"These charges... are they all true?" Li Yufeng finally couldn't hold back any longer. The Li family had a guilty conscience, so they naturally knew about the official's salt smuggling and embezzlement. But the fact that the Tong family found out so quickly showed that they had been aware of it for a long time, which was terrifying.
Salt trafficking was a serious crime in the Mu Dynasty, and the Li family, once implicated, would be absolutely guilty, because that sixth-rank official was a member of the Li family.
"Whether it's really all up to His Majesty to decide, His Majesty also has something to say. Although Mu Yunhe discovered the official's filth by accident this time, and it was only because of Luo Zhiheng that he found out, His Majesty still praised Luo Zhiheng in his imperial edict. His Majesty tells you to compete well." General Tong always spoke very fluently, but today's "competing well" sounded somewhat insincere.
News of Luo Zhiheng's spectacular performance yesterday has spread far and wide. As for the upright and incorruptible General Tong, Luo Zhiheng should get out of here and stop making a fool of herself.
Luo Zhiheng was deeply moved. Upon hearing this, she immediately stood at attention and said loudly, "Uncle, don't worry. I will definitely do my best in the competition and not let the Emperor down, the Prince down, or Uncle down."
Luo Zhiheng always seizes opportunities, and now that she's got these important figures on her side, her future competitions will probably go much more smoothly. Just thinking about it makes me happy.
General Tong's lips twitched slightly; he had no intention of paying any attention to Luo Zhiheng. Having accomplished his task for the day, he also wanted to see this nephew he had only met a few times. He said to Li Yufeng, "Aren't your men tired of carrying swords?"
Li Yufeng said coldly, "Hurry up and put down your knife. If you dare to disrespect the little princess again, be careful that the Slaughter Team will kill you."
Now that the Tong family has completely suppressed the Li family, is the Li family still not enough? Is this related to this matter? Li Yufeng wanted to hurry back to report to the family head, but he couldn't just leave. So he said, "Uncle Tong, today's events may all be a misunderstanding. We didn't make things difficult for the little princess. We just asked her to respect the competition rules."
Luo Zhiheng immediately pulled her wet nurse to stand next to the man in red, her courage growing, and she became even more arrogant, saying, "I can't tell that your yelling at me earlier was a misunderstanding, and you even wanted to take me to the Imperial Clan Court. You only dared not bully me because you saw my uncle was here, right? Hmph, if any of you Li family members dare to provoke me again, I'll have my uncle arrest you all and whip you."
Add insult to injury! That shameless hussy Luo Zhiheng! How dare she kick him when he's down! Li Yufeng wanted nothing more than to kill Luo Zhiheng, but he had to endure it. So he said to General Tong, "What happened just now was due to my poor tone, which caused the little princess to misunderstand. I will take my leave now."
Luo Zhiheng's eyes sparkled with delighted anticipation. Suddenly, Li Yufeng yanked the reins hard, and the previously composed steed reared up, neighing sharply and leaping wildly as if it had gone mad. It tossed the imposing Li Yufeng around in a very awkward manner, and no amount of shouting or calming him down could soothe him.
The crowd erupted into chaos instantly. The crazed horse had already knocked someone over, and people quickly retreated. Li Yufeng, who had been so arrogant just moments before, tried to dismount when he had completely lost control of the horse. But this required him to hold onto the reins tightly, and the tighter he gripped them, the more ferocious the horse became. Suddenly, before he could even react, Li Yufeng was thrown off his horse and tumbled to the ground, looking utterly disheveled.
The members of the killing team rushed forward and managed to subdue and pin the frenzied horse down. By then, blood was already flowing from the brown horse's neck, and everyone's expression changed drastically.
Who could possibly commit such a heinous act in broad daylight without anyone noticing?!
Chapter 1 complete! There will be more updates today, please vote, leave comments, and give monthly tickets! Group chat kisses!
126 The older sister is pampered and spoiled, while the younger sister is resentful!
Updated: 2013-06-24 14:03:49 Word Count: 3385
"Luo Zhiheng!" Li Yufeng's disheveled state made him unable to remain calm and roar out. He knew that only Luo Zhiheng had touched his horse just now, and she was the only one who had tampered with it! He was shocked that Luo Zhiheng could pull such a trick right under his nose, and he felt even more ashamed that he had been fooled by this idiot Luo Zhiheng!
Luo Zhiheng glanced at her sideways: "What's wrong? My ears are still working perfectly."
"Whose great-aunt are you?!" Li Yufeng roared.
"Whoever calls me that, I'm their auntie!" she said playfully.
