248: Xuanyiwei Commander Xueyao! Two cases investigated simultaneously!

Lake Heart Garden is situated on a small island in the middle of West Lake, surrounded by water on all sides, requiring a boat to reach it.

Pavilions and towers are built by the water, with upturned eaves hidden among lush flowers and trees. A gentle breeze carries the fresh scent of lotus leaves and the faint sound of distant string and wind instruments, truly a serene and elegant place.

Steward Zhou led everyone into the garden, arranged for the servants and maids, and after giving detailed instructions, respectfully withdrew.

For the next few days, Li Shengyuan and his party explored Hangzhou like true tourists.

They cruised West Lake on painted boats, admiring the autumn osmanthus and ten miles of lotus flowers... They ascended Leifeng Pagoda, gazing at the distant river meeting the sky, the city's misty glow, and listening to the legend of the snake demon... They strolled along the Su and Bai Causeways, feeling the willow branches brush their faces, immersed in poetic beauty... They also visited Lingyin Temple, listening to the morning and evening bells, burning incense, and offering prayers.

Li Mu seemed completely engrossed in the scenery, often strolling hand-in-hand with Wenren Qingxuan, making others envious.

Mu Shining, visiting Jiangnan for the first time, was quite excited by the different scenery compared to the capital and the northern borders.

Yue Xiyan and Yue Qingmeng, master and disciple, were also greatly interested, captivated by the gentle and picturesque beauty of the Jiangnan water towns.

Shen Xinrong revisited her old haunts, her eyes sometimes filled with joy, and at other times, a fleeting hint of sadness and remembrance.

Although the Shen Family's old residence was right there in Hangzhou, she found it difficult to step inside due to her grief.

Li Shengyuan had already solemnly promised her that upon entering the Shen Family's ancestral hall, it would be to offer the heads of her enemies as a sacrifice to the deceased!

On the surface, Li Shengyuan always wore a smile, calm and at ease. When conversing with local scholars and officials he encountered, he mostly discussed local customs, poetry, and literature, never mentioning court affairs or military matters.

Only then did many Jiangnan scholars realize that Lord Li, with his profound cultivation, was also remarkably talented in literature!

However, beneath this leisurely facade, undercurrents were already stirring.

On the night they moved into Lake Heart Garden, a figure almost completely merged with the shadows silently appeared in Li Shengyuan's study. It was Zixuan, who had mysteriously disappeared earlier.

"Young Master."

Zixuan curtsied, her expression no longer her usual lively self, but rather imbued with the deference and competence of a subordinate. This form of address was a cover for when they were outside.

"It has been initially confirmed that Prince Wei Mu Weiran, is by no means as idle as he appears. In the officialdom of Jiangnan, many key civil and military positions are held by his disciples and old acquaintances. Although they don't seem to have formed a faction, they all defer to him."

"At least twenty percent of Jiangnan's tax revenue, without detailed verification by the Ministry of Revenue, is coordinated and expended by Prince Weis Residence under pretexts like 'construction of imperial palaces' and 'water conservancy repairs,' its true purpose remaining a mystery."

Li Shengyuan tapped his fingertip lightly on the table, not surprised: "My Senior Sister has only been on the throne for a few years, so her control over the local areas is bound to be weaker. And he has been in Hangzhou for a long time, as a high-ranking official and a Prince, it's normal for him to have some influence. Even if he wanted to be idle, some people wouldn't let him. The key is, what is his true ambition? And... the Shen Family matter."

"The Shen Family massacre case's records are vague, pointing to a group of Grade 3 foreign bandits who had infiltrated Great Qian. However, within three days of the incident, these 'bandits' were all 'accidentally' apprehended and died in prison, completely severing the leads."

"The chief constable of Hangzhou responsible for the case at the time retired and returned to his hometown a year after the incident, and soon after, he fell ill and died." Zixuan's tone was heavy, "Too clean, therefore suspicious. I suspect the case files have been tampered with, and there are probably very few people left who knew the truth back then."

