Auntie Mei, brimming with a smile prompted by her daughter’s words, lightly patted Li Xia's arm. "How old are you, still so clingy?" she chuckled.
"No matter how old I am, I'm your daughter, your baby," Li Xia replied, planting a kiss on her mother's cheek before scampering off.
Auntie Mei, left with the lingering surprise of the kiss, couldn't help but touch her kissed cheek, laughing and scolding, "You never did grow up, did you?"
Returning to her room, she found Qiu Ling waiting. Seeing Li Xia walk in, Qiu Ling stepped forward and handed her a letter. Li Xia unfolded and scanned the contents, her smile fading. She passed the letter to Qiu Ling.
Qiu Ling took the letter and looked at it for a while before turning a helpless gaze towards Li Xia. "Miss, I can't read many characters, I can't understand."
Li Xia slapped her forehead, having forgotten this detail, and took back the letter. "It says here..." After hearing her explanation, Qiu Ling was left agape. How did their young miss get involved in such matters? It was beyond belief.
After her shock subsided, Qiu Ling returned to the matter at hand. "Miss, what do you plan to do?"
These people coming to the Capital City were unlikely here for a leisurely visit. There must be some plan. Li Xia needed to know their plan and movements. "Qiu Ling, find out where they might be staying. Be careful not to alert them," Li Xia sighed, realizing her sleep time was again compromised.
The Imperial Academy was on break, and Li Hui was at home reviewing his lessons.
Li Xia came out with a small booklet to find Li Hui. Li Hui looked at the booklet, his expression growing increasingly serious. "Xia Xia, can you be sure?"
"I analyzed it, and it seems likely," Li Xia said. Although she said it was possible, Li Hui felt it was certain. However, no one would probably believe them if they spoke of such things.
Li Hui asked uncertainly, "Should we tell Old Marquis Lu?"
"I think it would be better if we directly tell Cao Fugui," Li Xia's words gave Li Hui pause, but he nodded in agreement. He then turned to Li Xia, "End this matter here, don't inquire any more." Li Hui was worried Li Xia might end up in danger.
Knowing the danger, Li Xia wouldn't let Qiu Ling go out. But she herself was involved, so she still went out at night to investigate. Thanks to previous investigations, Li Xia had turned Capital City upside down and was familiar with all kinds of roads. This allowed her to quickly avoid crowds and track those people.
Li Hui looked at the booklet in his hand and took a deep breath. If this matter was handled well, it could catapult the Li family into real wealth. But if not, it wouldn't have much impact on the Li family.
However, fortune favors the brave, and Li Xia had already provided the ladder. He, Li Hui, was not a coward either. He sent Zhang Hu to the Cheng'en Marquis mansion with a greeting card; he wanted to see Cao Fugui.
Because Cao Fugui had previously been involved in a street fight with someone, he had been reported to the emperor's uncle. Although it was determined that Cao Fugui was not at fault, fighting in the streets was frowned upon.
Cao Fugui was currently being kept at home by his father, the Cheng'en Marquis, and was not allowed to go out. He was bored when he heard that Li Hui had sent a greeting card. He quickly ordered his servant to reply, inviting Li Hui to his home the next day.
Early the next morning, Li Hui arrived at the Cheng'en Marquis mansion. After exchanging pleasantries and entering Cao Fugui's study, Li Hui asked directly, "Brother Cao, is it safe here?"
Cao Fugui was taken aback by Li Hui's words, but he quickly composed himself and instructed his trusted servant to guard the entrance. He turned to face a stern-looking Li Hui, "Brother Li, please speak up. Whatever you need, I'll do my best to assist you."
Cao Fugui knew his boundaries, which earned him further respect from Li Hui. From his bosom, Li Hui took out a carefully reorganized booklet and handed it to Cao Fugui.
As Cao Fugui read through the booklet, he grew more and more alarmed, "Brother Li, do you realize the implications if I hand this booklet over?"
