Qin Shi: I went astray in the Heavenly Sect

Chapter 93 Intrigue and Schemes, the Straw-Cloaked Man
How is my sister's health?

In a courtyard of the Han King's Palace, Lady Mingzhu, accompanied by her maid, came to pay a visit.

Upon seeing the visitor, Lady Hu rose and greeted Madam Mingzhu.

"It's my older sister!"

“I feel much better these days with that girl playing the zither. As for that other little storyteller, although his stories are good, he only has a few. I informed the king and sent him to the archives to find more stories.”

Upon hearing this, Lady Mingzhu paused. The storehouse was the least noticeable place in the Han King's palace, a place that even the palace maids rarely visited.

"The archives?"

Lady Mingzhu looked at Consort Hu. She had heard before that the little one seemed to have offended the other party, and now it seemed that it was not a rumor. She parted her red lips slightly and said softly, "He is just a child. Sister, you should not go too far. Otherwise, rumors will spread in the palace, which will not have a good effect on you."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Hu Meiren's eyes. She did not recall having such a close relationship with this person. What exactly did he mean by reminding her this time?
In the past, some palace maids would mysteriously disappear. She had long suspected who was behind it.

This Lady Mingzhu is ruthless!
"By the way, I've been feeling quite restless these past few days. Could you lend me that girl who plays the zither for a couple of days, sister?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Meiren's eyes twitched.

She had felt something was off before. Madam Mingzhu and she were not on good terms, so why would she visit her at this time? Now it seemed that she was after Nongyu.

Although she didn't know what the person in front of her wanted from Nongyu, she knew in her heart that this woman was ruthless. So how could she possibly hand Nongyu over to her?
After thinking for a moment, Hu Meiren spoke again: "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, sister. I really like this little girl, so please don't try to steal her away!"

It wasn't a tone of negotiation, but a direct refusal. A deeper meaning flashed in Madam Mingzhu's eyes. It seemed that the information Bai Yifei had given her earlier was likely true.

Perhaps there really was some connection between Hu Meiren and that girl named Nongyu.

Then Madam Mingzhu covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Sister, you jest. She's just a girl who can play the zither! I can always find another one!"

Seeing that the other party did not continue to pester her, Hu Meiren secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If the other party had really held on to Nongyu, she would have been in a difficult position.

"By the way, where are these two from? When I have time, I'll send someone out to look for them. Although the musicians in the palace are highly skilled, most of them are men, which makes it inconvenient for them to come and go from the inner palace. I suppose His Majesty agreed to my sister's request because of this consideration."

Although it was just a few simple words, Hu Meiren still became subconsciously vigilant. However, she then thought that Nongyu and Xiuyuan had been summoned by the King of Han's holy decree, and this matter probably could not be kept secret.

After thinking for a moment, Hu Meiren said, "They all come from a place called Zilanxuan. I heard that many adults frequent that place. I heard about it by chance."

"Oh, Zilanxuan."

Lady Mingzhu was slightly startled upon hearing this. Although she had always stayed in the inner palace, she had heard of this place. Bai Yifei had mentioned Han Fei and Liu Sha several times, both of which were closely related to this place.

Suddenly, Lady Mingzhu's eyes twitched as a bad thought popped into her mind: Could the two people summoned to the palace by Consort Hu be from the Quicksand organization?
If the other party is indeed from Quicksand, then their arrival at Hu Meiren's side is very likely not a coincidence.
After thinking for a moment, Madam Mingzhu said softly, "I often hear people say that Ninth Young Master Han Fei frequently goes to this place for leisure. Could it be that you heard this from him, sister?"

Hu Meiren was taken aback when she heard this. She knew who Ninth Young Master Han Fei was, but she had no idea where he usually went.

However, she couldn't reveal that Xiu Yuan had met with her, so after thinking for a moment, she nodded gently.

Seeing Hu Meiren's reaction, Lady Mingzhu's eyes flashed with understanding. It seemed that her guess was indeed correct. These two were very likely sent into the palace by Han Fei. As for their purpose, she could even guess it—the secret medicine to control Tianze.

After sitting for a while longer, Lady Mingzhu rose to take her leave. She had gained a lot from this visit; there were some things that even her cousin probably hadn't anticipated. Their previous plans would likely need to be re-planned. Consort Hu rose to see her off, her eyes gleaming as she watched her departing figure. In the inner palace, everyone was complex; those without cunning had long been devoured.

She could sense that Madam Mingzhu's visit today was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather had its own purpose, though she didn't quite understand what the other party wanted.

"Ugh!!"

Lady Hu sighed softly. The wind that had swept through Xinzheng City had finally reached the inner palace. She had a feeling that the inner palace might not be stable in the future.

Time flew by, and the lanterns outside Zilan Pavilion lit up again. A figure leaped from the fourth floor of Zilan Pavilion and disappeared into the night.

At the same time, a red figure stepped out of the Marquis's residence.

Nighttime should be a time for rest, but tonight's night is unusually lively.

A lone boat arrived at the lakeside, picked up a passenger, and headed towards the center of the lake.

The oars parted the water, shattering the reflection of the crescent moon in the lake, startling several water birds that had already nested there.

After a long while, the man in the straw hat who was steering the boat said softly, "My lord, what brings you here tonight? Is there anything you wish to ask?"

At the bow of the boat, a man in red looked at the lake and spoke softly.

"The general told me something, and I think you should have the answer I'm looking for."

The man in the straw hat paused, and after a long while, a sigh echoed from the darkness.

"Is the one you'd like to ask about, my lord, the girl named Nongyu?"

The newcomer was none other than Blood-Clad Marquis Bai Yifei, while the other person piloting the boat was the Straw-Cloaked Guest.

Upon hearing the other party's words, Bai Yifei said in a deep voice, "Does she really have clues about the Baiyue treasure?"

The man in the straw raincoat placed the oar on the deck, took out a pipe from his pocket, took two puffs, and then said, "I don't have many clues at the moment, but there are some things that the Marquis might be interested in."

Bai Yifei looked at the lake, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

"Oh?"

The man in the straw raincoat continued, "The Right Sima Li Kai from back then did not die. He secretly infiltrated Xinzheng for many years and once met Madam Hu at a banquet. When she saw him, Madam Hu was in tears, as if she still had feelings for him."

"And Madam Hu was Liu Yi's wife, but what's even more interesting is that Liu Yi doesn't seem to have ever touched his beautiful wife."

"The Poison Scorpion Sect, under the orders of the Vulture, captured Li Kai, but later the Poison Scorpion Sect was wiped out, and not a single member of its sect was left alive. Those prisoners who were lucky enough to escape had no recollection of him."

"Afterwards, Li Kai appeared at a small tavern called 'Two Liang Two' in the city. Later, he went into the city and disappeared without a trace. As for Madam Hu, she also died mysteriously the day after Li Kai disappeared."

Bai Yifei frowned and said, "You mean Li Kai and Madam Hu are not dead??"

(End of this chapter)