Chapter 112: The Tunnel Entrance!

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Li Er smiled and called out, “Yi, boy!”

Li Yi quickly returned the smile, “Your nephew is here!”

Suddenly, Li Er’s expression changed. “Here? What are you here for? Hurry up and find the money for me!”

Li Yi’s smile instantly froze, as if a thousand crows had flown overhead. Damn it, how did they turn hostile so quickly? What kind of people are these?

But complaints aside, the task still had to be done. This was the cruel old society! He forced a smile and replied, “Your nephew will go right away!”

He was about to leave but was stopped.

Fang Xuanling said, “Wait a moment, Your Majesty, this old minister wishes to help search as well!”

The other ministers exchanged glances, thinking, “Help? Just trying to steal the secret, how hypocritical!”

Then, all the officials spoke at once, “This old minister is also willing to assist!”

Li Er narrowed his eyes, revealing a mysterious smile. “Very well, then we shall go together. When sovereign and ministers unite, nothing is impossible!”

Li Yi watched silently as the group of old rogues put on their act. He had nothing to say. Perhaps he was better at deduction, but when it came to shamelessness, not one of these ministers could match Li Er—they were true masters of performance! Well, if they want to follow, so be it. As for learning their tricks? No chance; his talent was innate.

Li Er bowed, then turned and headed toward the inner quarters.

Once inside, Li Yi looked around before asking, “Has Uncle Dai arrived yet?”

Li Er and the others glanced around and soon saw Dai Shunde jogging over. “Here, my worthy nephew. If there’s something you need, just say it!”

Li Yi smiled, “Heh, Uncle Dai, do you still remember when I told you there are only three places where things can be hidden? Do you recall what those three are?”

Dai Shunde smiled faintly. “How could I forget? It was by those three points that you miraculously found the Azure Dragon Token and that handkerchief. It truly amazed this old man. I recall you said the first was a secret chamber, the second a place no one would touch even in death, and the third was where the owner liked or used most!”

After speaking, Dai Shunde looked gratefully at Li Yi. These words could have come from Li Yi himself, but by letting Dai Shunde say them in front of the ministers, it helped him establish his standing as a newcomer. The effect was immediate—many ministers’ eyes changed, especially those from the Ministry of Punishments.

Li Er smiled and said, “I remember well too. When Yi boy told me, I was quite surprised. Those three points are an excellent summary. But Yi, it’s obvious now—the money must be hidden in the secret chamber, meaning the tunnel. What else is there to discuss?”

Li Yi shook his head with a smile. “Uncle Li, I did say there are those three possibilities, but nothing can be taken at face value. In fact, these three can be combined. Li Yuanchang is a master. If he hid something, it wouldn’t be so simple.”

He thought for a moment and then said to a nearby soldier, “Go and bring the three from Xiaoxiang Pavilion: Youlan, Zhuyun, and Jumeng.”

Cheng Yaojin patted his belly. “You brat, at a time like this, stop thinking about chasing girls!”

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Li Yi rolled his eyes helplessly. Amitabha, I’m a Taoist, a cultured man—I won’t stoop to his level.

Li Er shot him a glare. “Have some decency. Li Yi called these three because they’re familiar with Xiaoxiang Pavilion and can help us understand the situation.”

Only then did Li Yi smile. Now that’s a sensible person!

Cheng Yaojin smacked his lips and said, “Oh!” Then stepped aside, showing no embarrassment at all.

Before long, the three women were brought forward.

“We, your humble servants, pay respects to Your Majesty and to the esteemed ministers!”

Li Er nodded. “Rise.” Then gestured toward Li Yi.

Li Yi nodded and stepped forward. “Three heavenly maidens, I trust you are well?”

Zhuyun said, “It is Li Gongzi! May we ask what crime we sisters have committed to be imprisoned here?”

Li Yi blushed under Zhuyun’s gaze. It wasn’t me who caught you—it was Cheng Chumo’s doing. What does it have to do with me? “Miss Zhuyun, don’t be anxious. Your confinement is for investigation purposes only. If you’re innocent, you will be freed. Trust me, I want to ask you some questions.”

