Chapter 51: Who Is the Enemy

Xuanyuan Hongyu remained unmoved and continued to ask, "Why did she send you to the General's Manor? What grievance did she have with anyone here?"

The Mayor of Shuntian Prefecture hesitated for a moment before answering, "It is common knowledge that the Eldest Princess has always been at odds with the Young Princess. This time, with the Young Princess missing, the Eldest Princess wanted to completely destroy the General's Manor to vent her rage!"

Xuanyuan Hongyu pressed further, "Who is the person behind the Eldest Princess?"

A look of agony crossed the mayor's face as he clenched his teeth so hard that a thin stream of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. "I cannot say, I cannot say." He shivered as he spoke, as if the secret terrified him far more than death itself.

Xuanyuan Hongyu cornered him, "Why can't you say? What are you afraid of?"

Trembling all over, the mayor replied, "That person's name cannot be spoken, not even in death. The consequences would be far more terrifying than dying."

"Is that person male or female? Tall or short? Fat or thin? Is it the Emperor?" Xuanyuan Hongyu fired off question after question like a summons to the netherworld.

The blood at the corner of the mayor's mouth turned from a thin thread into a pool of gore, and finally, he spat out a massive mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground. Zhao Meng reached out to check his breath, shook his head, and stepped back.

Xuanyuan Hongyu mentally sorted through the powerful nobles of the Southern Fort Kingdom, narrowing it down to a few suspects. He carried the frightened little tot back to the master seat, patting the little creature obediently resting in his arms. "What is it? Are you scared? Does a young lady of the General's Manor have so little courage?"

Zhan Tai Lingwei was still processing everything she had just heard. Why couldn't a family live in harmony? Why must they fight to the death just to become a laughingstock for outsiders?

Nanny Wang looked at her dazed, heartbroken little master with deep pity and sighed inwardly. What genuine affection could ever exist within the imperial family? Her young master was already the luckiest girl of the royal house, having found a man like the General who was devoted to her heart and soul, providing her with a secure refuge.

Receiving no response from the little thing, Xuanyuan Hongyu didn't mind. He turned to Zhao Meng and commanded, "Interrogate the others. Dig out as much insider information as you can." The Eldest Princess was merely a figurehead in the open; the person behind her was the true enemy of the General's Manor, and by extension, the enemy of his little one.

Zhao Meng accepted the order with a solemn expression and shouted for the others to join him in the interrogation.

Xuanyuan Hongyu had no wish to let the innocent little tot witness too much darkness. Even if he could not protect her for a lifetime, he would shield her for as long as possible. The little thing was simply too young; he lacked the heart to force her to face the cruelty of the royal family and the world at such a tender age.

"Idiot, what are you thinking about? Spit it out and let Young Master here have a good laugh. I promise I won't laugh right in front of you," the young man said with a solemn air, though his strides never slowed.

Lingwei glared at him in annoyance. "Stinking sack of cloth, don't be so smug! You are so hateful!"

"Hate me? Don't come crying to me for help later," the youth declared with absolute certainty. He was already growing impatient to see the little thing purr and fawn over him like a cute little cat.

Ignoring him, Lingwei lowered her small head, lost in thought.

Xuanyuan Hongyu tapped her small head. "You're so foolish, you shouldn't bother thinking. Forcing yourself to do things you're incapable of is just plain stupid."

In a huff, Lingwei turned her head away, refusing to pay any attention to this stinking sack of cloth whose sole joy in life seemed to be crushing her spirit!

The little tot's haughty, delicate demeanor caused a subtle stir in Xuanyuan Hongyu's heart. "Tell me, why do you resemble a little cat so much? It makes me want to hide you away, lock you up in a dark room, and listen to you meow. That must be quite fascinating."

"You pervert! Get away from me!" Lingwei shrieked. A total pervert—he actually wanted to treat her like that!