"Little eunuch, help me with a favor and investigate a palace maid named 'He'er'."

Xu Qi'an put down the book and instructed the little eunuch sent by Emperor Yuan Jing to supervise him.

The little eunuch obediently left.

After he left, Xu Qi'an looked through the book again, page by page, reading it very carefully.

I really can't stand these ancient account books... There are few words written, but many strokes, it hurts my eyes... Xu Qi'an spent an hour carefully reading the records of the entire year.

He closed the book and looked at the old eunuch in charge, asking, "Where is the toilet?"

The old eunuch replied, "In the backyard."

Xu Qi'an immediately went to the toilet, but instead of taking out his 8=====D, he took out a fragment of a map and found the Confucian version of the magic book given to him by the Great Scholars.

He tore off the divination page and burned it.

Two clear lights shot out from his eyes, then slowly converged.

After brushing himself with divination, Xu Qi'an returned to the side hall and calmly asked the old eunuch, "I found some problems with the book. You need to explain it to me."

"Please speak, sir," the old eunuch replied calmly.

"In the thirty-second year of Emperor Yuan, there should have been elixirs delivered to the treasury every day, right?"

"Well... It's been four years, and we can't remember," the old eunuch felt that the gaze of this bronze gong was restrained and deep, like a hidden vortex, making him uncomfortable.

He didn't lie... Xu Qi'an continued to ask, "When checking the book, I found that the records of income and expenditure for February 10th and February 20th of that year were missing. Were there no elixirs delivered on those days?"

The old eunuch still shook his head, with a bitter expression, "Reporting to sir, we have also forgotten about that."

Still not lying, an old eunuch wouldn't have a magic tool to shield his fate... Getting old is useless, memory loss... Xu Qi'an returned the book to the old eunuch and instructed, "Give me the records of the Royal Pharmacy's in and out movements for the past five days. I will arrange for someone to assist."

The so-called assistance was to supervise the old eunuch. Xu Qi'an had already thought of the person for the job, the little eunuch sent by Emperor Yuan Jing to supervise him.

This little eunuch was the eyes and ears of Emperor Yuan Jing. He would report everything to Emperor Yuan Jing in detail.

Lin An leaned close to Xu Qi'an's ear and whispered, "Do you suspect that someone tore up the book?"

"When the old eunuch was looking for the book, there was obvious accumulated dust on the cover, and there were a few fingerprints on it. The marks were fresh. I can be sure that it happened within the past five days."

Impressive!

The Second Prince praised Xu Qi'an in his heart, becoming more and more confident in him.

At this moment, the little eunuch hurriedly came to report, his face looking very unpleasant, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"You can leave for now," Xu Qi'an dismissed the old eunuch in charge of managing the Royal Pharmacy.

The little eunuch still didn't speak, cautiously glancing at Lin An.

"Am I not allowed to hear it too?" Lin An became angry, her eyebrows raised.

Sure enough, although Biao Biao wasn't very smart, she had the typical spoiled princess attitude, but she favored me more... Xu Qi'an frowned and said, "Speak."

The little eunuch swallowed his saliva, hesitated for a few seconds, and then whispered, "He'er is a person in the Queen's palace."

For a moment, the side hall fell into silence.

He'er is a person in the Queen's palace, no wonder Huai Qing's mood changed when she heard He'er's name... In other words, the person who saved Huang Xiao Rou back then was the Queen... In other words, Huang Xiao Rou received great favor from the Queen.

And her role in this case is to plot against the Empress Dowager and frame the Crown Prince... The Empress is in trouble.

"Hoo..."

In the midst of his thoughts, Xu Qi'an heard Lin An's heavy breathing beside him.

This is bad...

"I'm going to find Father Emperor."

Lin An gritted her teeth and left a sentence, suddenly stood up and walked out.

Xu Qi'an quickly grabbed her hand and comforted her, "Your Highness, it's too early to draw conclusions now."