Luo Zhiheng was already holding her breath about what happened today, and now she realized that this matter was also related to Consort Li. Considering that she almost got disfigured yesterday, and that Mu Yunhe did so much for her even though he didn't show up, what was she worried about? She would no longer be polite; she would pretend to be ignorant and disgust the Li family!
"You're asking for death!" Li Yufeng roared menacingly, his large, veiny hand reaching straight for Luo Zhiheng's neck.
Whoosh!
Buzzing—
A sharp, piercing sound rang out, followed by a steel blade trembling in the air as it flew eastward. A sharp, long blade slashed down, blocking the view between the naked man and Li Yufeng! The blade was blood-red and exuded a chilling aura; it was clearly a battle blade soaked in blood!
"Li Yufeng, who are you calling a death hunter!" General Tong threw out his battle sword and coldly questioned.
Li Yufeng's temper flared up as well, and he still felt he was in the right: "General Tong, you should not get involved in this matter. My beloved horse was seriously injured by Luo Zhiheng. Am I not even allowed to demand an explanation?"
General Tong glanced at Luo Zhiheng with disdain. He really didn't believe that Luo Zhiheng had the ability to injure Li Yufeng's mount.
"It's okay to demand an explanation, but you can't hurt her."
"When did a hero like General Tong become Luo Zhiheng's servant? And he even has to meddle in such matters?" Li Yufeng laughed angrily.
"It's not that I, the general, want to interfere with her, but Mu Yunhe will not allow Luo Zhiheng to suffer any harm." General Tong calmly said the last sentence of Mu Yunhe's letter, a sentence that shocked him after reading it.
"I, your nephew, feel utterly helpless and fearful that my beloved wife may suffer even the slightest harm, and I cannot rest easy day and night. I humbly request that you, my uncle, look after her for a few days. I will never forget your immense kindness."
A simple "I can't do anything" broke General Tong's heart, softening his resolve. The words "I love my wife" further solidified his resolve; he couldn't bear to see Luo Zhiheng harmed in the slightest, lest Mu Yunhe be heartbroken because of her. These two sentences were ordinary, but Mu Yunhe was too clever. He knew that these words, spoken by someone seemingly without desire, carried an undeniable power and a humble, familial affection. Moreover, Mu Yunhe had used a great favor to plead with him, so he could only protect Luo Zhiheng even more diligently. But Luo Zhiheng… truly disappointed him utterly!
General Tong's words once again silenced the entire room like a deathly stillness. They simply couldn't understand why the young prince treasured Luo Zhiheng, this wretched woman, so much.
Luo Ningshuang nearly ground her teeth to powder. Even knowing Mu Yunhe wouldn't live much longer, and knowing that Luo Zhiheng would inevitably be like a stray dog in this competition, forever trampled under her feet, she still couldn't bear anyone showing any kindness to Luo Zhiheng! Luo Zhiheng's fate had already been changed by her; Luo Zhiheng's life in this one should be even more miserable than her previous one! Why was Mu Yunhe, that usually quiet and weak man, so protective of Luo Zhiheng? He even used his status to persuade the powerful General Tong to protect her!
What exactly is Luo Zhiheng's advantage?!
In her past life, she lived beside Mu Yunhe, so sorrowful, so helpless and pitiful, but Mu Yunhe never cared for her. Even until Mu Yunhe's death, she received no proper arrangements. As a result, she was later… 12.
She hated Mu Yunhe! Yet, she also contradictorily loved him. After all, Mu Yunhe was her first husband in name only in her past life; they were husband and wife in name only, not in reality. Mu Yunhe was the first man she loved in her past life; even though his face was ravaged by illness, seeing him still brought her happiness. But she didn't love Mu Yunhe; she loved Xia Beisong, didn't she? So she schemed to change her fate with Luo Zhiheng, to have Luo Zhiheng replace her, so that she could marry Xia Beisong and live a life of happiness and wealth!
Yet she couldn't help but feel jealous! In her past life, Mu Yunhe rarely even smiled at her! Let alone showed her gentle protection? If she had even a fraction of Luo Zhiheng's qualities today, she wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state in her past life!
Zhiheng was furious. But why was the situation completely different this time, with Luo Zhiheng marrying Mu Yunhe instead? Was this truly fate? No! She didn't believe it! In this life, she had already escaped the destiny of marrying Mu Yunhe through her own intelligence; she would never again be Luo Ningshuang, branded with the sin of being a cursed husband-killer. She had already given that tragic fate to Luo Zhiheng, so Luo Zhiheng was destined for a tragic life!
How could I accept this? How could I give up my revenge! Luo Zhiheng, Mu Yunhe, you have wronged me so much in your two lifetimes, in this life I will make you both taste the bitterness of a fate worse than death!
