Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: The Crown Prince's Whip Is Fierce

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“I have grasped the general outline of the matter, and there are many oddities. However, I firmly believe this has nothing to do with you,” said Princess Li Zhaohua. Cao Xiaolan’s eyes brimmed with tears as she wiped her cheeks with a handkerchief.

[Does this woman trust me so much?]
[Could it be because I’m handsome?]

Zhao Wujiang smiled silently. Li Zhaohua gave him a sharp glance. “However… the imperial edict has already been issued. The Crown Prince will not easily retract his decree unless you find the true culprit. Three days is too short a time. If you need any assistance from me, just say the word. Among the many officials in the court, two or three out of ten would still be willing to do me a favor…”

Her calm tone carried an undeniable authority. Since Zhao Wujiang knew she held considerable influence behind the scenes, there was no need for Li Zhaohua to be reserved with him.

Zhao Wujiang was momentarily taken aback. In the original story, Li Zhaohua always concealed her strength. Why was she suddenly confiding in him like this? If Li Zaiyuan found out, would he suspect Zhao Wujiang of leaking information?

[No, unless absolutely necessary, I must not rely on this great beauty’s power.]

Zhao Wujiang spoke sincerely, “Thank you, Princess. I will let you know if I need help.” Li Zhaohua nodded, thinking he was simply too independent to trouble her.

Zhao Tingxiao… you did give birth to a fine son.

Cao Xiaolan could not stop sobbing. The entire Cao family had perished, and she was overwhelmed by grief.

Zhao Wujiang sighed. He felt this matter was a direct attack from Long Zhan aimed at him, and that he had indirectly implicated Cao Xiaolan.

“Xiaolan, come with me.”

Zhao Wujiang headed toward the place where Qianye Rizhao was detained. Cao Xiaolan staggered but steadied herself and followed him closely. Li Zhaohua, suspicious, hesitated but decided to follow as well.

There are many ways to comfort a woman; one of the best is to administer a sharp blow.

If one is not enough, then two.

Of course, Zhao Wujiang was not taking Cao Xiaolan to get an injection, but to beat someone.

He pushed open the door of Qianye Rizhao’s cell.

“Young Master, have you decided to cooperate with me?” Qianye Rizhao thought Zhao Wujiang had had a change of heart.

But who knew—

“Cooperate, my foot!”

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Zhao Wujiang stormed in, handing a whip to Cao Xiaolan.

“Young Master… this?” Cao Xiaolan was alarmed and hesitant to take it.

Zhao Wujiang forced it into her hand. “Take it out on him. Don’t worry, I’m the one guarding him; if anything happens, I’ll take the blame.”

Qianye Rizhao was stunned and about to shout at Zhao Wujiang but caught sight of Cao Xiaolan behind him and swallowed his fury. This madwoman had tried to kill her before, and Zhao Wujiang had stopped her.

Seeing Cao Xiaolan still reluctant, Zhao Wujiang came up behind her, grabbed her arm, and swung the whip down onto Qianye Rizhao’s back.

She winced in pain, realizing Zhao Wujiang was letting this madwoman vent her anger.

“I really didn’t kill anyone. Stop hitting me.”

“I know it wasn’t you, but this matter involves your identity. Besides, you’re a woman from a small island nation—what’s the harm in giving you a good thrashing?”

Qianye Rizhao could only grunt in resentment.

Cao Xiaolan wiped her tears and stared at Zhao Wujiang with profound gratitude for this man.

Once Cao Xiaolan had vented her emotions and calmed down, Li Zhaohua did not linger and took her leave after bidding Zhao Wujiang farewell.

On the way back to the palace—

“For Zhao Wujiang to make such a gesture to please me is interesting and thoughtful…” Li Zhaohua mused.

Cao Xiaolan pursed her lips tightly, then suddenly knelt down.

“Princess, I believe the Young Master acts for justice. Please help him; I believe he is a good man who does not deserve to die…”

“Rest assured,” Li Zhaohua smiled warmly at the foolish girl, “If after three days Zhao Wujiang still cannot find the true culprit, I will personally plead on his behalf…”

…

In the dim dungeon, the oil lamp flickered softly.

Liu Ruyan saw Zhao Wujiang arrive, her eyes filled with fear and a trace of resentment. She covered her chest, which could no longer conceal her exposed beauty, and backed away until she pressed against the cold stone wall.

“What… what do you want this time?”

She sounded fierce but inwardly timid, trying to muster courage with her loud voice.

Zhao Wujiang’s power of the Dragon-Soul Saint Body needed refining. He had already come to her many times before—could he have refined it all so quickly?

His aura was cold and sharp as he spoke bluntly, “Ling Qingxue framed me for murder. I need you to tell me her weakness.”

Liu Ruyan’s eyes darted nervously. Had the Fourth Senior Sister emerged?

But seeing Zhao Wujiang’s expression, it was clear he had been bested by her.

Heh, serves you right!

Liu Ruyan shook her head. “So you say she killed someone? How can you be so certain it was my Fourth Senior Sister?”

“Enough nonsense!” Zhao Wujiang’s brow furrowed sharply.

“Who else could become an exact duplicate and slaughter a seventh-rank official’s entire household in such a short time if not by using Mirage Floral Moon? Tell me who else?”

Liu Ruyan looked at Zhao Wujiang in disbelief.

He even knew about Mirage Floral Moon?

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Had he learned it from Long Zhan?

But now that Senior Sister had arrived, Liu Ruyan felt gradually emboldened, lifting her ample chest proudly.

“Since you know how powerful Mirage Floral Moon is, why don’t you release me? Otherwise, if Senior Sister finds you here, you’ll… ah, what are you doing?”

Before she could finish threatening, Zhao Wujiang struck her with the whip Cao Xiaolan had just used.

“Speak!”

“I won’t! Zhao Wujiang, don’t think I’ll betray my sect secrets to you like Long Zhan and side with the court! Ah! Ahhh!”

“I don’t have time for your nonsense. Speak now or I’ll whip you to death!”

“I won’t tell you, even if you beat me to death!”

Zhao Wujiang showed no mercy, but Liu Ruyan’s spirit was stronger than he expected.

The original story only vaguely mentioned that Mirage Floral Moon had a fatal weakness.

As for what that weakness was, Zhao Wujiang never discovered it, even after reading to the end.

Most of the plot focused on Long Zhan, and the protagonist’s aura overshadowed those around him, so the weakness was overlooked.

But if he wanted to find the false Qianye Rizhao, Ling Qingxue, he must first break Mirage Floral Moon.

[This whip won’t do, should I switch to another?]

Seeing Liu Ruyan’s stubbornness, Zhao Wujiang prepared to use a barbed whip.

Liu Ruyan’s expression changed.

“I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you!”

“Hm?”

Zhao Wujiang was puzzled.

[She’s relenting?]

Liu Ruyan groaned mournfully, biting her lip reluctantly.

“The weakness of Mirage Floral Moon lies in the state of mind. Mirage Floral Moon can alter appearance because, as the saying goes, ‘the face reflects the heart.’

A stable appearance requires a stable mind.

Once the mind is disturbed by external forces—

Sudden loud noises, bright lights—

They all cause fluctuations in the mind, destabilizing Mirage Floral Moon and revealing the true form…”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wujiang’s eyes lit up brilliantly.