Chapter 2654 - 2653: Bad News
"Last night, I was planning to take the list of disaster victims and the resettlement plan to General Quan for review. I couldn’t find him in the General’s office; I thought he must be so exhausted from guiding the disaster relief today that he went to sleep early. However, due to the urgency, I decided to bring the documents to his bedroom to find him for quick decision-making,"
"Just as I was about to push the door, I heard an explosion. Realizing something was wrong, I immediately dropped the documents and pushed the door open, and what I saw was General Quan lying on the floor under dim light. His white pajamas were stained red with blood. His eyes were open, showing a shocked expression as if he had seen something terrifying. The most frightening part was his abdomen, where a sharp weapon had pierced him open."
"I did not hesitate and immediately sounded the alarm, declaring Level One security status, hoping to trap the killer inside the city. At least force him to make more effort to escape, and then I ordered the guards to search the city for suspicious individuals. But despite chasing all night with my men, we found nothing,"
"Upon hearing you have returned today, I immediately came to report this matter to you."
After reporting, Wei Dong glanced at the people beside Li Xiaonian: two middle-aged people, of whom the man strangely resembled the Queen. As Wei Dong’s gaze continued, he was shocked to find Ling Feng standing there grinning, and immediately prepared to salute while saying, "Your Majesty!"
But Ling Feng merely waved, indicating that such grand gestures were unnecessary, especially since the Queen was still there; it wasn’t appropriate to kneel to him.
Wei Dong nodded appreciatively; he was a bit troubled initially but was relieved that Ling Feng voluntarily excused him from the courtesy.
Upon hearing Wei Dong’s account, Li Xiaonian was initially extremely shocked because someone managed to kill the chief general guarding the heavily secured Royal City. Such a thing had never happened in her ten years of rule. General Quan was an experienced veteran, a skilled fighter, and logically, no one should be able to kill him so easily without causing a commotion.
Next, Li Xiaonian felt anger. The death of General Quan was clearly someone provoking her, the Queen. Killing the city guard general in the Royal City was a statement to Li Xiaonian that if they could kill General Quan, they could kill her too. This was a slap to her face, and it also indicated that the Royal City might no longer be safe.
"Moreover, judging by General Quan’s death, I feel... feel..." Standing bows beside, Wei Dong seemed hesitant.
"You’ve been with me for a while; if you have any opinions, feel free to speak," Li Xiaonian looked at Wei Dong and said.
"Yes! I feel the culprit who killed General Quan seems... seems not to be human!"
"What?" Li Xiaonian exclaimed lightly, then suddenly calmed down, pondering Wei Dong’s words and the death of General Quan.
Li Xiaonian swept her sleeve and finally said, "I must personally go to the Royal City’s Guard Division to investigate and see who, what, dares to challenge the authority of Vermilion Bird Kingdom!"
Li Xiaonian’s mother was somewhat surprised by this place and the attitude of the people here towards her daughter, but she could discern from Wei Dong and her daughter’s words that her daughter was going to undertake something dangerous. How could a mother not be worried?
She walked over, trembling, and grasped Li Xiaonian’s hand, saying tearfully, "Little Nian, are you leaving us again for some matter? Why does it have to be you, the Queen, to investigate? Can’t someone else do it? Mom feels it’s dangerous. Maybe you should..."
Li Xiaonian trembled all over, knowing her mother was worrying about her, tears already in her eyes. She turned and held her mother’s hand, sobbing, "Mom, I’m no longer the little girl I used to be. I am now the ruler of a nation, and many people rely on my protection to live peaceful lives. Now, trouble has arisen, and I must personally look into it... I might... might not be able to accompany you all temporarily... but I promise, once I find out the truth, I will come back to accompany you and dad."
Li Xiaonian was indeed reluctant to leave her parents, having just reunited with them. But now, she could not act willfully; she needed to consider many others.
"No, Auntie, Little Nian can continue to stay with you and Uncle, without having to do that dangerous investigation," suddenly spoke out Ling Feng, who hadn’t said anything previously.
The Li Chaoyang couple’s eyes brightened, joyfully saying, "Really?"
Li Xiaonian was surprised and said, "What are you saying? General Quan is dead, and the killer has not been uncovered. The city must be filled with unrest now, and as the Queen, I must personally investigate to soothe the people."
Ling Feng nodded at Li Xiaonian’s parents and then turned to Li Xiaonian, saying, "You and Uncle and Auntie have just reunited and haven’t spent much time together; can you bear to leave this way? You had no choice when you accidentally crossed before; now you still have a choice, do you really want to leave just like that?"
"This..." Li Xiaonian glanced back at the hopeful eyes of the Li Chaoyang couple, hesitating, although she was usually a decisive Queen.
"Investigating General Quan’s death is urgent, but your familial bond with your parents is paramount. Arrange accommodation for Auntie and Uncle first, spend a few days with them. I’ll accompany Wei Dong to investigate General Quan’s death, and I promise to find the culprit and bring them to justice, giving the late General Quan justice and assurance to the city’s residents, as well as an accounting to you."
Wei Dong, with an astute mind, had realized the situation upon arriving and thought Ling Feng’s explanation made sense, knowing the Queen had just been reunited with family, surely difficult to decide immediately.
"My Queen, I believe Ling Feng makes a valid point; perhaps you don’t necessarily need to go personally. With Ling Feng and me investigating, you can stay and accompany your family; we will ensure you get a satisfactory outcome."
Li Xiaonian pondered for a long time, finally conceding, "Very well, you go then, uncover the cause of General Quan’s death, catch the killer," directing this at Ling Feng, then turning to say, "Wei Dong, assist and support Ling Feng fully, ensure that justice is served!"
"Yes!" both responded in unison.
Then Ling Feng followed Wei Dong away; before leaving, Ling Feng softly said to Li Xiaonian, "Don’t worry, I’m here."
𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Li Xiaonian smiled slightly, watching them leave.