The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Zhao Xuan quickly sorted out her thoughts.

"Emperor Tian Shang of Yue learned of the attack shortly after the diplomatic mission was attacked, but over the years he has never been able to find out who was behind it.

In our Xia Country, my father and Uncle Guo know that Uncle Guo is my master's good friend Guo Da. He now runs a restaurant called Changxiangju in Fengcheng. Uncle Guo is absolutely reliable, so you can rest assured."

"Yes, I know him."

Gu Li nodded.

"The only people who know about this are me, Xiao Wu, and my father. Xiao Yixian and Hao Xiong were present when Tian Shang talked about this. Apart from them, no one else should know about it."

Zhao Xuan added another sentence.

Gu Li pondered for a moment, then said slowly in a heavy tone:

"You just said that except for the people who died at the scene, all the others sent by Tian Shang were killed by him, and only you and Xiaowu survived from the Xia Kingdom delegation.

Xiaowu was unconscious at the time, so now you are the only eyewitness who saw the group of assassins. Remember, never tell anyone else about this!

If you encounter any difficulties, come to me directly. At present, doing so is the best protection for you, Xuan'er. Otherwise, once that mysterious force finds out that Xuan'er is still investigating this matter, my life will be in danger!

After all, we are in the open, and the enemy is in the dark!"

Zhao Xuan lowered her head and said with some shame, "Father, I should have told you earlier."

Gu Li reached out and touched the top of Zhao Xuan's head and sighed.

"Good boy, I understand your difficulties. Overnight, you lost your master, your grandfather, your home, and everything else... The sky has fallen, and you were so young...

You've encountered a lot of things in the past two years, which is really hard for you. Remember in the future, your father will be with you no matter what happens!"

"Okay! I'll remember it!"

Zhao Xuan looked up at Gu Li and smiled.

At this time, Gu Zhanghua opened the package beside him, took out the crossbow and handed it to Gu Li.

"Father, please take a look first."

"This is……"

Gu Zhanghua handed another crossbow arrow to Gu Li.

"Father, please go out and give it a try!"

Gu Li, who had been through many battles, immediately understood Gu Zhanghua's intention and stood up and walked out of the imperial study.

Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua hurried to follow.

Gu Li walked down the steps and inserted the crossbow arrow into the crossbow. At this moment, a high-pitched goose cry suddenly came.

Gu Li looked up at the sky, holding the crossbow in one hand, squinting his eyes and aiming at a lone goose flying in the sky. He pulled the trigger, and the sound of the arrow breaking through the air was heard. The lone goose was hit by the arrow and fell to the ground.

With a "click", it landed on the jade steps not far from the three people.

"What a great crossbow!"

Gu Li was so excited that he couldn't help but praise loudly.

The two guards and Han Gu guarding the door also widened their eyes in surprise.

One of the guards hurried to the fallen goose, took a closer look, picked it up, walked to Gu Li, and reported loudly with excitement in his voice.

"Your Majesty! I never imagined that an arrow could penetrate the throat from such a long range!"

"Take the crossbow arrows down for me!"

The guards hurriedly took the crossbow arrow from the goose. Han Gu hurried forward, took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood off the crossbow arrow before handing it to Gu Li.

Gu Li inserted the crossbow arrow into the crossbow again, pressed the mechanism, and shot towards a big tree ten meters away.

Just heard a "puff" sound!

The crossbow arrow directly penetrated the tree trunk that required two people to hug together, and was directly nailed to the trunk of another big tree.

Now, Gu Li could no longer suppress his excitement. He smiled so hard that the corners of his mouth almost reached his ears. He hurriedly asked Gu Zhanghua who was standing next to him.

"Where did you get this crossbow bolt?"

Gu Zhanghua smiled mysteriously at Gu Li and turned to look at Zhao Xuan.

"Sister Xuan, please talk to Father."

"This is a crossbow my father made specifically for me. Its range, power, and accuracy far surpass those used by ordinary military archers!"

Zhao Xuan said with a smile.

"Father, Sister Xuan once used this crossbow to injure the King of Rongdi in the northern border and saved Uncle Qin from ambush. Now the King of Rongdi is seeking revenge on Sister Xuan!"

Gu Zhanghua then added.

A strange look flashed in Gu Li's eyes.

"Oh? There is such a thing?"

Zhao Xuan rubbed her nose embarrassedly.

"I didn't know at the time that the Rongdi cavalryman was the Rongdi King. He attacked Uncle Qin, and I didn't think much of it at that critical moment. I only recently learned that it was the Rongdi King who was injured."

