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"There's a whole patch of them in the backyard. These flowers are quite valuable, considered medicinal herbs," Bai Wushang asked, puzzled.

"That's right. The roots of these flowers are a potent tonic, beneficial only to the strong, not the weak. Patients with weak constitutions can't withstand it; one dose will be fatal," Murong Wei said.

"What are you trying to say?" Bai Wushang asked suspiciously.

"I don't know if it was the purple wood furniture in this house that came first, or the use of the pale summer violets in the backyard first, but the fragrance of the flowers and the scent of the purple wood mixed together create a poison. Just staying in such an environment for a few months will definitely lead to poisoning, and it will happen without you even realizing it. Either the poison will erupt due to stimulation from food or medicine, or the poison will accumulate to a certain level, causing a sudden death," Murong Wei explained clearly, word by word.

A cold glint flashed in Bai Wushang's eyes as he whispered, "So, this is how Prince Qi got poisoned!"

"Exactly. Perhaps it's a coincidence, or perhaps the person who planted the flowers, or the person who arranged this furniture, had ulterior motives!" Murong Wei said. Seeing Bai Wushang's darkening gaze, she added, "In the world today, only one person possesses purple wood: Xuan Yuanlie!"

"No," Bai Wushang said calmly, "Light summer violets are a flower that Prince Qi particularly likes, and purple wood first appeared in the Eastern Palace on Prince Qi's third birthday. Back then, the Empress Dowager, who was still a Noble Consort, gifted Prince Qi a purple wood couch. It was warm in winter and cool in summer, and Prince Qi loved that couch from the age of three until he was fifteen. During the struggle for the throne, Xuan Yuanlie ascended the throne, and he was enfeoffed as Prince Qi, residing in the Prince Qi's residence."

"Three years old..." Murong Wei was shocked.

It was only three years old. She had originally thought that Prince Qi would have been poisoned in this Jingxuan, but she never expected that he had contracted it in the inner palace when he was only three years old.

The identity of the murderer was unspoken between the two, and they remained silent. Murong Wei clearly saw the strangeness in Bai Wushang's eyes, a complexity she couldn't fathom.

After a long while, Murong Wei timidly spoke, "How do you know so much?"

Bai Wushang, as if used to it, laughed, "Of all the treasures in the world, what do I not know? This purple wood comes from the rainforest of Nanzhao, and the pale summer violet comes from the neighboring country of Liusha. They are both rare and precious things!"

Murong Wei's brows remained furrowed. "The poison of Prince Qi is not optimistic."

"Is that so?" Bai Wushang smiled.

"Prince Qi is probably twenty-three or twenty-four this year. From the age of three until now, it has been twenty years. I'm afraid..." Murong Wei didn't finish her sentence, lowering her eyes as she watched Sister Li close the door and leave, before sliding down the wooden pillar.

Bai Wushang leaped lightly and landed silently. Seeing her like that, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "During our time in the capital, I'd like to teach you some martial arts, so you won't get in my way later!"

At this moment, the room had been cleaned spotlessly, with a faint, refreshing scent of purple wood lingering in the air. Murong Wei leaned lazily to the side and said indifferently, "And you? How long have you had the poison in your body?" A hint

of hesitation flashed across Bai Wushang's eyes, but he still smiled and said, "If it's poisoned by the mixture of these two things, it should be about half a year. Half a year ago, I obtained these two treasures and kept them with me. Later, I sold them for a considerable price. Fortunately, I didn't sell them to the same person, otherwise, they would have really caused a lot of harm!"

Murong Wei looked at him suspiciously and said indifferently, "Let's go to Lan Garden. I'll use acupuncture to check again. The poison in your body has lasted for more than half a year."

"Hehe, my life is tough, I won't die. Look what good things Ye Bao gave you!" Bai Wushang changed the subject, taking out a locked jade box from his sleeve. The jade was entirely emerald green, not ordinary jade, but the finest of jades—jadeite!

"This...why is it locked?" Murong Wei asked, puzzled. Wasn't this the seventh jade box from the eight-layered treasure box they had obtained before? It was carved from a single piece of jade, flawless, the only difference being that it was locked. "

The other one, this is what Ye Bao stole from the Imperial Study. It's exactly the same as our previous eight-layered treasure box, the only difference being that our set had the eighth layer, the gold treasure box, locked, while this set has the seventh layer, the jade box, locked. Don't open this jade lock either!" Bai Wushang said.

"That brat actually stole it!" Murong Wei exclaimed in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. She had only casually asked, "Why didn't you steal it?" She hadn't expected that the brat would actually turn around and steal it!

“I replaced it with a fake. I just went there and happened to run into Xuan Yuanlie and the Thirteenth Prince. It seemed to be their first time opening this thing, and they didn’t notice anything different,” Bai Wushang said.

Murong Wei frowned and said lightly, “It can be counterfeited?”

“From a distance, it really looks exactly the same. Hehe, your son was planning to replace the real one I have, so he got a fake. Weiwei, a son’s fault is a mother’s fault, don’t you think?” Bai Wushang smiled, his eyes narrowing.

“He’s been taught too little. Otherwise, if he had two real ones, he could have stayed far away from the royal family, and we could have gone treasure hunting on our own!” Murong Wei said this in her heart, of course, and laughed, “Luckily, he made a fake, otherwise we might not have known the secret inside.”

Bai Wushang frowned. What did she mean by that?

"Of the eight-layered treasure boxes in the Vast Sea Lake, only the eighth layer, the golden box, is locked. And of the eight-layered treasure boxes unearthed from the icy forests of the Shang Kingdom, only the seventh layer, the jade box, is locked. Is it possible that the real eight-layered treasure boxes have long been scattered and locked away, each containing something? Otherwise, why aren't both sets of eight-layered treasure boxes locked on the last layer as well?" Murong Wei asked seriously.

"So, apart from the locked layer, it's not difficult to imitate the others. They're already fakes; any imitation wouldn't be indistinguishable!" Bai Wushang said.

"Bingo!" Murong Wei snapped her fingers, turned to leave, and changed the subject, leaving her pent-up anger behind, as well as the poison in Lao Bai's body.

"Where are you going?" Bai Wushang chased after her.

"To settle accounts with Young Master Ye. If he's not taught a good lesson, he won't behave. Being thrown into the palace will cause trouble sooner or later!" Murong Wei said.

"When are you coming with me to unlock them?" Bai Wushang asked.

"We'll talk when we see Prince Qi!" Murong Wei said, her figure flashing and disappearing. When she reappeared, she was already in the flower bushes in the backyard.

Bai Wushang stood at the window, looking down at the vast expanse of light summer violets in the backyard. The smile that had been playing on his lips finally faded. He had been holding his breath and his energy was finally released, and blood immediately spilled from the corner of his mouth, trickling down his face.

A dark figure appeared out of nowhere behind him, none other than Liu Jian, the always taciturn, friend-and-servant figure.

"Why are you doing this? You can't keep it from her forever," Liu Jian said calmly.

"Heh, who said I wanted her to follow me forever, my lord?" Bai Wushang still smiled, a warm smile spreading across his blood-stained lips, like the beauty mark under his right eye, so poignantly beautiful…

The palace was no ordinary place; Murong Wei wouldn't be foolish enough to climb over the wall to enter. She was currently sitting in the Luoxia Courtyard, waiting for Gu Xihe to return.

However, after waiting for most of the day, Gu Xihe still hadn't returned.

"Come on, Weiwei, I'm in a good mood today, I'll show you around the palace for free." A familiar voice came from behind. Murong Wei's heart leaped with joy, but she still calmly turned around and said, "In broad daylight, you dare to appear here so brazenly?"

"Hehe, besides you and me, who else in this mansion would easily barge into Gu Xihe's room?" Bai Wushang asked with a smile, walking around to sit beside Murong Wei on the warm couch.

Murong Wei hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, saying calmly, "My bag is in Lan Garden. There's some medicine in it. Take it yourself when you go back. Take it with warm or cold water every night."

Bai Wushang leaned closer, smiling, "In this world, only Weiwei truly treats me, sir, so well."

Murong Wei didn't even glance at him, moved aside, and said, "I'll reluctantly give you the medicine because you're going to take me to the palace. Otherwise, I'd offer it to Prince Qi."

"You don't like Prince Qi, so why do you always bring him up?" Bai Wushang asked.

"Do I? Let's go. Who knows what trouble that brat will cause if we're late!" Murong Wei said, turning to leave.

"Weiwei, Ye Bao has agreed to follow the Thirteenth Prince." Bai Wushang said.

"I said I'd ask Prince Qi before deciding!" Murong Wei frowned, somewhat impatient.

"We need to open those two precious boxes as soon as possible. We're not the only ones looking for the Xuanyuan Military Manual. We can't keep delaying." Bai Wushang was still cheerful, his temper very good.

Murong Wei simply sat down and said, "Let's be frank. From my personal perspective, I dislike following Prince Qi even more than you do. Ye Bao's identity is a mystery, and Prince Qi is no pushover. I wish I could stay far away from him! However, regarding the matter of finding the Xuanyuan Military Manual, firstly, Prince Qi controls mines all over the world, and he has a unique map of the Shenzhou Continent. The Xuanyuan Military Manual must be hidden in the tomb of Emperor Xuanyuan. Finding the Xuanyuan tomb will be much easier with that map. Secondly, Xuanyuan Li is impulsive and reckless, acting on a righteous cause, and is not capable of great things. Xuanyuan Lie entrusted him with this important task, which means he will have all his movements under his control. This will not benefit us at all. On the contrary, Prince Qi, due to his status, has to let go of some things. We need to have leverage to negotiate with him!"

Bai Wushang listened attentively, a faint smile always on his lips, secretly admiring Murong Wei's clear distinction between public and private matters.

