Chapter 1470: Ah Xiang's Worries

Ah Xiang seemed unsure of how to express herself, and once her emotions took over, she couldn't control herself.

Shu Yu poured her a cup of tea. "Aunt Xiang, would you like some water? Tell me about what's troubling Xiao Mei. I'll try to talk to her."

Ah Xiang took a deep breath. "She doesn't want to get married."

Shu Yu was taken aback.

This was beyond her ability to handle.

Ruan Shi explained, "Xiangdi has reached the age for marriage. Since she started working at Yiren Pavilion, her life has improved, and she's been receiving marriage proposals one after another. However, she's not satisfied with any of them. In the latest case, she even drove away the matchmaker and has been silent with your Aunt Xiang, these past few days."

Shu Yu thought that it was fine not to rush into marriage at this age, but people in this era didn't think the same way. If she waited a few more years, others might think that Fu Xiangdi had some issues, and that's why she couldn't find a match.

"What is she dissatisfied with?" Shu Yu asked.

Ruan Shi glanced at Ah Xiang and replied, "Everything else is fine, but Xiangdi has one important condition: if she gets married, she wants to take your Aunt Xiang, with her."

Shu Yu was at a loss for words. This question was beyond her capabilities.

Ah Xiang seemed to have calmed down a bit and said with a slightly unsteady voice, "Xiao Di is a good girl. I know she's worried about me. We have been supporting each other for so many years. She's afraid that after she gets married, I'll be left all alone, and she won't be at ease. But, I also feel guilty if she doesn't get married. I can't delay her life forever. Should she wait until I die before marrying?"

Ruan Shi was startled. "Nonsense! Don't talk about dying, Ah Xiang. Don't think like that. Xiangdi is filial, and having such a daughter, you should be happy."

Shu Yu chuckled. This was indeed something that Fu Xiangdi might do.

After thinking for a moment, Shu Yu asked, "Then... what about a marriage proposal from her in-laws?"

Aunt Xiang shook her head. "Xiao Miao did mention that, but these days, how many sons-in-law are successful? Take the example of Liang Wangsheng from Shishi Village, the son-in-law they found didn't work and not only depended on the bride's family for support, but he also went gambling and later ran away with another woman, taking all of the Liang family's money and even killed someone. Who dares to bring such a person back?"

Indeed, the affair of Liang's family had been widely talked about in Jiangyuan County.

If it weren't for Liang Wangsheng stable income from working with her father, their lives would have been really tough.

Neither option was acceptable, and it led to a disagreement between Ah Xiang and Fu Xiangdi. Although both wanted the best for the other, they ended up in a cold war and stopped talking.

Ah Xiang felt sorry for being a burden to her daughter, which made her choked with emotion.

She looked up at Shu Yu. "Ah Yu, you have many workers in your workshop. See if there's anyone suitable and introduce them to Xiao Di. I don't ask for someone highly capable; they should just be good-hearted and treat our Fu Xiangdi well."

Shu Yu sighed, "Aunt Xiang, even if I find someone outstanding, it won't work if Fu Xiangdi disagrees."

Ruan Shi nodded, "Exactly, this issue lies with Fu Xiangdi. Otherwise, Xiao Guo would have been a good choice."

"Xiao Guo is good, but his family is troublesome, and they have their own issues. Even Xiao Guo himself can't stand it and has moved out to rent a house. If she were to marry into their family, they'd probably end up fighting."

Chapter 1469: Travelling with Ruan Shi

On the second day, Shu Yu planned to visit the Tan family.

Unexpectedly, just as she was about to leave, she found out that Ruan Shi was also heading to the city.

Since there was no rush, she decided to wait and travel with Ruan Shi.

Ruan Shi was going to purchase goods. Nowadays, the fabrics at Yiren Pavilion were all sourced from the city, mostly from Tan family's fabric shop.

It's unclear whether Master Tan knew about this, but for the past two months, Yiren Pavilion had received discounts on the fabrics they purchased. The attitude of the shopkeepers and assistants on the other side had also become much friendlier.

Yiren Pavilion's shop was relatively small and had few employees, so their orders were comparably small. The Tan family, being larger in scale, had numerous business orders. Why would they pay attention to Yiren Pavilion, a small shop in a county?

Estimating the situation, it was probably due to Old Doctor Zhao's successful treatment of Young Master Tan's illness that the Tan family showed this consideration.

"Let's go, we'll pick up your Aunt Xiang," Shu Yu said.

After Ruan Shi got ready, she got onto Shu Yu's carriage.

Arriving at Liufang Lane, just as Ruan Shi was about to knock on the door of the tailor shop, the courtyard door opened ahead of her.

"Ah Xiang," Ruan Shi called out, "Let's go. Shu Yu is also heading to the city today. We don't need to have Xiao Guo accompany us."

Xiao Guo was also known as Guo Bing, an assistant at Yiren Pavilion.

Most of the employees at Yiren Pavilion were women, but there were some tasks that required physical strength. Moving and transporting goods, as well as climbing, required some level of physical prowess. Having someone with greater strength was certainly convenient.

Guo Bing was nineteen years old, not very old, but he had a lot of strength. What was even rarer was that he was attentive and careful when handling clothes and fabrics.

Occasionally, when Ruan Shi and others went to the capital city, Guo Bing would drive them.

Just like today, originally he was supposed to drive the two ladies to the capital city, but with Shu Yu accompanying, there was no need for Guo Bing to make the trip.

Hearing Ruan Shi's words, Ah Xiang nodded, managing to force a smile.

Seeing this, Ruan Shi hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? You don't look well."

"It's nothing, let's go," Ah Xiang waved her hand and led the way out of the door.

When they reached the carriage, they exchanged greetings with Shu Yu.

Although she was smiling, Shu Yu could tell that something was bothering Ah Xiang.

When Ruan Shi came over, Shu Yu blinked at her. Ruan Shi shook her head and, along with Ah Xiang, got onto the carriage.

Until the carriage left Liufang Lane, passed through the city gate, and was on the road, the atmosphere inside the carriage remained quiet, with no one speaking.

Shu Yu felt a bit uneasy. The tension in the carriage was palpable. She decided to open the curtain and look outside.

To her surprise, not long after, she heard Ah Xiang sniffle.

Turning her head in confusion, she saw Ah Xiang trying hard to hold back her tears, but she seemed to be struggling to do so. Shu Yu quickly asked, "Aunt Xiang, what's wrong? Have you encountered some difficulties?"

At first, Ah Xiang didn't say anything, but when asked directly, tears began to fall.

Still, she waved her hand, took the handkerchief handed by Ruan Shi, and wiped her eyes. "It's nothing, really. We're living well now, there's no difficulty. Shu Yu, don't worry."

