The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Murong Shunshun's bewildered state greatly pleased Pei Lu.

A dark glint flashed in his eyes. He took a small step forward and lowered his voice.

"Sister-in-law, don't panic... Let's trap them like turtles in a jar."

Murong Shunshun's long, thick eyelashes trembled in panic.

"How do you trap a turtle in a jar?"

Pei Lu pondered for a moment, looking as if he was meticulously planning.

"Every year when the weather gets cold, high-ranking officials and nobles like to go to Shichahai to enjoy the autumn waters and eat hot pot."

"Sister-in-law, you can send an invitation to Liu Dieyi and invite him to Shichahai for sightseeing and banquets."

"But this post must clearly state that Lord Lu will also be going."

"Liu Dieyi has a close relationship with Lord Lu. Seeing that Lord Lu is also going, he will definitely not suspect anything."

"Once he's in the game, we'll have a way to take him down."

Murong Shunshun sneered inwardly. This was a vicious scheme; they actually wanted her to drag Brother Lu into it as well.

If she were to actually believe this nonsense, wouldn't she be putting Brother Lu in an unjust and immoral position?

She portrayed her fear so convincingly that she shook her head repeatedly.

"Fourth Master, you don't know this, but Liu Dieyi is the young master of Miao territory. He can use strange and unpredictable Gu techniques, and his martial arts are extremely high."

"His pet birdwing butterfly might even attack people!"

"Even if he really went to Shichahai, we might not be able to catch him."

"What if he escapes, or what if we go to great lengths to capture him, but he stubbornly denies it and even releases butterflies or poisonous insects to harm people? What should we do then?"

Pei Lu was not stumped by the question; instead, a smile of appreciation appeared on his honest, round face.

"My sister-in-law is very thoughtful; those two questions were excellent."

"But don't worry, sister-in-law. Since I dared to come up with this idea, I naturally have a way to do it."

Pei Lu rubbed his hands together confidently.

"To be honest, I know a martial arts master in the Jianghu whose moves are specifically designed to counter the insidious methods of the Miao people in the south."

"In addition, I can also borrow a group of elite yamen runners from the Ministry of Justice under the pretext of thoroughly investigating the arson case, and secretly lay in ambush."

"In addition, there are our Prime Minister's valiant and skilled guards."

"Under this inescapable net, even if Liu Dieyi grew wings, he wouldn't be able to escape!"

Murong Shunshun's fingers, hanging at her sides, tightened silently.

A martial arts master who specifically counters the Miao people?

There's no such thing as a coincidence in this world.

Pei Lu discovered a clue that was detrimental to Liu Dieyi, and he also happened to know a master who could restrain him.

That so-called "expert" might actually be the arsonist.

Seeing that Murong Shunshun was silent, Pei Lu assumed that she was still afraid and let out a long sigh.

"Fortunately, the three children were lucky and were rescued from the fire."

"The Miao people of the southern region are inherently ruthless and vicious; they have long harbored rebellious intentions to break away from the imperial court's control!"

"This trip to the capital may be driven by some wicked intention to disrupt the court."

"It's not surprising at all that they would stop at nothing to achieve their goals, choosing to target defenseless children."

Murong Shunshun suddenly raised her eyes and stared intently into Pei Lu's eyes.

"Fourth Master has always lived in the north and has never been to the southwest..."

She deliberately slowed her speech, her face full of confusion.

How could someone understand the character of the Miao people so well?

Pei Lu's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, but he quickly broke into a laugh.

"Sister-in-law, you're joking. Of course, I've never been to the Southwest."

"But having worked in the Ministry of Justice organizing case files on a regular basis, I've seen a lot of cases and naturally gained some understanding of the insidious methods used by these foreign tribes."

"Their submission to our Han Chinese court is only superficial; in their hearts, they harbor deep hatred for us Han Chinese!"

Seeing that Murong Shunshun was stunned and seemed to be terrified, he quickly pressed his advantage.

"The Gu techniques of the Miao region are extremely terrifying, such as the Heartbreak Gu and the Soul-Stealing Gu, which are impossible to guard against."

"They can use all sorts of living creatures to cast spells. Snakes, insects, and rodents are manageable; we'll be on guard as soon as we see them. But what about flowers, plants, and trees?"

"If we don't get rid of Liu Dieyi, what if he uses a curse on Shunhua, Shunying, and Shunhui in the future, making the children vicious, ungrateful, disloyal, and unfilial..."

"Our entire Pei family... we've all lost it all!"

Upon hearing this, the purse hanging at Shun Shun's waist suddenly felt heavy.

Murong Shunshun pressed Pei Yan down, her face turning even paler.

She was indeed frightened, but not by Pei Lu, but because...

She remembered the faint fragrance of plum blossoms on Prince Chen!

Pei Lu just said that the Miao people can use living creatures to raise and cast Gu poison, and some can even use flowers and plants to cast Gu poison!

Several things suddenly appeared in her mind at once.

A horse startled and out of control, a venomous snake in the flower hall, the lingering scent of plum blossoms...

All the scattered fragments were strung together in my mind.

Shun Shun's hands and feet were cold.

Could it be... that she's been bewitched?

She raised her hand and rubbed her temples in pain.

"I understand. But this matter is very complicated, and if we're not careful... I... I haven't slept all night... My mind is really in a mess."

