428. Once and for All

Translator: Storm in a Teacup

“Qingzhou, do you still remember the person who planted the black venomous insect in you?”

Shi Qingzhou paused and nodded. “Yes. What’s up?”

Long Xiaoyuan said slowly, “He didn’t know that a simple black insect can’t control you, so we guess that there are two groups of people at that time. Now, Wu Ronghan’s group got exposed. Do you think the person who planted the black insect in you is one of his people?”

Shi Qingzhou thought for a moment and said. “I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think so? Me neither.”

“Wu Ronghan has done something on Wu Xiangyuan. Our men have asked many people in Tianji Sect, but Wu Xiangyuan was the only one who said that Wu Ronghan was an impostor. Maybe he has disguised himself so well or something else. But if Wu Ronghan is not an impostor, and he’s been plotting, then Wu Xiangyuan should be the one who is the real problem. What’s more, she exploded herself and attempted to seriously injure you with her own death.”

Shi Qingzhou paused and said slowly, “So you think there are three groups of people?”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded. “Yes. I think Wu Ronghan might not be in the same boat with Lord of Northern Barbarians. We might not have figured out the real purpose of Wu Ronghan.”

“Perhaps you have complicated the things?” Shi Qingzhou couldn’t help saying.

Long Xiaoyuan shrugged, “I hope so.”

Shi Qingzhou didn’t say anything else.

The two of them discussed for a while, and Long Xiaoyuan said, “Well, this question can’t be figured out in short time anyway. Just wait and see. If there are three groups of people, they will show themselves up.”

Shi Qingzhou nodded.

Three days later, the Shadow Guardians who were monitoring the officials reported that there was something wrong with Wu Qinghai of the Ministry of War.

The purpose of having Shadow Guardians watching over the officials was to identify the officials who got hit by venomous insects.

The surveillance did find out a lot of problems.

The integrity of the officials was one of the issues, and Long Xiaoyuan would not deal with them for the time being.

For mistakes that were not big, he would let them pass. For serious mistakes, he would scold them after things were settled.

Now, he would not do anything about them.

However, the real problem was discovered.

After hearing the Shadow Guardian’s report, Long Xiaoyuan immediately gave the order, “Take action in the evening.”

That night, when Wu Qinghai secretly met someone, he suddenly realized that his home was surrounded!

The two men in black who met Wu Qinghai turned pale.

However, it was not easy for them to escape.

The Shadow Guardians started to catch them without any difficulties.

Not long after, the two men in black, Wu Qinghai and the butler guarding the door were all arrested.

Wu Qinghai shouted that he was wronged, but the Shadow Guardians ignored him.

After they arrested everyone, the Shadow Guardians went to report to Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou.

Long Xiaoyuan said directly, “Interrogate and figure out.”

“Yes.” The Shadow Guardians retreated.

After Shadow Guardian left, Long Xiaoyuan took Shi Qingzhou into the sleeping palace.

“Qingzhou, let’s sleep.”

Shi Qingzhou looked at him. “I thought you are eager to know who gets in contact with Wu Qinghai.”

Long Xiaoyuan yawned and said lightly, “I guess it should be the person who planted the black venomous insects in you.”

Shi Qingzhou was taken aback. “Why do you think so?”

Long Xiaoyuan turned his head and smiled. “My intuition tells me that.”

Shi Qingzhou rolled his eyes. “You don’t want to tell me.”

Long Xiaoyuan felt he was wronged. “I mean it. Qingzhou, believe me.”

Shi Qingzhou didn’t say anything and walked on his own.

Long Xiaoyuan quickly caught up. “Qingzhou, don’t walk so fast, wait for me.”

Shi Qingzhou had entered the room. Long Xiaoyuan hurriedly chased after him and finally caught him when he was about to go to bed. He hugged Shi Qingzhou from behind.

“Qingzhou, it’s my intuition. You have to believe me.”

Shi Qingzhou looked at him with a faint smile. “Oh, intuition.”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded earnestly. “It’s really intuition.”

Shi Qingzhou slapped his hand away. “I’m going to sleep.”

Long Xiaoyuan said eagerly, “Qingzhou, I’ll help you take off your clothes.”

Shi Qingzhou glanced at him indifferently. “No need. I have my own hands.”

“How can I let you do it? I’ll do this menial job.”

Shi Qingzhou looked at him helplessly, but he didn’t say anything.

The next day, Long Xiaoyuan got up in the morning and went straight to the court. He didn’t ask about Wu Qinghai.

