Chapter 167 - 118: Your Goal Is Emperor Xi’s Map!

Chapter 167: Chapter 118: Your Goal Is Emperor Xi’s Map!

At the same time, he also confirmed that thought in his heart.

Overturn the case for Count Zhongyuan? It sounded nice, but it was just an excuse. The numerous officials in the capital would never lift a finger without profit. If there wasn’t enough benefit, who would stick their neck out to overturn a case for a family that had already lost its power?

"So, Your Highness wants me to investigate..." Zeng Anmin slowly raised his head and looked straight at the Eldest Princess, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. "Emperor Xi’s Map?!"

As his voice rang out, the entire courtyard plunged into silence. The Eldest Princess’s typically sharp eyes went blank for a fleeting moment. Contrasted against her stunningly beautiful face, the expression looked rather cute. Her mind had completely blanked out.

Chi Bufan was equally stunned. Aside from the soft rustle of the spring breeze brushing against the peach blossoms, not another sound could be heard in the courtyard.

Zeng Anmin simply stood there calmly, a faint smile curling his lips. At that moment, the unbridled confidence of youth was on full display.

After a long while, the Eldest Princess’s gaze slowly sharpened. Her peach-blossom-like eyes narrowed, slicing across Zeng Anmin like knives.

"You really do know."

By this time, Chi Bufan’s fists had slowly clenched, and he stared fixedly at Zeng Anmin. Every muscle in his body was pulled taut. He was just waiting for a single order from the Eldest Princess to strike with the force of a Thunderbolt, capturing and killing Zeng Anmin on the spot!

Zeng Anmin’s expression, however, didn’t change in the slightest; instead, he became even more relaxed. The moment the Eldest Princess said, "You really do know," he was entirely certain. She had long suspected that he and his father knew Emperor Xi’s Map was in Count Zhongyuan’s Mansion!

"Since we managed to eliminate Prince Qi, I am naturally well aware of his motives," Zeng Anmin said, a radiant smile blooming on his face. "And now that Your Highness has kept your gaze fixed on Prince Qi’s Mansion—even willing to exhaust the Liangyou Chamber of Commerce’s decades of wealth—I cannot think of any other goal you might have besides Emperor Xi’s Map. Furthermore, didn’t Your Highness go to such great lengths to lure me to the Liu Mansion today precisely to test me?"

His smile remained just as brilliant, but his eyes revealed absolute composure. He looked straight at the Eldest Princess.

"Everyone in the capital knows my father and I masterminded the case against Prince Qi. Coincidentally, during the raid on Prince Qi’s Mansion, Chi Bufan entered the ancestral hall one step behind me.

"So at that time, Your Highness already suspected I knew something. If your objective from the very beginning was Emperor Xi’s Map, any rustle of leaves in the wind regarding Count Zhongyuan’s Mansion would naturally arouse your suspicion.

"Thus, you planted Liu Xian in the Imperial College. It was a casual move on your part, just to see if he could strike up a friendship with me. But there are too many coincidences in this world. You never expected that the poisoning case involving Lou Yingqi’s son would cause me to suspect you and the Liangyou Chamber of Commerce.

"So you simply took advantage of my suspicion and had Liu Xian... well, Liu Xian’s mother, invite me to the Liu Mansion."

Zeng Anmin blinked mildly, the smile on his lips unchanging.

"Meeting me, handing over account books, showering me with treasures... Your Highness really went to great pains to test me."

Having said this, Zeng Anmin closed his mouth. He wanted to give the Eldest Princess some time to think. Since he already knew she was suspicious of him, he might as well lay everything out in the open. Otherwise, during their future cooperation, she would suspect him and he would have to guard against her... That wouldn’t be conducive to unity!

The Eldest Princess’s expression had shifted from composed to bewildered, then slowly morphed into astonishment, before finally settling back into calmness. And now, she was looking at him with unconcealed appreciation. He had to admit, watching this array of shifting expressions was quite a delightful sight.

Ever since he began speaking, her eyes had remained fixed on him. A long while after he finished, the Eldest Princess finally exhaled softly, her eyes brimming with appreciation.

