more difficult to uncover the truth.

Linghu Yue felt that something was still amiss. He noticed a pair of children whispering to each other, and his attention shifted away. After understanding what Wu Que had said, Linghu Yue snatched the dagger, examined it carefully, and then returned it to Linghu Tuan Yuan, saying, "Take good care of this; there is something to it." Linghu Tuan Yuan was puzzled, and his father casually remarked, "Look at the envelope; the plum blossom on it has four petals. Have you ever seen a plum blossom with four petals?"

"Miss, please bear with it for one night. If you need anything, just call for me; I am next door." The maid hesitated for a moment and then said, "My name is E Nuo"

The applause mingled with the sound of knives, harmonizing with the sound of rain, while footsteps floated, nearly shaking the entire state capital to its core

Linghu Tuan Yuan quelled her anger in suffocation; she is now in the same situation as she was at the Pan residence's waterside pavilion, unable to contend with the Liang King

Xi Ri Xuan Hao did not expect to have asked for the note, he slapped the table, and Hua Chen's body trembled again

King Liang took the letters from the hands of three guards, opening and reading them one by one. As he progressed, his expression grew increasingly somber. What intrigued Linghu Tuan Yuan was what the third guard reported. Standing next to Guard Gu, closest to King Liang, she was unable to discern the contents of the third letter, only able to confirm that it did not contain paper.

A'na, you are mistaken. I believe it was Hua Canjun who caused the death of the master. The lady's heart has always been tied to the master.

The setting sun casts a dark shadow, and the sharp tongue does not cease. "Any woman with a hint of beauty is restless; the Wang family is like this, those two maids are like this, your mother is like this, and you, though not like this, have taken up a small knife to enhance your appearance. I have seen many women; you need not trouble yourself to defend your mother. Women are just like that, each one more despicable than the last!"

Pan Yue also followed, willing to do as he pleased

The two women continued to discuss their future plans, which annoyed Xi Ri Xuan Hao. He gave a glance to Guard Gu, who instantly vanished. In the next moment, two muffled sounds came from the adjacent room

Only Pingzhen understands that the Liang King does not wish to see Linghu Tuan again because the matter of Tongshan has enlightened him. If he continues to pursue the issue of Ye Fengyao, it will only prevent him from seeing through the ways of the world

Miss Linghu, this is the prescription given to you by my family doctor. Earlier, when the rain had lessened a bit, I hurried to the pharmacy to gather the herbs for you, which were personally prepared by the young master

As she wept gracefully, she intermittently uttered, "I just don't believe... I no longer believe... It must be the lady's doing..."

Those notes were written by me. Your Highness, it is not that I intended to conceal the truth, but it is truly difficult to speak of. " Hua Chen cried, "My biological mother passed away early, and it was my stepmother who raised me to adulthood. In my heart, she is even closer to me than my own mother. However, my father does not treat her well, and seeing her in a state of constant depression makes me very sad. So, I imitated my father's handwriting to write notes and secretly placed them in her room..." However, my father does not treat her well, and seeing her in a state of constant depression makes me very sad. So, I imitated my father's handwriting to write notes and secretly placed them in her room..."

Linghu Tuan Yuan thought to himself, endure, bow your head, a strong woman must also be able to bend and stretch

After another bout of sobbing, she said: "The master does not favor her... all these years... she has not given birth, that is proof!"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao lowered his head, and what was pointed at him was a dark dagger with a sheath.

Linghu Tuan Yuan slightly turned her head and saw Gu, the guard, not far away. He was looking at her with a smile that was neither fully a smile nor fully serious. She immediately understood that the one who had captured her was none other than King Liang

As night fell, the rain continued unabated. An urgent message arrived from Jiangjing County, the closest to Tongshan City, reporting that landslides had occurred in the mountains, and mud and water were washing away the villages below. The mountain roads were blocked, and they earnestly requested the provincial government to send troops for assistance. King Liang appointed Fei Tengxiang to lead three hundred soldiers from the garrison of Tongshan City to provide aid. Fei Tengxiang was aware that, apart from him and Hua Chen, no one else in the provincial government was familiar with the Jiangjing area, and since Hua Chen was young and King Liang was not well-versed in local matters, before departing, Fei Tengxiang specifically entrusted the situation to Linghu.

