"The old servant naturally knows. Xiao Rou used to be in the Crab Pavilion. Three years ago, the Qingfeng Palace released three palace maids, and there was a vacancy. I thought she was beautiful and agile, so I recommended her to go there..."

"When the body was retrieved, why didn't you come out to see?" Xu Qi'an suddenly asked.

"How could I dare to look? I'm old, and I can't bear to see dead bodies."

"Oh, continue talking about this Huang Xiao Rou."

It seemed that Rong Mama had become emotionally unstable due to her old age, and suddenly became angry. "That girl is heartless. If it weren't for me recommending her, could she have become the head palace maid by the side of the Empress? For so many years, she has never come back to see me."

"Those ungrateful men still know how to show filial piety to their godfathers. Hmph, it's when a woman becomes heartless and unfaithful that it truly chills people's hearts."

"Mama, don't say that. You're old and can't avoid the cunning attacks of a boxer." Xu Qi'an teased, then continued:

"When I examined the body, I found that Huang Xiao Rou had a fatal injury to her left chest. Do you know what happened?"

Rong Mama thought for a long time and made a reminiscent expression. "Injured... there was such an incident. It seems that it was the year before Xiao Rou was transferred to the Qingfeng Palace. I don't know what happened, but she stabbed herself in the chest with scissors in the middle of the night."

"Fortunately, the palace maid who shared the room with her discovered it early and called the imperial physician, which saved her life."

Xu Qi'an and Huai Qing frowned at the same time.

There was a loophole in Mama Rong's words. The scar reached her heart, which was a fatal injury. The cost of treatment was not something a palace maid could afford.

"As the saying goes, when one narrowly escapes death, there will be good fortune in the future. Xiao Rou luckily saved her life and went to the Qingfeng Palace the following year. She no longer had to do menial tasks. With her appearance, she had a chance to be favored by His Majesty."

Xu Qi'an recalled the swollen face of Huang Xiao Rou after her death, and his mouth twitched.

Regardless of who saved Huang Xiao Rou, one thing was certain: with such a severe bleeding, she didn't have much time left. How did the person behind her manage to save a palace maid in the middle of the night?

Unless they had been keeping an eye on her.

If Mama Rong wasn't lying, then the problem lies in...

"What is the name of that palace maid?" Huai Qing asked Xu Qi'an before he could ask, and added, "The palace maid who lived with Huang Xiao Rou."

"Your Highness," Mama Rong thought for a long time, uncertain, and said, "It seems like... her name is He'er?"

Clearly, Xu Qi'an saw Huai Qing's pupils contract for a moment.

She knew the palace maid named He'er... Xu Qi'an made a judgment in his heart.

"I'm done asking. Do the two Highnesses have anything else to add?" Xu Qi'an looked at Huai Qing and Lin'an.

Lin'an shook his head in cooperation, while Huai Qing had a heavy look on her face and did not respond.

Xu Qi'an was about to leave and continue investigating the imperial pharmacy when Mama Rong suddenly said, "This sir, there is something I want to tell you."

Saying that, Mama Rong stood up and walked to the other side.

Xu Qi'an followed, and Mama Rong looked at the distant figures of Huai Qing and the others, then withdrew her gaze and looked at Xu Qi'an, speaking with a serious tone:

"This sir, there are too many things in the depths of the palace that cannot be hidden. Once you step in, you will sink deeper and deeper."

"Mama Rong, I must say you are simple. You are like a firefly in the dark night. Your gray hair, age spots on your face, and big belly have all amazed me." Xu Qi'an praised.

If there are any more secrets, just tell me.

"You speak so nicely, it's all because of your handsome appearance that I'm saying this." Mama Rong slowly returned to her recliner and stopped talking.

Xu Qi'an didn't leave and was surprised. "Is that all?"

Mama Rong shook her head. "The old servant doesn't know much. There are things in the depths of the palace that the old servant shouldn't know."

...Hey, this old woman is wasting my emotions! I thought she knew something.

According to Xu Qi'an's thinking, since Mama Rong wanted to talk to him alone, there must be some "unspeakable secret" waiting for him behind.

But it turned out to be just a warning!

Outside the Crab Pavilion, Hong Qun, dressed in a bright red dress, was still waiting outside, but Huai Qing's figure was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is the Crown Princess?"

Upon hearing this, Hong Qun immediately became unhappy and raised her eyebrows. "You keep mentioning Huai Qing, have you forgotten who you are? I'm waiting here. Just pretend you didn't see me."