"Fourth Master, please allow me to consider it."

A hint of anxiety flashed in Pei Lu's eyes, but he suppressed it and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"This concerns the safety of the Prime Minister's residence, so it's only right that you be cautious, sister-in-law."

"But the thief is lurking in the shadows, and we can't guard against him at all. Please make a decision quickly, sister-in-law."

"I'll come back tomorrow to ask my sister-in-law for advice."

After saying that, he and Steward Zhao turned and left together.

Murong Shunshun stood in the wind, watching Pei Lu's figure disappear around the corner, her fear and vulnerability completely gone.

She randomly selected a maid and summoned Lüyi from Songhe Garden.

"Go and change into the clothes of a third-class maid, and quietly leave through the side gate in the back courtyard."

Murong Shunshun told her what had happened and then gave her careful instructions.

"Go find Lord Lu."

Tell him everything, word for word, from the fire at Qingyi Courtyard last night to Pei Lu pointing out the scales on the magnolia tree.

Lu Yi's expression hardened.

"Don't worry, Madam, I will definitely convey your message."

Watching Lüyi's hurried departure, Murong Shunshun touched the purse hanging at her waist.

The little doll had been very quiet, and Shunshun could sense that Pei Yan must also be deep in thought at this moment.

"Prime Minister, let's go back to the study and tell the Emperor what just happened."

"Liu Dieyi is the young master of Miao territory. He was slandered as soon as he arrived in the capital. If he harbors any dissatisfaction with the court, it will affect the peace of Miao territory."

Pei Yan thought the same thing as her: "That's what I was thinking too."

They returned to the study, skillfully wrote letters, and sent them to the South Study via copper rails…

The capital city, the Lu residence.

After hearing Lu Yi's report, Lu Yunzheng's handsome face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

He slammed his hand on the rosewood tabletop, nearly knocking the teacup to the ground.

"That's utter bullshit!"

Lu Yunzheng gritted his teeth, his eyes practically spitting fire.

"Fourth Master Pei usually seems honest, how dare he throw such filthy water at you!"

He suddenly stood up and paced anxiously back and forth in the room.

"This is really strange... Why would he frame you? What good would it do him?!"

Compared to Lu Yunzheng's furious outburst, Liu Dieyi, sitting by the window, was surprisingly calm.

The sunlight fell on his light honey-colored cheeks, making the small brown butterfly-shaped mole at the corner of his left eye appear even more vibrant.

He lowered his head and teased the golden swallowtail butterfly on his sleeve with his fingertips.

It occasionally spreads its wings, the irregular silver-white patterns on them shimmering with an extremely dazzling iridescent light.

"Lu Yunzheng, stop spinning me, it's hurting my eyes."

Liu Dieyi's voice was calm and unwavering, as if she didn't care about the vicious accusation at all.

"Pei Lu, right? He's right, the scales of the Golden Birdwing butterfly are indeed a pale pink."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yunzheng became anxious.

"My goodness! What time is it? You're still acting like nothing's wrong!"

"The Golden Birdwing butterfly is rare and precious. Besides you Miao people, who else can raise it?"

"This is clearly an attempt to pin the blame on you!"

Seeing how nervous he was, Liu Dieyi suddenly chuckled softly.

"You're right, no one but the Miao people can find the Golden Birdwing Butterfly."

"Therefore, this scale powder must be counterfeit."

He tilted his head slightly toward Lu Yunzheng, the Miao silver necklace around his neck making a crisp clinking sound.

"My butterfly only obeys my commands. It hasn't been to that yard, so how could it have left its scales there?"

"Furthermore, I am certain that no other Miao people besides me have come to the capital."

Lu Yunzheng thought to himself that this made sense, but words alone were not enough to prove anything. Who could testify for him?

Wait a minute, he seems like he could testify for Liu Dieyi.

After a moment, he thought of something and his eyes widened suddenly.

"You forgot..."

Lu Yunzheng's voice became somewhat hoarse.

"Your junior brother...didn't he betray our sect, break with you, and flee Miao territory a few years ago?!"

Liu Dieyi's originally calm expression suddenly turned gloomy.

"You mean... the one who supplied Pei Lu with the scale powder... might be my junior brother?"

The more Lu Yunzheng thought about it, the more likely it seemed. "There's no mistake! Otherwise, what Miao person would help someone else frame you?!"

"Tell me, which Miao person isn't afraid of your Hundred Butterfly Gu? But when your junior brother betrayed you, you hadn't yet mastered it, and you were injured by him!"

Liu Dieyi slowly straightened up.

The silver ornaments on his body made a series of soft, continuous sounds as he stood up.

His expression finally turned serious.

Looking down at the golden swallowtail butterfly on her fingertip, she slightly moved her lips and babbled a Miao language that Lu Yunzheng couldn't understand.

Upon hearing the command, the golden swallowtail butterfly immediately flapped its large wings.

A strange, sweet fragrance instantly filled the room.

In just a few breaths, dozens of inconspicuous gray butterflies flew in one after another outside the window.

They circled around the Golden Birdwing Butterfly several times in mid-air.

It was as if they were having some kind of silent conversation.

A moment later, the little butterflies scattered and flew towards the streets and alleys outside the window.

Liu Dieyi looked out the window, her fingertips gently stroking the silver bell on her wrist.

"As long as he is in the capital, I will definitely find him and clean house."