NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 133
Cao Fugui had been informed about the Fourth Prince's matter by Li Hui before he left. Following Li Hui's leads, Cao Fugui uncovered a considerable amount of information. After discussing it with the Crown Prince, he reported the matter to the Third Prince, who had been born prematurely due to the Fourth Prince's birth. The Third Prince's maternal family was a renowned wealthy merchant clan from Jiangnan, never short of money and exceptionally skilled at making it.
Although the Third Prince harbored some resentment towards the Crown Prince for being designated as heir apparent at birth, occasionally causing minor disturbances, he wouldn't disregard the bigger picture. As a result, the Third Prince had developed a somewhat friendly relationship with Cao Fugui.
Upon receiving the information, the Third Prince sent people to investigate, uncovering numerous illicit activities of the Fourth Prince. Many of these had affected his own business interests. This piqued the Third Prince's curiosity about Fourth Miss Lu, wondering how she had come up with these money-making ideas.
Now that Fourth Miss Lu had gone missing, the Third Prince dispatched people to search for her. If Fourth Miss Lu knew that two princes were investigating a mere concubine's daughter, she would surely be delighted: this was the treatment befitting a transmigrated female protagonist!
At night, Zhou Heng arrived at Qingyue Street and first checked Li Xia's pulse. After taking medicine for over half a month, Li Xia was no longer in pain. By reducing the use of her powers, she could live to 50 without issue.
"Is there still hope for Lu XuanNing?" Li Xia withdrew her hand and asked an unrelated question.
The person Xiao Changyou had previously asked Zhou Heng to save was Lu XuanNing. The fact that Lu XuanNing, who should have died long ago according to Li Yao, was still alive aroused Li Xia's curiosity. Would he remain bedridden like this in the future, or would something change?
"With my skills, I could revive even the dead," Zhou Heng said confidently.
"You certainly have confidence," Li Xia remarked.
Zhou Heng was indeed very confident in his medical skills.
"I've taken care of the matters concerning the 'Righteous Hero' and the 'Gambling Saint.' Be more cautious in the future and don't stir up such messy situations again," Zhou Heng said. Cao Fugui's intuition wasn't wrong; the two people in the imperial prison were indeed not the real Righteous Hero and Gambling Saint. They were people Zhou Heng had arranged to go in.
Li Xia didn't answer, just glancing at Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng received the warning and stopped persuading her. Instead, he asked, "How did you get Luo Shan to obey you?"
"He didn't tell you?" Li Xia asked in return.
"No," Zhou Heng recalled Luo Shan's strange expression, feeling an unusual curiosity.
"It's nothing special. I just performed the fish-scale torture on him. It's just a pity I only managed 108 cuts," Li Xia said with a regretful expression. Zhou Heng's mouth twitched involuntarily, inwardly regretting why he had asked the little demoness about this.
After Zhou Heng left, Li Xia lay down to rest. Resolving the matters of the Righteous Hero and the Gambling Saint had eased one of her worries.
Qiu Kui hurried into the room. "Miss, Cuihong told me something," she said.
Qiu Kui then whispered in Li Xia's ear. Li Xia's expression remained unchanged, but the aura around her became sharp.
"Miss, it's possible that Cuihong is intentionally deceiving me," Qiu Kui said uncertainly.
"Have Qiu Ling verify if it's true," Li Xia said, suppressing her anger. She had just promised Li Hui that she would protect the Li family, and now Li Shan was causing trouble.
Qiu Ling quickly confirmed that what Cuihong said was true. Despite her earlier composure, Li Xia couldn't help but say, "Is this Li Shan brainless?" She had been so easily deceived by a few words from others.
"Miss, what should we do next?" Now that the situation had come to light, how should they proceed?
"Continue to keep an eye on Li Shan. Report to me immediately if anything happens," Li Xia instructed. Qiu Ling continued her surveillance.
Li Xia got up, took two newly carved jade pieces, and went to the Wild Goose Pavilion.
Mrs. Lu was taking inventory of Li Xin's dowry with Chunlu Granny. Although her son's marriage had fallen through, her daughter's engagement was still intact. The future son-in-law visited frequently, and Mrs. Lu was increasingly pleased with him as a prospective son-in-law.