"Well..." No difficulty and yet so upset? Even when they lived in Ruan village, relying on each other as mother and daughter, things weren't like this.

But then Ruan Shi sighed, "It's probably because of Xiangdi, right?"

"What's wrong with Xiang Mei?" Shu Yu asked, confused.

Ah Xiang slapped her thighs with frustration, "She can't let things go, she overthinks everything. I, I really..."

 Chapter 621: Poison Dispersion and the Terrifying Space Upgrade (3)

Mo Yan wasn’t naive enough to care about the fate of a group of mountain bandits. She just felt uneasy at the thought of having blood on her hands. Knowing now that those people wouldn’t die eased her discomfort. 

Seeing that it was getting late, and estimating that Xiao Ruiyuan and his men had already reached the Jing Mountain Villa, Mo Yan left Xiao Hua and Mao Tuan at home to guard the house. She took the other three beasts to the courtyard and summoned the two shadow guards hiding in the dark.

To prevent them from following her, Mo Yan briefly explained the reason for her midnight mountain trip and asked them to keep an eye on the house to protect her family from potential threats.

It wasn't paranoia on her part; even though she and Xiao Ruiyuan hadn’t made their relationship public, today’s events would make it clear to onlookers that they had a close connection. Since someone was targeting Xiao Ruiyuan, it was possible they might use her or her family against him. She had to be cautious.

The two shadow guards were equally uneasy about Mo Yan going into the mountains alone and insisted on accompanying her. 

Mo Yan didn’t have time to argue. She quickly mounted the golden beast and leapt over the courtyard wall, followed by Da Bai and the red python, leaving the guards behind in shock. By the time the guards snapped out of it and, along with two others unnoticed by Mo Yan, gave chase, they could only see three shadows disappearing into the back mountain, completely losing track of them.

After confirming with Da Bai that the guards weren’t following, Mo Yan entered her space and took out a thousand-year-old ginseng and a palm-sized piece of black lingzhi, placing them in two wooden boxes.

Securing the boxes at her waist, Mo Yan directed the golden beast to head south toward the South City Gate, inadvertently missing the twenty royal guards who had reached Liuyang Village.

The royal guards, not wanting to alarm the Mo family, approached the courtyard silently, planning to sneak in and search for Mo Yan. However, the four shadow guards, fearing for the Mo family’s safety, engaged them in a fierce battle, thinking they were threats.

The royal guards, skilled as they were, faced a tough fight against Xiao Ruiyuan’s carefully selected shadow guards. The clash was intense, with sword and blade flashing. It was only thanks to Xiao Hua and Mao Tuan, who rushed in upon hearing the commotion, that the fight didn’t end in fatalities.

Unaware of the situation at her home, Mo Yan reached the South City Gate in under three-quarters of an hour, even with the golden beast deliberately slowing down. Xiao Ruiyuan and the rest of the shadow guards arrived shortly after, with Xiao Ruiyuan carrying a metal box containing the red python's gallbladder, kept fresh with ice.

Seeing Mo Yan safe and sound, Xiao Ruiyuan breathed a sigh of relief but noticed that she was alone. "Did the guards not catch up with you?"

Mo Yan, surprised, shook her head. "I went home first, rested a bit, and then went to pick the black lingzhi. I didn’t see them."

"They must have missed you along the way. It's alright," Xiao Ruiyuan nodded, not dwelling on the issue. "We should hurry back to the palace. They’ll return when they can’t find you."

"Yes," Mo Yan agreed, and the group hurried back to the Phoenix Mountain Palace.

After about half an hour, they encountered the mountain bandits lying on the road, some unconscious, their number now doubled. The new arrivals were dressed similarly, indicating they were the ones who had pursued the group earlier. 

Had they not been in a hurry, Xiao Ruiyuan would have had the shadow guards tie up the bandits to find out who was behind them. The assistance of the red python, which had neutralized a major threat, significantly boosted the guards’ respect for it.

The red python, feeling proud, tried to claim credit from Mo Yan. 

Mo Yan, aware of its intentions, pretended not to notice, ignoring its anxious circling. This beast loved the spiritual plants and fruits in her space, but each time she let it in, it almost cleaned the place out. She had decided not to let it in anymore, especially since it had been eyeing the remaining black lingzhi. If the other beasts didn’t keep watch, the red python would have devoured it all.

Seeing Mo Yan’s dismissive attitude, the shadow guards were nervous, fearing the red python might lash out. But instead, the python seemed to enjoy being lightly slapped by Mo Yan, showing no signs of anger and displaying a silly, clingy behavior that left the guards stunned.

With no more threats blocking their way, the group made it back to the palace in less than an hour.

By this time, it was midnight. Chu Heng's condition had worsened, and it was only through the Ghost Doctor's great effort that the rapidly spreading poison was suppressed.

Mo Yan untied the bundle at her waist and opened the wooden boxes on the table, allowing the Ghost Doctor to examine the ginseng.

The Ghost Doctor carefully inspected the ginseng, feeling a slight chill at his touch. After tasting a bit of a ginseng root, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed. Under the hopeful eyes of Hui'an Emperor and the others, he smiled and said, "It is indeed a thousand-year-old ginseng, with even better medicinal properties than any I’ve seen before! This gives me more confidence in treating the prince’s poison."

Everyone, including Xiao Ruiyuan and Emperor Huian, was overjoyed, and Mo Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

Nothing could have pleased Emperor Huian more than knowing his beloved son could be saved. Staring at the thousand-year-old ginseng, he finally composed himself and solemnly said to the Ghost Doctor, "Doctor Gui, I'll leave Heng'er's life in your hands!"

  Chapter 620: Poison Dispersion and the Terrifying Space Upgrade (2)

"Yes, yes, your humble servant obeys!" Mo Yan acted obsequiously, playfully bowing to her sister, making Xin'er, who was trying to keep a straight face, burst into laughter.

Li Xiu, Tang Xin, and the others, seeing Mo Yan return safely, were finally at ease. After a few jokes, they led the hungry five beasts to the kitchen.

After some time together, the family no longer felt the same fear toward the golden beast as before, though they still didn't dare get too close.

"Even though you have the five beasts, there are still stronger beasts in the mountains. Do you not realize how worried the family would be with you returning so late? If this happens again, you can forget about going into the mountains!" Mo Qingze, standing in the courtyard, tried to maintain his stern expression but almost couldn't hold back. He scolded his eldest daughter in a rather stern tone.

Mo Yan hung her head in guilt, listening obediently. Experience had taught her that at times like this, it's best not to say or do anything, or else the lecture could go on indefinitely.

