WangXian Forever Book 10

Chapter 49: Investigation

The Cheng family are being housed close to Uncle Qiren's home in the central private residences of the Lan family. This has always been the way, where the descendants and close relatives of the main branch of the Lan family live separately to where the disciples reside, and this has over the years, been because of the increasing volume of young cultivators from outside wishing to join the Sect.

Their placement ties in with the cover story that XiChen has created for them for the sake of their visit and their protection.

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan wait for the door to open at the modest home, with Hui Gai standing behind them and XiChen as Sect Leader, in front of them.

Cheng Daiyu opens the door gleefully, already smiling when she sees who has come to visit them.

Wei Ying stands in front of Lan Zhan, aware of how uncomfortable he feels to be in anyone's interests to such a degree. But he can't deny how entertaining it is, to be the star of a book, even as a side character, and by the looks of it, read by the younger generation and thought of in the best light.

It makes a change to what his reputation used to be like, and then rather than going down that spiral of melancholy, he tells Lan Zhan how happy he is to return home. Lan Zhan gives him that secret, small smile to show how pleased he is.

The house that XiChen has offered them to live in is large enough for five people, because Huaisang has elected to stay here, too.

They are led to the small table where their host, Hao Bai pours tea for everyone, declining her son's offer to do so. Huaisang pushes two paper wrapped parcels towards Wei Ying.

"The books you requested," he explains, winking at his younger cousin.

Cheng Daiyu is far too busy studying her heroes.

Lan Zhan carefully puts them away in a qiankun pouch, with Wei Ying thanking The Nie Sect Leader for the gift.

"It's the least I can do, and you're helping us so much." He fans himself elegantly.

"I believe it's a joint effort. And look what we have here." Wei Ying tosses out silencing talismans everywhere and then pulls out the poetry book. "According to Tang Pei, this is the book that Cheng Maoji gave him, just before the First Prince took him away. Oh, there's more to tell you about him, too." His face is grim as he recounts the details of their last visit with the Emperor.

The Cheng family and Huaisang are naturally shocked.

"It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together," Hao Bai snarls, so angry that her cup trembles in her hands. "If the First Prince can be so violent towards his own father, a man whose lap he sat and played upon, then how can we be surprised that he had something to do with the death of my husband?"

"Muqin...giving way to strong emotions won't help us now. Let us find proof and bring the criminals to justice, and then we can mourn." Cheng Fan says quietly, patting her arm.

"But father, what if we find proof of His Highness' guilt, what happens next? He's royalty, and what if the Emperor decides to pardon him? Then all of this will have been for nothing!" Cheng Daiyu bursts out, finally paying attention to the running conversion.

"We cannot predict the future, Child," Hao Bai says quietly, "but there are many forms of justice, and we do not have to wait for those in authority to make judgement. We can give them a chance," she adds, when she sees Wei Ying looking at her. She glances towards Huaisang.

He's sipping his tea quietly, thinking.

"The Universe is a dangerous place, after all," he says softly, not looking at anyone. "It would be a pity if there was a hunting accident one day, or if bandits picked on the wrong carriage. The Royal family has many enemies and it would be a shame if at a certain time, the First Prince is out for a walk and he is accidentally assassinated. The world changes constantly."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear any of that," Wei Ying says, uncovering Lan Zhan's ears. "Besides, we should really look at this. And before I forget, you mentioned that Porta Daven was going to visit someone in the North...didn't you say it was a general? And could that general be the same one that's been writing to the First Prince, threatening to attack?"

"Porta Daven will be able to tell us more about that," Hao Bai tells them. "Let's wait for her return. But what made you think of that now?"

"The First Prince was asking his father the answer to a question, but it didn't sound like a riddle. Maybe there was a prearranged answer that the Emperor was supposed to give back to him, one that the First Prince has no idea of. No wonder he's scared!" Wei Ying rubs his nose, thinking. "It stands to reason that the Emperor would have security measures in place so that his orders cannot be changed. Anyone can copy an official seal, or steal the original one, so it's very smart of him to have thought about this. I'm willing to bet that whatever the answer is, it will be something obscure, something that only the Emperor and the general know about."

"How is the Emperor fairing now? Is he feeling better?" Shen LiJuan asks them.

"Healer Fei isn't too pleased with how slowly he's recovering," Wei Ying says sadly. "He's the key to this whole mess, and we need him to get better as soon as possible."

"We cannot act independently of his wishes, no matter how strong the temptation is. None of us must put ourselves in a position to be at fault with the Emperor." Lan Zhan says, looking at Huaisang and Hao Bai.

"Dealing with those in power comes with great risks," XiChen tells them, "but you know that already, having lived your lives under the constant scrutiny of the Palace. My point is, do not agree to any action if it is one that could make the Emperor turn around and plant the blame on any one of you."

PengYou, Zago wants to report to you, Hui Gai tells Wei Ying through their mental connection.

Is it sensitive material? Can she talk about whatever she's found in front of the Cheng family? Wei Ying asks back.

Hui Gai answers a moment later. She said yes.