Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 355 - 330: Arresting the Culprit with the Stolen Goods

Chapter 355: Chapter 330: Arresting the Culprit with the Stolen GoodsThe Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Zong Zhengxi, Prime Minister Xun, and Xing, the Chief of Staff, who had rushed over after hearing the news, sat upright in the flower hall.

The Chief of Staff Xing had received a report from his subordinates that the

Lu Yuan raised his hand to block her.

Chen Long’s expression turned guarded. "I’ll go in first."

Lu Yuan promptly retreated three steps.

Chen Long: "..."

This secret chamber was different from the one where Chen Long and Lu Yuan had previously been confined. Inside were a desk and bookshelves, making it resemble a study.

"Your sword is in there, too."

Lu Yuan pointed to a sword box in the corner of the room.

Moments before, when Chen Long had been chasing Lu Yuan, he had used Meng Qianqian’s Brocade Spring Saber. His own weapon had been taken by an expert when he was unconscious.

He hadn’t expected it to be hidden here.

Lu Yuan’s face clearly said, Hurry up and go in.

Chen Long stepped inside.

And then, he was met with a barrage of traps.

Lu Yuan stroked his chin and remarked, "As expected."

Meng Qianqian asked hesitantly, "You did that on purpose?"

Lu Yuan said nonchalantly, "He’s skilled in martial arts; he’ll be fine."

Meng Qianqian: "..."

After finishing off the last poisoned arrow and dismantling the mechanism graveyard, Chen Long said to the group, "You can come in now."

The group entered the secret chamber.

Bai Yuwei browsed through the bookshelves. "Just some calligraphy and paintings—nothing much."

"Xuan paper, paperweights, Hui ink," Tan’er said, pointing to the items on the desk.

Hands clasped behind his back, Lu Yuan surveyed the room. "With so many traps, there must be something significant hidden here."

Chen Long suddenly felt warmth on the top of his foot again.

It was the young wolf cub urinating on his Dragon Boots.

At his wit’s end, Chen Long grabbed the little wolf cub.

"Don’t move."

Lu Yuan spoke.

Chen Long frowned. "What are you doing?"

Lu Yuan looked down at his feet.

Where the cub’s warm urine had dripped, a shadow suddenly appeared.

Lu Yuan’s eyes sharpened. Pulling a dart from the wall, he flung it toward the doorway.

Clang!

The dart embedded itself in the wall of the secret passage.

Tan’er immediately gave chase outside the chamber, scanning left and right. "There’s nobody here."

Lu Yuan walked out as well, gazing into the now-empty secret passage, a flicker of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

"Husband! Brother! Come take a look!"

Meng Qianqian had discovered a peculiar box behind a bookcase. "Husband, doesn’t this box look familiar to you?"

Lu Yuan came closer for a look. "It’s identical to the box handed to ’Lin Wan’er’ by the mysterious Twelve Guards. The same kind of Poetry Lock was used."

"What’s a Poetry Lock?"

Bai Yuwei asked.

Meng Qianqian explained, "By rotating the characters engraved on the copper rings to form a verse, you unlock the Poetry Lock. However, last time it was a five-character verse, and this time it’s seven characters."

The lock comprised seven copper rings, each engraved with ten characters, making it far more challenging than the box the Twelve Guards had given to "Lin Wan’er."

For some reason, Meng Qianqian’s mind wandered to the ruined-faced man she had encountered during the autumn hunt.

He had saved her once when she fell off a cliff.

Although she hadn’t seen him when she was attacked by cold arrows, she believed it had been him again who had saved her.

Was he the same person as the one who had handed the box to Lin Wan’er, using her to guide the Ministry of Justice in uncovering the truth with the Twelve Guards?

What was the significance of giving an empty box?

Was it to familiarize them with the Poetry Lock in advance?

Or was it... to tell them that the Prime Minister’s secret was hidden in boxes with Poetry Locks?

"It’s open."

While Meng Qianqian was deep in thought, Lu Yuan had already unlocked the Seven-character Poetry Lock.

Bai Yuwei struggled to read aloud: "Wei, Lan, Yao, Hou, Qi, Yi, Jin? What kind of poem is that?"

Meng Qianqian was equally puzzled. Though she wouldn’t claim to be a literary genius, she had read quite a bit and had never come across such a verse—it didn’t even qualify as poetry.

She looked toward Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan explained, "’Only reflect on the gains and losses of the past; observe the sorrows caused by subtle sins. The sage rulers Yao and Shun were benevolent and compassionate, remembered forever by later generations. Duke Huan of Qi failed due to favoritism, while Yiwu’s loyalty brought him renown. The Duke of Jin was bewitched by Li Ji.’ Take the first character of each line."

Bai Yuwei was dumbstruck. "That works?"

For a moment, she didn’t know whether to marvel at the Prime Minister’s cunning or Lu Yuan’s brilliance.

Meng Qianqian couldn’t hide the admiration in her eyes. "Husband, you’re amazing!"

Chen Long’s face darkened.

Lu Yuan retrieved the key from the box. Locating a hidden keyhole behind the bookcase, he inserted the key and unlocked it, revealing a thick dossier inside.

He smirked. "The evidence is in our hands."