Chapter 3

"For what else? To find something." Xue Zhengming said flatly. "The design of the Dongfang family tomb." Dongfang Qingyuan said coldly making the three people stare at him in shock.

"What do they need it for?" Xue Lingyuan asked displeased. "Royal Uncle left something for me in his tomb. What do you think they want?" Dongfang Qingyuan asked smilingly.

"Ignorant child. What could such an interesting grandfather leave behind?" Xue Zheng Ming grumbled. "For Lord Yue it is not interesting but for the two of them it might be as interesting as the royal seal of Emperor Xue Junhui." Lan Zhi Xuan said flatly.

Dongfang Qingyuan smiled faintly. "Grand uncle, why?" Xue Lingyuan asked confusedly. "You can call me A Yuan, no need to call me by such a title." Dongfang Qingyuan said smilingly. Xue Lingyuan was silent in surprise. Xue Zheng Ming smiled faintly. Lan Zhi Xuan shook his head.

"What are you going to do to Li Tao?" Lan Zhi Xuan asked seriously. "Wait for the right moment. When the time comes, you will know what to do?" Dongfang Qingyuan said winking at Lan Zhi Xuan. Lan Zhi Xuan massaged his temples dizzily. "You three immediately return to your places before Li Tao returns." Dongfang Qingyuan said flatly.

The three of them had no choice but to obey. Dongfang Qingyuan's mood was uncertain so no one knew what would happen next.

"Have you found Ming er's house?" Dongfang Qingyuan asked Qiu Ruiwen who came in. The door was closed. "I found it. It's not too far from White Mountain. Still in the capital area." Qiu Ruiwen replied.

"He didn't forget." Dongfang Qingyuan said smiling sadly. "Have you spread it?" Dongfang Qingyuan asked again. "Yes, then there is a letter from Liu Yue for you." Qiu Ruiwen said handing over a piece of paper. Dongfang Qingyuan read it and fell silent.

"Have you found Liu Mu?" Dongfang Qingyuan asked coldly. "He seems to be watching the Liang family. I heard rumors that Liang Yu will be appointed as Vice Minister in Ministry of Justice after his daughter's wedding." Qiu Ruiwen explained. 'He was indeed appointed as Vice Minister in Ministry of Justice but with Liu Yue's blood.' thought Dongfang Qingyuan angrily.

"I want you to keep an eye on his movements. We have little time left. Tell Liu Yue to wait for me at the Lily of Valley City riverbank. Choose a place that is a bit far from the crowds. Take a carriage that I rarely use and dress inconspicuously. I will take care of everything." Dongfang Qingyuan said as he stood up and looked out the window. "I understand." Qiu Ruiwen said as he left.

'This time I will save you. Even if my life is at stake. I will make them all pay a heavy price.' thought Dongfang Qingyuan.

[Water flows unhindered

Lantern lights illuminate the streets

The moon hangs beautifully in the night sky

Stars are scattered in the dark sky

Parting to meet again

Welcoming old acquaintances

Drinking a cup of wine

Not stopping until drunk]

The song was sung by children playing. In an instant this song became a sensation all the way to the palace.

Dongfang Qingyuan lay back on his bed as he stared at the roof of the inn. 'I miss Liu Yue and Hua Ling. I want to go back there soon.' thought Dongfang Qingyuan sadly.

---Second Prince's Residence---

"Why is there such a strange song all of a sudden? Is this the work of Dongfang Qingyuan?" Xue Yanzhong, the second prince, asked. "He has no other subordinates besides me. So it's impossible. If it was his work, then I would know." Li Tao explained.

"Of course, he is only allowed to bring someone. Of course, he will bring you." Xue Yanzhong said happily. "This is thanks to His Highness, if it weren't for His Highness, then he wouldn't have trusted me so easily." Li Tao explained.

---Lord Hua's Residence---

@pavilion

A pavilion above a small lake stood elegantly. Xue Xingrui, also known as Lord Hua, looked at his royal uncle, Xue Zhengming or Lord Yue in confusion. "Imperial uncle, I feel like you have been coming to my house a lot lately." Xue Xingrui said in confusion.

"Xingrui, can a person change so much in an instant?" Xue Zhengming asked seriously. "Imperial uncle, do you really know Dongfang Qingyuan? He is a mysterious person who is quite famous. No one can guess what kind of person he was, so that's why previous Emperor removed his father's title. Although his father is the husband of Princess Xue Lian." Xue Xingrui explained.

"I don't know him, but I have heard about him often." Xue Zhengming said doubtfully. "Then don't believe it too much. It is likely that Dongfang Qingyuan is just showing off to others. What does he want to show? He wouldn't receive respect in his big army if he was an easy opponent." Xue Xingrui said.

"You are right. He is indeed not an ordinary person. I feel that he can kill anyone if he wants to." Xue Zhengming said seriously. "That's why he is the Dongfang Qingyuan who is feared by everyone, even the previous Emperor." Xue Xingrui said calmly.

