Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

Chapter 560 Allies

Meanwhile, in Jinling, Emperor Suzong had already sent people to confiscate the Du family's property. In addition to confiscating the property, Emperor Suzong also realized that the Du family might not be simple. They dared to keep secret guards and even dared to harm a prince of the court. It was definitely not as simple as just embezzlement.

After a month, the people sent to investigate finally returned to Chang'an, but all they brought back was a corpse. Emperor Suzong felt even more that something was wrong.

Even though everyone had already been arrested, the people he sent were still injured, proving that there were others behind the Du family. Emperor Suzong suspected Consort Lan; could it be that she was afraid he would discover something, so she sent people to silence them? However, all of this would only be known once that person woke up.

But he knew one thing clearly: there was definitely something wrong with the Du family. He couldn't wait any longer. Adhering to the principle of "better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free," he sent someone to contact the Dali Temple that very night to find a way to secretly deal with Du Bin and his wife.

Consort Lan had been keeping a close eye on Emperor Suzong's situation, but this time Emperor Suzong was wrong, because it was not Consort Lan who sent people to kill him, but someone else.

After being released from prison, Consort Lan was filled with anxiety. She could not sit idly by and wait for her fate, so she had no choice but to ask her allies for help.

Fortunately, Consort Lan received her due allowance and subsidies from the Du family during her years in the palace. Apart from occasionally arranging things in the palace, she rarely spent money and thus saved up a considerable amount of silver.

So, to show her sincerity, the day after her prison visit, she sent someone to deliver a letter to Gu Shiyi, who was going to the palace to pay her respects, saying that she would wait for her at Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Gu Shiyi also went as promised. She wanted to see what Consort Lan was really up to. During their first meeting, she was only told that money and military force would be essential for her to achieve her goals. However, she never saw any real talent or capability in the process, so she didn't dare to tell Li Xi about her meeting with Consort Lan.

This time, Consort Lan showed considerable sincerity. Although the matter of the troops was not settled, she did see the money.

Consort Lan wanted to rescue Du Bin and his wife as soon as possible, and the most likely people to help her now were the Li family, so she went straight to the point.

As soon as Gu Shiyi sat down, Consort Lan said, "Princess Zhao, although I cannot immediately provide you with troops, I can offer you my full sincerity in terms of money." After saying that, she took out a silver note.

Gu Shiyi glanced at the stack of silver notes and saw that it was quite a lot! Of course, Gu Shiyi wasn't stupid, and asked, "Then what are Consort Lan's requirements?"

Consort Lan smiled and said, "It's so refreshing to talk to smart people. Here are five thousand taels of silver notes. I don't ask for anything else, I only ask that Prince Zhao help me save my family."

Although Gu Shiyi wanted Li Xi to succeed, she couldn't just agree to it. What if she couldn't do it and Consort Lan became desperate and did something drastic?

So she said, "Consort Lan, this... I'm afraid I can't make that decision. Although I am the Princess Consort of Zhao, I can't make decisions for the Prince of Zhao."

Seeing that Gu Shiyi refused, Consort Lan said, "It doesn't necessarily have to be Prince Zhao. Isn't your father the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review? If he can mediate, my family will definitely be saved."

Gu Shiyi sighed and said, "Alas, Consort Lan, if you're referring to my father, he's not even as good as Prince Zhao! My father is very upright and honest; if His Majesty says east, he would never say west."

Consort Lan couldn't care less about anything else. She knelt down before Gu Shiyi and said tearfully, "Whoever can help me will receive five thousand taels as a reward after the matter is settled."

Gu Shiyi feigned regret, stood up and helped Consort Lan Shu up, saying, "Your Majesty, you're making me feel terrible, but I can't lie to you, I really can't make a decision on this matter. How about this, I'll go back today and talk to the Prince about this, and ask him to come here after he pays his respects to my mother tomorrow, what do you think?"

Consort Lan had no other choice but to take a risky gamble. If it were Li Xi who came, it would be just what she wanted. So she tried to shed a few barely perceptible tears and said, "Alright, then I will wait for good news at this time tomorrow."

After saying that, Gu Shiyi wanted to leave, but Consort Lan said, "Princess Zhao, here is a thousand taels. Take it as a deposit. If it doesn't work out, you can return it later."

Gu Shiyi didn't want to accept it, but Consort Lan was too strong and forced it into her hand, so she had no choice but to accept it. Before she could say anything, Consort Lan had already left Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

After a while, Gu Shiyi also left the palace.

The next day, Consort Lan arrived at Xiaoxiang Pavilion at the agreed time, but after waiting for half an hour, Li Xi still hadn't arrived. She was worried that Gu Shiyi might not have told Li Xi, or that Li Xi might want to break the agreement.

Just as she was pondering this, the door was quietly pushed open. Consort Lan's personal maid said, "Your Highness, I see His Highness Prince Zhao is coming this way."

Consort Lan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Alright, go outside and keep watch. Don't let anyone else get close. If anyone gets close, try to remind me."

The maid acknowledged, then withdrew and hid somewhere.

Li Xi was also cautious, taking a long detour before arriving at Xiaoxiang Pavilion, which caused him some delay. He looked around at the entrance to make sure no one was there before entering the house.

Upon entering the room, they saw Consort Lan leaning against the chaise longue, seemingly asleep.