"Isn't it obvious? He'er is the Queen's person, Huang Xiao Rou received great favor from the Queen, and the Queen has always wanted to harm my Crown Prince brother to let her son inherit the position of Crown Prince. The motive is sufficient, isn't it?" Lin An turned her head, glaring angrily.

"Are you stopping me now because you still have feelings for Huai Qing?"

She was referring to the matter of "changing jobs," after all, Xu Qi'an was taken away from Huai Qing by her.

Damn it, the way you said it sounds like I finished with Huai Qing and then had you... If this gets to Emperor Yuan Jing's ears, he might order me to be beheaded... Xu Qi'an glanced at the little eunuch and said in a deep voice, "This matter involves the Empress. If we only find one palace maid and cause a big commotion, accusing the Empress of killing the Empress Dowager and framing the Crown Prince..."

"What if we find out later that the Empress was innocent?" Biao Biao said loudly, "I don't care, the Crown Prince is my brother."

"Your Highness!" Xu Qi'an glared at her, emphasizing his tone.

"...Hmph!" Lin An restrained herself, dissatisfied, "Then what do you suggest?"Those familiar with her personality were not present, otherwise they would be greatly surprised to see the usually willful and capricious Second Princess being so obedient in front of a small copper gong.

"Continue investigating, the princess will observe quietly."

Lin An snorted, clearly dissatisfied with the result, but did not continue to throw a tantrum.

Xu Qi'an turned to the little eunuch and said, "You must inform His Majesty about today's findings in detail. However, remember to keep it simple, only mention the case, not anything else."

I hope you can omit our interaction... Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

The little eunuch remembered the warning from his godfather that day and was deeply moved. Although Mr. Xu had a bad temper, he was very kind-hearted and even worried about someone like him, a small person.

"Rest assured, Mr. Xu, I will only talk about the case and won't say anything else," the little eunuch said loudly.

Is this little eunuch reliable... Xu Qi'an nodded and said, "Later, go find the manager of the imperial pharmacy and get a list from him. It should contain the names of those who entered and exited the imperial pharmacy within the past five days. Then, secretly verify it with the guards."

"Understood."

After leaving the imperial pharmacy, it was around noon. Lin An said she was going to have a meal with her mother, heartlessly abandoning her fiancé who had not yet married her.

Xu Qi'an had no choice but to eat with the eunuchs. The food in the imperial kitchen was for the masters, while the "canteen" for the eunuchs and palace maids was called the small kitchen.

Halfway through the meal, he suddenly heard someone calling behind him, "Mr. Xu..."

He turned his head and saw a Daoist priest in a blue robe hurrying over, happily saying, "Mr. Xu, I finally found you."

He knew that Xu Qi'an would definitely go to the small kitchen to eat, so he deliberately lingered nearby and finally caught him.

Those who could enter and exit the palace must be Daoist priests from the Lingbao Temple. Xu Qi'an clasped his hands and said, "Master."

"I dare not, I dare not," the Daoist priest approached and respectfully returned the gesture, "Mr. Xu, the Daoist Master is inviting you."

"Um..." Xu Qi'an hesitated.

Luo Yuheng was the woman Emperor Yuan Jing had taken a liking to, and he was already entangled with her daughter. He didn't want to displease Emperor Yuan Jing again because of being "too close to the beautiful female national teacher."

In addition, Luo Yuheng was a second-grade expert, and Xu Qi'an didn't want to get too close to a top-level expert he wasn't familiar with. In case she suddenly discovered the existence of Shen Shu... Oh, oh, so you, Xu Qi'an, have already taken on the form of a monk!

Come on, go back to the Sangbo Temple and don't come out for five hundred years. Wait until a monk goes to the Western Heaven to fetch scriptures, then I'll let you out.

It's no problem for the immortal Shen Shu to stay hidden for five hundred years, but what about Xu Qi'an? He couldn't borrow another five hundred years from heaven.

"The national teacher is waiting for you, and wants to invite you to have a meal together," the Daoist priest said.

"Okay!" Xu Qi'an agreed.

Mainly because of this woman, Luo Yuheng... she's too tempting.

........

