"Imperial property, even the princess can't touch it?"
Lu Fan chuckled, "This rule really has a lot of restrictions!"
"There's no other way, the rules in the palace are like this!" Steward Li smiled faintly.
Lu Fan said no more and turned to leave. If it were an ordinary eunuch, he might have killed him with a single palm strike.
But the Steward Li before him had an extraordinary background. Judging solely by his aura, he was unfathomable. Lu Fan dared not provoke such a person. It was out of helplessness that Lu Fan headed towards the princess's temporary palace.
As soon as he arrived at the temporary palace, he saw Xiao Qing teaching a few maids. When she saw Lu Fan, she was greatly surprised, "His Royal Highness Consort! Why are you here?"
"What, I shouldn't be here?" Lu Fan coughed a few times.
If it weren't for his helplessness, he wouldn't have come to the princess's temporary palace.
"Of course, you can!"
Xiao Qing quickly nodded, "I'll go and inform the princess right away!"
Lu Fan didn't mind and casually wandered around the palace.
Princess Linglong, upon learning of Lu Fan's arrival, excitedly came to the front hall. Seeing Lu Fan chatting and laughing with several palace maids, she was instantly a little angry.
"Cough, cough, His Royal Highness Consort, the princess is here!" Xiao Qing coughed lightly.
The many palace maids were frightened and quickly retreated to the rear.
Lu Fan was very relaxed. He stood up and said, "I asked them to keep me company, don't blame them!"
"What brings you here today?"
Princess Linglong pouted. She was very happy that Lu Fan came to see her, but she didn't expect to see this scene.
"Nothing else!"
Lu Fan shrugged and said, "I just wanted to ask the princess for a walk. Is that not allowed? If not, I'll leave now!"
"Of course, you can!"
Princess Linglong said repeatedly, "You are the Imperial Consort, so it's natural for you to come and see me!"
Not long after, Princess Linglong led Lu Fan for a stroll in the imperial garden, her mood unusually good.
"I accidentally entered the Treasure Gathering Hall earlier and was almost kicked out by Steward Li!"
Lu Fan spoke, "What is hidden in the Treasure Gathering Hall that it is so highly valued?"
"Well, you're lucky then!"
Princess Linglong smiled and said, "That place is guarded by Steward Li. Apart from the Emperor Father, no one can get close to it. Even I would be kicked out!"
"It seems that the Treasure Gathering Hall is the lifeblood of the dynasty, otherwise it wouldn't be so strict!" Lu Fan smiled faintly.
"You could say that!"
Linglong nodded, "The treasures in the Treasure Gathering Hall are related to the lifeblood of the dynasty. If it weren't for Steward Li guarding it, there would have been trouble long ago!"
"Is Steward Li very powerful?" Lu Fan was a little surprised.
"He should be very powerful!"
Linglong said seriously, "Ever since I can remember, anyone who has fought with Steward Li has never won!"
"So strong!"
Lu Fan was slightly surprised and even a little touched. He hadn't expected Steward Li to have such combat power.
"No wonder I always felt he was unusual!"
"Naturally!"
Linglong said proudly, "Steward Li is known as the second most powerful in the Imperial City!"
"Then who is the most powerful in the Imperial City?" Lu Fan asked in surprise.
"Naturally, it is my Emperor Father!"
Linglong said directly, "If he didn't have powerful strength, how could he guard the nation!"
Lu Fan suddenly realized that Linglong's words made sense.
However, Lu Fan frowned again. With so many experts in the Imperial City, stealing the Spirit Gathering Bottle would indeed not be an easy task.
If he acted too hastily, it would be counterproductive, and it wouldn't be worth it.
"By the way, it's not very safe for you to live outside. Why don't you live in the palace directly!"
Linglong said, "I have already sent someone to prepare the bedding. You can move in tonight!"
"This is probably not very good!"
Lu Fan shook his head, "After all, we are not married yet. If it gets out, it will damage the princess's reputation!"
Seeing Lu Fan refuse, Princess Linglong's face flushed with shyness, but she didn't say much.
A few days later, Steward Li arrived at the palace, his expression even more solemn.
"What, have you found out?"
The Dragon Emperor asked, his expression cold.
"It was the Li family!"
After a moment of hesitation, Steward Li said directly, "The news is definitely not wrong!"
"The Li family?"
The Dragon Emperor's eyes flashed with cold light. He had originally thought it was the Lin family, but he never expected it to be the Li family.
The Li family and the Zhao family had always been on good terms. Now, attempting to assassinate the Imperial Consort and frame the Zhao family, such a matter was extremely serious.
"My Lord, should we...?"
Steward Li asked, his expression even more solemn. He knew very well that taking action against the three great families would cause immense turmoil.
"No!"
The Dragon Emperor shook his head, "The disturbance from the assassination of the Imperial Consort has passed. Now there are more important matters!"
"What matters?"
Steward Li was somewhat surprised. Anything that the Dragon Emperor valued must be extraordinary.
"There is an urgent report from the border. Thirty thousand cavalry from the Nine Heavens Dynasty are coveting our lands, preparing to invade the White Dragon Dynasty!" the Dragon Emperor said directly.
"The Nine Heavens Dynasty?"
Steward Li frowned, "This subordinate is willing to lead many generals to meet the enemy!"
"No need. This time, let the Li family go."
The Dragon Emperor narrowed his eyes, seemingly with a deeper plan.
Steward Li trembled, then showed a smile.
Not long after, Old Master Li arrived late, his heart somewhat nervous. The Dragon Emperor personally summoned him, so it must be a major event, but the fact that only the Li family was summoned was somewhat strange.
"Your humble servant pays his respects to My Lord!"
Upon arriving at the grand hall, Old Master Li cupped his fists, his expression even more solemn, daring not to be negligent in the slightest.
"There is an urgent report from the border. The Nine Heavens Dynasty has assembled thirty thousand cavalry and intends to invade White Dragon!" the Dragon Emperor said, "I wish for you to personally lead the expedition!"
"My Lord, I am old and may not be able to shoulder such a heavy responsibility!"
The head of the Li family said quickly, his heart somewhat touched. Under normal circumstances, the imperial family would dispatch elite troops for border warfare, but this time it was very unusual.
"Head of the Li family, if you refuse this matter, do you know the consequences?" Steward Li narrowed his eyes.
The Dragon Emperor's expression also turned cold, "The assassination of the Imperial Consort was the act of the Li family. This matter has been investigated. I originally intended for the Li family to atone for their crimes, but it seems that was unnecessary!"
"Absolutely impossible!"
Old Master Li said repeatedly, "How could the Li family dare to attack the Imperial Consort? It must be someone framing the Li family. I hope My Lord will investigate clearly!"
"Among the many experts of the Li family, there is one Venerable missing, named Li Yong!"
Steward Li sneered, "He was the one who assassinated the Imperial Consort that day!"
Old Master Li was startled. He had indeed not seen Li Yong these past few days and did not know his whereabouts.
"Do you have proof?"
"You will know when you go back and check!"
Steward Li said coldly, "According to the laws of the imperial family, assassinating the Imperial Consort is a serious crime. Even if the entire Li family were to be executed, it would not be enough!"
The head of the Li family's expression changed greatly. As the saying goes, where there is smoke, there is fire. This matter must be quite peculiar.
"If this matter was indeed done by the Li family, this old servant is willing to personally lead the charge to fight the thirty thousand troops of the Nine Heavens!" the head of the Li family said repeatedly.