They've all become top scholars in the imperial examinations, and you're telling me this i

Chapter 45 A Case in the Palace
Under the old locust tree at Xishikou, beside the mottled, worm-eaten table, the atmosphere was stagnant.

Yuan Shoucheng, his thin chest puffed out, his sparse goatee twitching smugly, his cloudy old eyes gleaming, shouted at Chen Guangrui.
"See that? Scholar Chen! Didn't I predict this time? He's right there in the palace! That green-haired beast is hiding in the imperial city!"

He slammed his hand on the table, making the bamboo tubes bounce wildly and almost knocking over the basket of golden carp that the Dragon King had just delivered. Now, this was his "trophy" and proof that he had regained his face.

Chen Guangrui was indeed somewhat surprised. His gaze swept over Yuan Shoucheng's smug, flushed face, realizing the old man was truly capable. He had pinpointed the general location of the Azure Lion with such precision. He nodded slightly, offering no direct praise, but instead posed a more pointed question, "What is it doing in the palace?"

Yuan Shoucheng's smug expression froze instantly, like a punctured balloon.

He opened his mouth awkwardly, his eyes began to dart around, and he subconsciously started touching the few copper coins again, muttering something indistinctly.

"Well... um... the palace has too much dragon energy, and... and there's that layer of Buddhist light covering it, the secrets of heaven are all in turmoil... I..."

"Can't see clearly?" Chen Guangrui finished the sentence for him, her tone as calm as if stating a fact.

Yuan Shoucheng blushed, stubbornly arguing back.

"It's not that I can't see clearly! It's that the Buddhist light on that demon's body is too interfering! How can you blame me? If it weren't for that damn Buddhist light protecting me..."

He became less and less confident as he spoke, and his voice lowered.

Chen Guangrui said, "This Buddha's light has such an effect?"

He remained silent for a moment, then fixed his gaze on the Jing River Dragon King and gave the order in an unquestionable manner.

"Old Long, when you go to see Wei Zheng, tell him that you saw a blue-maned lion of unknown origin heading towards Chang'an in the Jing River. It seemed to have an unusual aura about it."

He paused deliberately, emphasizing, "Remember, only mention that a demon has entered Chang'an, and there may be unusual activity. Do not mention the words 'Buddha's light.' Do not say anything else."

"Why?" The Dragon King stared, his face full of confusion. "Wouldn't it be even more amazing if I said there was Buddha's light? Wouldn't mentioning it make me seem more capable?"

Chen Guangrui looked at him sharply.
"If you want to keep your head, do as I say. This is the only way to save you. Believe it or not."

The Dragon King opened his mouth, but seeing the unwavering look in Chen Guangrui's eyes, and considering his own impending doom and the power of the Human Official, he ultimately swallowed his words and gave a muffled reply.
"...Okay, got it!"

At this moment, Yuan Shoucheng, stroking his beard and glancing sideways at the Dragon King, slowly spoke up to enlighten him.

“Old Dragon, think about this carefully… what kind of lion could have such a protective aura?”

The Dragon King's confusion was instantly replaced by horror. A flash of understanding crossed his copper bell eyes, which then turned into immense fear. His thick lips trembled, and he dared not ask another question about the Buddha's light. He abruptly picked up a basket of golden carp from the ground, glared at Yuan Shoucheng, and strode away without looking back, his steps heavy.

Watching the Dragon King's imposing figure disappear around the street corner, Chen Guangrui's brows furrowed even more deeply. His confusion didn't dissipate; instead, it deepened.

This blue-maned lion, according to the power it represents, was supposed to facilitate his marriage with Yin Wenjiao. Its biggest obstacle should be itself.

Now that he has "become a monk," Yin Kaishan is still clinging to the idea that his "mind is not settled," even going so far as to reject the rising star Zhang Changling. It is very likely that Yin Kaishan is waiting for him here.

Logically, shouldn't it focus its efforts on itself? Whether through coercion, enticement, or manipulation, it should try to get itself to agree or force itself to comply...

What was it doing deep inside the heavily guarded palace? What was there there more important than the "Buddha's decree" of Jin Chanzi's descent into the world?

This is completely illogical. As Chen Guangrui walked, he thought to himself, feeling as if a thicker fog had enveloped him, and every step he took was on the edge of an invisible vortex.

Back at the entrance of the post station, Zhang Changling's figure stood forlornly in a corner. He had changed out of the new brocade robe he had specially prepared for the marriage proposal and was now back in his ordinary scholar's gown, the knees still seemingly dusty.

Seeing Chen Guangrui approach, he stood up awkwardly, his face a mixture of dejection, disappointment, and a hint of relieved gratitude.

“Brother Chen…” Zhang Changling’s voice was a little hoarse, “I…I’ve been waiting for you on purpose.”

Chen Guangrui stopped and looked at him.

Zhang Changling took a deep breath, seemingly gathering his courage.

"Yesterday my marriage proposal was rejected... and I even caused you trouble at Daxingshan Temple... cough," he realized his slip of the tongue and immediately corrected himself.
"Regarding that matter, thank you for your guidance. Although it didn't work out... you didn't play a trick on me; you truly pointed me in the right direction. I, Zhang Changling, will remember this kindness."

He paused, his expression turning extremely serious, took a step closer, and lowered his voice.
"There is something else right now. I overheard something from Lord Sun Fujia. I heard that... things have been rather unsettled in the palace lately."

Chen Guangrui's heart skipped a beat: "What is it?"

Zhang Changling's voice was even lower, carrying a sense of secrecy.
"It seems... that in the inner court, a lot of... files? I think they're called 'official documents'? The very important kind! Lord Sun didn't mention exactly what was missing, but judging from his tone, it was extremely confidential and crucial! This morning, the Emperor was furious, and there was a great deal of panic both inside and outside the palace as everyone thoroughly investigated the traitors within!"

He took a breath, looking somewhat nervous. "I dare not linger. It was... it was Lord Sun who summoned me. I think you should know about this. That Lord Sun," he licked his dry lips, his voice barely audible, "seems... not entirely uninvolved, and some of his words... are quite meaningful."

Having finished speaking hastily, Zhang Changling seemed relieved of some burden, yet with a cautious air of not wanting to cause any more trouble, he bowed deeply to Chen Guangrui.
"Thank you for your kindness. I will take my leave now! I will certainly repay you if I have the opportunity!"

He straightened up, quickly glanced left and right to make sure no one was watching, then lowered his head and disappeared at the end of the long street outside the inn with slightly unsteady steps but unusually fast.

Chen Guangrui stood still, the shadow of the post station's porch falling on him.

Having just heard the Dragon King's biting sarcasm about "Buddha's Light," and Yuan Shoucheng's calculation of the demon lion's infiltration of the palace, and now learning about the mysteriously stolen "documents" deep within the palace, and Sun Fujia's ambiguous attitude...

Clues, like cold, undercurrents, surged and collided in his mind. Was the blue-maned lion's infiltration of the palace... all for these things?
That's really strange. A lion actually being interested in official documents?

(End of this chapter)