474: A Royal Decree 19

A Royal Decree 19

Linquan Village.0

When Madam Liang noticed her mother-in-law was not at lunch, she quietly asked Qi Yuanxiu, "Where's Mother? How come she's not here?"

Staring at the heavy rain outside while eating polenta, Qi Yuanxiu answered, "She said that she was going to her uncle's house this morning and would only be back in a few days."

"..." Madam Liang glanced discreetly at the Old Lady at home. She muttered to herself, now that mother-in-law was not here, she would have to deal with the Old Lady by herself… She was afraid she would not be able to handle it. She utterly hated staying with the Old Lady!

The granddaughter at home was also eating her meal silently, not daring to speak to the Old Lady…

…

…

Madam Wu woke up groggily. She felt dizzy and disoriented, and she did not know where she was. It seemed to be… a ruined temple?

Why was she in a ruined temple?

She remembered that she had left the village early that morning.

She had heard from someone a few days ago that her uncle was dying, so she had set out to visit him—likely for the last time.

However, halfway through her journey… everything had gone dark. When she opened her eyes again, she was where she was now. 

Just as Madam Wu was about to scream for help, a man wearing a black eyepatch walked up to her from the side, causing Madam Wu to be momentarily stunned before asking in a screech, "Who are you?" 

She had never seen anyone wearing an eyepatch before.

Before the man could answer her, Madam Wu asked, "Why am I here?!" as she realized she was tied to the pillar of the ruined temple. 

Li Ruoxuan crossed his arms and calmly glanced at the rain outside the ruined temple. He said, "It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that you're about to die."

Madam Wu struggled hard, trying to loosen the ropes that bound her body—but she could not break free despite her efforts. Madam Wu was irate. She scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about! Who's about to die? You're the one about who's to die!! Hurry up and untie me, or my Yaoyao will make you pay for this."

Li Ruoxuan looked back and swept a glance across the struggling Madam Wu. He smiled and said, "Qi Qingyao?"

Madam Wu was so surprised, she did not dare answer—this man might have been wearing an eyepatch and only had one good eye, but he seemed like an enigma.

Li Ruoxuan shrugged and said, "Look at you, acting so proud…"

He paused. "Why don't you tell me what the hell is with her parentage?"

Madam Wu did not pause before shouting a response, "What parentage? What nonsense are you talking about? Let me go!!"

Li Ruoxuan was too lazy to beat around the bush with this woman. He said straightforwardly, "You didn't forget how Qi Qingzhu and her family died, did you?"

"..." Madam Wu's pupils shrank, and her face immediately turned pale. "You—You—You—Are you one who killed Qingzhu's family?"

"You remembered quickly." Li Ruoxuan was very satisfied with Madam Wu's performance. "Qi Qingyao has received an imperial decree from the imperial palace. She's about to enter the palace to meet the Empress. She will not be back for at least a few months."

'Yaoyao received an imperial decree from the Empress? Who knows why Her Majesty summoned her?' Madam Wu in an even tone while agitated, "You—You—You, how do you know?"

The young man in front of her answered calmly, "Because I'm the State Preceptor."

"..." State Preceptor?

If Madam Wu was bound to the pillar, she might have been so frightened she would have knelt.

Madam Wu had also heard of many rumors from Qingzhou City lately, and they had all been about Qi Qingyao.

It was said that the State Preceptor and the Head Grand Secretariat were both in Qingzhou City… and had had run-ins with her.

Madam Wu tried her best to suppress her fear and asked, "What do you want?"

"I want you to be honest." Li Ruoxuan's voice was as light as a feather. "Otherwise, you will end up like Qi Qingzhu's family."

"..."

Madam Wu's face changed drastically.

Li Ruoxuan smiled innocently. "So, have you decided to tell me the truth?"

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