Sure enough, seeing Mo Yan's demeanor, Mo Qingze's worry and anger slowly dissipated. He continued his lecture for a bit longer before finally stopping.

Mo Yan, now daring to lift her head, said in a placating tone, "Dad, your wounds haven't fully healed yet. You should go back to your room and rest; otherwise, if the wound reopens, I won't be able to sleep from guilt!"

Mo Qingze had only been recovering for about ten days. Even with various spiritual energies helping to heal the golden beast's bite, it wasn't possible for the wounds to heal that quickly. Now, his wounds had just barely healed on the surface, allowing him to walk, but bending over was still out of the question.

Mo Qingze was indeed feeling quite unwell. Seeing his daughter return safely, his discomfort grew more pronounced. He nodded and said, "I'll head back to my room. There's still some food and hot water in the pot. After you eat, go to bed early."

"Yes, I'll help you back to your room!" Mo Yan obediently agreed. With Mo Qingze's permission, she helped her father back to his room. She only left after ensuring he was asleep, turning off the lights and sneaking out quietly.

Xin'er had already set the dishes from the pot on the table in the small kitchen. Mo Yan looked at the white rice, green bok choy, and a few other light dishes but had little appetite.

She forced herself to eat a little in front of her sister and then urged her to go to bed.

Xin'er, feeling sleepy herself, didn't protest. She reminded her sister to finish her meal and, after getting a positive response, went back to her room.

Mo Yan picked at a few more bites but couldn't eat much. She secretly took the leftovers to the chicken coop and dumped them, letting the roosters "dispose of the evidence" in the morning.

Returning to her courtyard, Mo Yan drank some spiritual spring water and then asked the red python about the mountain bandits its snake companions had bitten.

After over a year of interaction, Mo Yan found communication with the beasts much smoother. It didn't take long for her to get the information she wanted.

She learned that all the snakes were venomous. Once bitten, a person would become weak, and over time, their body would stiffen. If treated promptly, they could recover in three to five days. If not, they might have to amputate limbs or, in severe cases, be permanently paralyzed.

Those people, lying in the wilderness in the middle of the night, were unlikely to receive timely treatment. Mo Yan didn't think the red python's actions were too harsh; otherwise, it would have summoned snakes that could kill instantly. She didn't know if those bandits had killed anyone or if they were after wealth or were being manipulated. If the red python hadn't acted, Xiao Ruiyuan and his shadow guards wouldn't have spared them. By now, the bandits would probably have been beheaded.

 Chapter 1468: Something's Wrong

Meng Han's heart was beating fast, feeling like she had inadvertently become involved in some significant event. She wanted to ask more questions, but Meng Yunzheng signaled that she could leave.

"You're going to find Ah Ning, right?" Meng Han replied with a hum, and turned to leave the study. The atmosphere was too tense, and she didn't want to continue discussing it.

As Meng Han distanced herself from the study, she finally let out a sigh of relief, and her body relaxed.

Inside the study, the two of them wore serious expressions. "Is Jiang Kuanyu's hometown really in Huajiang Prefecture? When he told Tan Cheng that he was going back to his hometown, did he mean settling down in Huajiang Prefecture?"

Shu Yu reviewed the information Meng Han had provided earlier. "When we went to the dungeon to see Gongqiu, it was on the 11th of August. Gongqiu wanted to find an opportunity to pass the information to Huajiang Prefecture, and then let Jiang Kuanyu rush from there to Chenggu County to test the Meng family. Five days might not be enough, right?"

Meng Yunzheng lightly tapped the desk with his fingers. "Indeed, it's not enough. Gongqiu is worried that my father is still alive, and he has been keeping an eye on both Quansheng Escort Bureau and the Meng family over the years. He wanted to send someone to investigate the Meng family, so why would he choose Jiang Kuanyu? Unless..."

"Unless Jiang Kuanyu was originally nearby the Meng family!" Shu Yu interrupted, "And it would make more sense for him to handle this task."

The two fell silent upon reaching this conclusion.

After a while, Shu Yu spoke again, "Perhaps Jiang Kuanyu never actually went back to his hometown. He took his family and settled somewhere near Changjin Prefecture or Chenggu County."

Meng Yunzheng gently tapped the desk again. "You mentioned earlier that there were irregularities in the Ya Hang of Changjin Prefecture."

"Changjin Prefecture has issues!"

Meng Yunzheng had limited knowledge of Changjin Prefecture because, for the sake of not arousing suspicion in Gongqiu, he had almost never visited the area since the Meng family was involved. It was only this year, when he had to study for the exam, that he stayed in the prefectural capital for a few months.

He didn't pay much attention to the situation in the prefectural capital.

"We still haven't received a reply from Qi Lie's letter. I don't know if there has been any progress or if something went wrong," Meng Yunzheng said. "I'll write a letter to Xiang Weinan tomorrow, subtly mentioning it."

Xiang Weinan was their friend, and it was normal for Meng Yunzheng to inform him after passing the exam. They had a secret communication method developed over the years.

"Alright, I'll go to the prefectural city tomorrow as well. I'll meet with Young Master Tan and gather more information about Jiang Kuanyu."

Now, this person was a key figure.

"Alright."

After their discussion, Meng Yunzheng prepared to take his leave. Both of them had matters to attend to, so Shu Yu didn't keep him.

As he left the study, Meng Yunzheng thought for a moment and asked Ying Xi to call Meng Han out to accompany him back home.

Meng Han was not happy, but to stay longer in Jiangyuan County in the future, she thought it was better to behave obediently.

So, with a sullen expression, she came out and followed Meng Yunzheng back home at a slow pace.

Not long after, Meng Yunzheng said, "Next time, don't barge into other people's study rooms without permission."

Meng Han shrunk her neck, feeling a bit guilty. She thought her cousin wouldn't bring it up, but it seemed she couldn't escape after all.

She obediently nodded and weakly said, "I understand." At the end, she couldn't resist defending herself a bit, "The door was open, and I thought you were just chatting about something unimportant. In the past, I used to go into my brother's study as I pleased..."

She stopped talking, realizing that it was better not to argue further.

Chapter 1467: Speculations Confirmed

"And then? What else did he do?" Meng Han furrowed her brows, trying to recall, "There's something else. He was kind to our household servants too. Earlier, Aunt Zhang tripped and fell while on an errand, and Jiang Kuanyu recognized her as someone from our Meng family. He immediately sent her to the doctor and paid for her medical expenses, providing her with food and drinks."

"Aunt Zhang?" Meng Yunzheng asked, "Is that the Aunt Zhang who was brought back to the Meng family more than ten years ago after the decline of Quansheng Escort Bureau?"

