Chapter 10: Beauty in Trouble, King Yun is a Beauty
Some of the beauties around were stunned, while others remained calm. Those who wanted to scream had their mouths covered before they could scream, and then fell into a deep sleep.
The music of the piano and the singing continued, and the scenery on the pleasure boat was still beautiful.
It's just that the situation has changed drastically.
Li Jin's heart was filled with turbulent waves.
The beauty in front of him took off her veil, revealing a cold and delicate face, and said in a mocking voice: "Long time no see, Your Highness."
"Lou..." He was horrified, "Lou Wanqiao?!"
Lou Wanqiao replied calmly, a wicked grin spreading across his lips as he brought the dagger closer. "Why, you don't recognize me after just a few days of not seeing me?"
Li Jin glanced around. The singing and dancing continued, and the others seemed oblivious to their presence. Only a few people had fainted on the ground or chairs. He knew then that most of the people in this pleasure boat were probably Lou Wanqiao's men.
After all, he had seen a lot, so within seconds, Li Jin had a clear understanding of the situation. He sighed softly, and his voice calmed down: "Wow, I can't believe that Zizhao, a grown man, would dress up like this just to see me..."
The dagger slashed through the air mercilessly, leaving behind a trail of blood. She hated to see Li Jin like this, so she gave him a warning blow on the thigh.
"Hiss!" Li Jin felt pain and suddenly arched his back, but was held down hard by Lou Wanqiao.
She pressed on him, looking down at him from above. After giving him a series of "warnings" in a smooth and flowing manner, she withdrew her hand and put the dagger back against his neck. With just a slight pressure, a clear blood mark appeared.
Li Jin's voice dropped, his airs dropped, and he didn't dare to flirt anymore. He frowned, his breathing becoming rapid: "What do you want?"
"Obviously, I'm here to repay His Highness for his previous 'care' for me." Lou Wanqiao said with great sincerity, "How can I be happy alone? We all have to be happy together."
"Lou Wanqiao, do you want to rebel?!" He lowered his voice and didn't dare to move. His face showed a hint of anger, but he didn't dare to show it. He felt very aggrieved.
"That's just the beginning!" Lou Wanqiao patted his cheek and smiled meaningfully, "Are you rebelling already? Your Highness, your mentality isn't as good as that of His Highness Prince Duan..."
He stopped talking, staring at her with his beautiful eyes, his eye sockets red, and his chest heaving with heavy breathing.
Wow, this is a truly beautiful picture of a beauty in distress.
Seeing that he was not feeling well, Lou Wanqiao's mood improved. Estimating that the time was about right, she took out a pill and stuffed it into Li Jin's mouth. She also picked up the wine jug on the small table beside him, grasped his jaw and poured it into his mouth.
“Cough cough…Gu…Ugh…cough cough cough…!”
Only after she was sure that Li Jin had completely swallowed the pill did she let go of his hand. The half-empty wine jug was thrown to the ground, and the wine spilled from the mouth of the jug, soaking the gorgeous carpet.
Li Jin was drunk to the point of being in a mess, his eyes were even redder, and he fell on the soft chair, coughing and choking. There were traces of wine at the corners of his lips that he had not had time to swallow, and they slid down his neck into his collar.
"Your Highness, if it's for me, there's no need for a grown man to act like this." Lou Wanqiao looked pleased and returned his previous words to him.
Li Jin was choked so badly that he couldn't speak. He could only hold his chest and gasp for breath.
She nodded with satisfaction, moved away from Li Jin, listened to the noise outside, gestured to the people around her, and then quietly left through the back door and dived into the water.
A moment later, there was a commotion, and everyone started making a loud noise at the same time.
The zither girl's zither fell to the ground with a dull clang. The singer screamed and the dancer stumbled out.
"Your Highness Prince Yun...Your Highness Prince Yun has killed someone!"
There was an uproar outside the ship.
Prince Yun killed someone?!
Cloud King!!
