With a smirk on her face, Jin Jiu, the charming dealer, swiftly left the room and casually closed the door behind her, leaving Zhao Changhe to face the angry gaze of the lady with pigtails, who seemed to be fuming for no apparent reason.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Zhao Changhe finally spoke, "I'm all wet and need to take a bath. Will you join me?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he pursed his lips, feeling that her status might not be suitable for such teasing...

However, Zhuque didn't seem to mind his teasing. Instead, she retorted, "What, are you disappointed now that it's me instead? Do you really want that flirtatious woman with barely any clothes on to accompany you?"

Zhao Changhe responded nonchalantly, "Yeah, since you're not willing, can't I find another woman?"

Zhuque crossed her arms and sneered, "Is that all that's on your mind? With that kind of thinking, do you really think you can dominate the world and be worthy of it?"

"Hey, I've told you, respected Zhuque, since your sect respects the Four Elephants, why go against the Two Principles? You may think I'm not worthy of discussing this with you, but I still have my thoughts. I even wonder, if the Emperor made a mistake, could it be because he stopped having relations with women? Look at how he was the best in the world when he was happily producing heirs with the Empress, but now, with his abstinence, he's become a living example of the opposite."

"What nonsense. Xia Longyuan's situation is definitely due to a secret conflict with some mysterious entity... um..."

Zhao Changhe glanced at her askance, "You really understand. Even the organization that specializes in intelligence doesn't understand, but you do."

Zhuque retorted impatiently, "This is not the place to talk. We don't know if there's anyone eavesdropping. Stop talking nonsense. Why are you causing trouble for no reason by staying in this place?"

Zhao Changhe casually replied, "Because, in reality, this place is safer than the Huangfu family."

Zhuque asked curiously, "Why?"

"For example, when the Empress summoned me to the palace, it was inexplicable. I now suspect that the Imperial Consort wants to kill me. Why would I run into her trap at the Huangfu family?"

"I knew it..." Zhuque sneered, "Why would the Imperial Consort want to kill you? What's her motive?"

"Huh? Isn't it obvious? I even suspect that she was the one who killed the Crown Prince. So, what's so surprising about her wanting to kill me?"

"Alright, alright."

"When I entered the city, I went to the Huangfu Shaozong's house, originally intending to approach the military. At that time, I didn't know that there was an Imperial Consort behind him. If I had known, I wouldn't have gone to his place, making it seem like I was acknowledging him as my mother. Also, the Tang Chancellor is a loyal subject of the country. Seeing the Imperial Consort and the Tang Chancellor at odds, it's clear that she's a wicked consort. If she really wants to kill me, what can I do..."

"Then go and die!" Zhuque was so angry that she couldn't argue with him here, so she grabbed his collar in frustration, "I have a place to stay here. You can stay with me. You act like a stray dog, not being able to stay here or there, is that necessary?"

Zhao Changhe blinked innocently, "I didn't know where you were before."

"Now you know!" Zhuque grabbed him and swiftly left the room, "Follow me!"

"Wait, I haven't taken a bath yet..."

"I bet you want the pretty female dealer!"

Her voice trailed off into the distance, cursing, as Jin Jiu walked out from the other side of the house, looking extremely strange, "Is that the Winged Fire Snake?"

"Look at that ceremonial robe, it's slightly lower than Zhuque's. In any case, it can't be Zhuque."

"Well, that's a relief. If someone told me that it was Zhuque pulling the collar of a young man, I'd rather the era restart now."

"Is it really that far-fetched..."

"You don't know anything! When Fifth Lord tried to pursue Zhuque, she was furious and almost attacked him. I was injured in the process, and I still have burns on my arm."

"Um, why haven't we heard about this..."

"Nonsense, Fifth Lord's reputation was tarnished. Can you just casually talk about it?"

"But you just did..."

"Now the situation is different. Fifth Lord has long since given up on love, otherwise, he wouldn't have broken through the Triple Secret Treasury and spied on the heavens and humans. It wouldn't matter if we teased him. In any case, we have no connection with the Four Elephant Sect now, and there's no grudge. We're just strangers."

"I see. So, some people are guessing whether the Imperial Consort Huangfu is Zhuque..."

"Only people with a screw loose would guess that. Zhuque is too violent and proud to approach men like her sister, the White Tiger, did in the past." Jin Jiu spoke, then added with a hint of uncertainty, "But you never know. If it's not to approach men, but for another purpose... as a fanatic of the demonic path, Zhuque's mind is different from ordinary people's. She probably only cares about the reputation of 'Zhuque' and doesn't care if 'Huangfu' loses face. She can easily ruin any reputation outside of Zhuque."

The subordinate was speechless. You've said everything, but in the end, it's as if you didn't say anything: "So, how do we record this matter?"

"This is our exclusive information: Zhao Changhe is having an affair with the Winged Fire Snake of the Four Elephant Sect, and they are deeply involved. It is suspected that Zhuque has the Winged Fire Snake replace the White Tiger Saintess. From this, we can analyze that there may be a reconciliation between the Four Elephant Sect and Zhao Changhe, which could become an important ally in the future. Hmm... this matter must be reported to Fifth Lord. He will be very interested."

"Why would Fifth Lord be interested in this kind of matter?"

"He will be interested in why Zhuque made such a choice."

............

In the Seven-Mile Mooring of the Inner Lake of the Capital, there were some lakeside pavilions and towers, a place for high-ranking officials and wealthy people to enjoy the summer scenery.

