Wang Daoyuan and the white-clothed youth both froze. A single question surfaced in their minds: how did he know His Majesty had personally come to Liangjiang Commandery?!
"What nonsense are you sprouting?!" Wang Daoyuan reacted quickly, his eyes wide with absolute horror.
The secret of His Majesty's incognito visit was known to only a handful of people in the entire Liangjiang Commandery. It was an absolute secret, and leaking it was a capital offense. He frantically wondered who had told the boy, and how he dared to blurt out such an earth-shattering secret in front of a crowd. The thought sent cold sweat pouring down Wang Daoyuan's back as he desperately searched his memories. He wondered if he had accidentally slipped up and mentioned it to the kid back at the apothecary.
Zeng Anmin's gaze remained calm. He knew that after saying those words, he would soon be able to see His Majesty, and his plan could proceed. The root cause of his father's imprisonment was the loss of the Dragon Inspection Map; if it could be found, all problems would be easily resolved.
Sure enough, things went exactly as he expected.
Just as a furious Wang Daoyuan was about to apprehend him, a slow, leisurely voice rang out.
"Hand him over to me."
Zeng Anmin decisively turned his head toward the source of the voice, watching the white-clothed youth slowly float over from a distance. The youth had an enchantingly otherworldly appearance; though his hair was completely white, it was incredibly silky. His shimmering eyes lightly roamed over Zeng Anmin's face.
A moment later, the corners of his mouth curled up into a charming, almost girlish smile. "If you cannot take responsibility for your words, you will wish you were dead."
His tone was relaxed, as if discussing an everyday matter. By the time he finished speaking, he had already arrived, drifting right up to Zeng Anmin in the blink of an eye.
Zeng Anmin inwardly marveled, noting that this guy's movements were even silkier than his hair. He hadn't even clearly seen how the youth had floated over just now.
"Not only do I know where the Dragon Inspection Map is, but I also know who the mastermind is—the person who plotted against my father!" Zeng Anmin looked openly at the white-clothed youth, his tone unwavering. "If I speak a single lie, you may take my head!"
The moment these words left his mouth, a hushed silence fell over the surroundings. A gentle breeze drifted by, stirring the long hair on Zeng Anmin's forehead. Basking in the warm sunlight, he exuded a distinct aura of youthful confidence.
"Heh." The white-clothed, white-haired youth gave a faint smile and extended his jade-white hand toward Zeng Anmin. "In that case, come with me."
The next moment, a weightless, soaring sensation washed over Zeng Anmin. His vision blurred as the scenery around him rapidly shifted. One second he was at the entrance of the Observation Department, and the next, he was dozens of feet away from the main gate.
Despite feeling dizzy, a bright light sparked in Zeng Anmin's eyes. He knew that it was almost time for his performance! Whether his father could be released from prison and whether he himself could continue living his dream as a carefree, falcon-hunting, hound-chasing young master all depended on what he did next!
Meanwhile, in the back garden of the Commandery Governor's Mansion in Liangjiang Commandery.
A figure sat calmly on a stone bench. His gaze was sharp, and his slanted eyebrows were like swords. Draped in a purple robe, his expression remained indifferent as he held a white stone, placing it onto the Go board in front of him.
CLACK.
After the white stone was played, he slowly stood up, walked expressionlessly over to the empty stone bench opposite him, and picked up a black stone. He frowned in thought for a long while, staring at the black and white board, hesitating to make a move as he fell into deep contemplation.
He was actually playing against himself.
Beside him stood a young girl looking on with profound curiosity. Her large, innocent eyes flickered with a hint of grievance. Pouting, she complained, "Father, why don't you rest a bit more? It's rare for you to travel all the way down to Jiangnan. Instead of taking Ning'an out for a walk, you spend all day focusing on this game..."
Emperor Jianhong's train of thought was interrupted by the girl, yet not a trace of displeasure showed on his face. He looked up with a faint smile and reached out to stroke Princess Ning'an's head in comfort. "Once I finish handling this major case, I will naturally take you out."
Princess Ning'an grimaced, then turned her face away, puffing out her cheeks. "Cases, cases... He's just a Governor anyway. If he colluded with the Demon Race, just have him executed along with his entire extended family. With all the abundant talent in our Great Saint Dynasty, surely you can find someone to replace him~"
Emperor Jianhong's gaze did not waver. He rubbed his slightly throbbing temples, his eyes turning deep and unfathomable. "Zeng Shilin has rendered meritorious service to our Great Saint Dynasty, and he is a Great Confucian Scholar. The forces behind him are deep-rooted and extremely complex. Handling him is nowhere near as simple as you make it sound."
With that, he lowered his head and focused all his attention on studying the next move on the board.
"Your Majesty, the White-clothed Venerable requests an audience," a respectful and cautious voice called out.
Emperor Jianhong continued to stare at the Go board and gave a slight nod.
A short while later, the white-clothed youth slowly appeared in the garden. The smile was gone from his face, replaced by a look of serious respect.
Emperor Jianhong slowly placed a stone on the board. Without looking up, he asked, "Have Zeng Shilin's family members been handled properly?"
The white-clothed youth bowed respectfully, his expression solemn. "Answering Your Majesty, they have been appropriately dealt with. I have sought an audience this time because I have an urgent matter to report."
Emperor Jianhong swept a glance at him from the corner of his eye.
The white-clothed youth bowed even lower. "Zeng Shilin's only son, Zeng Anmin, claims he knows where the Dragon Inspection Map is. He also says he knows who the mastermind plotting against his father is."
Emperor Jianhong's gaze instantly turned sharp. He didn't say a word, yet the atmosphere in the entire garden immediately felt as if it had plunged into an ice cellar.
The white-clothed youth's fingers trembled. Forcing himself to bear the crushing pressure, he lifted his handsome, almost feminine face and said with difficulty, "Wang Daoyuan tried to coax him into fleeing so he could execute him on the spot. But the boy saw through it and obediently stayed with the escort convoy, escaping that calamity.
"Furthermore, no one told him that Your Majesty had personally come to Liangjiang Commandery, yet he was able to expose it in public... This subordinate suspects he deduced it himself.
"Anyone with such a calculating mind is absolutely not someone who spouts empty boasts."
Emperor Jianhong's hand paused slightly as he held a stone. He then nodded and said indifferently, "Summon him."
"Yes."
The white-clothed youth felt the pressure bearing down on him vanish instantly. He let out an imperceptible sigh of relief, stood up, and walked out.
A short moment later.
Zeng Anmin was brought before Emperor Jianhong.
"This commoner, Zeng Anmin, greets Your Majesty! Long live, long live, long live Your Majesty!" After seeing the Emperor, Zeng Anmin bowed deeply.
PFFT.
His comical greeting amused the young girl named Ning'an beside Emperor Jianhong.
Ning'an giggled. "This guilty scoundrel certainly knows how to rattle off auspicious flatteries."
Zeng Anmin glanced over at her. He wondered if she even knew what a TV was, or what a movie was. That was exactly how they acted in novels and TV shows! Still, he had to admit that this little lady was incredibly stunning!
Emperor Jianhong remained completely unconcerned by this exchange, quietly staring at the Go board under his hand. "You know where the Dragon Inspection Map is?"
Zeng Anmin was somewhat curious about the old Emperor. He secretly raised his head, catching a fleeting glimpse before quickly lowering it again. A respectful expression surfaced on his face as he took a deep breath. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Dragon Inspection Map was never lost! It is still at the Observation Department's Map Institute."