Qin Shi: I went astray in the Heavenly Sect

Chapter 80 The Trouble Begins, Hu Meiren
"You've come back just in time. The first fire in Xinzheng is now in your hands."

"Where should I put this fire?"

"I think the royal palace is nice!"

"The royal palace?? Isn't Master afraid I won't be able to come back?"

"Don't worry, unless the King of Han no longer wants his crown prince!!"

Fate seemed to have returned to its original course, and the fire in the Han King's palace still burned.

Upon seeing Yan Lingji appear, a hint of excitement flashed in Ji Wuye's eyes. He seemed to see Han Yu and Han Fei kneeling at his feet.

Immediately following was the kidnapping of the Crown Prince. The events happened so suddenly that even Han Fei was caught off guard.

After witnessing the madness of Tianze and the others, Han Fei finally understood why his father had reacted that way.

A group of madmen who would stop at nothing to seek revenge.

That night, Wei Zhuang brought back new intelligence from Tian Ze, something that had been bothering him for a long time.

"The Corpse-Driving Demon resurrected the Three Wolves with Broken Hair using his secret corpse-driving technique. From him, we learned the truth of what happened back then—the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon."

Han Fei was taken aback by Wei Zhuang's words.

He had heard of the Azure Dragon Seven Mansions; it was a secret hidden among the seven states, seemingly involving Duke Zhuang of Zheng, the first hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period.

"Furthermore, I've discovered something else: Tianze seems to be investigating that kid. Something must have happened between them."

At this point, a strange glint flashed in Wei Zhuang's eyes.

These past few days, the young man has been staying at Zilan Pavilion. He is very curious about how Tianze knows of his existence and seems to be very interested in him.

Hearing Wei Zhuang's words, Han Fei was taken aback again. He had learned about Tian Ze from his father, so they shouldn't have any interaction.

"What does Brother Wei Zhuang mean?"

“He seems to be more mysterious than we thought. Although it’s unlikely, I suggest you try to pull him into the quicksand.”

In another room, Zi Nu looked at the young man in front of her and shook her head with a wry smile.

"You really finished watching Xiu Yuan's novel??"

There were quite a few books in Nongyu's room, even a lot, and she had read them all in less than half a month.

After a moment of silence, Zi Nu suddenly said, "If Xiu Yuan still wants to read, perhaps there is another place."

Chen Xiuyuan looked at Zi Nu, his heart stirred slightly. The place with the most books in Korea should be the Korean Archives, but he didn't think Zi Nu was capable of sending him there.

"Does cultivating karma lead to knowing Zhang Liang?"

Chen Xiuyuan's mind raced, and he guessed Zi Nu's plan.

"The Zhang family has served as prime ministers in Han for generations, and their family must have a rich and profound collection of books. However, their grandfather, Zhang Kaidi, has served in the court for many years and is shrewd and calculating. If Xiuyuan wants to visit the Zhang family, he should be very careful."

Upon hearing Zi Nu's explanation, Chen Xiuyuan nodded slightly. In fact, compared to the Zhang family, he had a better place to go, but the prerequisite was that he had to meet someone.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "I wonder if Miss Zi Nu would be willing to make another deal with me."

Upon hearing Xiu Yuan's words, Zi Nu was slightly taken aback, then a smile appeared at the corner of her eyes.

"Introducing Zifang is not a big deal, and I'm sure Zifang would be willing to help with this."

Chen Xiuyuan shook his head. There was quite a commotion in Xinzheng City today, so he knew that Tianze had already begun to take action. It was highly likely that neither Zhang Kaidi nor Zhang Liang would have time to deal with the most pressing issue at hand.

Going to the Zhang family at this time would probably be quite inconvenient.

Seeing Xiu Yuan shake his head, Zi Nu frowned, feeling somewhat puzzled. Then she heard him speak again, "I don't plan to go to the Zhang family." Hearing this answer, Zi Nu was puzzled. The Zhang family in Xinzheng City should be the best choice.

