Inside the residence's main hall.
Lu Zhen laid out the leads Chen San had uncovered.
"Greenstone Manor." The deputy head with the goatee stroked the few hairs on his chin. "Eighty percent certainty isn't enough to give Her Highness an answer."
"Exactly, Head," the beautiful woman in palace attire echoed. "Marquis Anyuan is a mighty fourth-realm Primordial Spirit cultivator, after all, and the Third Prince stands behind him.
"Without ironclad evidence, if our Heavenly Wind Residence acts rashly and comes up empty-handed, we'll be left with more trouble than we can stomach."
"I think eighty percent is enough." Lu Zhen swept his gaze over them. "By the time ironclad evidence comes knocking, the daylilies will have gone cold. We'll take our people straight there and catch the thief with the stolen goods."
"That's far too dangerous." The goateed deputy sprang to his feet in agitation. "Please reconsider, Head. Marquis Anyuan's influence has roots and branches everywhere. Greenstone Manor could well be a dragon's pool and a tiger's den. We only have so many people. What if..."
"Then stay at the Heaven-Patrolling Bureau," Leng Qiu suddenly said, having remained silent until now.
The goateed deputy choked on his words, his face flushing red.
"I agree with the head." The burly deputy slapped his thigh. "Fuck him. Since our Heavenly Wind Residence has caught his tail, we should chop it straight off!"
Lu Zhen stood.
"That settles it," Lu Zhen decided without hesitation. "Gather our people. We move tonight."
The goateed deputy and the beautiful woman exchanged glances. Uneasy though they were, they had no choice. A single rank of seniority could crush a man, and they could only respectfully obey.
On the eastern side of the Royal Court, in the Seventh Imperial Princess's elegant residence.
"Your Highness." The old woman