Chapter 43

In the Zhuge residence, in the study, a small pigeon flapped its wings and perched on the windowsill, tapping lightly on the window with its proud neck.

"Xiao Fei, you were quite quick this time." Wucheng opened the window and took in the pigeon, a rare smile appearing on her face, pure and warm.

"Ah! Sister Wucheng, you're smiling! So beautiful!" Princess Feifeng pounced on Wucheng, her face beaming with a cute smile, her eyes sparkling with countless little stars.

Wucheng teased, "You know you're back? Why didn't you chase after your uncle?" She laughed and removed the message tube.

"Huh? What's this? Could it be a love letter from Sister Wucheng's sweetheart?" Princess Feifeng exclaimed, reaching for the message tube. But Wucheng, being so skilled, easily deflected her arm with a light flick of her finger.

"Ah!" Her arm hit the corner of the table uncontrollably. As Princess Feifeng hopped around holding her arm, Wucheng had already opened the message tube and was looking at the letter thoughtfully.

"Sister Wucheng! How could you be so heartless! It's all swollen and red!" She whined, extending her snow-white arm, which had a slight red mark, like rouge on delicate skin.

"Who told you to be so mischievous!"

"Hmph! Hiding and covering up, there must be a plot! What is it? What is it? Tell me quickly!" Princess Feifeng tugged at Wucheng's sleeve, her eyes fixed on the letter in Wucheng's hand.

Wucheng, helpless, handed over the letter. Princess Feifeng snatched it, turned it over, and then threw it aside, "Pfft! I thought it was some big secret! It's just a bunch of boring moral lessons."

"Anyone can say these things, but how many can truly live by them? As he wrote, most people gossip about others with a gossipy mindset. They are not incapable of understanding or feeling, but they are just too lazy. They won't do anything that doesn't benefit them, but they forget that words can be as sharp as knives!" Wucheng explained to Princess Feifeng while also reflecting on herself, thinking that she might need to change her approach to certain people.

"Hmm, indeed profound and meaningful, but still just a bunch of nonsense. The books in my brother's study that preach these moral lessons could build another Golden Hall. But what use are they? My brother never reads them." Princess Feifeng looked as if she had just eaten a fly.

Although the gloom in her eyes was fleeting, it did not escape Wucheng's notice. But since she didn't want to talk about it, Wucheng didn't press further. "The Emperor deals with state affairs every day and should lead by example, reflecting on himself and enriching his knowledge daily. Why doesn't he read them?" Wucheng asked curiously.

"Because public opinion means nothing to the royal family!" Princess Feifeng said bitterly.

Wucheng was taken aback, "Why say that? Does the Emperor want to be a tyrant?" This was a bit disrespectful, and Wucheng realized it, feeling a bit awkward.

Princess Feifeng didn't mind but didn't say anything more.

"Such words should not be repeated," Zhuge Zhengwo entered and said calmly.

Wucheng naturally listened to him, but her confusion remained. She didn't hide her thoughts from him, her face showing her doubts.

Zhuge Zhengwo sighed, "The palace is the largest prison in the world! The Emperor has his own troubles."

"What kind of troubles?"

"I can't say. If one day you meet those people, I will tell you." Zhuge Zhengwo shook his head and continued, "Let's end this discussion. Tieshou will be back in three days. I will arrange for him to enter the palace to strengthen the royal guard. You will patrol with him then; your abilities will be very useful!"

Wucheng nodded in agreement. Zhuge Zhengwo sighed inwardly and left. "Who is Tieshou?" Princess Feifeng asked.

"My junior!"

"Oh, you haven't told me who this letter is from."

"A... very good at scolding people!"

...

Night mist enveloped the area, the moonlight hazy, with few stars visible. In the dark, a shadow sneaked into the medical hall.

"Coming back so late! Did you spend the night there!" Ling Xiao held two wife cakes, taking a bite and handing the other to Ling Lingfa, who had just returned home late.

Ling Lingfa took it and stuffed it into his mouth, mumbling, "Pretty good, where did you buy them?"

"From the Ximen family's wife cake shop, a century-old brand! Quality guaranteed."

Ling Lingfa nodded, saying nothing more, eating the cake with a neutral expression. "If you have something to say, just say it. Pretending to be deep is not your style. Did something go wrong with your undercover mission?" Ling Xiao asked, smirking.

"Very successful, and I met Miss Qin Cao."

"That's great! Finish the mission and report to the Emperor!" Ling Xiao said matter-of-factly.

"Can't report!"

Ling Xiao was puzzled, "Why? Is there something wrong with Miss Qin Cao?"

"A big problem," Ling Lingfa said seriously.

"What problem? Is she not pretty enough? That can't be! She's the top courtesan at Huixian Yaxu!" Ling Xiao was confident in the Emperor's disguise skills.

"Very pretty, a beauty that could topple a nation!"

"Then is her figure not good enough?"

"No, her figure is perfect, like a devil's!"

"Then what's the problem?" Ling Xiao was confused.

"Because she's too perfect! Even such a perfect woman didn't make me feel any desire. Isn't that a problem?" Ling Lingfa said, eyes wide with disbelief.

Ling Xiao chuckled, "Is there something wrong with your body... forget it, I didn't hear that."

Ling Lingfa slapped him on the back of the head, "Disrespectful! I'm very healthy. Just look at how satisfied my wife is every morning. I just can't feel any interest in Miss Qin Cao."

