"Royal belongings, even the princess cannot touch them?"
Lu Fan chuckled, "This rule, it truly has many restrictions!"
"There's no helping it, the palace rules are just like this!" Steward Li chuckled.
Lu Fan said no more and turned to leave. If it were an ordinary eunuch, he might have struck him down with a single palm.
But this Steward Li before him had a significant background. Judging solely by his aura, he was unfathomable. Lu Fan dared not provoke such a person too much. Under duress, Lu Fan then headed towards the princess's temporary palace.
Upon arriving at the temporary palace, he saw Xiao Qing teaching several maids. When she saw Lu Fan, she was greatly surprised, "Fuma! Why are you here?"
"What, shouldn't I be here?" Lu Fan coughed a few times.
If not for being forced, he would not have come to the princess's temporary palace.
"Of course you can!"
Xiao Qing quickly nodded, "I'll go and inform the princess right away!"
Lu Fan didn't mind and casually began to wander around the palace.
Princess Linglong, upon learning of Lu Fan's arrival, excitedly came to the front hall. Seeing Lu Fan chatting and laughing with several palace maids, she instantly became a little angry.
"Ahem, Fuma, the princess is here!" Xiao Qing coughed lightly.
The numerous palace maids were greatly startled and quickly retreated to the rear.
Lu Fan was very casual about it, standing up and saying, "I asked them to keep me company, don't blame them!"
"What brings you here today?"
Princess Linglong pouted. She was very happy that Lu Fan came to see her, but she did not expect to see this scene.
"Nothing else!"
Lu Fan shrugged, "I just wanted to ask the princess for a walk, is that not allowed? If not, I'll leave now!"
"Of course, you can!"
Princess Linglong repeatedly said, "You are the Fuma, coming to see me is naturally permissible!"
Not long after, Princess Linglong led Lu Fan, strolling in the imperial garden, her mood surprisingly good.
"I accidentally entered the Treasure Gathering Hall just now and was almost kicked out by Steward Li!"
Lu Fan spoke, "What is hidden in the Treasure Gathering Hall that it is so highly valued?"
"Then you are considered lucky!"
Princess Linglong laughed, "That place is guarded by Steward Li. Apart from my father, no one can get close. Even I would be kicked out if I went!"
"It seems the Treasure Gathering Hall is the lifeline of the dynasty, otherwise it wouldn't be so strict!" Lu Fan smiled faintly.
"You could say that!"
Linglong nodded, "The many treasures in the Treasure Gathering Hall are related to the lifeline of the dynasty. If not for Steward Li guarding it, there would have been trouble long ago!"
"Is Steward Li very powerful?" Lu Fan asked with some surprise.
"He should be extremely powerful!"
Linglong said seriously, "Ever since I can remember, anyone who has crossed swords with Steward Li has never won!"
"He's that strong!"
Lu Fan was slightly surprised and even a little moved. He hadn't expected Steward Li to have such combat power.
"No wonder, I always felt he was unusual!"
"That is natural!"
Linglong said proudly, "Steward Li is known as the second strongest in the Imperial City!"
"Then who is the first in the Imperial City?" Lu Fan asked in surprise.
"Naturally, it is my father!"
Linglong said directly, "Without great strength, how can one defend the nation!"
Lu Fan suddenly realized that Linglong's words were not wrong.
However, Lu Fan's brow furrowed again. With so many experts in the Imperial City, stealing the Spirit Gathering Bottle would indeed not be an easy task.
If he acted too hastily, it would be counterproductive, which would not be worth it.
"By the way, it's not very safe for you to live outside. Why don't you live in the palace directly!"
Linglong said, "I have already sent people to prepare the bedding, and you can stay tonight!"
"This is probably not very appropriate!"
Lu Fan shook his head, "After all, we are not married yet. If word gets out, it will damage the princess's reputation!"
Seeing Lu Fan refuse, Princess Linglong's face flushed with embarrassment, but she did not say much.
A few days later, Steward Li arrived at the palace, his expression even more solemn.
"What, have you found out?"
The Dragon Emperor asked, his expression cold.
"It was the Li family's doing!"
After a moment of hesitation, Steward Li said directly, "The information is absolutely correct!"
"The Li family?"
The Dragon Emperor's eyes flashed with cold light. He had initially thought it was the Lin family's doing, but he never expected it to be the Li family.
The Li family and the Zhao family had always been on good terms. Now, to assassinate the Fuma and frame the Zhao family, this matter was extremely serious.
"Master, shall we...?"
Steward Li asked, his expression even more solemn. He knew very well that once action was taken against the three great families, it would cause great turmoil.
"No!"
The Dragon Emperor shook his head, "The commotion from the assassination of the Fuma has passed. There are more important matters now!"
"What matter?"
Steward Li was somewhat surprised. Anything that the Dragon Emperor valued must be extraordinary.
"Urgent report from the border, the Nine Heavens Dynasty has thirty thousand cavalry eyeing us, preparing to invade the White Dragon Dynasty!" the Dragon Emperor stated directly.
"The Nine Heavens Dynasty?"
Steward Li frowned, "This subordinate is willing to lead many generals to meet the enemy!"
"No need, let the Li family go this time!"
The Dragon Emperor narrowed his eyes, seemingly with a deeper plan.
Steward Li trembled, then revealed a smile.
Not long after, Old Master Li arrived late, his heart even more nervous. The Dragon Emperor personally summoned him, which must be for a major event, but only summoning the Li family was somewhat strange.
"Your humble servant pays respects to my master!"
Upon arriving at the grand hall, Old Master Li cupped his fists, his expression even more solemn, daring not to be the slightest bit negligent.
"An urgent report from the border, the Nine Heavens Dynasty has assembled thirty thousand cavalry and wishes to invade White Dragon!" the Dragon Emperor stated, "I wish for you to personally lead the troops!"
"Master, I am old and may not be able to bear this great responsibility!"
The head of the Li family said quickly, his heart even more touched. Under normal circumstances, the royal family would dispatch elite troops for border wars, but this time it was very abnormal.
"Head of the Li family, if you refuse this matter, do you know the consequences?" Steward Li narrowed his eyes.
The Dragon Emperor's expression also turned cold, "The assassination of the Fuma was the doing of the Li family. This matter has been investigated. I originally intended for the Li family to atone for their crimes, but now it seems to be superfluous!"
"Absolutely impossible!"
Old Master Li repeatedly said, "How would the Li family dare to attack the Fuma? It must be someone framing the Li family. I hope my master will investigate clearly!"
"Among the many experts of the Li family, there is one Venerable missing, named Li Yong!"
Steward Li sneered, "He is the one who assassinated the Fuma that day!"
Old Master Li was shocked. He had indeed not seen Li Yong these past few days, nor did he know his whereabouts.
"Do you have any evidence?"
"You can find out when you go back!"
Steward Li said coldly, "According to imperial law, assassinating the Fuma is a grave crime. Even if the entire Li family were to be executed, it would probably not be enough!"
The head of the Li family's expression changed greatly. As the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire. This matter must have a great deal of complexity.
"If this matter was indeed done by the Li family, this old servant is willing to personally lead the troops to fight against the thirty thousand troops of the Nine Heavens!" the head of the Li family said repeatedly.