In the court, a minister mentioned Wu Qinghai.

Long Xiaoyuan said coldly, “He gloves with enemy agents and attempts to overturn my dynasty.”

The ministers started to castigate Wu Qinghai, not daring to say anything else.

After the court, Long Xiaoyuan went to Qiankun Palace while listening to Shadow Guardian’s report.

The results of Wu Qinghai’s interrogation had come out, and the two men in black were from the group who planted the black venomous insects.

Moreover, they came from Northern Barbarians, but they did not seem to work for Lord.

These people were from Northern Barbarians , but their purpose was not to help Lord rebel, but… to take revenge.

That was right! Revenge! They attempted to kill Shi Qingshan, Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou!

It was because their families died at the hands of Shi Qingshan.

Furthermore, they came from an organization, which did not have many members.

However, everyone had a grudge with Long Xiaoyuan and Tianlong Dynasty.

Some had families who were captured and killed by the border guards of Tianlong Dynasty.

Some came here to do business, but they were treated unfairly and lost their families.

In short, they had all kinds of hatred.

They designed the trap that brought huge loss to Shi Qingshan’s troops in the valley.

But this was the first time that they had cooperated with Wu Ronghan.

They had a common enemy, so they worked together.

However, when they saw that things were not right, they fled. The people who got caught worked for Wu Ronghan.

They had a dozen accomplices, and the Shadow Guardians went to arrest according to the information provided by them.

By the time Long Xiaoyuan finished listening to the report, he had arrived at Qiankun Palace.

Shi Qingzhou had been briefed by other Shadow Guardians.

Shi Qingzhou greeted Long Xiaoyuan when he saw him coming back.

“The morning court is over?”

“Yes.” Long Xiaoyuan nodded. “It’s over. How about it, Qingzhou? Is my intuition accurate?”

Shi Qingzhou glanced at him with a faint smile. “Of course, your intuition is very accurate.”

It was obviously a compliment, why did Long Xiaoyuan hear something else?

Long Xiaoyuan blinked and looked at Shi Qingzhou. “Qingzhou, why do I think you’re in a bad mood?”

“Bad mood? No.” Shi Qingzhou said.

Long Xiaoyuan snorted. “Really?”

Shi Qingzhou walked towards the dining table. “Well, you’re thinking too much.”

Long Xiaoyuan was sure that he didn’t think too much! Qingzhou was mocking him!

However, he’d better not argue with him. Long Xiaoyuan pretended that he didn’t know anything and sat down at the dining table with Shi Qingzhou, waiting for breakfast to be served…

At breakfast, Liu Suifeng and Ouyang Chuan arrived.

“Good morning. Have you had breakfast yet?”

Liu Suifeng shook his head. “No.”

“Sit down and eat together.”

Liu Suifeng did not refuse, sitting down with Ouyang Chuan.

Long Xiaoyuan asked the servants for two more pairs of chopsticks.

Liu Suifeng said while eating, “Have you arrested the people who planted the black insects?”

“Yes,” Long Xiaoyuan said while eating, “We arrested some people, and the Shadow Guardians are tracking the rest.”

“Are there any updates on Wu Ronghan?”

Long Xiaoyuan looked at Shi Qingzhou. “Any updates?”

“No, Wu Ronghan is still there.”

Ouyang Chuan was more polite. He put down the chopsticks that had just been given to him and said, “Why does he stay there? It’s a bit strange.”

Long Xiaoyuan asked Ouyang Chuan to have breakfast. “Yes, it’s a bit strange.”

Shi Qingzhou said slowly, “Maybe he has some other purpose.”

Long Xiaoyuan thought for a moment and said, “I suspected that Wu Ronghan might not have much to do with Lord of Northern Barbarians, but now I think even he does not work for Lord, there must be some connection between them.”

“Some connection?” Liu Suifeng raised his eyebrows. “What kind of connection?”

“These people we caught this time cooperated with Wu Ronghan this time. Can’t Wu Ronghan cooperate with others?”

Ouyang Chuan thought about it and felt that it was very likely.

“Well, you’re right.”

Shi Qingzhou paused and said. “It is indeed possible, but in this way, it is hard to know what Wu Ronghan’s purpose is.”

Liu Suifeng shrugged and said, “It won’t be difficult. As long as we catch him, we will know what his purpose is.”

The group fell silent and agreed.

After breakfast, Liu Suifeng and Ouyang Chuan left.

Long Xiaoyuan took Shi Qingzhou into the study to deal with the files of work.

