Princess, she is the one who facilitated the extradition.

"Princess Chengle has a good relationship with the Luo family?"

Gui Yao remained silent for a moment before asking the Duchess this question.

Otherwise, how would Chengle's granddaughter know the Luo family's secret?

The Duchess was startled by Gui Yao's keen insight: "The two had discussed marriage, but for some reason it didn't work out."

Over the years, she has acted cautiously and never speaks ill of others, but she is unwilling to hide anything from Gui Yao.

"I heard that Princess Kangle's second son is Luo Xuanshu's son, and that Yun'er is looking for Gu Xiang, the granddaughter of the Luo family, who was born to the second son."

If the rumors are true, then Gu Xiang is the granddaughter of the Luo family, so it makes sense that she would know the Luo family's secrets.

But why would she instigate Qi Yun to raise a ghost child?

"Did she know you were seeking revenge against the Yang family?"

Gui Yao took the last bite of the candy skewer and looked at Qi Yun.

"They probably don't know."

Qi Yun said, "I only said that I was troubled by Yang Yue's romantic nature and wanted him to love me wholeheartedly. I said the same thing to the Luo family."

In exchange, the Luo family wanted me to help them fake the deaths of two people. I refused, only agreeing to give them five thousand taels of silver, or else I would call it quits.

Privately rescuing a fugitive is a capital offense if discovered, and it will also implicate the woman's family.

She would rather not have the Luo family's help than do that foolish thing.

Gui Yao pondered, "So, you didn't tell them your true purpose... but they knew the consequences of raising a ghost child... malice is brewing... this is bad!"

Her expression suddenly changed. "If Yang Yue dies prematurely, the ghost fetus won't disappear with him. It will find another host, and when that one dies, it will search again, in an endless cycle."

These are memories that have just been awakened in my mind.

"Is their real purpose to kill the ghost child?"

The Duchess's expression also changed drastically. "Yang Yue is currently in the imperial prison. If he is killed and the 'terror' is moved, the capital is so vast that it will be difficult to find the 'terror' again..."

Before he could finish speaking, a shadow flew past, and Gui Yao was no longer in the room.

The Duchess knew that Gui Yao had gone to the imperial prison.

"You're confused. The Imperial Prison is directly under the Emperor's jurisdiction, located in the southwest corner of the palace, and jointly guarded by the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Dragon Guards. Even I would find it difficult to sneak in unnoticed..."

She raised her hand to pat her daughter, but seeing Qi Yun's panicked face, she only gently lowered her hand. "Now I only hope that Miss Guiyao can successfully take Yang Yue away."

Otherwise, we would have committed a terrible crime, Yun'er. Never again be so reckless.

If a malevolent entity that feeds on evil thoughts were to run rampant in the capital, who knows what the city would become.

Especially since the imperial prison is close to the palace, what if a treacherous child were to infiltrate the palace...

"Walk."

The Duchess immediately pulled Qi Yun out the door.

She remembered a secret old story.

It is said that Luo Xuanshu was punished after interpreting Princess Baozhu's fate. Luo Xuanshu felt wronged and hanged himself at home before being exiled.

The descendants of the Luo family harbored considerable resentment towards the royal family because of this. The suffering of exile would breed resentment, and if they were to create a ghost child to seek revenge on the royal family, and the ghost child were transferred to the Imperial Guards or other people who could enter the palace, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Qi Yun should continue to play the role of a devoted lover, using the excuse of wanting to see Yang Yue to go to the imperial prison to help Gui Yao.

If Gui Yao fails, or if Yang Yue is already dead...

The Duchess held her daughter's hand tightly. They had to confess the matter of the treacherous child to His Majesty so that he would be on guard.

The peaceful and prosperous era we have finally achieved could easily descend into chaos if something happens to His Majesty or the Crown Prince.

Moreover, His Majesty is a wise and virtuous ruler, and the Crown Prince is exceptionally talented. The Duchess does not wish for them to die in a ghost pregnancy.

