Chapter 518: The Rebellion of the Liu Family
The princess entered the city in grand style, and the citizens cheered loudly as she made her way to the City Lord’s Mansion.
City Lord Zhou Cheng was ever so hospitable. Upon seeing the princess’s arrival, he greeted her with utmost courtesy. Everyone in the mansion was prepared; no other guests were entertained, all for the sake of welcoming the princess.
“Zhou respectfully greets Your Highness!”
As the princess entered, everyone knelt down, paying their highest respects.
“There’s no need for formalities, please rise.”
The entering “princess” was veiled, obscuring her features, but her bright, clear eyes captivated everyone, leading them to speculate wildly about the beauty hidden beneath the veil.
However, she was not the real princess but Luo Xiaoxue’s confidant. Having played this role several times, her tone and demeanor were so practiced that she resembled a true princess.
In contrast, Luo Xiaoxue herself seemed less like a princess.
“Your Highness, please take a seat inside.”
Zhou Cheng led this “princess” into the parlor, offering her fine teas, desserts, and fruit.
At that moment, the Liu family also arrived to pay their respects. Leading them was the head of the Liu family, Liu Feng, along with his daughter, Liu Shuqin.
“Lord Liu Feng and my daughter, Liu Shuqin, pay their respects to Your Highness!”
“There’s no need for formalities, please rise.”
The ‘princess’ said calmly, lightly waving her hand to signal Liu Feng and his daughter to stand.
Seeing the Liu family, City Lord Zhou Cheng felt a surge of anger, suspecting they were plotting against him. With the princess’s visit, they were likely to complain about the state of Huan Tian City, taking this opportunity to undermine him.
Zhou Cheng merely smiled and said, “Lord Liu, Miss Liu, may I ask what brings you here?”
Liu Feng replied, “Lord Zhou, seeing the princess here, I naturally came to pay my respects, and I also wish to discuss matters concerning the city with Her Highness.”
“Your Highness has just endured a long journey; she should rest and recuperate. Is it appropriate for you to bring up city affairs so abruptly?” Zhou Cheng subtly wanted to reprimand them.
“It’s alright; I’m not exhausted. The Liu family is a renowned family of generals. I too would like to discuss matters with Lord Liu. Lord Zhou, Huan Tian City is an important city in the central region of Pu Han; I would like to know its current situation.”
The princess spoke directly, evidently leaning toward the Liu family’s side. However, she was only there to listen to their views; actual decision-making rested with the true princess, Luo Xiaoxue.
Zhou Cheng had no choice but to hold a conference with the princess and the Liu family to discuss city matters.
While Zhou Cheng planned to conceal the city’s issues, the Liu family openly spoke of local bullies, heavy taxes, and labor exploitation, all presented in gentle terms. Zhou Cheng could only smile, and the princess merely acknowledged their comments, promising to make decisions later, without reprimanding him on the spot.
The princess would temporarily be accommodated in the City Lord’s Mansion, engaging with various officials to showcase her royal stature and authority while secretly sending messages to Luo Xiaoxue. She even changed outfits to meet with her and discuss matters from the meetings.
Meanwhile, Luo Xiaoxue had also disguised herself for a visit to Huan Tian City. Through her private communication with the citizens, she uncovered many flaws within Huan Tian City, even some issues the Liu family had not mentioned.
It was clear that the problem lay with the city lord—Zhou Cheng was inactive and corrupt. She needed to order a reformation to ensure a better living environment for the citizens of Huan Tian City.
…
In Huan Tian City, at Zhou Cheng’s mansion.
Zhou Cheng was in a dire situation; the Liu family was targeting him, listing out all his mismanagement, highlighting the city’s issues. He anxiously awaited the princess’s command to have him removed from his position.
“Lord Sun, now that the princess has come to investigate city affairs, she is clearly intent on reforming Huan Tian City. Lord Sun, if we don’t act fast, I may be out of a job,” Zhou Cheng panicked.
“Don’t be alarmed, I’m prepared. We can act now,” Sun Xu replied, clapping his hands. Immediately, a cold-faced girl approached.
“Who is this?” Zhou Cheng asked.
“This is the person I mentioned who will impersonate the princess. Her ability to mimic is astonishing; she’s already adopted the princess’s tone and speech patterns and can easily imitate her. Moreover, she’s veiled, which works to our advantage. Also, the Stolen Saint has completed the task, and we can proceed,” Sun Xu introduced the girl.
There was no looking back; everything was ready—the perfect opportunity had arrived.
That very night, under their careful arrangements, even though Han Xiao had martial prowess and elite guards, the plans by Dong Wei caught her off guard, and she encountered troubles.
…
The next day, at Liu Mansion.
The Liu family had invited the princess to come to their residence the following day to discuss some policy decisions, far away from the City Lord’s Mansion. Luo Xiaoxue herself could also attend without needing to hold back.
Liu Shuqin and Liu Feng waited in the mansion, and soon, the veiled princess arrived.
However, a group of soldiers from Huan Tian City suddenly stormed into Liu Mansion.
Liu Shuqin and Liu Feng were shocked, not knowing what was happening.
Just as they were about to inquire, City Lord Zhou Cheng displayed an official document and shouted furiously, “Liu Feng, how dare you! You’ve secretly colluded with rebels, and a significant portion of the grain and supplies you dispatched has mysteriously disappeared, all ending up with the rebels!”
“Lord Zhou, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“Still trying to weasel out of it? This is the evidence—here’s your seal!” Zhou Cheng retorted.
He then presented some documents pertaining to grain supplies and resources stamped with Liu Feng’s seal, in addition to letters discussing schemes with rebels, all bearing Liu Feng’s handwriting.
Liu Feng was taken aback; when had he ever stamped those?
“Lord Zhou, there must be a misunderstanding. I never stamped this; it must be a forgery!”
“Is that so? Here’s your seal; do you mean to say that’s fake? Go ahead and compare it!”
Liu Feng retrieved his seal for comparison, and indeed, it matched!
This puzzled him even more; he had kept it secure, using it only for himself. How could this happen?
“Lord Zhou, this is definitely a misunderstanding.”
“Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not, it’s up to Her Highness to decide,” Zhou Cheng said, turning his eyes toward the princess. At this moment, Liu Shuqin felt something off about this so-called princess. After only one meeting, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
The veiled face obscured her features.
The eyes… there was something strange about her gaze.
The “princess” spoke coldly, “Arrest them at once and hold them for trial.”
With such a decision, Liu Shuqin realized her instincts were correct; this princess was indeed suspicious.
However, under the overwhelming pressure of authority and royal decrees, they only made themselves look guilty as they resisted, ultimately having no choice but to comply.
Their only hope was that the real princess, Luo Xiaoxue, would come to clear their names.
