Chapter 30: This Commoner Wishes to Accuse a Member of the Imperial Clan

"Insolence!"

Xue Qinghe swept Wang Dong up into his arms. As his stern rebuke echoed, the men led by Ma San were instantly surrounded by a group of black-clad figures that had appeared out of thin air.

Seeing this, Shui Qingyuan hurriedly pulled Shui Bing'er into her embrace. She bit her lip instinctively, her body trembling slightly as she scanned the surroundings. Wang Dong glanced at the hand Xue Qinghe had around him but remained silent.

Ma San and his cohorts huddled together, their voices quivering. "What do you think you're doing? If you dare to touch me, aren't you afraid of being—ugh—"

Before he could finish his sentence, and before anyone could react, Ma San’s pupils dilated abruptly. A thin line of blood appeared across his throat, and he collapsed backward.

"Master!"
"Master!"

The lackeys behind him panicked, rushing forward to catch the falling man.

A strange aura drifted past. Sensing something amiss, Wang Dong instinctively tightened his grip on Xue Qinghe’s arm.

"Qingluan has already gone in pursuit," Xue Qinghe whispered.

To kill a man right under their noses—the perpetrator’s strength was certainly not to be underestimated. Since things had reached this point, the remaining men were of no further value. "Take them away and interrogate them strictly."

"Understood!"

The black-clad figures swarmed forward, quickly subduing the rest of the group.

Just then, hurried footsteps and an anxious voice echoed from outside the hotel. "Qingyuan, are you all right?"

Wang Dong looked up to see a middle-aged man with a scholarly air approaching, flanked by a group of disciples in school uniforms. He ran straight toward Shui Qingyuan.

After exchanging a glance with Xue Qinghe, Wang Dong left the lobby and headed directly to their pre-booked suite.

Qingluan was already waiting in the living room. Upon seeing Xue Qinghe enter, he stood up and greeted him. "Young Master."

"Did you lose him?" Xue Qinghe set Wang Dong down and asked directly.

Wang Dong also looked at Qingluan, waiting for the answer.

"I lost the trail," Qingluan said, bowing his head slightly, his tone concise.

He lost him?

Xue Qinghe continued to look at Qingluan, waiting for an explanation. Qingluan, believing he had already delivered his report, remained silent.

Wang Dong sighed softly and pressed, "Did that person hide in a secret passage?"

Qingluan nodded in confirmation.

"That explains it," Wang Dong continued. "With Qingluan Douluo’s strength, few in this world could evade his tracking, unless that person is intimately familiar with the terrain and can mask their own aura."

Qingluan added, "His physique was somewhat similar."

Xue Qinghe walked to the window, watching the bustling crowds along the Lan River, his mind already forming a plan.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

The guard at the door announced, "My Lord, Principal Tian Lingchuan of Tianshui Academy, along with Shui Qingyuan and her daughter, request an audience."

Xue Qinghe looked down at Wang Dong. "Shall we see them?"

"Hmm." Wang Dong agreed. He was quite curious to hear what they had to say, and he was also intrigued by Shui Bing'er.

Xue Qinghe took Wang Dong’s hand and sat on the sofa. He raised his wrist, signaling the guard outside, who pushed the door open. Meanwhile, Qingluan retreated into the shadows.

Tian Lingchuan entered the room first, followed by Shui Qingyuan holding Shui Bing'er’s hand. Seeing that Wang Dong and Xue Qinghe made no move to rise, Tian Lingchuan’s expression flickered, but he quickly composed himself and cupped his hands.

"I am Tian Lingchuan, Principal of Tianshui Academy. Many thanks to you two young masters for saving our lives."

Wang Dong examined the man. Despite his refined and gentle appearance, there were subtle, uncontrollable expressions on his face. It felt completely out of character!

Xue Qinghe seemed lost in thought, and the room fell into a heavy silence. When Wang Dong realized this, he noticed Tian Lingchuan’s face darkening, so he nudged Xue Qinghe’s leg from the side.

Receiving the signal, Xue Qinghe spoke. "No need for formalities. I only saved the mother and daughter behind you."

The implication was clear: I didn't save you...

"This..." Tian Lingchuan understood, and the room fell back into silence.

Shui Qingyuan had only expected to offer thanks, not anticipating such a standoff. She stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Qingyuan and my daughter owe our lives to you two. If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask."

This time, Wang Dong did not remain silent. "It was a trivial matter; not worth mentioning."

Although still cold, his initiative to respond made Xue Qinghe tilt his head and glance at him before asking, "Do you know who those people were today? And why they were acting this way?"

At this, Shui Qingyuan’s fingers tightened involuntarily, and her eyes darted about, as if she found it difficult to speak.

Seeing this, Wang Dong parted his thin lips. "If it is difficult, there is no need to force it."

"I will tell you!"

Thinking she would feel relieved by his words, he was surprised she was so willing to speak.

"Qingyuan! You must not!" Tian Lingchuan cried out.

Wang Dong scanned them, saying nothing.

Shui Qingyuan spoke urgently, "Brother Tian, we have reached this point; are you still going to choose to remain under that man's coercion? These two clearly have an extraordinary background. Why don't we take this chance?"

"But..." Tian Lingchuan still hesitated.

"Tsk." The bickering made Xue Qinghe lose his patience.

Shui Qingyuan pulled the silent Shui Bing'er down to her knees, performing a deep kowtow. "I implore His Highness the Crown Prince to uphold justice."

Wang Dong arched a brow. Oh, they had been recognized.

"Stop this nonsense!" Tian Lingchuan instinctively blurted out.

But upon seeing the seriousness in Shui Qingyuan’s expression and Xue Qinghe’s reaction, he hurriedly knelt down as well. "Your Highness, please forgive me! This commoner failed to recognize your nobility."

Changing his tune so quickly? Wang Dong couldn't quite figure out what kind of act this was.

"You recognize me?" Xue Qinghe said calmly.

Shui Qingyuan did not rise, but replied, "Last year, when Your Highness presided over the sacrificial ceremony on behalf of the Emperor, I caught a glimpse of your noble countenance from afar."

"Rise and speak."

Shui Qingyuan did not stand up, but straightened her back while still kneeling. "Your Highness, I wish to report a Prince of the Imperial Family for kidnapping innocent women and treating dozens of lives as nothing. His crimes are truly heinous!"

Her words were earnest, overflowing with genuine emotion. Without any preamble, she had laid it all out.

Wang Dong’s expression shifted, his eyes flashing with a dangerous glint as he looked up at Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe took a deep breath. So, the trouble lay within the Heaven Dou Imperial family. For years, he had been suppressing the noble clans and gradually reclaiming their power, yet he never imagined someone was doing such things right under his nose.

"Tell me everything in detail."

Hearing this, Shui Qingyuan knew she had placed her bet correctly. "Yes!"