After the meal, the group returned to the residence.
Fuzhu led Ah Jiu away first, while Shi Yu and Mo Yuan walked together toward the study.
Shi Yu took out the information previously provided by their master, his gaze falling upon the names associated with Prince Bo’s faction.
“Based on our previous deductions, I suspect that Prince Bo is colluding with the demon race.”
Shi Yu gently rubbed the small shepherd’s purse jade pendant at his waist, his mind constantly flashing with those painful memories. It was clear that his mother had been framed that night; she had been bewitched by dark magic, leading to the scene where the Emperor saw her lunging at Concubine Li. Anyone who could understand the demon race so well and utilize demonic arts with such proficiency must be an expert among the demons.
Shi Yu organized the complex thoughts in his mind, his brow furrowed.
“Does A-Yu have a plan?” Mo Yuan stared at Shi Yu, asking carefully.
Shi Yu responded calmly, “We have only just arrived. We must first investigate the specific situation of each faction before we can decide on the next step.”
“Then, does A-Yu think there might be what we are looking for in the Imperial City of Dream Lake?”
Shi Yu nodded slightly. “We must enter the Imperial City, but not right now.”
Hearing Shi Yu’s words, Mo Yuan understood. “Fuzhu should be familiar with the city by now. I will ask him about it tomorrow.”
Shi Yu replied, “Hmm.”
It was getting late, so Mo Yuan and Shi Yu decided to return to their respective courtyards to rest. When they reached the entrance of Lan’an Court, Shi Yu was about to step inside when Mo Yuan suddenly grabbed him.
“Has A-Yu forgotten something?”
Mo Yuan held Shi Yu’s hand, his peach-blossom eyes shining brightly as he stared straight at him. Shi Yu was bewildered, not understanding what Mo Yuan meant, and gently pulled his hand away.
“Forgotten what?”
Mo Yuan slowly withdrew his hand, looking somewhat saddened. “A-Yu has a terrible memory. You clearly promised to show me your cat ears every day.”
Mo Yuan’s eyes flickered slightly. “Being too busy was one thing, but today you should be able to, right?”
Shi Yu had indeed forgotten, and felt quite helpless.
“Every day? You had better go back and sleep!”
Shi Yu said this expressionlessly, and without caring about Mo Yuan’s reaction, he walked briskly into the courtyard.
Mo Yuan, naturally, would not let Shi Yu leave so easily and quickened his pace to catch up.
“If not every day, then every other day. Every three days? Every ten days?”
Mo Yuan kept lowering his requirements beside Shi Yu, until he finally couldn’t help but block his path.
“Half a month at most. A-Yu, you cannot go back on your word!”
Shi Yu slowed his pace, looking at the hand blocking his path, then turned to Mo Yuan. Mo Yuan’s lips were slightly downturned; he looked even more disappointed.
“Half a month.”
Shi Yu gave his answer in a calm tone. After speaking, he pushed aside Mo Yuan’s hand and walked deeper into the courtyard. Having finally received the answer he wanted, Mo Yuan returned to Guanlan Court with satisfaction and began to count the days.
“Ten more days.”
After counting the days, Mo Yuan washed up with satisfaction and went to bed.
The next day, Fuzhu bought some breakfast from outside. After the meal, Shi Yu had Ah Jiu stay in his room to read, then took Fuzhu and Mo Yuan to the study.
Fuzhu asked, “Senior Brother Shi Yu, is there something you need?”
Shi Yu signaled for the two to sit down before speaking slowly. “Fuzhu, you should be very familiar with the Imperial City now. Are there any particularities?”
Mo Yuan sat to the side, fiddling with the folding fan in his hand out of boredom. Fuzhu understood Shi Yu’s purpose, stood up, walked to a bookshelf, took out a map, and handed it to Shi Yu.
“This is the map Zemian Zun gave me when we left the mountain. Everything different has been marked.”
Shi Yu took the map and examined it carefully, secretly admiring Fuzhu’s attentiveness.
“I have toured the entire city over the past two days. If there is one special place, it is the brothel on the west side of the city, the Phantom Demon Pavilion.”