"Brother Cao, Liuzhou's Heir Apparent Lu is in trouble. These people were personally interrogated by my father. I was involved and am very familiar with their appearances. I can confirm that two of the men who were supposed to be dead are now in the Capital City."
The case was significant, after obtaining the evidence during the interrogation, these men were sent to the Capital City for execution. People who were supposed to be dead are now alive and loitering where they shouldn't be. Anyone could tell there was a serious problem.
"I must inform my father about this." This situation was beyond Cao Fugui's capabilities.
"That's exactly why I'm here." Li Hui's purpose of visiting the Marquis of Cheng'en's mansion was to meet Cao Fugui and have him introduce Li Hui to the Marquis.
The Marquis of Cheng'en, upon hearing that Cao Fugui and Li Hui requested an audience, wondered what they were doing there so early. After listening to their words, his expression became grave.
Although Li Hui did not speak of sure death, only a possibility, the Marquis feared the 'possibilities' and 'what-ifs'. If something were to happen, it would be a catastrophe.
The Marquis of Cheng'en looked at Li Hui, who stood before him neither humbly nor arrogantly, meticulously brave and decisive. This young man had a promising future.
Seeing his father, the Marquis, keeping his eyes on Li Hui, Cao Fugui couldn't help but ask, "Father, should we inform my uncle about this?"
The Marquis of Cheng'en gave Cao Fugui a disdainful look. This matter needed to be reported not only to his brother but also as soon as possible. Cao Fugui was perplexed by his father's glare. He hadn't done anything to offend him.
"Nephew, don't speak of this matter to anyone else." Cheng'en Marquis advised Li Hui in a soft voice.
"Sir, rest assured, I've withdrawn all my men." Li Hui understood the implication.
After sending Li Hui off, the Marquis of Cheng'en changed into a formal dress and took the booklet to the palace.
A few days later, Cao Fugui came to see Li Hui with a box as a token of his gratitude. It contained an invitation card from Master Lin, the respected tutor of the crown prince, Lin He. It was rare for anyone to be instructed by him, and in recent years, Master Lin rarely met with guests.
But now with this invitation card, Li Hui could not only visit Master Lin but also seek his guidance. This gave Li Hui more confidence in the upcoming imperial examination.
Cao Fugui was even more courteous to Li Hui and showed intention to close the gap between them. This man was indeed lucky - first he saved the princess, and now he discovered such a significant issue. His successive merits indicated a future that was beyond estimation.
He took the initiative to inform Li Hui about some facts and taboos concerning Master Lin - information Li Hui would not have been able to find out by himself. Li Hui listened attentively and kept it in mind.
"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Cao," Li Hui expressed his gratitude.
"Brother Li, you're too polite. You're new to the Capital City, so you're unfamiliar with some things. But as you spend more time here, you'll come to understand everything." Cao Fugui's words were simple, but some things are not on the same level - even if you're eager to learn, you might not be able to grasp them.
After seeing off Cao Fugui, Li Hui sent someone to summon Li Xia. He relayed the matter to her. Upon finishing, he studied Li Xia carefully. To Li Xia, the news was as unremarkable as hearing about fine weather, and she continued to sip her tea.
"Xia Xia, you had a hand in the Zhang Qiming matter, didn't you?" While Li Hui had been suspecting it, he had never asked until now.
Li Xia set down her teacup. "What do you think, big brother?"
Li Hui believed she did, otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically warned her not to intervene back in Liuzhou. But afterwards, he couldn't figure out how a young lady like Li Xia managed to pull it off.
He then remembered the righteous vigilante who had been causing quite a stir in the Capital City recently. When he heard about it, his first instinct was that it might be Li Xia.
But the question still remained: how did Li Xia manage it? He had instructed Zhang Hu to keep an eye on the Plum Blossom Pavilion, and there were no signs of Li Xia going out at night.
