Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 95 Needs an Excuse
Although she didn't think she was bad at the game, there were so many seniors from Yougu Palace, so there were plenty of options and it didn't have to be her.

Liu Sijun thought that the only possibility was that, relatively speaking, she was the most familiar with Gu Changzhou in the entire Yougu Palace.

that is it.

After returning to the Marquis's residence, Gu Changzhou went straight into the study. He sat down at his desk and tapped his fingers rhythmically.

"Gao Kuo, come in," Gu Changzhou said in a deep voice.

Gao Kuo hurriedly pushed open the door and entered, bowing respectfully and saying, "Master, what are your orders?"

"How's the investigation into the rumors going?"

Gao Kuo looked troubled and hesitated for a moment before replying, "My lord, I have sent people to inquire from various sources. So far, we only know that this rumor originated from the flower-viewing banquet of the wife of the Commandant of Zhenxie Division. However, we need to spend more time investigating who first mentioned it and how it spread. After all, there were many people present at the time, and it is not an easy task to investigate them one by one."

Gu Changzhou's eyes were filled with coldness: "No matter how difficult it is, we must find out the truth as soon as possible. I always feel that there is more to these rumors than meets the eye. Someone must be stirring things up behind the scenes, trying to use this to deal with me or Master Liu, or perhaps to disrupt the situation in the capital."

"Yes, Master, I will definitely send more men to find the mastermind behind this as soon as possible," Gao Kuo hurriedly replied, understanding the seriousness of the matter.

Gu Changzhou nodded: "Also, have you heard anything from those people we arranged to protect Master Liu near Yangshou Palace?"

Gao Kuo replied, "Reporting to Master, there is no news yet, but the brothers are all following your instructions and keeping a close watch in secret. They will report immediately if there is any disturbance."

"Yes, make sure they are on their toes and absolutely cannot make any mistakes," Gu Changzhou instructed solemnly.

"Yes, Master, you can rest assured."

After Gao Kuo finished speaking, he withdrew to continue arranging related matters.

Gu Changzhou recalled their first encounter two years ago, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly as he remembered how she had "touched him all over" his body.

When they met again later, she didn't recognize him at all as the person she had "taken liberties with."

Of course, he deliberately guided this process...

Gu Changzhou collected his thoughts and focused his attention back on the matter at hand.

Since the rumors started at the flower-viewing banquet of the wife of the Commandant of Zhenxie Division, we cannot let go of any clues that might know the inside story.

He decided to personally meet with those people who had close ties with the Zhenxie Division's Commandery tomorrow.

He got up and walked to the bookshelf in his study. He pulled out a few books from a row of intelligence files, which recorded information about some court officials and their families. He flipped through them, focusing on finding detailed information about people related to the Zhenxie Division Commandery, so that he could be more targeted in his actions tomorrow.

The Commandant of the Evil Suppression Division is named Su Jinghuan. Although he is not considered to hold a high position or great power in the court, the Evil Suppression Division has special responsibilities and is in charge of investigating and dealing with many matters involving evil spirits and the supernatural. Therefore, he has a considerable influence in the capital city.

Su Jinghuan appears to be a generous and righteous person who has dealings with officials from all sides, but he is actually very meticulous. In the turbulent situation in the capital, he always carefully maintains his own position and network of relationships.

His wife, Madam Luo, was the hostess of the flower-viewing banquet. Madam Luo was lively and loved excitement, and often invited a group of officials' wives to gather together. The flower-viewing banquet was just an ordinary gathering of female relatives, but who would have thought that it would become the source of rumors.

Gu Changzhou frowned slightly as he flipped through the information about Su Jinghuan in his hand. The information recorded that Su Jinghuan had occasional interactions with several princes, but on the surface, he did not show any obvious bias towards any side. However, relationships in the capital city were complex and intertwined. Who could guarantee that there were no deeper interests involved behind those seemingly ordinary interactions?

Perhaps the spread of these rumors is related to him or the forces behind him. He continued to peruse the files, noting down the names of several officials who were usually very close to Su Jinghuan. He also carefully examined their backgrounds, preferences, and recent behavior, silently planning how to talk to them the next day and how to subtly guide the conversation so as to obtain useful information without letting them realize his true intentions.

After all, these people have been in and out of office for many years and are all shrewd and capable. If you are not careful, your plans may fall apart.

Meanwhile, Liu Sijun in the Yangshou Palace was also busy. After some thought, she decided to meet with Granny Liu from the Imperial Household Department the next day.

This Granny Liu has been in the palace for many years and knows many palace secrets. She also has frequent contact with the servants of the Zhenxie Division Commander's Office. Perhaps we can find out some information about the flower viewing banquet from her.

Liu Sijun took out several bottles of carefully refined pills from his container. These pills were quite effective in regulating the body and nourishing spiritual power.

Then, she pondered in her heart how to bring up the topic with Granny Liu and how to get Granny Liu to lower her guard and reveal everything she knew.

She had only been a resident alchemist at the palace for two months, and had spent more than a month cultivating in the sacred land. She was not actually very familiar with this Granny Liu.

Going there rashly requires a suitable excuse.

"Nian Shuang, come in."

Upon hearing the call, Nian Shuang immediately pushed open the door and entered: "Master Liu, what can I do for you?"

"I heard that Granny Liu from the Imperial Household Department has a grandson who has been frail and sickly since childhood?"

Nian Shuang nodded: "Yes, it is said that he was born prematurely and was disturbed by evil spirits when he was a few months old, so he developed a chronic illness."

It turned out to be the case.

"Why did Master Liu suddenly ask this?"

"nothing."

Nian Shuang: "If there are no other instructions, this servant will leave."

"Ah."

Liu Sijun pondered to himself, since Liu Mama's grandson was suffering from an illness caused by evil spirits, perhaps he could start from this aspect.

She then rummaged through the container and found several spirit jades specifically for dispelling the lingering aura of evil spirits and nourishing the body.

These spirit jades were obtained by chance while on a mission, and they are extremely precious. I originally intended to keep them for a rainy day, but now, in order to get information from Granny Liu, I can't worry about that anymore.

The next morning, Liu Sijun looked at the food with great dissatisfaction.

"Nian Shuang, summon the people from the Imperial Household Department and let them see what has been delivered today."

Nian Shuang nodded and sent a telepathic message to the Imperial Household Department to question them.

Nianyu, who was serving nearby, quickly glanced at the food on the table and thought to herself, "No wonder Master Liu was angry. What kind of rubbish is this? She is a resident alchemist from Yougu Palace. Have the people in the Imperial Household Department lost their minds? How dare they cut back on her food?"

(End of this chapter)