Chapter 323: The Family's Joint Effort

Chapter 323: The Family's Joint Effort

When Celestial Dragon heard that the Majestic King of Miao was at the door, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, "What are you planning to do?"

Lu Yuan smirked, "I'm going to do something you can't."

Celestial Dragon's voice turned cold, "If I can't do it, do you think you can?"

Lu Yuan pointed at the wardrobe, "Open the wardrobe, there's an outfit prepared for you inside. Hurry up and change into it."

Celestial Dragon furrowed his brows, "Tell me, what exactly are you planning to do?"

Lu Yuan said, "You'll find out soon. I advise you not to dawdle, or else when the manor gets noisy later, you won't even have a chance to escape."

Celestial Dragon couldn't help but think of Chu Nan. Chu Nan was also a person full of mischievous ideas, but unlike Lu Yuan, he wasn't as annoying.

Although Celestial Dragon didn't know Lu Yuan's plan, he still opened the wardrobe and changed into the outfit Lu Yuan had prepared for him.

It was a long dark blue robe, and at first glance, he didn't look like a swordsman but rather like a guest of the manor.

The clothes were fine, but when he put on the shoes, Celestial Dragon almost stumbled and fell.

Celestial Dragon gritted his teeth, "These shoes are smelly and too tight. You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Yes, I'm giving you a hard time, so what?

Lu Yuan replied seriously, "I have my reasons for doing this."

Celestial Dragon: Very well, I'll add this to the account of the Blade Master.

On the other side, at the entrance of the Chancellor's Mansion, the Majestic King of Miao was arguing fiercely with Xun Qi and the others.

Chancellor Xun had left for court, and Xun Yu was confined to the courtyard, not allowed to take a single step outside his room.

Naturally, Xun Qi was in charge.

From this, one could deduce that Chancellor Xun had sent Xun Liu to retrieve Lu Yuan's head.

Over there, there was Bai Qingchen and Si She, but the Majestic King wasn't worried about Luo San's safety. Instead, he was concerned about his grandson in the Chancellor's Mansion, and he needed to occasionally "pay a visit."

"Where is the Chancellor? Let him come out and see me!"

The Majestic King of Miao stood with his hands on his waist, speaking with a defiant air.

The Chancellor's Mansion guards were on high alert, guarding the mansion's entrance. The Chancellor's Mansion was one of the few aristocratic families that could afford to maintain a private army. It was known that even the Princess had only Wanping who could afford a private army.

Xun Qi walked to the front of the guards and looked at the Majestic King on the steps, asking calmly, "My adoptive father has gone to court. If the Majestic King has something to say, you can speak to me."

The Majestic King waved his hand, "I can talk to you, but hand over my grandson!"

Xun Qi narrowed his eyes, "What did the Majestic King just say? I don't quite understand."

The Majestic King spoke with righteous indignation, "Celestial Dragon injured my grandson, and when my grandson was recovering in your mansion, you took advantage to abduct him. How dare you say it wasn't your Chancellor's Mansion doing?"

Xun Qi's mouth twitched.

What a hypocrite, blaming others for his own actions!

Lu Yuan, you secretly sent out of the capital, and you deceived Luo San into impersonating him. Celestial Dragon brought back Luo San, not Lu Yuan—

Oh no, I've fallen into your trap!

Lu Yuan did this intentionally. He guessed that his adoptive father would send someone to confirm if the 'Lu Yuan' in the mansion was real or fake. Only Yan Niangzi had the opportunity to enter the Duke's Manor.

Even Yan Niangzi couldn't see through the deception, and with Luo San in Lu Yuan's hands, there were only two possibilities left—

Either the person recovering in the Duke's Manor was the real Lu Yuan, or it was Luo San disguised as Lu Yuan.

The adoptive father's principle was to rather mistakenly kill than let someone escape. Unfortunately, this didn't apply to Luo San, so the adoptive father would definitely send someone to bring that Lu Yuan back to the Chancellor's Mansion to verify his identity.

The reason he sent Celestial Dragon was that Celestial Dragon had the highest martial arts skills and was most familiar with the layout of the Duke's Manor.

Could Lu Yuan have calculated the adoptive father's intentions so accurately?

What kind of monster was he?

No, what the adoptive father calculated, he had also calculated, hadn't he?

