CHAPTER 619: CHAPTER 513: DOODOO TAKES ACTION

He glanced at the son standing before him, then at the masked figure in black carrying Lu Zhaoyan on his back. His brows furrowed tightly.

If Lu Qi was here, then who was this person who saved Lu Zhaoyan?

In a flash, Prince Jin raised his hand and ripped off the black-clad man’s mask.

A face so familiar it couldn’t be more familiar came into Prince Jin’s view.

The black-clad man instinctively turned his head to the side.

Lu Zhaoyan said in a low voice, "Don’t move."

The black-clad man tightened his grip, stopping all attempts to evade.

TWO Lu Qis?! Prince Jin was utterly stunned.

"Well, you dare impersonate me?! Be careful, Father!"

The elegantly dressed Lu Qi quickly positioned himself in front of Prince Jin, his gaze sharp as he stared at the black-clad man. "Who are you, really? Why are you posing as me? Speak!"

"Why aren’t you speaking? Afraid your voice will give you away?"

Prince Jin frowned.

It was true—since the moment they saw the black-clad man, he hadn’t spoken a word.

On the other hand, the Lu Qi in front of them had a voice that was completely unchanged.

He was well aware of disguise techniques; however, imitating someone’s voice so flawlessly was a rarity.

Lu Qi said coldly, "I’d like to see which fool is bold enough to impersonate me in the Imperial City?"

With those words, he struck at the black-clad man with a palm.

The man raised his arm to block, but Lu Qi twisted his wrist in one smooth motion and locked it firmly.

At the same time, Lu Qi flicked his wide sleeve across the man’s face.

In his hand suddenly appeared a human skin mask.

He stepped back several paces and stood beside Prince Jin, glaring at the black-clad man. "Lu Linyuan, I didn’t expect it to be you!"

Prince Jin focused his gaze.

The face of the black-clad man—who could it be if not Lu Linyuan’s?

Lu Qi handed the human skin mask to Prince Jin. "Father, this is my mask. Thankfully, it was exposed in time; otherwise, this brat might have driven a wedge between us!"

"Father, we have both the evidence and the culprit. Why not bring Second Uncle and eldest brother to see Grandfather immediately and let him decide?"

Prince Jin’s suspicious gaze shifted back and forth between Lu Qi and Lu Linyuan.

Lu Qi turned to the mysterious guards behind Prince Jin and commanded, "What are you standing around for? Seize them!"

Before the order was fully executed, a sharp blast of sword qi surged toward them.

Lu Qi quickly shielded Prince Jin with his body. "Be careful, Father!"

Ji Feng descended from above, striking Lu Qi with a palm, successfully escaping with both the black-clad man and Lu Zhaoyan.

Lu Qi clutched his chest with one hand, falling to a knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Prince Jin frowned deeply. Just as he was about to give chase after Lu Zhaoyan, he suddenly stopped. "Are you badly injured?"

Lu Qi panted, "He didn’t aim to kill. My injury isn’t severe—it’s just that I got a bit of internal trauma from sparring with Lu Linyuan earlier, which has now been aggravated. You needn’t worry, Father."

These words not only eased Prince Jin’s concerns but also explained why Ji Feng managed to succeed.

With a remorseful expression, Lu Qi said, "It’s my fault that they escaped. I wasn’t strong enough."

Prince Jin said, "It’s not your fault. Ji Feng is one of your Grandfather’s most skilled Imperial Guards. It’s no easy task to hold him back, especially with your prior injuries. I thought your injury was only superficial... If you had internal wounds, why didn’t you say so earlier?"

Lu Qi remained silent.

Prince Jin sighed. "The sparring match is already over. Don’t dwell on it anymore. Three days from now, you’ll regain your Qilin position—no need to worry."

Lu Qi said quietly, "Yes, Father."

Prince Jin added, "Now get in the carriage. Let’s head back to the mansion."

Lu Qi nodded.

Once inside the carriage, Prince Jin lifted the curtain and gave the guards a subtle look.

Understanding immediately, they split into two groups and vanished into the night.

