Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 131 Why give it to her?
Gu Changzhou, Liu Sijun, and others did not lower their guard because of this.

Lin Yan escaped, but the threat of evil cultivators still exists.

In a secret chamber within the palace, the group gathered once more to discuss the next steps in their preventative measures.

Gu Changzhou said with a solemn expression, "Lin Yan has escaped and will surely seek revenge. We must strengthen our defenses, improve our own strength, and at the same time keep a close eye on the movements of the evil cultivators."

A few days later, strange rumors began to circulate in the palace, saying that Bei Chenyao was incompetent in governing the country, which led to the crisis in Zhongzhou City, and that Gu Changzhou and others were not sincerely assisting him, but rather harboring ulterior motives.

These rumors spread rapidly throughout the palace, causing widespread panic.

It has always been known that there are evil cultivators in the palace, but after the last time in the Spirit Bamboo Forest, the evil cultivators in the palace have hidden themselves very well. Night Shadow has searched several times, but has not found any clues.

I can't sit still anymore.

Bei Chenyao ordered Ye Ying to investigate the source of the rumors.

Gu Changzhou said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the evil cultivators hiding in the palace are not the same group of people as those in the Xuanji Hall."

"Oh? Why do you think so?"

"Your Majesty, this rumor spread extremely quickly and accurately, causing widespread panic in the palace within just a few days. It is clear that someone has meticulously planned and laid out this scheme for a long time. Furthermore, the evil cultivators we encountered in the Spirit Bamboo Forest have once again sent a large number of shadow guards, but they have vanished without a trace. If they are the same group as the Xuanji Hall, given the Xuanji Hall's style of operation, they should have cooperated with Lin Yan's actions to create chaos in the palace, rather than spreading rumors in such a subtle way."

This seems more like a measure taken out of necessity due to insufficient strength.

Bei Chenyao frowned slightly: "In your opinion, what is the origin of these evil cultivators? Why are they spreading rumors at this time?"

Gu Changzhou's expression was solemn: "Your Majesty, I suspect that these evil cultivators may be colluding with certain forces in the palace, attempting to disrupt the situation and seek personal gain."

Bei Chenyao: "When did you first speak to me, Gu Qing, with such hesitation? Just tell me who you suspect."

"The Crown Prince has been placed under house arrest for colluding with evil cultivators to plot rebellion, and His Majesty has refused the Empress's plea for his life. Considering that this rumor is directed at both His Majesty and your servants, it seems to be intended to undermine the trust between His Majesty and your servants and disrupt the order in the palace."

"Therefore, I suspect that Her Majesty the Empress is involved in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Bei Chenyao felt a chill run down his spine.

He paced back and forth in the hall, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He had been married to the Empress for many years. Although he knew that the Empress's family had declined because of him and that they had some resentment towards him, he never imagined that the Empress would do such a rebellious thing.

"Without solid evidence, the Empress should not be easily suspected."

Bei Chenyao sighed, a hint of weariness flashing in his eyes: "But if the rumors are not quelled soon, the people in the palace will be in a state of panic, and I'm afraid something might happen."

Especially my own health, which is deteriorating day by day.

Even with Master Liu occasionally checking his pulse and adjusting his pills, the fact that he was of advanced age and could pass away at any time would only cause more unrest among the people.

“Your Majesty, with the eldest prince under house arrest, the remaining three princes all have the potential to inherit the throne, and there will be even more people taking advantage of the situation in the palace.” Gu Changzhou understood the emperor’s dilemma and helplessness at this moment, and continued, “Your Majesty, I understand your concerns. However, the matter of rumors cannot be delayed. The best course of action now is to stabilize public sentiment on the one hand, and to conduct a thorough investigation in secret on the other.”

"What you say is absolutely right, Minister Gu. This matter will be entirely in your hands! ... If it is truly related to the Empress, you must not act rashly without solid evidence."

Gu Changzhou accepted the order and immediately began the operation.

On the one hand, he had highly respected ministers in the court come forward to spread the word throughout the palace about His Majesty's achievements and wisdom, as well as their loyalty in assisting His Majesty, in order to set the record straight.

At the same time, have Nightshade lead the Shadow Guards to inspect the palace's magic array and ensure that all contact with the outside world is severed.

Nightshade looked troubled: "If they are orthodox cultivators, under the multiple layers of formations, unless they are at the Yuanjun level, it is difficult for them to communicate with the outside world. But the techniques of evil cultivators are unorthodox, and I cannot guarantee anything."

"Even if we can't completely block it, we should strengthen the magic array as much as possible and compress some of the space connecting it to the outside world. You should first arrange for the shadow guards to carefully inspect the magic array and reinforce any weak points, doing as much as possible."

"Yes, Lord Marquis!" Night Shadow accepted the order and quickly led the Shadow Guards to inspect and reinforce the palace's magic array.

Gu Changzhou then turned to Jiang Tai and said, "Continue to arrange for people to closely monitor those around the Empress, especially their contact with the outside world. Once you discover any signs of messages being passed on, intercept them immediately and investigate the contents."

"Understood, Your Excellency!"

Jiang Tai responded and then hurriedly went to carry out the order.

After making these arrangements, Gu Changzhou went to Yangshou Palace to inform her of the current situation there.

After listening, Liu Sijun said, "I plan to try to refine the Evil-Seeking Pill, but this pill is not commonly used and the medicinal materials are very rare. I will make a list, and you can see if the Marquis's mansion storeroom or the palace treasury have it."

Anyway, she searched the entire Yangshou Palace and only found one kind of medicinal herb.

None of the remaining eight types were included.

She originally wanted to ask Master Ji He and the others if they had these medicinal herbs, but they were currently engrossed in researching and refining the 'Chaos Gathering Pill', so it was really not appropriate to disturb them at this time.

Gu Changzhou took the list and looked at it carefully: "I will send these medicinal herbs over as soon as possible."

"it is good."

"Oh, right, I have something for you."

As he spoke, a furnace about half a person's height appeared next to the main hall.

Liu Sijun's eyes widened: "Where did you get this furnace cauldron?"

"It was a gift from His Majesty, but I haven't had the chance to give it to you yet."

"Give it to me?"

Liu Sijun looked at Gu Changzhou with surprise again: "Do you know what kind of alchemy furnace this is?"

It was just sent out so casually.

Gu Changzhou: "No matter how valuable it is, it's just a pile of dead objects in my hands. Only when it's in the right hands can it realize its true value."

That's what it says.

But why give it to her?

Although this alchemy furnace is indeed the most suitable for her, her current cultivation level is not enough to bring out its full potential.

"Just accept it. Aren't you going to refine the Evil-Seeking Pill? Wouldn't using this furnace increase the chances of success?"

Liu Sijun nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, I will do my best."

"That's good. I'll send the medicine you need as soon as possible!"

Gu Changzhou had just left Yangshou Palace when he received a telepathic message from Su Jinghuan.

They said they found clues about evil cultivators in an abandoned house outside the city.

Gu Changzhou immediately replied to Su Jinghuan via telepathy: "Commander Su, do not make any rash moves. Stay there and I will take men over there now."

Having finally obtained a clue, Gu Changzhou did not delay at all.

He quickly assembled a team of agile and experienced shadow guards, and at the same time notified Gao Kuo to transfer a capable team from Wuji Tower to meet them outside the city.

(End of this chapter)