One of the sets of pavilions and towers, belonging to an unknown official or wealthy merchant, was where Zhao Changhe was dragged into. Along the way, he felt many traces of the Four Elephant Sect's techniques, and the surrounding servants and attendants were all elite.

But he didn't have a chance to observe closely, as he was quickly dragged by Zhuque to a courtyard by the lake. The room faced the lake, and the view of the rain hitting the lake outside was extremely beautiful.

At some point, someone had already heated a bucket of water, and steam was rising. A group of young maidservants curiously stared at Zhao Changhe.

Zhuque lazily waved her hand, "You can all leave."

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"Yes." The maidservants covered their mouths and giggled, then left with cheerful smiles.This maid is different from those seen at the Cui and Tang households; there's something... bewitching about her.

It seems this place is a Four Elephant Sect stronghold they're willing to reveal to allies, ostensibly unrelated to the Huangfu family, truly belonging to this 'piggy' herself.

It makes sense, though. With her status as an imperial concubine and a marquis' daughter, it would be all too easy for her to wield power in the capital... Zhao Changhe now suspects that the Four Elephant Sect's regular forces might already be secretly established, their influence woven throughout the court and beyond, far surpassing that of the Maitreya Sect. It's as if they're just waiting for Xia Longyuan to pass, ready to sweep across the realm.

And now, the Rosefinch sends such an important lady to stick close to me? Is this some kind of mistake, or does she think that because of the imperial concubine's status, this lady couldn't possibly have anything to do with me?

While pondering, the Rosefinch, with arms crossed, coldly says, "What are you contemplating with your hand on your chin? Your detective act is truly annoying."

Zhao Changhe replies helplessly, "It's good to use one's brain, Piggy Sister."

The eyebrows beneath the Rosefinch's mask furrow: "What did you call me?"

"It's just a term of endearment..."

"Cut the act," the Rosefinch says. "This is the place where you can speak freely. Your thoughts on the empress and the imperial concubine, drop the pretense and analyze them for me."

Zhao Changhe offers a sheepish smile, "From the moment I saw the imperial concubine at the Huangfu residence, I thought she was so beautiful, I couldn't take my eyes off her..."

A smile tugs at the corner of the Rosefinch's mouth: "So, do you still think the imperial concubine wants to kill you?"

"It's the empress who's certain to want me dead. Regardless of whether that old eunuch is her man, my break with the Wang family is undeniable. There's no need to consider anything else, just one thing is clear—the empress's enemy is definitely my friend, so the imperial concubine is my friend."

The Rosefinch thinks to herself that's not necessarily true. Two months earlier, she really did want to kill him. Who said the enemy of my enemy is my friend? I have no rivalry with the empress; her enemies are none of my concern, why can't I kill them?

But now, hearing Zhao Changhe say this still pleases her: "So, who do you think the eunuch works for?"

"He's the empress's man. Since others might suspect that it was the imperial concubine trying to frame the empress, the empress sending her own man would be above suspicion. She's banking on people thinking this way. I've just learned a way of thinking; many things don't need to be overcomplicated. The more complex the thoughts, the more skewed they become. The simplest answer is often the correct one."

The Rosefinch looks at him askance: "Keep making things up."

Zhao Changhe also looks askance, at a loss for words. I don't even dare to tease you now, what do you want me to say?

Both are clear in their hearts.

The Rosefinch knows that when she entered the Huangfu household, she initially didn't know Zhao Changhe was there, so she didn't change her voice or scent—though even if she had known, it would have been strange to change her voice in front of her brother. To someone like Zhao Changhe, who appears rough but is inwardly meticulous, the Winged Fire Snake and pig-faced mask were useless; he must have figured it out.

Whatever reasons he just made up for believing in the imperial concubine, they're all superficial. The only reason is that he knows it's her, so he trusts unconditionally.

For some reason, knowing that he knows her identity makes the Rosefinch feel an inexplicable shame, which is why she got inexplicably angry just now, annoyed by his smug analytical demeanor.

It means her own identity has been analyzed as well. Now, it's difficult to let the Winged Fire Snake "die," since the imperial concubine cannot die.

She doesn't know how to end this.

And whether the Rosefinch's identity can still be concealed... The imperial concubine, the Winged Fire Snake, Huangfu Qing, she can mess up these identities as she pleases, as long as the Rosefinch isn't exposed.

With this thought, she finally softens, speaking gently, "Now that you've guessed it, there's no need to keep up the act. We're alone here."

Zhao Changhe finally says, "So... about the bet that's a month overdue, can it be honored?"

The Rosefinch looks at him steadily for a long while before slowly lifting the piggy mask.

This might be the Rosefinch and Zhao Changhe's first true meeting.

Zhao Changhe's heart races uncontrollably.

Why did Tang Wanzhuang seem so defensive, scolding him for staring at the imperial concubine?

Because she's truly too beautiful.

When the fierceness in her brows fades, leaving only a fiery, wind-like blaze, she has the heroic bearing of a tiger's daughter, like Yue Hongling.

She's a noble lady from a marquis' family, an imperial concubine, a sect leader, possessing a calm demeanor and majesty, with a hint of an elder sister's amusement towards a younger brother, like Tang Wanzhuang.

There's also a touch of charm, as if adding the belated, yet obedient Chi Chi from behind the scenes on the day of Li Xia.

Perhaps that's still not enough... There's also a sense of mystery and the profound, like the distance of a god looking down, reminiscent of that blind woman.

Zhao Changhe finds it hard to look away, struggling to imagine how all these qualities could perfectly blend in one person. She's just one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions?