Chapter 10 - Perpetrator

"Thank you, your highness, for your generous gift, I believed Fei yan is very happy" Prime Minister Lao can't hide his joyous smiled.

"Father right your highness, Fei yan can't thank you enough for your generosity" Lao Fei Yan bow gracefully at crown Prince, her gratitude gestured satisfied him, Zhao Mu Fan smiled proudly he waves his hand again then middle-aged man with dark green robes enter the courtyard, he bow respectfully at Zhao Mu Fan "Your humble servant greeting crown prince"he said firmly.

"Second Miss Lao this one is a Beastmaster his name is Lin Jun, he would help you to make contract with the Earth Tiger beast," said Zhao Mu Fan. Lao Fei Yan becomes more excited, having a contractual beast is a great prestige for people in this country it shows how high her position and strength among other people. She can't imagine how envy people would be when they looking at her even know her owned sibling glared at her with resentment in their eyes.

"I'll be in your care Master Li…" Lao Fei Yan nodded her head

"Leave it up to me Miss Lao," said Lin Jun confidently.

Lin Jun approach the caged carefully, the beast roar at him furiously the beast bares his fangs to intimidated Lin Jun but the man remains still then he raised his hand facing the beast he closed his eyes then suddenly the beast shaken he hit the caged with his claws desperately, the beast jumps up and down like crazy he make great havoc. People who watched it scared the caged can't hold the beast any longer. Lin Jun frowned sweat fall from his forehead and drench his face after a few minuted the beast give in.

The beast looks exhausted he lay his head between his feet showing he has surrendered, Lin Jun smiled with relief he wipes his sweat from his forehead "Miss Lao please get closer" he beckoned Lao Fei Yan

Lao Fei yan take a deep breath before she approaches Lin Jun her eyes glued at the beast she can't help to feel anxious in front of the big beast, Lin Jun make Lao Fei Yan stand in front of the beast then suddenly bright white light emerges from Lao Fei yan and the beast forehead after a minute the light disappears, Lao Fei Yan open her eyes and smiled at Zhao Mu Fan "It's done he becomes my contractual beast now!" she said joyously.

Zhao Mu Fan nodded with contented smiled on his face, the truth is Zhao Mu Fan help Lao Fei Yan not because he liked her or because out of his generosity but mostly he wanted to draw Prime Minister Lao to his side, he need Prime Minister Lao support to strengthen his hold at the Imperial court as the next Emperor. His fear is not without basis even though he is the crown prince but his title could easily be revoked if the Emperor lose his favor to him or he found more suitable candidate other than him there still other two Prince who could threaten his position, one of them is Zhao Qin Feng the fifth prince also Zhao Li Xin older Brother.

Zhao Qin Feng is supported by her mother who is the daughter of Ying Clan one of the four noble families from the Liangzu Kingdom, the Liangzu Kingdom might not as big as the Jiang Wei Kingdom but their land it's so fertile make Liangzu as one of the richest countries among all but this last few decades the four noble families had been overruled the imperial Liangzu family especially after the death of the last emperor it can be said the one who actually runs the country is four noble family and Ying Clan is the strongest among the four family.

The other suitable candidate is The 3rd Prince Zhao Yi Chen, very smart, cunning and ruthless he also talented General, this past few years he had been winning many wars and protecting the border make his name well known through all the country he loved by citizen and support by a lot of General who admired him, Zhao Yi Chen also very talented cultivator combined with his uprights images as royalty he becomes the biggest threat for Zhao Mu Fan to inherited the throne.

That's why Zhao Mu Fan strongly pursue Lao Fei Yan because he needs Prime Minister Lao influence to withstand the other prince rising power. Prime Minister is a great pawn he had great influence at the Imperial court, his family had been served the Kingdom for generations and most of all the old Emperor trust him. For him giving Lao Fei Yan Profound level beast is a small price to pay.

"Isn't it great Fei Yan, with this contractual beast you don't have to worry with the upcoming martial competition next month" said, the prime minister

"That's right, this year your age is appropriated to join the competition" Zhao Mu fan rubbed his chin "This prince will expect great things from you"

"Of course your highness, Fei Yan would not dare disappointed you" she smiled sweetly at him.

After the commotion everyone back inside the main hall where Zhao Li Xin sits lazily on the chair uninterested with whatever happened outside, beside him Mong Ki disguised as male servant also ignoring everyone he diligently served his Lord. When they got inside they just realize there's still another Prince inside their Manor even though Prime minister never regard Zhao Li Xin as much as the other prince but he still has to give him face since he is still royalty.

"Apologize 6th prince for leaving you alone, this official is very careless," said prime minister remorse although his face didn't show any remorse at all, Zhao Li Xin waved his hand sign Prime minister he not mind. Just like Prime Minister he also never regards someone presumptuous like Prime Minister Lao, the only reason he was here is because he had no idea where to find his savior after more than a year he had lost his patience, the only thing he sure about his savior that she must be someone inside the Lao Manor.