“Ye Bao and I have been following you around blindly for a while now that we’ve confirmed that the Thirteenth Prince is also searching for this for Xuan Yuan Lie, shouldn’t we clarify things, including our plans after it’s done, and how we’ll split the profits?” Murong Wei said again, arms crossed, her shrewd and quick-witted demeanor reappearing.

Bai Wushang looked at her with amusement and asked, “How do you want to split it?”

“You, me, and Ye Bao, three shares. You found your own helper, so you’ll handle it yourself. After it’s done, I’ll take the Xuan Yuan Military Manual, and I’ll return your share to you with a Golden Fox after you’ve appraised it,” Murong Wei said seriously.

Bai Wushang rubbed his chin, looking her up and down with a playful expression, clicking his tongue repeatedly.

“Is there a problem?” Murong Wei rolled her eyes at him and took a step back.

“Weiwei, you don’t want to be the emperor, do you?” Bai Wushang asked seriously.

“None of your business! If you agree, we’ll decide on the candidate; if you don’t agree, you can go find your Thirteenth Prince, and I’ll wait for my Prince Qi,” Murong Wei said.

"Didn't I tell you, Prince Qi has no interest in these things? Why are you so stubborn?" Bai Wushang said calmly.

"You're not him, how can you be so sure?" Murong Wei retorted.

"Because I don't like you following a man with a harem of wives and concubines!" Bai Wushang blurted out.

Murong Wei was taken aback. What did he mean by that?

"Let's go, let's go find Ye Bao!" Bai Wushang said, naturally taking Murong Wei's hand to leave.

Murong Wei shook him off forcefully, staring at him suspiciously.

"Come on!" Bai Wushang urged.

"Why are you angry? You were acting strangely just now. Why do you get angry whenever I mention Prince Qi?" Murong Wei asked directly.

"Because, my lord, I don't like the expression on your face when you mention him!" Bai Wushang answered directly.

"What expression?" Murong Wei frowned.

"Infatuated!" Bai Wushang said.

"Nonsense!" Murong Wei immediately retorted. Is this guy crazy? He's just looking for trouble!

"Let's go." Bai Wushang urged again, still taking her hand.

Murong Wei shook him off fiercely once more, coldly saying, "Make it clear, or you're not leaving!"

"Not leaving? You won't find another opportunity like this." Bai Wushang threatened with a smile, though he didn't seem truly angry.

Murong Wei simply turned her head away, ignoring him.

But Bai Wushang had that kind of patience, stepping forward to turn her head back, saying, "If you can persuade Prince Qi, I'll agree to anything you want, okay?"

"Okay!" Murong Wei immediately smiled, victorious! She wasn't really that sullen.

"Then let's go!" Bai Wushang glanced at her helplessly.

"Hehe, when will you start teaching me martial arts?" Murong Wei asked cheerfully, walking out the main gate with Bai Wushang, their actions truly aboveboard.

"My lord, I'll seriously consider it." Bai Wushang stroked his chin, looking thoughtful.

"Tonight!" Murong Wei quickly said, shaking his hand.

"It depends on how I feel, sir." Bai Wushang said, putting on airs.

Murong Wei narrowed her eyes slightly. "If you don't teach me, I won't give you the pills!"

Bai Wushang laughed. "Suit yourself."

"Don't blame me for not telling you, this poison in your body is not easy to cure," Murong Wei reminded him, letting Bai Wushang lead her hand openly, as if they were a couple leaving Luoxia Courtyard.

Bai Wushang stopped, his narrow eyes crinkling with a mischievous smile, turning his head to look at Murong Wei.

"Let's start teaching tonight, I want to learn lightness skill first!" Murong Wei quickly said.

"Weiwei..." Bai Wushang hesitated.

"Hmm? Go ahead." Murong Wei looked like she was about to negotiate, wondering what conditions this guy would bring up this time.

"Weiwei, do you know that this is the first time in my life that I've ever..." Bai Wushang looked at her, his mischievous smile gradually warming.

Murong Wei frowned, waiting suspiciously.

Bai Wushang looked at her with deep affection and said, "The first time I've walked this far holding a woman's hand..."

Murong Wei was stunned, her heart skipped a beat. What was this guy trying to do? What was he trying to express?

However, Bai Wushang shook his head, saying, "Your hands are so rough!" Without waiting for Murong Wei to recover, he grabbed her waist and lightly leaped onto the roof...

It was noon, and Bai Wushang and Murong Wei were crouching under the shade of trees on the roof of a small pavilion in Yanxi Palace, observing everything in the courtyard.

The courtyard was surrounded by tall banyan trees, providing shade year-round, regardless of the season.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager was reclining in a rocking chair, gently fanning herself with a feather fan, appearing relaxed and serene from afar.

Only a maidservant, Dai, attended to her. Ye Bao sat to the Empress Dowager's right, his back to Murong Wei, so her face was hidden, and she couldn't tell what he was doing.

However, the more Murong Wei looked, the more worried she became; her delicate brows were already furrowed.

"It's rare for that boy to be so quiet," Bai Wushang said softly.

"Can we go to the front and check on him?" Murong Wei asked.

"This old Empress Dowager is not simple; don't act rashly," Bai Wushang said.

"It's been an hour; Ye Bao can't possibly have the patience to sit for so long. Something must have happened!" Murong Wei said seriously.

Bai Wushang frowned, glanced around, and whispered, "Go over there! Remember, no matter what you see, don't make any rash moves."

"What do you mean?" Murong Wei was shocked.

"The Eastern Empress Dowager's ruthlessness is just hearsay; the Western Empress Dowager is the truly ruthless one," Bai Wushang said calmly, protecting her as he lightly leaped onto another rooftop. He quickly darted along the ridge to the end, making several more leaps until they finally reached a position where they could clearly see Ye Bao's face. As soon as he

crouched down, he seemed to have known what had happened, immediately covering Murong Wei's mouth!

Upon seeing the scene before her, Murong Wei's eyes widened instantly, tears welling up in her eyes. She struggled fiercely, but couldn't break free.

Ye Bao's tender little face was flushed red, drenched in sweat, and his legs weren't touching the ground, but were raised high, with a whole row of iron plates beneath his feet, very close. If he wasn't careful even slightly, those little feet would be ruined!

Not only that, but a heavy lead weight was pressing down on his tightly pressed and raised legs.

A full hour had passed; how could a child not even six years old, with such fragile bones, endure this?

"Ye Bao, speak! Where were you in the story you just told?" Empress Dowager Cixi asked leisurely, her eyes narrowed.

"We were...we were..." Ye Bao began to speak, but his legs began to sag, and he immediately gritted his teeth in desperation.

Murong Wei shook her head desperately, the commotion growing louder and louder. Bai Wushang had no choice but to decisively take her away, grabbing her and pulling her back several steps before leaping away from Yanxi Palace.

"Slap!" Upon landing, Murong Wei slapped him hard, turning to turn back.

"My lord, I've lost my virginity again?" Bai Wushang smiled helplessly, truly experiencing his first slap from a woman. Though his smile was forced, his grip on Murong Wei's arm tightened considerably.

"I'll blow up Yanxi Palace!" Murong Wei said coldly.

"You're already famous in the capital. If you become famous again, Xuan Yuanlie won't let you go," Bai Wushang warned seriously.

"Only her son has the explosives. If you want to find someone, tell that old geezer to go directly to her son!" Murong Wei said sharply.

"Do you think things will be that simple? Do you think the explosives you used on Murong Wei, the explosives you used in the northern city of Han Kingdom, won't be targeted?" Bai Wushang's voice was even louder than hers.

"I don't care, I want to take Ye Bao away right now!" Murong Wei was almost going crazy.

"If you choose Xuan Yuanche, Ye Bao will only be a hostage. If you choose the Thirteenth Prince, you can go to him now and try to get Ye Bao back," Bai Wushang said coldly.

"Let's go, let's go now!" Murong Wei didn't even think about it. Bai Wushang still held her tightly, afraid that she would change her mind...

Meanwhile, in the cool courtyard of Yanxi Palace, the Empress Dowager was personally removing the iron nails from Ye Bao's feet with Granny Gui.

Ye Bao, holding the Empress Dowager's feather fan, lazily fanned herself, acting like a mistress, saying, "It's already autumn, and it's getting quite hot after all this fuss."

"Bao'er, are you tired? Is this thing safe to touch?" The Empress Dowager asked gently, completely abandoning her usual cold beauty demeanor.

Ye Bao glanced down at the lead weight on her leg, then gently lifted it, and the thing immediately fell to the ground—it was just a piece of paper made of lead!

"Wipe, wipe, you're all wet, don't catch a cold!" The Empress Dowager took out a handkerchief and, like a doting ancestor, wiped away the water that had been poured on Ye Bao to pretend to be sweat, while instructing Granny Dai, "Go and fetch a bowl of hot soup."

"Yes." Granny Dai replied happily and quickly withdrew.

Ye Bao stretched and lazily settled into the rocking chair, fanning himself with the feather fan that Empress Dowager Cixi used. He then lazily asked, "Grandma, the play is over. When will the appearance fee, high-temperature allowance, and various insurance premiums be paid?"

"Hehe, young master Ye, name your price." Empress Dowager Cixi chuckled, growing increasingly fond of Ye Bao.

"I'll give you a discounted price of one thousand taels of gold. Tell me, who was this play for? How about it?" Ye Bao asked slyly.

"Didn't we agree not to ask?" Empress Dowager Cixi frowned.

"How about five hundred taels, excluding my guest appearance? Tell me secretly, was it for that dog emperor?" Ye Bao whispered again.

"Oh, Bao, you're so clever, you guessed it!" Empress Dowager Cixi exclaimed in admiration.

"Why?" Ye Bao tilted his head and asked.