This was Xu Qi'an's second visit to the Lingbao Temple. He had seen Luo Yuheng when he went there last time to help Taoist Master Jin Lian obtain medicine.

It seemed that the person in charge of the People's Sect was quite fond of him. At that time, she said something very suggestive, but unfortunately Xu Qi'an was a righteous person and ignored her implications.

Xu Qi'an was directly led into a quiet room. There were two cushions, a table, a small stove on the side, and a "Dao" character hanging on the wall, with dragons and phoenixes dancing around it.

The furnishings were extremely simple, with no extra items.

A Daoist disciple brought a large bucket of vegetarian food, mixed with black rice, corn, millet, and other grains, as well as three layers of vegetarian dishes.

"Please enjoy, Mr. Xu. The Daoist Master will be here soon," the disciple respectfully withdrew.

Xu Qi'an didn't eat, but looked at the two bowls and pairs of chopsticks on the table, nodding in satisfaction.

If he had to eat alone, he would turn around and leave now.

"Squeak~"

The closed lattice door was pushed open again, and the female national teacher in a black Daoist robe walked in, holding a feather duster in her arm, her black hair simply tied up with a Daoist hairpin, and a few strands of hair hanging down, giving her a somewhat charming appearance.

The vermilion mark on her forehead highlighted her saintly beauty, blending two different charms in a strange way.

"National Teacher!" Xu Qi'an stood up and bowed.

Luo Yuheng nodded and gestured with her hand, "Please have your meal, Mr. Xu."

"National Teacher, please have your meal as well."

The two sat down and each filled a bowl of rice, eating silently.

Xu Qi'an couldn't figure out the intentions of the beautiful national teacher, so he pondered and didn't speak. Occasionally, he would glance at her while eating, finding her pleasing to the eye.

At first glance, this woman looked like a delicate twenty-year-old, but the longer you looked, you would feel that she was a thirty-year-old charming young woman. Give her a pat on the butt, and she would know how to change her posture.

But if you looked at her for a long time, damn, she was clearly a forty-something top-notch beauty. That plump figure, the charm that couldn't be hidden between her eyebrows and eyes, she was simply a man killer.

Xu Qi'an regained the feeling he had when he first saw her—his mother's friend, a kind aunt, an English female teacher, and so on.

"Is this woman cultivating the Dao or demonic arts?" Xu Qi'an frowned inwardly.There may be various illusions, but it is definitely not his fault. It must be a problem with the cultivation method of the Human Sect, which Taoist Master Jin Lian has confirmed.

The three sects of Heaven, Earth, and Human are all abnormal. The Earth Sect is affected by merits and easily becomes demonic. The situation of the Human Sect is unknown, but it also has aftereffects.

As for the Heaven Sect, the path they take is the biggest problem itself.

Heaven is heartless, only then can it last forever. If humans are heartless, what is the difference from inanimate objects?

According to Xu Qi'an's understanding, the unity of heaven and man is the embodiment of rules.

"I heard Taoist Master Jin Lian say that Xu Gongzi has taken the Rebirth Pill in Yunzhou?" Luo Yuheng spoke up.

Why does Taoist Master Jin Lian need to mention this... Xu Qi'an was taken aback. "Yes."

"I would like to borrow a bowl of your essence blood as a medicine catalyst to refine pills and alleviate my chronic illness."

What kind of chronic illness requires my essence blood as a medicine catalyst? Xu Qi'an glanced at her, not expressing his opinion, but hesitating in his heart, how to refuse her.

Blood, in his previous life, could only be used for blood typing, but in this world, it can be used for many things.

The most impressive one is the curse technique of the God of Witchcraft.

Luo Yuheng seemed to have anticipated his reaction early on. She picked up a chopstick of rice and put it into her rosy little mouth, calmly adding, "This is Taoist Master Jin Lian's suggestion."

Xu Qi'an nodded. "I need to confirm it."

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Luo Yuheng nodded.

In front of her, Xu Qi'an took out a fragment of the Earth Book and was about to communicate through writing, but he remembered that he was now a dead person and couldn't speak.