"And our Xuanyi Guard only began to gradually establish roots in major cities after His Majesty ascended the throne. We established ourselves in Hangzhou six years ago, but the Shen Family tragedy... is too long ago..."

The Shen Family massacre occurred when Li Shengyuan was a child, and Empress Senior Sister has only been on the throne for eight years. Before that, the personnel were complex, making a thorough investigation quite difficult.

"No matter, as long as it was done, there will be traces." Li Shengyuan's gaze was calm as he slowly tapped the table, "My Senior Sister's Xuanyi Guard has been operating here for many years. What about Commander Xue Yao that Senior Sister mentioned earlier?"

Zixuan showed a slight smile: "Young Master, rest assured. Your subordinate has made all arrangements. I can introduce her to you tonight. She is the Commander of the Jiangnan Dao Xuanyi Guard's secret branch, absolutely reliable."

At the first quarter of the hour of Zi, in a corner of Lake Heart Garden, deep within a waterside pavilion.

Moonlight spilled onto the lake, shimmering like broken silver.

Beside Zixuan stood a tall and slender woman dressed in dark, close-fitting attire.

The woman had a beautiful face, yet it was as cold as ice, her eyes as sharp as an eagle's. Her aura was restrained and formidable, possessing a Grade 3 cultivation realm.

She knelt on one knee before Li Shengyuan, cupping her fists in a salute: "Xuanyi Guard Jiangnan Dao Secret Branch Commander, Xue Yao, greets Lord Li!"

Li Shengyuan now enjoyed the Empress's deep trust. Although he held no official position, everyone in the Xuanyi Guard knew his status was extraordinary, admiring his actions and holding an imperial decree. To some extent, he could even represent the Empress's will, so Xue Yao's salute was not a mere formality.

"Commander Xue Yao, please rise." Li Shengyuan made a gesture of support, "No need for such formality. Zixuan should have already explained the situation to you."

Xue Yao stood up, her voice clear and crisp: "Yes!"

"Prince Wei Mu Weiran, appears to be a leisurely poet, but in reality, he secretly cultivates assassins and colludes with some merchant associations along the southeastern coast, and even... pirates. There seems to be a hidden array fluctuation deep within his residence. My cultivation is limited, making it difficult to investigate further, but it likely conceals a great secret."

"As for the old Shen Family case, your subordinate also secretly investigated it years ago and indeed found many suspicious points. It was shortly after Prince Wei first arrived in Jiangnan, at a time when he was establishing his authority, yet he handled this case lightly, closing it quickly, which is illogical."

Li Shengyuan pondered for a moment, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Good. If that's the case..."

He turned his gaze to Zixuan and Xue Yao, his voice low and clear, with an undeniable decisiveness: "Xue Yao, use all your trustworthy resources to secretly re-investigate the Shen Family massacre. Start with the old servants who survived that year, the neighbors, and even the families of the bandits who died suddenly in prison. Do not miss any subtle clues."

"At the same time, closely monitor all merchant associations and individuals with abnormal financial dealings with Prince Weis Residence or related to it."

"Zixuan, use your channels to focus on investigating the details of that hidden array in Prince Weis Residence, and his specific connections with coastal pirates. Be careful and do not alert the enemy."

"Understood!" Zixuan and Xue Yao acknowledged in unison, their figures silently blending into the night and disappearing.

Li Shengyuan stood alone by the waterside pavilion window, gazing at the vast and misty West Lake outside.

The lake surface was as calm as a mirror, reflecting the bright moon in the sky and the human lights below.

But beneath this calm, how many turbulent undercurrents were hidden?

Prince Wei Mu Weiran, this seemingly gentle and leisurely Prince, had this kind of tragic massacre happen right after he arrived in Jiangnan!

What role did he play in this Shen Family tragedy and the larger game in Jiangnan?

A slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Sightseeing? That is indeed true."

But investigating cases and eliminating traitors? That is also true!