Unlike his previous experiences leaving Beijing, Li Xuanji felt that this time it was a mix of heaviness and ease.
The heaviness stemmed from the appearance of millet seeds within Qing Kingdom.
Beneath the seemingly peaceful and prosperous world, how many crises were lurking in the shadows?
He felt relaxed because he was going to find his students.
The young page went back to Xuanji Palace to pack his things, while he went to the Imperial Hospital.
Deng Shuang was still wrapped in bandages, but her face had regained some color, and the numbness in her eyes was gradually fading.
Upon seeing Li Xuanji arrive, Kuang Hu immediately bowed.
"Sir, it is likely that Miss Deng's legs will be permanently disabled, and it will be difficult for her to recover to normal and walk properly."
Before Li Xuanji could speak, Deng Shuang chuckled, "Imperial Physician Kuang, compared to the other sisters, I am already very lucky."
Li Xuanji nodded, "Your temperament is rare in this world."
"As long as you cooperate with the imperial physicians' treatment and exercise properly, you will get better and better."
"Live well, including your sister's share."
This was someone Murong Yue had personally rescued, and it was also meant to be of great use, so Li Xuanji couldn't help but pay more attention to him.
Ever since he discovered that the little girl had suicidal intentions, he would occasionally come to check on her.
We can't let anyone die.
Otherwise, the students won't be happy when they come back.
"Yes, Your Excellency, I will definitely get better."
Deng Shuang was very grateful.
Originally, she thought that after fulfilling her sister's wish and seeking justice for those sisters who died unjustly, she would end her own life.
But she was saved by the Empress, brought back by the imperial physician, and then met the ethereal Imperial Advisor.
She greedily wanted to live a few more days.
After Murong Li Xuanji left, Kuang Hu went forward to check her wounds.
"Miss Deng, don't worry, I will definitely cure you."
Deng Shuang smiled at him, "Thank you, Physician Kuang."
...
Two squads of imperial guards led the way, with Li Xuanji and his page in plain clothes riding behind them.
Li Xuanji's half-gray hair was too conspicuous, so he deliberately wore a veil to cover it up and followed him at a distance, so no one noticed.
In the small county of Zhou, undercurrents were swirling within a few days.
Keen observers will notice that there are more unfamiliar faces on the streets, and the beggars with fixed stalls seem to have mysteriously disappeared.
After confirming that the county magistrate was not acting improperly, Qi Yuan directly borrowed the county jail.
The beggars were locked up in one place.
Qi Yuan grabbed a handful of silver and threw it on the table.
“There are forty of you, and here is twenty taels of silver. I will only ask ten questions.”
"The first person to answer will get two ounces."
The beggars were terrified when they were first arrested.
Who knew that being a beggar was illegal?
But now I understand that the person in front of me is even more powerful than the county magistrate, and there is something I need to investigate.
They knelt on the ground and immediately began to pledge their loyalty.
"Don't worry, sir. Ask away, and I'll tell you everything I know."
"Yes, yes, we will never hide it."
"Sir, you only need to ask me one question. I'm the all-knowing scholar of Zhou County..."
Qi Yuan smiled wickedly, "Of course, if the information you provide turns out to be false, then you can slice it into pieces and make soup."
A chill crept up the backs of the beggars.
"First question, where in Zhou County have people from the Yun Kingdom ever appeared?"
“I know, I know, a merchant from the Yun Kingdom has been staying at the Huanglong Inn for many years.”
“I also know that the woman selling glutinous rice balls in the south of the city is from Yun Kingdom.”
"The courtyard in the western suburbs is said to belong to the Yun Kingdom people, but it's now abandoned, haunted, and nobody wants to buy it."
There was too much news and not enough silver, so Qi Yuan added another hundred taels.
No wonder the Grand Preceptor said that we should not underestimate these inconspicuous beggars in any city.
As expected, they were well-informed.
Not only did they know where Yun people had appeared in the county town, but they also knew which powerful family was all show and no substance, which family had fallen from wealth to ruin, and which master of the house had a mistress with a lover.
Qi Yuan ate melons all day, and when he returned to his residence, Li Xuanji had already arrived.
"Your Excellency, Imperial Preceptor."
"You've worked hard, Lord Qi."
With her teacher's arrival, Murong Yue felt more at ease.
"Teacher, how are my rabbit and hedgehog?"
"She's very lively, and she's gained weight."
"Hmm, where are the ministers and the prime minister?"
"It's alright, she's lost some weight," Li Xuanji said, feeling very gratified by Murong Yue's initiative in showing concern for the ministers.
He asked a few questions about Murong Yue's studies.
Murong Yue stuck out her tongue, "It's inconvenient to learn from the outside world, so it's very slow."
“It’s alright, Your Majesty is so smart, you learn everything quickly,” Li Xuanji said with a touch of pride.
Ah-hao muttered to himself from the side.
Yes, yes, Your Majesty really learns everything quickly. After spending a few days browsing the market and watching case investigations, your level of cursing has reached its peak.
Grand Preceptor, you probably don't know this yet.
Waaaaah.
Li Chi wasn't quite sure what had happened, only that the legendary Imperial Advisor had arrived.
He followed the imperial chef around all day, eagerly learning how to cook.
Li Xuanji's arrival made Qi Yuan feel much more at ease.
Soon, the matter in Zhou County was investigated thoroughly.
"There are two Du Family Taverns in Zhou County and eighteen in the entire Luozhou. Every county with a certain size has a Du Family Tavern."
"The Du family's main family is in Luocheng, and they are from the Qing Kingdom. However, the head of the Du family, Du Ziming, has a close friend named Pan Cong, who is from the Yun Kingdom."
"The secret location of Du Family Tavern has also been found; it's behind the Red Willow Alley."
"Those who are addicted have also been identified; a total of thirty-five people are under control."
Qi Yuan's information was accurate and comprehensive.
The question now is whether to close the net or not.
Li Xuanji turned to Murong Yue, "What does Xiaoyue think?"
Outside, anything can be exposed, but Murong Yue's identity cannot be revealed, and the title 'Your Majesty' must never be uttered.
Li Xuanji originally wanted to call him "master" as well.
Murong Yue was displeased, staring with her innocent big eyes, "You are the teacher, and I am the student."
Thus, the young lady from the noble family gained a handsome tutor to accompany her in the group.
Murong Yue stuffed the osmanthus cake into her mouth, "The one who captures the thief is the one who captures the king; these people are all Karami."
Karami...
Ah-hao explained, "Little shrimp."
That makes things easier. We'll put all these people under surveillance. They're going to Luocheng to take down the Du family and that Pan Cong.
Furthermore, the case of the missing woman and the case of the Du family tavern—these two matters combined require an explanation from Gao Wenjie, the prefect of Luozhou.
Before doing this, we must not alert the enemy, especially we must not let Pan Cong escape.
Murong Yue and her entourage were still at the rear, while the Imperial Guards had already broken up into a single unit and entered Luo City.
After personally destroying the hideout, Lieutenant General Cao Gu, who was stationed in Luoyang, came to Luoyang on the way.
Cao Gu's reasons were quite valid: Qing Kingdom was suffering from a severe drought, and he needed to lead his troops to inspect the area. As the central hub of Luozhou, Luo City was naturally the place to be inspected.
"Haha, Brother Gao, please don't mind. I have to make this trip, otherwise I won't be able to explain to His Majesty."
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