Datang: Longevity for Thousands of Years, Exposed by Xiao Sizi

Chapter 96 The deadline is approaching, and the head of the Lu family is making a desperate bet!
Ministry of War….
Lu Qing was slightly stunned, and said: "I have checked the Ministry of War, and these people are the guards from a few years ago, aren't they?"

Precisely because they were soldiers from a few years ago, Lu Qing did not check the Ministry of War, but instead focused his attention on Cao Gongyun, who transferred these guards to Hanyang Gate.

Cao Gongyun sneered, "Fake! They are all forged!"

Lu Qing's eyes were deep as he said, "Forgery? Who has such great authority to dare to forge the files of the Ministry of War! This is a heinous crime punishable by the death of nine generations of the clan!"

This matter was beyond his imagination. How high of an official must one be to be able to forge the files of the Ministry of War? Even Cao Gongyun, the head of the Ministry of Personnel, couldn't forge it. How could there be someone in the Ministry of War who forged files?

That is to say.

That Kaiyang has a big shot in the Ministry of War who is his man.

terrible!
How terrible!
Cao Gongyun shook his head helplessly: "This is not something Cao should know."

Lu Qing looked at him deeply, then stood up and left.

"In this case, I understand. From now on, my people from the Dali Temple will protect you. Just be good and spend these seven days."

This was his determination, and he would solve the case within seven days.

After Lu Qing returns, he will start investigating the Ministry of War.

however.

Go halfway.

Cao Gongyun spoke again behind him.

"Lu Shaoqing, the man with a scar on his face next to you is from Kaiyang! Only by getting rid of him can I be safe!"

boom!
These words were like thunder, causing Lu Qing's eyes to widen.

He turned back sharply.

"How do you know?"

Cao Gongyun said coldly: "Humph! This is why I decided to kill that woman!"

"Last night, I overheard them saying that tomorrow when you take me away on charges of corruption, that scarred Dali Temple man will kill me to silence me."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qing fell into deep thought.

Scarface.

His name is Wang Hai.

Although he has been a member of Dali Temple for many years, he is not one of them.

And the day before yesterday, when he learned that he was solving the case of His Highness Xiao Sizi, he took the initiative to volunteer to join his case-solving team.

Considering Wang Hai's many years of experience and that he was indeed short of manpower, he agreed.

Now think about it carefully.

Why did Wang Hai, who had always been lazy, suddenly become diligent?

Indeed... puzzling.

"The officer knows."

Lu Qing walked away, then remembered something and said, "Cao Sixun, I will send my trusted confidants to protect you from now on."

Say it.

No more hesitation, leave immediately.

After returning, he immediately ordered someone to arrest Wang Hai.

However, Wang Hai saw that the situation was not good, so he bit his tongue and committed suicide like the woman.

Lu Qing was originally a little skeptical, but now he is even more certain.

However, now more questions arise.

According to Cao Gongyun, Kaiyang left Chang'an three years ago, and Wang Hai was a native of Chang'an and had stayed in Chang'an when Kaiyang left.

He, like Cao Gongyun, would be a chess piece arranged by Kaiyang early on.

Cao Gongyun didn't know it, only Kaiyang himself knew it.

still….
Are there other powerful people in Chang'an City who can help Kaiyang?
unknown.

Also.

Another thing was reported back.

Today's action against the mother and son is divided into two parts.

One of the plans was to have Lu Qing lead the yamen runners to deal with the woman.

Another plan was that Cao Gongyun used a trick to deceive the mother and son, forcing one of them to leave their residence and go to a place where he knew to contact the person behind the scenes.

The second plan was successful. After Xiao Yuan left home, ten Dali Temple runners who were good at tracking followed Xiao Yuan, but they were knocked unconscious by the man wearing the flying fish suit halfway through the tracking.

After waking up, there were pieces of paper next to the ten Dali Temple runners, and when they were opened, there were only two words on them.

【Ministry of War】.

Who are these people in Feiyufu? What is their purpose in informing the Ministry of War?
"The water in this case is getting deeper and deeper."

Lu Qing looked at the starry sky.

I feel more and more that this case is not simple.

Or in other words….
There is no simple person behind anyone who dares to assassinate the princess of the current dynasty.