"That cultivation of destiny"

Chen Xiuyuan pondered for a moment before speaking, "Could it be that Miss Zi Nu has been in contact with Consort Hu in the palace?"

Upon hearing the name of Consort Hu, Zi Nu's eyes lit up with a strange expression. It was rumored that Consort Hu, who served King Han, was a woman of unparalleled beauty and gentle nature. However, she was ultimately King Han's exclusive possession. Even when the young noblemen encountered her, they dared not show her any affection, for fear that it would reach King Han's ears and bring them undeserved disaster.

When the topic was brought up by a woman or a man, Zi Nu subconsciously thought of something else.

"Actually, that little girl Nongyu is quite nice too."

Chen Xiuyuan's eye twitched. This Zi Nu girl seemed to have misunderstood him. He still had the hairpin left by Madam Hu. If he could meet that beauty Hu, with her help, going to the archives to read books shouldn't be a problem.

"I think Ninth Young Master is also quite good."

The room fell silent. This was an answer that Zi Nu hadn't expected. She subconsciously looked at the young man in front of her, her heart filled with mixed feelings. Could he be a...?
But when she saw the other person's helpless expression, she suddenly remembered that the other person was just a child, and she burst out laughing.

"Please forgive me, young master; it was my presumption."

After guessing that Chen Xiuyuan probably had other plans, Zi Nu blushed slightly and quickly looked away. Then, she gently raised her hand, pinched her chin, and began to ponder.

With her delicate jawline, thoughtful eyes, and a lingering blush on her pretty face, Zi Nu exuded an unusual charm that even Xiu Yuan couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.

That was just a joke. He was calm and collected, but he was a normal person. Compared to people like Han Fei and Wei Zhuang, he preferred to be with a few girls.

After a moment's thought, Zi Nu said softly, "It's not difficult to see Consort Hu. Tomorrow happens to be the seventh day after Lady Hu's death, and Consort Hu should be attending. As long as we avoid the accompanying soldiers, we should be able to see her."

Chen Xiuyuan was taken aback. This was the first time he had ever heard the term "burning the seventh day"! In another time and space, he had heard the term "first seven days" more often.

"What is 'burning seven'?"

Seeing that Chen Xiuyuan didn't understand, Zi Nu thought for a moment and explained, "Humans have three souls and seven spirits. According to the theory of the gathering and scattering of souls and spirits, when a person is born, seven days are observed as a 'winter' (a period of mourning), and one spirit is formed during each 'winter'. When a person dies, seven days are observed as a 'seven-day mourning period,' and one spirit is dispersed during each 'seven-day mourning period.' When a relative passes away, the living will follow the custom of 'burning offerings on the seventh day.'"

Chen Xiuyuan nodded. It seems that different eras have different customs, which is quite normal.

Then, as if remembering something, he asked uncertainly, "Does that mean this 'burning the seven-day period' needs to be done seven times?"

Zi Nu smiled and said, "Xiu Yuan is right, it does need to be done seven times, for a total of forty-nine days."

After thinking for a moment, Zi Nu added, "By the way, I received some news today that the Baiyue prince who just escaped seems to be investigating you."

Upon hearing this news, Chen Xiuyuan nodded slightly. He had arranged for Yan Lingji to be sent away; it would be strange if Tianze had no feelings for her at all.

Seeing that Chen Xiuyuan was not surprised, Zi Nu was taken aback and looked over with some curiosity.

However, this time, Chen Xiuyuan did not intend to explain.

After a moment of silence, Chen Xiuyuan spoke up: "Miss Zi Nu, don't you want to know my bargaining chips?"

Zi Nu smiled and shook her head.

"It's nothing, I haven't even repaid the favor Xiu Yuan helped me with last time!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiuyuan smiled slightly.

"Then Miss Zi Nu shouldn't regret this."

Zi Nu caught a glimpse of amusement in Xiu Yuan's eyes, and swallowed back the words that were already on her lips.

"I regret."

(End of this chapter)