Chapter 043
Chapter 43: Consort Jing
Aurora Pavilion.
With nothing to occupy him during the day, Li Mu Sheng leaned casually against the pavilion’s railing, admiring the scenery in the courtyard below. At the same time, he tried to devise a martial technique similar to the famed Life Death Talisman.
Creating his own martial arts wasn’t particularly difficult for him, but forming something entirely new from nothing required deep concentration and careful thought.
Beside him stood Li Yuan Ling, who had been quietly observing him for a while before finally speaking.
“You should be cautious. This Aurora Pavilion seems as tightly guarded as an iron fortress, but there are countless spies hiding in the shadows.”
Li Mu Sheng glanced back at her and suddenly asked, “What do you think would happen if I reported you to the Commanding Commissioner of the Heavenly Brocade Guard? Would they immediately throw you out?”
Hearing this, Li Yuan Ling’s expression darkened, and she furrowed her delicate brows slightly.
“Don’t tease me like that. I’m truly here to protect you. You don’t know how much foster mother missed you before she died. Her spirit would never wish to see you harmed.”
As soon as she spoke, Li Yuan Ling realized she had said too much and quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
Li Mu Sheng’s eyes sharpened with interest, and he questioned, “What exactly do you mean by that? If I recall correctly, before the scandal about the real and fake princes broke out, didn’t your ladyship, Consort Jing, have the Seventh Prince from the prison accompanying her by her side?”
Li Yuan Ling blinked, frantically waving her hands. “You misunderstood me. What I meant was… was…”
Seeing her unable to find any convincing explanation, Li Mu Sheng shook his head slightly.
“If you don’t wish to say, then don’t. I won’t force you.”
Turning away, he gazed absently toward the distant pond of red lotus blossoms, returning to pondering the mysteries of the Life Death Talisman.
Noticing this, Li Yuan Ling breathed a gentle sigh of relief. Yet, seeing Li Mu Sheng seemingly unconcerned about what she had said, sadness filled her eyes.
After a long moment, she spoke again softly:
“Actually, foster mother had long known Li Zhi was not her true son. She never told anyone except me.”
She gazed gently at Li Mu Sheng and continued:
“On the day foster mother passed away, she lay silently in bed the whole time. I knew she wanted to see you one last time before she died, but… until the very end, her wish remained unfulfilled.”
At this, Li Mu Sheng turned back to her, seeing her red-rimmed eyes. He remained silent for a moment before gently sighing.
“So, are you saying you’re the one who revealed the truth about the fake prince?”
Li Yuan Ling shook her head quickly.
“Foster mother wouldn’t allow me. She only wanted you to live safely as an ordinary human. That’s why she never sought you out. I didn’t quite understand her reasons, but I never disobeyed her wishes, so it wasn’t me.”
Li Mu Sheng furrowed his brows slightly.
“Then who was responsible?”
“I don’t know. That case from twenty years ago is still unresolved. But I suspect it was done by Li Zhi’s enemies.”
Li Yuan Ling gave her opinion, though her knowledge was limited since she had not participated directly.
Li Mu Sheng fell silent, only briefly considering her words before choosing not to pursue the topic further.
At that moment, Li Yuan Ling’s voice grew firm and earnest:
“Don’t dwell on the past. Now that you’ve returned to the Imperial Capital, I’ll fulfill foster mother’s wish. I’ll ensure you stay safe.”
Her expression became serious as she continued.
“Foster mother lived quietly and rarely appeared in public, but some in the palace have seen her. After your arrival at Aurora Pavilion, someone else may recognize your true identity as I did.”
“You should know, everyone at Aurora Pavilion either dreams of becoming the Seventh Prince or believes they already are. Powerful forces are backing each of them, and there’s no guarantee someone won’t act recklessly against you.”
Pausing, Li Yuan Ling saw Li Mu Sheng staring distractedly at the pond again, and in frustration, she wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
In a low but angry voice, she demanded, “Are you even listening to me?”
Li Mu Sheng glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.
“Of course I’m listening. But don’t worry about me. You’d better return home and play the princess as you should.”
Just then, two figures suddenly descended from above, instantly landing behind Li Yuan Ling.
One wore a Dragon Carp Robe, tall and powerfully built, with graying temples yet a resolute expression, emanating a fierce martial aura.
The other was clean-shaven, dressed impeccably in the scarlet uniform of a palace eunuch. His black hair was smooth and fell neatly over his shoulders. He raised one hand delicately, his fingers naturally shaped in an elegant orchid gesture.
“Princess, this is not a place where you should linger. Please allow this servant to escort you back.”
Chief Eunuch Sun Chang Yu, the Directorate of Palace Halls, bowed respectfully. Beside him, Commanding Commissioner Song Shan Yue did likewise.
Li Yuan Ling stared angrily and incredulously at Li Mu Sheng.
“You truly reported me?”
Li Mu Sheng turned back and smiled faintly.
“Did you think I was joking?”
He had indeed informed Little Anzi early in the morning that Li Yuan Ling was disguised as a man, though perhaps the Heavenly Brocade Guard needed time to report it to higher authorities, hence the delay.
“You… you…!” Li Yuan Ling, clearly flustered, turned to shout fiercely at Sun Chang Yu and Song Shan Yue. “Both of you, get out! I’m staying right here!”
Chief Eunuch Sun Chang Yu shook his head gently.
“If you insist, Princess, forgive this servant’s rudeness.”
“You dare lay a hand on me?”
Li Yuan Ling’s face darkened even more. Yet, suddenly she swayed, feeling dizzy. Her vision blurred as she slowly began collapsing toward the ground.
Chief Eunuch Sun Chang Yu immediately caught her and called over his shoulder.
“Guards, escort Princess Hua Rong safely back home.”
Immediately, several junior eunuchs rushed up the stairs with a sedan chair. They carefully took Li Yuan Ling from Sun Chang Yu and quickly carried her away.
Now, only Sun Chang Yu, Song Shan Yue, and Li Mu Sheng remained in the corridor.
After a moment, Li Mu Sheng glanced at them.
“Is there something else you need?”
Sun Chang Yu and Song Shan Yue exchanged puzzled glances, their eyes revealing surprise.
They had used a medicine called Whispered Scent Draught, a gentle sleeping powder causing instantaneous drowsiness without harm. Even Martial Grandmasters struggled to resist its effects. Only those at the Great Grandmaster level, possessing deep inner Qi, could withstand it.
Yet, Li Mu Sheng had clearly inhaled the Whispered Scent Draught, and throughout it all, remained completely unaffected.