The carriage stopped at the side gate. Ji Yuluo dismounted gracefully and parted ways with Huo Xian at the covered walkway, watching him head towards the study. Ji Yuluo paused for a moment, then turned back outside the side gate, where a servant was tidying up the used carriage.
There were two carriages, one parked further inside, evidently just returned. Ji Yuluo pointed to that one and asked, “Who left the manor?”
The servant respectfully replied, “Madam, it was Concubine Sheng who went out.”
Ji Yuluo asked, “Where did Concubine Sheng go?”
The servant said, “Madam, Concubine Sheng went to Linglong Pavilion to pick jade. Linglong Pavilion brings in new jade at the beginning of every month, and Concubine Sheng always goes to choose a piece at this time of the month.”
Ji Yuluo asked, “You mean she goes every month at this time?”
The servant scratched his head, thinking it might be a brewing battle between wives and concubines, and hurriedly explained, “Yes, Concubine Sheng has a pass token that allows her to leave the manor at will. This is permitted by the master…”
“I understand, carry on with your work.”
With that, Ji Yuluo walked away.
Under normal circumstances, without the husband accompanying, a concubine couldn’t even step beyond the hanging flower gate, let alone ride out of the manor. But Sheng Lanxin was not an ordinary concubine; this much was clear from their conversation that day.
Or perhaps it shouldn’t be said that she was unusual because her status as a concubine might just be a front.
After all, there were no signs of anyone else living in Sheng Lanxin’s courtyard, and the small, narrow single couch in Huo Xian’s study was hardly the treatment given to a favored concubine.
It was no wonder Ji Yuluo had previously suspected Huo Xian had an illness, but now it seemed he used Sheng Lanxin to fend off those pesky socialites. It wasn’t to cover up any ailment—she had felt it—he was healthy.
The favored concubine act was a lie, the playboy persona was a lie. What else about this man was true?
Halfway along the path, a figure suddenly appeared on the stone road, blocking Ji Yuluo’s way. It was a concubine—what was her name again…
Ah, Ye Linlang.
Meanwhile, Huo Xian arrived at the study, where Sheng Lanxin was already waiting.
As usual, she reported Huo Xian’s activities to Zhao Yong at the beginning of the month. After meeting Zhao Yong, she would come to tell Huo Xian what Zhao Yong had said. Sometimes, seemingly insignificant remarks could always be interpreted by Huo Xian in various ways.
After her report, Sheng Lanxin added, “He seemed distracted today, didn’t ask much, and quickly sent me away. When I left, the people from the Eastern Depot hurried in. Did something major happen?”
Things were unsettled everywhere, and Zhao Yong was naturally uneasy, having no time to deal with Huo Xian was also normal.
Huo Xian shook his head, as there were too many issues. He didn’t know which one was bothering Zhao Yong, perhaps all of them. He was silent for a moment, thoughtfully turning the pen in his hand, and said, “I was thinking… it might actually be unsafe to keep you by Zhao Yong’s side. Starting next month, don’t go there anymore.”
Sheng Lanxin instantly stiffened, sensing an impending storm from Huo Xian’s calm tone. Her voice involuntarily lowered, “What… what happened?”
Huo Xian didn’t speak.
Sheng Lanxin clenched her hand and said, “Did you see him? Did he ruin your plans? Is it related to him?”
Huo Xian frowned, listening to Sheng Lanxin enunciate each word: “I said it’s him, Changsun Lianyu.”
Huo Xian was stunned for a moment. “How did you know?”
He had told Sheng Lanxin about his suspicion that Lou Panshun might not be dead, but he had only recently become aware of the matter concerning Xie Subai.
However, there wasn’t a hint of surprise on her face, as if she had known all along. Huo Xian paused, “When did you find out?”
Sheng Lanxin pressed her lips together, “A long time ago. When you told me General Lou might not be dead, I already guessed.”
Perhaps women are more meticulous. From the first time she saw Ji Yuluo, Sheng Lanxin had noticed a familiar aura about her. Even her speech patterns and demeanor resembled that person. Such habits are hard to acquire without prolonged interaction.
At first, she didn’t realize it, but when Huo Xian mentioned that Lou Panshun might be alive, Sheng Lanxin began to have other suspicions. Lou Panshun couldn’t have raised a disciple with such a temperament.
Sheng Lanxin asked, “What does he intend to do?”