After Song Xin's death, Meng Xiaoshu handled everything, including the employees at the escort bureau. Although there weren't many of them, Meng Xiaoshu brought them back to the Meng family and arranged for their livelihood.

The Aunt Zhang mentioned by Meng Han should be the one he knew.

Meng Han nodded, "Yes."

Meng Yunzheng rubbed his forehead, and his suspicions were confirmed. Jiang Kuanyu approached the Meng family to investigate his own matter.

Based on the timing, it coincided with the time when Gong Qiu was imprisoned in the dungeon last year. At that time, to prevent him from making a suicide pact with Meng Yunzheng, Shu Yu secretly told him that Meng Yunzheng was his only son.

However, Gong Qiu seemed to still doubt it. So, even while imprisoned, he found an opportunity to send someone to the Meng family to confirm Meng Yunzheng's identity.

Jiang Kuanyu was that person.

Regardless of whether he approached Tao Qin, chatted with Meng Xiaoshu over drinks, or helped Aunt Zhang, his purpose was clear.

Meng Yunzheng glanced at Shu Yu, and her expression turned serious, indicating that she had also come to the same conclusion.

Meng Han was unaware that their minds had drifted elsewhere. She diligently continued to explain Jiang Kuanyu's actions.

"After that, on the day of the escort mission, Jiang Kuanyu came again with the box to be delivered to Huajiang Prefecture. Tao Qin hobbled out to see him. Jiang Kuan Yu apologized briefly and gave her tonics, asking her to take care of herself. He said he had to leave."

"Tao Qin panicked and tried to stop him. At first, she subtly hinted at him to stay for a few more days, but later, she directly demanded that he take responsibility. Jiang Kuanyu was taken aback and had his servant push Tao Qin aside. My mother got angry, and the situation got pretty ugly."

"Afterward, Jiang Kuanyu thought that the Meng family was unreasonable, so he said he wouldn't entrust the escort mission to my father. He left the Meng family in a huff with the box. After that, we never saw him again."

Because of this incident, Meng Xiaoshu scolded Tao Shi's angrily. Upon hearing that Jiang Kuanyu had paid a generous commission, Tao Shi deeply regretted her actions.

Probably out of guilt, when Meng Pei and Meng Yunzheng returned a little over a month later, Tao Shi didn't dare to be too excessive, fearing that Meng Xiao Shu would settle both old and new accounts.

After Meng Han finished her explanation, she cautiously asked, "Cousin, Sister Shu Yu, is this Jiang Kuan Yu not a good person?"

"Well, his actions are suspicious, and he is scheming. If you see him again in the future, stay away from him," Meng Yunzheng advised.

Meng Han instinctively nodded, "I understand."

"Also, don't talk about the things we discussed today, and don't mention it in front of your father or brother," at least not for now.

Meng Yunzheng was cautious and added, "This is for your safety."

Meng Han quickly responded, "I understand."

  Chapter 619: Poison Dispersion and the Terrifying Space Upgrade (1)

Xiao Ruiyuan, worried about his cousin and holding the girl he liked, didn't have any romantic thoughts. He didn't notice the internal conflict of the person in his arms either. Seeing that Mo Yan had finally stopped vomiting, but looked somewhat fatigued, he held her a little tighter, concerned that she might feel cold.

Mo Yan didn't feel cold, but with her stomach empty, she indeed felt weak! Watching the golden beast move at such speed, she ultimately resisted the urge to climb onto it. It wasn't that she was afraid of falling off, but rather that the golden beast might hold back for her sake, which would slow them down and unnecessarily waste time.

The next forty miles went without further incident, and the two arrived safely at the south gate, riding together.

In her current state, Xiao Ruiyuan was not at ease letting Mo Yan go alone into the mountains to pick the black lingze. He insisted on accompanying her.

Mo Yan, of course, refused firmly. Seeing that he wouldn't listen, she swiftly mounted the golden beast. Before Xiao Ruiyuan could stop her, the golden beast carried Mo Yan away at an astonishing speed, disappearing from sight.

The four beasts ignored Xiao Ruiyuan and the others' shock, racing ahead. At their speed, even the finest horses couldn't keep up, let alone catch the golden beast.

Xiao Ruiyuan, his usually cold eyes now showing clear shock, realized that the golden beast had been holding back all along.

The shadow guards, too, were awed by yet another terrifying aspect of the golden beast. With a mount that fast, even if they encountered dangers they couldn't handle, they could easily escape.

Recalling the gruesome scene of the mountain bandits being attacked by the snakes under the red python's command, the shadow guards developed a newfound respect for Mo Yan. The ability to command beasts is impressive enough, but for a young girl to train them so well, even if she isn't a martial arts expert herself, she's far superior to many true martial arts masters!

Still, Xiao Ruiyuan wasn't reassured. He dispatched twenty shadow guards to follow and protect her, while he led the remaining thirty east towards the Jing Mountain Villa.

The twenty shadow guards didn't dare slack off, urging their horses in pursuit of Mo Yan. However, after chasing for a long time, they still couldn't catch up.

The shadow guards, not knowing the exact direction of Liuyang Village, knocked on the door of a farmhouse. A middle-aged man, trembling with fear, directed them to the village. By the time they arrived, Mo Yan had already "picked" the black lingze and was heading back to the south gate.

In the Mo family front hall, except for the youngest, Yun Sheng, who had gone to bed, everyone else was present.

Mo Qingze, anxious because his daughter hadn't returned from the mountains, was about to gather some strong men from the village to search for her when the bell in the courtyard rang.

Before he could answer the door, the equally anxious Xin'er, unable to sleep, ran ahead of her father and Aunt Li Xiugu, and opened the courtyard gate. There, standing outside, was her sister, who had been gone all day.

Mo Yan led the five beasts into the courtyard and closed the gate. Xin'er grabbed her arm, pouting, and said, "Sis, why did you come back so late? We were worried sick! Dad was about to go into the mountains to look for you!"

Mo Yan didn't have the courage to tell her family what she had been doing today and didn't want to scare them. She patted her sister's head and came up with a plausible excuse: "I went a bit further today and found some good stuff. I lost track of time, so I came back late. It's my fault for making you worry!"

Xin'er, concerned about her sister's safety, wasn't really blaming her. Seeing her sister sincerely apologizing, she magnanimously forgave her mistake: "Alright, I'll let it go this time. But you can't do this again. Even with the five beasts, we'll still worry if you come back so late!"

  Chapter 618: The Might of the Scarlet Python (3)

Xiao Ruiyuan halted, his sharp eyes vigilant as he looked ahead, his right hand gripping the sword at his waist. The hidden guards had already drawn their blades, ready to strike at the enemy's necks, staining them with the most brilliant and malevolent color in the world.

