The Other Side

"Do you know where Huan Yi Yuan is?" Song Qingshu asked casually, treating a dead horse as if it were alive. After all, Huan Yi Yuan should have been one of the Jin Dynasty's most secretive places. Even if a eunuch held a fairly high position, it was unlikely he would know.

But to Song Qingshu's surprise, the eunuch actually nodded. "This servant knows."

Now it was Song Qingshu's turn to be astonished. My luck can't possibly be this good, can it? I actually hit upon odds like finding a needle in the sea? In truth, it was merely a fortunate coincidence. Had he captured any other eunuch, even one of higher rank than Xiao Xingguo, that person would not have known anything about Huan Yi Yuan. But Xiao Xingguo happened to be the chief steward of the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau, and Huan Yi Yuan nominally fell under his jurisdiction—though he had no idea what Huan Yi Yuan actually did.

"Take me there," Song Qingshu said in a low voice, hastily collecting himself.

"Yes." Xiao Xingguo nodded woodenly, bent at the waist, and gestured ahead. "Please come this way, sir."

Song Qingshu frowned. If passing guards saw him acting like this, would that not expose him? He hurriedly ordered, "Lead the way in front. Don't look back. Just act as though I don't exist."

A flicker of confusion crossed Xiao Xingguo's face, but he still bowed and replied, "Yes."

Song Qingshu quietly followed behind him. For some reason, they encountered very few patrolling guards along the way. Song Qingshu nodded inwardly. Huan Yi Yuan truly was well hidden. If he had searched alone, he might not have found it even after years in this imperial palace.

After twisting and turning through countless paths for who knew how long, they arrived