I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon-Chapter 1014 - 377: The Princess’s Surprise! Empress Baby Misses You So Much!
?
Chen Mo listened in confusion, just about to ask, but was interrupted by Xu You, who said:
"After the black-clad figure left Li Mansion, I followed him all the way to the inner city and found he was secretly meeting with the Maritime Trade Bureau’s Cao Shi, Tang Xingbang."
"Lady Hua wanted to use those Barbarian Slaves as leverage to let the government office spare Ming Yuchun, not realizing Ming Yuchun was a tool arranged by Tang Xingbang to control her."
"The entire Barbarian Slave trade chain is already quite mature, and Bailu City is just a link in it, with identities both upstream and downstream extremely mysterious."
"It seems that the batch of Barbarian Slaves Chu Heng raised was also brought into the Capital City through Tang Xingbang’s hands." Chen Mo frowned, pondering quietly, "A mere Maritime Trade Bureau couldn’t possibly have such influence; there must be others directing behind the scenes..."
To unravel the whole logic, we must first understand the other party’s intentions.
If it’s purely for profit, evidently there’s no need to take such risks.
Initially, Chu Heng raised Barbarian Slaves to corrode the court ministers in this way, recording images to coerce them into working for him. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
According to the information collected by Xu You, Lady Hua’s merchant ship had stopped for a period, coinciding with the outbreak of the "Barbarian Slave Case" in the Capital City. Now that the storm has passed, it started again...
But Chu Heng is dead, who is the new buyer?
"Surely there are interests entangled with the court; presumably, the status is not low..."
"And what’s different is, this time the Gu God Sect is also involved."
Thinking of the previously eradicated stronghold in Tiannan State, where a large number of Heart Devouring Poisonous Insects were found.
Recalling Lady Hua’s talk of "herbs" and "processing," a bold conjecture surfaced in Chen Mo’s mind.
Could it be...
If true, then the problem is indeed significant!
"To investigate this matter properly, we must start with Lord Tang, and the location of the Gu God Sect has also been identified; it’s time to prepare to close the net."
Chen Mo turned to Xu You and asked, "Lu Shuyuan said all the government officials have gone out of the city, saying it was to welcome some noble guest. You were also in the inner city. Do you know what happened?"
"Well..."
Xu You showed a bit of hesitation.
Although she didn’t want Chen Mo to meet the Empress, this matter couldn’t be hidden.
"Jiang Yuchan is not afraid, what am I afraid of?"
"Since it’s said to be ’fair competition,’ then it’s up to one’s ability. I refuse to engage in underhanded tactics..."
Thinking thus, Xu You candidly said, "I went out of the city for a look. It seems the Princess has arrived."
?!
Chen Mo paused at the words.
Chu Yanli?
Why did she come to Bailu City?!
...
...
Inner city.
The inner courtyard of the government office had been cleared in advance to accommodate the Princess and her entourage.
Other officials left after paying their respects, only Prefect Jiao Yu, Deputy Magistrate Kuang Yinghao, Assistant Judge Ge Jun, and a few local high officials stayed by her side.
Inside the court hall.
Chu Yanli sat at the head, flipping through documents, her face revealing no emotion.
Jiao Yu and others stood below with their hands down, looking tense, cold sweat sliding down their temples.
Names like people, shadows like trees.
Though they hadn’t dealt with the Princess, her reputation echoed throughout Jiu Zhou.
With great strength, holding powerful troops, and blood on her hands that could dye Jinsha Port red!
Moreover, her character is extremely assertive, reportedly not even giving face to the current Holy Emperor!
This time, coming across the miles, with her phoenix carriage present, if any place offends her, being demoted or dismissed is minor; they might end up fed to the fish in the river!
Dong dong—
Chu Yanli tapped the table, "Lord Jiao..."
"Present," Jiao Yu responded.
"The documents you gave me are all investigation reports from three months ago, not mentioning a word about the recent activities of the Gu God Sect..." Chu Yanli raised a brow, "You’re taking me for a fool?"
"I wouldn’t dare!"
Jiao Yu hurriedly explained, "Since I took office, the Gu God Sect has been trampled by the court’s troops, and the focus is not there anymore..."
"As you say, did those thousands of cult members spring from stones?"
"Fengmu County is located at the border of Tiannan and Nantu, yet as a state chief, you remained unaware?"
"Lord Jiao, you are negligent."
Chu Yanli’s tone was calm, but the temperature dropped to freezing point!
"Your Highness!"
Jiao Yu shivered, bowing deeply, but dared not utter a word in defense.
On the side, Kuang Yinghao sensed something amiss; clearly, the Princess wasn’t here for mere formality. Continuing to conceal would only worsen the situation.
He took a deep breath and stepped forward, "Your Highness, I have something to report."
Chu Yanli leaned back in her chair, "Speak."
Kuang Yinghao said in a deep voice, "The Gu God Sect has always been elusive, and Bailu City, being a transportation hub, is quite chaotic, making it hard for the state mansion to detect anomalies promptly."
"However, "
"My nephew, Kuang Jie, is a Hundred Household Officer at the Sky Scale Guard’s Nantu Branch. He assisted Mr. Chen in handling the Gu God Sect case and sent me a family letter the day before, hoping Your Highness will review it."
With that, he took out a letter from his sleeve and presented it.
A Female Officer stepped forward to receive it and handed it to Chu Yanli.
Jiao Yu lowered his head, grinding his teeth, glaring fiercely at Kuang Yinghao.
You should have said this earlier!
Trying to watch me embarrass myself, huh?
Kuang Yinghao kept his eyes straight ahead, yet felt quite disdainful inside.
Ever since the old fellow was reassigned here, he’s been passing the buck, ignoring political affairs.
Faced with problems, he either clams up or shifts blame, clearly wanting to sail smoothly to retirement. Reporting it wouldn’t change anything anyway.