The fact that the adoptive father didn't ask Celestial Dragon to leave the mansion and hide for a while showed that the adoptive father wasn't afraid of the Majestic King coming to the door.

As his thoughts turned, Xun Qi collected himself and signaled to one of the guards, who understood and quietly slipped away.

"Majestic King."

Xun Qi spoke, "I'm not clear about what happened to Lu Yuan, but you can't just slander our Chancellor's Mansion based on empty words, can you? Have you forgotten that the Chancellor's Mansion is the Duke of Xun's Mansion, personally bestowed by the Retired Emperor? Even if you are the Majestic King, you have no right to cause trouble in the Duke's Mansion!"

"Do you still have a reason for capturing my grandson?"

The Majestic King was not intimidated by Xun Qi's words, "Even if I'm just a commoner, you can't just randomly capture my grandson! Everyone, am I right?"

Many onlookers had gathered at the entrance of the Chancellor's Mansion.

"Yes, if you really have captured someone, then quickly release them."

"The old lady is not easy to deal with. At her age, suddenly losing her grandson, who wouldn't be worried?"

"Quickly release him."

Xun Qi heard this group of people chattering, all speaking on behalf of the Majestic King, and he realized that these few were the Majestic King's accomplices.

A young scholar spoke up, "Is there a mistake? This is the Chancellor's Mansion. Chancellor Xun is an upright person and a loyal minister of the court. How could he possibly randomly capture someone's grandson?"

An older man beside him said, "You can judge a person's face but not their heart. You must have heard about the matter of Young Master Xun, right? His preference for men and the indecent acts he committed with his cousin on the training ground, truly disgracing the Chancellor's Mansion! To raise such a son with private vices, what kind of person is the Chancellor?"

Due to Lu Yuan's behind-the-scenes manipulation, the 'scandal' between Xun Yu and Wei Mingxuan had indeed caused a storm in the capital, and everyone knew about it.

The scholar said, "But... the Chancellor is the Chancellor... his son is his own son..."

An old woman carrying a basket of eggs said, "Like father, like son!"

A middle-aged auntie who was braiding hemp rope said, "If the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be slanted!"

As the saying goes, three men make a tiger, and the masses can turn lies into truth. Some words, when repeated enough, become true.

The King of the Miao clearly came prepared. Xun Qi, seeing that the situation was spinning out of control, hurriedly said, "King of the Miao, I believe you have misunderstood. We truly did not capture your grandson; we have no reason to do so."

As soon as he finished speaking, a furious woman stormed out of the Chancellor's Mansion.

It was Wei Mingxuan's mother.

She rolled up her sleeves and, with teeth bared, rushed towards the King of the Miao, "Well, I was just about to find you! You people from the Duke's Manor have the nerve to come here!"

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?"

The King of the Miao stepped back.

Wei Furen raised her hand and scratched at the King of the Miao's face, "You've ruined my son's reputation and turned him into a rat on the street. Today... I will teach you a lesson!"

"I don't hit women!"

The King of the Miao was forced back to the Duke's Manor's carriage.

Seeing no way to avoid it, the carriage curtain was suddenly pulled aside, and a figure so beautiful it made one's breath catch walked down from the carriage.

Liu Qingyun grabbed Wei Furen's hand and said coldly, "My father doesn't hit women, but I might. If you keep biting like a mad dog, don't blame me for being impolite!"

The memory of being pushed into a water vat by Liu Qingyun still fresh in her mind, Wei Furen instinctively felt a wave of fear.

But thinking of her son, who had been harmed by the Duke's Manor to the point where he couldn't even leave the house, her fear was replaced by anger.

She couldn't fight Liu Qingyun, so she started cursing at her.

"Go on! Liu Qingyun, hit me! Hit me! If you have the guts, kill me! You've already harmed my son so much! I don't want to live anymore!"

Liu Qingyun coldly snorted, "Who harmed your son? Speak clearly!"

Xun Qi suddenly realized something and his face changed, "Aunt!"

Too late.

In her anger, Wei Furen had lost her mind and, in front of all the commoners, vividly recounted how Wei Mingxuan and Xun Yu had been framed by Lu Yuan.

"My son would never act rashly. It was Lu Yuan who poisoned him and his nephew. It was Lu Yuan who deliberately framed them!"

