Love letters are not allowed in the exorcism notebook!-Chapter 605 - 28: The Ingeniously Designed Linguistic Trap

"Cackle cackle cackle—!"

The mechanical puppet holding the thunderbolt steel cudgel moved with heavy steps, calmly crossing the main entrance to arrive at the courtyard. Its eyes emitted a cold red glow as it scanned the guards, who stood no chance against it, and it crazily laughed, "Where is His Majesty? I have come especially to greet His Majesty’s glorious return to the throne!"

Everyone was dumbfounded.

With that appearance, that tone of voice... what in the world are you here for?

"His Majesty! Where is His Majesty?"

Shen Qingxi kept up her cackling, grotesque laughter as she strode forward.

Li Mumu and Xia Yubing exchanged a glance, each employing their skills discreetly to conceal their faces, and followed behind her, keeping a few steps distance.

The main reason was that they couldn’t afford to lose face.

"Halt, intruder!"

A roar of fury, and a true master appeared.

He was a middle-aged man wearing black short robes, with a tall and sturdy figure, temples slightly bulging, a clear sign of a master of the inner family. Yet, as he emerged from the building, what he first revealed were the two short guns at his waist.

"This is the Imperial Traveling Palace, not a place for lowly thieves to covet or invade! Those who dare intrude and disturb without permission, your crimes shall not be pardoned!"

The words were tough, but the reality felt like an empty display of strength.

If it were the era gone by, would anyone need to bluster here? Upon discovering invaders, they would have taken action immediately, without wasting time on legal jargon.

To disturb the Emperor meant death.

"Cackle cackle cackle, no need to be so nervous. If I truly wanted to kill you, with your little abilities, what can you do to me?"

Shen Qingxi was completely engrossed in her role, relying on her unrecognizable noble appearance to fully embody the villainess persona.

"Move aside at once. I am here to meet with His Majesty now. If I miss the auspicious time and delay important matters, none of you can bear the responsibility!"

The middle-aged man, facing these three obviously unrighteous demons and evil spirits, couldn’t help but reveal a grave expression on his face.

They seemed difficult to handle, but he had a responsibility to uphold...

"General Wu, since they are here to meet with His Majesty, there is no need for such precautions."

Just as the tension was about to erupt, a calm voice suddenly came from inside the building.

The middle-aged man turned with surprise and said, "Steward Li, these people..."

"Leave them to me to deal with."

At that moment, an elderly man with graying hair and a plump figure, who didn’t seem like a martial artist, emerged from the building. He also had a beard, which likely meant he wasn’t a eunuch.

This old man was twirling two Red Dragon walnuts that were purplish in color, wearing glasses and a brocade robe, with a harmless smile hanging on the corners of his mouth, much like a shopkeeper in a street shop.

But as soon as he appeared, the surrounding guards all stepped aside, clearly holding the elderly man in awe and reverence.

Effortlessly dismissing the lead guard, the elder approached Shen Qingxi, raised his hand in a signaling manner, and said, "The family guards are overzealous in their protection and are unsophisticated. If they have offended the esteemed guests in any way, please forgive us. Since the three of you are here to see His Majesty, please follow me inside for a talk."

Shen Qingxi secretly swallowed, raised her head, and laughed loudly, "Today, out of respect for Steward Li, I will not bother with you dog servants. Remember to make your signs clearer in the future to avoid troubling His Majesty and causing him embarrassment for no reason!"

The three entered the residence and came to the living room. Steward Li, while instructing the servants to prepare tea and pastries, clasped his hands and smiled, "His Majesty has already retired to bed, and it will take some time for him to get up and wash up. I hope you all can be patient. I am of limited experience and did not dare to ask for your honored names?"

Shen Qingxi smiled and said, "My name has long been forgotten in the Jianghu World. Steward Li only needs to call me ’Cangqing Nether Jade.’ These two are Guardian Heavenly Venerable of my sect, Amber Coffin and Red Shroud. We three sisters have come today, exactly to discuss an important matter with His Majesty!"

"Cangqing Nether Jade, Amber Coffin, Red Shroud..."

Steward Li repeated these three names in his mind, realizing he had never heard of them. However, just because he hadn’t heard of them didn’t mean they were nobodies. Just looking at the three women’s appearances...

Well, one had Yellow Talisman Paper stuck to her face and Life-Seizing Soul-Chasing Chains tied to her hands. Another wore a golden exorcism mask and was decked in mechanical parts all over. The third one’s head was covered with a red bridal veil, and she was holding something in her arms—it was hard to tell if it was a human head or a child.

Taken separately, each one had an aura of malevolence, and here they were, all three linked in a group.

Their names were as Netherworldly as they came, and with such appearances and names, they could not convince anyone they were benevolent souls even if they claimed to be.

As the saying goes, when a night owl enters a house, it is up to no good. Judging by their demeanor, it was likely they were not here for anything pleasant.

But then again, in this day and age, what good person or good deed would involve a Deposed Emperor from the Former Dynasty?

Yet, it was clear that Steward Li was a man well-acquainted with the world. He showed no fear or apprehension due to their strange get-ups. Instead, he sat down and made polite small talk with a smile, as if he was receiving ordinary guests.

"May I know what the important matter Master Cangqing refers to is? As everyone knows, our Deposed Emperor is frail by nature and has secluded himself here for many years. He surely can’t withstand any major turmoil."

Shen Qingxi cackled and said, "The President is concerned, and we understand. However, to say the Emperor is frail... the Wei Family would not agree."

"The Wei Family?"

Steward Li asked in surprise, "What did the Wei Family say?"

Whoops—

Li Mumu thought to herself that it was over, Shen Qingxi’s guess was actually right.

The Wei Family are the President’s staunch Direct Line and hold military power. In principle, they should have absolutely no connection with a Deposed Emperor of the Former Dynasty, or rather, their relationship should not be this intimate.

Shen Qingxi’s remark was actually a verbal trap.

Normally, if there were no relations at all, Steward Li would have first responded with "Which Wei Family" or said "I do not know of any Wei Family."

In asking the way he did, although it seemed like he did not reveal any information, it was sufficient to confirm Shen Qingxi’s previous speculation.

Confirming even one link in the chain meant their entire speculation could largely be taken as correct; there was no need to extract more information from him.

Could it be that Eldest Miss Shen was truly a genius?

Previously thinking of her as a fool, it seemed they had underestimated her. Now, taking everything into account, she seemed to be one of those geniuses whose intelligence comes in intermittent bursts.

Shen Qingxi laughed creepily, opting not to say anything further, for fear that she would reveal too much and raise Steward Li’s suspicions.

After a short wait, a young man appeared from the back hall, his complexion pale and spirit listless, yet dressed in lavish clothing. He yawned as he walked in, gave the three women a lazy glance, then instantly became alert, stopped in his tracks, and asked with a frown, "Who are you? And why do you wish to see me?"

Just as Shen Qingxi was about to speak, Xia Yubing suddenly coughed and uttered one word, "Leave!"