TSWRLM -Chapter 308 Fend for Yourself

Chun Xi’s words completely enraged Li Jixian. He barked at Jiao Niang and Mei Niang, “Kill this wretch!”

At his command, Jiao Niang and Mei Niang actually lunged toward Chun Xi.

The bodyguards immediately positioned themselves in front of Chun Xi, and Uncle Hu intercepted the two women at once.

A-Li was about to pull Chun Xi away, but she remained calm and said, “I’m fine. Go quickly to the Dali Temple and report this to the authorities.”

A-Li hesitated, concerned: “This Fourth Young Master of the Grand Tutor’s Mansion seems insane. Madam, you should avoid him for now.”

Chun Xi nodded: “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to protect myself first.”

As they spoke, Uncle Hu was already tangled in combat with Jiao Niang and Mei Niang.

The more he fought, the stranger Uncle Hu felt.

In all his years traveling and fighting across the land, he had never seen moves like theirs.

Could they not be from Zhaoling?

Xiao Yecheng had finally returned to Hanjing, and Shen Qingyuan was summoned by the Crown Prince for a discussion.

In the Eastern Palace, everyone was frozen with fear. Broken cups lay scattered on the floor. Xiao Yecheng knelt, while the Crown Prince’s face was icy, the atmosphere thick with oppressive tension.

Just as Shen Qingyuan stood, he heard Xiao Yecheng say, “In Yuexi, there is a plant called Worryless Grass. In small doses, it acts as an analgesic and anesthetic, but overuse causes addiction. Once addicted, the whole body feels like it’s being eaten alive by ants—it’s worse than death.”

“Previously, Li Huaijing, governor of Wengzhou, bought land in Wengzhou and planted large amounts of Worryless Grass, producing it into incense under various names and prices for sale across regions. Currently, it’s most widely spread in Wengzhou, Yuzhou, and Lizhou. Countless families have been destroyed, and even the military has been affected.”

The hall was deathly silent. Xiao Yecheng’s voice was unusually cold.

Shen Qingyuan’s expression was solemn.

When he first discovered that the Soul-Stealing Incense could cause addiction, he had an ominous feeling. Now, hearing Xiao Yecheng’s words, he shivered.

Worryless Grass originates from Yuexi, yet it was being planted massively in Wengzhou and processed into incense for sale. This indicated a premeditated plan by the Yuexi people.

Once the incense spreads, Zhaoling would have no farmers left and no elite troops to resist foreign invaders.

Yuexi could topple Zhaoling without lifting a single soldier.

This plot was truly diabolical!

After Xiao Yecheng finished speaking, Shen Qingyuan continued: “Li Huaijing’s nephew, Li Jixian, recently went to Wengzhou and returned with something called ‘Soul-Arousing Incense.’ He sold it in his mother’s dowry shops under the guise of stimulating scholars. According to investigations, the shipment weighed several dozen jin, with nearly a thousand buyers.”

Hearing this number, the Crown Prince was horrified. Unfortunately, his teacup had already been smashed, so he could only slam the table in anger: “Li Huaijing! This is treason! Reckless killing of people!”

Shen Qingyuan remained calm, continuing: “Your Highness, this official believes the most urgent task is to promptly report to His Majesty, trace the source, and destroy all the incense to prevent more casualties. Additionally, inspect the military to determine the number of addicted soldiers and redeploy forces to prevent Yuexi from launching a sudden attack.”

The Crown Prince knew Shen Qingyuan was right, but Wuyougé was also involved, and he bore some responsibility. He wondered how the Emperor and court ministers would judge him.

Seeing the Crown Prince hesitate, Shen Qingyuan lifted his robe and knelt: “No one is perfect; even gold is not flawless. I always believe Your Highness will become a wise ruler for all time. No matter what happens, I vow to follow you to the death.”

After bowing deeply, Xiao Yecheng also knelt: “I, a humble subject, am willing to join the army immediately. If Yuexi dares invade, I will fight to the last moment!”

After hearing them, the Crown Prince made up his mind. He said gravely, “Good. I will go to His Majesty and offer my apology.”

It was only after nightfall that Shen Qingyuan left the palace.

Before he could get into the carriage, A-Li rushed over: “Sir, today the Fourth Young Master of the Grand Tutor’s Mansion caused trouble. Madam is still at the Dali Temple.”

Shen Qingyuan’s face darkened. He quickly mounted the carriage and ordered the driver to head to the Dali Temple.

At the Dali Temple, Chun Xi had just finished taking medicine to stabilize her pregnancy and lay back weakly in bed, moaning softly.

Outside, Madam Zhao was shouting: “Cao Chun Xi, I know you’re fine. Stop pretending! Come out and negotiate your terms. Hiding like this must mean you’re guilty!”

Chun Xi didn’t want to waste words. She covered her ears and shifted into a more comfortable position.

Many had witnessed it—she had nearly been stabbed to death by Li Jixian’s men. Although she and her unborn child survived, in broad daylight, it was an undeniable fact that Li Jixian had ordered an attack on the wife of a third-rank official.

Such actions demanded severe punishment.

Otherwise, if someone dared to kill her today, tomorrow they would dare to kill on the Imperial Throne itself.

Not having slept well that morning, accompanied by Madam Zhao’s incessant nagging, Chun Xi actually fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Shen Qingyuan entered the Dali Temple.

Madam Zhao, initially confident, was instantly struck dumb upon seeing him.

Shen Qingyuan exuded an aura of lethal cold, as if he could devour people. Madam Zhao immediately felt uneasy.

“Sir Shen, today’s matter was a misunderstanding…”

Madam Zhao quickly rehearsed her excuses in her mind and spoke softly, but Shen Qingyuan ignored her entirely, turning straight toward the cell.

Inside, Li Jixian was still shouting: “That wretch Cao Chun Xi is as tough as an ox, with many experts protecting her. My men didn’t even touch a single hair of hers. And now you’re helping her punish me? When I get out, I won’t spare any of you!”

Li Jixian kicked the cell door violently as he spoke.

Seeing Shen Qingyuan, he didn’t feel guilty like Madam Zhao. Instead, he provoked: “Oh, isn’t this Sir Shen? Why the long face? Is it possible Cao Chun Xi is really dead?”

The last words were spoken like a curse.

Shen Qingyuan didn’t respond and had the jailer open the cell door.

Li Jixian immediately smirked: “I knew it! Cao Chun Xi is just pretending to be weak. How could the Dali Temple convict me? Sir Shen must have come personally to apologize and beg me to leave, right?”

But before he could laugh fully, Shen Qingyuan kicked him hard against the wall.

Before he could react, Shen Qingyuan stepped forward and stomped on his right hand, breaking it.

Shen Qingyuan’s moves were so fast that the jailers only realized the hand was broken after hearing the crack and rushed to intervene: “Sir Shen, the Grand Madam of the Grand Tutor’s Mansion is still outside waiting. You cannot use personal punishment!”

Shen Qingyuan ignored them and raised a golden token: “His Majesty has entrusted me with a confidential case. Young Master Li is the key suspect. He is now under my authority.”

The jailers were speechless.

Young Master Li, you’d better fend for yourself.