Visit to the Saint Orchid Family
After saying "Your Excellency," Zhu Rong also showed a shocked expression.
"The C-77 mandate, the content of that mandate is not..."
He seemed somewhat hesitant and didn't dare to say it directly.
Although the Security Bureau didn't dare install surveillance or eavesdropping devices in the cells used to imprison Noble, he was still somewhat worried about being overheard.
"Your Excellency" nodded as well.
"Yes, it's the one where I used your identity to infiltrate personally," she said, picking up another piece of grilled meat and stuffing it into her mouth as she sat down on the sofa. "I originally wanted to see which guy was so audacious, but when I got inside, I met the vice president of the 'Divine Power Group'... That son of a bitch got some information from who-knows-where and actually infiltrated here himself. I wonder what he's up to!"
"Not long after, a completely unfamiliar expert entered, carrying the same [Mind-Reading Mirror] as me... Now that I think about it, he must have been the one that Sherlock planted..."
"Finally, even Saint Orchid Kui showed up... A team of five, four of whom were planted with connections, how interesting!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Rong nodded thoughtfully. "After all, this matter is of great importance—but since the vice President of Divine Power Group and Saint Orchid Kui have both come in, it means that this commission might be backed by one of them?"
"Not necessarily, or rather, definitely not," the woman who addressed herself as "Your Excellency" slowly shook her head. "If it were the collective will of the Divine Power Group ... neither the Mercury Family nor the Autumn Family would allow that vice president to personally oversee things—he's a well-known centrist."
"So I'm more inclined to believe that he got the information himself but didn't have anyone he could trust, so he had to infiltrate the group himself to find out what was going on and get firsthand information so that he could have a better chance in choosing sides later... For me, this is actually a good opportunity to win him over."
As she spoke, she took out a tissue and slowly wiped her hands clean.
"As for Saint Orchid Kui... he should know who did it, and since this matter is in the Saint Orchid Family's interest, he might as well get involved and join in the fun... If it succeeds, he can even claim it as his own achievement at the family meeting, so why not?"
"But he had absolutely no motivation to initiate this commission himself—that would be too risky."
Zhu Rong asked curiously, "Now that there's the added variable of Sherlock, what do you plan to do?"
"Since he seems to have some plans, let's cooperate," the woman said calmly. "Killing Royal Nobles ...that sounds terrifying enough. Let's see if he really dares to do it."
"To be honest, I have serious suspicions... that this Sherlock and his people are likely in some kind of cooperative relationship with the person who initiated this commission."
"After all... there are very few people in the City That Never Sleeps who dare to attack Royal Nobles. Rather than saying it's a coincidence that we ran into two groups at once, it's more likely that we encountered different people from the same group!"
The car began to slow down slowly in front of the Saint Orchid Family.
Looking out the car window, Lin Yu noticed that the courtyard of the Saint Orchid Family was quite different from that of the Nightless Sky Family.
The Saint Orchid Family residence is more like a Western-style Palace, with an overall architectural appearance that immediately reveals its magnificence and splendor.
The outer walls, made of jade-like material, are adorned with various exquisite reliefs—seemingly praising the great achievements and virtuous deeds of the past Family Head and notable figures of the Saint Orchid Family.
Through the walls, one can see the domed white tower and the exquisite mansion, while everywhere hangs the Saint Orchid Family's crest banner: a magnificent, vibrant Three-leaf seven-petal flower.
The driver from the Nightless Sky Family seemed to know the place well, easily parking the car in the "VIP visitor" parking space before opening the door for Lin Yu.
"Mr. Sherlock, I have already sent a formal invitation to the Saint Orchid Family on your behalf, in the name of the Nightless Sky Family."
"Their butler should be here to greet you soon—I can't accompany you, so you can wait in the VIP room over there."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yu nodded and got out of the car.
"The architectural styles of these Royal Nobles may differ, but the rules and regulations are still largely the same."
Lin Yu sighed.
Before even reaching the VIP room, the imposing wrought iron gate of the Saint Orchid Family was wide open.
A tall, upright butler emerged from inside. He had gray hair and a few wrinkles on his face, and looked older than Barry.
But this did not prevent the butler from standing upright and full of energy, wearing a very elegant and well-fitting formal suit, with the golden Saint Orchid Family Crest pinned to his chest.
If butlers had different levels of competence, this old butler was clearly a half-level above Barry.
After all, Barry was just the butler of Saint Orchid Kui, who might become the "head of the household" in the future, while the old butler in front of him might be the head butler who would rule the entire Saint Orchid Family!
Behind him, two rows of Servant stood in order.
"Thank you for your visit, Mr. Sherlock, esteemed Distinguished Guest from the Nightless Sky Family."
He bowed slightly and said, "What brings you here today?"
Looking at this grand spectacle, Lin Yu was gradually getting used to the prestige that "Fu Luo" enjoyed in the Inner City of the City That City That Never Sleeps.
He nodded slightly and said, "I've come to visit Young Master Saint Orchid Kui."
"Young Master Kui?" The butler was slightly surprised. "Young Master Kui had an accident at the Wanjin Heavenly Seat tonight and is recuperating. He may not be receiving guests, but I will arrange for someone to inform him. However, please be prepared to be refused."
"I know, I'll be there Wanjin Heavenly Seat too. Just tell me... he should see me."
Lin Yu nodded, and the old steward then beckoned a Servant over and whispered a few words to him.
The Servant quickly passed through the lawn, fountain, and garden behind the gate and left— the Saint Orchid Family's estate was not small either, but it was much more humane than the Nightless Sky Family's.
These Servant had some kind of self-balancing scooter-like way of moving quickly. Lin Yu saw the Servant jump onto the scooter and speed away.
The old butler bowed to Lin Yu again.
"Dear Mr. Sherlock, please take your mobility scooter and wait in the reception room..."
"It's alright, I'll wait here."
Lin Yu waved his hand.
He estimated that after tonight's events were over, Saint Orchid Kui wouldn't keep him waiting too long...
A few minutes later, Lin Yu heard a commotion coming from the direction of the main building of the Saint Orchid Family.
All that could be heard were the calls of Servant echoing along the garden paths.
"Young Master, you mustn't!"
Saint Orchid Kui herself was seen riding a hoverboard, just like the Servant, out of the garden, followed by several Servant in pursuit.
He approached Lin Yu, jumped off the hoverboard, and then unexpectedly spoke.
"You really did come alone..."
"What, are you planning to switch your allegiance from Nightless Sky Huo Le to mine?"