“Phantom Demon Pavilion?” Hearing Fuzhu’s words, Shi Yu looked toward the location of the pavilion, his eyes becoming sharp.
Prince Bo’s mansion? Prince Bo’s mansion is actually near the Phantom Demon Pavilion!
Shi Yu’s pupils dilated slightly as he observed the map, not letting any clue escape him.
Fuzhu nodded. “Yes, Prince Bo’s mansion is nearby, but I haven’t found any connection between them yet.”
Mo Yuan stood up and walked to Shi Yu’s side, his gaze also falling on the map.
“Here, there may be a secret passage.”
Mo Yuan pointed to the smallest gap between Prince Bo’s mansion and the Phantom Demon Pavilion, tapping lightly on the map.
Shi Yu looked at him with some surprise. “You understand this too?”
Having received Shi Yu’s attention, Mo Yuan immediately raised his chin slightly. “I haven’t just been studying star-gazing these past few years; I have also dabbled in construction techniques.”
“You are quite eager to learn.” Shi Yu turned his head back, focusing his attention on the map once more.
“How could A-Yu know? During those years when Master wouldn’t let me leave the back mountain, when I missed A-Yu so much I couldn’t bear it, I could only read.”
As Mo Yuan spoke, he covered his face with his hand in a show, appearing very sorrowful. Fuzhu, watching the show from the side, finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud, drawing a glare from Mo Yuan.
“Why is Senior Brother Mo Yuan looking at me like that?”
Having spent years with Mo Yuan, Fuzhu naturally knew his character and did not fear his gaze, meeting it with a smile.
Mo Yuan withdrew his gaze and said calmly, “Nothing.”
Fuzhu smiled faintly, signaling to Shi Yu and Mo Yuan. “If there is nothing else, I will head back to check on Ah Jiu.”
Once Fuzhu’s figure disappeared, Shi Yu slowly rolled up the map. “Senior Brother, let us go check out the Phantom Demon Pavilion.”
Hearing Shi Yu’s instruction, Mo Yuan straightened up immediately. “A-Yu, if you go to that kind of place, you must not look around recklessly.”
Shi Yu acted as if he hadn’t heard him and had already walked to the door, ignoring Mo Yuan completely.
Shi Yu and Mo Yuan followed the directions on the map and arrived near the Phantom Demon Pavilion, observing the surroundings.
“Since the truce with the demon race all these years, there are quite a few demons on the streets.”
Shi Yu observed the crowd coming and going, scrutinizing them closely. Mo Yuan stood to the side indifferently, watching the enchanting demons at the entrance of the Phantom Demon Pavilion, feeling a bit sour.
“A-Yu, stop looking.”
Shi Yu withdrew his gaze and stepped toward the Phantom Demon Pavilion, with Mo Yuan hurriedly following.
The moment they reached the entrance, several elaborately dressed women approached them.
“You look unfamiliar, young master. Is this your first time?” one of the women said delicately, raising her hand to touch Shi Yu’s chest.
Mo Yuan lunged in front of Shi Yu, separating the woman, his eyes narrowing slightly with a dark look as he glared at her. The woman seemed frightened by Mo Yuan’s gaze and stumbled backward.
Mo Yuan successfully cleared a path and brought Shi Yu inside.
The interior of the pavilion was brightly and vividly decorated, though not ostentatious, revealing an exotic style instead. The dancing girls in the center of the stage were even more eye-catching, showing demon characteristics most having ears or tails that swayed gently with their movements.
The moment they saw this, Mo Yuan covered Shi Yu’s eyes. “A-Yu, you are not allowed to look.”
Shi Yu pulled Mo Yuan’s hand away and said in a low voice, “Enough, business comes first!”
He started walking toward the stairs, but just as he was about to step forward, he was blocked by a young, beautiful woman.
“Young master, is this your first time?”
The woman’s voice was crisp and melodious, but her tone was as enchanting as if it were trying to lure someone. Shi Yu looked at the woman. Her temperament seemed different from the others, with a hint of coldness in her eyes.
“What? Is one not allowed upstairs?”
Shi Yu looked at her, softened his expression, and asked with a relaxed tone and a slight smile.