Daoist Jinlian: Make Xu Qi'an Take the Blame

"Of course this old servant knows her. Xiao Rou used to work at Crab Pavilion. Three years ago, Qingfeng Palace released three palace maids, and they were short-staffed. I saw that she was pretty and quick, so I recommended her to go."

"When the body was pulled out, didn't you come out to see it?" Xu Qi'an suddenly asked.

"How could I dare to look? This old servant is too old to bear seeing dead people."

"Oh, please continue talking about Huang Xiaorou."

Perhaps due to her advanced age, Rong Momo's emotions were quite volatile. She suddenly became angry. "That wretched girl is cold-hearted. If it weren't for this old servant's recommendation, would she have become the head maid of Consort Fu? All these years, she has never come back to visit this old servant."

"Those men who haven't even had a boyfriend still know how to be filial to their godfathers, ha, it's when women become heartless and ungrateful that it's truly chilling."

"Grandma, don't say that. You're too old to dodge a boxer's tricky attacks from different angles," Xu Qi'an joked, then continued:

"During my autopsy, I discovered that Huang Xiaorou had suffered a fatal wound to her left chest. Do you know what happened?"

After thinking for a long time, Rong Momo made a recalling expression. "Injury. There was such a thing. It seems to have been the year before Xiao Rou was transferred to Qingfeng Palace. I don't know how, but she got up at night and stabbed herself in the chest with scissors."

Fortunately, the palace maid who shared a room with her discovered her in time and summoned the imperial physician, which saved her life.

Xu Qi'an and Huai Qing frowned simultaneously.

There was a loophole in the old nanny's words; the scar went straight to the heart, a fatal wound. The cost of treatment was far beyond what a palace maid could afford.

"As the saying goes, those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune. Xiao Rou was lucky enough to escape with her life, and the following year she went to Qingfeng Palace, no longer having to do menial work. She was very pretty and originally had a chance to be favored by His Majesty."

Xu Qi'an recalled Huang Xiaorou's swollen face after her death, and his lips twitched.

Regardless of who saved Huang Xiaorou, one thing is certain: given the severe bleeding, she didn't have much time left. How did the person behind it all manage to save a palace maid in the dead of night?

Unless you keep an eye on her.

If Rong Momo wasn't lying, then the problem lies in...

"What's that palace maid's name?" Huaiqing asked before Xu Qi'an could, adding, "The palace maid who lives with Huang Xiaorou."

"Your Highness," Rong Momo said after thinking for a long time, her tone uncertain, "I think her name is He'er?"

Xu Qi'an clearly saw Huai Qing's pupils suddenly contract.

She recognized the palace maid named He'er. Xu Qi'an made this judgment in his mind.

"I've finished asking my questions. Do Your Highnesses have anything to add?" Xu Qi'an looked at Huaiqing and Lin'an.

Lin'an shook his head in agreement, while Huaiqing looked preoccupied and did not respond.

Xu Qi'an was about to retreat and then go check the Imperial Pharmacy when Rong Mama suddenly said, "My lord, this old servant has something to say to you."

With that, Rong Momo got up and walked to the other side.

Xu Qi'an followed them. Rong Mama watched Huaiqing and the others' departing figures, then looked at Xu Qi'an and said earnestly:

"My lord, there are far too many things that cannot be hidden within the deep palace. Once you step inside, you'll sink deeper and deeper."

"Granny Rong, I knew you were something special. You're like a firefly in the night. Your gray hair, age spots on your face, and big belly have all deeply amazed me," Xu Qi'an exclaimed.

Tell me any other secrets you may have.

"You speak so kindly, sir. I'm only saying this because you're handsome." The old nanny slowly returned to her reclining chair and said no more.

Xu Qi'an hadn't left and asked in surprise, "It's gone?"

The old nanny shook her head. "This old servant doesn't know much either. Things that shouldn't be known in the inner palace, I simply don't know."

Hey, this old woman, she wasted my feelings! I thought she knew something.

According to Xu Qi'an's thinking, since the old nanny kept him alone to talk, there must be a "secret that cannot be told" waiting for him later.

The result was just a warning!

Outside the Crab Pavilion courtyard, the woman in the bright red dress was still waiting, but Huaiqing was nowhere to be seen.

Where is the eldest princess?

Upon hearing this, Biao Biao immediately became unhappy, raising her eyebrows and saying, "You keep talking about Huaiqing, Huaiqing, have you forgotten whose person you are? I'm waiting here, just pretend you didn't see me."

In the sunlight, her round, oval face had a soft luster, and her cheeks were fair with a rosy glow, like a piece of translucent jade, without any flaws.

Because of her raised eyebrows, resentment lingered in her alluring peach blossom eyes.