The curtain was opened, and the beauties inside ran out one after another. Now everyone outside could see the scene inside the studio clearly -
A man fell to the ground with a dagger stuck in his chest, and a large area of red was spread out. King Yun Li Jin was pressing on him, holding the dagger in his hand, with bloodshot eyes.
Just as everyone was surprised, a cold voice sounded.
"The Dali Temple is investigating a case. All outsiders, please step aside!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young man in official robes striding towards them, holding a token in his hand, which was enough to indicate his identity.
The onlookers separated into a path, knowing they couldn't over-examine the imperial court, and lowered their heads. Some tried to leave secretly, but the area around them was already filled with people.
Lou Wanqiao successfully boarded the pleasure boat.
With her back to the crowd, she used a covert gesture to lift King Yun onto the chair, then squatted down to take a closer look at the man on the ground. After a few seconds of silence, she shook her head and said, "It's too late."
She took out the badge from the man's clothes and saw it clearly, but the people outside didn't dare to look and lowered their heads even lower.
The corners of Lou Wanqiao's lips curled up in an imperceptible arc. Since you don't dare to look, then just listen carefully.
"Oh, it's Lord Sun from the Ministry of Personnel." She raised her voice and glanced at Li Jin, who was too exhausted to speak and defend himself. "Your Highness, do you have anything to say?"
People around began to whisper.
"Lord Sun? I heard his son is a lazy young man who often seeks pleasure in singing houses. A few days ago, he had a conflict with Prince Yun in the street..."
"Who is this person? How dare he speak to His Highness Prince Yun like that?"
"Yes, that's King Yun..."
"But King Yun..."
"Shh!"
Listening to the chatter, Lou Wanqiao lowered his eyes and looked at Li Jin.
Of course he couldn't make a sound and could only stare at her.
"It's the Shaoqing of Dali Temple!" Someone said this, and the crowd exploded.
"The Junior Minister of the Dali Temple? He is the Junior Minister of the Dali Temple that was rumored!"
Lou Wanqiao said in a deep voice, "Since Your Highness has no excuse, I must act according to the law. Incidentally, I have also found evidence that Your Highness had a conflict with Lord Sun's son a while ago and that he and the spy had conspired to frame me."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was another burst of subtle discussion among the crowd.
Lou Wanqiao raised his hand and said, "The Dali Temple will investigate the case next. Those who are not involved should please stay away."
The curtain was lowered and the show ended.
As for Prince Yun's secret guards? They had long been quietly dealt with by the people she carefully arranged.
Li Jin was so angry that he closed his eyes and didn't want to look anymore.
Lou Wanqiao was in high spirits, humming a little tune as she approached him. "Your Highness, you didn't think of this day when you plotted against me a few days ago... I heard that Your Highness enjoys watching plays, so I've carefully arranged a grand performance and would like to invite Your Highness to perform with me. Your Highness, are you satisfied?"
Li Jin bit his lower lip and turned his head to the side.
Tsk tsk, this little girl is so cute. No wonder Prince Yun likes beauties. It turns out beauties can be this beautiful.
Lou Wanqiao looked him up and down. When Li Jin opened his eyes, he saw her gaze. His face immediately turned redder and he was almost angry to death.
He is the dignified Prince Yun, and he has always been the only one who can tease beauties. When has he ever been looked at like this by others? He is still a man!
Not only the man, but also that Lou Wanqiao!
Just by looking at each other, she knew what Li Jin was thinking. Lou Wanqiao secretly laughed in her heart, but knew that this matter would soon reach the ears of the emperor, and it would not be advisable to stay here for long, so she personally carried Li Jin to the carriage.
At this time, the people around have dispersed. As long as we can survive tonight, we will be safe tomorrow.
Although this was a dangerous undertaking, the most crucial step had already been completed. As for the dancers and singers, they were Mu Yunjiao's people. After causing the initial commotion, they quietly left the scene and returned to a safe place.
After all, everyone's attention was focused on the houseboat and no one would notice them.
Lou Wanqiao was just about to drive the carriage when he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves.