The two women were restrained, and the guard asked: "What is the name of the Ye family member?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan was somewhat confused by the titles of "maid" and "young lady". Upon entering the room and seeing a tall, beautiful maid who was tidying up for her, he began to understand a bit more. The maid had a striking figure and stunning looks, but her eyes were even more swollen than those of a flower.

Your Highness, please take note. This is currently the most critical time for the provincial government, and the surrounding counties are also quite busy. The matter concerning Lord Hua is of utmost importance, as is the disaster caused by the Man Shen River. Having served in the provincial government for many years, I can say from my experience that such heavy rains often lead to flooding. It is likely that General Hua and his troops will not be enough to handle the situation. I kindly request that Your Highness temporarily take charge of the affairs of Governor Hua, coordinate personnel, and rush to the key locations.

"How could the lady harm the master?" the woman asked in surprise, "You must not speak carelessly! Everyone in the household knows the lady's feelings for the master. If the lady were not deeply in love with the master, she would not forsake a good marriage to become the master's concubine!"

In broad daylight, you concealed the past; I never expected that despite your seemingly honest demeanor, you are not honest at all. Speak, if you do not clarify this evening, it will be your last night.

Hua Chen sobbed and said: "I really do not know this."

Linghu Tuan Yuan's heart sank, and the hand on her shoulder suddenly exerted more force

Linghu Tuan Yuan expressed her gratitude. She carefully observed the Wang woman, noting that the lady was in her thirties, with a charming appearance and delicate brows. Linghu Tuan Yuan could not help but feel a sense of doubt in her heart

"My lord, this is the medicinal soup for you tonight. The young master said it should be consumed while hot." Pan Ping set down the food container, opened the first layer, and presented the medicine bowl.

Ena stopped crying and, after a long silence, said: "I know, that person's surname is Ye"

Linghu Yue looked at Pan Yue and said, "Why not, this place is even better"

The woman said, "Now we must plan for ourselves. The second lady has long looked down upon us. Once the master leaves, we will surely be driven out of the provincial capital by her!"

Linghu Tuan Yuan took a deep breath. She bore wounds, yet she also possessed a sword and a dagger; the sword was at her waist and the dagger was in her bosom. As long as King Liang loosened his grip on her pulse gate, the ensuing situation would be under her control. If she could not subdue him at such a close distance, she might as well dash forward and die.

These items are generally not used by ordinary people, which only deepens Ling Hu's confusion. Is it really the case that Hua Shuang's use of family heirloom ink and the imperial brush of Emperor Yong to write on Jing Fei Bai is a matter of entangled emotions? If it is said that Hua Shuang is reminiscing about Ye Feng Yao, he would never believe it; even reminiscing about his deceased wife, Wang, seems somewhat forced.

The guard discerned the two layers of meaning in the words and then flew away, leaving the Liang King and the young girl in the room

After the guards arrived, Hong Furun immediately fled, and a portion of the guards pursued him.

Wu Que shook his head, stating that it was only safe to stay by the side of the Linghu family. Moreover, with the rain pouring and the road muddy, the situation ahead was unclear; there was no rush to leave at this moment.

You! Linghu Tuan Yuan almost stabbed down.

Linghu Tuan Yuan could not help but glance sideways; she had always referred to Liang Wang as the "villain," yet at this moment, she felt a measure of respect.

The narrow, phoenix-like eyes of Xi Ri Xuan Hao gleamed with a captivating brilliance, yet there was no trace of the usual anger. If Ping Zhen were to encounter him, he would surely be filled with fear and trepidation; such a Liang Wang is the most terrifying.

Linghu Tuan Yuan would naturally not act recklessly. If he were to act rashly, it is uncertain whether King Liang would be killed, but it would certainly lead to the destruction of the entire Linghu family. She changed her tone and said: "We need to have a serious discussion..."

Indeed, during the rainy season, the water flow becomes increasingly fierce as one moves northward

How could Linghu not understand? Several princes of Emperor Yong were envious of the Liang King. When the Liang King was in Chenliu and Wangshu, he and Pan Yue were cautious and vigilant.

Linghu Tuan Yuan did not mock her. In large households, the backyards are often not clean. Her father is considered to be quite good, yet he also has two concubines. Last year, there was a family that had their eyes on her third brother, and it was a case of marrying one and sending two.

Two individuals stood by the window, one leaning slightly to the left with his head bowed, and the other tilting his head to the right with an uplifted gaze, yet both shared the commonality of having straightened backs. After a prolonged stalemate, Guard Gu returned, and King Liang then led both individuals to the small study.