Even when they're angry, they're mostly adorable.

"The princess is finally gone, and no one will disturb our time alone," Xu Qi'an said happily.

Upon hearing this, Biao Biao blushed slightly, glanced guiltily at the guard not far away, and whispered, "You dog servant, you're not allowed to speak to me like that."

As an unmarried princess, she couldn't resist the onslaught of sweet talk; she would feel both shy and embarrassed upon hearing cheesy pickup lines.

"Your Highness is too modest. Your Highness is like a ray of light in the darkness, so radiant that even the sun cannot overshadow your brilliance." Xu Qi'an changed the sentence structure and presented it to Princess Lin'an.

Biao Biao felt a mix of joy, embarrassment, and helplessness. She didn't know when it started, but she gradually lost control of the little gong.

When he was first taken from Huaiqing, he was very obedient and swore to break off all ties with Huaiqing and serve her wholeheartedly.

Over time, she realized that she couldn't control this man at all. He appeared humble and respectful on the surface, but when they were alone together, she was always at a disadvantage.

Yet, she had never paid any attention to this way of getting along. It's worth noting that even in front of Huaiqing, she was a remarkable woman who strived for excellence.

Thinking of this, Biao Biao raised her beautifully curved chin and questioned, "Why didn't you say this when Huaiqing was here?"

How could I say such things in front of you all? If it were Huaiqing, I would have to put it differently: Your Highness is like a pure white snow lotus in the snowstorm. Your stunning beauty, long and straight legs, and exaggerated 36D pectoral muscles have deeply amazed me.

Xu Qi'an changed the subject. "Where did the Eldest Princess go?"

How would I know?

Biao Biao seemed about to roll her eyes, but mindful of etiquette, she forced herself to hold back and said, "Let's hurry to the Imperial Pharmacy. Investigating this case is urgent; we can't afford to delay."

Xu Qi'an looked at her and guessed, "Are you worried that Huaiqing will destroy the evidence?"

Pretending not to hear, Biao Biao walked lightly ahead, her skirt swaying, revealing glimpses of her peach-shaped buttocks.

"When God sprinkled wisdom upon the world, this princess, like Lingyin, cleverly carried an umbrella. Dealing with her is indeed simpler and easier than dealing with Huaiqing. However, she's just too manipulative and cunning, making her impossible to guard against," Xu Qi'an muttered to himself as he accompanied the princess to the Imperial Pharmacy.

Lingbao Temple.

In the quiet room filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense, two women of extraordinary status sat facing each other, drinking tea. Sunlight streamed through the lattice windows, casting neat square patches of light on the floor.

Dust particles floated within the beam of light.

Luo Yuheng sat on a futon with the character "Dao" behind her, holding a whisk in one hand and a teacup in the other. She took a sip, squinting her beautiful eyes in enjoyment, highlighting her long, thick eyelashes.

"The tea grown in Nanzhi is truly different from ordinary tea. If I could drink a pot of it every day, I wouldn't want to be an immortal," Luo Yuheng exclaimed.

Sitting opposite Luo Daoshou was a woman wearing an elaborate indigo dress, a magnificent headdress, and a light veil covering her face.

Her face was hidden under a light veil, with only the outline of her cheeks vaguely visible, revealing only a pair of bright, clear eyes and two delicately shaped eyebrows.

"This tea only yields three catties every three years. Most of it is offered as tribute to the palace, and I don't have much left." The veiled woman's voice was soft and charming, full of the magnetism of a mature woman.

She lifted the veil, took a sip, and then asked, "Any interesting things happening in the capital lately?"

Luo Yuheng said helplessly, "You're not interested in court intrigues, but isn't this the most thrilling and unforgettable thing? As for cases, from the tax silver case to the Sangbo case, you've heard them over and over again. This is the capital, where are we going to tell you so many cases?"

"Isn't Consort Fu's case still unresolved?" The masked woman's eyebrows curved slightly, as if she were smiling.

"This case is still being investigated by that same gong-wielder, but I don't know the specifics." Luo Yuheng chugdredged up the tea in his cup and poured himself another.

"After all, this is a matter for the Emperor's family. If you are interested, you can ask Princess Huaiqing."

"Forget it, I'm not interested in dealing with royalty." The woman shook her head, then continued, "I've seen that gong twice; it's rather annoying."

"You've seen him?" Luo Yuheng was taken aback.

The masked woman hummed in agreement, dipped her slender fingers in tea, and drew a pig's head on the coffee table. With a slight snort, she raised her eyebrows.

"They picked up my sachet and won't return it."

Luo Yuheng nodded and continued the conversation, saying, "This person is extraordinary. He is highly regarded by Wei Yuan, who is cultivating him with all his might. Given time, Great Feng will produce another high-ranking martial artist with a limitless future."