The surroundings were eerily quiet, not even the sound of the wind could be heard. The pitch-black night was like a beast's open maw, greedily trying to swallow all the prey that ventured in.

As the unknown danger approached, Mo Yan felt a nervous tension and clenched her hands, not daring to make a sound. The golden beast beneath her sensed her unease, its large head turning to nuzzle her leg, as if to comfort her.

Unlike Xiao Hua, who loved to play tricks, Mao Tuan, who was clingy, or Da Bai, who was aloof, the golden beast wasn't playful or particularly affectionate. At first, Mo Yan thought its personality was like Xiao Ruiyuan's, seeming very cold. But she later realized it wasn't cold; it was simple-minded, much like Tie Tou! This rare display of thoughtfulness instantly dispelled Mo Yan's anxiety, and she happily stroked the golden beast's somewhat coarse fur.

The golden beast seemed a bit shy, its disproportionately small ears twitching, but it didn't turn its head away.

Soon, the sound of thundering hooves could be heard from not far away. Within a few breaths, over a hundred mounted bandits appeared in view.

Seeing the bandits blocking the road, Xiao Ruiyuan couldn't determine if they were hired to intercept them or if they mistook them for wealthy targets. If it was the latter, it would be easier to deal with; if the former, it would likely mean trouble.

Suppressing his growing impatience, Xiao Ruiyuan coldly asked, "Why are you blocking the road?"

"Why? Hahaha—" The bearded leader laughed as if he'd heard a great joke, looking at Xiao Ruiyuan like he was an idiot. "We're bandits, here for your money! If you're smart, surrender. Once we get the ransom, we'll let you go. Otherwise, don't blame us for being rude!"

His tone turned menacing at the end.

Xiao Ruiyuan's expression cooled. He spoke evenly, "We urgently need to return to the capital. You seek wealth, not trouble. Let us pass, and we will reward you handsomely another day."

On any other day, he would have already cut down these bandits to rid the world of such scum. But tonight, he couldn't afford to be delayed.

"Handsome reward?" The bearded man snorted disdainfully. "Do you think we're fools? I'll count to three. If you don't come over yourself, don't blame us if you get hurt! One—two—" He began to count.

Seeing this, a heavy killing intent flashed in Xiao Ruiyuan's eyes. He was about to command the hidden guards to attack when a terrified scream pierced the night: "Ah—snake—there's a snake!"

Before the bearded leader could react, more screams followed, and bandits began falling from their horses as if they were dumplings, all bitten by venomous snakes.

Hiss—

The snakes, as if coordinated, emitted a loud hissing sound and launched an attack on the bandits who couldn't react in time.

In an instant, over a hundred bandits, including the bearded leader, were struck by snake venom. They writhed on the ground, emitting piercing, chilling screams.

Seeing the ground covered in writhing snakes, even Xiao Ruiyuan and the hidden guards, who were accustomed to bloody scenes, felt a chill run down their spines. They kept a wary eye on their feet, fearing a misstep that would lead to a snake bite.

Strangely, the snakes seemed to ignore them, focusing only on the bandits, biting anyone they disliked. Soon, the bandits lay on the ground, barely making any sound, their lives fading.

Mo Yan, who had always had an aversion to snakes, felt her stomach churn at the sight of so many, even if she couldn't see their details clearly. She slapped away the scarlet python that had come over to show off, and leaned over the golden beast, vomiting violently.

Seeing this, Xiao Ruiyuan immediately lifted her onto his horse, shielding her with his arms. He instructed the hidden guards, "Avoid the snake swarm, move quickly!"

With that, he spurred his horse, swiftly cutting through the grass and leading the way. The golden beast quickly followed.

The hidden guards, seeing this, urged their horses around the snake swarm, swiftly following.

The scarlet python, feeling rejected, looked pitifully at its partner Xiao Hua, only to receive a gloating look. Angrily, it slammed its thick tail against the ground.

The snakes summoned by the scarlet python quickly slithered off the bandits, trembling in fear, not wanting to be smashed into pieces by their angry leader.

When the scar-faced man and his followers caught up, hoping to claim some spoils, they were greeted by the sight of the bearded leader and his men lying lifeless on the ground, unsure of whether they were dead or alive. His face darkened.

He wanted to continue the pursuit, even if it meant chasing them to the gates of the capital, but despaired as they found their way blocked by another wave of snakes...

Mo Yan, curled up in Xiao Ruiyuan's arms, finally felt better after emptying her stomach. It dawned on her how intimate their position was!

Alright, though his embrace was hard and not soft, it felt very safe! She was just an ordinary woman, longing for the security that comes from someone she liked, but... this wasn't the right time or place!

She couldn't ignore the fifty hidden guards around them or pretend they were blind. And then there were the five beasts! She could almost imagine Xiao Hua's teasing cries in the future, mocking her for once making fun of Xiao Hua's clumsy attempts to court Da Bai.

Truly, one reaps what they sow!

Mo Yan looked longingly at the golden beast running alongside them, thinking there might still be a chance to salvage the situation if she moved now!

Chapter 1466: Did Tao Qin Fall for Him?

Meng Yunzheng narrowed his eyes. Jiang Kuanyu's father had passed away in early July, and during the mourning period, it was customary to wear simple and plain white or gray clothing. There was no reason for him to dress like that.

Clearly, he did it intentionally.

He urged Meng Han to continue speaking, and she blinked, almost forgetting where she left off.

Shu Yu reminded her, "You were saying that Tao Qin twisted her foot in front of Jiang Kuanyu."

Meng Han nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, that's right. In fact, her foot was fine; she just did it to catch his attention."

In Chenggu County, the Meng family was considered a significant escort bureau with some wealth and servants, but they were still not as prosperous as the wealthy and influential families.

The Tao family, who relied on the Meng family for their livelihood, was even less well-off.

As the daughter of the Tao family, Tao Qin's marriage prospects were limited to local farmers or small business owners in the town. It was impossible for her to marry into a wealthy family.

So, when she saw Jiang Kuanyu, she could tell he was either rich or from a noble family. Besides being good-looking, he also displayed courtesy, making him seem like the type who would treat his wife well.

When Jiang Kuanyu offered to take responsibility for her injury, Tao Qin didn't miss the chance to take advantage of it. She pretended to be weak, claiming she had twisted her foot, and acted as if she needed help.

Meng Xiaoshu was the one who escorted Jiang Kuanyu. He immediately had the household servants take Tao Qin to seek treatment, making sure not to solely blame Jiang Kuan Yu for the incident.

However, upon hearing the news, Tao Shi intercepted Meng Xiaoshu and found an excuse to pull him away.

