#137: The Intention to Eliminate

Jichun smiled and said, “Mistress said this is what Miss Wu deserves. She also instructed me that if you refuse to accept it, I’m not allowed to return to Cailan Pavilion. Please don’t make things difficult for me.”

Seeing no way to decline further, Yunyi relented. “Fine, then tomorrow Caiping and I will go thank Third Madam together.”

Jichun kindly acknowledged her response. After she left, Jiang Caiping’s eyes sparkled like crescent moons, her joy evident as she exclaimed repeatedly, “Third Madam is truly a good person. As soon as she learned our stipends were withheld, she sent Jichun with two strings of coins.” Then, recalling something, she asked, “By the way, why did Third Madam take you away earlier? Why did Jichun say this money was what you deserved?”

Yunyi tapped her forehead lightly. “You ask too many questions. Hurry and send the money to your family tomorrow so they can use it for your father’s treatment. If it’s not enough, I have some extra…”

“It’s enough, more than enough!” Jiang Caiping grinned. “One string of coins will suffice for now. If it really isn’t enough, I’ll let you know.”

Seeing her determination, Yunyi didn’t press further. After tidying up, she went to bed. Last night, she had alternated between thinking about Li Shimin and Chunxiu’s case, unable to sleep. Today, exhaustion finally caught up with her.

Without Chunxiu causing trouble, life in Yuefang Pavilion flowed peacefully. Days passed swiftly like a shuttle weaving through time. Unexpectedly, Li Xuanba had visited Jiang Caiping several times, either asking her to dance or play the pipa. Each time afterward, he would criticize her relentlessly, leaving Jiang Caiping fuming and unwilling to deal with him. Yet this young master seemed addicted, always finding excuses to seek her out.

On the twenty-third day of the first lunar month, nearly half a month had passed since Li Jiancheng left Honghua Prefecture. Under his urging, they were now over six hundred li away. Though there were post stations along the route, to minimize exposure, Li Jiancheng chose to stay at inns instead.

That night, Ji Rong was changing Li Jiancheng’s bandages when Feng Li entered. After greeting the eldest young master, he stood quietly to the side.

Once Ji Rong finished rewrapping the wound with fresh gauze, Li Jiancheng remarked, “These past few days, my wound has been itching. Could there be an issue with the medicine?”

Ji Rong smiled gently. “I just examined your wound, Young Master. There’s nothing abnormal. The itching indicates the bones are healing well. By the time we reach Hedong, your leg injury should be fully healed.”

“That’s good,” Li Jiancheng nodded approvingly. Then, addressing Ji Rong, “You may leave now.”

“Yes.” Ji Rong complied and exited. Once the door closed, Li Jiancheng turned to Feng Li. “Is there news?”

Feng Li nodded and relayed the latest updates to Li Jiancheng. Had Li Shimin been present, he would have been astonished, for Feng Li recounted the recent events surrounding Feng Chunxiu’s case in Honghua Prefecture.

After finishing, Li Jiancheng furrowed his brows deeply. “You’re saying that Shimin intervened in the county magistrate’s investigation to help Wu Meixue?”

“Yes. Ultimately, it was proven that Feng Chunxiu died accidentally and Wu Meixue was innocent.” Before Feng Li could finish, Li Jiancheng’s expression darkened. “Such serious cases should be handled by the county magistrate. Why must he meddle and invite criticism?”

“According to the reports, Second Young Master assisted Magistrate Qin in solving Feng Chunxiu’s case and clearing Wu Meixue’s name, earning much admiration from the locals. I doubt there will be significant repercussions.”

“What good is their admiration? A single accusation at court could doom the entire Li family!” With a frustrated slap on the armrest, he scolded, “This Shimin—usually calm and composed, yet loses all reason whenever Wu Meixue is involved. Each incident becomes more outrageous than the last. And Father—such a grave matter, and he allows him to act recklessly!”

That day, when Li Shimin refused to hand over Wu Meixue even at the risk of offending Wang Wei and others, Li Jiancheng sensed something unusual about his younger brother’s feelings toward her. Although Li Shimin later insisted his actions weren’t motivated by affection for the dancer, Li Jiancheng remained uneasy. Before departing, he arranged for someone to monitor Li Shimin closely and report back via carrier pigeon. In less than half a month, this incident occurred.

Feng Li suggested, “Perhaps you should write a letter advising Second Young Master?”

Li Jiancheng coldly replied, “Shimin is already besotted with Wu Meixue. He wouldn’t heed my advice—it would only reveal that I’ve been secretly surveilling him.” The next moment, he uttered words that shocked Feng Li. “Return to Honghua Prefecture immediately and kill Wu Meixue.”

Feng Li gasped. “Young Master, how… how can this be done? Though those incidents revolved around Wu Meixue, she isn’t at fault!”

Li Jiancheng’s expression remained calm. “I know. But beauties bring calamity. This woman will eventually harm Shimin. Only by eliminating her can we prevent future troubles.” To him, killing wasn’t difficult—he had shed blood since his youth, accompanying Li Yuan on campaigns.

“Moreover, this is a critical time for the Li family. I won’t tolerate any instability, no matter how minor. It must be dealt with immediately!” Under the orange candlelight, Li Jiancheng’s face appeared chilling, sending an involuntary shiver down Feng Li’s spine.

Li Jiancheng glanced at him. “What? Can’t bring yourself to do it?”

After a long silence, Feng Li clenched his teeth and bowed. “I’ll depart for Honghua Prefecture immediately!”

Satisfied, Li Jiancheng nodded and added, “The dancers leave the mansion on the first and fifteenth of each month. Wait until Wu Meixue leaves before acting.” Without waiting for Feng Li’s response, he emphasized, “Remember, only you and I know of this. No one else must find out.”

“I understand.” After speaking, Feng Li headed to the inn’s backyard, saddled a horse, and departed under the cover of night. Ji Rong watched from the window as Feng Li disappeared into the distance. Strange—what could Feng Li be doing at such a late hour? Moreover, the road he took seemed to lead back the way they came. Could he be returning to Honghua Prefecture?

Unaware that she had become a target for assassination, Yunyi had been trying to get close to Li Yuan during this time. However, ever since the previous attack, Li Yuan had grown extremely cautious, never traveling without guards, making it difficult for her to act.

Thankfully, due to Linshi’s intervention, aside from the three-month stipend penalty, Lady Wan hadn’t caused further trouble for them.

Worth mentioning was Zhang Chenyue, who succumbed to torture in the dungeon and committed suicide by smashing her head against a wall during a guard’s lapse. Whether she was truly an assassin and if she had accomplices remained unknown.