Meanwhile, Ji Feng didn’t take his two charges far but slipped through the back entrance of a brothel.

Lu Zhaoyan’s face darkened. "Ji Feng!"

Ji Feng set both men down and cupped his hands in apology, "The situation is dire. The brothel is the easiest place to hide. I ask for your understanding, Your Highness."

"That was quick."

Ji Li strolled out leisurely, fanning himself with a folding fan.

He had concealed his silver hair under a wide hat.

Beside him stood Si Snake, also wearing a wide hat and dressed in the garb of a Thousand Mechanism Pavilion disciple.

Of course, this wasn’t meant to frame the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

But rather because there happened to be a pavilion disciple nearby—and buying clothes was always preferable to stealing them!

"They’re closing in fast," Ji Feng said.

"Leave it to us. You take His Highness and..."

Ji Li trailed off, glancing at the black-clad man with a faint smile. "...the Imperial Grandson, back to the Crown Prince Mansion."

He deliberately emphasized *Imperial Grandson*.

The black-clad man’s eyes flickered slightly.

Ji Li and Si Snake exited the brothel.

The black-clad man began loosening his garments, intending to hand Lu Zhaoyan over to Ji Feng.

Lu Zhaoyan spoke, "Can you still walk?"

The black-clad man turned his head, casting a sidelong glance at Lu Zhaoyan on his back.

Lu Zhaoyan said, "I’m asking you—can you still walk?"

The black-clad man looked toward Ji Feng.

Lu Zhaoyan commanded, "Ji Feng, go save the lady."

Ji Feng frowned. "But Your Highness—"

Lu Zhaoyan’s tone turned authoritative. "Yuan’er will escort me back!"

Ji Feng eyed the black-clad man warily.

Though the man wore a face identical to Lu Yuan’s and the Crown Prince called him Yuan’er, everyone knew full well he wasn’t the real Lu Linyuan.

Lu Zhaoyan said in a stern voice, "What are you waiting for? If anything happens to the lady, I won’t have the will to go on either."

Ji Feng: "..."

Ji Feng departed.

Lu Zhaoyan leaned on his back. "You remember the way back to the mansion, don’t you?"

The black-clad man said nothing.

The cold moonlight cascaded over his shoulders, like a frost settling upon them.

-

Prince Jin and his son returned to the Jin Prince Mansion by carriage.

Prince Jin summoned the Imperial Physician to treat his son’s injuries.

The physician first checked his pulse, then tended to the wounds on the Commandery Prince’s hand.

Throughout the process, Prince Jin stood beside the bed. When he saw the scar from the archery competition on his son’s palm, the last trace of doubt in his eyes disappeared.

He called the physician into the courtyard. "Imperial Physician Zhou, how serious are Qi’er’s injuries?"

The physician replied, "The Commandery Prince is highly skilled in martial arts—these injuries are nothing serious. However..."

"However, what?"

Prince Jin asked.

The physician sighed. "Though the wounds are treated, the ailment of the heart is harder to heal. The Commandery Prince’s liver qi is stagnated. It seems that this recent sparring event has weighed heavily on him. Your Highness should ensure he eases his mind."

Prince Jin nodded. "I see. Someone, escort Imperial Physician Zhou out."

After the physician departed, Prince Jin entered Lu Qi’s chamber.

At this moment, Lu Qi was not resting in bed as the physician had advised but sitting by the window, idly counting the stars.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, he quickly spat out the weed in his mouth, his expression turning melancholic and despondent.

Prince Jin approached. "Qi’er, what are you thinking about?" he asked softly.

The Lu Qi before him countered, "Father, tonight... were you testing me?"

Prince Jin was at a loss for words.

This Lu Qi gave a bitter smile. "So, in Father’s eyes, I am still so untrustworthy."

Prince Jin took a deep breath. "It’s not that I mistrust you. The assassination of Lu Zhaoyan was real, and so was his poisoning."

He asked, "Did it work?"

Prince Jin said hesitantly, "...Almost. Don’t worry, three days from now, I’ll make sure you reclaim your Qilin title!"