Beneath the veil, she curled her lip, saying dismissively, "How high can he go? With the Prince of Zhenbei around, the warriors of Great Feng can't even hold their heads up. He's just a nobody."

Luo Yuheng smiled. That Tongluo was quite talented. He was appreciated by Wei Yuan and was chosen by the Earth Sect as the holder of the Earth Book. However, there were countless heroes in the world, and he was just one of the more outstanding ones.

"I really admire his ability to solve cases. So many big cases, full of twists and turns, and the process is very interesting," the masked woman said.

Just as Luo Yuheng was about to speak, a captivating blush suddenly spread across her cheeks. She frowned, put down her teacup, and said softly, "Nan Zhi, you should go back first."

The masked woman glanced at her, nodded slightly, got up and walked to the door. Suddenly, she turned back and said helplessly, "If all else fails, just submit to Emperor Yuanjing, or find a man. I'm really afraid you'll become a harlot because of this monthly burning lust."

Luo Yuheng ignored her, his brows furrowing even more.

The masked woman opened the door to the quiet room, stepped out from under the eaves, and followed the flagstone path out of the backyard.

"Call"

Luo Yuheng exhaled a hot breath and stood up, supporting himself on the coffee table.

She stumbled out of the quiet room, her beautiful face flushed, her eyes watery and alluring.

Thump.

Luo Yuheng leaped into the small pond in the backyard.

The icy pool water swallowed the beautiful Daoist nun's mature and voluptuous body. In an instant, the surface of the pool cracked and froze solid.

The cold front spread to the surrounding artificial hills and pavilions, covering their surfaces with a thin layer of translucent ice crystals.

Fifteen minutes later, the pool water gradually melted, and wisps of steam rose up. Then, a bubble rolled to the surface and burst with a "pop".

"Gurgle"

More and more bubbles surged and rose, the steam grew thicker and thicker, and the entire pool of water boiled.

This process lasted for about 15 minutes. The water level dropped by more than ten centimeters, and the boiling pool water finally calmed down. However, the hot and humid air lingered in the air above the backyard for a long time.

Luo Yuheng emerged from the water, her hairpin falling off, her jet-black hair clinging to her fair cheeks. Her eyes were brimming with beauty, beyond compare.

Meow~

A soft meow drifted over, and an orange cat scaled the outer wall, nimbly leaping onto the artificial hill behind Luo Yuheng and obediently crouching there.

"The evil fire burning your body will destroy your foundation, Luo Yuheng. You can only hold on for three more years at most." The orange cat spoke in human language, its voice gentle yet weathered.

"Why are you here, Senior Brother?" Luo Yuheng asked, soaking in the water, his starry eyes half-open.

"Let me show you the way," the orange cat said. "The Bureau of Astronomy's Rebirth Pill can alleviate your symptoms. Right now you're experiencing desire, but next you'll face greed, anger, ignorance, and hatred. You'll be in for a rough time."

"Alas, among the three sects of Daoist School, only the Heavenly Sect is unburdened by the entanglements of the mortal world. Perhaps the Heavenly Sect's philosophy is the right one."

Luo Yuheng opened his eyes and sneered, "The Heavenly Sect is ruthless and heartless, assimilating with heaven and earth, devoid of joy or sorrow, love or hate. Even upon ascending to immortality, they lose themselves. This is Evil Dao."

She paused, then frowned and said, "How could I not know that the Rebirth Pill can alleviate the symptoms? But the Supervisor has always disliked our Human Sect, and he would certainly not give us the pill."

The orange cat said calmly, "Xu Qi'an has taken the Rebirth Pill, and its effects haven't worn off yet. Take a bowl of his Essence Blood as a medicinal guide. The resulting pill, though not as potent as the Rebirth Pill, can still relieve our immediate crisis."

He'll give me some face, no matter what.

Luo Yuheng was silent for a moment. "You should worry about yourself. The wisp of demonic energy you separated has taken up most of your power. With your current remnant soul, it's probably wishful thinking to destroy the demon."

The orange cat chuckled and said, "At that time, I'll still need my junior sister's help. Of course, by the time I'm confident in subduing the demon, most of the holders of the Earth Book fragments will have grown up, and my junior sister will only need to stand by and support me."

Luo Yuheng frowned. "Senior brother should know that unless I reach the first rank, given my current state, if I'm entangled in karma, I'll most likely perish."

"Therefore, I will assist my junior sister in reaching the first rank."

Luo Yuheng turned around abruptly, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on the orange cat without saying a word.

"Why doesn't Junior Sister cultivate with Emperor Yuanjing?" The orange cat raised its paw, seemingly wanting to lick him, but reason prevailed over habit.