Liu Qingyun calmly said, "So, your Chancellor's Mansion believes this, and that's why you captured my son to avenge Xun Yu and Wei Mingxuan?"

What did Xun Qi say just now?

The Chancellor's Mansion had no reason to capture Lu Yuan.

Is this reason enough?

Xun Qi was nearly driven mad by Wei Furen.

If not for the fact that she was his adoptive father's sister, he would have killed her right now!

Xun Qi quickly called two guards and had Wei Furen forcibly taken inside.

As she was being led away, she continued to curse, using the most vile language.

The King of the Miao sighed, "Everyone has heard it. My grandson must have been captured by the Chancellor's Mansion—I only came here today to cause trouble to find my grandson. I just want to get him back. I swear on my life that if the Chancellor's Mansion returns my grandson, all past grievances will be forgiven!"

Xun Qi clenched his fists, "King of the Miao! The Chancellor's Mansion did not capture Lu Yuan!"

Liu Qingyun said, "Whether he was captured or not, it's not up to you to decide. Unless you let us search, if we don't find my son, we will leave and publicly apologize to the Chancellor's Mansion."

The King of the Miao whispered to his daughter, "Why do we have to search the Chancellor's Mansion?"

Liu Qingyun quietly replied, "To find the Secret Chamber, Father."

The King of the Miao, "Oh, oh."

He almost forgot.

Liu Qingyun muttered, "What are you thinking?"

The King of the Miao, "About fighting."

Liu Qingyun, "......"

The King of the Miao was indeed here to fight. After all, such opportunities were rare, but who would have thought that the old fox Xun would actually go to court.

All because of White Puffy, insisting on sleeping in!

Xun Qi said, "The Chancellor's Mansion isn't a place you can just search. I understand your feelings, but we truly did not capture Lu Yuan. Why don't we wait until my adoptive father returns from court to discuss this."

Liu Qingyun said, "Xun Qi, you want to delay, to move Chen Long to another place, don't you? Do you think I'm so foolish as to let my son disappear again and again right under my nose? I tell you, I will search the Chancellor's Mansion today!"

Search it... Xun Qi narrowed his eyes.

The King of the Miao and Liu Qingyun were using Lu Yuan and Chen Long as a pretext to search the Chancellor's Mansion. Chen Long is now a fugitive. If they catch Chen Long, they will have solid evidence of the Chancellor's Mansion harboring a criminal.

Lu Yuan, you really are a master of schemes, even coming up with such a roundabout method?

But have you considered whether I will let your grandfather and mother enter the mansion?

Xun Qi coldly smiled and said seriously, "Without a search warrant, no one has the right to search the Chancellor's Mansion!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Minister of Punishment arrived with a large contingent of law enforcement officers.

The Minister of Punishment dismounted and looked around, asking, "The Ministry of Punishment received a report that Chen Long, who escaped from prison a few days ago, is hiding in the Chancellor's Mansion. Who reported this?"

The King of the Miao stepped forward boldly, "I did! I saw it with my own eyes! That boy even captured my grandson!"

The Minister of the Ministry of Punishment questioned the King, "Do you have any evidence?"

The King replied sternly, "I witnessed it myself! That boy captured my grandson!"

Xun Qi turned to the Chancellor's Mansion guards behind him, "Have any of you seen Celestial Dragon?"

The guards answered in unison, "No!"

Xun Qi addressed the Minister, "Sir, our Chancellor's Mansion is innocent. Since Celestial Dragon escaped, he has never entered or left the Mansion. We are unaware of his actions, and we cannot allow accusations based on hearsay. Are you going to search the Mansion because of someone's words?"

The King of the Miao exclaimed, "Oh—I do have evidence! It's not just empty talk!"

As he spoke, the King took out a Gu Bottle from his sleeve. "When Celestial Dragon captured my grandson, I placed a Gu on him. In our Miaojiang, this Gu is called the Mysterious Tracking Scorpion, specifically used to locate people."

The King removed the bottle's stopper, and a small black scorpion flew into the Mansion. "Look! It flew in, proving Celestial Dragon is indeed inside!"

Xun Qi's expression changed again.

It was a Gu scorpion!

With this, even if Luo San had disguised Celestial Dragon, the truth would still be revealed.

