Chapter 276 - Exposing the Identity
Chapter 276 Exposing the Identity
There was a commotion by the time they arrived at Liuxin Courtyard.
The moment Lin Mengya stepped through the entrance, Xiaoyu and Qinghu were all ready to set out to save Lin Mengya, holding their long swords in their hands.
When they abruptly saw Lin Mengya coming into the courtyard, their eyes were widened in shock.
“Are you… you alright, Elder Sister?”
Without hesitation, Xiaoyu threw himself into Lin Mengya’s arms.
His pair of doe eyes were glistening with tears. Lin Mengya shot Qinghu a puzzled look. Since when did this little guy start to be so emotional?
“I’m fine now. The bad guys had been chased away by Lin Kui and his guards. Don’t worry, am I not standing before your eyes unharmed?”
The little guy who buried himself in Lin Mengya’s chest was still trembling. Not far from them, Wanyan Lie was rushing towards them. However, his face was injured and his clothes were in disarray.
What had happened? Had Liuxin Courtyard been attacked too?
“Young Master, please take care of your health and stop being stubborn.”
Xiaoyu turned to glare at Wanyan Lie. Even Lin Mengya was stunned to see the deep hatred in Xiaoyu’s eyes.
What exactly happened?
“Stay out of this! Wanyan Lie, I will remember what happened today. If you hurt my Elders Sister in any way, I won’t let you go!”
Xiaoyu lashed out and it made Lin Mengya frown. Seeing the shadow of guilt in Wanyan Lie’s eyes, she could roughly make out what had happened.
“You should all go back. I’m tired and I need to rest. Mr. Wanyan, I’d advise you to restrain yourself and remember that you’re in the prince’s mansion. The prince had been lenient with your coming and going in the mansion on Xiaoyu’s account. If you’re tired of the quiet life here, I will let the prince know that you’d like him to keep an eye on you.”
It was not often that Lin Mengya used such severe expressions. If Wanyan Lie had taken part in what happened this time, it would have been as good as nurturing a tiger in their midst and inviting calamity.
Wanyan Lie would never have expected the usually easy-going Lin Mengya to be so harsh towards him this time.
Immediately, the expression on his face changed to one of displeasure.
At this juncture, the men behind Wanyan Lie turned into henchmen in borrowed plumes who appeared suddenly and started raising their voices saying, “Who do you think you are? How dare you speak to Manager Lie in this manner. If not for the fact that you’re the young master’s elder sister, I would’ve—”
“What would have you done?”
Lin Mengya’s clear, beautiful eyes were suddenly filled with chilling coldness. They used to be a pair of sparkly kind eyes, but at this moment, they look as terrifying as ghost eyes.
She was merely a weak, petite woman, but her severe air about her had even deterred Wanyan Lie from going against her.
“Please bear in mind that this is not Lie Yun but Dajin. While I let you in, I can also keep you here. I’m not the one who is allowed to live on Xiaoyu’s account. Listen carefully, Wanyan Lie. From this moment on, make sure you restrain your men. Do not commit anything that is forbidden here. Otherwise, you’ll end up a wandering soul in Dajin regardless of who you are!”
Her words carried so much weight that even Wanyan Lie was surprised that this woman was even able to be so straightforward when she threatened people. She was not the least inferior to any man. No one dared doubt her words.
At this moment, their eyes were locked and neither was backing down.
They persisted until a figure in jet black robe came in between the two of them.
“I hope you remember every word my consort said and adhere to it. Dajin is not Lie Yun. It’s not a place where the Wanyan Family can do anything you like. Perhaps I should address you as the sovereign general of and Fourth Prince of Lie Yun.”
Long Tiaohao’s voice of indifference came in between the two. In this situation of two against one, Wanyan Lie eventually backed down.
Long Tianyu who was clad entirely in black, was expressionless on his face. The light which shone forth from his jet black eyes instilled fear.
A wary look flashed across Wanyan Lie’s eyes when he heard Long Tianyu revealing his identity.
Although his identity was not meant to be a secret, no one had exposed him so far. Not to mention that Long Tianyu had exposed his identity, but even after this, he continued to threaten him. It appeared that Long Tianyu truly had the intention to keep them in Dajin.
If Lin Mengya were a sword that showed off its ability occasionally, Long Tianyu would be an axe hanging on his neck.
Wanyan Lie quickly calmed down. He had underestimated these two people earlier.
He thought he had been very discreet and was convinced that Princess Yu would not find out his identity unless his young master revealed the secret to her.
Never would he expect that their identity and whereabouts were under Prince Yu and Princess Yu’s scrutiny all along.
“Thank you for your reminder, Your Highness.”
Wanyan Lie cupped his fists as a gesture of respect as he did not dare to continue being rude like he was earlier.
Lin Mengya’s expression softened as she watched Wanyan Lie and his men leave.