Previously, they had sacrificed their entire fortune to save Li Ming. After making some money, they bought a house, but the Li family's current wealth was limited. Mrs. Lu was considering what kind of quick-profit business they could start to prepare decent dowries for her son and daughter.
Chun Lv entered, saying, "Madam, the Second Miss is here."
"Let her in," Mrs. Lu said, wondering why Li Xia, with her lazy nature who would avoid moving if possible, would come at this time.
"Mother, I carved two peace jade talismans in my spare time. Could you take a look and see how they turned out?" Li Xia said in a relaxed tone as she handed the two jade pieces to Mrs. Lu for appraisal.
Mrs. Lu accepted them. "The meaning of auspiciousness and peace is good."
"I'm glad you like them. I carved these two specifically for you and Father," Li Xia said.
"Good child, it's rare to see such filial piety from you. I remember there are two good pieces of jade material in the storehouse," Mrs. Lu said, then instructed Chunlu Granny, "Nanny, go find them for the second girl."
Li Xia wore an expression of having scored a victory. Chunlu Granny went out to instruct someone to find the materials. With only the two of them in the room, Li Xia stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Li Shan has become involved with the second son of the Wen'an Marquis."
Li Shan wasn't even of marriageable age yet; how could she dare? Mrs. Lu couldn't believe what she was hearing. But she also knew Li Xia wouldn't lie to her; for her to come and say this, she must be at least eighty percent certain.
Mrs. Lu clenched her fists. If this matter got out, how would her Hui and Xin be able to make good marriages? How would the Li family maintain their standing in the capital? She immediately wanted to send someone to summon Li Shan. Li Xia reached out to stop Mrs. Lu.
"Father and Big Brother are both away now. This matter shouldn't be made public," Li Xia said. Her words made Mrs. Lu take several deep breaths. If this wasn't handled properly, the Li family's reputation would be ruined. Mrs. Lu's joy over Li Xin's engagement was now matched by her anger over Li Shan's affair.
Seeing the concern on Li Xia's face, Mrs. Lu patted her hand. "I've weathered greater storms than this."
Chunlu Granny returned with the jade materials. Mrs. Lu took them and placed them in Li Xia's hands. "These are good materials, aren't they?"
Li Xia accepted them and nodded. "I knew Mother would have good things. The patterns on this piece are especially beautiful. I'll think carefully about what to carve it into so as not to waste such good material."
"Yes, go on then," Mrs. Lu nodded, watching Li Xia leave.
After Li Xia left, Mrs. Lu angrily began slapping her own hand.
"Madam, what's wrong?" Chunlu Granny came forward to grab Mrs. Lu's hand, stopping her from hitting herself.
"The second girl just came to tell me that that lowborn Li Shan has taken up with someone," Mrs. Lu said through gritted teeth.
"Could the Second Miss have seen wrong?" Chunlu Granny was somewhat doubtful, as Li Shan was still young. "If it were just a suspicion, she wouldn't have come to tell me," Mrs. Lu was quite certain about this.
"What should we do now?" Chunlu Granny worried that if this matter got out, the Li family's reputation would be ruined.
"Wet nurse, you do this," Mrs. Lu whispered in Chun Lv's ear. Chunlu Granny nodded after hearing and went to carry out the task. The inner quarters of Li Manor were Mrs. Lu's domain, so getting things done was quite swift.
In the dead of night, Li Xia sat up from bed, changed into agile and convenient clothes, and left Li Manor. He headed towards Wen'an Marquis Mansion.
Qiu Ling had already investigated the person Li Shan was associating with. It was the second son of the Wen'an Marquis. The Wen'an Marquis had three sons. The eldest was established as the heir apparent, set to inherit the title in the future. The third son had been studying with his maternal grandfather since childhood, preparing for the imperial examinations, his future path also certain.
Only the second son, Zhao Decheng, had been raised by his grandmother's side since childhood and was spoiled into becoming a prodigal son. He was good for nothing, but with the doting of his grandmother and mother, even the Wen'an Marquis couldn't control him.