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

The Prime Minister's Residence, Songhe Garden.

As Murong Shunshun dragged her weary steps into the room, Xin Yi had just removed the silver needles from the three infants.

"Are you alright? Where did you go all night?" Xin Yi asked in a low voice as soon as she saw her come in.

Murong Shunshun was too exhausted to explain, so she could only keep it brief.

"It's alright, the Prime Minister and I are both fine."

"How are Shunhua, Shunying, and Shunhui doing?"

Xin Yi curled the corners of her lips: "The young master and young ladies are all fine. I gave them acupuncture and will also write a prescription. They will recover after a few days of clearing their lungs."

Murong Shunshun's tense back finally relaxed at this moment.

She walked to the cradle and looked at the three little dumplings sleeping soundly side by side.

Shunying slept sprawled out, Shunhui's mouth was smacking unconsciously, while Shunhua slept the most quietly.

After confirming that the children were indeed safe and sound, waves of drowsiness overwhelmed her.

Shunshun really couldn't hold on any longer.

He randomly found a room in Songhe Garden, took off his clothes, and fell into a deep sleep on the couch.

Pei Yan stayed in the purse, resting with her.

She slept very soundly, without even dreaming.

When I opened my eyes again, the sky outside the window was already dyed red by the setting sun.

In mid-October, it got dark earlier than usual, and the cold wind made the roof tiles rattle.

Murong Shunshun called in two maids, washed her face and rinsed her mouth. She had just taken a few sips of warm chicken porridge when Xiao San and the others returned.

Xiao San knelt on one knee, his usually piercing eyes now bloodshot.

Xiao Qi and Xiao Shiwu, who were following behind him, were also dejected and full of guilt.

"Your subordinate is incompetent."

Xiao San's voice was hoarse, as if it were covered in iron filings.

"The brothers searched everywhere they could... but the capital is just too big, and we were conducting a covert search, so..."

"The Prime Minister's physical body was not found."

Murong Shunshun put down the porcelain spoon in her hand, which hit the rim of the bowl with a crisp sound.

"Didn't the Emperor send the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to help you?"

Xiao San cupped his hands in greeting: "They did help, but they gained nothing."

Shunshun neither got angry nor broke down in disappointment.

Instead, she stood up and helped them up.

"The thieves had been plotting for a long time, and even used a series of tricks such as feinting to the east while attacking in the west and luring the tiger away from the mountain. The fact that they were able to carry out their plan so smoothly suggests that they likely had an inside accomplice all along."

"The place where the Prime Minister is hidden must be quite secluded and difficult to find."

"You've been working tirelessly since last night, from putting out the fire to the search, you've given it your all."

"Everyone, step back, have a good meal, and get a good night's sleep."

Her gaze swept firmly over the crowd.

"The sky hasn't fallen over the Prime Minister's residence yet."

"Perhaps good news will come from Young Master Liu's side or the palace tomorrow."

Xiao San was surprised that Murong Shunshun did not punish them. He was both touched and felt guilty.

"Yes, sir! We'll continue the search after we've eaten and slept our fill!"

……

The night was as dark as ink.

In a small alley outside the Prime Minister's residence, a blue-curtained carriage stood silently.

Pei Lu, dressed in a dark blue cloth robe and wearing a large felt hat, cautiously looked around.

After confirming that no one was in the alley, he quickly crouched down and crawled into the carriage.

He drove himself, veering off course.

He was completely unaware that a tiny, inconspicuous gray butterfly had just landed on his back.

The little butterfly folded its wings in the night breeze, remaining motionless.

The carriage traveled through the intricate streets and markets of the capital for almost half an hour.

Finally, we stopped at the back gate of a secluded three-courtyard house that didn't even have a signboard.

Pei Lu lowered the brim of his hat, strode to the door, and knocked three times in succession.

"Tap-tap-tap-"

The door creaked open, and a large, thick hand reached out and pulled Pei Lu inside.

The wooden door slammed shut instantly, fitting perfectly.

The person who dragged him in was one of Prince Chen's men.

He was infiltrated in the capital to act as a liaison, disguised as a merchant and dressed in silk clothes.

"Fourth Master, how did things go?" the merchant asked in a low voice, handing over a cup of hot tea.

Pei Lu took the tea and couldn't help but smile.

"Everything is under Your Highness's control."

"Following his instructions, I sprinkled the prepared scale powder on the tree branches and told Murong Shunshun."

"That woman was terrified by the fire and realized that Liu Dieyi might have been the arsonist, so she was extremely frightened."

Upon hearing this, the other party nodded in satisfaction.

"As expected of Fourth Master, who has been trained in the Ministry of Justice for many years, he is meticulous and reliable in his work."

"As long as you are obedient and efficient, your merit in supporting the emperor will be just around the corner!"

He changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

"However, His Highness also instructed that this matter should not be rushed."

"Although Murong is a woman, she is not bad-natured and is quite intelligent."

"If she hesitates and doesn't dare to agree to your idea..."

A ruthless glint flashed in the man's eyes.

"Then Fourth Master will find another opportunity to use her three children as leverage!"

"This plan isn't just about capturing Liu Dieyi; it's also about creating conflict between the Prime Minister's residence and Lu Yunzheng, crippling Pei Yan. Do you understand?"

Pei Lu nodded repeatedly, "I understand. As for the matter I mentioned to Your Highness last time..."

This person immediately interrupted him:

"Don't worry, even if what you did comes to light, with His Highness mediating, it will definitely not reach the capital!"

Pei Lu immediately breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

If he hadn't been forced into this situation, why would he have sought refuge with Prince Chen?

If Pei Yan hadn't been so cold-blooded, kicking out the second wife's family, why would he have bothered...?

Sigh, well, it's too late now, there's no turning back.

Just as the two were plotting, the little butterfly that had been clinging to Pei Lu's back quietly took flight.

It flew into the courtyard, its antennae twitching slightly, as if sensing the extremely faint scent in the air.

Finally, the little butterfly flew over several rooms and landed on the back of a man with a burly face.

The man, completely unaware, turned and twisted his way into a cold, narrow alley.

At the end of the narrow passage was a dark, airtight room.

The menacing-looking man lit the oil lamp mounted on the wall.

The dim light illuminated a bed.

And lying quietly on it was Pei Yan's physical body!

The little butterfly slowly circled three times above Pei Yan's head.

Fine scales, carried by its flapping wings, silently settled on Pei Yan's forehead.

Having done all this, the little butterfly slipped through the ventilation hole at the top of the dark room, disappeared into the night, and fluttered its wings toward Liu Dieyi's dwelling.

Just then, Pei Yan's tightly closed eyes...

It trembled very slightly.