As a result, Tao Qin was supported by the maids from the Meng family, and Jiang Kuan Yu accompanied her to the doctor.

Meng Han didn't know what happened between the two on their way to the doctor. All she remembered was that when Tao Qin came back, her left ankle was wrapped in thick gauze, and she could barely walk.

Feeling guilty, Jiang Kuanyu visited her again the next day, bringing her tonics and medicinal wine.

Upon his visit, Meng Xiaoshu naturally received him hospitably.

Meng Yunzheng interjected, "They talked for a long time? Did they discuss Huajiang Prefecture?"

"Yes, they did." Meng Han nodded vigorously. "Jiang Kuanyu said he was originally from Huajiang Prefecture and mentioned a lot of things related to that place. My father was moved to tears."

Meng Han didn't know the specifics of their conversation since she only saw them during mealtime and then returned to her room.

They must have talked about many things during that time.

However, what left a deep impression on Meng Han was her father crying after the conversation. Meng Xiaoshu was tough and loyal, and she had never seen him cry like that. At the time, she felt uneasy and suspected that they must have mentioned their uncle.

Shu Yu was surprised, "Jiang Kuanyu said he is from Huajiang Prefecture?"

"Yes, that's what my father said."

However, Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng remained skeptical.

Well, they would ask Tan Cheng later.

Chapter 1465: What Clothes is He Wearing?

Meng Yunzheng's expression changed instantly. "You said you saw him at home? In the Meng family?"

Meng Han took a step back, feeling intimidated by Meng Yunzheng's current expression. Although he didn't look fierce, his gaze was more frightening than anything she had seen before.

She swallowed nervously and moved closer to Shu Yu, then nodded slowly. "Yes, at home. I saw him last year on August 16th."

August 16th?

"What was he doing at the Meng family? How long did he stay?" Meng Yunzheng asked with a serious tone.

Meng Han replied softly, "He said he had something that needed to be delivered to Huajiang Prefecture, and he asked the escort bureau to help."

Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng exchanged glances. Huajiang Prefecture was on the way from Dong'an Prefecture to Chenggu County where the Meng family resided. Why would he need to find the Meng family's escort bureau to deliver something that could be sent directly during their journey? It seemed like an excuse.

Shu Yu asked, "Was the delivery successful?"

Meng Han was surprised. "How do you know it wasn't?"

Just as Shu Yu expected...

Shu Yu pressed her lips tightly. It was no coincidence that Jiang Kuanyu came to the Meng family. The delivery excuse was just a cover. He must have had other motives.

"What else did he do at the Meng family, Ah han? Tell us everything you know. This is important," Shu Yu urged.

Meng Han became more nervous but tried to recall the situation when she saw Jiang Kuanyu. After a while, she hesitantly said, "After Master Jiang came to the escort bureau, he took out a box containing a contract. I'm not sure of the exact contents as my father didn't read it, but he knew what it was. He just said that two days later, there was another delivery to Huajiang Prefecture and asked if Master Jiang could wait for two days."

"Hmm, and what did Jiang Kuanyu say?"

Meng Han continued, "Master Jiang was very easygoing and said it was fine to wait for a few days. So, that day, he took the box back with him and said he would deliver it in two days. Unexpectedly, when he was leaving the house, he happened to bump into Tao Qin. Both of them were not paying attention and collided at the corner."

"Tao Qin was knocked down, and Jiang Kuanyu felt sorry for her, asking if she was alright and if she needed to be taken to a doctor. He assured her that he would take responsibility for any discomfort she felt."

Meng Han added disdainfully, "You all know what kind of person Tao Qin is. She saw that Jiang Kuanyu was handsome and spoke gently. She thought he must be from a wealthy family. She pretended to be weak and said she had twisted her foot. Twisted her foot? She acted as if no one saw through her intentions."

Meng Yunzheng suddenly interrupted her, "Wait a moment, what clothes was Jiang Kuanyu wearing that day?"

Meng Han was taken aback, clothes? She tried hard to remember and suddenly said, "I remember now. He was wearing a purple robe embroidered with flying clouds, and there was a jade pendant hanging from his belt. He looked like a wealthy young master."

  Chapter 617: The Might of the Scarlet Python (2)

Despite their efforts, the distance between the groups remained four or five miles. The scar-faced leader spat angrily on the ground and cursed, "Damn it, they're too fast! Even if we run ourselves ragged, we can't catch up! Third Brother, quickly inform the front group to hold them off. If we don't, none of us will make it out alive!"

"Yes, Big Brother!" The one called Third Brother quickly responded. He took out two tube-like objects from his waist, lit the fuses with a fire striker, and launched them into the air.

As soon as they ignited, two bright flares shot up, piercing the dark night sky.

Watching the sparks fade, the scar-faced leader grinned wickedly. "Let's hurry up and catch them. Even if we can't take their heads, bringing back some limbs will still satisfy our client. Maybe they'll even reward us with official positions!"

"Ha, Big Brother is always thinking ahead. With an official title, we could even have our way with some high-born ladies!"

"Yeah, that's right! I've heard those official daughters not only have delicate faces but also the softest skin. Just thinking about getting a few of them into bed is exciting!"

The other men laughed and echoed these crude and lewd remarks.

The scar-faced leader's eyes gleamed with lust, his voice dripping with evil intent. "If you want those beauties, then put in all your effort! Make our employer happy, or we'll end up as ugly ghosts in the underworld!"

"Hehe, Big Brother, with us on the job, those softies who've never seen blood won't stand a chance. You can count on us!"

The group continued to laugh, not taking their target seriously at all.

Their arrogance was due to ignorance; they had no idea they were chasing Xiao Ruiyuan, a celebrated war hero, nor did they know about the fifty elite royal guards accompanying him. If they had known, they wouldn't dare, even with a hundredfold courage!

The scar-faced leader, buoyed by his followers' enthusiasm, imagined himself in official robes, lying in the arms of beautiful women, counting piles of gold and silver. Fired up, he raised his whip high and spurred his horse forward.

The others followed, cracking their whips and shouting wildly as they gave chase.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan, already far ahead, did not notice the flares in the night sky behind them.

However, a nearby bandit camp did. The unusual sight was quickly reported, and an urgent horn blast sounded throughout the camp. Within moments, over a hundred men poured out from all directions.

Each man bore a gleaming blade on his forehead and wielded a powerful crossbow, more deadly than ordinary bows and arrows. Led by a bearded man, the band charged down the mountainside.

Suddenly, Da Bai, sprinting at the front, came to an abrupt halt, its ears pricking up alertly. Sensing the oncoming danger, it let out a warning howl.

At the rear, the scarlet python also sensed the threat. It flicked its crimson tongue, emitting a hissing sound with a strange rhythm. Only the four beasts understood the meaning behind this peculiar melody.