"You kid! I don't know what to say to you! Saving Qin Shao was a great feat, but you've made yourself a formidable enemy in the form of King Rongdi!"

Gu Li smiled bitterly and shook his head, then reached out and patted Zhao Xuan's shoulder.

"But don't worry, my father will support you. If King Rongdi wants to do anything to you, the Northern Army will not be easily persuaded!"

At this time, Gu Zhanghua looked at Gu Li with anticipation.

"Your Majesty, I have discussed this with Sister Xuan and would like to ask Your Majesty's permission to mass-produce these crossbows for use in our army to defend against foreign enemies, especially the Rongdi cavalry!"

"Good idea! I approve!"

Gu Li's eyes sparkled, and he immediately agreed to Gu Zhanghua's request. Then he looked carefully at the crossbow in his hand and asked Zhao Xuan for her opinion.

"But it would be great if this crossbow could fire continuously. Its combat effectiveness would be greatly improved. Xuan'er, can you think of a way to further improve it?"

"I'll go back and ask my dad if he has any good ideas."

Zhao Xuan answered truthfully.

Gu Zhanghua grabbed Gu Li's arm and pleaded impatiently:

"Father, Father! We need to transform it and mass-produce it. I can't afford the manpower, material resources, and financial resources by myself..."

Gu Li laughed out loud and interrupted Gu Zhanghua directly.

"Don't you just want to ask your second brother for help? I agree!"

Gu Zhanghua was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed to Gu Li, saying, "Thank you, Father!"

After saying this, the three of them turned around and returned to the imperial study.

After two cups of tea, Zhao Xuan saw Gu Li still holding the crossbow and examining it, grinning from ear to ear, like a child who had gotten his favorite toy and didn't want to let go for a moment, so she had to remind him.

"Father, Xiaowu wants to use this crossbow as a sample. When we make an improved version, I'll give it to you first for a test firing!"

"Good good!"

Gu Li said "OK" three times before reluctantly handing the crossbow to Gu Zhanghua. Gu Zhanghua took the crossbow and took the opportunity to say to Gu Li.

"Father, I have another matter to report to you. A princess from the Kingdom of Yue is currently living in my mansion."

When Gu Li heard this, he didn't understand for a moment.

"What Princess Yue? Are you talking about Xuan'er?"

"It's not me. It's a real princess of the Kingdom of Yue. Her real name is Tian Xueyan, but she changed her surname to Yang Xueyan. My father rescued her from the Yue Royal Palace."

Zhao Xuan hurriedly explained to Gu Li.

"Wait a minute, let me think... Why did she change her last name? Why did your father save her?"

"Because she saw Tian Shang kill his father!"

Zhao Xuan's words were earth-shattering. Gu Li's body suddenly shook, and he looked at Zhao Xuan in disbelief.

"Is this true?!"

"It's absolutely true! That's why Tian Xueyan doesn't dare stay in Yue State, let alone the palace. She's afraid that one day Tian Shang will find out about this and kill her to silence her!"

Gu Zhanghua replied succinctly.

Gu Li lowered his head and thought for a long time, then looked up at Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua.

"I'd like to hear your opinions on how to deal with this Princess of Yue."

Gu Zhanghua and Zhao Xuan looked at each other. Zhao Xuan nodded at Gu Zhanghua, indicating that Gu Zhanghua should speak first.

Gu Zhanghua sat up straight and said solemnly:

"Father, we have learned that Tian Xueyan is just like everyone else in the Yue Kingdom's palace. My father also told us that Tian Xueyan's escape this time did not cause any trouble with Tian Shang.

It's clear that Tian Shang doesn't care about his imperial sister, and Tian Xueyan is a friend of my father's, so Sister Xuan and I plan to take her in. Her embroidery skills are outstanding, and she changed her surname, so we can announce to the public that she is an embroiderer hired by the palace."

Gu Li remained silent and looked at Zhao Xuan.

"What does Xuan'er mean?"

"On the surface, she's an embroiderer, but privately, she's also my sister. Now she's alone and homeless. As long as she behaves herself in the Xianwang Mansion, I don't think it's a problem."

Zhao Xuan replied.

"Indeed, taking in Tian Xueyan is not a problem, but Tian Shang killed his father to ascend to power..."

Gu Li frowned and clenched his fists unconsciously.

"This Yue Emperor Tian Shang is even more ruthless than we imagined, with no trace of benevolence or filial piety. We must be on guard. It seems I need to discuss this matter with the ministers. We must not take it lightly!"