"Young master, everything has been handled."
Liaokong had escorted Xie Yuanlang and Wang Youling out of the capital's territory overnight and erased all traces before returning to report.
"Did they suspect anything?"
"With the cooperation of the Flower Manor Lord, Madam did not suspect anything. The Flower Manor Lord said he would personally escort Madam and Master to Jiangnan. This time, you owe him a great favor," Liaokong reported truthfully.
Xie Jiayan chuckled. This was indeed something he would do.
"Good, you've been tired these past two days. Get some rest early."
However, Liaokong did not leave, appearing hesitant.
"Is there something else?"
"Young master, it's just... Li Fu, who is by Sixth Madam's side, has gotten into trouble."
Although the young master had forbidden him from investigating Sixth Madam's affairs, he had stumbled upon this by chance. Moreover, it involved a life, and given the young master's good relationship with Sixth Madam, he had to speak up.
"What happened?"
"After returning to the capital, your subordinate first went to West Street to erase the traces of leaving the city last night. I encountered Li Fu being seriously injured and pursued by a group of people. Your subordinate intended to rescue him secretly, but was a step too late. Li Fu was taken away. Your subordinate followed him discreetly, unsure if he had escaped, and discovered that the people who took Li Fu seemed to be from the long-disappeared Li Jing Sect. Your subordinate dared not investigate further and returned."
"Did you see clearly? Were they really from the Li Jing Sect?" Xie Jiayan's gaze deepened.
The Li Jing Sect was founded when the Sage was still the Crown Prince or Prince of Qin. Initially, they were a group of martial arts practitioners, highly skilled, moving like phantoms, and unbound by the imperial court.
Later, when the Sage was established as Crown Prince, they, as a special branch of the retainers, were specially treated by the Sage. The Li Jing Sect was thus established, becoming the most mysterious organization.
Legend had it that the annihilation of the Chen family, the Crown Princess's family, overnight during the Eastern Palace rebellion was the work of the Li Jing Sect.
After that, there was very little news about the Li Jing Sect, and everyone seemed to have forgotten about this mysterious organization.
"Yes! Your subordinate only dared to follow to the entrance. The place, though seemingly ordinary, was equipped with Five Elements mechanisms. Your subordinate once heard his master mention that the mechanisms of the Li Jing Sect were created by Li Changfeng, and that the mechanisms changed every hour. Your subordinate knew he was no match and dared not enter rashly."
Liaokong was a martial arts prodigy. In a few more years, his achievements would not be inferior to Hua Chaofei's. He had always been proud, and even he admitted he was no match, which showed the difficulty.
The Li Jing Sect was not one to do good deeds anonymously. They must have a purpose in rescuing Li Fu.
Were they targeting the assassins pursuing Li Fu, or the Yu family?
"Go and invite Fan Momo over. I need her to make a trip," Xie Jiayan said after a long silence.
Li Fu must have investigated something that led to him being pursued. But he was Sixth Madam's confidant. If he fell into the hands of the Li Jing Sect, his fate would be worse than death. If he couldn't endure the torture and revealed something, Sixth Madam would need to think of a countermeasure sooner.
...
Yu Mingyue was waiting for news from Li Fu when she was informed that Fan Momo requested an audience.
"Old servant pays respects to Sixth Madam. I apologize for disturbing you late at night. Please forgive me, Madam. Old servant is here on behalf of my young master to deliver a letter." Shen Momo took out the letter from her sleeve.
Chidan took it and handed it to Yu Mingyue. Yu Mingyue opened it, and her expression changed drastically.
Li Fu had actually fallen into the hands of the Li Jing Sect? The Li Jing Sect was a legendary organization, killing without shedding blood. Li Fu was likely doomed.
Brother Jiayan told her this so she could devise a plan early, to avoid any disadvantage to the Duke of Yu's mansion.
"Thank you, Momo, for making this trip personally. Please convey my thanks to Brother Jiayan. I will thank him in person tomorrow," Yu Mingyue forced a smile and had Chidan escort Fan Momo out.
"Chihua, tell your father that you have found your brother and that he need not look anymore."