Moreover, he even dares to be an enemy of the immortals mentioned by His Majesty. How can the enemy... be an ordinary person!
I guess what the woman said before she died was right. This case is too big.

It was so big that he could only feel endless pressure and oppression.

This is the most difficult case we have ever encountered!
........................

late at night.

One of the secret passages in Chang'an City.

A masked man in white, codenamed Jueshui, quickly walked into the most distinguished room in the secret passage.

"Mr. Kaiyang, something happened."

Jue Shui looked anxious.

The words fell.

Kaiyang, who was still playing chess with himself, was slightly stunned.

"what's up?"

he asked.

Jue Shui said angrily: "Jue Yun can't be contacted! Cao Gongyun must have told the secret!"

"Jueyun has a lot of our intelligence, and we don't know how much intelligence Cao Gongyun has. Mr. Kaiyang, the situation is not favorable. We should evacuate Chang'an City!!"

Kaiyang narrowed his eyes slightly.

betray….
This was something he had not expected.

The original plan was to eliminate all the guards who participated in the assassination plan that night.

then.

Cao Gongyun is also on the list of people who must be eliminated.

But Cao Gongyun shouldn't have taken action on his side.

If you take action.

There is a possibility that his tail will be caught and he will be able to open up.

and so.

In dealing with Cao Gongyun, according to the plan, Qin Ziyi should take him away and put him in the Dali Temple prison after learning about his corruption, and then Wang Hai will deal with him.

The reason why Xiao Yuan and his mother were not allowed to deal with it was because they were still of great use, while Wang Hai was old and had hysteria. He would die of natural causes soon. Killing Cao Gongyun and then committing suicide could be regarded as his last act of energy.

The only connection was the death of Cao Gongyun, and Wang Hai committed suicide, leaving no evidence, so the Dali Temple had no way to investigate further.

Just wait for seven days, when the storm has passed, and you can get away with it safely.

However…….
The information we received in the morning showed a clue.

For some reason, Lu Qing did not take Cao Gongyun with him, and tonight he learned that Cao Gongyun had rebelled.

Unexpected.

It was really unexpected.

Jueyun’s death at this time put them in an extremely passive position.

I don’t know how much information the person who killed Jueyun got.

"The chess pieces on the chessboard don't move. They are loyal friends, so the only thing to do is to defeat the enemy. But with people, there is an uncertain factor called human nature."

"Haha, is this human nature?"

Kaiyang's eyes flickered, and he felt more and more that human nature was extremely unpredictable.

"Mr. Kaiyang! It's time for us to leave!"

At this time, seeing that Kaiyang did not respond, Jueshui continued to urge him.

Kaiyang shook his head and said, "No."

"We wanted to leave, but that person wouldn't allow us to. Haha, instead of leaving in embarrassment while being chased by that person, it would be better to finish this last game of chess."

"Let's see whether I can get through this game, or Dali Temple or that person can win this game!!"

"It's time to have an outcome! This fight! This fight... that has lasted for a hundred years!"

Faced with a situation that had gotten out of control, Kaiyang did not panic but instead smiled.

That smile from the heart.

It seemed as if he was enjoying this embarrassing situation immensely.

"Jueshui, no matter if it's the Dali Temple or that person, they only want me. Take your people and leave. I want to finish this game of chess."

Kaiyang had no intention of backing down.

Ever since he entered Chang'an City, the capital of the Son of Heaven, he had prepared himself to not be able to escape unscathed.

Seeing that Kaiyang had no intention of leaving, Jueshui took a deep breath, half-knelt and said, "Mr. Kaiyang! Jueshui and all of my men are willing to play this game with you!"

"Live together! Die together!!"

Kaiyang's heart was filled with ripples when he heard this.

"confirmed?"

“I have great faith!!”

"Hahaha, good!"

Kaiyang laughed heartily, and then waved his hand and said: "Then you all will follow me. Live together! Die together!"

"Let's see whether the heroes of Chang'an City are more skilled, or whether we can survive this desperate situation!"

........................

Longxi Li family.

Tonight, the five heads of the five surnames, seven families and five clans gathered together.

They discussed the matter of Xiao Sizi together.

