coobybook Chapter 247 Going Home
Chapter 247 Going Home
"But Lord Shen, how did you manage to get yourself into such a sorry state?" Lin Wan'er's words were casual, making it impossible to tell whether they were sarcastic or concerned.
Shen Li shrugged: "I was a bit unlucky, I got arrested."
"I told you to practice martial arts seriously a long time ago." Lin Wan'er said this when she was close to her.
Shen Li stuck out her tongue where no one could see her.
Lin Wan'er looked at Bai Wuyou warily again, and frowned when she saw his devilishly handsome face. This man looked dangerous.
The internal energy is very strong; even if the internal energy itself doesn't harm people, this face can easily injure them.
"This is my benefactor, Master Wunian, the last disciple of the Wudang Mountain Sect Master," Shen Li introduced.
"I see." Lin Wan'er nodded slightly. "Greetings, Daoist Master."
Bai Wuyou could tell that the general in front of her was much simpler in mind than Shen Li, who was as cunning as a rabbit.
Although the Red Lotus Sect branch has several thousand members, they are all ordinary people living ordinary lives. Only a few hundred core disciples are stationed at the branch, which is also the root of the Red Lotus Sect in Anzhou.
The army mobilized tens of thousands of people, but to avoid alerting the enemy, only a thousand were sent as the vanguard. The rest of the troops approached in succession, and by the time the main force arrived, the enemy had been mostly wiped out.
The main force was commanded by a general from the Five Armies Commandery, and the commander was Shen Zizai. When Shen Zizai saw Shen Li, his red eyes immediately welled up with tears, and he grabbed Shen Li's hand and wouldn't let go.
"Thank God, thank God," Shen Zizai muttered. "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright."
"Father, your daughter is fine. She hasn't suffered or been hurt," Shen Li quickly reassured her.
"Thank God." Shen Zizai, who had studied Confucianism for half his life, was now filled with gratitude to all the gods and Buddhas.
He was extremely worried lately, and upon receiving news that his daughter was safe, he immediately sent someone back to Kyoto to show it to his wife.
Shen Li felt heartbroken seeing her father's tears streaming down his face. In her previous life, she had been imprisoned for more than a year, and her parents must have had a hard time.
After destroying the Anzhou branch, Shen Zizai obtained a roster containing the names of Red Lotus Sect members who had been hiding in various places. He exchanged a glance with his daughter and decided to hide the roster.
Although the Red Lotus Sect has always intended to rebel, it rarely harms ordinary people. In fact, it is quite adept at winning over the people, and when it does take action, it is usually against corrupt officials who have committed heinous crimes.
The key figures of the branch were taken down, but the people on the list were all ordinary citizens, and Shen Zizai did not want to investigate further.
Given the current emperor's temperament, if he were to obtain this list, he would likely implicate many people. Such tyrannical methods, if spread far and wide, would not be good for the emperor's reputation.
It's best to pretend it didn't happen.
Shen Li had the coachman settle Bai Wuyou in the Gu family's temporary residence, while she changed into court attire and went to the palace with her father and Lin Wan'er to report back.
She was accompanied by Peony, who was so happy to see her young mistress return that she practically jumped for joy.
"Miss, I told you that with your abilities, nothing would happen to you." She opened the food box in the carriage and fed her mistress.
Shen Li ate her steamed bun and smiled when she heard this: "Really? I heard that someone's eyes were red from crying the other day."
"I...I mean, well, this servant thinks that assassin's martial arts are quite formidable. You might not be his match if you were acupunctured." Peony had no choice but to tell the truth.
Shen Li looked at her with doting eyes; this child really couldn't hide anything from her.
"Miss, why did you bring a man back?" Peony blushed as she spoke of Bai Wuyou: "You didn't bring him back just because he's good-looking, did you?"
"What are you thinking about?" Shen Li said irritably, "They saved me, so I have to take responsibility for letting them recover at our house."
"Is that so?" Peony seemed somewhat disappointed.
She thought that since the young lady was so beautiful, it would be wonderful if she could stay in the manor.
"Otherwise what? Me, a married woman, lusting after a man?" If Shen Li weren't eating, she would definitely tap her on the head to see what she was thinking.
“That’s right, the master treated you so well.” Peony thought of Gu Chang’an and then said, “In the two days before you were kidnapped, the master barely ate or drank anything, and we were all worried about him.”
"And then?" Shen Li asked.
"My diet has returned to normal these past two days, and I look healthier too."
Shen Li was relieved. The result was good, especially the letters she had in her arms.
She smiled at the thought, wanting to see how Zhou Zhen would exonerate himself.
"Li girl, you're finally back. Are you hurt?" Emperor Cheng was genuinely happy to see Shen Li on his throne.
"Your Majesty's blessings are great; I only have some minor bumps and bruises, nothing serious," Shen Li replied with a cupped hand. In reality, the minor injury she mentioned did not exist.
Emperor Cheng indeed looked ashamed: "You've suffered a lot. You saved me this time and destroyed the Red Lotus Sect branch. You have done a great service. I will reward you handsomely."
“Your Majesty, this is my duty. I also have other important matters to report.” Shen Li knelt down again and took out several letters from his bosom: “These are the letters I obtained from the dead masked man. They concern matters of state, and I dare not fail to report them.”
"Bring it here." Emperor Cheng's expression turned solemn upon seeing this.
The eunuchs presented the letters one by one, and Emperor Cheng's face darkened even more after reading them.
"Good, good, Grand Secretary! A pillar of the state, you actually conspired with rebels to steal my throne!" Emperor Cheng slammed his fist on the table.
"Guards, immediately issue an imperial edict to strip Zhou Zhen of all his posts and have him detained by the Ministry of Justice. The Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review will jointly try him, with the Flying Fish Guards assisting from the side," Emperor Cheng ordered.
Shen Zizai was unaware of this letter and was incredulous upon hearing it. Although Zhou Zhen could not be considered a loyal and righteous person, he was definitely a competent chief minister. He never expected that Zhou Zhen would do such a treasonous thing for his own selfish interests.
"Li girl, you will assist the Left Censor-in-Chief in investigating this case, and you will submit all the details to me." Emperor Cheng gave her the appointment.
"Your Majesty, I am still too inexperienced to handle such a major case. Only someone of high status can unite the three judicial departments as one," Shen Li advised.
Shen Zizai was slightly surprised. If the Three Judicial Offices could sentence someone to death for such a crime, then targeting someone of high status would not be the same as targeting Zhou Zhen.
Emperor Cheng had a sudden inspiration and said, "Such an important matter is best handled by a prince. Which prince do you think should be chosen, Minister Shen?"
"Your Majesty, I believe the Crown Prince is the best choice. As the heir apparent of this dynasty, the Crown Prince should share Your Majesty's burdens," Shen Zizai hurriedly said.
Emperor Cheng frowned slightly, clearly feeling something was amiss, and then looked at Shen Li: "What do you think, Li'er?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not comment on this matter." Shen Li lowered his head very low, his tone extremely humble.
But Shen Zi couldn't see through his daughter's thoughts. If she didn't dare, she wouldn't have brought it up just now.
Would she say something unintentional?