Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 98 You are Mo Linhou's man

Lin Yan sat there, his gaze sweeping across the wall on one side of the hall, where a huge spiritual energy map appeared, marking the distribution of various forces in Zhongzhou City and the secret strongholds of Xuanji Hall in various places.

"Since they want to investigate, then let them try Xuanji Hall's methods."

He raised his hand and gently grasped at the void, and a black vortex of spiritual energy appeared out of thin air. From it, he took out a black token engraved with runes.

Lin Yan curled his lips into a cold smile, tossed the token into the air, and muttered incantations. The token instantly emitted a strange black light, transforming into countless black streaks that flew off in different directions.

These streaks of light are signals he has laid out; he will know immediately if anyone touches them.

After leaving Mo Linhou, Jiang Tai quickly tracked down Liu Mama's whereabouts thanks to his excellent tracking skills.

If he wasn't mistaken, this Granny Liu looked like she was looking for some kind of clue.

He reported the clues he had discovered to Mo Linhou.

"After leaving the Palace of Longevity, Granny Liu first went home, and then went to the residence of the Commandant of the Evil Suppression Division. According to my investigation, she met with Granny Li, with whom she had a good relationship, and the two talked in the room before leaving."

"correct."

Jiang Tai thought of something: "I also found out that when Granny Liu returned to the mansion, she gave her daughter-in-law a brocade box containing several pieces of fine spirit jade and a bottle of pills."

Gu Changzhou clasped his hands together under his nose: "Perhaps, Granny Liu was instructed by Miss Liu to go to the Commandant's Mansion to look for clues."

"In that case, have someone from the palace contact Miss Liu and see what she has found out."

"Yes."

Liu Sijun has just finished refining a batch of pills. Today, he is refining a second-grade Qi Shen Pill and a fourth-grade Yuan Yang Pill.

He then got up to check the remaining medicinal herbs, planning to refine a Grade 5 Soothing Pill the next day.

Nian Shuang then walked in carrying a steaming teapot.

Near the herb shelf, there was a round table. She placed the teapot on the table and said, "Master Liu, you've worked hard. This is new tea that was just delivered by the Imperial Household Department. I brewed a pot for you to try."

"it is good."

Liu Sijun sat down and took a deep breath: "It smells so good."

Liu Sijun picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and the rich aroma of the tea instantly spread in her mouth, sliding down her throat. A warm spiritual energy flowed slowly through her body, making her feel refreshed.

"Good tea."

After Liu Sijun finished his drink, he gestured for Nian Shuang to pour more.

His gaze, however, fell on Nian Shuang.

"Where did you work before you came to serve at the Longevity Palace?"

“This servant is from Luanming Palace.”

Nian Shuang replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Luanming Palace... So you're here to spy on me on behalf of the Empress?"

Nian Shuang remained expressionless: "Master Liu, you are wise. Once I entered the Longevity Palace, I became your person. I have never done anything disloyal."

She wasn't the Empress's person, but her identity was also not simple. She couldn't say it before, but now that she had received a mission, she wasn't afraid of her identity being exposed.

"If you're not the Empress's person, then you're Marquis Molin's person?"

Nian Shuang looked up in surprise.

Liu Sijun: "Judging from your expression, that's it!"

Nian Shuang asked in confusion, "Where did I give myself away?"

Liu Sijun shook his head: "You are very smart, but I am not stupid either. Last time I went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to take His Majesty's pulse, Marquis Molin arrived not long after."

Although her purpose that time was just to try her luck and see if she could run into him, so that she could find an opportunity to talk to Gu Changzhou about what to do about the rumors.

But this is too much of a coincidence. Nian Shuang: "Based on this alone, Master Liu is concluding that I am Marquis Mo Lin's person?"

"Of course, that's not all."

Liu Sijun continued, "The reason I confronted Granny Liu last time was actually because of something you said."

"what?"

“You said I don’t like crispy spring rolls. You said you told the steward in charge of meals at the Imperial Household Department, so why can’t he remember? At first, I thought you were just saying it casually, but actually you were trying to remind me of Granny Liu.”

Liu Sijun looked at Nian Shuang: "Am I right?"

Upon hearing Liu Sijun's analysis, Nian Shuang's eyes flashed with surprise, but she smiled calmly, curtsied, and said, "Master Liu is meticulous in his thinking, and this servant admires him."

“This servant is indeed someone that Marquis Molin placed by your side. He was worried that you were weak and vulnerable in the palace and might encounter danger, so he asked this servant to secretly protect you and keep an eye on the situation in the palace.”

Liu Sijun nodded slightly, his expression not showing much surprise.

"If that's the case, then so be it. But if something like this happens again in the future, please let me know in advance so I can be prepared."

Nian Shuang quickly replied, "Yes. In fact, the Marquis has been paying close attention to your situation."

"You're coming here now, but is there something he wants you to tell me?"

She couldn't communicate with Gu Changzhou directly by voice, but he had been operating in the palace for many years, so he must have ways to contact her at any time.

At this moment, Liu Sijun was unaware of the extent of her trust in him.

"Indeed, the Marquis asked me to ask you if you found any clues from Granny Liu."

After a moment of contemplation, Liu Sijun recounted in detail to Nian Shuang what Granny Liu had found about the mistress of Xuanji Hall, as well as other relevant information about Xuanji Hall.

Nian Shuang's expression changed slightly after hearing this, "Xuanji Hall?"

"This organization has always been mysterious and acts unpredictably. If this matter is really related to them, I'm afraid there will be a lot of trouble. The Marquis has also noticed something amiss. This matter is probably not as simple as just trying to ruin your reputations."

Liu Sijun frowned, pondering a solution.

Just then, a powerful and malevolent spiritual energy surged from afar, causing the entire Longevity Palace to tremble.

"No, this is..."

Liu Sijun's expression changed drastically. He exchanged a glance with Nian Shuang, and the two of them immediately flew out and arrived outside the palace.

Xu Xiang, who was on duty today, stood in front of Liu Sijun with a long gun, ready for battle.

In the distance, the sky was shrouded in an eerie black mist, within which faint, dark red runes flickered, emanating a chilling aura.

That evil spiritual power spread in all directions like tangible tentacles.

"This spiritual energy is so malevolent; it must be the work of an evil cultivator!"

Liu Sijun took out his magpie feather fan, ready at any moment, when suddenly a golden light burst forth from the location of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Where did this heretic come from, daring to cause trouble in the palace? Leave at once!"

"It's Master Min."

Xu Xiang recognized the man as Min Rui, who served the Emperor and possessed profound cultivation, protecting the safety of the palace.

"With Master Min here, Master Liu can rest assured."

The dazzling golden light contrasted sharply with the evil black mist, and their forces were evenly matched. However, the palace was suppressed by dragon energy, and after a few dozen breaths, the light receded like a tide.

At the same time, in the Marquis of Molin's mansion, Gu Changzhou also sensed the movement of that evil spiritual power.

His face darkened, and he immediately sent a telepathic message to Jiang Tai.

(End of this chapter)