"Damn it! Assassination, he did assassinate the Lu family, why did he want to assassinate that little kid from the Li family who had just been weaned? What impact can a little kid have on the situation?"

"That's right! Patriarch Lu's move was really stupid! Very stupid!"

"Maybe it wasn't the Lu family's assassination. Today I got information from the Dali Temple. They seem to be targeting Cao Gongyun, the head of the Ministry of Personnel. This person is not from the Lu family."

"Hmm? It wasn't done by the Lu family? Then why did the head of the Lu family mention the assassination of Xiao Sizi on the day of the assassination? How could there be such a coincidence in the world? He must be involved!"

"That's right, even if it wasn't an assassination, Patriarch Lu would definitely be involved."

"Haha, after spending a huge price and losing so many hidden chess pieces, he still failed to assassinate Li Mingda. He really lost both his wife and his troops. Patriarch Lu was smart all his life but was foolish for a moment."

"For this assassination, I have calculated the cost for the Lu family. The court has issued a decree to punish all nine clans, and a total of more than 200 people died. Just killing Li Mingda resulted in the loss of more than 200 people, many of whom were placed around Li Mingda. I don't know how much resources and time were spent. Now, not only did the assassination fail, but more than 200 people died, and we are also being targeted by Li Shimin and the Dali Temple. Haha, what a loss."

"In this case, it's fortunate that we didn't agree to let Patriarch Lu participate in the assassination, otherwise the number of deaths would be much higher."

"..."

The heads of various families were discussing the matter.

They kept discussing the matter of Xiao Sizi. The reason for the discussion was to determine the policy and what they, the five surnames and seven families, should do in this matter.

at the same time.

Lu family.

Main residence.

Ever since the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Xiao Sizi, compared to the Five Surnames and Seven Families who were visiting various major noble families, everyone in the Lu family's main mansion has stayed at home.

There is a great tendency to disappear from the world.

At this time.

In the main house, Liu Xianyong entered the main room of the Lu family.

He reported: "Master, there is a letter from our retainers in the south of the city, saying that Jueyun, one of Kaiyang's three most trusted men, has been eliminated."

Being in Chang'an City, no matter what happens, you can find out instantly.

Even the Lu family, everyone can know what is happening in the world without leaving their homes.

This is the Lu family’s heritage.

"Dead? That must have been the work of the Immortal or his men."

"He showed up! Did you bite him?"

The head of the Lu family made this judgment without asking for any other information.

But it's emotion, some excitement.

Recently, whenever he heard the title of the Immortal, he would get excited and was more easily moved than before.

Liu Xianyong, who was about to speak, was stunned.

He thought for a while before speaking: "Yes, this was indeed done by that person."

"I...I was incompetent and failed to bite him..."

Liu Xianyong felt a little guilty.

Seeing this, Patriarch Lu's excitement gradually faded, and he sighed and said, "Forget it, that person...after all, he has been wandering for a long time, so it is normal that it is difficult to track him down."

"But at least it's better than having no clue before. After assassinating Xiao Sizi this time, we can at least see him."

This matter also made the head of the Lu family slightly satisfied.

Liu Xianyong nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Master, Kaiyang is in trouble now."

"Once targeted by that person, it would be very difficult to escape, even for the mysterious Seven Stars."

Patriarch Lu didn't care and waved his hand, saying, "Yes, it depends on whether Kaiyang can come up with other means. However, this matter has nothing to do with us, because we have already distanced ourselves from it.

"That's true." Liu Xianyong laughed and continued, "Master, speaking of which..."

"Our Lu family has handled all our whereabouts cleanly. It is impossible for the case of Li Mingda to be traced back to us. Why... does our Lu family want to close the house?"

"Just when Li Mingda was shut up after his assassination attempt, a letter came from the Dali Temple saying that some people in the Dali Temple were discussing something. Could it be that... he was guilty of something?"

Upon hearing this, Patriarch Lu sighed.

"Do you think that I am closing my house to avoid those people from the Dali Temple who are investigating the case? Or even to avoid the Li Mingda case?"

Liu Xianyong nodded without hesitation, and seeing that Patriarch Lu looked calm, he asked suspiciously, "Could it be... there are other reasons?!"

