The person writing the letter was her third disciple, the Emperor of Feng Country, Mu Qinghe. Although this fellow was quite provoking, he was, after all, her disciple. What could she do with her own disciple? She couldn't just let him die, could she?
It would take at least half a month to travel from Feng Country to Da'an Country, so this letter was written half a month ago...
Ming Li put away the letter and, with a wave of her hand, sent the hidden guard into her spatial artifact. Ming Li thought for a moment, then left a letter on the table, lest her Prime Minister father worry about her sudden disappearance.
After doing this, Ming Li walked to the window and opened it. With a flash of red and silver light in her hand, a cold-looking long sword appeared.
Ming Li leaped onto the sword and flew directly towards Feng Country. A streak of silver flashed across the dark sky, unnoticed by anyone.
Ming Li yawned while standing on her sword. These days, no one could even get a good night's sleep. What a bother!
Ming Li arrived at the capital of Feng Country in the early morning. As soon as she entered the city, Ming Li heard people discussing heatedly.
"Have you heard? His Majesty is gravely ill and close to death!"
"Ah? But what I heard was that the State Preceptor wants to usurp the throne and has imprisoned His Majesty, which is why they say His Majesty has an incurable disease."
"I heard the same thing!"
"Nonsense! What I heard was that His Majesty went hunting and accidentally fell from his horse and got injured!"
There were many rumors, some true and some false, but no matter which version of the rumor one believed, the State Preceptor played a crucial role in all of them.
Ming Li bought two bags of steamed buns from the roadside and found a few small beggars to inquire about the origin of these rumors.
Ming Li walked into a small alley with the two bags of buns and distributed them to the beggars. "Go and find out where these rumors about the palace are coming from. I'll be waiting for you at the tea house across the street." Although she could investigate herself, she was lazy and it was too much trouble.
After receiving the warm steamed buns, the beggars obediently went to gather information. Although they were beggars, they often mingled in the marketplace, so finding things out was easy for them.
In the afternoon, the beggars who had gone to gather information returned.
"We inquired, and it turns out the rumors from the palace are being spread from the State Preceptor's mansion."
Upon hearing this, Ming Li couldn't help but think, was this State Preceptor foolish?
Ming Li gave the beggars some silver and sent them away. When night fell and all was quiet, Ming Li easily infiltrated the heavily guarded imperial palace alone. She leaped across rooftops and, in no time, found the place where Mu Qinghe was imprisoned.
Ming Li stood on the rooftop, lifted a roof tile, and looked down. Everything was clear. Inside, only Mu Qinghe was present. He was lying on the bed, breathing weakly, and completely still. Ming Li narrowed her eyes, and the next moment, her figure appeared by Mu Qinghe's bed. Looking at the昏睡 (hūnshuì - in a deep sleep/unconscious) Mu Qinghe, she realized he had been drugged unconscious...
Ming Li: ...?! She then pulled out a dark pill from somewhere and roughly fed it to Mu Qinghe. Before long, the medicinal effects spread through his body. Mu Qinghe coughed twice and woke up.
As soon as Mu Qinghe opened his eyes, he saw his beloved master, whom he had been thinking about day and night. He thought he was dreaming. When he recovered and realized it wasn't a dream, he was so excited that he tried to hug Ming Li. However, Ming Li dodged him with a flash, leaving Mu Qinghe to embrace empty air.
Mu Qinghe: ...?! He looked wronged and pitiful. This was indeed his heartless master, the truth was revealed.
Ming Li ignored his sentimental sorrow and asked teasingly, "Tell me, who turned you into this state?"