The Minister said to Xun Qi, "Young Master Qi, please allow us to proceed."

Xun Qi opened his mouth, "Minister, please wait for my adoptive father's return."

The Minister asked sternly, "Young Master, are you trying to obstruct the Ministry's investigation?"

Xun Qi's palms began to sweat.

He tried to remain calm, "I'm sorry, Minister, but without my adoptive father's orders, you cannot enter."

The Minister declared, "Then I will have to force my way in."

Xun Qi clenched his teeth, "Ling Shangguan, if you don't show yourself, are you waiting to have your home raided?"

Ling Shangguan, with a smile in his eyes, pushed aside the guards at the door and stood on the steps, "If the Minister wants to force his way in, he should first ask about my Spring Saber."

"I'll take your Spring Saber."

Han Ci, in gleaming armor, emerged from the crowd, which had become silent.

Xun Qi's eyebrows furrowed.

Adoptive Father, please think of a solution quickly; I can't stop them...

The Imperial Palace.

The Chancellor had just finished his morning court session and was assisting the Emperor in reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study.

A young eunuch bowed and entered, using the opportunity to pour tea for the Emperor to discreetly glance at the Chancellor.

"Your Majesty, this subject wishes to take a trip outside the palace."

"Chancellor Xun, go ahead."

The Emperor nodded.

Chancellor Xun left the Imperial Study.

The young eunuch followed and whispered a few words.

Chancellor Xun went to the small garden and said calmly, "Ah Nu."

A man in black appeared.

Chancellor Xun instructed, "Go and handle a matter."

---

Western Courtyard, Chancellor's Mansion.

Outside, the commotion was incessant, and Wei Furen's screams, as well as the voices of Celestial Dragon and Lu Yuan inside the room, could be heard.

Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows, sensing the intensity of the situation.

Celestial Dragon glanced at him, "It seems you miscalculated. The Chancellor didn't release you."

"No rush."

Lu Yuan smiled, "Whether I can leave or not is not important; what matters is you."

"Me?"

Celestial Dragon frowned.

During their conversation, he sensed something and cautiously gripped his sword case, "Who's there?"

A man in black pushed open the door and entered, "The Chancellor has ordered me to take you away."

Celestial Dragon spoke coldly, "I can walk by myself; I don't need you to lead the way."

The man in black handed Celestial Dragon a pill, "Swallow it."

Celestial Dragon frowned.

Lu Yuan urged, "Take it."

Celestial Dragon hesitated for a moment before swallowing the pill.

Within three breaths, he lost consciousness, his eyes turning black.

Lu Yuan clicked his tongue, poked Celestial Dragon's cheek, and casually asked, "My dear father, you're not planning to kill him to silence him, are you?"

The man in black didn't respond but drew out a dagger and stabbed it into Celestial Dragon's chest.

Afterward, he pulled out the dagger, and there was an extra scorpion on the tip.

Lu Yuan stroked his chin and looked at the man in black, "He's been Gu-ed... You seem to understand Miaojiang well."

The man in black still didn't respond to Lu Yuan.

He stripped Celestial Dragon of his outer robe, lit it on fire, and then carried the unconscious Celestial Dragon on his shoulder, leaving the Eastern Courtyard without looking back.

Lu Yuan looked at the burning clothes on the ground, "The clothes have Miaojiang spices on them. Could this have been detected?"

At this point, Lu Yuan could confirm that the man in black was related to Miaojiang.

"The Gu is gone, and the clothes are destroyed."

"My mother and the old man, even if the Ministry's law enforcement officers search the Mansion, they won't find Celestial Dragon."

"Experience makes the best teacher!"

"Let me guess, Adoptive Father, where will you hide Celestial Dragon? It must be your secret chamber, otherwise, you wouldn't have knocked him out before taking him away."

Outside, the sounds of the search could be heard.

It seemed the Ministry's officers had entered the Mansion.

Lu Yuan smiled, "Adoptive Father, you've made a mistake. They'll find your secret chamber soon."

Duke's Mansion.

A certain little wolf pup had been throwing a tantrum since the morning.

The reason was simple; its little dragon boots, were nowhere to be found!

A 4000-word chapter, seeking milk tickets for the little wolf pup.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end