"He's not lucky enough," Luo Yuheng said.

This was the first time she explained why she did not engage in dual cultivation with Emperor Yuanjing.

The orange cat nodded slowly. "So you only used his luck to suppress the karmic fire, but didn't take it any further. And then? Junior sister must have a follow-up plan, right?"

Luo Yuheng nodded. "Wait for the new emperor to ascend the throne."

The newly enthroned orange cat suddenly realized something and frowned. "Given the increasingly weakened national strength of the Great Feng, each generation will only become worse than the last, and among Emperor Yuanjing's descendants, there is no ruler capable of restoring the dynasty. You know this better than I do."

Luo Yuheng smiled. "A revival doesn't necessarily depend on a monarch. With Wei Yuan, this empire's mender, around, as long as he can weather the purges after Emperor Yuanjing's death and take control of the new emperor, the empire will eventually shake off its deep-seated problems and flourish."

"So you plan to wait until the nation's strength recovers before engaging in dual cultivation with the new ruler?" The orange cat nodded first, then shook its head. "There's no rush. The reasons for the decline of the Great Feng Dynasty are not simple, and the implications behind them are quite terrifying."

Luo Yuheng frowned. "In terms of the depth of his strategy, Senior Brother is no less than Wei Yuan."

"This is just my guess; things are still unclear," the orange cat said. Then it added, "By the way, Li Miaozhen is coming to the capital."

"Just call Number Four back. As a disciple of the Human Sect, it's his duty to deal with the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect."

"They are all members of the Heaven and Earth Society; we can't let them kill each other."

Luo Yuheng turned his head away at him with an arrogant look.

"Fine, I'll just push Xu Qi'an out to smooth things over when the time comes," the orange cat thought to itself.

Imperial Pharmacy.

The head eunuch rummaged through the bookshelf and found a booklet, handing it to Xu Qi'an, who had come to investigate the case, his voice high-pitched:

"The Imperial Pharmacy's income and expenditure records are cleared every five years. If you come a few years later, sir, the records will be lost."

In the side hall, Biao Biao held a bowl of tea, her bright eyes darting around as she stared at the booklet.

Xu Qi'an assumed she wanted to see it, so he said, "The princess has come to see you?"

"I can't be bothered to look at these things; they give me a headache," she said crisply.

Xu Qi'an just couldn't understand how that stupid girl, Chu Caiwei, became best friends with Huaiqing. Logically speaking, shouldn't birds of a feather flock together?

Chu Caiwei is clearly with Lin'an, which greatly improves the situation for the oranges.

"Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent, but your talents lie elsewhere," Xu Qi'an said as he opened the booklet. "I have a younger sister who is just as intelligent as the princess, but she doesn't put her talents into studying."

Where did you put it?

"Put it on your memorized recipe."

"."

This booklet records the income and expenditure of all pills in the Imperial Pharmacy during the thirty-second year of the Yuanjing era.

Given Huang Xiaorou's injuries, there are very few pills that can save her, so finding them is easy. Just ask the Imperial Pharmacy what "life-saving" pills they have, and then search by their names; it will be easy to find them.

But after waiting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xu Qi'an found that he had not discovered any clues.

"In the thirty-second year of the Yuanjing era, the Bureau of Astronomy and the Lingbao Temple jointly presented 364 kinds of elixirs, totaling 780-790 bottles. Among them, only three were of the highest grade, which His Majesty bestowed upon his officials in the thirty-second, thirty-third, and thirty-sixth years of the Yuanjing era."

Xu Qi'an closed the booklet, looked at Lin'an, and said, "I haven't found the pill to save Huang Xiaorou."

Upon hearing this, the clever Lin'an pondered for a long time, "The elixir didn't come from the Imperial Pharmacy?"

Xu Qi'an shook his head. "Looking across the Great Feng, only Lingbao Temple and Bureau of Astronomy can refine pills, so the pills must come from these two places."

"Huang Xiaorou is just a palace maid. If no one comes to her rescue, she will surely die. But in the inner palace, who can ask the Bureau of Astronomy and the Lingbao Temple for elixirs without going through the Imperial Pharmacy?"

There is only one answer: Emperor Yuanjing!

It couldn't be him. The Imperial Pharmacy belonged to Emperor Yuanjing, and the entire palace was his. The Imperial Pharmacy was the institution through which he obtained his elixirs. He had no reason to bypass the Imperial Study. Just like my salary card is used to deposit my salary, I have absolutely no need to open another bank account to secretly hide pocket money. Xu Qi'an thought of a possibility.

P. S.: Sorry, I had something to do this morning, so the update is late. I had to make a huge effort to stop myself from committing seppuku so that you could continue reading.

This is the third update today, with approximately 15,000 words.