The Liang Wang's case of the broken grass was a dire incident, and everyone understood that there must be hidden circumstances. As most people speculated, the Liang Wang then coldly stated: "The dam in Tongbei County has broken, and Fei Tengxiang from Jiangjing County has died in the line of duty. At this moment, there are only five hundred soldiers left in Tongshan City. What are your esteemed opinions?"

Lord Linghu, I am deeply unsettled. The rain has come at an opportune time, coinciding with Your Highness's arrival, and Lord Hua's death is particularly suspicious. I hope it is not too presumptuous of me to say that the situation in Tongshan City is fraught with danger; please prioritize Your Highness's safety above all else

Pan Yue suddenly found the medicinal soup in his hands difficult to swallow

Hua Chen was taken aback and said, "Lord Linghu did not speak incorrectly; let me take a look." He flipped through the notes on the desk, and after putting them down, he remarked, "I do not understand either; perhaps it is my father feeling sorrow for my mother."

Wang felt embarrassed as she put down the silk quilt in her hands. The maid behind her said, "Miss, are you awake? The mistress is worried that you might catch a chill. If you lie here in the side hall, you probably won't sleep soundly."

With the King Liang absent, Linghu Yue expressed his doubts one by one, saying, "I see that the items arranged here are extraordinary, even the Four Treasures of the Study are of the finest quality. Logically speaking, they should be treasured rather than used on a daily basis. Do you know the reason behind this?"

Wang is burdened with heavy thoughts and has nothing to discuss with the daughter of the Linghu family, mostly leaving the conversation to the maidservants, who only speak of trivial matters

Hua Chen apologized, saying: "His Highness Prince Liang is currently in the dining room, and I apologize for the inconvenience caused to everyone here."

... ... There is an assassin ... ... Protect His Highness ... ...

Emergency! Tongbei County is in distress!

After a moment, Linghu Yue broke the silence and said solemnly: "Your Highness, please make a decisive decision. Tongshan City is situated in a perilous location, and we cannot afford to stay here for long!" Even if we hold onto a city for two days with only five hundred soldiers, there are still the citizens of the city to consider, which can be managed during a battle. However, on the surface, we are facing torrential floods, while beneath, we do not know how many undercurrents are waiting for an opportunity to strike.

In Pingzhen, seeing Huachen remain silent, he assisted by saying: "Your Highness, it seems that he will not confess without being subjected to torture."

Was there any unusual occurrence at the state government half a month ago

No matter what you say, you are breaking into the residence of King Liang at night to commit assassination! What does it matter if you are the first person under the Martial Saint? Today, I will bring you down by my own hand

Xi Ri Xuan Hao was slightly taken aback, for he himself was not immune to harboring resentment due to the cold treatment his mother received. However, the pride of the Liang King did not allow him to bow his head. In the next moment, he sneered, "Your mother is a whore, and you are a cheap whore!"

I will take care of you

Pan Yue stepped forward, and the Liang King regained his composure. He then heard the elder clan leader Pan's words of wisdom: "Your Highness, after Master Fei set out for Jiangjing County, I dispatched reliable guards from our clan to request reinforcements from the Governor of Kainan to the south. I estimate that troops will arrive from the Kainan direction within two days. I did not wish to disturb Your Highness, but I am concerned about the vulnerability of Tongshan City. Furthermore, after Your Highness returns to the capital, there must be a capable figure in Tongshan City to maintain order. I hope Your Highness will forgive my unsolicited actions."

Pan Yue and others held their breath to listen, and after a moment of hesitation, Hua Chen unexpectedly spoke a few words that took everyone by surprise

"I will not go, Your Highness, please feel free to proceed." The young girl said while touching her wrist. Dealing with a King of Liang was already quite challenging for her, and with an additional bodyguard, Gu, who was more skilled than her, she had no chance of winning.

The commotion outside grew increasingly louder, and Xi Ri Xuan Hao could hear it clearly. One of his capable guards was engaged in a fierce battle with assassins on the eaves of the state government building, while numerous guards and the state government's protectors stood watch outside the house

Linghu Yue frowned, wondering if the murder case was intertwined with a corruption case. Linghu Yue was aware of the Wang family's background. This woman had been unwavering in her commitment, vowing to marry no one but Hua Shuang, which led him to initially rule out any suspicion against the Wang family.