They busied themselves until it was almost time for lunch. However, it was not possible for them to enjoy their lunch, because servants came to report that that Long Huan, the crown prince, was running a fever.

Zhang Yuan was treating him.

Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou frowned and went to the crown prince together.

The crown prince lived in the Qiankun Palace, but he was in the palace behind the Qiankun Palace, and he didn’t come to the front often.

When Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou were busy, they didn’t visit each other every day.

They arrived at the crown prince’s place together and saw Zhang Yuan was giving a treatment.

Long Xiaoyuan’s heart was wrung at sight of the child’s pitiful little face.

The little guy’s eyes brightened when he saw Long Xiaoyuan. “Hello, Father.”

“What’s wrong? Why do you suddenly have a fever?”

The little guy shook his head.

Long Xiaoyuan had to look at Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan examined the child carefully and said, “Your Majesty, it looks like he’s caught a cold, but it doesn’t look like a normal cold. It’s beyond my knowledge. Please ask Doctor Liu to come and diagnose.”

Long Xiaoyuan instantly frowned.

To call Liu Suifeng over? This meant the problem was serious.

Long Xiaoyuan pursed his lips and looked at Shi Qingzhou. He asked the servants to summon Liu Suifeng.

“Father,” the child called out softly.

Long Xiaoyuan nodded instantly. He went over and picked up the child, holding him in his arms.

Shi Qingzhou opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn’t say anything.

The child’s problem was unclear, so it was best for him not to get close to Long Xiaoyuan.

However, they were father and son. In the end, Shi Qingzhou didn’t speak and he also got closer to them.

“Where does it hurt? Tell me,” Long Xiaoyuan said softly.

The child pouted. “My head, Father, my head hurts.”

“You have a headache. Let me give you a massage, okay?”

“Okay.” The child nodded earnestly.

“Don’t nod so hard. You have a headache,” Long Xiaoyuan said hurriedly.

The child stopped obediently.

Long Xiaoyuan gently massage the child’s head. “Do you feel better?”

The child nodded. “Yes.”

Long Xiaoyuan pinched the child’s palm and said, “I’ll keep massaging you.”

Long Xiaoyuan was massaging the child when Liu Suifeng arrived.

Liu Suifeng said, “What is the matter?”

Long Xiaoyuan hurriedly waved. “Come over and take a look.”

Liu Suifeng said, “Alright, put the child down.”

Long Xiaoyuan quickly put down the child.

“Huanhuan, lie down and don’t move, okay?”

Long Huan nodded obediently.

Liu Suifeng started to feel his pulse. After a long time, he said. “All of you go out for a while. I’ll check this room.”

Long Xiaoyuan narrowed his eyes. “Is there something wrong?”

Liu Suifeng nodded. “There is something wrong.”

Long Xiaoyuan turned grim and left with everyone.

Liu Suifeng’s examination last a long time.

When Long Xiaoyuan was getting impatient outside, Liu Suifeng came out.

“How is it?” Long Xiaoyuan immediately asked.

Liu Suifeng nodded. “I found the problem and we’ll talk about it later.”

Long Xiaoyuan narrowed his eyes again and nodded slowly. “Okay.”

After all the servants were dismissed, Shi Qingzhou, Liu Suifeng, Ouyang Chuan, and Long Xiaoyuan stayed in the child’s room.

“It’s not a cold?” Long Xiaoyuan’s eyes darkened.

Liu Suifeng shook his head. “It isn’t a cold. He’s poisoned.”

Long Xiaoyuan turned grave. “How was he poisoned?”

Liu Suifeng took out a glass marble.

Long Xiaoyuan was taken aback, “The child’s toy?”

“Yes, it’s a type of poison used on skin. The poison isn’t very strong, but if he eats it, he’ll be dead.”

Long Xiaoyuan’s eyes turned cold.

Shi Qingzhou said slowly, “Is this poison hard to find?”

Liu Suifeng shook his head. “It’s not hard to find…”

“It’s not difficult to find? Do you mean it’s not necessarily those people?”

Liu Suifeng paused and shook his head. “It’s hard to say. I can only say that it’s not difficult to get this poison.”

Long Xiaoyuan frowned.

Shi Qingzhou said slowly, “The palace has been cleared many times. If those people get the chance, they will definitely not choose this common poison.”

Long Xiaoyuan pondered for a moment and then said lightly, “Then investigate.”

Liu Suifeng nodded. “Indeed, we need to make a thorough investigation. We can’t decide anything when there is no evidence.”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded and ordered the Shadow Guardians to investigate.