Under the sunlight, her round egg-shaped face had a soft and delicate complexion, with a rosy hue on her cheeks, like a flawless jade, without any flaws.

Due to her raised eyebrows, her peach blossom eyes were filled with dissatisfaction.

Even when she was angry, she was mostly adorable.

"The Crown Princess has finally left. No one will disturb us now." Xu Qi'an said happily.

Upon hearing this, Hong Qun's face blushed slightly, and she looked guilty as she glanced at the nearby guards. She whispered, "Servant, you're not allowed to talk to me like that."

As an unmarried princess, she couldn't resist the attack of sweet words. When she heard cheesy love words, she would feel both shy and embarrassed.

"Your Highness is too modest. Your Highness is like a beam of light in the darkness, so brilliant that even the sun cannot overshadow your radiance..." Xu Qi'an changed the sentence structure and said it in front of Princess Lin'an.

Hong Qun felt both delighted and embarrassed, and also a little helpless. She didn't know when it started, but she gradually found that she couldn't control this little copper gong.

When she first took him from Huai Qing, he was obedient and promised to cut off all ties with Huai Qing and serve her wholeheartedly.

But over time, she realized that she couldn't control this man herself. He appeared humble and respectful on the surface, but when they were alone, she was always at a disadvantage.

And she had never paid attention to this kind of interaction. After all, even in front of Huai Qing, she was a woman who strived to be superior.

Thinking of this, Hong Qun raised her beautifully curved jaw and questioned, "Why didn't you say this when Huai Qing was here?"

How could I say such things in front of you... If it were Huai Qing, I would have to change my words: Your Highness is like a pure and flawless snow lotus in the wind and snow, your enchanting appearance, slender and straight legs, and exaggerated 36D chest... have deeply amazed me.

Xu Qi'an changed the topic: "Where did the Princess Chang go?"

"How would I know?"

Biao Biao seemed to want to roll her eyes, but considering etiquette, she forcibly held back and said, "Let's hurry to the Imperial Pharmacy. Investigating a case is like putting out a fire, we can't delay."

Xu Qi'an looked at her and guessed, "Are you worried about Huai Qing destroying the evidence?"

Biao Biao pretended not to hear and walked lightly in front, her skirt swaying, revealing a peach-like figure.

"When God bestowed wisdom upon the world, this princess, although as clever as a bell, cleverly took an umbrella... Dealing with her is indeed simpler and easier than dealing with Huai Qing... But she's just too arrogant, making it hard to guard against." Xu Qi'an muttered in his heart, accompanying the princess to the Imperial Pharmacy.

.........

Lingbao Temple.

In the quiet room filled with the fragrance of incense, two women of extraordinary status sat facing each other, drinking tea. Sunlight shone through the lattice windows, casting neat square beams on the floor.

Dust particles floated in the beams of light.

Luo Yuheng sat on a cushion with the word "Dao" on its backrest. She held floating dust in one hand and a teacup in the other, taking a sip. She squinted her beautiful eyes, highlighting her curly and dense eyelashes.

"The tea made from Southern Garden flowers is different from ordinary tea. If I could drink a pot of it every day, I wouldn't want to become a deity." Luo Yuheng sighed.

Sitting across from Luo Yuheng was a woman wearing a complex indigo-colored long dress, with a magnificent headdress and a veil covering her face.

Her face was hidden beneath the veil, only revealing the contours of her cheeks. She had a pair of clear autumn-water eyes and delicate eyebrows.

"This tea takes three years to mature and only produces three catties. Most of it is offered to the palace." The veiled woman's voice was soft and magnetic, full of the charm of a mature woman.

She lifted the veil, took a sip, and then asked, "Has anything interesting happened in the capital recently?"

Luo Yuheng helplessly said, "You're not interested in court disputes, but isn't the most thrilling and memorable thing this? As for the cases, from the tax embezzlement case to the Sangbo case, you've heard them several times... This is the capital, there aren't that many cases to tell you."

"The case of the Imperial Concubine Fu hasn't been concluded yet." The veiled woman's eyebrows and eyes curved slightly, as if she was smiling.

"That case is still being investigated by that Gong Gong. I don't know the specific details." Luo Yuheng finished her tea with a "thump thump thump" and poured herself another cup. "After all, it's a matter of the emperor's family. If you're interested, you can ask Princess Huai Qing."

"Forget it, I don't want to bother with people from the imperial family." The woman shook her head and continued, "I've seen that Gong Gong twice, and I find him somewhat annoying."