  Chapter 616: The Might of the Scarlet Python (1)

The sound of horses' hooves echoed as dozens of steeds raced down the broad avenue, resembling fast-moving dark clouds in the night sky.

Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan were surrounded by fifty royal guards as they sped toward the capital. The four beasts, with their senses far keener than humans', coordinated perfectly. The fluffy white beast led the way, ready to alert those behind at any sign of trouble, while the scarlet python stayed at the rear to guard against ambushes.

The golden beast carrying Mo Yan tried to slow its pace to match Xiao Ruiyuan's mount, but its overwhelming presence spurred all the horses to move faster than usual.

Thus, in less than half an hour, they were only fifty miles from the capital.

It was either their imposing appearance or the golden beast's intimidating aura that kept the journey smooth; they didn't encounter a single rabbit, let alone any trouble.

Seeing that they would reach the capital in another half hour, Mo Yan relaxed slightly. She turned to Xiao Ruiyuan, who was riding beside her, and said, "Brother Xiao, time is tight. When we reach the South Gate, we'll split up. You go to Jing Mountain Villa for the scarlet python's gallbladder, and I'll head to Liuyang Village for the black lingze and ginseng. We'll meet back at the South Gate."

"No!" Xiao Ruiyuan frowned, refusing without hesitation, "It's not safe for you to go into the mountains alone. I'll go with you!"

Mo Yan's eye twitched, glancing at the fifty guards around them. Were they not considered people?

"Brother Xiao, with the five beasts, you don't need to worry! Besides, the terrain in the mountains is complicated, and it's even harder to navigate at night. It would be faster if the golden beast carried me in to get the black lingze."

The black lingze was in her space, and even if she had to put on an act of going into the mountains, it had to look convincing. With so many people following, she'd need to find a way to send them away, which would be a waste of time.

Xiao Ruiyuan was about to agree, finding her reasoning sound, when suddenly a warning roar came from the scarlet python behind them. He immediately reined in his horse and turned to look back, his gaze sharp.

The other guards also stopped, their faces tense beneath their black masks. The rear guards quickly dismounted, crouching down to listen to the ground. After a moment, one stood up and saluted Xiao Ruiyuan, saying, "General Xiao, five miles away, a group of people is heading our way. Their numbers are unclear."

Xiao Ruiyuan's brow furrowed as he spoke in a deep voice, "Time is of the essence; ignore them! If anyone dares to interfere... kill without mercy!" His words were filled with a chilling killing intent.

The guards straightened, responding in unison, "Yes!"

If the approaching group was merely passing by, that was fine. But if they were sent by some prince or official to hinder their return to the capital, they couldn't afford to get entangled. Everyone knew that the Crown Prince's condition couldn't tolerate any delay!

The group continued onward, the golden beast urging the horses to their utmost speed. Fortunately, these were top-quality steeds, with exceptional stamina and endurance. Though the fast pace was taxing, it wasn't beyond their limits.

The golden beast increased its speed, and Mo Yan squinted at the swiftly receding shadows of trees along the road. The sound of hooves had faded, replaced by the rush of wind in her ears.

As dust kicked up by the horses still hung in the air, the pursuing group quickly closed the distance. These newcomers were not masked, each looking fierce and exuding a bandit-like air, as if they specialized in robbery and plunder.

 Chapter 1464: Meng Han Has Seen Him

As she was about to reach the study, An Ning quickened her pace. However, she stumbled and fell when she ascended the steps of the corridor.

Seeing this, Ying Xi hurried over to her and anxiously asked, "Miss Ah Ning, are you alright?"

An Ning lowered her head, rubbed her knee, and smiled at Ying Xi, "I'm fine, it's just an old problem."

An Ning used to suffer from malnutrition, and she would often trip and fall. However, after eating well and living comfortably, such incidents had become rare. But for a child, bumps and falls were inevitable, especially when climbing difficult paths in the mountains while following old Doctor Zhao to collect medicinal herbs.

Every time this happened, An Ning would jokingly refer to it as her "old problem."

Fortunately, with her past experiences, An Ning slightly adjusted her posture upon falling, so there was no major harm done. Her clothes were a bit dirty, but she patted them off and stood up.

Ying Xi was relieved to see that An Ning was fine, but he still asked, "Shall I carry you? Are you here to see Miss?"

"Yes, I forgot to take my bundle with me."

As the two of them conversed, Ying Xi was about to lift An Ning, her back facing the entrance to the courtyard, which meant he didn't see a figure swiftly running towards the study.

Accompanied by the voice saying, "Ah Ning—I heard that you've come back—," the figure had already rushed into the study.

Both Meng Yunzheng and Shu Yu were stunned, looking surprised at the intruder.

The study was Shu Yu's private space, and generally, no family member would disturb her when they knew she was busy. Even the young An Ning or rebellious third son knew not to disturb Shu Yu unless it was something really important.

That's why An Ning could enter without any obstruction from Ying Xi, who stood at the entrance.

However, none of them expected an exception like Meng Han.

Meng Han saw that the study's door was open and no one was guarding it, so she boldly entered.

Meng Yunzheng's expression immediately turned serious, not only because of Meng Han's intrusion but also because she was a member of the Meng family, and her behavior was quite inappropriate.

Even Shu Yu's face lost its smile at this moment, and her expression tightened.

However, Meng Han seemed to not notice them at all and instead had her gaze fixed on the portraits on the desk, surprised as she spoke, "Isn't this Master Jiang? Cousin, Sister Shu Yu, do you know him? Why do you have his portrait?"

As she spoke, Shu Yu discreetly collected the two scrolls she was holding.

Meng Han approached and carefully examined the portraits on the table, nodding with certainty, "Indeed, this is Master Jiang. Cousin, Sister Shu Yu, have you met him before? Why would you have his portraits?"

Meng Yunzheng put down the half-drawn brush and looked up at her, asking, "Where did you see Master Jiang, and in what circumstances?"

His expression was slightly serious, and Meng Han became nervous, feeling that her answer was significant.

"I, I saw him at home."

Chapter 1463: Jiang Kuanyu and the Black Market Gang

Shu Yu slapped her forehead, "I forgot to take the bundle with me."

The bundle that An Ning brought contained not only the three portraits but also her daily necessities and clothes, and it was still here.

"Oh well, I'll send it to her later."

After An Ning left, Shu Yu sat back in her chair and started discussing seriously with Meng Yunzheng.

"Barring any unexpected twists, it's highly likely that Jiang Kuanyu is the one who poisoned Tan Cheng. I didn't think about it before, but now that I recall it, it does seem a bit unreasonable. Jiang Kuanyu managed his own business so well, so why would he buy that estate and hundreds of acres of land, spend five years without increasing the output, and only sell it last year?"