Shi Qingzhou asked, “Is the child okay?”

Liu Suifeng said, “Yes. The poison has been detoxified, but he is only a child and he is weak, so he will suffer for a while.”

Long Xiaoyuan frowned. “He will suffer for a while?”

“Well, we can’t help it. Just treat it like normal cold. Let him sweat. I’ll tell his maids how to take care of him in details.”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded. “Okay. We’d better be careful.”

Liu Suifeng nodded his agreement.

It was well after lunch time and Long Xiaoyuan had not eaten anything yet.

Shi Qingzhou took Long Xiaoyuan to lunch. Although he had no appetite, Long Xiaoyuan forced himself to eat.

Recently, it had been chaotic. If he didn’t eat, he would not be able to handle the situation.

No matter what, it was good that the child was fine now.

After lunch, Shi Qingzhou said. “The toys that the child plays have to be checked before he touches them. We have to make a thorough investigation on this”

“Yes.” Long Xiaoyuan nodded solemnly. “We need to investigate carefully.”

Not long after, a palace made came to report that she had seen the same glass marble at Lady Yuan’s Huoyang Palace.

Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou immediately sent people to investigate.

Lady Yuan was easy to break. When the Shadow Guardians arrived at her place, she exposed herself and got arrested.

Lady Yuan had been quiet these days, and they had not expected her to resort to poison.

She confessed soon after she was caught.

Few Shadow Guardians could keep silent under the torture, let alone such a stupid woman.

Therefore, Lady Yuan quickly confessed.

Long Xiaoyuan was shocked by her confession.

If the crown prince was poisoned to death, the Emperor would definitely sleep with the concubines again because the Empress was not able to have babies.

What kind of weird idea was this?

Her logic stunned Long Xiaoyuan.

He had thought he made himself clear by choosing Long Huan as crown prince and making him the son of Shi Qingzhou.

He didn’t expect it did not work the way he thought.

Long Xiaoyuan took a deep breath.

Shi Qingzhou was grave.

Long Xiaoyuan took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. “Since those women are so restless and they don’t even want the identity of concubines in name, I’ll satisfy them.”

“Those women?” Shi Qingzhou was startled.

“Yes, those women.” Long Xiaoyuan sneered. “I didn’t want to deal with them so early, but now that they forced me, I have to do something. This opportunity is perfect.”

Shi Qingzhou did not say anything, gazing at Long Xiaoyuan.

Long Xiaoyuan turned to look at him and said softly, “Qingzhou, I promised you to love you only for the rest of my life. There were many things to be solved, so I thought it was not urgent, planning to deal with the concubines after things are settled. But since these people have given me such a good opportunity, how can I not take it? It’s high time I got rid of all of them.”

Shi Qingzhou looked at Long Xiaoyuan’s serious face, feeling relieved.

He smiled.

Looking at Shi Qingzhou, Long Xiaoyuan kissed him fiercely.

This time, Shi Qingzhou did not dodge, and he instead responded to him.

Long Xiaoyuan got excited, deepening the kiss.

The heat between the two of them was getting intense and they were about to roll together.

Liu Suifeng’s voice came suddenly from outside. “Where are you?”

At this moment, Long Xiaoyuan even had the intention to kill him.

However, Long Xiaoyuan stopped.

Even Shi Qingzhou was panting.

Long Xiaoyuan let go of Shi Qingzhou, who straightened his clothes and went out with him.

When they got outside, Liu Suifeng blinked when he saw the two of them. “Did I disturb you?”

“No.” Long Xiaoyuan’s face darkened. “What do you think?”

Shi Qingzhou coughed, “What have you come here for?”

Liu Suifeng immediately said, “It’s about Lady Yuan. She’s dead.”

Long Xiaoyuan was stunned. “Dead?”

“Yes, she took poison and killed herself. It’s the same kind of poison.”

“How did she die?” Long Xiaoyuan frowned “Didn’t the Shadow Guardians watch over her?”

“Well, they didn’t. Actually they didn’t search her. She hid the poison on her body,” Liu Suifeng said. After all, she was the Emperor’s concubine and the Shadow Guardian did not dare to search her.

Long Xiaoyuan pursed his lips. “These people all died very quickly.”

Liu Suifeng nodded. “Although she told me how she got the poison, I wonder if anyone else is involved in it.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s just some women’s trick. Let’s get rid of them once and for all.”

“Once and for all? How do you want to do that?”