Chapter 081
Chapter 81: Underground Floating Ships
Li Que furrowed his brows. The death of Imperial Concubine Ji would surely shake the court and the empire. If news leaked, the royal family’s reputation would suffer severely.
Considering this, he quickly turned and respectfully clasped his fists toward Elder Formless and Old Zhe, saying, “This matter involves my third younger brother’s mother and the Great Li Imperial Palace. I sincerely hope that the two seniors will keep it confidential.”
Elder Formless waved a hand dismissively, an exaggerated grin spreading across his aged face. “Don’t worry. This old man has never had a habit of loose talk.”
Old Zhe nodded slowly but warned, “Whether the killer comes from within the Imperial Palace or infiltrated from outside, anyone who could assassinate an imperial concubine within palace walls must be extraordinary. If the Great Li Imperial Palace manages to uncover the culprit, it would be best. But if they cannot, my advice, Your Highness, is to stay out of trouble wherever possible.”
Hearing this, Li Que pondered briefly, then gently inclined his head.
…
On Shang Yang City’s broad, paved avenues, a luxurious carriage rolled forward, drawn by four magnificent white horses. The carriage was crafted from the finest fragrant cedar, its corners decorated with delicately gleaming white jade wind chimes, ringing melodiously with each gentle sway.
Soon, the carriage stopped before a vast, imposing complex of pavilion-like buildings.
Li Yuan Ling parted the carriage curtains, peeking out briefly, then turned and beckoned Li Mu Sheng to follow. Holding up her green silk skirt with both hands, she nimbly hopped down without needing a servant’s aid, completely unlike other pampered noble young masters and misses.
Seeing this, Li Mu Sheng swiftly followed. He glanced around before raising his eyes to the lavish, palace-like octagonal tower ahead. His gaze narrowed slightly at the sight of a gilded signboard that proudly bore the words “Imperial Music Bureau.”
At the same time, delightful melodies, laughter, and soft, seductive sounds drifted out, accompanied by a subtle fragrance of rouge.
Li Mu Sheng turned to Li Yuan Ling, rubbing his chin with a curious expression. “As expected of my sworn younger sister. You’ve brought me to quite an elegant place.”
Li Yuan Ling flashed a smile, dimples appearing sweetly on her cheeks. Immediately after, she pulled him toward a narrow alley beside the Imperial Music Bureau. “Don’t worry; the truly interesting place is still ahead. You won’t regret this visit.”
Li Mu Sheng’s interest was piqued. Although he couldn’t fathom why Li Yuan Ling, a princess of Great Li, knew such places so intimately, he gladly adopted a curious yet critical attitude, eager to explore the mystery himself.
Inside the alleyway, Li Yuan Ling began searching around, murmuring softly, “Where is it?”
Shortly after, her eyes brightened, and she approached a nondescript black iron gate. This gate, dark as ink, bore the carving of a large sailing ship. It looked very old, marred with countless scratches and clearly bearing the marks of age.
Li Yuan Ling quickly stepped up to the gate, retrieved an ancient copper coin from her sleeve, and carefully searched the gate until she found a narrow slot about a thumb’s width wide. She cautiously inserted the coin.
A gentle click sounded from behind the gate, followed by a quiet mechanical whirring. Slowly, the black iron gate swung inward.
Li Mu Sheng raised an eyebrow at this unexpectedly hidden mechanism. His curiosity now fully aroused, he felt even more eager to venture inside.
Yet, noticing Li Yuan Ling’s hesitant stance at the doorway, he asked suspiciously, “Why aren’t you going in?”
“It’s my first time. I’m just a little nervous.” Li Yuan Ling stared into the shadowy darkness behind the door, her brows knitted tightly together, her earlier playful smile now vanished.
Li Mu Sheng casually waved off her worries, chuckling lightly. “Who isn’t? It’s my first time too, but life is about daring to explore.”
As he spoke, he gently pushed Li Yuan Ling forward into the entrance, silently grumbling, [This girl sure takes her time, holding things up.]
“You—you—!” Li Yuan Ling stumbled forward, unable to react in time as she was pushed through the door.
Once inside, the heavy gate slowly swung shut behind them, plunging them momentarily into darkness. Then, lanterns flickered softly to life along the corridor ahead, illuminating their path.
At the far end of the passageway, stone steps descended into the earth. From below floated the gentle, melodious voice of a young woman. “Honored guests, please descend and board the ship.”
Li Yuan Ling shot Li Mu Sheng a glare. He merely shrugged. “Sworn younger sister, let’s not keep them waiting.”
Without hesitation, he boldly walked down the stairs first.
Li Yuan Ling pouted slightly, muttering quietly, “Don’t think I don’t know you have mischievous thoughts.” Still, she hurried after him, deciding she might as well see what lay ahead since they’d come this far.
“Don’t walk so fast! Wait for me!” she called out, quickly catching up as they descended several winding flights of stairs.
Eventually, they emerged onto an expansive underground platform. The walls were illuminated brightly by flaming torches, casting the space in near daylight. At one edge of the platform was an abrupt cliff. From its edge stretched sturdy iron chains, each attached to large wooden boats, suspended mysteriously in midair. Five such boats hovered in place, swaying slightly.
Aside from Li Mu Sheng and Li Yuan Ling, about a dozen others waited on the platform. These included finely dressed noble young masters and misses, as well as rugged martial warriors carrying swords.
Seeing Li Mu Sheng and Li Yuan Ling arrive, a burly martial artist shouted gruffly, “Hurry over! With you two, we’ve just enough people to fill the last boat. It’s time to set sail.”
Li Mu Sheng glanced around cautiously, brow furrowing slightly. This wasn’t quite what he’d imagined.
Li Yuan Ling, on the other hand, looked thrilled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “This is it! I heard this place is wonderfully thrilling!”
“Is that so?” Li Mu Sheng murmured thoughtfully, eyeing the mysterious boats.
At that moment, a young woman dressed in rose-colored palace attire gracefully emerged from the shadows at the platform’s edge, softly calling out, “Release the ships. Honored guests, please board!”
As her voice faded, the iron chains began moving with a rhythmic clinking, drawing the suspended boats smoothly onto the platform.
Immediately, the waiting group divided into four smaller parties, eagerly boarding their vessels.
Li Yuan Ling grabbed Li Mu Sheng’s arm excitedly, swiftly heading toward the last remaining boat.