The three exchanged glances.

“Li Gongzi, ask away! We will speak openly.”

“Good. Tell me, what special features does Xiaoxiang Pavilion have? Don’t leave anything out.”

Zhuyun thought for a moment. “Though Xiaoxiang Pavilion is divided into inner and outer quarters, it’s really just a bit more luxurious than other places. Nothing particularly special—except that the entrances to the inner and outer quarters are somewhat unique.”

Li Yi frowned and shook his head. “Anything else?”

Zhuyun considered again. “Then there’s Sister Mei’s room. None of us have ever entered it.”

Li Yi shook his head again. “Anything more?”

Zhuyun looked at the other two and said, “Truly, nothing else.”

Li Er interjected, “Yi boy, could Mei Ling’s room be a possibility?”

Li Yi shook his head. “Uncle Li, there’s a saying: the most dangerous place is the safest place. The same applies to hiding things. The most obvious place is the safest. It’s like darkness under the light. If the money were in Zhuyun’s room, she wouldn’t keep it so mysterious—that would be tantamount to telling others there’s something suspicious in my room.”

He then turned to the three women. “Think carefully again. Are there any places different from the others? Anything at all!”

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At that moment, Jumeng suddenly said, “There is... it’s just...”

Li Yi urged, “Speak!”

“It’s the restroom! The restroom in Xiaoxiang Pavilion is indeed more luxurious than elsewhere.”

Upon hearing this, the ministers laughed derisively. A restroom? Ridiculous! They were beginning to doubt Li Yi’s deductive skills—it seemed like nonsense!

Unexpectedly, Li Yi suddenly became excited. “That’s it!”

He had been recalling something. He remembered Li Ke had mentioned it but couldn’t quite recall.

Li Er and others frowned. “Yi boy, don’t be foolish! You can’t say the money is hidden in the restroom!”

Li Yi smiled confidently. “Why not? If it were me, I’d hide it there. It fits all three conditions: secret chamber, frequently used, and a place no one would dare touch. It’s a godsend! Enough talk. Gentlemen, follow me!”

“Jumeng, please lead the way.”

After saying this, Li Yi followed Jumeng. The ministers hesitated—they didn’t want to go; the restroom smelled foul! But curiosity won, and they hurried after them.

They soon reached a corner. Li Yi looked up and thought, Whoa—this restroom is truly luxurious. It’s not a restroom at all, but two full rooms!

Dai Shunde approached Li Yi. “Nephew, didn’t you say the less conspicuous the hiding place, the better? If you say the money is in the restroom, why is it so lavishly decorated?”

Everyone looked to Li Yi, awaiting his explanation.

Li Yi smiled slightly. “It’s simple. Have you forgotten what’s beneath this restroom? A tunnel! If it weren’t decorated, how could they justify digging a tunnel? And even if the restroom is fancy, no one would suspect anything. Xiaoxiang Pavilion is a place of leisure; the better the restroom, the higher the establishment’s status. It’s killing two birds with one stone!”

After his explanation, no one spoke. They realized his logic was sound—there was no flaw. Could there really be a secret passage below?

Dai Shunde asked, “Where do we check first? The men’s restroom?”

Li Yi replied, “No need. Think about it: this is Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Only guests enter the men’s restroom. If the secret passage entrance were there, anyone could accidentally trigger the mechanism. So, the entrance must be in the women’s restroom. Jumeng, please check if anyone is inside.”

Jumeng nodded and went inside. Shortly after, she came out and signaled the room was empty.

Li Yi looked at Li Er. Li Er nodded and casually gave a few orders. Several people went in to investigate. Li Yi thought immediately: this must be a master of traps!

Not long after, a shout came from inside. Everyone looked in and saw a square hole about one meter across suddenly appear in the women’s restroom floor. The entrance to the secret chamber had appeared!