Chapter 044
Chapter 44: Li Zhi
“I see. You both must be wondering why I haven’t fainted yet.”
Li Mu Sheng seemed to have guessed what was on their minds and casually waved his hand.
“No need to wait. That little trick won’t work on me. Even if you wait until tomorrow, you won’t get the result you’re hoping for.”
After speaking, he turned away, ignoring them completely.
Chief Eunuch Sun Chang Yu and Commanding Commissioner Song Shan Yue exchanged puzzled glances. Just then, Li Mu Sheng suddenly seemed to remember something.
He stepped away from the railing, walked up to Eunuch Sun Chang Yu, paused, raised an eyebrow, and asked:
“Have you met Lady Jing before?”
At these words, Eunuch Sun Chang Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully studying Li Mu Sheng’s face. After a moment of silence, he finally nodded.
“Your humble servant has indeed seen Lady Jing before. Her Ladyship is a kind and gracious master, always treating palace servants well.”
Upon hearing this, Li Mu Sheng clapped his hands gently.
“That makes things much easier, then.”
He pointed to his own face and asked:
“So, you must realize I could very well be the real Seventh Prince?”
Hearing this, Song Shan Yue glanced at Li Mu Sheng in surprise, then turned with confusion toward Sun Chang Yu.
Although Song Shan Yue held a high rank within the Heavenly Brocade Guard and had met Emperor Yuan Wu many times, he never had access to the Imperial Queen’s palace. Thus, he had never met Lady Jing and didn’t fully grasp what Li Mu Sheng was implying.
Meanwhile, Sun Chang Yu, the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Palace Halls, appeared deeply troubled. After hesitating for a while, he finally spoke:
“Young Master indeed bears a resemblance to Lady Jing, but…”
Li Mu Sheng immediately raised his hand to stop him.
“No more buts. Let’s not waste days waiting. We might as well resolve this now. Find someone with authority.”
“If my identity as the Seventh Prince is confirmed, then all is well. If not… well, let’s just consider this trip a waste.”
Eunuch Sun Chang Yu froze, clearly surprised by Li Mu Sheng’s straightforwardness. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
Li Mu Sheng didn’t rush him, patiently waiting as he studied the eunuch. Although he wasn’t overly concerned about whether he was truly the Seventh Prince, resolving his identity quickly would undoubtedly help in his search for the Heavenly Revelation Secret Treasury’s key and opportunities to transcend the martial dao.
After hesitating a bit more, Eunuch Sun Chang Yu finally answered:
“Your humble servant can’t make this decision myself, but I can report your words. Whether it can proceed depends entirely on Her Majesty’s wishes.”
Emperor Yuan Wu had already secluded himself in cultivation for over a month, and Li Mu Sheng was aware that Aurora Pavilion’s matters were being handled entirely by the current queen. He wasn’t surprised by the eunuch’s answer.
“Then go and ask her. I’ll wait here.”
Li Mu Sheng nodded slightly, then turned back to lean against the railing again, appreciating the scenery while contemplating the martial technique he called the “Life Death Talisman.”
Sun Chang Yu responded with a nod, gave Song Shan Yue a meaningful glance, then hurriedly left.
Song Shan Yue’s eyes flickered thoughtfully as he cast another glance at Li Mu Sheng. Without saying anything further, he quickly followed after Sun Chang Yu.
…
At the same time, deep within Great Li Prison.
The thick stone walls, reinforced with molten iron, were sturdy as an impenetrable fortress, guarded fiercely both inside and out.
A middle-aged man moved through dark, damp corridors filled with a moldy, musty smell. Weak torchlight flickered faintly along the narrow hallway, casting long, distorted shadows behind him.
As he passed, heavy iron gates opened one after another. The ragged prisoners huddled in the cells stirred from their stupor, turning hollow gazes toward the newcomer with dull curiosity.
The middle-aged man didn’t slow his pace until he reached the deepest cell.
This cell differed starkly from the rest. Instead of filthy and damp, it was tidy and dry. A straw mat covered the floor, and a small wooden table sat nearby with a dimly flickering oil lamp. Before it sat a young man cross-legged, dressed in prisoner’s clothes.
The young man’s face was handsome and delicate, his skin pale yet radiant. Despite months of imprisonment, his loose hair remained clean, and he appeared full of life. When his eyes opened, a hidden sharpness flashed briefly in their depths.
“Your Highness, that man has appeared.”
The middle-aged man bowed respectfully, handing a rolled-up piece of paper through the gap in the iron bars.
Li Zhi flicked his fingers lightly, sending a gust of Qi to gently unroll the paper. It revealed a portrait of a young man, who was none other than Li Mu Sheng himself.
“He truly resembles Lady Jing,” Li Zhi murmured softly.
With another flick of his fingers, he drew the flame from the lamp onto the paper, quickly reducing it to ash.
“Where is he now?” Li Zhi asked, glancing toward the middle-aged man outside the cell.
“He is currently in Aurora Pavilion.”
The middle-aged man replied, then cautiously raised his head, asking quietly:
“Your Highness, shall we remove him?”
Li Zhi slowly shook his head.
“No need. Many eyes are watching Aurora Pavilion. News of his being the true prince will spread soon enough. From there, whether he lives or dies is his own concern, not ours.”
Li Zhi dismissed the matter, changing the topic immediately.
“How is the situation at the Ministry of Revenue?”
“The Minister is holding on for now. But everyone is uneasy; we can’t guarantee there aren’t wavering hearts among them. Vice Minister Zeng Wen He, for example, is already inclined toward the Second Prince.”
The middle-aged man’s brow furrowed, a faint killing intent emerging in his eyes as he continued:
“It’s crucial Your Highness regains control of the Ministry soon. Everyone is eager for your early release.”
Li Zhi waved a hand calmly.
“When I leave here depends on Father’s wishes. It’s only a matter of time, so no rush.”
With that, he took a prepared letter from his chest, lightly flicked his wrist, and the letter floated toward the middle-aged man.
The man swiftly reached out, his hand forming a shadowy blur as he caught the paper.
Li Zhi seated himself again, speaking gently:
“Deliver this letter to the person in charge at the address written. Don’t act beyond that. Just keep everyone else disciplined, and wait patiently for my release.”
The man respectfully bowed again, carefully tucked away the letter, and quietly retreated, seeing Li Zhi had nothing else to command.
Shortly after the man left, a shadow emerged silently from beneath the dim torchlight.
“Your Highness, the Division Lord sends his regards through me,” whispered the shadow, its form hidden completely in darkness.