"This…" This is between me and that dog emperor. You, a mere child, are being asked this? Three thousand taels of gold, plus the high-temperature allowance, are all included. You performed so well, I'll hire you again next time! "It's settled then!" Empress Dowager Cixi said hastily, getting up to leave.

"Hey, one hundred taels, can you tell me what the secret is?" Ye Bao chased after her.

The Empress Dowager's beautiful face was filled with horror. Seeing Dai Mama approaching, she hurriedly said, "Drink the soup, drink the soup! This little belly soup must be drunk while it's hot."

"Fifty taels!" Ye Bao gritted his teeth, becoming increasingly suspicious.

"Young Master Ye, the Empress Dowager likes you. That dog of an emperor is always picking on the Empress Dowager and Prince Qi. He tries to snatch away whoever they like. That's why the Empress Dowager is putting on this show. If you go to that dog of an emperor, how can your mother treat Prince Qi in peace? You tell me, right?" Dai Mama quickly explained.

Ye Bao rolled his eyes and turned to leave. He thought there was some kind of illicit affair, but it turned out to be this mess. It's really complicated. No wonder Mommy doesn't like the palace.

The Thirteenth Prince has already begged the dog of an emperor. He probably won't be able to stay for long. He'd better behave himself. He heard that yesterday that fair-faced woman executed all the guards, eunuchs, and maids in the Imperial Study. Only then did he realize with a jolt of fear that he had actually gotten lucky.

"Gold is precious, but life is more valuable!" he sighed, hands clasped behind his back, the old ox slowly trotting away.

"Master, this child... I can't figure him out! I can't figure him out!" Granny Dai frowned, unsure whether to praise Ye Bao's cleverness or call him naive...

The Prince Li's residence and the Prince Qi's residence were located on the busiest street in the capital, one to the left and one to the right.

They were similar in size, both large mansions with several courtyards, but the Prince Li's residence wasn't as bustling as the Prince Qi's.

It was even difficult to bump into a few servants while walking down the street. The Thirteenth Prince had a peculiar habit of disliking people getting too close to him, and even the servants in his own residence were few and far between, avoiding those who could be avoided.

The strangest thing was that almost all the servants in the mansion were men; women were extremely rare, let alone wives or concubines—not a single woman of any decent appearance could be seen.

At this moment, in the main hall, Murong Wei and Bai Wushang sat on the right, while Xuan Yuanli sat high above in the main seat, coldly scrutinizing Bai Wushang.

"Thirteenth Prince, what do you think?" Murong Wei couldn't help but speak again. As soon as she stated her purpose, this prince immediately put on airs.

Xuan Yuanli didn't even glance at her, asking Bai Wushang, "Shouldn't you explain why you've been missing for so long without a single word?"

"Hehe, I was really tied up with some things. I'm truly sorry, that's why I came to apologize as soon as I got back," Bai Wushang said with a smile, rising and bowing.

"Lord Wushang, I'd really like to know, what could be more important than what I entrusted to you?" Xuan Yuanli asked coldly, his displeasure written all over his face. This was the first time in his life he'd been stood up.

Bai Wushang smiled mysteriously, about to step forward, but seeing Xuan Yuanli's immediate wariness, he reluctantly retreated, handing Murong Wei something from his sleeve—a roll of silk brocade.

Murong Wei, too lazy to approach, casually tossed the silk brocade at Xuan Yuanli, saying, "Thirteenth Prince, take a look at this thing putting on airs."

This guy, he was just begging Xuan Yuanlie in the Imperial Study a while ago, and now she's come to him on her own initiative. It's not a big deal for him to put on airs, but he can't keep it up for too long; she's in a hurry to unlock the door with Bai Wushang!

Xuan Yuanli didn't use the silk brocade, finally looking directly at Murong Wei, and roared like a lion, "I told you not to meddle, but you insisted! Now look what's happened! Ye Bao is trapped in Yanxi Palace, and you're trapped in Prince Qi's residence, and I have to go get them!"

"Prince Qi is your brother, you can't just stand by and watch him die, can you? Besides, didn't I say Prince Qi died in your carriage? You can't escape responsibility either!" Murong Wei retorted.

"Being responsible is your own business, but you ruined…you…" Xuan Yuanli hesitated.

"Ruined the Emperor's plans, didn't you?" Murong Wei said.

"You know that much!" Xuan Yuanli huffed.

"I've already come to apologize, what more do you want? Take it or leave it, I'm going back to the Qi Prince's mansion to be his imperial physician! Anyway, you're so afraid of the emperor, I don't want to drag you down with me." Murong Wei was equally huffing.

Bai Wushang watched with amusement, immediately knowing Murong Wei was doing it on purpose. Indeed, the Thirteenth Prince was always susceptible to provocation.

"When did I say I was afraid of him!" Xuan Yuanli said, his handsome brows furrowed, beckoning Murong Wei over.

"What?" Murong Wei asked irritably, a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

"Just come over when I tell you to, why all the nonsense?" Xuan Yuanli snapped again.

Murong Wei glanced at Bai Wushang before stepping forward.

Xuan Yuanli suddenly pulled her close, whispering in her ear, his words causing Murong Wei's brows to furrow.

"Do you understand?" Xuan Yuanli asked softly.

"So you were looking for the Xuanyuan Military Manual, but the Emperor is the real deal!" Murong Wei exclaimed in surprise.

Xuanyuan Li immediately covered her mouth, displeased, "Would it kill you to keep your voice down?"

"The Xuanyuan Military Manual..." Bai Wushang pretended to ponder, his handsome face slightly furrowed.

Murong Wei pulled away from Xuanyuan Li, straightened half of her golden mask, picked up the silk brocade on the ground, and finally lowered her voice, "Thirteenth Master, take a look at this first."

Xuanyuan Li suspiciously opened the silk brocade, and his expression changed drastically upon seeing what was inside!

"Thirteenth Master, I broke my promise to you because of this, and I brought this to apologize today." Bai Wushang said with a smile, addressing the others as "Master" while referring to himself as "Lord"—only he could do that.

"Where did this come from?" Xuanyuan Li asked urgently. It was a silk brocade painting depicting a grand Buddhist ceremony, with an eight-tiered treasure box reaching into the sky, exactly the same as the one dug out of the Xuanbing!

"I bought it from a black market dealer in the Flowing Sand Kingdom, Your Highness. The news from the Flowing Sand Kingdom says, 'He who possesses the Eightfold Treasure Box will rule the world.' This is similar to the legend of the Xuanyuan Military Manual. Is there some connection?" Bai Wushang asked tentatively. He had heard Xuanyuan Lie mention the royal legend in the Imperial Study, something he was unaware of.

"He who possesses the Eightfold Treasure Box will rule the world? Where did you hear this from in the Flowing Sand Kingdom?" Xuanyuan Li asked seriously.

"The black market dealer who sold it said it. Heh, that one sentence made me pay an extra three thousand taels of gold!" Bai Wushang looked pained.

"The Flowing Sand Kingdom actually has such a legend." Xuanyuan Li snorted coldly, sat down, and gestured for the two guards beside him to leave.

Only after the gate was tightly shut did he speak, coldly saying, "What happened today is confined to the three of us. If it gets out, you will be killed without mercy!"

Murong Wei and Bai Wushang nodded without hesitation, saying in unison, "Your Highness, rest assured, we will keep this a secret and do our utmost to assist you."

"There's a legend in the royal family, always passed down only to the reigning emperor. It's just one sentence: 'Emperor Xuanyuan is buried in the Eight-Layered Treasure Box of the Buddhist Kingdom. If his descendants can find it, they will receive Emperor Xuanyuan's protection!'" Xuanyuan Li said in a low voice.

This single sentence has multiple meanings, but whatever it means, it's inextricably linked to the Eight-Layered Treasure Box.

"So, it's very possible that the secret of Emperor Xuanyuan's tomb is hidden in the Eight-Layered Treasure Box of the Buddhist Kingdom?" Murong Wei asked.

“That’s how my royal brother understands it, so he’s been searching for the Eightfold Treasure Scroll,” Xuan Yuanli said.

“Any news?” Bai Wushang asked with concern.

“There’s been quite a bit of news. I got one a few days ago, but I don’t know if it’s real.” Xuan Yuanli didn’t hide anything. He was a very wary person, but he was surprisingly unguarded around Murong Wei. Was it fate, or was there another reason?

“Really?” Murong Wei looked surprised.

“It’s with my royal brother.” Xuan Yuanli pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “It was broken out of the Xuanbing you won at the auction. I’ve never seen anything like it before. My royal brother is going to have someone appraise it. Considering your contribution to the auction, I’ll reluctantly talk to him. If things go well, it will be after the autumn hunt at the earliest. Prince Qi just made concessions on the marriage proposal, and now he wants to release the person. It won’t be that easy for now.”

“Thank you, Thirteenth Prince!” Murong Wei quickly bowed and smiled. Only Bai Wushang knew what she was really happy about.

"Your Highness, is this eight-layered treasure box like the legendary ones, one inside the other? Are there anything hidden inside?" Bai Wushang asked.

"The innermost one is locked. To avoid damaging the box, my brother has already gone to fetch a locksmith. We'll start with your silk brocade, and make more detailed plans after the box is opened," Xuan Yuanli said.

"Yes!" Bai Wushang smiled, glancing at Murong Wei, a knowing look on his face.

"Hey, Thirteenth Prince treats you pretty well." Bai Wushang asked with a smile, driving the carriage with Murong Wei away from the Prince's Mansion and heading straight for the alley they had just passed.

"We have no grudges against each other, so why would he treat me badly?" Murong Wei rolled her eyes at him.

"This 'goodness' is not what you think." Bai Wushang said with a smile.

"That's true, I've traveled with him all the way from Han Kingdom to the Xuanyuan Imperial Capital, so we have some connections you don't know about." Murong Wei greeted him with a smile.

