Chapter 108

Chapter 108: The Prince Consort’s Demise

At the Li Family Manor in Baihe County.

The Li Family Manor sprawls over fifteen hectares, its scale comparable to that of dukes and generals in the Wu Dynasty.

Within the Li estate, artificial hills and waterscapes create an intricate garden that looks incredibly refined. The Li family even mimicked the Xu Mansion from Wudu, constructing a Ten Thousand Carp Pool.

In the Li household, there are over a hundred maidservants and servants, not counting the number of guards.

It’s hard to imagine that this is the scale of a powerful clan in a remote small town.

If this were in a more strictly monitored city, such extravagant construction would have attracted official investigation.

However, this is Baihe County, where the Li family considers itself one of the four local overlords.

In the backyard of the Li estate, a man sits cross-legged on a stone. Black spiritual energy swirls around him; with every breath he takes, his skin flickers between light and dark, looking devilishly sinister.

“Hui, do we really not need to leave? That Yu Ping’an has already passed the imperial exams as third-place scholar.” The patriarch of the Li family, Cha De, anxiously said.

Li Cha De had been worried for over three months.

Ever since the Golden List from Wudu reached Baihe County, Li Cha De learned about a certain lame third-place scholar.

When he found out about this lame scholar, something felt off, and he had a bad feeling.

He sent people to investigate, only to discover that this lame scholar was none other than the scholar whose legs his son had once broken.

Since then, he hasn’t slept well.

His son had broken the current third-place scholar’s legs!

How could Yu Ping’an let it go? Just by saying a few words to the emperor, his entire family would be crushed like ants.

So Li Cha De had long planned to flee abroad.

After all, having amassed quite a fortune over the years, moving to the Wei Kingdom, which has the worst relationship with Wu, what could the court possibly do?

But his son remained extremely calm, refusing to leave no matter how much Li Cha De tried to persuade him.

“Father, don’t panic. That lame scholar now goes by the name Yu Ping’an, right? He definitely won’t cause us trouble,” Hui smiled.

“How can you be so sure?” Li Cha De had heard his son say this countless times, but he never gave any reason.

“The reason cannot be told to you, father.” Li Cha De shook his head. “But think carefully, if Yu Ping’an wanted to cause us trouble, the court would have sent someone by now, wouldn’t they?”

Li Cha De: “….”

“You shouldn’t worry about Yu Ping’an. Instead, worry about whether the county will send someone to investigate the missing boys and girls in Baihe County,” Li Cha De slowly said.

“Are you still bringing that up? What do you need so many boys and girls for?” Li Cha De asked irritably.

“That’s not something you should ask, father.” Hui shook his head. “We’re still short ten pairs of boys and girls. Father, please prepare quickly. Don’t you want to cultivate? After this is done, that respected elder will help you fulfill your wish.”

Upon hearing that he could also cultivate, Li Cha De’s breathing became heavier. “Alright! I trust you, my son.”

Li Cha De left the courtyard, and Hui continued meditating.

After an incense stick’s time passed, a fragrant breeze swept through the courtyard, and Hui suddenly opened his eyes, his expression filled with fear.

“Servant pays respects to the honored master.”

Hui knelt down before a tree in the courtyard, bowing deeply, showing extreme respect.

“Ding ling ling”

A gust of ink-black wind passed by, and a melodious ringing sound came from the tree in front of Hui.

On that tree sat a young maiden.

Her eyes were like water, yet carried a faint coldness, as if she could see through everything. Her slightly curved lips seemed to disregard everyone in the world, treating them all as mere playthings.

The girl yawned, delicately covering her mouth with her fingers, her slender digits fair and smooth, white with a hint of pink, seemingly able to drip water.

Her cherry lips curved into a smile, every move graceful like a dance. Her black hair danced with the wind, exuding fragrance, reaching down to her ankles. On her delicate ankle hung a silver bell.

The silver bell, the snowy ankle, and the rosy-white foot formed a perfect artistic masterpiece.

Following her white, tender feet upward were evenly proportioned, long legs. Above the legs was a black skirt that barely reached her knees, a rather scandalous outfit by worldly standards.

Her bust was average, but due to her slim waist, it appeared curvaceous and round while sitting on the tree branch.

On her forehead was a jade butterfly carved from a night pearl, emitting a faint glow. Her eyebrows were lightly brushed, her face without makeup yet still revealing extraordinary beauty. Around her neck was a crystal necklace, further accentuating her elegant collarbone. On her wrist, a white jade bracelet highlighted her snow-like skin.

Her eyes shimmered, resembling a pale butterfly lost in darkness, her expression indifferent, like an immortal maiden detached from worldly affairs, ethereal and brilliant like fleeting fireworks.

“How is the matter progressing?” The girl who looked like a demoness played with her ear tresses, smiling at Hui.

“Reporting to Holy Maiden, we are short ten pairs of boys and girls. Within ten days, servant will surely deliver them to the Black Lotus Sect branch,” Hui’s voice trembled.

The girl glanced at him indifferently, tossing a pill to him.

Hui caught the pill, overjoyed, bowing repeatedly as if afraid the girl might change her mind, quickly swallowing the pill: “Thank you, Holy Maiden!”

“You needn’t thank me.” The girl’s eyes revealed undisguised disdain. “This is the result of the deal you and the Baihe County branch leader made. I’m merely delivering what you deserve. Whatever you do doesn’t concern me. Prepare the remaining ten pairs of boys and girls as soon as possible.”

The girl yawned again, looking bored. “However, I am here today for another matter.”

“What does Holy Maiden require?”

Hui raised his head.

Despite her short skirt, Hui couldn’t see anything beneath it.

“Have you heard that three individuals have arrived in Baihe County?” The girl lounged lazily on the tree branch, like a black cat.

“Yes.” Hui hurriedly replied. “They are the new county magistrate, an old chancellor, and the Wu Dynasty’s top scholar, who almost became the prince consort.”

The girl: “I require two things.”

Hui spoke sincerely: “Whatever the honored master desires, servant will spare no effort!”

“Is that so?”

The girl coldly smirked, eyeing Hui with amusement.

“I require the heart of that old chancellor.


And the life of the prince consort.”