The head of the Lu family nodded and said, "Yes, what I am worried about is not the investigation of the Lu family for this assassination, but the subordinates of that person."

"They, including the imperial court, can't find out about us. Even if they do, they can't do anything to our Lu family because they have no evidence."

"But that guy is different. He has lived for too long, and the power he has accumulated must be extremely terrifying. He can protect Little Sizi right under our noses, even under the protection of many Jinwu Guards in the Imperial City. This is a manifestation of his ability."

"So, we need to stay away from the government to avoid being assassinated by that person's men. We can consider whether to open the government after the storm passes or even after the situation becomes clear after a while."

Liu Xianyong suddenly realized what was going on when he heard this: "So that's how it is."

They only know the name, but don't know how powerful his power is, or even how big the Qin family behind him is. It is always better to be more cautious.

"Then I... Patriarch, I will go down first?"

Liu Xianyong no longer had any doubts.

Patriarch Lu nodded and said, "Go ahead. Your mission has always been to find... or even know the whereabouts of that person."

"The rest... has nothing to do with you."

........................

royal palace.

late at night.

Li Junxian was still sleeping, but there was an increasing rustling sound in his ears, as if mosquitoes were buzzing.

"bother!!"

With a sigh of annoyance, Li Junxian changed his sleeping position.

But there was still noise in my ears.

He became more and more irritated and stood up from the bed to drive away the mosquitoes, only to find that the source of the sound was not the mosquitoes, but coming from outside the door.

Listen carefully.

"Li Junxian, Li Junxian..."

It was calling out his name.

And Li Junxian was extremely familiar with this voice.

"Your Highness Xiao Sizi! Why is she here?"

Li Junxian was shocked.

Without hesitation, he immediately stood up and headed for the door.

He was seriously injured, and although this would aggravate his injuries, he went forward without hesitation.

I really don't want to see His Highness Xiao Sizi.

It's regret and fear.

Because the day before yesterday, His Highness Xiao Sizi almost died.

The Queen Mother placed great trust in me, but I almost failed to protect His Highness Little Sizi.

Unworthy of trust!!
Even so, Xiao Sizi came here on her own initiative tonight, and he dared not ignore her. He walked forward and opened the door with a creak.

Look down.

I found that the little Sizi was quite stupid. He was tiptoeing with a tray with several bowls on it.

"Li Junxian, you're out! I hope Sizi didn't disturb you!"

Little Sizi spoke softly, very quietly.

If Li Junxian didn't have good ears and listened carefully, he wouldn't have heard it at all.

Didn't bother?
What do you think, Your Highness Xiao Sizi?

Li Junxian complained in his heart, but smiled on the surface: "No, I'm just getting ready for bed."

"Phew, that's good, I'm glad I didn't disturb you."

Xiao Sizi patted his chest and let out a long sigh.

Immediately.

She was surprised and said, "Ah, Sizi was too loud just now! Sizi ran out secretly, Li Junxian, let Sizi come in first, don't let the queen mother find out."

Little Sizi tiptoed in.

Li Junxian was shocked.

"Your Highness, you are running around again. What if something unexpected happens?!"

Little Sizi smiled and said, "Oh, it's okay! Sizi is protected by my second brother's people. It's said that I ran away secretly, but in fact, my mother asked Sizi to sleep, but Sizi didn't listen and ran away."

Hearing this, Li Junxian looked out the window.

really.

There were two guards standing outside with knives in hand.

It's the attire of the Jinwu Guards.

But Li Junxian had never seen them before, and they looked extremely unfamiliar. He thought that they were "Qin Wenyuan's" men, protecting Xiao Sizi and disguising their identities as Jinwu Guards.

Li Junxian breathed a sigh of relief when he learned that they were that person's people, even if there were two of them.

"Your Highness, this is not bad, but it's the middle of the night, please don't run around anymore, it's too dangerous."

Li Junxian looked at Xiao Sizi with resentment.

Little Sizi stuck out his tongue and said in a baby voice, "I know! Come, Li Junxian, eat something."

"Hehe, this is something Sizi brought back especially for you. Mother said it's too late today and children should go to bed early. I'll bring it to you tomorrow."