Bai Wushang remained silent, reining in his horse, a playful smirk playing on his lips.

"Who is Liu Jian? Why haven't A Bao and Yin Ling come along yet?" Murong Wei asked suspiciously, seemingly unfamiliar with the people around Bai Wushang.

"I rescued him on the road many years ago. He has amnesia; even he doesn't know who he is." Bai Wushang said.

"Did he find that old monk?" Murong Wei asked again.

"Hehe, that guy has forgotten many things except who he is. He has many connections; he was probably a Taobao seller before." Bai Wushang said, not hiding anything.

"What about Yinling and Abao?" Murong Wei asked again.

"Just two maids. Are you jealous, Weiwei?" Bai Wushang frowned, his smile ambiguous.

Murong Wei looked up at the sky speechlessly, ignoring him completely.

A short while later, they arrived at the courtyard they had visited before. Liu Jian and the old monk were already waiting at the gate. A carriage arrived, and they boarded without a word.

Murong Wei didn't continue with her previous question, asking softly, "Where to?"

"A deep valley in the suburbs. He's indeed a capable man. I've heard of him before but never actually met him. People in the underworld call him Guiguzi. He's extremely mysterious, a craftsman by trade, and can make all sorts of weapons. This is the first time I've heard he can pick locks," Bai Wushang said softly.

"What's the old monk's relationship with him?" Murong Wei asked.

"He specifically introduces business to him. I heard Guiguzi is a gambler, and he takes on a lot of work whenever he owes money," Bai Wushang said.

"A strange man. How old is he?" Murong Wei asked again.

"Always wearing a mask, he's comparable to the black soil of Shang Kingdom. Judging from his voice and hands, he should be an old man. Even that monk never saw his true face," Bai Wushang said.

"He really is a strange person." Murong Wei smiled, lazily leaning against the side. She had left a note for Qing'er, not knowing if Qing'er had seen it. The Qi Prince's mansion was bustling with activity right now, and the wedding should be over by the time they returned.

She didn't like joining in that kind of commotion.

The carriage slowly drove out of the city gate and turned into a suburban road.

The journey was bumpy, and Murong Wei squinted wearily. As she squinted, she suddenly woke up with a start.

"What's wrong?" Bai Wushang was right beside her, gently brushing away a stray strand of her hair, his touch intimate and natural.

"Xuanyuan Li wouldn't lie to me, would he? Would he go to Yanxi Palace right away?" Murong Wei grabbed Bai Wushang's collar and asked urgently. In her dream, it seemed she had returned to that year, when she was carrying Xiao Yebao and running desperately on the mountain road!

“Yes, he will. Seeing how much he cares for you, he'll definitely go immediately. Even if we can't get him back right now, at least the Emperor can protect him.” Bai Wushang quickly comforted her, gently patting her back. It was the first time he'd seen Murong Wei so panicked.

“Empress Dowager, I'll remember her!” Murong Wei gritted her teeth and said coldly.

Bai Wushang couldn't help but shiver, remaining silent for a long time…

The carriage bumped along until late at night before finally stopping.

The four of them stood on the cliff edge, looking down into a bottomless abyss. Murong Wei took a few steps forward, her brows furrowed, seemingly observing something.

“It's down there. Come with me.” The old monk said, and with a whoosh, he jumped down.

Liu Jian followed without a word, while Murong Wei remained silent.

Bai Wushang slowly approached, a thoughtful expression on his face, and said, “I'll try to teach you to jump down on your own before we leave the capital.” With that, he gently put his arm around her thin shoulder.

He was never this polite when it came to physical contact, but today he was unusually reserved, gently pulling her towards the edge of the cliff.

"Weiwei, are you scared?" he asked softly, his voice truly tender.

"No," Weiwei smiled.

"Then, let's go down!" Bai Wushang smiled and took a step.

"Okay," Murong Wei responded, her hands gently resting on his firm waist.

Even after Bai Wushang's foot slipped, Murong Wei remained unmoved, calm and composed, showing no fear of the abyss.

"Let's go down," Bai Wushang reminded her again.

"Okay," Murong Wei nodded patiently.

Bai Wushang, one foot dangling in mid-air, remained still, kindly reminding her, "You'd better hold on tight to me, otherwise, falling from such a deep abyss wouldn't look very good."

Unexpectedly, Murong Wei immediately let go, took a step back, pulled a strange rope from her bag, deftly tied it around herself, found a large tree nearby, tied the rope end, threw a large roll of rope down into the valley, carefully climbed onto a rock, and descended along the rope, not forgetting to give Bai Wushang a disapproving look, saying, "Enough with the nonsense, they're already at the bottom!"

With that, she pulled the rope tight and swung down into the valley!

Bai Wushang was dumbfounded. What kind of martial arts was this? So powerful! This woman didn't even know any lightness skill, yet she dared to go down!

Soon, Murong Wei's figure grew smaller and smaller, barely visible.

Bai Wushang turned back, glanced at the rope tied to the tree, then looked down, rubbing his chin. The smile in his narrow eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by displeasure. He

muttered to himself, "No wonder he raised such an arrogant son!" Without looking back, he flicked his sleeve, and the rope snapped, sending him plummeting down the valley.

A cold smile played on his lips as he darted down, disappearing from sight.

"Ah..."

Soon, he heard Murong Wei's deafening scream, her voice almost ripped apart!

She was falling at a speed she couldn't calculate, the wind surging up from below, whistling past her. Her mind was blank; she had no idea what to do. All she

could do was scream desperately, screaming, unable to even call for help; her heart felt like it would jump out of her chest at any moment.

"Ah..."

she cried out, unaware that she had fallen into a warm embrace. Instinctively, she tightly gripped his neck with both hands, burying her face in his chest, her screams still escaping.

Even after landing on the ground, with Liu Jian and the old monk looking at her suspiciously, she still hadn't recovered, her voice completely hoarse.

Seeing Bai Wushang's gloomy face, Liu Jian pulled the old monk towards the front courtyard.

After a long, long time, Murong Wei's screams gradually subsided, and she trembled in his arms.

"Weiwei, from now on, stay with me. Be careful with your life. With me here, don't always risk your life on your own. I don't like that," Bai Wushang said calmly, gently kissing her hair. The

one truly terrified wasn't Weiwei, but him.

A gentle kiss landed on her hair, but she was completely unaware of it, still in a state of panic, and didn't hear Bai Wushang's faint warning.

Her hands still clung tightly to him, as if she needed to become one with him to feel safe.

She had experienced the brink of death countless times since childhood, but never with such fear, such helplessness, and for the first time, she had clung so tightly to a man.

There was no room for struggle, no chance for her to try; a direct fall meant death.

Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but chuckle, gently stroking the back of her head, finally managing a helpless smile.

"Ugh..." Murong Wei whimpered, not crying, but almost crying.

"It's alright, it's alright. Be careful next time; this rope isn't as strong as an adult's." He said with a smile, forcefully lifting her drooping head.

A tear flashed in Murong Wei's eyes, and she stared at him, still stunned.

"Coward, you're already scared?" Bai Wushang smiled, affectionately pinching her nose.

Murong Wei reflexively shoved his hand away and stumbled backward, but Bai Wushang caught her around the waist.

She leaned back, staring intently at him, her initial panic subsiding, her brows slowly furrowing.

He leaned closer, smiling, "With such a timid heart, how will you ever follow me, sir?"

She paused, then snapped, "You're the timid one! Let go of me!"

He sighed, about to release her, but having learned her lesson, she immediately clung to his neck, using the leverage to straighten herself. She tried to let go, but he blocked her with both hands, binding her neck as well. "My lord, I've saved your life again. Shouldn't you repay me with your body?"

"How could the rope possibly break?" she asked, frowning.

"Let's be clear first. I've saved you twice. Shouldn't you repay me with your body?" Bai Wushang looked serious.

"I didn't ask you to save me!" Murong Wei showed no gratitude, suddenly squatting down and pulling her arms free from his grasp.

"Heh, my lord, I was just being wishful." Bai Wushang chuckled, watching her pick up the fallen rope. This rope was undoubtedly something she'd brought from overseas; the material was unfamiliar to him, but it was the same kind of thing that could break with a flick of the wrist—not very useful.

"It couldn't possibly break! This thing could even climb Mount Everest!" Murong Wei was skeptical.

"Really? How strange." Bai Wushang rubbed his chin, sighing, and continued forward. The quiet courtyard ahead must be Guiguzi's hermitage.

Murong Wei quickly followed, still suspicious. The break didn't look like it had been pulled apart, nor cut. Could it have deteriorated after a thousand years without vacuum packaging?

Liu Jian and the old monk were already waiting in the courtyard. The courtyard was deserted, not a blade of grass grew, and no flowers were planted, a stark contrast to the surrounding tranquil environment.

The door to the house was tightly closed, and the owner seemed to be away.

"Didn't they say we were coming?" Bai Wushang asked.

"They did. Master Guiguzi is inside. Only one of you can go in," the old monk said.

"Is there such a rule? I've never heard of it before, sir." Bai Wushang raised an eyebrow and stepped forward to push open the door.

Just then, another deep and extremely old voice came from inside, "When you come to my Guigu, you must abide by the rules of Guiguzi. Those who do not comply, please leave. Those who force their way in, please find someone else to handle the matter."

Bai Wushang stopped, a harmless smile playing on his lips, and looked at the old monk.

"Sir, this is the rule of Guiguzi. After all, we need something from someone, and it's impolite to force our way in. This is the rule of the way, and you should understand," the old monk said with difficulty.

Bai Wushang remained silent, glancing at Liu Jian. Liu Jian immediately went to Murong Wei's side. This place was secluded and eerie, so caution was necessary.