"Now, I feel that having you search for Emperor Xi’s Map... seems like a waste of your talents." She didn’t hide her motives. Raising an eyebrow slightly, she looked at Zeng Anmin with great interest.

Zeng Anmin merely offered a modest smile. His face gradually turned serious, and he looked off into the distance, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"To me, Emperor Xi’s Map is nothing but a fleeting cloud. However, my father has yet to lay down firm roots in the imperial court, so he desperately needs Your Highness’s care and protection."

Taking the initiative to expose one’s weakness to a powerhouse wasn’t actually a bad thing. At the very least, upon hearing his words, the Eldest Princess would feel that she had leverage over him, giving her a sense of security. A few simple words laid everything bare between them, clearing away all confusion. It was very simple: she wanted Emperor Xi’s Map, and he knew it. He could help her find it. But since his father’s foundation in the court was currently unsteady, she had to guarantee his safety.

Sure enough, after hearing his terms, the Eldest Princess pondered slowly for a moment before giving a slight nod. "Acceptable."

A smile graced Zeng Anmin’s face. The fundamental force that could bind two parties tightly together was mutual benefit. It was no surprise that the Eldest Princess would agree. Moreover, cooperating with her brought only advantages and no drawbacks.

First, his old man would secure more political resources and quickly establish a firm foothold in the capital. Second, since the Eldest Princess had been plotting in the capital for so long, he could obtain more information and clues from her no matter what he did in the future. Third, Emperor Xi’s Map honestly wasn’t of much use to him. But using the Eldest Princess’s influence to search for it would undoubtedly be much faster than working alone; as for whether or not he would actually hand it over once he found it, he could cross that bridge when he came to it. Fourth...

Zeng Anmin glanced at Chi Bufan, who stood beside the Eldest Princess. After Bai Ziqing left the capital, Zeng Anmin lacked a Martial General by his side and felt rather insecure. This Chi Bufan... although a bit detestable, could barely serve as a makeshift bodyguard during the days Bai Ziqing was away.

"Your Highness, the hour has arrived. If we delay any longer..." Chi Bufan hesitated but still couldn’t help reminding her.

"Mhm." The Eldest Princess slowly stood up and methodically began to pack away the Chime Bells in the courtyard. As she rose, the curves of her body became even more pronounced in Zeng Anmin’s vision.

Chi Bufan quickly stepped forward to help. Before long, the Eldest Princess headed out of the courtyard, slowly disappearing from sight.

"Farewell, Your Highness," Zeng Anmin said with a bow.

A short while later.

"Quan Fu?" Liu Xian looked at Zeng Anmin with a sheepish expression. Clearly, he had already figured out what had just transpired.

Zeng Anmin ignored him, letting his gaze fall on the plump, middle-aged man standing nearby.

"Chairman Liu? I’ve heard much about you," Zeng Anmin said, giving a nonchalant bow, his expression indifferent.

"Mr. Zeng, there’s no need for such formalities." Liu Sanjiang’s face was covered in an amiable smile. "Xian’s biological mother is waiting in the backyard."

"Mhm." Zeng Anmin nodded. Without wasting any more words on Liu Sanjiang, he grabbed Liu Xian and headed toward the backyard.

Since they were putting on an act, they naturally had to go all the way. Having struck a deal with the Eldest Princess in the Liu Mansion today, it was only right for him to help cover her tracks and prevent her whereabouts from being exposed.

"Quan Fu, I’m sorry, I really didn’t know..." After the two left the courtyard, Liu Xian’s face flushed red with shame.

"I don’t blame you." Zeng Anmin let out a slow sigh.

Under the arrangement of his biological father, Liu Xian had become a pawn in the Eldest Princess’s hands. He had unwittingly acted as her marionette, carrying out her will without even realizing it. Zeng Anmin couldn’t help but wonder: if he truly despised the feeling of betrayal and insisted that the Eldest Princess kill Liu Xian... what choice would she make?

His eyes turned profound as he spoke slowly, "If you don’t want to be so easily manipulated by others, then focus on your studies."

"Huh?" Liu Xian looked at him in bewilderment.

Never mind! Zeng Anmin shot him a look of disdain and ignored him, striding forward alone.