Luo Zhiheng keenly sensed a sharp gaze. She turned around abruptly and happened to meet Luo Ningshuang's eyes, but Luo Ningshuang just looked at her calmly. However, Li Xian'er, who was standing next to her, was glaring at her with undisguised envy, jealousy and hatred.
Luo Zhiheng's arrogance immediately flared up. Why did she love to provoke people so much? Especially making her enemies so angry they vomit blood!
"Watch your mouth! Which eye of yours saw me injure your horse? How dare you frame me! Don't think I don't know you and Li Xian'er are related. Tell me, did you deliberately injure the horse to make me pay for it? Or did you want to get me off the horse so that Li Xian'er would have one less formidable rival?" She was still full of energy and confidence, which made Li Yufeng's face under the mask twitch with anger.
"Luo Zhiheng, you're so shameless! I've never seen a woman more shameless than you," Li Xian'er couldn't help but say angrily, echoing the sentiments of everyone present.
"Have you no shame? You think an unmarried girl can speak so rudely in front of so many people? What about the Li family's upbringing?" Luo Zhiheng retorted with a smirk. 15461673
Li Xian'er's face flushed red, her eyes filled with undisguised malice.
Consort Li, unable to bear seeing her niece wronged, reprimanded her as an elder, saying, "Luo Zhiheng, that's enough! Don't you feel ashamed? You've completely disgraced the Mu Prince's Mansion."
Luo Zhiheng chuckled slowly, "So you're siding with your niece and scolding your own family members who share the surname Mu, just like you? Doesn't that bring shame to the Mu Royal Mansion? I think it's necessary to tell the Prince when you correspond that you, the concubine in charge of the household, can't even tell who's family."
"You!" Consort Li's face also flushed red. In front of outsiders, she was not as unrestrained as Luo Zhiheng.
Luo Zhiheng snorted coldly, her entire demeanor suddenly shifting. Although she was dressed in a vulgar red outfit, her bright eyes, visible through her veil, were exceptionally lively. She said lightly to General Tong on his warhorse, "Thank you for your protection today, although you were acting on someone else's behalf. Please come to my and Yunhe's home sometime so we can thank you in person."
Under General Tong's astonished gaze, she suddenly looked at Li Yufeng standing to the side, her words rapid and clear, like popping beans—pleasant and amusing: "As for you, next time before you frame someone, please produce evidence, otherwise I can sue you for defamation! Although I'm stupid, I know that even princes are subject to the same laws as commoners, let alone you who aren't even a prince! It's a blessing that your horse died, otherwise, following such a foolish master like you, it would have met a terrible end sooner or later! Humph!"
Her cold snort was accompanied by a fragrant breeze that entered Li Yufeng's nose, but when the crowd came to their senses, they found that she had already walked towards the arena with her wet nurse.
Li Yufeng wanted to shout, "It was clearly you who did it! How dare you deny it!" But he couldn't yell it out. He sadly realized that, just as Luo Zhiheng said, he had no evidence, and anything he said would be pointless!
Luo Zhiheng, we've got a grudge now! You just wait!
Luo Zhiheng smiled, her eyes were moist, and she murmured Mu Yunhe's name between her lips, so gentle and warm, warming her heart.
Her fingers unconsciously rubbed against the ring. The ring on her middle finger had a small mechanism that concealed a sharp blade. She had known all along that this competition was fraught with danger, so she had prepared in advance. She never expected that the blade would actually come in handy.
There were too many unexpected events, but the one that caught Luo Zhiheng's eye was Mu Yunhe's strong protection today. This was a shot in the arm for her, enabling her to forge ahead bravely amidst the powerful rumors, gossip, and various pressures and dangers!
Ah Heng, you will definitely be number one. Even if you are not, you will still be number one in my heart. No one can replace you!
My heart felt inexplicably at peace.
In this battle, Luo Zhiheng faced off against the daughter of a high-ranking official, and the competition topic was the art of playing the zither. Both chose their own pieces and performed together on stage. The daughter of the high-ranking official selected a simple yet elegant zither and gracefully carried it onto the stage with both hands.
Luo Zhiheng casually grabbed a zither and, dragging it along, leaped onto the stage, its shrill, demonic notes echoing through the air. The suppressed curses and insults of the crowd finally erupted into mockery.
The two sat down at opposite ends of the arena, with the zither placed on the table in front of them. Although the daughter of the Minister of Rites hid it well, there was still disdain and contempt in her eyes when she faced Luo Zhiheng: "I won't introduce myself. Please give me your guidance, Miss Luo."
Luo Zhiheng raised an eyebrow and said arrogantly, "I wouldn't call it giving pointers, but since you're so polite, I'll tell you the truth: you absolutely cannot beat me in today's competition. You'd better know better and leave on your own. I won't make things difficult for you. But if you dare to challenge me, then I don't mind letting you know what a divine song is!"
