Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

113. Conspiracy

Translator: asassin

Early the next morning, Yuxing Tianrui and Du Chuxuan received an invitation from Chang Guangqing.

It wasn’t exactly an invitation since Chang Guangqing simply needed help with his investigation after the girl fled yesterday. He invited them in order to see what they were capable of and whether he could work with them in the future.

It was a returning politeness for politeness kind of deal. At the moment, Du Chuxuan also needed Chang Guangqing’s help so he didn’t reject and took Yuxing Tianrui as well as Luo Yi to see Chang Guangqing.

“You are early.”

They met at a cottage in the north of the town. Chang Guangqing had left them a message that it was where the girl that went missing most recently lived.

Born in a poor family, she lived by herself after her father passed away. That was why she was found missing a long time after it happened.

“Does Guangqing ask us to meet him here because there’s still evidence left?” Du Chuxuan checked the place thoroughly. It was just a small clean thatched hut with pottery articles for daily use, some of which had cracks on them due to lack of maintenance.

He concluded that this girl had been kidnapped either for her looks or something else, definitely not for anything valuable she had at home.

Chang Guangqing smirked. “I was after that girl for I haven’t figured out why it happened at this point with only average women missing.”

“Average women?” Yuxing Tianrui was astute in getting the key point. “Please don’t take offense, Brother Chang. There are often cases like this in the capital. Girls that are kidnapped are usually beauties, which makes them easy to locate wherever they are taken to. Given the current situation, I don’t understand why average girls, instead of beautiful ones have been kidnapped?”

“You are quite sharp, Brother Tianrui.” Chang Guangqing made a gesture, and a servant brought over a plate, on which were all kinds of paintings of girls.

The paintings weren’t masterpieces but were good enough.

Du Chuxuan concluded that these were painted by painters who worked for the officials for the investigation.

“You’ve only been here for a while. If you’ve arrived earlier, you would have seen these paintings to the west of the city gate.” Chang Guangqing sighed slightly. “If the situation has been like what Brother Tianrui just said, it would have been easier to handle. Look at these women. None of them is attractive.”

“Besides, they come from all walks of life. There are daughters of merchants, daughters of officials, as well as daughters of commoners.” Chang Guangqing seemed a bit gloomy.

“Guangqing, are you worried that it has something to do with Wulin Assembly?” Waving his folding fan, Du Chuxuan would be a joke if he still pretended not to understand what Chang Guangqing meant by this point, so he brought it up first, which satisfied both sides.

“You know me so well, Brother Luo.” Chang Guangqing nodded. “I’m quite embarrassed to bring this up actually. Though I yearn for Wulin, I can’t get near it because of my family. But you are different, you are both in it. I’ll remember your kind favors if you can help me with the case.”

He gave it some thought, perhaps not finding his pitch appealing, then added, “His Majesty is concerned about his country and people. With the influence of this case, I can ask my father to put in a good word for you in front of His Majesty when he goes to the capital to report on his work if you want.”

Du Chuxuan’s brow rose. “We aren’t here to seek fame and wealth. Since we find each other congenial, besides now I’ve learned about the case, I’m sure to help you as much as I can.” As he spoke, he cupped his hands toward Chang Guangqing.

The two looked and smiled at each other.

Nothing in the room was useful to the investigation. There wasn’t much stuff to begin with. Less remained after a search conducted by the official. Even if there was indeed something helpful, it would have been dug up already. There was no point lingering around.

Du Chuxuan brought the paintings with him and bade Chang Guangqing farewell.

Knowing that the two would inform him first as soon as they had any findings, Chang Guangqing felt quite relieved.

“My Lord, do you think you can count on them?” muttered Chang Guangqing’s guard, who clearly didn’t trust Du Chuxuan nor Yuxing Tianrui. “They belong to Wulin, if your father learns about it…”

“I’ve only brought you here with me today. If my father does learn about it, I’ll know it’s you that spill it.” Chang Guangqing snorted and glared at him before he left, shaking his head.

He’d rather believe in his judgment. Luo Xuan might seem young and unbridled; he wasn’t a bad guy judging from his eyes. However, he wasn’t sure about that Luo Tianrui. Though Luo Xuan and Luo Tianrui were always together, Luo Tianrui seldom talked yet Luo Xuan thought highly of him.

Chang Guangqing guessed that Luo Tianrui was either a martial arts master or an intelligent advisor.

If he was explicit about his caution against Luo Tianrui, he might bring about unnecessary unpleasant incidents.

Back in his room, Du Chuxuan opened all the portraits and watched carefully. Yet he still got nowhere. “All of these girls are extremely average. I won’t even recognize them if they are in the crowd.”

With a slight frown, he knew he had ignored something. He was sure he could get something out of these paintings if he watched more closely.

Luo Yi poured them tea and threw a glance at the paintings. “I think they are kidnapped because they are extremely common.”

His word was like a lighthouse in the darkness which showed Du Chuxuan the right direction, who stood up abruptly. “I see!”

He suddenly turned to Yuxing Tianrui. “They are kidnapped for another reason.”

“Which is?” Still unaware of what he meant, Yuxing Tianrui asked with his head tilted towards him.

Du Chuxuan took a deep breath, then turned to Luo Yi. “What happens to people with average looks in Sect Luo?”