"Then please open the door. I can go in alone, sir," Bai Wushang said, his narrow eyes revealing no emotion.

"I want that woman in," Guiguzi's aged voice rang out again, sounding at least seventy or eighty years old.

"Is it necessary?" Bai Wushang asked good-naturedly.

"Those who are willing can come in; those who are not, don't bother seeing me out." The aged voice grew even colder.

Suddenly, with a loud "bang," the good-natured Lord Wushang kicked open the door, put his hands behind his back, and strode in expressionlessly.

Murong Wei and the old monk stared in disbelief, but Liu Jian was already used to it, protecting Murong Wei as they followed inside.

The room was dimly lit and a complete mess, with various wooden and iron implements scattered everywhere, and a faint stench permeated the air. The black-robed man who had just been sitting on the ground didn't have time to escape; he stumbled and fell, and before he could even get up, Bai Wushang stepped on his stomach.

He was dressed in black robes, like the Black Scouts of Shang Kingdom, covering himself from head to toe. The difference was that he wore a silver-white mask, and his hands, like his voice, belonged to a man in his seventies or eighties—thin, bony, and calloused.

Beneath the silver-white mask were a pair of small, single-eyelid eyes, now staring at Bai Wushang in fear.

Was this the legendary, mysterious Guiguzi?

Murong Wei was utterly disappointed. This was probably just another charlatan, a fraudster; this trip had been a complete waste.

Liu Jian brought the old monk who was trying to escape. Bai Wushang still had that harmless smile and said, "If you can open the lock, I'll make sure you die a horrible death. If you can't, I won't believe any more recommendations."

"That lock, no one in the world can open it except me. If you don't believe me, go ahead and try," Guiguzi threatened with great spirit despite his fear.

Without a word, Bai Wushang drew his longsword, inlaid with ornate gold thread, in a flash so fast it was almost invisible. Guiguzi cried out in alarm, his left hand's tendon severed!

"You... Bai Wushang! I didn't lie to you. Only I know the secret of that lock. If you kill me, you'll never be able to open that set of treasure boxes!" Guiguzi gritted his teeth.

Bai Wushang seemed not to hear him, his sword about to strike again. One must understand how vital a hand is to a craftsman!

"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Spare me, my lord!" Finally, Guiguzi stopped his stubbornness. "The lock on the eight-tiered treasure box of the Xuanyuan Emperor's mausoleum model... there are eight boxes in total. To unlock it, you must find the first one, and then proceed in the order from the first to the eighth. There are mechanisms inside; if you open the wrong one, the entire set of treasure boxes will be destroyed."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. The Xuanyuan Emperor's mausoleum model—what did this mean? Could it be that these eight-tiered treasure boxes were truly a coffin?

Bai Wushang slowly sheathed his longsword. This was the first time Murong Wei had seen him wield a longsword, and also the first time she had witnessed his swordsmanship.

...

Deep in the ravine, under a dense forest, the sun never shone.

It was unclear what time it was. In the barren courtyard, Guiguzi, his severed hand hanging limply, was intently examining a locked golden box.

Bai Wushang sat on a stone bench, leaning forward, his hands clasped together against his thin lips. Murong Wei stood behind him, her delicate brows furrowed.

A full half-hour had passed, and Guiguzi

had remained silent since seeing the object. "Is this it?" Bai Wushang asked calmly.

Guiguzi glanced at him and said, "I wonder where you obtained this, sir?"

"Am I asking you, or are you asking me?" Bai Wushang raised an eyebrow.

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be the eighth treasure box, officially named the Golden Eight Treasure Box. Above it should be a jade box, officially named the Jadeite Seven Treasure Box, followed by the Platinum Six Treasure Box, the Purple Gold Five Treasure Box, the Silver Four Treasure Box, the Imperial Silver Three Treasure Box, the Gilded Silver Two Treasure Box, and the Sandalwood Box!" Guiguzi said earnestly.

Bai Wushang and Murong Wei exchanged a glance and smiled. Even without Guiguzi's explanation, they knew their previous guess was correct; the eight treasure boxes were indeed scattered everywhere, with countless imitations.

Whether they found them at the bottom of the Vast Sea Lake or broke them out of the Black Demon's Mystic Ice, they were all three gold, three silver, one jade, and one sandalwood—all imitations hiding the genuine articles!

"You seem to know quite a lot!" Bai Wushang laughed.

"Hehe, I come from the Craftsmen's Sect. My ancestor was Lu Ban, the one who created this eight-layered treasure box lock for the Yellow Emperor!" Guiguzi said coldly, his aged voice somewhat hoarse.

"So, you've really found the right person," Bai Wushang said with a smile.

"How do you distinguish the genuine article?" Murong Wei asked.

"The key lies in this lock. First, it's a set of eight locks, said to have been made by Lu Ban, the legendary master craftsman, when the Yellow Emperor sought them out. All eight must be collected before opening, starting with the first one; otherwise, all eight treasure boxes will be destroyed. Second, what does the shape of this golden lock resemble?" Guiguzi said, stepping forward and presenting the golden box to Murong Wei.

"A leaf!" Murong Wei replied. Ancient locks came in countless shapes, so this wasn't unusual.

"What is the meaning of the leaf?" Guiguzi asked again, his small, single-eyelid eyes gleaming with excitement. Talking about locks was truly one of his specialties.

Murong Wei didn't understand, but Bai Wushang suddenly realized, saying each word clearly, "Fallen leaves return to their roots!"

"Haha, exactly! Using leaves as locks symbolizes a tree that grows ten thousand feet tall, yet its leaves return to its roots. When Emperor Xuanyuan was conquering all directions and made this treasure box, he was already old and nearing the end of his life, and was not in the Central Plains. Therefore, the eighth layer of the treasure box uses fallen leaves as locks, which is a testament to his deep longing for home!" Guiguzi said.

"What about the jade lock?" Murong Wei asked hurriedly.

Guiguzi smiled coldly and remained silent, "The Skilled Craftsmen's Sect has been passed down through generations, and now only I remain. I wasn't lying to you just now; besides this old man, no one else in this world can open this set of eight locks!"

"What do you mean?" Bai Wushang raised an eyebrow and asked, smiling playfully.

"Count me in, how about it?" Guiguzi was very direct.

"Tell me what the jade lock looks like first." Bai Wushang smiled.

"I have no interest in the Xuanyuan Military Treatise. Once I find the tomb of the Xuanyuan Emperor, I want his coffin! How about it?" Guiguzi said earnestly, supporting his severed tendon, and with a sudden jerk, pulled out a bloody, bony hand. The real hand hidden inside slowly emerged, no longer calloused, but smooth and beautiful like jade!

Murong Wei was stunned, looking at Bai Wushang. Guiguzi's reputation was truly well-deserved!

In that instant, a delicate, miniature crossbow slid from Guiguzi's wide black robe, landing in his slender hand. Murong Wei didn't even have time to see it clearly before a "whoosh" was heard as the crossbow bolt shot out, striking the equally astonished old monk beside her!

Guiguzi smiled, his voice still hoarse and aged, "Take this old man with you. When you find the tomb of Emperor Xuanyuan, I'll ensure you won't be disturbed by traps!"

Bai Wushang's eyes flashed with surprise. He glanced at Murong Wei, about to speak, when Murong Wei immediately spoke up, "Tell me what the lock on the jade box looks like, and I'll give you a share."

"The jade box lock is a tortoise lock, shaped like a jade tortoise. It's the only way to distinguish the genuine from the fake. The tortoise's tail and head aren't in a straight line; the head faces right, and the tail curves slightly upwards to the left. It symbolizes longevity and national prosperity," Guiguzi said.

As soon as he finished speaking, Murong Wei and Bai Wushang's eyes darkened!

The jade box Ye Bao brought was fake!

"What about the others?" Bai Wushang asked calmly.

"Hehe, I'll tell you when we find them. First, tell me how you found this thing, and do you have any other clues?" Guiguzi said.

"These things aren't urgent." Murong Wei sat down calmly, glanced at Guiguzi, and said, "Let's talk about joining first. Our leader isn't here, but we need to make things clear first. You're someone I found. After joining, you'll have to listen to me in everything. You're not allowed to act on your own, or you'll bear the consequences."

"The leader?" Guiguzi asked, puzzled.

"Such a big matter has a leader. It's none other than the thirteenth prince of the Xuanyuan Dynasty, Xuanyuan Li. He directly pledges allegiance to the emperor, so you can act boldly and without hiding from the officials. But you should understand the consequences of acting on your own." Murong Wei said seriously. This was the first time she had used the name of the Xuanyuan royal family, and she had to admit, it felt pretty good. "

The Xuanyuan royal family, heh, no wonder you found this thing. It seems the jade box is also in your hands. Take it out and let me see!" Guiguzi said with a sneer.

“No. The next task is to find Yu Han. If you have any news, you can come directly to the Li Wang Mansion and give her name. When you want to leave, someone will come to pick you up.” Bai Wushang finished speaking and got up to leave.

“Wait!” Guiguzi quickly called out.

“Is there any other question?” Bai Wushang asked.

"Lord Wushang, this...is the issue of funding..." Guiguzi chuckled, his voice truly eerie; Murong Wei couldn't discern his true age.

"It wasn't me who took your money, go find her! Her name is Murong Wei! She'll be a VIP at the Li Prince's residence!" Bai Wushang laughed.

Murong Wei pretended not to hear anything and strode forward. Before she even left the courtyard, Guiguzi appeared out of nowhere, blocking her way. He chuckled, his small, single-eyelid eyes narrowing into slits beneath his silver mask. "Lord Murong, the Li Prince's residence isn't short of money. Shouldn't we reimburse whatever we have?"

Murong Wei smiled and nodded. "Yes, report whatever useful information you have. If not, you'll have to manage it yourself."