"Maybe you love your wife too much, affecting your normal male desires!" Ling Xiao asked, grinning.

Ling Lingfa rolled his eyes, "My wife isn't that cruel! It's like an instinct. Like the attraction between men and women, the connection between turtles and mung beans, or the mutual benefit between flowers and cow dung!"

"So mysterious! What does it mean?"

"It means Miss Qin Cao is definitely problematic. Tomorrow, you go to the palace and find out how the Emperor first learned about her. Be discreet, don't alert anyone. I will go to Huixian Yaxu again tomorrow!" Ling Lingfa seemed to have made a significant decision.

Ling Xiao agreed readily, quite enthusiastic about the matter. As a穿越者 (穿越者 means "time traveler" or "穿越者" in this context, but it's better to use "穿越者" to maintain the original flavor), the most tiring part was knowing something but having to pretend not to. Ling Xiao was quite lazy in some aspects, so to make him work like a stubborn donkey, he needed to find the carrot the donkey liked! For example, Ling Linggong, who had always been on his guard, raised many questions for Ling Xiao about the Bao Long clan, who should have been dead.

Throughout the event, from the Jin Kingdom to the capital, Ling Linggong had played a seemingly transparent role. But why was he still alive when Ling Lingxi and Ling Lingcai were already dead? What Ling Xiao found most suspicious was the attack at the Return Inn. Many clues pointed to Ling Linggong. Even though he was much lower-profile after returning to the capital, being low-profile meant being mysterious. Who could guarantee that he wasn't secretly amassing strength, preparing to take revenge on society?

...

The night passed without incident. The next morning, Ling Xiao entered the palace. There were actually many people in the palace. Previously, Ling Xiao had always thought that spies should completely blend into life, but now it seemed that wasn't entirely true.

"Mr. Ling, what brings you to the palace today?" Wei Zhongxian said behind him, his voice kind and gentle, though his appearance was deceiving.

Ling Xiao smiled and bowed, "It's Eunuch Wei! The day of the duel is approaching. As a member of the Bao Long clan, ensuring the Emperor's safety is our top priority. I came to check the palace's defenses today."

"Ha ha! Mr. Ling is truly a pillar of the court, thinking of the state and the Emperor's safety! Are there any flaws in the palace's defenses?" Wei Zhongxian praised.

"Yes, there are, and they are significant!" He pointed to the palace maids and eunuchs patrolling the halls. "Look, could they make the guards more obvious? They all look menacing and fierce, isn't that telling the thieves we have problems? And who assigned that muscular maid? She's stronger than me! Even a fool can see she's a man in disguise. The palace already has enough beauties, why add such a group? It's just disgusting!"

Wei Zhongxian was speechless, a bit embarrassed. "Well... martial artists! There are few who are both wise and strong. Most are simple-minded and strong. Although their hiding is a bit naive, as long as it increases the palace's defenses, it's a good thing!"

"True!" Ling Xiao nodded, then said impatiently, "Our Emperor is really bored to the extreme. Everyone is busy with the duel, but he has me find a famous courtesan in the capital! Does that make sense?"

"Mr. Ling is the Emperor's confidant, so you're not afraid. But I dare not overstep. Please be careful with your words!" Wei Zhongxian smiled bitterly. The Ling family was indeed a bunch of lawless people.

Ling Xiao frowned, looking at Wei Zhongxian's respectful demeanor. "By the way, how did the Emperor learn about the famous courtesan from the Jin Kingdom? How did he get the information faster than me?"

Wei Zhongxian paused, thinking. "That day, Ling Linggong said he was going to Huixian Yaxu to relax, and the Emperor overheard it. That's how it happened! Is there a problem? You know, with such beauties, the Emperor wanting to indulge himself is understandable."

Ling Xiao had been observing Wei Zhongxian's expression, but there was no sign of anything unusual. If he was innocent, then this old eunuch was a great actor! The Emperor rarely left his chambers, more reclusive than some noble ladies. The people who could influence him were few. Carefully thinking, the Eighth Prince and Chancellor Cai were both gentlemen and wouldn't spread such gossip. Wei Zhongxian naturally had nothing to do with it, leaving only Ling Linggong!

Since he had an answer, even if it wasn't entirely correct, Ling Xiao had no reason to stay. He said a casual goodbye and left the palace, unaware that a chilling threat was already approaching.

"This man is a great threat," a voice said behind Wei Zhongxian. He turned slowly, and a smiling old eunuch of the ninth rank bowed.

Wei Zhongxian looked disgusted, "You entered the palace at twelve and have been a ninth-rank eunuch for so many years because of your impatience! How dare you speak to me? If anyone suspects and ruins the master's plan, I will make sure you have no place to hide!"

"I know my crime!" The old eunuch knelt, his face showing fear.

"Hmph! Ling Lingfa is already tied up, but Ling Xiao is too close to Lu Xiaofeng! Both are troublesome. The master's plan cannot afford any mistakes, not even a tiny one!"

The old eunuch's eyes flashed with a hint of killing intent, "I understand!" He bowed and retreated, leaving.

Wei Zhongxian watched the old eunuch leave, then looked at the passing palace maids. Was I too obvious? He turned his gaze to the nearby Golden Hall, "In one month, you will change hands!"

(Seeking votes, seeking collection!)

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