"Mother is really abominable. Sizi has obviously grown up. Sister used to say that Sizi is more mature than him. Humph! Mother is a bad person. Sizi is obviously an adult, but she always underestimates him. But these foods will stink tomorrow. How can you pinch them tomorrow?"

Open the bowl.

It is a hot pot with a fragrant aroma.

The hot pot was cold when it was brought back, but Xiao Sizi specifically asked the waiter at Wangyun Inn to heat it up in the kitchen before bringing it to Li Junxian.

"This, Your Highness Xiao Sizi, this... this humble general..."

Li Junxian was flattered.

He hesitated and didn't know what to say.

"Oh, eat, eat, or it will get cold."

Little Sizi ran out from his seat in a mischievous manner and pushed Li Junxian to sit down.

"Eat quickly, eat quickly."

She sat back in her seat, resting her chin on the table with her hands, looking at Li Junxian with eager eyes.

"it is good."

"I am really a little hungry."

Li Junxian laughed, then took out his chopsticks to taste the hot pot.

“Delicious, delicious!!”

He kept eating, and as he ate, he began to cry.

I couldn't help but cry uncontrollably from the bottom of my heart.

Crying while eating.

"Ah, Li Junxian! Stop crying, drink some water!"

The little Sizi was very anxious, thinking that the hot pot was too hot or too spicy and that Li Junxian was crying, so he quickly poured him a glass of cold water.

"Your Highness, Xiao Sizi, I am fine. You don't have to worry about it."

“The hot pot is so delicious.”

Li Junxian said while choking with sobs.

"Ah? It's so delicious that it makes you cry. Li Junxian, don't lie to Sizi. If it doesn't taste good, just tell me. Next time, Sizi won't bring you food you don't like."

Li Junxian cried and laughed at the same time: "It's delicious, really delicious. It's my fault. When I eat delicious food, I can't help crying. Your Highness Xiao Sizi, don't worry about it."

After Li Junxian repeatedly emphasized this, Xiao Sizi finally felt relieved.

Although Li Junxian was just crying, with tears mixed with smiles, he ate the hot pot voraciously, which was very ugly.

But Xiao Sizi doesn't think so.

She thought Li Junxian was extremely handsome.

Of course, not as handsome as when he was protecting her.

"Hehe, if it tastes good, when second brother comes back, Sizi will try to persuade him to give her more delicious seasonings."

"Hehe! Second brother has been hiding the delicious food from Sizi. I am so angry. I drew circles around him and cursed him. I will go find him tomorrow and take Sizi to eat hot pot. I will also bring it to you, Li Junxian."

"Also, if only my second brother was there that night, it would have been great! He's very strong, he would have definitely defeated those assassins, and you wouldn't have gotten hurt. Damn it, this is all my second brother's fault. If my second brother was in Chang'an City, Sizi wouldn't have been bullied."

Little Sizi was lying on the table and drawing circles.

She didn't see Qin Changye tonight, and he hid some delicious food from her. The little girl is very resentful now.

I'm going to meet Qin Changye tomorrow and give him a good beating.

It's very fierce!!

However, given the little guy's small body, babyish voice, and porcelain doll-like face, he would probably look fierce when angry. Not only would he not scare Qin Changye, but he would make Qin Changye laugh instead.

Li Junxian laughed, didn't care, and continued eating hot pot.

After finishing the hotpot, Xiao Sizi waved goodbye with the pots and pans.

Although Li Junxian said that she could deal with the empty bowls, Xiao Sizi said that this was what her elder sister taught her, that one should finish what one starts, and that this is what a good sister should be.

Since Xiao Sizi was so insistent, Li Junxian didn't know what to say.

After watching Xiao Sizi leave under the escort of two personal guards from the Chu Palace, Li Junxian returned to his room, took out his broadsword, and began to practice hard in the dark night even though he was injured.

The punches are smooth, powerful and strong!
His steps are as vigorous as a tiger and as steady as Mount Tai.

Qi is cultivated in a straight way without causing any harm, and strength is stored in a flexible way with plenty of energy!
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will definitely help you protect His Highness Little Sizi."

The thoughts in his mind were incomparably firm.

………………

(End of this chapter)