"Well, at least you'll get a monthly salary for working for the Li Prince's residence, right?" Guiguzi asked again.

"Of course. Take off this black robe, remove your mask and gloves, and I'll give it to you, how about that?" Murong Wei still smiled.

Guiguzi coughed a few times and said directly, "Let's put it this way, you, the big winner of the gambling den at the East Gate of the capital, owe me 30,000 taels of silver. You have to pay it off for me first, otherwise I'll definitely be in trouble as soon as I leave the valley, which wouldn't be good for you." "

30,000 taels!" Murong Wei suddenly exclaimed sharply. This guy, although not without his reputation, was indeed a gambler!

"With interest compounding, if I don't pay it back, I really won't dare to leave the house!" Guiguzi, needing her help, lowered his voice and head.

"Let me see your real appearance, and I'll go and win it back for you!" Murong Wei said. It was impossible for her to pay back the money, but winning it back was more likely!

Guiguzi shook his head, stepped back, and said, "I'm not good-looking. I can't afford to scare you."

"I've seen uglier people. I'll win it back for you and give you an extra 10,000 taels, how about that?" Murong Wei tempted.

Guiguzi shook his head again, "Ugliness is a shameful thing, but you yourself wear half a mask, let alone force others to."

Murong Wei was taken aback. The mask on her face was too light, so light that it was almost imperceptible. However, Guiguzi's words were extremely heavy.

Ugliness is a shameful thing, why make things difficult?

She smiled and said, "Wait for me at the East Gate in three days, I'll take you to win it back!"

Without lingering, she waved and left the courtyard.

"What if we can't win?" Guiguzi hurriedly asked.

"Just consider it a loss!" Murong Wei said loudly, without answering.

Guiguzi was immediately powerless. Bai Wushang patted his shoulder and laughed as he left, "Liu Jian, did you get the medicine from Nanzhao?"

"I did get the medicine, but unfortunately I was too late." Liu Jian replied calmly.

"Did Long Xiao get it first?" Bai Wushang asked.

"Long Xiao was also too late, it's already in the hands of the Eastern Empress Dowager. If Master really wants it, the Thirteenth Prince can intervene." Liu Jian replied.

Bai Wushang smiled but didn't say much...

The three of them returned to the capital on the evening of the second day. Murong Wei originally thought the most lively time at the Qi Prince's Mansion was over, but unexpectedly, the auspicious time was chosen at dusk.

At this time, the four side gates of the Qi Prince's Mansion were open, and people were coming and going. The two sides were full of carriages and horses, and civil and military officials from the court and noble families from the capital came one after another to offer their congratulations. The

bright red carpet stretched from the Palace Ceremonial Courtyard through Huanggang Street, the most bustling street in the capital , all the way to the right gate of the Qi Prince's Mansion

. The red carpet was clean and untouched, and there were armed guards on both sides of the red carpet, all wearing bright red festive armor. The entire Huanggang Street was crowded with people, all of whom had been there since early morning to watch.

Murong Wei looked at the lively red carpet from afar, somewhat stunned.

"What are you thinking about?" Bai Wushang waved his hand and asked with a smile.

"It's really grand. It will be even more lively when Princess Yelü comes out later." Murong Wei asked casually.

"You like this kind of wedding?" Bai Wushang asked.

Murong Wei didn't answer, then asked, "Will Prince Qi be happy?"

"Who knows! It's none of your business." Bai Wushang laughed.

"True!" Murong Wei shrugged and headed away from the palace.

"Aren't you going to join the fun?" Bai Wushang asked.

"While no one's bothering me now, I'll get a good night's sleep!" Murong Wei didn't even turn her head, walking away into the distance.

The faint smile on Bai Wushang's lips slowly faded, and he turned and walked step by step towards the most bustling area...

As night fell, the route from the palace to the Qi Prince's residence was brightly lit. From the entrance, large red lanterns hung high, and all the servants were dressed in red, creating a festive atmosphere. Everywhere was bustling with people and filled with lively chatter.

In the main hall, a pair of auspicious dragon and phoenix candles, each over a meter tall, stood on either side, their flames burning brightly. These candles alone were enough to illuminate the entire room with their festive glow, not to mention the rows of large red lanterns hanging on either side.

The entire hall was as bright as day, the light reflecting off the flowing red silk, making the whole room glow red, even the Empress Dowager Xi, seated on her high throne, had a rosy complexion.

Beside her stood Consort Xi and Granny Dai, while Ye Bao hid beside Granny Dai, her shifty eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

No matter how lively it was outside, only these few people were in the main hall; the main figure, the Qi Prince, had not yet appeared.

"Mother, the sound of firecrackers is getting closer." Consort Xi whispered a reminder. Yelü Lingrong was being married off from the Imperial Household Department, accompanied entirely by envoys from her Liusha Kingdom. The Emperor had permitted them to enjoy firecrackers and fireworks along the way, so judging from the sound, they should be arriving at the gate soon.

"Granny Dai, go and urge him on. This isn't Che'er's first wedding; is he nervous?" the Empress Dowager said calmly.

"Yes." Granny Dai acknowledged the order and withdrew. Ye Bao seized the opportunity to slip away, finally having a chance to find his mother.

However, before they even left the palace, they heard Eunuch Liu announce loudly, "The Emperor has arrived!"

Granny Dai stopped, a complex expression flashing across her eyes.

"Granny, wasn't the Emperor supposed to be not coming?" Ye Bao asked, puzzled. He had already asked before leaving the palace.

"Yes, why is he suddenly here? Even Gu Xihe has never seen him so eager." Granny Dai muttered.

"What?" Ye Bao didn't understand.

"It's nothing. Young Master Ye, your mother is at the manor too, isn't she? Haven't seen her for a few days, do you miss her?" Granny Dai asked with a smile, her steps quickening as she left through the side door.

"You're letting me go find Mommy?" Ye Bao exclaimed excitedly.

"Go ahead, go ahead, your Mommy must miss you terribly," Granny Dai said with a loving smile.

"Thank you, Granny!" Ye Bao thanked her and immediately darted into the nearby bushes, disappearing from sight. Granny Dai didn't linger, walking faster and faster towards Jingxuan . Before

she had gone far, Ye Bao poked his head out of the bushes again, muttering, "So mysterious, could it be that Prince Qi has run away from the marriage?"

Only after Granny Dai had gone far away did he jump out and cautiously follow her. He followed her all the way to Jingxuan, and in less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, he saw Granny Dai approaching hurriedly, whispering something to the steward, Sister Li, whose face was also ashen.

"He really ran away from the marriage?" Ye Bao was shocked, retreating step by step, hiding again in the flower bushes.

Granny Dai and Sister Li whispered all the way, not going to the main hall, but instead to Sister Li's quarters. Ye Bao waited outside the courtyard for a long time, but they didn't come out.

At this moment, the sound of firecrackers clearly came from the main gate; the bride had arrived.

Ye Bao didn't have time to wait and hurried to the main hall. The emperor had arrived, the bride had arrived, and the hall should be full of guests. Prince Qi still hadn't appeared; this night was going to be quite a show.

Sure enough, Ye Bao had just entered through the side door when he saw that the entire hall was packed with people. The main characters were all surrounded in the center, and he couldn't see anything.

Helpless, he covered his head with his hands, preparing to force his way in. Just then, a pebble suddenly hit him on the head with perfect force and angle, just like the one his mother often used to hit him on the head!

He looked up decisively and saw a pair of bright eyes blinking at him from behind a bright red silk ribbon on the high roof beam.

"Mommy..." Ye Bao chuckled, took a few steps back, and flipped over to jump onto the beam, throwing himself into Murong Wei's arms. He said in a sweet voice, "Mommy, Ye Bao missed you so

much!" Murong Wei hugged Ye Bao and checked him over, patting his head, pinching his arms, and rubbing his little feet anxiously. "Are you hurt? Did the Thirteenth Prince come looking for you? Did you get into some trouble? Why is the Empress Dowager treating you so badly?"

"Mommy, you saw it?" Ye Bao asked timidly, startled.

"Old Bai and I were just about to look for you when we saw you. If Old Bai hadn't held me back, I would have blown up Yanxi Palace!" Murong Wei said angrily, then touched his legs. "Does it still hurt? Did

the Thirteenth Prince come looking for you?" Ye Bao's lips twitched slightly, and he stammered, "Yes, yes, he did. The Thirteenth Prince said that after the Prince's wedding, he wants to adopt me as his godson and let me live in the Prince's residence."

"Did the Empress Dowager agree?" Murong Wei asked seriously.

Ye Bao nodded immediately, "She agreed."

"Has the imperial physician examined you? Does it still hurt anywhere?" Murong Wei was still anxious. She had been tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep, and had secretly come to join the fun. She hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to come as well, and with Ye Bao in tow. "It does

n't hurt anymore. Old Bai taught me internal energy! It won't hurt." Ye Bao replied perfunctorily, but couldn't help glancing at the Empress Dowager sitting upright on the ground with a cold expression. He seemed to have thought of something, and couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

"Mommy and Old Bai went to talk to the Thirteenth Prince. Son, from now on, we'll be following the Thirteenth Prince." Murong Wei said.

"Does that mean Old Bai will always be following the Thirteenth Prince?" Ye Bao asked timidly.

"Hmm, what he said makes sense. No matter how mysterious Prince Qi is, nobody can figure him out. Who knows whose heart he's on? Besides, the Thirteenth Prince doesn't mind you being in the way, yet Prince Qi has already kept you as a hostage in Yanxi Palace. After weighing the options, Mommy thinks it's better to stay with the Thirteenth Prince. It'll be easier to turn against him later," Murong Wei said earnestly.

Ye Bao nodded repeatedly, his head practically snapping off, his small, innocent face filled with horror.

