Chapter 158



158 Old Lover

After a long time, Li Qiao finally said the man’s name.

“His name is Che Xuekun. He often travels as a Daoist priest.”

Due to his repeated failures, Li Qiao lived a poor life. When he fell sick, he did not even have the money to get medicine. He could only wait for death in despair.

It was then that he met Che Xuekun.

Che Xuekun was knowledgeable. Not only did he cure Li Qiao’s illness, but he also praised Li Qiao’s talent.

In his opinion, Li Qiao did not fail the imperial examination not because his knowledge was not good enough, but because Li Qiao was too straightforward and did not know how to flatter others. That was why he did not get the chance to show his talent.

Li Qiao had lived for so long, but this was the first time someone admired him so much. He was naturally overjoyed. In addition, the other party was his savior. Li Qiao quickly took him as a confidant and wished he could go through hell for him.

Therefore, when Che Xuekun pulled him in, he agreed almost without hesitation.

So the wandering Daoist was just Che Xuekun’s disguise.

He was actually from the Chen Nation.

The Chen Nation was located on the southeast side of Dayan. The two countries’ territories bordered each other, but the Chen Nation’s land was far less rich than Dayan. In the past, the Chen Nation had also sent people to attack Dayan, but they had all failed.

In the past two years, the Chen Nation had not gone to war again, but they had not completely settled down either. From time to time, they would send people to the border to plunder people and food.

Now that Chen Country had sent a person like Che Xuekun to infiltrate Dayan, they must have a plan.

Yan Nanguan looked at him coldly. “Do you know what the crime of colluding with an enemy country is?”

Li Qiao’s lips twitched. “Of course, I know! But so what? Dayan refused to give me a chance to show my talent, so why can’t I vote for another ruler?!”

Seeing that he was still unrepentant even in death, Yan Nanguan could not help but curse.

“Have you read all your books to the dogs?!”

Li Qiao shot back.

“Who are you to scold me? You Eagle Guards are just a group of eagle hounds raised by the old emperor. It was because of you that the Dayan Dynasty became foul. The reason I was locked up here today was only that I was unlucky and fell into your hands.

But don’t be smug. Things change. Sooner or later, nothing good will happen to you. I’ll leave first and wait for you in hell Hahahaha!”

He let out an unrestrained and crazed laugh. He had already given up on himself.

Yan Nanguan looked at him with a dark expression. When he was done laughing, Yan Nanguan asked.

“Where’s Che Xuekun?”

Li Qiao knew that he had no way out. Originally, he was determined to die and would never reveal anything about Che Xuekun. However, the fact that Che Xuekun had sent someone to kill him hurt him.

Since Che Xuekun wanted him dead, he would not let Che Xuekun have it easy.

Li Qiao’s eyes were fierce. “Che Xuekun is very cunning. Every time, he takes the initiative to contact me. He protects himself very well and has never revealed his whereabouts to me.”

At this, he had to laugh at himself.

Actually, Che Xuekun had always been wary of him and was prepared to abandon him at any time. It was because he trusted Che Xuekun too much that he did not notice this.

Yan Nanguan looked disappointed. So Li Qiao did not know Che Xuekun’s whereabouts either.

But then he heard Li Qiao say.

“Although I don’t know where he is, I know that he has an old lover in the Imperial Capital.”

Yan Nanguan asked, “Who?”

“The top hostess of the Falling Clothes Pavilion, Zhen Xixi.”

When Yan Nanguan arrived at the Falling Clothes Pavilion with the Eagle Guards, Zhen Xixi had already committed suicide.

The Falling Clothes Pavilion was in the downtown area and was surrounded by merchants. When the Eagle Guards barged into the pavilion, they immediately attracted many people’s attention.

In just a moment, many onlookers gathered outside the pavilion.

When everyone saw Zhen Xixi’s body being carried out, it immediately caused a commotion.

As the top host, Zhen Xixi naturally had many fans. When these people saw the woman they liked die so easily, their hearts naturally ached. They looked at the Eagle Guards with hatred.

In their opinion, Zhen Xixi was young and had always been healthy. She wouldn’t suddenly die. She must have been forced to death by the Eagle Guards. These damn things didn’t even let go of a weak woman. They were simply heartless!

Zhen Xixi’s body was sent back to the Justice Department, along with the others in the Falling Clothes Pavilion.

Lo Pingsha examined Zhen Xixi’s corpse and realized that she was pregnant.

Xiao Juan ordered someone to interrogate everyone in the Falling Clothes Pavilion.

After summarizing everyone’s confession and combining it with the time Zhen Xixi was pregnant, he came to a conclusion.

The fetus in her stomach was probably Che Xuekun’s.

Xiao Juan said in a low voice, “We just sent someone to the Falling Clothes Pavilion and Zhen Xixi committed suicide. This is definitely not a coincidence. Someone must have leaked the news.”

Yu Niaoniao immediately became alert. “Do you mean that there’s a mole in our Justice Department?”

Xiao Juan said, “It’s not a mole.”

If there was really a mole, Li Qiao would not have been hooked so easily.

He continued, “Che Xuekun should have sent someone to secretly watch the Justice Department. Once we make a move, he will sense it.”

Yu Niaoniao sorted out her logic. “In other words, Che Xuekun secretly sent a message to Zhen Xixi. In order to protect Che Xuekun, Zhen Xixi chose to end her life. If this is true, it means that Che Xuekun hasn’t gone far. He might be hiding in the city!”

Xiao Juan stood up. “I’ll enter the palace now and ask the emperor to seal the city gate.”

As long as the city gate was closed, Che Xuekun would not be able to escape. At that time, the Eagle Guards would search every house. They would definitely be able to find him!

Yu Niaoniao watched the man leave.

When the sun set, she took the carriage back to the royal residence as usual.

Seeing that she had returned alone, Granny Xiu Yan could not help but ask.

“And His Royal Highness?”

Yu Niaoniao said, “He went to the palace. He should be back soon.”

From what she knew of Duke Lang, he was an extremely efficient person. He would definitely make the plan to capture Che Xuekun as soon as possible.

However, this time, her estimation was wrong.

Xiao Juan was in the palace for a long time and had not returned.

Yu Niaoniao felt that something was wrong.

She was worried, so she waited with Granny Xiu Yan.

They watched as the night deepened.

Granny Xiu Yan was old and weak. She looked tired and couldn’t take it anymore.

Yu Niaoniao spoke to her.

“Go to bed first. I’m here.”

Granny Xiu Yan said helplessly, “The older you get, the more useless you become. I’ll go back to my room to take a nap first. If there’s any news, please let me know.”

Yu Niaoniao agreed.

She watched Granny Xiu Yan leave, then propped her chin on one hand and looked at the candlelight in front of her in a daze.

Why wasn’t the prince back yet?

It was not until four in the morning that Xiao Juan finally returned.

It was so late that he thought everyone in the residence would be asleep. He was surprised to see lights on in the central room.