At this moment, Luo Yuheng looked towards the door and said lightly, "He's here."

Xu Qi'an turned his head and saw an orange cat squatting on the doorstep, its amber vertical pupils looking at them quietly.

"Taoist Master, why are you here... Wait, can't you enter the imperial city?"

The orange cat raised its tail, stepped forward with soft and silent cat steps, and leaped onto the table.

Xu Qi'an gently slapped it away. "Eating, don't bother us, cat fur."

The orange cat had no choice but to crouch on the ground, raise its head, and speak gently, "After the injuries heal, you can freely enter and leave the imperial city, but you still can't enter the palace."

The strength of the Taoist Master is even stronger than I imagined... Xu Qi'an is no longer a rookie now. If he wants to silently infiltrate the imperial city, he would need to be at least a fourth-grade.

Of course, this does not include martial artists.

Due to the characteristics of the martial arts system, even if they are first-grade, they cannot silently infiltrate the imperial city and are likely to be discovered.

Of course, if it's a first-grade martial artist, they can probably solo the "Great Feng Capital" instance.

"What is the essence blood for..." Although Xu Qi'an trusted Taoist Master Jin Lian a lot, he still hesitated.

It's like someone wants to use your computer. Even if they are good friends or relatives, you would still resist it in your heart. After all, whose hard drive doesn't have hundreds of gigabytes of wives?

"It's for the medicinal properties of the Rebirth Pill in your blood." Taoist Master Jin Lian glanced at Luo Yuheng first, seeing that she had no expression, and continued, "The cultivation path of the Human Sect is difficult and full of uncertainties. Luo Daozhu suffers from the burning of the Fire of Karma every month and endures the torment of the Seven Emotions and Six Desires. The Rebirth Pill can shed the old body and give a person a new life, temporarily alleviating the symptoms."

Xu Qi'an nodded slowly and boldly said, "No wonder I feel that the National Teacher has an extraordinary charm."

If Taoist Master Jin Lian wasn't here, he wouldn't dare to say such words.

Taoist Master Jin Lian responded, "When the Human Sect's cultivation reaches a profound level, it possesses the appearance of all living beings, allowing you to see the deepest desires in your heart... I'm referring to the aspect of love."

As he spoke, the orange cat's face showed a human-like smile. "What did you see?"

Luo Yuheng raised her head without much expression and glanced at Xu Qi'an.

Xu Qi'an's expression suddenly froze.

This reaction... Taoist Master Jin Lian was taken aback, then became interested and asked, "You seem to be deeply moved."

I thought I was into black stockings, mature women, lolis, little sisters, but in the end, I realized that I'm just simply lustful... I have never felt so deeply about this statement before... Xu Qi'an chuckled dryly and changed the topic lightly, "Since Taoist Master Jin Lian is the intermediary, I am naturally willing to do my best."

Luo Yuheng nodded in satisfaction and said softly, "If you have any pills you want, feel free to ask for them. Consider it as compensation for your essence blood."

Taoist Master Jin Lian spoke before Xu Qi'an, "No rush, take your time to think. The favor of the Human Sect's Daozhu is not something an ordinary person can obtain."

Luo Yuheng glanced at the orange cat without any fireworks in her eyes.

..........

Jingxiu Palace.

Ling'an arrived at her mother's residence with her guards. She ran into the house, her red dress fluttering, shouting, "Mother, Mother..."

Inside the house, Empress Chen was secretly wiping away her tears. When she saw her daughter running in, she quickly turned her face away and wiped away the tear stains.

The cunning Ling'an suddenly became quiet. She walked slowly to Empress Chen's side, held her hand, and a tender and charming look of concern flashed in her peach blossom eyes:

"Mother, the Crown Prince will be fine. The truth will reveal itself. Please don't cry."

Recently, her emotions have been in a terrible state. Half of it was because of Xu Qi'an's sacrifice, and the other half was due to the Crown Prince's situation, as well as Consort Chen's constant tears.

As a daughter, it pained her to see her mother in such sorrow, shedding tears every day. But she was powerless to do anything about it.