Was it really such a coincidence? Wasn't this play the Empress Dowager was putting on for the dog emperor? How did it end up being seen by Mommy?

"Son, you've been with the Empress Dowager all day, haven't you seen Prince Qi?" Murong Wei asked.

"Mommy, where's Lao Bai?" Ye Bao asked instead of answering.

"I wonder where he's off partying again," Murong Wei said, glancing down and muttering, "This is the first time I've seen a groom so late."

In the main hall, Xuan Yuanlie sat on the right with a somber expression, flanked by the court officials and the envoys of the Liusha Kingdom. The Empress Dowager, her brows slightly furrowed, sat on the left, flanked by the Qi King's numerous wives and concubines, with Consort Xi at the head. Consort De, who hadn't yet appeared, was also present, her face veiled.

The wedding of a prince's principal wife was quite elaborate; all the wives and concubines had to pay their respects.

The auspicious hour had passed, but the area in front of the hall remained relatively quiet. Yelü Lingrong stood obediently, her head covered by a bright red veil, while the area behind the hall was already buzzing with discussion.

"Mommy, I just saw Sister Li and Granny Dai looking for Lao Bai!" Ye Bao blurted out.

"Lao Bai?" Murong Wei frowned.

"King Qi! King Qi! You misspoke!" Ye Bao quickly corrected him, his young face filled with a complex and conflicted expression incongruous with his age.

"Really? Could it be that he ran away from the marriage?" Murong Wei asked suspiciously.

"Mommy, I don't like King Qi marrying that princess," Ye Bao said faintly, looking inexplicably disappointed.

"Who he marries is none of your business. Could it be that you've transferred your affections from Princess Qi Xi to this princess of Liu Sha Kingdom?" Murong Wei laughed.

"No way," Ye Bao pouted, about to speak again, when suddenly a loud shout came from below, "King Qi has arrived..."

Instantly, the previously noisy and murmuring hall fell silent, and Xuan Yuan Lie, who had been keeping his head down, finally slowly raised his head...

He wasn't dressed in red, but in formal court attire—a white robe with gold thread patterns and a four-clawed golden dragon, perfectly fitting his figure and dignified, without any superfluous adornments. His long, flowing black hair was held up by a low-key yet luxurious black jade hairpin. Many present were seeing him in court attire for the first time, so ethereal and otherworldly, in no way inferior to the emperor who sat high on the nine-dragon throne in the Xuanyuan Hall every day.

He showed no sign of panic at being late, remaining calm and aloof. His face, slightly paler than average, was breathtakingly handsome; his eyebrows, nose, and thin lips were so perfect, as if he had stepped out of a painting. He walked slowly forward, hands behind his back, his gaze fixed ahead. Wherever he went, all the bustling revelry paled in comparison.

The entire hall fell silent, everyone holding their breath as they watched him slowly pass by, stopping beside Princess Lingrong, who was dressed in a bright red wedding gown.

The wedding dress, a blend of Central Plains and Liusha styles, possessed the delicate elegance of Central Plains silk and jade ornaments, and the extravagant luxury of Liusha fox fur and jewels. Even the Empress Dowager had just praised it.

Yet, standing beside her, the dress seemed utterly vulgar, as if they were worlds apart, completely mismatched.

He stopped, gazing at the pair of candles in the hall, his cool eyes reflecting a quietude unchanging for years. The candlelight flickered in his eyes, and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought. The hall, filled with joy and celebration, contained only him.

Who was it that, in his youth, had earnestly vowed with his mother that when he married, he would be like his father, having a gown made of the most precious silk and gold thread, that the entire capital of Xuanyuan would be deserted, the red carpets lining the streets, and that he would personally wait at Xuanwu Gate early in the morning, leading his beloved into the Xuanyuan Palace?

"Che'er, why are you only arriving now?" The Empress Dowager's voice disturbed his thoughts.

He then bowed to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, replying, "I went out of the palace a few days ago and returned late. Please forgive me, Your Majesty and Mother."

"Is that so? With the wedding imminent, is there some urgent matter that requires Seventh Brother to leave the city?" Xuan Yuanlie asked, concealing his anger.

"A mine was discovered outside the city. I went to check it out myself; it's a small mine," he replied, his tone always so indifferent, leaving no one knowing whether he was happy or sad.

The word "mine" immediately rendered Xuan Yuanlie speechless, and the previous discussion abruptly ceased. The late Emperor had once issued an edict, "Mines are more important than life!"

"Quickly change your clothes and apologize to the bride." Xuan Yuanlie couldn't pursue the matter further. He hadn't even graced the occasion when marrying Gu Xihe, but this time was different. Yelü Lingrong was essentially a woman he didn't want, whom he had dumped in the Qi Prince's residence. How could he not come and watch the spectacle?

Yanxi Palace was protected by the late emperor's edict, and Prince Qi controlled the mines of the realm. For years, this mother and son had been a thorn in his side. How could he sit securely on the throne without finding a way to remove them? However, the mother and son never fought for power, never left any evidence, and Prince Qi was not only renowned but also deeply loved by the people!

There was only one way: start with the women around him. With Yelü Lingrong's arrival, Prince Qi's mansion had women from the four vassal states, as well as many daughters of powerful officials in the court. With more women, there would be more turmoil in Prince Qi's mansion.

He hadn't poisoned him last time, but he wouldn't show any mercy this time! He wanted Prince Qi's mansion to never have a chance to recover!

"Court attire is superior to ceremonial attire. This is also a sign of respect for the princess of Liusha Kingdom who is being sent to marry a foreign ruler. What do you think, Your Majesty?" Xuan Yuanche asked calmly.

"Hehe, Seventh Brother is indeed thoughtful." Xuan Yuanlie smiled.

"The auspicious time has passed. There's no better time than now. Let's perform the ceremony!" Empress Dowager Xi spoke up.

Granny Dai immediately stepped forward and called out, "Music begin!"

Instantly, ceremonial music filled the air, solemn and melodious. Amidst the music, Granny Dai proclaimed, "First bow to Heaven and Earth..."

"Ye Bao, why does it feel so dull?" Murong Wei, watching from the roof beam, was almost asleep. Despite the festive atmosphere, the room felt oppressive.

"Yes, I feel something's off too," Ye Bao said softly, her eyes fixed on Xuan Yuan Che as he and his bride bowed to Heaven and Earth and were about to bow to each other.

"Only heaven knows if he's happy or not!" Murong Wei said, turning to leave.

"What?" Ye Bao asked, puzzled. "

Let's go, there's nothing to see. Even if Prince Qi marries a hundred more women, they'll all look the same," Murong Wei said.

"Mommy, did I really look like Prince Qi when I was little?" Ye Bao asked seriously.

"No, no, no! You're joking, and you're actually taking it seriously? I told you you were picked up from a garbage dump, why don't you take that seriously?" Murong Wei asked with a smile.

"Mommy, Lao Bai loves to join in the fun, why isn't he here?" Ye Bao asked again, looking sullen.

"What's wrong with you?" Murong Wei noticed Ye Bao's odd behavior, pinched his cheek, and frowned.

"Nothing... I just miss Lao Bai." Ye Bao said casually, turning around to hug the roof beam and continuing to look down, not intending to leave.

"Who knows where he went? Let's go, there's nothing to see. I tricked the Thirteenth Prince out to pay the bill, he's waiting in the backyard. I'll take you to eat your fill. You haven't tried any of the snacks in the capital yet, have you? The wedding banquet and the wedding night festivities will take forever, the Empress Dowager won't be calling you back so soon." Murong Wei laughed.

"I'm already stuffed, I'm just waiting, I'll make a scene in the wedding night!" Ye Bao said resentfully.

"It's not like I stole your Seventh Princess, why are you so upset? I'll secretly tell you, we're going to the Big Winner later, I heard it's the biggest gambling den in the world, with the Thirteenth Prince leading the way, you can play as much as you want!" Murong Wei tempted.

However, the ever-playful Ye Bao remained completely unmoved, his eyes still glued to Xuan Yuan Che, who had already finished his vows.

"Let's go!" Murong Wei tugged at him. Xuan Yuan Li, with his volatile temper, wouldn't wait a moment; she had finally managed to persuade him to go see the "Big Winner" show, which only started in the second half of the night.

They'd already enjoyed the excitement, and now they could grab a late-night snack—the timing was perfect.

"No, I want to make a scene in the bridal chamber!" Ye Bao insisted resolutely.

"I bet if you keep making a scene, you'll get dragged back by the Empress Dowager." Murong Wei rolled her eyes at him, paused, but Ye Bao still didn't change his mind. Helpless, she probed again, "Mommy's really leaving!"

Ye Bao waved his hand without turning his head.

"Who knows, Lao Bai might come soon too!" Murong Wei said again.

Ye Bao waved again, and Murong Wei sighed, leaned closer and turned his little head, saying, "Just look, don't be too playful. Mommy will come to pick you up from the palace in a few days."

Ye Bao nodded, his mind completely on the ground. Murong Wei planted a heavy kiss on his forehead before leaving.

At this time, the wedding ceremony below was completed, and all of Qi Wang's wives and concubines were performing the kneeling ceremony. Even Xi Fei, who had been demoted to the Left Consort, had to kneel.

This was to give Yelü Lingrong and the envoy from the Liusha Kingdom enough face!

After the ceremony, Granny Dai brought the wedding scales, which Xuan Yuanche took without hesitation and gently lifted Yelü Lingrong's red veil.

Yelü Lingrong, dressed in a bright red gown, looked incredibly beautiful. Despite her usual composure and experience with many grand occasions, she panicked upon seeing Xuan Yuanche. Perhaps her heart hadn't calmed down since he arrived.

