Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 143 Key
Nian Shuang smiled and said, "Because of the trouble caused by the evil cultivators, Alchemist Liu didn't have time to refine these pills. As soon as she had some free time, she sent me to deliver them."

Eat people with short mouths, and take people softly.

So when Nian Shuang casually asked, "I noticed that your lady seems to have something on her mind lately. Has something happened in the palace?"

The young palace maids exchanged glances, somewhat hesitant.

Seeing this, Nian Shuang took out another bottle of pills: "If the ladies know anything, feel free to tell me?"

The palace maid who had asked the question earlier asked again, "Aunt Nian Shuang, why are you asking this? You used to serve in the Empress's palace, but now you've gone to the Yangshou Palace. This..."

The palace maid's words implied whether Nian Shuang was asking on behalf of Liu Danshi or the Empress.

Nian Shuang thought to herself: The reason was that they were simple-minded, but I didn't expect them to be just as hard to fool!
However, she quickly realized, "My sisters are overthinking it. Now that we've gone to the Longevity Palace, we're naturally going to follow Alchemist Liu. She saw that the ladies of the palace are worried and distressed about the First Prince today, and she wanted to see if she could refine some calming and soothing pills to address the recent situation. But she was afraid that they might not be to the ladies' liking, so she asked me to ask."

The hesitation on the faces of the young palace maids faded after hearing Nian Shuang's words.

After glancing around to make sure no one was around, she whispered, "Actually, we don't really know what Her Majesty is worried about, but we feel that she has a lot on her mind lately. Since the First Prince was placed under house arrest, Her Majesty has been going to Jingren Palace more often, and she always comes back looking rushed. Sometimes she even sits alone in her room lost in thought."

"So do you know what they talk about?"

The young palace maids all shook their heads: "How dare we eavesdrop on our masters' conversations? We always stand guard outside and can't hear anything. However, once when I brought tea to the Empress, I heard Consort Shu mention 'the situation' and 'opportunity' and such."

Nian Shuang pondered to herself, "The situation" and "opportunity"—these two words sounded quite complicated.

Are Consort Shu and Consort Jing plotting something big?
She asked some other questions, but the young palace maid's knowledge was indeed limited.

After leaving Cuiwei Palace, Nian Shuang hurriedly returned to Yangshou Palace and told Liu Sijun everything she had learned from the palace maids.

Upon hearing this, Liu Sijun said with a solemn expression, "It seems that the relationship between Consort Shu and Consort Jing is not simple, and it is very likely related to the matter of the First Prince and the conspiracy of Xuanji Hall."

Nian Shuang said worriedly, "Master Liu, what should we do? This matter is getting more and more complicated."

Liu Sijun pondered for a moment and said, "Give the Marquis a heads-up."

If Consort Shu really wants to cause trouble, she alone is not enough; she needs the support of powerful forces behind her.

Besides one's maternal family, who else is the most reliable?

"Yes."

The Mo Lin Marquis's residence was exceptionally quiet under the cover of night, especially after Uncle Yun's death. Xiao Qianrui had become completely silent, and a few days ago she even sent Bi Qing back to the Xiao family.

Gu Changzhou sat in his study, before him a glowing map marked with various lines of relationships.

Suddenly, a thought stirred within his mind.

It was Nian Shuang reporting on matters within the palace.

Gu Changzhou listened carefully, his expression gradually becoming serious.

After Nian Shuang finished speaking, he fell into deep thought.

The miraculous healer hidden behind the words "situation" and "opportunity" made him realize that things were far more complicated than he had imagined.

After a moment's thought, Gu Changzhou conveyed to Nian Shuang through his mind: "Tell Alchemist Liu to be careful and pay attention to his own safety. I will arrange for people to investigate Consort Shu's maternal family and any forces that may be related to them, to see if we can find out who is supporting them." "Yes, Lord Marquis, Nian Shuang understands and will definitely convey your words to Alchemist Liu."

After ending his conversation with Nian Shuang, he immediately summoned Gao Kuo and instructed him, "Go and investigate the recent movements of Consort Shu's maternal family, including their close interactions with those people. Check for any unusual money flows or personnel transfers."

"in addition,……"

"That's it!"

Gu Changzhou waved his hand, and Gao Kuo acknowledged the order and withdrew.

The current situation is so dire that a single misstep could have far-reaching consequences, and the slightest carelessness could alert the enemy, allowing them to hide even deeper in the shadows.

He re-examined the gleaming map before him; the intricate web of relationships on it all seemed inextricably linked to this incident. How exactly did the forces behind Consort Shu collude with the Xuanji Hall? What kind of conspiracy were they plotting?
These questions, like a fog, shrouded Gu Changzhou's mind.

Besides sending Gao Kuo to investigate Consort Shu's maternal family, we also need to start from other aspects.

Assuming that Consort Shu is also connected to Xuanji Hall, and combining the information revealed by the man in black, Xuanji Hall's ultimate goal is the royal holy site.

To enter the sacred ground, a master of formations must open the restrictions.

That formation expert is the key.

Gu Changzhou put away the map and slipped out of the study.

He used his movement technique and quickly arrived at Wuji Tower.

He went straight to the ninth floor and said to Tong Lei and the others, "Immediately mobilize all informants and do everything in your power to find clues related to the master who is proficient in ancient formations. Don't overlook any details, whether it's his whereabouts, his identity, or anyone who has been in contact with him."

"Yes, landlord."

After receiving their orders, Tong Lei and his team quickly began their operation.

Meanwhile, Liu Sijun devoted himself entirely to refining elixirs at the Longevity Palace.

She carefully selected each medicinal herb and meticulously controlled the heat within the alchemy furnace. The pill she was refining this time was called the "Condensing Essence Pill," which could not only enhance the cultivation of cultivators from the Foundation Establishment to the Golden Core stage, but also had a significant effect on stabilizing their realm.

Liu Sijun thought to himself that if he could deliver this "Condensing Essence Pill" to Consort Shu, given her pursuit of cultivation, she would surely be interested in it.

At that time, she could take this opportunity to further observe Consort Shu's reaction and explore more clues.

After several hours of focused refining, a rich medicinal fragrance finally emanated from the furnace, and the "Condensing Essence Pill" was successfully refined. Liu Sijun opened the furnace and saw round pills radiating a soft light, their quality far exceeding expectations.

She carefully put the pill away and said to Nian Shuang, "Nian Shuang, the pill has been refined."

Next, we need to find a suitable opportunity to deliver this 'Spirit Condensation Pill' to Consort Shu and see how she reacts.

On the other side of the palace, Consort Shu sat in the inner hall of Jingren Palace, her brows furrowed, seemingly deep in thought. A palace maid cautiously entered and whispered, "Your Highness, recently, Alchemist Liu seems to be frequently inquiring about you and Consort Jing, and he's also been getting quite close to the young maids of Cuiwei Palace."

A hint of wariness flashed in Consort Shu's eyes, and she snorted coldly, "This Alchemist Liu usually seems so honest, I didn't expect her to get involved in these things. What has she been up to lately?"

(End of this chapter)