The palace maid standing by her side whispered, "These past few days, some princes from the royal family came to see the Empress. They said that the ministers outside are discussing the matter of establishing a new Crown Prince."

"After hearing this, the Empress cried for a long time and barely ate for two days."

Lin An became furious and cursed, "These short-sighted fools, why would they tell Mother such things?"

She was angry enough to call her uncles fools.

"Lin An, don't speak nonsense." Consort Chen held her daughter's hand tightly, her expression filled with sorrow. "Your Crown Prince brother is of low birth. For years, people have been saying that his position is not legitimate, and it would be better to depose him. That way, I wouldn't have to live in constant fear."

These words ignited a fire in Lin An's heart. She knew her mother was referring to the ambitious ruler of the harem.

A senior palace maid sighed and said softly, "If only the truth of the case could be revealed. But it has been many days, and there has been no progress."

The details of the case had to be kept confidential, as Xu Qi'an had repeatedly emphasized to the two princesses.

But now, seeing her mother growing thinner and her eyes swollen, Lin An couldn't hold back any longer and exclaimed, "Who said there has been no progress? Xu Qi'an has almost solved the case."

Consort Chen's eyes lit up, and she stared intently at her daughter. "The truth of the case will be revealed soon? That, that means Xu Qi'an has really made progress?"

Excitedly, she squeezed Lin An's hand tightly.

"Mother, you're hurting me."

Since she had already spoken up, Lin An no longer concealed anything and said, "Mother, it was the Empress who framed the Crown Prince. It must be her."

Consort Chen's face changed drastically. "Lin An, don't speak nonsense."

"Mother, please calm down. Lin An has solid evidence..."

At that moment, she told Consort Chen the details of the case exactly as they were.

"It really was her. Back then, if it weren't for her lack of virtue, would His Majesty have sent her to the cold palace? Would he have made our son the Crown Prince?" Consort Chen burst into tears.

"His Majesty is kind-hearted and spared her because of their past relationship. But now, after so many years, she has once again set her sights on the position of Crown Prince."

Consort Chen's words were like a thunderclap ringing in Lin An's ears.

What did she just hear?

The Empress lacked virtue? Father wanted to depose her?

When did all of this happen? How did she not know?

In Lin An's mind, the image of the gentle but smile-less Empress appeared. Although she was resentful of her for framing her Crown Prince brother, deep down, Lin An didn't believe that she was a woman lacking virtue.

However, after accepting this earth-shattering news, many details that she had previously overlooked suddenly made sense. For example, the Empress always secluded herself and showed no interest in the affairs of the harem.

For example, since Lin An could remember, she had never seen the Empress smile. Furthermore, the Empress treated Huai Qing and the Fourth Prince with indifference, without the same affection that Consort Chen had for her and the Crown Prince.

"Mother, what... what is going on? The Empress lacks virtue... Who is that man?" Lin An grabbed Consort Chen's hand tightly, burning with anger.

As Father's most beloved daughter, it was only natural for her to feel furious upon hearing this news.

"Please, don't ask anymore..." Consort Chen realized her slip of the tongue and shook her head tearfully. "This matter is a taboo for His Majesty. Please don't spread it."

..........

"I don't like owing favors. Mr. Xu, just tell me what you want." Luo Yuheng had no intention of fulfilling Taoist Master Jin Lian's wishful thinking.

Auntie, I don't want to struggle anymore... Xu Qi'an screamed in his heart.

As for the reward, he couldn't think of anything at the moment and couldn't help but look at the orange cat, seeking its opinion.

The orange cat pondered for a long time before saying, "The Human Sect is renowned for its swordsmanship. How about gifting you a sword technique?"

"But I use a knife." Xu Qi'an reminded.

"Who said sword techniques can't be used with a knife?" Taoist Master Jin Lian chuckled and asked in return.

That's right, as long as the core essence is extracted and applied to knife techniques, it can work. Just like when I use the Heaven and Earth One Slash, I can combine it with the Lion's Roar to subdue enemies.