Xiaoyu remained in her arms and refused to even look at Wanyan Lie at all. It was obvious that there were many problems. Lin Mengya was keenly aware of what was on Xiaoyu’s mind. Likely, Xiaoyu had found that Wanyan Lie had bad intentions towards Lin Mengya and was therefore provoked to anger.
“Alright now, do not leak out whatever happened today. Come into the house with me, the few of you.”
The maids and servants in the Liuxin courtyard were old-timers, who naturally knew what to say and what not to say.
In the twinkling of an eye, the initially bustling courtyard had become quiet.
At this moment, Lin Mengya was seated on a chair in the main hall and one could tell from her eyes that she was in deep thoughts. Xiaoyu, who was sitting next to Lin Mengya, was wearing a serious expression on his face.
The atmosphere was tense and suffocating and no one spoke a word.
“From today onwards, none of you in the Liuxin Courtyard is allowed to go out of the house as when you please. If someone asks for you, you’ll have to report to me first before you go,” said Lin Mengya severely after a long time.
As Lin Mengya rubbed her shinning full forehead with her slender fingers, she had conceived a plan in her mind.
If all she did was to avoid Baili Wuchen’s schemes, she would have to live in fear all her life.
Would it not be better to get rid of this tumor once and for all?
She could not make use of Long Tianyu’s authority for now. If Baili Wuchen’s spies were to hear about it, she would have alerted the enemy prematurely.
“Yes, Master.”
Although the maidservants did not really understand what was going on, they exchanged looks and nodded.
It was obvious that Long Tianyu had been losing sleep over this matter, which could be seen from the dark circles under his eyes.
“Your Highness, I know it’s been difficult for you to manage the matter regarding Baili Wuchen. However, the arrow is already on the bowstring so we have to shoot.”
Lin Mengya knew that in order to eradicate all threats, she had to coordinate and work together with Long Tianyu.
As she turned to look at Long Tianyu, she saw the look of determination in his pair of crystal clear eyes.
“I will think of a way to handle this matter. I was the one who freed Baili Wuchen, so it would be solely my responsibility to root out the consequences.”
At Long Tianyu’s reply, Lin Mengya started frowning.
Although Long Tianyu did not keep anything from her, she had only seen a portion of the family’s subjects by now.
Despite the fact that new prisoners were being brought into the dungeon every day, Long Tianyu had never mentioned to her the reason why they were locked up and what their identities were before that.
Although she was the widely accepted princess, she was clueless regarding Long Tianyu’s core secrets.
Perhaps Long Tianyu felt that it would be safer for her not to know too much.
Unfortunately, Baili Wuchen was using all ways and means to go against her. For example, he had employed tricks on people’s hearts as well as interlocked stratagems, which came one after another like sea waves. She could hardly breathe from all of these attacks.
If she continued letting Long Tianyu keep the big picture from her, sooner or later, someone close to her would be harmed by Baili Wuchen!
“Your Highness, I know these men had been through a lot with you and would willingly risk life and limb for you, but now I am the target of attack. I can’t just sit here and wait for death. I implore you to grant me my request to screen them carefully.”
Lin Mengya sounded sincere when she spoke. If Long Tianyu was not willing to be the bad guy, she would!
“You— better stay in the Liuxin Courtyard and not worry about it. The situation in the Capital City is too chaotic. Moreover, the subjects in the courts are trying their best to facilitate your entering into the palace. If something serious happens at this time and the Queen would have something on you and your plan of going into the palace may be ruined.”
“But Your Highness—”
“Let’s not talk about this anymore. I will instruct Lin Kui to step up the security at the Liuxin Courtyard. Try to go out as less as possible these few days. Bear in mind that its more important to take the bigger picture into consideration.”
Lin Mengya really just wanted to personally find out who the perpetrators were. She was after all an outliner. This was a case of the onlooker seeing more of the game.
However, Long Tianyu did not wait for Lin Mengya to react but stood up to leave the main hall of the Liuxin Courtyard after he finished speaking.
“Your Highness! In spite of the importance of my entrance into the palace, Baili Wuchen was such a crazy and cruel person. What if he lays his fingers on the innocent?”
Although there was no way she could find out what was Baili Wuchen’s next step, Lin Mengya could not help but be anxious when she queried Long Tianyu. She was certain Baili Wuchen was going to carry out some evil plan.
“Stop making trouble without a reason. Just leave it to me, I’ll handle the matter.”
Long Tianyu furrowed his brows and said with a cold voice. There was even a hint of impatience in the way he looked at Lin Mengya. Together with his men, he left the Liuxin Courtyard thereafter.
An abrupt sense of loss came upon Lin Mengya, and the emptiness in her spread and grew.
She had been used to Long Tianyu’s forbearance and understanding towards her, as well as how he had connived at her willfulness and trouble-making.
She stood frozen at the door as she watched Long Tianyu disappeared from her eyes. Long Tianyu’s accusation that she was making trouble without reason struck her like a hammer, and as a result, she lost her mind.