She dared not look at him too closely, yet she couldn't help herself, timidly raising her head only to quickly lower it again upon meeting his cool, clear eyes. She was completely like a girl experiencing her first love, not a princess sent for a political marriage with ulterior motives.

She couldn't control herself. She had long heard of the Prince of Qi's reputation, but missed him at the city gate, and he arrived late and left without a word at the family banquet. This was only the second time she had seen him, the first time she had seen him so closely, and it was far more beautiful than she had imagined. He was her husband, tonight would be their wedding night, and for countless days and nights to come, he would share her bed, even holding her as she slept.

Thinking of this, Yelü Lingrong clenched her hands. The Khan and her brother had their plans, but she was determined to force Prince Qi, her husband, to the Liusha Kingdom before the Khan acted!

The music resumed, and the wedding banquet began. Xuanyuan Lie and the Empress Dowager descended the steps. Xuanyuan Che should have led the way, hand in hand with his bride, but instead, he turned and went to support his mother.

Everyone noticed and whispered amongst themselves. Yelü Lingrong snapped out of her reverie. Seeing the strange looks around her, she felt a surge of anger and embarrassment, but she had to suppress it. She stepped forward gracefully, took the Empress Dowager's other hand, and smiled slightly at Xuanyuan Che.

Xuanyuan Che simply nodded, expressionless, and remained silent.

The wedding night was after the banquet. Ye Bao hesitated for a moment, then silently jumped down and tugged at the nanny Dai, who was walking behind.

"Nanny, come here, I have something to ask you!" Ye Bao whispered, her young face full of seriousness.

“If you have anything to say, go back to the palace. The banquet is about to begin, and I need to get away for the Empress Dowager. We won’t be long; we’ll be leaving soon, so don’t go too far,” said Granny Dai.

“It’s important, I…” Before Ye Bao could finish speaking, Granny Dai hurried away, her figure disappearing into the crowd.

Ye Bao frowned and turned to head directly towards Prince Qi’s Jingxuan. Tonight’s bridal chamber would be in Jingxuan, wouldn’t it?

He had followed the Empress Dowager and Granny Dai, so of course he had already inquired about various things in Prince Qi’s residence.

Jingxuan was not decorated as a bridal chamber. There was only a pair of auspicious dragon and phoenix candles lit inside. Normally, only the bridal chamber of the principal wife would be here, but Prince Qi’s residence was special. In the residence, all concubines of the sixth rank and above would have their bridal chamber here every time they got married. This was not for any other reason than that even the concubines in Prince Qi’s residence were of great status.

The principal wife, Consort Xi, was the daughter of the prime minister; the left consort, Consort Zhen, was a princess of the Shang Kingdom; the right

consort, Consort De, was the daughter of a general of the Han Kingdom; Yu Ji came from Nanzhao; Mo Ji was the daughter of a Grand Councilor; and Xue Ji was a princess of the Liusha Kingdom. These ladies had all undergone grand wedding ceremonies and had naturally entered the bridal chamber of Jingxuan.

The entire Jingxuan was quiet, with only a few guards at the gate and a maidservant dozing off in the courtyard. Ye Bao climbed over the wall from the back courtyard, sneaked up to the second floor, and went straight to the roof beams. He didn't know what he was going to do, he just thought that Prince Qi couldn't consummate his marriage with that woman, not until he understood the truth!

...

Night deepened, the wedding banquet ended, and the Qi Prince's mansion, which had been bustling all night, finally returned to tranquility. The backyard and main hall were deserted, with only servants left cleaning.

The various courtyards, silent all night, gradually lit up. Tonight, for everyone, it would be a sleepless night.

Gu Xihe leaned alone against the window, gazing at Jingxuan, whose lamps were also lit, her beautiful face filled with grievance, tears streaming down her face.

Tonight belonged to Yelü Lingrong. After tonight, Yelü Lingrong would be the true mistress of the Qi Prince's mansion. At the wedding banquet, no one had even glanced at her, the principal wife, not even her father.

Her former glory, her former honor, would all be shared with others after tonight, including her husband.

No matter how much hatred she felt, she was powerless to change it. This was not something she could alter; from tonight onward, she would have to fawn over this right principal wife, just as everyone else had fawned over her.

In this mansion, apart from Consort De's faction from Han Kingdom, almost all the women above the concubine level were women planted by the emperor to serve Prince Qi. The difference wasn't in their birth or status, but only in who the emperor currently favored and who he intended to use. Xu,

the nanny hiding inside, felt sorry for her. Seeing Jingxuan's lamp go out, she rushed forward, "Master, you've had a long day, go to sleep."

"No!" Gu Xihe stubbornly blurted out, her eyes fixed on the darkness ahead.

"Your Highness, why are you doing this? When you entered Prince Qi's mansion, you should have known you'd end up like this," Xu advised.

"Nanny, you say the emperor's own harem is empty, and he's sending all the women to Prince Qi's mansion? Isn't he afraid of being childless?" Gu Xihe said coldly.

"Oh dear, what's wrong with you today? If this gets out, your whole family will be executed!" Xu's face turned pale with fright, and she kept looking around.

"Granny, don't worry. Even if the Emperor hears this, he won't do anything to me. After all, I'm still the Prime Minister's daughter and the Left Consort of Prince Qi's Mansion. Before the real storm hits Prince Qi's Mansion, the Emperor will just pretend he didn't hear anything!" Gu Xihe said coldly.

Granny Xu was helpless, afraid that her mistress would say something treasonous again, so she didn't dare to persuade her any further and just stayed by her side.

Meanwhile, Jingxuan, who had been being watched by Gu Xihe, didn't have a wedding night celebration. Instead

, there was Ye Bao, who was hiding on the roof beam, preparing to leave. He waited for a long time, only to have Sister Li blow out the candles. Prince Qi and Yelü Lingrong were nowhere to be seen.

Ye Bao didn't have the energy to investigate why and went straight to Yelü Lingrong's Hibiscus Courtyard.

The Hibiscus Courtyard was converted from an empty courtyard to the right of Gu Xihe's Sunset Courtyard. Although it was not large, the circular walls around it were very beautifully constructed, with a luxurious and exquisite Western Region style of gilded gold.

Unlike the two-story pavilions in the various courtyards of Prince Qi's mansion, this was a large tent-like structure. Ye Bao stealthily made his way along the outer perimeter, finally spotting the gate, when he saw a dark figure approaching from the other side. Someone was there!

His small stature certainly had its advantages; the person didn't see him. Unlike Ye Bao's cautiousness, the person seemed more wary of someone coming out than of being discovered by someone outside.

Ye Bao remained hidden in the grass, watching as the person cautiously crouched to the side by the window, carefully peeking through the curtains.

The person looked intently, as if determined to discover something.

Ye Bao boldly approached, and by the moonlight, finally saw the person clearly—it was Cai Zai!

Wasn't this Cai Zai, one of Prince Qi's personal guards?

Was he peeping into Prince Qi's bridal chamber? Why would he do this?

Ye Bao frowned, a plan forming in his mind. How could he miss such a good opportunity? He didn't even need to show his face; a single shout of "assassin!" would bring everything in the tent to a halt. With his embellishment and adding fuel to the fire, he could keep the entire Qi Prince's mansion abuzz until dawn!

His narrow eyes narrowed slightly as he pondered where to stand. Just then, a figure suddenly appeared, landing less than five steps in front of him!

Ye Bao immediately ducked, thankfully he had been lying prone the whole time!

"Master! Why did you come personally?" Cai Zai whispered, his voice completely unlike the usual lively and energetic boy, extremely calm and collected.

Ye Bao was slightly puzzled, unfamiliar with Cai Zai's voice, but quite interested in his master.

However, the reply quickly made him tremble!

"The master sent me personally to deliver the medicine. Here, figure it out yourself." This voice was not only sinister, but also androgynous. Ye Bao immediately knew he was in trouble—it was Eunuch Liu, the emperor's trusted advisor!

How could this be?!

Is Prince Qi's personal bodyguard an apprentice of the emperor's personal eunuch?

What kind of medicine is this old pale-faced man bringing?

"Master underestimated Princess Yelü. She's even more eager to trap Prince Qi than you are! Smell her scent." Cai Zai sneered.

"Heh, Yelü Lingrong isn't simple either!" Eunuch Liu also sneered.

"This is Xuanyuan. What the master says goes. The more capable she is, the easier it is for the master to get things done!" Cai Zai said coldly.

"Come to the palace. The storm in Prince Qi's mansion is about to begin." Eunuch Liu said, then turned and left. Cai Zai glanced into the house again before following him.

Ye Bao buried her head in the grass, her little ears straining to hear every word of the conversation. She jumped in surprise, her little heart pounding wildly.

She hadn't expected that not only were the women beside Prince Qi spies, but the men were too.

Cai Zai was an undercover agent, but what about Jin Chan?

Did Prince Qi have any true confidants?

What exactly was this "storm" that Eunuch Liu had mentioned?

He pondered for a long, long time, then suddenly remembered what they had just said. He immediately jumped up and cautiously approached, lifting the curtain.

Inside the tent, everything was in the style of the Flowing Sand Kingdom. From a distance, on the tiger-skin couch, a man and a woman's bodies were almost overlapping. The woman lying below had disheveled clothes, bare shoulders, and long, slender, white legs wrapped around the man's waist—it was Yelü Lingrong

. The man on top of her, dressed in court attire, was clearly the Prince of Qi! "Your Majesty, tonight, Lingrong is yours." Yelü Lingrong's voice was incredibly seductive, her hands alluringly clinging to Xuan Yuanche's neck.

Xuan Yuanche's long, deep eyes were terrifyingly dark as he looked at her without speaking.

This was the first time Yelü Lingrong had seen his eyes so closely, and the first time she had seen a different color in his usually cold eyes—amber eyes that could be captivatingly deep!

Chapter 131 - 140