Xu Qi'an nodded slowly.

Luo Yuheng raised his hand and lightly brushed the table, revealing three thin booklets.

The melodious voice of the National Teacher sounded, "I have three sword techniques here: 'Heart Sword,' 'Qi Sword,' and 'Imperial Sword.'"

"Heart Sword requires the cultivation of the primordial spirit, using mental power as the whetstone for the sword, honing it every day. It cannot cut the physical body but specializes in severing the primordial spirit."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qi'an instinctively looked at the orange cat.

The orange cat flicked out its claws and said softly, "Mr. Xu, please don't provoke me."

Xu Qi'an immediately averted his gaze.

Luo Yuheng continued, "Qi Sword is the opposite of Heart Sword. It is an unparalleled offensive technique. When cultivated to a high level, the sword energy is endless and invincible."

Xu Qi'an couldn't help but say, "A sword qi that spans three thousand miles, a sword light that freezes nineteen provinces?"

Luo Yuheng couldn't help but glance sideways, her beautiful eyes, like a clear pool of water, lingered on Xu Qi'an for a long time. She praised, "Rumors in the market say that Mr. Xu's poetic talent is unparalleled. Indeed, this line is bold and lofty, embodying thousands of atmospheres."

This isn't my line, it's a line from a famous author who charges by the word...

"As for the Sword Control Technique..." Luo Yuheng gently waved her hand, and the doors and windows opened instantly. A sword light burst out from her sleeve, whistling as it roamed above the courtyard.

Fast as thunder, agile as a swimming fish.

Xu Qi'an exclaimed, "The Sword Control Technique is truly a celestial method, so, I choose the Heart Sword."

Luo Yuheng was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, "Good."

Although the Sword Control Technique was flashy and cool, and its lethality was not low, Xu Qi'an felt that the Heart Sword was more suitable for him.

The reason was simple, his Heaven and Earth Slash was an extremely radical sword technique: there was nothing in the world that it couldn't cut, and if there was, he should run away quickly.

Therefore, when he was cultivating, his first consideration was not to increase his methods, but to perfect the Heaven and Earth Slash.

After the Buddhist Lion's Roar, this idea became even more firm.

He had control skills, physical damage, and now what he lacked most was the output in the realm of the primordial spirit.

Luo Yuheng took back the "Qi Sword" and "Sword Control Technique", and pushed the "Heart Sword" manual to him, saying, "If there is anything you don't understand, you can come to Lingbao View to find me. I can help you solve your doubts three times."

"Thank you, National Teacher." Xu Qi'an sincerely thanked her.

Then, Luo Yuheng took out a jade bowl from her sleeve, her slender jade fingers holding the bowl, and pushed it in front of Xu Qi'an.

The bowl was not big, about three times the size of a teacup. Xu Qi'an felt a little relieved, he thought it was the big bowl that Xu Lingyin used for eating.

After getting the fresh blood, Luo Yuheng took advantage of the heat and went to refine the pill.

In the quiet room, only the orange cat and Xu Qi'an were left.

"Taoist Master, can you block others for me? I want to have a private chat with Li Miaozhen."

Taking this opportunity, Xu Qi'an planned to tell Number Two about his resurrection.

In response to Xu Qi'an's request, Taoist Master Jin Lian replied, "Hehe."

"Is there a problem?" Xu Qi'an frowned.

"Li Miaozhen said she would come to the capital after the spring. Given the current situation in Yunzhou, she probably has to wait until the bandits are wiped out. Anyway, she will be here soon, so there's no need to rush." Taoist Master Jin Lian said.

He was waiting for Li Miaozhen to find out about Xu Qi'an's resurrection, get angry, and fight him in a rage, thereby disrupting the situation and easing the conflict between the outstanding disciples of the Heaven and Human Sects.

"That's true!" Xu Qi'an nodded.

......

PS: I will continue to write the next chapter, I should be able to finish it before 12 o'clock. I will come back to correct any typos after I finish writing. Please help me catch bugs, dear readers. Muah.