Li Xi coughed twice, and Consort Lan pretended to be startled awake. She straightened her clothes, sat up straight, and said, "The Prince of Zhao has arrived. Please sit down."

Li Xi walked over and sat down. Consort Lan poured her a cup of tea, but Li Xi didn't drink it. Instead, she asked directly, "Consort Lan, what brings you to me?"

Consort Lan was taken aback and asked, "Didn't Princess Zhao tell you?"

Li Xi said, "You want me to save your family?"

Consort Lan nodded slightly and said, "That's right."

Li Xi laughed and said, "You are indeed straightforward, but if I were to save your family, I would be taking a huge risk. What would I gain in return?"

Consort Lan said, "Just as I and Princess Zhao said, as long as Your Highness can find a way to rescue my family, I will definitely help you seize that position."

Li Xi scoffed, "You think you can take me on?"

Consort Lan said with great certainty, "To be precise, it's not because of me, but because of my family."

Li asked, "What do you mean?"

Consort Lan said, "Does Your Highness know why His Majesty has been slow to punish my brother and sister-in-law, who have committed crimes punishable by the confiscation of their property and the extermination of their clan?"

Li Xidao asked, "Why?"

Consort Lan said, "Because my brother donates a large sum of money to the national treasury every year, I have been able to climb to my current position so quickly, and His Majesty is reluctant to kill them immediately."

Upon hearing this, Li Xi began to ponder. He had also heard that Du Bin was killed because Li Chu and his men had discovered a hidden room of gold and silver treasures in his mansion. It seemed that his family was indeed incredibly wealthy, and most importantly, he had heard that this money was not embezzled. If such a talent were to come to his side, it would certainly be a great asset.

Seeing Li Xi deep in thought, Consort Lan felt that he was probably tempted, so she asked, "I wonder if Your Highness has heard why the Prince of Chu is still unconscious?"

Li Xi naturally knew this; yes, the garrison there was under their command, and it seemed they even kept secret guards. If these people could also be used for his own purposes, then… the throne would be his for the taking.

Li Xi said, "Alright, I can try to save them, but I can't guarantee whether I can succeed. However, I heard that not all the people Father sent to confiscate their property have returned. They are probably searching for something. I will send someone to deal with that person first. Father can't kill them immediately without evidence, but at least it can buy some time."

Upon hearing this, Consort Lan rose and knelt before Li Xi, saying, "Thank you for your help, Prince Zhao. I will certainly repay your great kindness."

Just as Li Xi was about to get up, he felt a wave of dizziness and sat back down on the chaise lounge.

Li Xicai realized something was wrong and asked, "What did you do?"

Consort Lan Shu stood up and said, "I didn't do anything, it's just that Your Highness is too cautious and refused to drink the tea I poured. Your cleverness backfired."

Li Xi realized that the incense was the problem, and the tea was the antidote. He tried to get up to get it, but unfortunately, Consort Lan picked up the cup of tea and drank it all in one gulp.

Li then changed his target to the teapot, only to find that it was empty.

Li Xi asked, "I've already agreed to your request, what do you want to do now?"

Consort Lan moved closer to Li Xi and stroked his face, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted an extra layer of protection."

Li Xi felt a burning heat all over his body, and he kept tearing at his clothes. Consort Lan said, "Come on, Your Highness, let me help you."

Li Xi tried to push her away but lacked the strength, saying, "What if Father finds out if you do this?"

Consort Lan said, "Don't worry, no one is coming here, otherwise I wouldn't dare to do this." After saying that, she pressed Li Xi down on her body.

Li Xi's burning sensation grew stronger and stronger; he felt that if he couldn't release it soon, he would explode.

His consciousness gradually blurred, and the person in front of him transformed into "Guo Fengmin," whom he could never let go of. He could no longer resist kissing her. The two then engaged in a fierce struggle. The incense was indeed quite effective; Li Xi felt he was ready again. It wasn't until an hour later that they finally stopped.

Li Xi also came to his senses. When he realized that the person in his arms was Consort Lan, he was so frightened that he quickly pushed her away.

Li asked, "Why is it you?"

Consort Lan, however, remained calm and said, "It has always been me, Your Highness. But I do know who you take me for."

Now that Li Xi had regained his strength, he grabbed Consort Lan by the neck and said, "You'd better know what you should and shouldn't say."

Consort Lan laughed: "Hahaha, Your Highness Prince Zhao, are you afraid? Don't worry... I... as long as you help me rescue my family, I will not only... not say anything, but also help you ascend to that position."

Li Xi then slowly released his grip and said, "It had better be that way, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite."

Consort Lan coughed violently a few times and said, "Don't worry, I just need a guarantee. I'm already yours, so naturally I won't do anything to betray you."

Upon hearing this, Li Xi cursed, "You crazy woman, you better keep your word!" After saying that, he put on his clothes and prepared to leave.

Consort Lan smiled again and said, "Then I will wait for Your Highness's good news." Li Xi ignored her and turned to leave.

After Li Xi left, Consort Lan's maid came in to help Consort Lan put on her clothes, and then asked, "Your Highness, isn't what you did too risky?"

Consort Lan said, "It's alright. I was just trying to scare him. Even if I did that to him, nothing will happen. But youth is indeed a good thing; at least he's much better than his father." After saying that, she chuckled and returned to the Purple Orchid Palace.

This is why the person who went to investigate the evidence returned as a corpse.