The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 241 It feels like a lifetime ago

Jiang Fengxiao was still shaken. Yu Qi had used him as bait; the one who would take the bait was either Zhao Wanfu's or Li Jing's men.

It seems that their faction is not going to gain any advantage.

Jiang Fengxiao thought about many things and couldn't help but feel alarmed by these people.

Yu Qi interrogated these people overnight, and just as he expected, although they did not seek death, they were unwilling to reveal anything.

"Watch them."

After saying this, Yu Qi left the Dali Temple.

It's not worth wasting time on these people. What he needs to do now is report this matter to the Emperor and wait for Li Sheng to return to Chang'an safely.

The Emperor will know about this and will definitely take better care of Li Sheng.

Yu Qi didn't want to wait a moment longer and immediately sent word to the palace.

Li Jiangui was woken up in the middle of the night and, upon hearing about this, summoned Yu Qi in.

The next morning, news of the assassination attempt on the Dali Temple spread like wildfire, with everyone speculating about who was responsible.

It's not that no one suspected Li Jing, but Li Jing's previous image was so deeply ingrained in people's minds that few people pinned the blame on him.

Chang'an was in increasing chaos. Li Jing and Zhao Wanfu's plan failed, but Li Sheng returned safely.

The moment the carriage appeared at the city gate, Li Jing smashed the teacup in his hand.

"How could I not understand what my father meant by summoning him back to Chang'an? It's just that he suspects me."

The eunuchs knelt on the ground, and one of them spoke tremblingly: "Your Highness, if it really comes to a last resort, Your Highness should make plans as soon as possible."

That would certainly not be acceptable to simply sit and wait for death.

"Do I need you to remind me?"

Li Jing's gaze was ruthless. Li Sheng was not dead, nor was Jiang Fengxiao. These two were very lucky. Now that Li Sheng had returned alive, he was going to compete with him.

Before the incident in Lizhou, Li Jing could never compete with Li Sheng, but now, what should he do?

Li Jing took a deep breath, feeling a dull ache in his head.

Zhao Jiahe rushed back from Cining Palace, but upon hearing that Li Jing had lost his temper, he dared not approach him.

She was about to return to her own courtyard when someone from Zhao Yu's side called her over.

"What did she call me for?"

Zhao Jiahe still went to check. Zhao Yu's room was dark, and even during the day, the curtains were drawn, which looked very strange.

"Sister is looking for me?"

Zhao Yu looked at her and said in a harsh tone, "If you want to live, you should leave now."

She gave Zhao Jiahe one last reminder because she knew that things were no longer going in their control.

Zhao Jiahe sat down and said leisurely, "Is my sister afraid that I will take your place? His Highness has treated me very well these days, while my sister is now trapped in a predicament, with no one to turn to for help."

She looked at him with a sneer, thinking that Zhao Yu was anxious because he was afraid that she would become the Crown Princess.

Zhao Yu thought she was being unreasonable, still thinking about such things at a time like this.

"If you used your brain to look at the current situation, you wouldn't think that way." Zhao Yu spoke too quickly and coughed violently. "Why do you think he sent you to Cining Palace?"

Zhao Jiahe opened her mouth, but didn't know how to explain.

She heard the rumors circulating outside when she returned today, but she found them unbelievable. How could His Highness be that kind of person?

Seeing Zhao Jiahe's expression, Zhao Yu felt that she was beyond saving, already immersed in the deception woven by Li Jing, and would probably not end up with a good ending.

Zhao Yu already understood when Li Huaijiang placed people by her side.

This time it won't be as smooth as it was more than a decade ago. Li Sheng's return will definitely reverse the current stalemate.

When Li Huaijiang saw Li Sheng again, she stood behind Empress Wang and cautiously looked up at him.

Li Jiangui looked at his son, whom he was now most proud of, with a complex expression.

Li Sheng knelt down and kowtowed, saying each word clearly: "This humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty and Empress."

Over the past decade, Li Sheng's face has become mature and weathered. His gaze is calm, but he avoids meeting the eyes of Li Jiangui and Empress Wang. Only when he gets up does he glance at his younger sister who is hiding behind Empress Wang.

Li Huaijiang's nose tingled slightly, and she lowered her head to wipe away her tears.

Li Jiangui walked down and placed his hand on Li Sheng's shoulder.

"How have you been all these years?"

Li Jiangui asked him, and only when he got closer did he notice the changes in Li Sheng.

Li Sheng respectfully replied, "This humble subject eats well and sleeps well, and there is nothing wrong with it."

Empress Wang couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward, bursting into tears.

"My son."

Li Sheng turned his head to the side, his hands clasped tightly together.

He can no longer implicate his mother and younger sister.

Li Huaijiang has not been given a title to this day, and Empress Wang was impeached many times in recent years because of that incident.

Li Sheng knew all of these things.

He wasn't sure if he could clear his name this time, and he didn't dare to gamble at all.

Seeing Li Sheng's estrangement from them, Li Jiangui felt a pang of emotion.

"Go and freshen up before you come to see me. I have something to ask you."

Li Sheng agreed and turned to leave.

Returning to Chang'an, he felt very out of place and everything here seemed unfamiliar.

Pei Du escorted Li Sheng back from the city gate. He saw Li Sheng with his own eyes, and he was somewhat different from what he had imagined.

But after all these years, he seems to have some things that are still similar to before.

Yu Qi walked up to Pei Du and asked, "You saw him?"

Pei Du nodded.

"What kind of person is he?" Yu Qi was very curious because he hadn't been able to meet him.

Pei Du thought about it carefully for a moment, then replied, "It's like a lake; I can't figure it out."

Their meeting was brief, and the only thing they said to each other was that Li Sheng thanked him; that was all.

Yu Qi stood with his hands behind his back. Right now, they desperately needed Li Sheng's help, but what should they do if Li Sheng didn't say anything?

Hearing Pei Du's description, Yu Qi, who was not worried at first, now had to prepare for the worst.

He was afraid that Li Sheng no longer cared about whether or not to overturn the case; more than a decade of torment had made Li Sheng indifferent.

Seeing Yu Qi's worry, Pei Du comforted him, "No one would pass up a chance to clear their name, and besides, isn't there Princess Huai Jiang?"

Li Huaijiang and Li Sheng are siblings born of the same mother. If Li Sheng has any conscience, he should feel sorry for Li Huaijiang's sacrifices over the years.

Thinking of Li Huaijiang, Yu Qi felt that there might be a turning point in the matter.

Li Sheng went to wash up, and before meeting Li Jiangui, Li Huaijiang went to see him.

"Little sister."

Li Sheng sat in a chair, and a eunuch tidied his long hair.

Li Huaijiang didn't say anything, she just watched.

Li Sheng finally smiled: "It's been a long time. You've grown quite a bit taller. How have Father and Mother treated you? Have they blamed you all these years?"

"They didn't blame me, Your Majesty, but what about you? Do you blame yourself?"

Li Huaijiang took a step forward and met Li Sheng again, but to his surprise, the man looked lifeless and nothing could arouse his interest.

Li Sheng's lips stiffened slightly.