A hint of disgust and contempt flashed across the Minister's daughter's brows. Without saying another word, she placed her slender fingers on the strings of the zither, about to pluck them, when suddenly a shocking sound came from the other side. The Minister's daughter's expression changed drastically!
Second update! See you tomorrow! Love you all! Please vote, leave comments, and give me monthly tickets! Group kisses, my darlings!
127 Dragon and Phoenix Harp! A rainbow appears, a series of breathtaking sights!
Updated: 2013-06-25 13:22:53 Word Count: 11015
Dressed in fiery red, Luo Zhiheng sat cross-legged before the zither, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, her eyes brimming with cunning. With unparalleled elegance, she moved her hand from the head to the tail of the zither. At that moment, Luo Zhiheng appeared to everyone as a completely different person—so serene, so mysterious.
A gentle breeze lifted the veil covering her face, creating a faint ripple of mystery before it fell away, making her even more alluring. If it weren't for her ten fingers glittering with gold and her jewelry exuding a vulgar, nouveau riche air, Luo Zhiheng might not have been so repulsive at this moment.
Suddenly, her fair fingers plucked a pure white string. In the sunlight, the vibration of the string almost made people's hearts beat. The crisp and melodious sound of the zither was refreshing. It was different from the sound of Luo Zhiheng dragging the zither around. Everyone suddenly realized that this was definitely a peerless zither! Otherwise, it would be impossible for it to produce such a melodious sound in the hands of that idiot Luo Zhiheng.
The Minister's daughter's disdainful gaze instantly turned to astonishment. She abruptly looked up at Luo Zhiheng opposite her. That one glance and that voice had already caused her expression to change, and her heart suddenly tightened. Could it be that Luo Zhiheng really had some trump card? Or perhaps she actually knew how to play the zither? Otherwise, how could she have casually chosen a seemingly unremarkable guqin with such perfect sound quality?
Upon hearing the sound of the zither, everyone was startled. Those who were already watching Luo Zhiheng stared even more intently, afraid to miss the moment she cheated.
She is still the one who is least favored!
Even the judges of the competition, who initially paid little attention to the zither Luo Zhiheng had chosen, immediately sat up straight the moment they heard the music. Zhiheng, that clever girl!
"She chose the dragon and phoenix zither left by the master?!" The judge's voice wasn't loud, but the shock was considerable.
The other judges instantly snapped to attention, sitting up straight as if rehearsed, staring intently at Luo Zhiheng.
The gentleman's identity has always been shrouded in mystery, but his musical skills are unparalleled. This Dragon and Phoenix Qin is the gentleman's lifelong love. Originally, it was a pair of ancient qins, hence the name Dragon and Phoenix. However, the Phoenix Qin has long been extinct, leaving only the Dragon Qin to roam the world alone, without a companion to sing in harmony, just like the gentleman's life.
Now, entrusted by the master, I am bringing this dragon zither to participate in the competition. The master said that he would see if the dragon zither would be lucky enough to meet someone who could feel its loneliness and play a tune that would no longer be lonely. If such a person exists, he will give the dragon zither as a reward to the person who plays it.
Because of its extraordinary origins and long-standing fame, the Dragon and Phoenix Zither was renamed the Dragon and Phoenix Zither after people learned that the Phoenix Zither had been lost.
It is said that those who can possess the Dragon and Phoenix Zither and bring joy to it are all people born with a noble destiny!
Because this Dragon and Phoenix Zither was created a thousand years ago by Leng Aotian, the founding emperor who unified and ruled the entire world for a hundred years! In the thousand years that followed, the Dragon and Phoenix Zither passed through the hands of countless owners, but each of them became an important figure who was listed on the list of the most important people in history, and none of them were of high status or wealth!
Upon seeing Luo Zhiheng casually choose a precious zither of extraordinary origin, which could even be considered an important item in the competition, the judges and other insiders all changed their expressions drastically!
Luo Zhiheng seemed lost in thought. At this moment, her hand caressed the long zither. This ancient and unassuming instrument gave her a very subtle feeling, as if a soul resided within it, a soul that had been lonely for thousands of years. Its aloofness and long period of silence had caused the instrument to lose its luster for so many years.
Her hand was like caressing the heart of someone who had died, a heart that was no longer passionate or beating, but she could feel that this dead soul was still alive!
How bizarre! Luo Zhiheng, who had originally planned to continue to cheat her way through this hurdle, suddenly found herself unable to bear using the zither to cheat and renege on her promise. She even thought that she couldn't let her own idea tarnish such a fine instrument.