NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 17:
Chapter 17: The Heir’s Whip Is Quite Impressive
“I’ve come to understand the general outline of the situation. There are many suspicious points… but I believe this matter has nothing to do with you.”
As Li Zhaohua spoke, Cao Xiaolan wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief.
[This woman trusts me that much?]
[Could it be because of my good looks?]
Zhao Wujian smiled without answering. Li Zhaohua rolled her eyes at him. “But… the imperial decree has been issued. My royal brother won’t easily take back his order—unless you find the real culprit. Three days is too short. If there’s anything you need from me, don’t hesitate to ask. Among the countless officials in court, two or three of them are still willing to give me some face.”
By the end of her words, her calm tone carried an unmistakable authority.
Since Zhao Wujian already knew she possessed considerable influence behind the scenes, there was no need for her to hide it from him anymore.
Zhao Wujian was a little stunned.
In the original novel, Li Zhaohua always kept her power concealed. Why was she suddenly revealing it now?
If Li Zaiyuan found out, wouldn’t he think Zhao Wujian had leaked the information?
[No, unless it’s absolutely necessary, I can’t rely on this stunning woman’s power.]
Zhao Wujian replied sincerely, “Thank you, Princess. If I need help, I’ll let you know.”
Li Zhaohua nodded. Listening to Zhao Wujian’s inner voice, she thought he was just too proud and independent to burden her.
Zhao Tingxiao… you really did raise a good son.
Cao Xiaolan continued to sob uncontrollably. With her entire family gone, it was impossible for her to recover from the grief in such a short time.
Zhao Wujian sighed.
He had a strong feeling this was all orchestrated by Long Zhan and that Cao Xiaolan had been dragged into this because of him.
“Xiaolan-jie, come with me.”
Zhao Wujian walked toward where Chiba Rizhao was being held.
Cao Xiaolan stumbled forward, trying to keep up. Li Zhaohua, suspicious, followed them after a moment of thought.
There were many ways to comfort a woman. One of the best was to give her a shot.
If one shot didn’t work, then two.
Of course, Zhao Wujian wasn’t taking Cao Xiaolan to give her an injection—he was taking her to deliver a beating.
He pushed open the door to Chiba Rizhao’s room.
“Your Highness, have you finally decided to cooperate with me?” Chiba Rizhao assumed Zhao Wujian had come around.
But instead—
“Cooperate with your sister!”
Zhao Wujian growled and handed a whip to Cao Xiaolan.
“Your Highness… this?” Cao Xiaolan was startled and hesitant.
Zhao Wujian shoved it into her hand. “Let it out. Don’t worry, I’m in charge of watching her. If anything happens, I’ll take the blame.”
Chiba Rizhao was confused and just about to yell, but then she saw Cao Xiaolan behind Zhao Wujian. The anger in her throat stuck—this crazy woman had tried to kill her earlier. Zhao Wujian had only just stopped her.
Seeing that Cao Xiaolan still hesitated, Zhao Wujian went behind her, grabbed her arm, and brought the whip down hard on Chiba Rizhao.
She winced in pain, realizing Zhao Wujian was helping the crazy woman vent her anger.
“It really wasn’t me who killed them, stop hitting me.”
“I know it wasn’t you. But this happened because of your identity. Plus, you’re from a little island nation. What’s wrong with a good beating?”
Chiba Rizhao was speechless, grunting in grievance.
Cao Xiaolan wiped her tears, gazing at Zhao Wujian with growing gratitude. She couldn’t help but feel moved by this man.
After Cao Xiaolan had let out some of her anger and calmed down, Li Zhaohua didn’t stay long. She said goodbye to Zhao Wujian and left.
On the way back to the palace—
“Zhao Wujian’s little act just now to win my favor was quite amusing… and rather thoughtful.”
Li Zhaohua mused aloud, while Cao Xiaolan bit her lip and suddenly knelt on the ground:
“Princess, I believe His Highness acted for justice. Please help him! I know he’s a good man. He doesn’t deserve to die…”
“Don’t worry.” Li Zhaohua looked at the silly girl with a gentle smile. “If Zhao Wujian truly fails to find the real killer in three days, I’ll personally plead on his behalf…”
…
In a dim dungeon, the oil lamp flickered.
When Liu Ruyan saw Zhao Wujian, fear and resentment flashed in her eyes. She quickly covered her chest, though it was impossible to hide what was exposed. She backed up against the cold stone wall.
“You… what are you doing here again?”
Her voice was loud and harsh, trying to cover up her panic.
Zhao Wujian needed time to refine the power of the Dragon-Nourishing Sacred Physique. He’d already used it on her several times before. Had he finished refining it so soon?
Zhao Wujian’s expression was cold and his words were blunt:
“Ling Qingxue killed someone and framed me. I need you to tell me her weakness.”
Liu Ruyan’s eyes shifted. Fourth Senior Sister had appeared?
Judging by Zhao Wujian’s state, he must have suffered a setback at her hands.
Serves him right.
She shook her head. “You say she killed someone, so she did? How can you be so sure it was my Fourth Senior Sister?”
“Cut the crap!” Zhao Wujian’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Someone who can perfectly imitate another person’s appearance and wipe out an entire seventh-rank official’s household in such a short time—who else but her, using Mirror Flower, Water Moon?”
Liu Ruyan looked at him in disbelief.
Zhao Wujian even knew about Mirror Flower, Water Moon?
Did he learn that from Long Zhan?
Still, with her senior sister now involved, Liu Ruyan began to feel emboldened. She puffed out her chest and said coldly:
“Since you know the power of Mirror Flower, Water Moon, shouldn’t you let me go? Otherwise, once Senior Sister finds this place, you’ll be—ah… what are you doing?”
Before she could finish threatening him, Zhao Wujian lashed her with the same whip Cao Xiaolan had just used!
“Speak!”
“I won’t! Zhao Wujian, don’t think I’ll sell out my sect’s secrets like Long Zhan did! Ah! Aahh!”
“I don’t have time for this nonsense. If you don’t talk, I’ll beat you to death!”
“You can kill me, but I won’t say a word!”
Zhao Wujian showed no mercy—but Liu Ruyan had more spine than he expected.
In the original novel, it was only briefly mentioned that Mirror Flower, Water Moon had a fatal flaw.
As for what that weakness was, even when Zhao Wujian read all the way to the end, he never found out.
The plot revolved entirely around Long Zhan, and the protagonist’s halo protected those around him, so that detail was completely glossed over.
But if Zhao Wujian wanted to expose the fake Chiba Rizhao—Ling Qingxue—he would first have to break Mirror Flower, Water Moon.
[This whip isn’t working. Should I switch to one with barbs?]
Seeing how stubborn Liu Ruyan was, Zhao Wujian began to consider using something more vicious.
Her expression changed instantly.
“I’ll talk, I’ll talk!”
“Hmm?”
Zhao Wujian was surprised.
[She gave in?]
Liu Ruyan whimpered in pain, her voice full of grievance.
She bit her lip and reluctantly said:
“The weakness of Mirror Flower, Water Moon lies in the state of mind. The technique changes one’s appearance, but as the saying goes, the face reflects the heart. To maintain a stable disguise, the user must keep a stable state of mind. If that mental state is disrupted—by sudden noise, strong light… anything like that—the illusion will falter, and the true form will be revealed.”
Zhao Wujian’s eyes lit up as he heard that!