His shadow guard tried to find the mysterious woman they had to find small footprints on the ground leading somewhere closed to Lao Manor but who knew if that mysterious woman is living inside the manor or just a guest or worst someone who just passerby around the Lao manor.

He had his suspicion with Lao Min Na at first he knew she is an alchemist and had been sold her pill at the Thousands Herbs Pharmacy how did he know? Because that place is own by him and that's also how Zhao Li Xin could judge how high Lao Min Na alchemist level, Lao Min Na only sell lower grade pill only lately she starts to sell second grate pill even though she can be said genius to able make second grade pill only after two years but she is not the one he looks for.

The woman who saves him at least could make pure grade pill and Lao Min Na definitely not her. Zhao Li Xin guess is probably her master but after a year his shadow guard never saw her met anyone and this make him frustrated, when he accidentally met with Zhao Mu Fan at dinner he jokingly asked Zhao Li Xin to follow him to Lao Manor to see his beautiful fiance and teach him how to court ladies, normally Zhao Li Xin would reject Zhao Mu Fan offer but after he heard Lao Manor he got impulsive and agree with Zhao Mu Fan to follow him visit the Lao manor, even Zhao Mu Fan surprised by Zhao Li Xin sudden change.

Zhao Li Xin straighten up his back with half doze eyes he asked Prime Minister "If Prime Minister don't mind, may I asked why all of you gathering at the main hall, even the small servant is here?" he asked casually.

Prime minister's face becomes flustered "Oh, this official is so embarrassed…."

"We will going to be family, why not tell this Prince what has troubled you?" this is good chance to make Prime Minister Lao owed him how could he let this chance go just like that just like any other politician he can easily hide his schemed and maintained he amicably smiled perfectly.

"It's….last night someone breaches our treasury room and still Red Dew Flower Pill, your highness knew how precious Perfection pure grade pill was," Prime Minister said with grieve.

"How could someone breach Prime Minister Manor" Zhao Mu Fan stunned "Is it an expert?"

"We don't know for sure, no one saw anyone got in or out the manor we feared is someone from inside, and the guards who supposed to guard the room is already dead?" he glance at Lao Min Na with disgruntle eyes, of course Zhao Mu fan understand what prime minister implicit words mean but he was stunned if it really Lao Min Na, the woman he knows is weak-minded and easy to bullied since when she grows some nerved to do this kind of things.

Zhao Li Xin suddenly chuckles "If there really anyone like that inside the Manor, Prime Minister Lao should find that man right away and asked him to work for you instead, someone who can breach Prime minister security and broke the protective array around the treasury room also killed the guard…..?" Zhao Li Xin sigh "That man is highly talented..."

Everyone including prime Minister face red from ashamed what 6th prince said is right how could 16 years old woman like Lao Min Na do something like that, she even can't cultivate how could she do any of this if he still accused Lao Min Na is like telling everyone people inside his Manor is useless, he would become jokes for them.

Lao Min Na don't know why Zhao Li Xin help her but for Zhao Li Xin the only reason he helps her is because he still can locate his mysterious savior and he worried that woman may have connection with Lao Min Na, at least until he sure that Lao Min Na is got nothing to do with the one he had been looking for he must keep Lao Min Na saves at least for now.

"Hmph, who knew if she collided with someone from the outside….." said the old Madam Lao "Just like your despicable Mother.."

Lao Min Na sneered "To do that at least I must to able left this Manor should I?" she mocking the stupid accusation from the old Madam "Everyone knows I never left my courtyard since my Mother died and she had been dead for a long time ago not even me could remember her face why grandmother keep bringing her up?"

"How dare you talk like that to your Grand Mother!!" Prime Minister shouted at Lao Min Na furiously.

"Did I say wrong thing Father?" she asked calmly "All of you accused me for something I couldn't have done, did you already punish me for my late mother's crimes is it still not enough....what else you wanted me to do!!" Lao Min Na said with grieve, make Prime Minister feel guilty, he does have treated her own daughter worst than a servant but he can't help it he detested his unfaithful wife and Lao Min Na face remind him so much with his late wife.

Prime Minister Lao gritted his teeth he not dare acted unruly in front of Crown prince and 6th prince he must acted as benevolent Father, he waved his hand "Enough, you can back to your courtyard now"

Yang Wei Lan frown she though Lao Min Na wouldn't have got away with this but the Prince's visit changed everything, she can only hide her dissatisfaction and clench her fist, Lao Fei Yan understand her Mother very much she sends her meaningful glace 'to let this problem slight' there's still more opportunity ahead they just need to be patience.

Lory watch them from the side when Lao Min Na left the main hall, Zhao Li Xin words make her contemplated Lao Min Na is not the same woman she used to be she changed so many people wouldn't recognize her at the same timid woman like before, if she an alchemist could be she also cultivator?

Lory connected with Girsha to telepathic [Is it her who stolen the pill...?"

Girsha chuckle [Of course she is….]