"You've seen him?" Luo Yuheng was taken aback.

The veiled woman nodded, her jade-like finger dipped in tea water, drawing a pig head on the tea table. She raised her eyebrows and hummed, "He took my sachet and refused to return it."

Luo Yuheng nodded and continued the topic, "This person is extraordinary. He is highly regarded by Wei Yuan and is being cultivated with great effort. Given time, The Great Feng will produce another high-ranking warrior with limitless potential."

Under the veil, she sneered. No matter how high he rises, he can't hold his head up in The Great Feng with the Northern King there. He's just a gong gong."

Luo Yuheng smiled. That gong gong had good talent. He was appreciated by Wei Yuan and chosen by the Earth Sect as the holder of the Earth Book. However, there were countless heroes in the world, and he was just one of the outstanding ones.

"I do admire his investigative abilities. So many major cases, ups and downs, the process is interesting." The veiled woman said.

Luo Yuheng was about to speak when her cheeks suddenly flushed with a captivating blush. She frowned, put down her teacup, and whispered, "Nanzhi, you should go back first..."

The veiled woman glanced at her, nodded slightly, got up, walked to the door, and suddenly turned back, helplessly saying, "If it doesn't work out, just accept Emperor Yuan Jing, or find a man. The monthly burning of the evil fire, I'm afraid you'll become a slut."

Luo Yuheng ignored her, her eyebrows furrowing even tighter.

The veiled woman opened the door of the quiet room, walked out from under the eaves, and followed the path paved with bluestones, leaving the backyard.

"Hoo..."

Luo Yuheng exhaled a hot breath, propped herself up on the tea table, and when she brushed against her plump chest, she let out an extremely seductive moan, her legs weakened, almost collapsing to the ground.

She stumbled out of the quiet room, her beautiful face flushed, her eyes watery and charming, as if she had just experienced a passionate encounter, incredibly alluring.

"Meow~"

A soft meow came, and an orange cat leaped in from the outer wall, agilely jumping onto the rockery behind Luo Yuheng, obediently squatting there.

"Being burned by the evil fire will destroy your foundation. Luo Yuheng, you can only hold on for another three years at most." The orange cat spoke with a gentle and vicissitudes-filled voice.

"Why did Senior Brother come?" Luo Yuheng soaked in the water, half-opening her starry eyes.

"I'll show you a clear path." The orange cat said, "The Rebirth Pill from the Bureau of Heavenly Masters can alleviate your symptoms. Now it's lust, and next will be greed, anger, delusion, and hatred... You'll have a hard time."

"Ah, among the three sects of the Dao, only the Heavenly Sect is not burdened by the bustling world. Perhaps the philosophy of the Heavenly Sect is correct."Luo Yuheng opened her eyes and sneered, "The Heavenly Sect is heartless and ruthless, blending with heaven and earth, devoid of joy and sorrow, love and hate. Even if one ascends to immortality, they will lose their self. This is the path of evil."

She paused, then frowned, "How could I not know that the Rebirth Pill can alleviate the symptoms, but the Bureau of Heavenly Masters has always disliked my Human Sect, they would never gift me the pill."

The orange cat spoke unhurriedly, "Xu Qi'an has taken the Rebirth Pill, and the medicinal effect has not yet dissipated. Take a bowl of his essence blood as a medicinal guide. The refined pill may not be as good as the Rebirth Pill, but it can solve the urgent need."

"He might give me some face."

Luo Yuheng was silent for a moment, "You should encourage yourself. The strand of demonic nature you split off occupies most of your power. With your current remnant soul, it's wishful thinking to want to eradicate the demon."

The orange cat chuckled, "At that time, I will need my junior sister's help. Of course, by the time I am confident enough to subdue the demon, the holders of the Earth Book fragments will have mostly grown up. Junior sister just needs to support from the side."

Luo Yuheng frowned, "Senior brother should know that unless I step into the first rank, with my current state, if I am entangled by karma, I will most likely perish."

"So, next I will help junior sister step into the first rank."

Luo Yuheng turned her head sharply, her beautiful eyes staring intently at the orange cat without speaking.

"Why doesn't junior sister dual cultivate with Emperor Yuan Jing?" The orange cat raised its paw, seemingly wanting to lick it, but reason overcame habit.

"His destiny is not enough." Luo Yuheng said.

This was the first time she explained why she didn't dual cultivate with Emperor Yuan Jing.

