Great Zhou: Emperor Wu, I need to check your taxes.

"Snapped!"

Before Lin Yun's hand could even touch that finger, Shangguan Wan'er suddenly pulled her hand back, then glared at him with eyes that looked like she was looking at a fool.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to take advantage of me?"

"Huh?" Lin Yun's hand froze in mid-air, looking completely innocent.

"Didn't you extend your hand...so that your subordinate could take your pulse?"

"Taking your pulse?"

Shangguan Wan'er laughed in exasperation and glared at him again.

"I'm asking you to hand over that most important thing!"

"You really think I don't know?"

"Those armor-piercing crossbows are deadly, but they're not worth the court sending a seventh-level expert to guard that dark room!"

"There must be something else in that room!"

Lin Yun gave an awkward smile and sheepishly withdrew his hand.

"The Commander-in-Chief is wise and powerful; nothing can be hidden from you."

At this point, Lin Yun sighed, and his expression became serious.

Then, he took out a small box, about the size of a palm, made entirely of sandalwood.

The box was antique in appearance, with two small seal script characters engraved on the lid.

Immortality!

The moment she saw those two words, Shangguan Wan'er's previously indifferent expression finally changed.

It was shock, solemnity, and even a hint of disbelief!

Lin Yun held the box in both hands and handed it to Shangguan Wan'er.

"This was found by my subordinates on the table in that dark room."

"At that time, it was placed in the very center, and Zhao Yun refused to leave the box even if it meant death."

Actually, Lin Yun had another half-sentence hidden in his heart.

The reason he looked so horrified when he entered the room, and even went so far as to exhaust his last bit of energy to open his third eye, was because of this pill!

If it were any other treasure, given Lin Yun's "plucking feathers from a passing goose" personality, he might have just taken it for himself.

But this thing is too hot to handle!

Moreover, through the Heavenly Eye scan, it was discovered that although this pill was also a Longevity Pill, its quality was extremely poor, even inferior to the purplish-gold dregs of the pill he had previously consumed.

Furthermore, Zhao Yun is still alive. If she were to be concealed, it would be a crime of deceiving the emperor if it were discovered later.

Risking execution for such a defective product does not align with the auditor's risk assessment logic.

"Immortality..."

Shangguan Wan'er took the box, took a deep breath, and gently opened the lid.

A strange, delicate fragrance instantly filled the courtyard.

Inside the box, on a sheet of yellow silk, lay a crimson pill, its surface shimmering with a faint light, exuding an alluring yet dangerous aura.

"It really was it..."

Shangguan Wan'er's pupils contracted slightly, and her voice became somewhat low.

"The batch of banned drugs from the Imperial Medical Academy back then."

She slowly raised her head again, looking at Lin Yun with a hint of danger in her eyes.

"You mean, this is also Lai Junchen's?"

"Absolutely true."

Lin Yun nodded and analyzed in a deep voice:

"According to the case files from that year, the Imperial Medical Bureau produced a total of thirty-six longevity pills. After the case was uncovered, the whereabouts of these pills became unknown."

"According to Faming's confession, these pills were stolen by the magistrate's office, but we have no evidence."

"only……"

Lin Yun frowned and voiced his doubts.

"I find this rather strange."

"What's strange?"

Shangguan Wan'er had calmed down by this point and gestured for him to continue.

"If the purpose of hoarding armor was for rebellion, then placing these elixirs of immortality together... isn't that a bit too deliberate?"

Lin Yun pointed to the box.

"This thing is far more valuable than those suits of armor. If it were to be presented to some important person, such as... someone who wants to prolong their life, or an elderly prince."

"That makes sense."

"But would an old fox like Lai Junchen really leave such a top-secret and precious treasure in a seemingly lax but actually flawed escort agency?"

"Even if there is an assassination expert at the seventh level, it is still too hasty."

"It gives me the feeling... like he deliberately left this there, waiting for us to investigate."

Upon hearing this, a hint of admiration flashed in Shangguan Wan'er's eyes.

"Your intuition is very sharp."

She closed the lid, tucked the box into her sleeve, and her gaze became deep and unfathomable.

"Armor and longevity pills—this is indeed ironclad evidence of treason that has been prepared in advance."

"Regardless of whether this was Lai Junchen's original intention, now that it has fallen into our hands, it is the sharpest knife to stab the Judicial Office."

She glanced at Lin Yun, whose face was full of exhaustion.

Today, Lin Yun is not only treating his own illness, but also making plans and arresting people.

He also had to deal with various emergencies, and by this time his eyes were covered in dark circles.

"Alright."

Shangguan Wan'er waved her hand, her tone softening slightly.

"You're exhausted tonight, leave the rest to me."

"I will personally interrogate Zhao Yun. I refuse to believe that there is any mouth in this world that the Plum Blossom Imperial Guards cannot pry open."

"Go back and rest."

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

Lin Yun was indeed exhausted. He figured it would be fine to leave these matters to Shangguan. He bowed and left.

He had only taken a few steps when he couldn't help but look back again.

Under the moonlight, Shangguan Wan'er still stood there, stroking the sandalwood box in her hand, lost in thought.

The wind lifted the hem of her clothes, making her appear somewhat lonely, yet incredibly strong.

……

As we left the Imperial Guard, the eastern sky was already beginning to lighten.

The night watchman on the street struck the gong at the fifth watch.

Lin Yun dragged his tired body and rode his horse back to the Lin residence in Yong'an Ward.

This night was so exciting! The relaxation after being so tense made him want to just lie down and sleep.

However, he was stunned when he pushed open the courtyard gate.

It was already past midnight, and everyone in the family should have been asleep by then.

But the direction of their own kitchen was brightly lit.

Smoke was still rising from the chimney, and rhythmic knocking sounds could be heard coming from inside.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

It sounded like something had hit the ground; it was a dull, powerful sound.

"In the middle of the night... a thief broke in?"

Lin Yun frowned, instantly becoming alert. He placed his hand on the black hair at his waist and silently reached out.

He peeked inside through the half-open kitchen window.

But it was just that one glance.

The next second, Lin Yun's eyes widened, his drowsiness vanished instantly, and he even felt a warm current flowing through his nose!

The narrow but warm kitchen was steaming.

Steam was billowing from the steamer on the stove, while three women were busily working in front of the large stone mortar.

It was my sister-in-law, Su Qingtan, and two maids, Chuntao and Xiahe.

Perhaps it was because the kitchen was too hot, or perhaps it was because pounding the glutinous rice cakes was just too strenuous.

At this moment, all three of them had taken off their long gowns and skirts, wearing only close-fitting strapless tops and loose underpants.

The scenery that is usually covered up is now fully revealed in the dim light and swirling steam!