After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

The next morning.

Having spent a sleepless night, Yin Huaixi had large dark circles under her eyes, and the sunlight was blinding.

Just as I was about to lift the quilt to lower the bamboo curtain, I heard someone whispering outside.

After consuming the love potion, Yin Huaixi's hearing and eyesight were significantly enhanced. She tiptoed to the door, pressed her ear against the crack, and held her breath to eavesdrop.

"Holy Maiden, I inquired this morning, and the city has been cracking down hard lately."

"The Yin family patriarch recently reopened the business that had been suspended. The second young lady of the Yin family, Yin Qingyue, is resting in the city with a group of people and has not yet returned to the capital."

Sitting in the pavilion, through the snow-white gauze, Sang Che leisurely poured a cup of tea, brought it to her lips, and gently breathed on it twice.

The symptoms that were invisible last night have subsided considerably, and this morning, Sang Che was able to see again.

However, she did not remove the thin white gauze that Yin Huaixi had tied on for her.

Having this cloth blindfold over one's eyes has a unique charm.

The information this person reported was exactly the same as what Sang Che had investigated some time ago, except for one mystery that Sang Che most wanted to know.

"Have you investigated the origins of the man in black loitering in front of the Yin residence?"

Upon hearing the Holy Maiden's question, the man's expression hardened, and he hurriedly walked to Sang Che's side.

"Your Majesty is wise; we have indeed uncovered some clues!"

Sang Che stopped drinking her tea and immediately put it down on the table. She said, "What signs are you talking about? Tell me about them."

Hearing the commotion, the small red snake climbed onto the table, its vertical snake eyes darting around as it stared intently at the person who had come to report.

"Holy Maiden, I questioned every idle beggar in the city and even gave them some small coins before I finally got the information."

"They said that a few nights ago, a fast horse galloped out of the city. If the city gates hadn't actually opened for the horse, they would have thought they'd seen a ghost!"

Sang Che smiled.

This is true.

How could Lingshui City, such a large city, possibly grant special favors to ordinary merchants and wealthy families who break the rules?

The city gates were opened in the middle of the night.

It seems that the man in black was from the capital and had nothing to do with any foreign powers or vassal kings.

Only powerful figures in the capital could command a group of local bullies in Lingshui City who wore official hats.

"Is there anything else?"

When pressed by Sang Che, the man reached into his clothes and pulled out a letter, which he then handed over respectfully.

Despite the crumpled and filthy letter, Sang Che immediately recognized Jia Wan's handwriting.

"This was given to me by a little beggar. He said... the older sister who gave him the letter told him that if anyone on the street asked about this in the future, he should give this letter to that person."

Before the person reporting could finish speaking.

Sang Che didn't mind the dirt and opened the envelope directly. A breeze blew by, and the crumpled letter still carried a faint odor.

I looked down and examined it closely.

A line of small print caught my eye.

"Ah Che, are you alright after receiving this letter?"

"Now that you've received this letter, it means you've arrived in Lingshui City, am I right?"

"I've already set off for the capital. If you want to find me, come to the capital and help me capture A-Ning."

At the end of the letter, Jiawan drew a particularly large smiley face, as if she was very confident in capturing Zhao Huining.

It seems like it can be done effortlessly.

Staring at the letter, Sang Che remained silent for a long time, and the person who delivered the letter stood beside Sang Che, not daring to make a move.

They were afraid that the saintess might give an order.

The silver ornaments hanging on her braid swayed slightly. Sang Che let the wind rustle a corner of the letter. Just as she was about to look up, the door creaked open.

Yin Huaixi strode out.

Her skirt swayed slightly.

He snatched the letter from Sang Che's hand, held it up to his eyes, and began to read it carefully.

Yin Huaixi's sudden display of force startled the servant standing next to Sang Che. The man looked surprised but dared not look any longer.

He quickly lowered his head.

It's as if if you look at it too much, your eyes will be gouged out.

I had long heard that the Holy Maiden had a strong preference for Han Chinese women, even spoiling them, and that she had even argued with the High Priest, leading to a falling out with him.

Unexpectedly, this Han Chinese woman was so unruly that she dared to reach out and snatch the important letter from the Holy Maiden's hand!

This is a crucial clue left behind by Lord Ah Shui!

The saintess is truly foolish.

...

Inside the main hall, the candlelight shone as brightly as day.

Jiawan was surrounded by a group of women and pressed into a brown bath tub. Her entire body was scrubbed clean, leaving no trace of fragrance.

"You...you people have such audacity..."

Her cheeks flushed red, Jia Wan glared with a hint of resentment, wishing she could command the Gu worms to devour all of them.

However, no matter how much Jiawan fussed and struggled, the group of women seemed deaf and couldn't hear her at all.

the end.

Then they pulled the cleaned Jiawan bath tub out.

An exquisitely crafted moon-white silk robe was draped over Jiawan's cleaned body, and the woman coldly escorted Jiawan to the bedchamber.

"Hey, you guys..."

He staggered.

Jiawan was still somewhat bewildered when she was thrown into the empty bedroom. She looked around and saw Aning sitting at her desk, her hair adorned with pearls and hairpins, her fingers holding a brush, writing something.

Hearing Jiawan's commotion, Zhao Huining calmly finished writing the last character and looked up.

"Ah Shui, how does it feel to be imprisoned here by me?"

Jia Wan heard Zhao Huining asking her a question, but she was too angry to respond.

Hands on hips.

Her eyes scanned the furnishings of the room, and when Jiawan's gaze fell on a cabinet to the side, she beamed with joy.

Her bamboo tube was placed there.

As she started running forward, Jiawan's body suddenly went sore, and she fell to the ground in a sorry state.

Fortunately, Zhao Huining's bedroom was covered with soft blankets, and Jiawan fell on the soft blankets, only to suffer some bruises on her knees.

Realizing something was wrong, Jia Wan looked at Zhao Huining. Her fingers, numb and weak, clutched the blanket, and she said feebly, "Ah Ning... what... what drug did you give me?"

Over the years, she has dominated the Miao region, unmatched in the world, with only A'Che able to surpass her.

How come now, even with Ah Ning, the doll she once held in her palm, she's still being drugged by her?!

She clearly doesn't have that ability!

The pearls and jade made a crisp sound.

Zhao Huining slowly approached Jiawan. She squatted down and, just as Jiawan had taken care of her before, hugged Jiawan in her arms, using her fingertips to brush away Jiawan's slightly damp stray hairs and tuck them behind her ears.

Feeling utterly powerless, Jiawan tried to resist Zhao Huining, but despite her best efforts, she could only move one finger, weakly resting it on Zhao Huining's arm.

Nothing can shake it.

"Ah Shui, have you traveled to every inch of Miao territory? Miao territory is vast, but do you know... the Central Plains are even more boundless?"

"I have royal blood flowing through my veins. Whatever I want, I can bring tribute from all corners of the world with just a wave of my hand."

"It's nothing more than a simple method of detoxification, nothing more than a simple method of poisoning. What's so difficult about that?"

Having grown up in the insatiable world of the imperial harem, Zhao Huining had witnessed far too many power struggles, backstabbing, and life-or-death dramas.

Compared to Jia Wan's rudimentary schemes and tricks, Zhao Huining saw nothing but clarity in them.

It made her want to reach in, to defile and muddy the place.

Which member of an imperial family isn't mad?

Where are the normal people?

Aren't they all crazy?

She's crazy... what's wrong with that?

Since Ah Shui has come to her of her own accord, she's not going to let her leave.

It's neither reasonable nor emotional.

Keeping her around would both blackmail the Miao holy maiden and satisfy her own selfish desires.