The orange cat slowly nodded, "So you are just using his destiny to suppress the karmic fire, but not going further. What's next? Junior sister must have a follow-up plan, right?"

Luo Yuheng nodded, "Wait for the new emperor to ascend the throne."

The new emperor ascends the throne... The orange cat suddenly understood, then frowned, "With the Great Feng's increasingly weakening national power, it will only get worse with each generation. Among Emperor Yuan Jing's descendants, there is no one capable of revitalizing the dynasty. You know this better than I do."

Luo Yuheng smiled, "Revitalization doesn't necessarily have to rely on the emperor. With Wei Yuan, the empire's repairman, as long as he can survive the purge after Emperor Yuan Jing's death and control the new emperor, the empire will eventually recover and prosper."

"So you plan to wait for the national power to recover, then dual cultivate with the new emperor..." The orange cat first nodded, then shook its head, "This is not urgent. The reason for the Great Feng's weakening is not simple. The implications behind it are terrifying when you think about it."

Luo Yuheng frowned, "In terms of long-term planning, senior brother is no less than Wei Yuan."

"I'm just guessing, things are not clear yet." The orange cat finished speaking, then said, "By the way, Li Miaozhen is coming to the capital."

"You can call back the fourth one, as a disciple of the Human Sect, it is his duty to deal with the Saintess of the Heavenly Sect."

"This... they are all members of the Heaven and Earth Society, it's not good to let them fight each other."

Luo Yuheng gave him a disdainful look.

Well... when the time comes, push Xu Qi'an out to muddy the waters... The orange cat thought to himself.

........

Imperial Pharmacy.

The old eunuch in charge found a book from the bookshelf and handed it to Xu Qi'an, who had come to investigate the case. His voice was sharp, "The income and expenditure records of the Imperial Pharmacy are cleared every five years. If you come a few years later, you won't be able to find anything."

In the side hall, Huai Qing held a bowl of tea, her lively eyes spinning, staring at the book.

Xu Qi'an thought she wanted to see it, so he said, "Did the princess come to find it?"

"I can't be bothered to look at these things, they give me a headache." She said crisply.

Xu Qi'an really didn't understand, how did that stupid girl Chu Caiwei become best friends with Huai Qing? Shouldn't it be birds of a feather flock together?

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Chu Caiwei was obviously with Lin An, and the situation was great.

"Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent, it's just that your talent lies elsewhere." Xu Qi'an opened the book and said, "I have a younger sister at home who is as smart as the princess, but she didn't put her talent in studying."

"Where did she put it?"

"She put it in memorizing recipes."

"......."

This book records the income and expenditure of all the pills in the Imperial Pharmacy in the 32nd year of Emperor Yuan Jing.

According to Huang Xiaorou's injuries, the pills that could save her were few, so it was easy to find. All he needed to do was to ask the Imperial Pharmacy which pills could "bring back the dead", follow the names of the pills to find them, and he could easily find them.

But after searching for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xu Qi'an found that he couldn't find any clues.

"In the 32nd year of Emperor Yuan Jing, the Bureau of Heavenly Masters and Lingbao View sent a total of 364 types of pills, totaling 789 bottles. Among them, there were only three types of first-class pills, which were given to the outer ministers by His Majesty in the 32nd, 33rd, and 36th years."

Xu Qi'an closed the book and looked at Lin An, "I didn't find the pill that saved Huang Xiaorou."

Upon hearing this, the smart Lin An thought for a long time, "The pill didn't come from the Imperial Pharmacy?"

Xu Qi'an shook his head, "Looking at the Great Feng, the only ones who can refine pills are Lingbao View and the Bureau of Heavenly Masters, so the pill must have come from these two places.

"Huang Xiaorou, a palace maid, if there was no one behind her to save her, she would undoubtedly die. But who in the harem could reach out to the Bureau of Heavenly Masters and Lingbao View for pills without going through the Imperial Pharmacy?"

There was only one answer: Emperor Yuan Jing!

It couldn't be him. The Imperial Pharmacy was Emperor Yuan Jing's, the entire palace was his, the Imperial Pharmacy was his institution for obtaining pills, he had no reason to bypass the Imperial Pharmacy. It was like my salary card was used to deposit my salary, I had no need to open another bank card and secretly hide my pocket money... Xu Qi'an thought of a possibility.

........

PS: Sorry, I had something to do in the morning, so the update was late. In order to let you continue reading, I made a huge decision to stop myself from committing seppuku.

There will be three updates today, with a total of about 15,000 words.