"The Emperor has arrived—"
A high-pitched, shrill voice cut through the long night. Her heart skipped a beat and she turned to look at Li Jin.
It came too quickly.
Or maybe the news leaked out, or rather, Li Lianhan, as the emperor, already had great power, not to mention in the capital.
Even now, she remained calm. She pushed another pill into Li Jin's mouth, forcing him to swallow it. She even rubbed his back considerately, smiling innocently under his glare. "Your Highness, we are now in the same boat. I still have to rely on you... You keep me safe, and I'll keep you healthy."
Without waiting for Li Jin to speak, she lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage.
What was to come had to come. This situation was not something I hadn't anticipated. It would eventually come to pass, and I would have to be rude to myself later.
The emperor's carriage stopped in front of the carriage. She bowed and knelt on the ground, her face expression impeccable: "Greetings, Your Majesty."
A man walked down from the carriage, wearing a yellow robe, with black hair and black eyes.
Lou Wanqiao lowered his head, unable to see his face or expression, and could only listen quietly to the voice.
He slowly raised his foot and finally stood in front of her.
A pair of black boots embroidered with dragon patterns in gilded thread appeared in Lou Wanqiao's sight. The man's voice was filled with chill and inexplicable pressure: "Lou Wanqiao, I had no idea you had such great abilities."
She didn't look up. "Your Majesty, I am deeply ashamed to accept your compliments."
"You don't deserve it? I think you are very brave. Hold your head up."
Lou Wanqiao straightened his back and looked up.
His features were tough and stern, with a pair of narrow, almond-shaped eyes and a small mole just below the corner. His lips were thin, and at this moment, the corners of his lips were slightly depressed, giving him an air of authority without even being angry.
Standing in front of him was the current emperor, Li Lianhan.
He looked past her, at the carriage behind him. The servants had already helped Li Jin out from inside. He was tall, but now he looked shaky.
Li Lianhan glanced at him, then his gaze fell back on Lou Wanqiao. He gritted his teeth and said, "You are so brave."
Lou Wanqiao's face was submissive, but his voice was forceful: "Your Majesty, I have lived up to your trust these past few days and have thoroughly investigated the case."
Li Lianhan lowered his eyes, unable to discern whether he was happy or angry, and said in a flat voice: "Oh?"
She continued, "A few days ago, the spies and Lord Sun's son staged a plot to frame me, sowing discord between me and His Majesty Prince Yun, and even attempting to alienate me from Your Majesty. However, I have lived up to your trust and have assisted His Majesty Prince Duan in uncovering the truth over the past few days."
"Prince Duan? You're quite close to him." Li Lianhan sneered and asked her to stand up. "Lou Wanqiao, do you think I'll believe your nonsense? Who do you think I'll believe, you or Prince Yun?"
He seemed to have lost his patience and waved his hand: "Come here, take him away."
Lou Wanqiao was stunned.
I thought the emperor would be unreasonable, but I didn't expect him to be so unreasonable that he didn't even bother to put on a show.
Well, everyone around here is his, and he's already showing a high tolerance for letting her talk for so long.
Lou Wanqiao looked at Li Jin.
He moved his lips, his voice a little weak: "Royal brother, Lou Shaoqing...what you said makes sense."
Li Lianhan closed his eyes: "Take him away!"
Seeing that he was about to be surrounded, Lou Wanqiao slowly pressed the palm of his hand hanging by his side onto the hilt of the knife, clenching his knuckles.
Just at this moment.
A secret guard descended from a great height. He stood beside Li Lianhan and whispered a few words.
"Your Majesty... Marquis Pingyuan... returned to the capital... and reported... just now..."
Lou Wanqiao also wanted to eavesdrop, but he couldn't hear clearly and only caught a few non-critical keywords.
Marquis Pingyuan?
Has he returned to Beijing?
After the secret guard finished speaking, Li Lianhan's gaze fell on her.
Lou Wanqiao pretended to lower his head in obedience, but in fact, his hand behind his back had already quietly pulled out a part of the knife.
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