Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 796 - 747: Encountering an Old Friend

The father and sons split up to gather information.

Just as Prince Luling, Li Xing’an, and Li Xingsheng returned to the Wei Family and exchanged the information they gathered, Li Xingmao was still at the Cui Family, discussing matters of the palace in the study with Empress Cui’s father.

Unlike Li Xing’an and Li Xingsheng, Li Xingmao did not need to disguise himself or hide his identity.

He went directly to the Cui Mansion.

Empress Cui was being suppressed by the concubine, Princess Consort Yu Wen, and was now entangled in the Emperor’s poisoning incident. It was also found that Empress Cui had been poisoned too. The situation was confusing, causing worry and anxiety among the Cui family, who felt helpless.

The Lu Ling Royal Mansion and the Cui Mansion were on good terms. When Li Xingmao knocked on the Cui Mansion’s doors, the Cui family welcomed him warmly as if they had seen a savior.

"I didn’t expect to meet the Princely Heir so soon. I thought we’d have to wait many years," Mr. Cui lamented. "But now, the Capital is not the same as it was three years ago, and neither is the Imperial Palace."

Li Xingmao consoled him, "Mr. Cui, you needn’t worry. This will pass."

Mr. Cui nodded, "I hope so."

Li Xingmao inquired about the situation in the palace.

Mr. Cui said they didn’t know when or where the Emperor, Li Can, was poisoned. The Empress Dowager had been investigating for nearly a month but found nothing.

The gates of several palace sections had been sealed for almost a month, with only a few officials trusted by the Empress Dowager allowed to come and go. Nobody else could leave the palace.

Li Yuwen, Li Yuzhu, Pei Shenyan, and Mu Yuanxiu were all confined within the palace.

The news they received from inside the palace still came through the Cui family bribing the palace guards for information.

"The Empress was also poisoned. I don’t know how she is now," Mr. Cui said, thinking of his daughter, who was always gloomy after entering the palace, and felt very guilty. "If I had known she would be unhappy, I wouldn’t have sent her into the palace then."

Li Xingmao replied, "It was the Empress Dowager who favored the Empress then, not something Mr. Cui could decide."

Mr. Cui certainly understood this relationship. The Cui family was a large clan in the Capital, and all Empresses were chosen from the Cui family.

If not the legitimate daughter of the Cui family, they were also related by marriage.

The Empress Dowager was the daughter of Cui’s associated family, and in terms of seniority, she was a cousin of Empress Cui.

He shook his head, unsure of what to say, and just sighed.

Li Xingmao said, "My third sister is skilled in medicine; the Empress will be fine. Mr. Cui, do not worry too much."

"Let’s hope they are all safe," Mr. Cui said, patting his forehead. "Oh, I almost forgot something."

He walked to a multipurpose shelf and took a note from a book to hand to Li Xingmao, "This was wrapped in pastries sent out of the palace by your sister. She wrote on it, saying our family should keep it safe for the Princely Heir’s family to read."

Li Xingmao took the note and frowned as he read it.

"Inquire about the craftsmen repairing the Empress’s palace walls and the person delivering the paintings; the paint contained a lot of toxic substances and was key to poisoning the Empress." He looked up in surprise, looking at Mr. Cui.

Mr. Cui sighed and said, "Where to find the painters from five years ago? The paintings were given to the Empress at the end of last year, but they were painted by a traveling monk. Where could he be found now? Perhaps the Third Princess thought my family was powerless and wanted the note left for the Princely Heir to see."

Li Xingmao said, "No, no, Mr. Cui, you misunderstand my third sister’s intention. Her intention was to have more heads thinking for more chances of success."

Mr. Cui asked again, "Does the Princely Heir know where to find the painter and the traveling monk?"

Li Xingmao smiled slightly, "I can indeed find them." He put away the note, "Within three days, I will bring them before you, Mr. Cui."

Mr. Cui was elated, "That’s excellent."

.

Li Xingmao left the Cui Mansion.

At this time, a strong wind began to blow.

Autumn in the Capital was truly autumn, with the wind blowing, yellow leaves piled on the ground, and a chill in the air.

Li Xingmao pulled the hood of his cloak over his head and walked forward.

At the main entrance of a bustling market, he encountered a person.

A person he did not wish to see.

That person seemed not to want to see him either, raising an eyebrow and sneering, "Is it...you? How did you come to the Capital? You have quite the courage. Are you not afraid of being beheaded?"

Li Xingmao looked at her calmly, "Do you want to report me?"

The person stepped down from the carriage, touching the jewels in her hair, "Why, are you frightened to death? If you’re so afraid, why come to the Capital?"