The commotion caused by Hong Fureng startled everyone in the provincial government, and King Liang summoned the relevant personnel for a night interrogation of Hua Chen. Both of Hua Shuang's maidservants had noticed the affair between Wang and Hua Ye, yet Hua Chen said nothing about it, indicating that there must be something amiss.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao did not expect that despite lowering his stance, he still received nothing but useless empty words. Just as he was about to have a "good talk" with her, he felt a hard object pressing against his abdomen. The young girl raised her head, her eyes sparkling, and asked, "Your Highness, how do you know that my mother was once a musician in Xiangjiang? Why have you come to Nanyue to find my mother? Why did Mama Chen associate you with His Majesty upon seeing you, and was so frightened that she died on the spot?"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao asked a few more questions, and finally inquired: "What did you go to Gao Nan to purchase?"

King Liang, lost in thought, momentarily forgot to reprimand her. How could she casually slander something bestowed by the Emperor

Another woman sighed, "The master does not favor us either; there has always been only one person in his heart. At first, I thought it was the matriarch, but one year during the memorial for the matriarch, I inadvertently heard the master say, 'I'm sorry, all I can do for you is just this.' It was then that I realized the person in the master's heart was not the matriarch."

Pan Yue took it and sighed, "This child!" He had just left Chen Liu and was unable to sleep at night, so Dr. Pan prescribed a remedy to calm the mind and nourish the qi. Pan Yue lifted the lid of the bowl, only to see Pan Ping opening the second layer of the food steamer and presenting another bowl of medicine.

Pan Yue sighed, and at that moment, Ling Hu Yue, who had been silent all afternoon, asked about Hua Chen, "Has your father been playing the piano these years?"

The conversation between the two was overheard by Linghu Tuan Yuan. The life of Xi Ri Xuan Hao is precious; does that mean Hua Shuang's life is worthless? She had heard discussions about poisoning in a secret chamber but could not make sense of it. However, her sixth sense as a woman made her feel that Wang Shi was very strange. Wang Shi had just lost her husband, yet she displayed sorrow without any signs of deep grief. Typically, when a woman loses her husband, she would be inconsolable, crying out in despair, but Wang Shi seemed to be in a state of melancholy as if Hua Shuang had been dead for quite some time.

Linghu Tuan Yuan listened to their recounting of the events surrounding Hua Shuang while eating. As they spoke, Pan Yue mentioned that Chen Mama also died under mysterious circumstances, prompting her to mutter softly, "Isn't it all the doing of that person"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao, in a fit of rage, laughed instead. He pretended, and so did she. He suggested they talk, and she also agreed to talk. What he found even more unacceptable was that, under the circumstances where he was supposed to dominate, he was instead subdued, and her breath indicated that she could hardly muster any internal energy.

Hua Chen's face immediately turned pale

Linghu Yue's expression immediately turned serious, while Wu Que picked up a piece of food and tossed it into Linghu Tuan's bowl, as the young girl lowered her head to eat her own rice

Linghu Yue glanced at the desk again, nodded, and then said: "I see that the books and notes on this table are mostly gentle and poignant words, but in his early years, your father preferred phrases that spoke of the brilliance of the sun and moon, and the wisdom of the past applied to the present."

In the southern Yue region, there is abundant rainfall during the summer, and it can last for several days. Every year during this season, the Man Shen River experiences rising water levels, and if the flood control measures are not effective, the common people will suffer. What do you think, Miss Linghu?

What is the relationship between Huanye and your second mother

Pan Yue nodded, "His physique makes him susceptible to wind and cold"

Well, you, the advisor, cannot make a decision in the absence of this king

Linghu Yue, with a heart solely devoted to him, was met with a response of cowardice. In a fit of anger, he declared: "I, Linghu Yue, am willing to advance and retreat together with Your Highness, to share life and death!"

Hua Chen lamented about a scandal. It turned out that Hua Ye had been secretly in love with Wang Shi for a long time, and two months ago, after getting drunk, he insulted her in a state of emotional turmoil. This incident was coincidentally witnessed by Hua Shuang, which made Hua Shuang even more disdainful of Wang Shi

Xi Ri Xuan Hao suddenly stood up and exclaimed: "Am I the kind of person who fears death and clings to life? Now that Tongshan is in a critical situation, and both counties are in distress, with no one to take charge of the matter regarding Hua Shuang, how can I retreat at this crucial moment? My Xi Ri royal family has always only known how to die bravely, and has never been one to seek a cowardly survival!"