Now, Shu Yu realized that Jiang Kuanyu didn't care much about the grain output or putting effort into managing the land and planting suitable crops. He hadn't acted because the estate was conveniently close to the black market, making it easy for him to come and go and also serving as a kind of outpost.

Meng Yunzheng nodded, "Also, he sold the estate to you at the end of May. At that time, the black market in Jiangyuan County was already in the limelight due to the mirror incident, and they were preparing to abandon the market here."

Hearing him mention the mirror, Shu Yu felt a little guilty and lowered her head.

Oh no, why did it involve the mirror again? It has nothing to do with her.

She coughed lightly, "It's quite strange indeed. The black market belongs to the Second Prince, yet they sold the mirror to the Third Princess. Aren't they asking for trouble?"

Meng Yunzheng smiled, "Perhaps the Second Prince didn't expect that the seemingly unrelated mirror would be used by the Third Prince to create rumors in the struggle for the throne, attracting a large number of people to the black market in Jiangyuan County, which eventually forced him to withdraw."

Shu Yu sighed, "..."

"In fact, I think it's not just because of the mirror. The most crucial factor is the destruction of the Shu family in Dong'an City, and the County Magistrate of Jiangyuan County is also related to the Xiao family, which is the family of the Third Princess, right?"

Meng Yunzheng looked at her suspiciously but nodded, "Indeed."

Shu Yu changed the topic, "Both Jiang Kuanyu and the black market left Dong'an City at around the same time. If our assumptions are correct, Tan Cheng might have seen a key figure of the Second Prince's faction during that trip up the mountain. To be safe, Jiang Kuanyu poisoned him."

"Yes, but now we don't know where Jiang Kuanyu has gone, otherwise we might be able to find out a lot of things from him."

Shu Yu touched her chin, "Tomorrow, I'll pay another visit to the Tan family and have a good talk with Tan Cheng. Let's see if we can find more clues."

"Alright." Meng Yunzheng nodded, "I'll draw two portraits of Jiang Kuanyu. I'll send them to Qi Lie for him to investigate, using both methods."

"Good." Shu Yu immediately took out pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, placing them in front of Meng Yunzheng and asking him to draw.

Meng Yunzheng's painting skills were better than Tan Cheng's, and Shu Yu had also seen Jiang Kuanyu, so with a little touch-up, the portrait looked even more like him than Tan Cheng's version.

"With this, it will be easier to find him," Shu Yu said.

Meng Yunzheng smiled and continued drawing the second portrait.

The two of them remained in the study, unaware that after An Ning returned to her room and discovered she forgot her bundle, she rushed back at lightning speed.

  Chapter 615: Ruthlessness (3)

Even though the thousand-year ginseng and black ganoderma were in the space, could she take them out in front of everyone? Clearly, she couldn't. She couldn't risk exposing the space to save someone, and besides, she did need to go home to prevent her family from worrying.

The Ghost Doctor's eyes lit up and he hurriedly told Emperor Hui'an, "Your Majesty, fresh black ganoderma is best for medicine. It's best if Miss Mo retrieves it now. The scarlet python's gallbladder is also stored in the ice cellar at Jing Mountain Villa and needs to be fetched immediately. The Prince can't hold on much longer!"

Emperor Huian's expression tensed as he was about to order someone to depart immediately. Xiao Ruiyuan stepped forward, requesting to accompany Mo Yan back to the capital to fetch the three main ingredients.

Emperor Huian agreed without hesitation, and to be cautious, he also arranged for fifty elite royal guards to accompany them for protection.

Chu Heng was gravely ill and near death. Although Emperor Huian had strictly forbidden news from spreading, other princes and officials staying at the palace couldn't miss the activity in the side hall. 

No one had come to "visit" Chu Heng or console Emperor Huian; they were merely waiting for the right moment. Emperor Huian knew this better than anyone and would not allow anyone to ruin important matters at this critical juncture.

Yan Junyu watched the two people standing side by side, wanting to go with them, but his concern for Chu Heng held him back. He could only suppress the thought and urged them to be careful.

There were less than five hours until dawn. Even with fast horses, a round trip would take at least two hours. Gathering the black lingze deep in the mountains and fetching the scarlet python's gallbladder from Jing Mountain Villa would each take at least an hour and a half, so they would have to split into two groups. If everything went smoothly, the timing would just be enough, but any interference could throw everything into uncertainty!

Knowing time was tight, Emperor Huian gave the fifty guards a strict order. If they couldn't ensure Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan's safe return with the black lingze and thousand-year ginseng within five hours, they didn't need to come back alive!

Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan left the palace together. Mo Yan quickly went to Xiao Ruiyuan's tent and gave a brief explanation to the five beasts.

The golden beast bent its legs without hesitation, allowing Mo Yan to mount. Amid the astonished cries of the others, it sped to the agreed meeting point outside the palace like a gust of wind, with the other four beasts following behind.

Among the five beasts, none could match the golden beast's speed and endurance!

Soon, Xiao Ruiyuan came galloping on horseback. Neither of them spoke as they headed towards Phoenix Mountain, followed by the fifty guards sent by Emperor Huian who were already waiting at the foot of the mountain.

In a sleeping chamber on the north side of the palace, Prince Heng, with his hands and face covered, sat on the bed with a feverish gleam in his eyes. As half a stick of incense burned away without any news from the side hall, he grew increasingly anxious.

At that moment, a servant hurried in with a young maid. Before the servant could speak, Prince Heng impatiently asked the maid, "What's the situation there? Speak quickly!"

The maid looked up with a fawning smile, "Your Highness, this servant couldn't get close to the side hall and didn't find out much!" Seeing Prince Heng's face darken, she hastily added, "But I saw General Xiao about to escort that lady away when Young Lord Yan arrived and spoke to him. Then, General Xiao and Young Lord Yan left quickly! That lady stood there for a while and then went to the side hall. Shortly after, Eunuch Liang personally led her in. Not long after, General Xiao and that lady came out, one riding a horse and the other on the golden beast, and they hurried towards the mountain. They seemed to be in a rush!"

After speaking, the maid nervously glanced at Prince Heng. Seeing his displeased expression, she felt a chill.

She was just a lowly maid in the palace, and except for the autumn hunt every three years, there were no noble masters around. She had finally caught a chance to be noticed by Prince Heng and hoped he would take her back to the city, even if just as a maid doing rough work in his mansion, which was better than staying in the palace with no prospects.

Prince Heng's thoughts were entirely on the side hall, not paying any attention to the maid's hopes. Suddenly, he stood up, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes...