Bloodthirsty Countess’s Overbearing Love 28

Chapter 28

Li Xinjun had been withdrawn and melancholic since her outing with Hongli. She spent her days practicing her swordsmanship and then retreating to her room, avoiding any social interaction. Grand General Duoluo, noticing her unusual behavior, questioned Brother Wu.

“Brother Wu, do you know what’s been troubling the girl lately?”

“I’m not sure, General. She’s been like this ever since she returned from that boat ride. She barely speaks to me. I’m worried about her.”

“Didn’t you ask her what’s wrong?”

“I didn’t dare to ask. She seems so downcast. I was afraid she would take it out on me.”

“Hmph, you’re spineless. This old man will handle it.”

Grand General Duoluo went to Li Xinjun’s room and knocked gently on the door. Receiving no response, he called out,

“Little girl, it’s me. May I come in?”

“… Grandfather, come in.”

Hearing her reply, he entered the room and found Li Xinjun sitting listlessly, lost in thought. He sighed and sat down beside her.

“Child, what’s been troubling you? Why are you so downcast?”

“Grandfather… There’s something I don’t understand.”

“What could be troubling you so much? Tell me, maybe I can help.”

“Grandfather…”

“Child, if you keep bottling things up, you’ll never find clarity. Talk to me. Even if I can’t solve your problem, it might help to get it off your chest.”

“Grandfather, do you think it’s normal for friends to want to kiss each other?”

“Child, who has sparked this question in you? Is it Hongli?”

Grand General Duoluo looked at her with surprise and delight. If Li Xinjun had captured Hongli’s heart, it would be a cause for celebration. As her grandfather, he would be overjoyed.

“Grandfather, never mind that. Just answer my question.”

“Well, no. Such intimate gestures are usually reserved for those we are close to, like our partners.”

“So, if someone wants to kiss another person, does that mean they like them?”

“Well… yes, you could say that.”

“But what if that feeling is not socially acceptable? Should I still pursue it?”

Grand General Duoluo assumed that Li Xinjun had discovered Hongli’s true identity and felt unworthy of him. He smiled sadly and said,

“Child, don’t worry about what’s socially acceptable. If you like someone, you should pursue your happiness. Happiness is your own. It doesn’t matter what others think. What matters is what you feel. Understand? And no matter the outcome, you have your grandfather’s support.” He patted Li Xinjun’s head affectionately.

“Grandfather… You really support me? No matter what others say?”

“Yes. I consider you my own granddaughter. If anyone dares to say a word against you, I won’t spare them.”

“Thank you, Grandfather!” Li Xinjun hugged him impulsively.

“Silly girl, don’t be sad. Your grandfather will protect you from any harm. There, there.”

It had been so long since Li Xinjun had felt such warmth and care. It reminded her of her deceased parents, and her throat tightened, tears welling up in her eyes. Grand General Duoluo patted her back soothingly, allowing her to release her emotions. After a while, seeing that she had calmed down, he said playfully,

“Child, look outside. The weather is clear and sunny, yet my clothes are soaked. Isn’t that strange?”

“Hahaha, Grandfather, you’re so bad!” Li Xinjun laughed, wiping away her tears and pulling away from his embrace.

“Look, my clothes are drenched! What else could it be but rain?”

“Hmph! You’re still teasing me!” Li Xinjun playfully swatted at him.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Now, tell me, is it Hongli? Do you want your grandfather to inquire about his feelings for you?”

“Grandfather, please don’t do anything rash! I can handle my own affairs.” Li Xinjun, fearing that her grandfather might misunderstand and think she liked Hongli, quickly declined his offer.

However, Grand General Duoluo was convinced that Li Xinjun was simply shy and embarrassed. He decided to find an opportunity to ask the Emperor about his feelings for his granddaughter.

Li Xinjun, unaware of her grandfather’s intentions, was focused on finding Song Ling and confessing her feelings. If Song Ling reciprocated, she would defy all social conventions and be with her, regardless of what others thought.

She was relieved to finally understand her own feelings. If only she had realized it sooner, perhaps they wouldn’t have been separated.

Determined to resolve the jiangshi problem quickly so she could live a peaceful life with Song Ling, she went to find Minister Chen to discuss strategies. She couldn’t bear to wait any longer. She wanted to eliminate all obstacles before Song Ling’s return.

She rushed to Minister Chen’s quarters and, without even knocking, burst into his room. Minister Chen was startled but quickly regained his composure, looking at her with concern.

“Miss Li, what brings you here in such a hurry?”

“Minister Chen, I want to help you resolve the jiangshi problem as quickly as possible. I came to discuss some ideas.”

“Oh? Have you come up with a plan?” Minister Chen, hearing that she had something regarding the jiangshi, sat up straight, his expression serious.

“Not yet, but I don’t want to wait any longer. I want to take action, not just sit here and wait for things to happen.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Minister Chen, can you have Uncle Wang transported here from my residence?”

“Hmm? Why?”

“I want to conduct some more experiments. If they’re successful, we might find a way to deal with those jiangshi. It’s better than doing nothing, right?”

“Yes, that’s a good idea. I’ll have Uncle Wang brought here.”

“And also the jiangshi that I dismembered earlier.”

“That’s easy. I’ll have them delivered this afternoon.”

“Thank you, Minister Chen.”

Minister Chen was efficient. The limbless jiangshi was delivered quickly. Uncle Wang was also en route from Sichuan province and would arrive soon.

Li Xinjun had the limbless jiangshi confined in the dungeon at the Grand General’s Mansion. After her daily martial arts training, she would spend hours in the dungeon, conducting experiments on the jiangshi.

Meanwhile, Hongli, after the incident at the lake, had not appeared before Li Xinjun again. Reports had come in from Yunnan province of a jiangshi king sighting. Moreover, his spies had reported a possible sighting of Song Ling, but they hadn’t been able to contact her yet. Hongli, reading the report, was overjoyed. He knew how much Li Xinjun cared for Song Ling. If he could find her, perhaps he could win Li Xinjun’s favor.

“Xiaofuzi, issue an order. Tell them to intensify their search for Song Ling. If she is found, ensure her safety and bring her back to the capital.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It had been several days since he last saw Li Xinjun. He missed her. He had just received news about Song Ling and thought that sharing it with Li Xinjun would make her happy.

After finishing his work, Hongli changed his clothes and left the palace. As he passed by the Prime Minister’s Mansion, he saw Minister Chen waiting outside, arguing with the guards.

“Minister Chen, please leave. The Prime Minister is not seeing anyone today.”

“Please inform him that I have urgent matters to discuss with him. Perhaps he will make an exception.”

“Minister Chen, why do you make things difficult for us? I told you, the Prime Minister has given strict orders not to disturb him today.”

“You… can’t you just ask him?”

“Minister Chen, please leave.”

As their argument escalated, Hongli approached Minister Chen and patted him on the shoulder. Minister Chen, recognizing him, was about to kneel, but Hongli stopped him.

He pulled Minister Chen aside and asked what was happening. Minister Chen, not daring to conceal anything, explained the situation.

Li Xinjun had come up with some promising ideas to combat the jiangshi, and Minister Chen, finding them worth trying, had gone to the Prime Minister to seek his support, as he didn’t have the authority to implement them on his own. However, the Prime Minister had not only refused to help but had also been avoiding him. Minister Chen had visited several times, but to no avail.

Hongli frowned. Ignoring the guards’ protests, he strode into the mansion. The guards drew their swords, trying to stop him, but Xiaofuzi swiftly disarmed and subdued them.

“Insolent fools! How dare you disrespect the Emperor?!”

“E-Emperor?” The guards, lying on the ground, looked at Xiaofuzi in terror.

“Hmph, the Emperor is not someone you can offend!” Xiaofuzi glared at them.

“I’m going to see if the Prime Minister even acknowledges my authority as Emperor.” Hongli, his voice cold with anger, entered the mansion.

Hearing the commotion, the Prime Minister emerged from his chambers, his face flushed with anger. “Who dares to cause such a disturbance in my house! I will have you punished!”

“Such arrogance! Prime Minister, are you threatening to punish even me, the Emperor?”

“Ah? Your Majesty! I beg your forgiveness! I didn’t know it was you! Please have mercy!” The Prime Minister, seeing Hongli, immediately dropped to his knees.

“Is that so? Then why did Minister Chen tell me that you have been avoiding him? What’s the meaning of this? I instructed you to find a solution to the jiangshi problem as quickly as possible, didn’t I? If someone has ideas worth trying, why are you refusing to listen?”

“Your Majesty, that’s not true! I simply didn’t want to waste time listening to nonsensical suggestions from insignificant people. It would only be a waste of the court’s resources.”

“Oh? So you have a better plan? Enlighten me.”

“Your humble servant is incompetent. I haven’t found a foolproof solution yet. I beg Your Majesty to grant me more time. I will resolve this matter.”

“Hmph! If you haven’t found a solution yourself, how can you dismiss other people’s ideas?”

“But Your Majesty, the person Minister Chen spoke of is just a commoner, a mere girl! It’s obvious that she wouldn’t have any valuable suggestions. I don’t understand why Minister Chen values her opinion so highly.”

The Prime Minister tried to shift the blame to Minister Chen, who immediately knelt and pleaded his innocence.

“Your Majesty, I am wrongly accused! I believe that anyone who can help resolve this problem, regardless of their status, should be heard. Moreover, Li Xinjun and Song Ling are individuals whom Your Majesty personally commended. They are not ordinary people.”

“Minister Chen, how did you become Governor? You can’t even come up with your own solutions and have to rely on two young girls? Is this how you conduct yourself as an official? Preposterous!”

“Enough! Silence!”

Hongli’s anger had been simmering since he heard the Prime Minister refer to Li Xinjun as a “wild girl.” Now, seeing them bicker, his fury boiled over. The two officials, sensing his wrath, fell silent, their heads bowed.

“Xiaofuzi, issue a decree. From this day forward, Li Xinjun is hereby bestowed the title of ‘Most Talented Woman in Both Literary and Martial Arts of the Great Qing.’ Although she holds no official position, she is granted access to the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Library. She is also granted the right to an audience with the Emperor whenever necessary.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will have the imperial edict prepared immediately.”

Hongli took out a golden tablet from his pocket and handed it to Xiaofuzi. This was the Emperor’s personal seal, representing his authority. Xiaofuzi, confused, accepted the tablet with both hands.

“I bestow this golden tablet upon Li Xinjun. Henceforth, anyone who disrespects her will be considered to have disrespected me and shall be executed.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will personally deliver this tablet and the imperial edict to Miss Li Xinjun.”

“See to it immediately.”

Although Hongli hadn’t explicitly reprimanded the Prime Minister, his actions spoke louder than words. The Prime Minister seethed with resentment. Why should he, the Prime Minister, have to show deference to a mere girl?

He vowed to remember this humiliation, but outwardly, he accepted the Emperor’s decree. Minister Chen, though secretly pleased, didn’t dare to show it. He was content knowing that the Emperor supported his actions.