---Palace---

@Sun Palace

"How is Brother Ruo Cheng's condition?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked. "Answering Your Majesty, Young Master Dongfang moved to stay at an inn and has not been out since then. But the assistant that Young Master Dongfang brought had many meetings from Moon Restaurant, Autumn Pavilion to the Second Prince's Residence." Eunuch Hong explained honestly.

"Could it be that he gave Brother Ruo Cheng food?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked with a frown. "Answering Your Majesty, the informant reported again. The assistant did not bring anything when he went out. The informant also seemed to feel that the assistant was very close to His Highness the Second Prince." Eunuch Hong explained.

"Then the medicine that Brother Ruo Cheng took. Who bought it?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked displeased. "Answering Your Majesty, Minister Lan brought the medicine every day." Eunuch Hong explained.

"Tomorrow, I will see Brother Ruo Cheng. I want to see if he is pretending to be unwell or if he is indeed not receiving adequate treatment." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said angrily. Emperor Xue Feng Ning did not like people approaching his sons with a specific purpose.

#Night

---Dark alley---

@Basement

Seven people had gathered in place. They were waiting for their supreme leader to appear. The sound of footsteps was heard making the seven people immediately alert.

"Dongfang Qingyuan" Lu Yi said doubtfully. Eunuch Hong looked surprised. "I see everyone has arrived. I don't have much time. So I will give you a task." Dongfang Qingyuan said coldly.

A gloomy aura was felt by the seven of them. "Lu Yi and Shao Huan, I need you to keep an eye on Li Tao for me. Report everything you know about who he is meeting." Dongfang Qingyuan said.

The owner of Moon Restaurant, Lu Yi and the owner of Autumn Pavilion, Shao Huan nodded. "Hua Zi Rong, I want you to keep an eye on any suspicious movements that have occurred over the past few days." Dongfang Qingyuan said coldly. The owner of Light Inn, Hua Zi Rong nodded.

"He Ming, I need a report on the noble families in the capital. The more detailed the better." Dongfang Qingyuan said flatly. The owner of Peony Hall, He Ming nodded. "I understand." He Ming said.

Dongfang Qingyuan handed Ning Zhen two pages of paper. "I need you to make an antidote immediately." Dongfang Qingyuan said coldly. Ning Zhen, the owner of Chrysanthemum Apothecary read the paper and seemed interested. "I understand." Ning Zhen said happily.

"Lu Ming, pay attention to the activities in the palace for me. I need accurate and concise reports." Dongfang Qingyuan said coldly. "Why should I listen to you? You even..." Lu Ming's words stopped.

A knife streaked across Lu Ming's cheek and stuck behind the wall. Blood dripped out of Lu Ming's cheek. "This is an order. If you have the guts, you can disobey it. I guarantee you will die on the spot." Dongfang Qingyuan said with a murderous aura.

Lu Ming looked at Dongfang Qingyuan in a new light. "I understand." Lu Ming, the Imperial Guard said. "Eunuch Hong, I want you to watch the princes for me. Especially when they meet His Majesty the Emperor." Dongfang Qingyuan said with a faint smile.

Eunuch Hong was shocked but he smiled faintly as well. "This servant understands Your Highness." Eunuch Hong said. Dongfang Qingyuan was shocked but his face returned to normal in an instant. "You only have 3 days." Dongfang Qingyuan said before leaving.

"Eunuch Hong, why did you call him His Highness?" Lu Ming asked in confusion. "He should have received the title but Her Highness Princess Xue Lian refused the title for her son. Because Princess Xue Lian knew that once the title was accepted, her son would be taken to the capital and trapped there." Eunuch Hong explained.

"That's why he was shocked." Lu Ming nodded in understanding. "He knew that you would be loyal to him because you are Eunuch Ju's disciple." Shao Huan said. "Yes, the only one who knows this title is Eunuch Ju who works under the three Emperors." Eunuch Hong said.

"Maybe if he had returned earlier, he would have met Eunuch Ju who retired last year." Shao Huan said. "But I feel that this young master is quite interesting. He is indeed suitable to be called the murderous demon." Ning Zhen said interestedly.

"That's the old nickname. The new nickname is Red Ghost. A ghost who kills until bathed in human blood." Shao Huan said calmly. "A title obtained after slaughtering a General from the Four Season Kingdom." Eunuch Hong said.

"I didn't expect the leader to know our names." Lu Ming said. "Who do you think is behind His Highness?" Eunuch Hong asked. "You mean Li Tao? Isn't he the suspected person?" Shao Huan asked confusedly.

"Qiu Ruiwen, the shadow guard of the Dongfang family. Who is also the deputy of Cloud." Lu Yi said calmly. "Yes, he knows all of our names. But I didn't expect His Highness to call us over them." Eunuch Hong said.

"There are spies. I detected some people from the outside network doing transactions outside the agreement." Lu Ming said seriously. "Let them be. Our current leader will make their lives miserable." Lu Yi said leaving first. Everyone slowly dispersed.

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