Huo Xian let out a short sigh. He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, and the pen he was twirling fell onto the table. He didn’t pick it up and said, “He… he’s creating problems for me. Do you think I must have committed some grave sins in my past life to owe the royal family something?”
At that moment, Nanyue entered hurriedly without knocking: “Master, there’s a letter from the army. Prince Xingnan has raised troops and is marching north. The palace sedan has arrived at the gate.”
Huo Xian didn’t speak. He finally understood why Xie Subai always maintained such a calm demeanor as if everything was under control.
Huo Xian left in a hurry, but the courtyard remained tranquil. Ji Yuluo was holding a small dish, scattering fish food into the pond. Since the weather had warmed up, Nanny Liu had added several colorful koi to the ponds, making them lively and vibrant.
She watched the fish competing to leap and feed, her expression calm as her thoughts raced, listening to Ye Linlang speak:
“Madam, you must know that both Sheng Concubine and I came from the palace as musicians, bestowed by the late emperor. But before leaving the palace, the Director of Ceremonies instructed me to keep an eye on the master’s every move and report monthly. I dared not commit such a heinous act and refused immediately. But later, I learned that if I didn’t do it, someone else would. That person was Sheng Lanxin! Madam, I have evidence. Every month, Sheng Concubine leaves the residence, claiming to visit Linglong Pavilion, but there’s a back door at Linglong Pavilion. If you don’t believe me, you can go there next month and see for yourself.”
Ji Yuluo continued feeding the fish, glancing at her: “You’re confined in the residence, yet you know Linglong Pavilion has a back door.”
Ye Linlang paused slightly. Of course, she knew because she also went to report to the palace monthly at first. But gradually, Huo Xian favored Sheng Lanxin exclusively, and she lost her value, so those eunuchs no longer needed her and stopped letting her go.
She said with red eyes, “For the master’s safety, I secretly followed Sheng Concubine. Because she is favored, I feared the master would misunderstand and think I was falsely accusing her out of jealousy, so I didn’t dare speak up until you arrived, madam. Only then did I feel someone could finally take charge.”
Ji Yuluo put the dish aside and asked, “So you mean the Director of Ceremonies is monitoring the master?”
Ye Linlang nodded, “Exactly. Some palace musicians are specially trained to serve the emperor or noblemen. They say it’s to serve, but it’s really to spy. Even the emperor…”
She stopped at the right moment and knelt, saying, “I’ve concealed this for a long time, knowing my guilt is severe, but I couldn’t bear to see the master deceived by Sheng Lanxin. Please, madam, handle this matter.”
Ji Yuluo waved her fan, “I understand. You may leave. Do not speak of this to anyone.”
Ye Linlang was mad to dare speak up, but she retreated timidly. However, thinking about Sheng Lanxin’s impending doom made her feel smug. If Madam dealt with Sheng Lanxin, it might cause the master to suspect her, eliminating both major threats from her heart. Ye Linlang finally felt some hope within the high walls of the rear courtyard, and even her steps revealed a touch of glee as she left.
Ji Yuluo watched her leave with a few twisted steps. Once Ye Linlang was out of sight, Ji Yuluo abruptly stopped fanning herself.
Considering Zhao Yong’s use of Gu poison to control Huo Xian, it wasn’t surprising that he would use a woman to spy on him. But Sheng Lanxin clearly had feelings for Huo Xian, which Zhao Yong and Ye Linlang were unaware of.
Huo Xian, in turn, was scheming against Zhao Yong.
She initially thought Zhao Yong and Huo Xian were simply exploiting each other, bound together by shared interests despite their animosity. They were like poisonous wolves, each deserving divine retribution.
If it were just that, they could maintain the current balance and even gain more benefits. But why did Sheng Lanxin want her to save him?
This indicated that one day, the situation would change, and the Jinyiwei might turn against each other.
But what made Sheng Lanxin so certain of this? Knowing she was under the control of Gu poison, if she were Huo Xian, she would never turn against Zhao Yong. She would even protect Zhao Yong with her life unless she didn’t care about her life anymore.
How could that be? Someone like him, who has countless secret guards when traveling and layers of food tasters, cherished his life too much…
As Ji Yuluo was pondering this, suddenly, with a “swish,” an arrow flew from afar, aimed straight at her forehead. She raised her round fan to block it, and the arrowhead embedded itself into a pillar, with a note attached.
The handwriting was carefree and unruly, like a ghost’s scrawl, exuding an air of shamelessness from every stroke.
Ji Yuluo’s brows furrowed deeply.