But if she confessed, her daughter would inevitably be punished, and the Duchess felt as if a villain was pulling her apart.

Qi Yun understood her mother's dilemma. She squeezed her hand in return, "If it comes to the last step, it is the price I should pay for my mistakes."

She cannot be afraid.

The Duchess felt a lump in her throat, quickened her pace, and prayed in her heart that Miss Guiyao would have a safe journey.

Gui Yao, whom they were talking about, arrived at the imperial prison at lightning speed, and found Yang Yue still alive.

Gui Yao hid on the rooftop and used his spiritual power as nails to immediately seal Yang Yue's spiritual sea of ​​consciousness.

In this way, his mind will not generate any thoughts, and naturally, no evil thoughts will arise.

However, it was still not safe to keep him in the imperial prison. Gui Yao used his lightness skill and spiritual power to carry Yang Yue away from the prison like a ghost.

When the Duchess arrived at the imperial prison, it was in complete chaos.

Gui Yao arrived quickly, but the Yilong Guards stationed at the imperial prison were not to be underestimated. Some of them noticed and returned to the prison to check. They found that Yang Yue was missing and sent people to search for him.

"What happened?"

The Duke's heart pounded like a drum, but he forced himself to remain calm.

When they heard that Yang Yue was missing, both mother and daughter breathed a sigh of relief.

Qi Yun cried, "He made friends everywhere, and had countless romantic acquaintances in the martial arts world. It must have been the vixen he seduced in the past who rescued him."

Father, please help me find him! He deceived his daughter, causing her four years of suffering. I won't be able to quell my resentment until I give him a good beating myself.

The Duchess pretended to be angry and scolded her, "How can we let you cause trouble for such a serious criminal? Go home now!"

Qi Yun left indignantly.

The Duchess helped examine the place but couldn't find any clues. She then suggested looking for clues outside the city. After many twists and turns, she arrived at Xuanji Tower, where Mao Dan led her inside.

"The ghost fetus cannot enter the Xuanji Tower. The master forcibly brought it in using spiritual power, which caused a huge loss."

Mao Dan looked distressed and complained, "This order used more spiritual power than it took back. Master really lost out big time."

The Duchess felt guilty. "I'm sorry, we've dragged you into this mess. We will repay your great kindness with all our might for the rest of our lives."

A look of satisfaction appeared in Mao Dan and Lv Dou's eyes.

"The master is resting and recuperating and cannot receive guests. She asked me to tell you that since the Second Miss has been targeted by the Luo family, the Duke should keep a low profile and not give anyone a fatal handle."

This fatal weakness, of course, is that she disguised herself as a man and impersonated a court official.

The Duchess, being intelligent, immediately said, "I found that Yang Yue is injured and can no longer go out to suppress bandits."

The imperial court doesn't need a military general like her, but if she makes a contribution in suppressing bandits, she will attract attention.

Besides, given the current situation, how could she feel comfortable leaving the capital?

Gui Yao was in seclusion and could not be seen, so the Duchess did not stay long. When she left, she knelt down and kowtowed three times to the second floor.

After she left, Gui Yao poked Mao Dan's head and said, "Such a small head, yet you have so many thoughts in it. Aren't you afraid of hurting your neck?"

Mao Dan said arrogantly, "I'm telling the truth. It's only right that we're grateful to our master for going to so much trouble to help them."

The master died so tragically, how can this grudge not be avenged, whether by Zhao Mingyue or the Duke of Qi?

Since they have received favors from their master, they should all do their utmost to assist him in the future.

A hint of ferocity gradually surfaced in Mao Dan's usually gentle eyes.

Gui Yao noticed this and stroked its fur, which suppressed its ferocity.

Both master and servant had their own plans, but they kept them to themselves.

Mao Dan rolled over and lay in Gui Yao's palm, its wings and legs spread wide, as if to say, "Master, you haven't scratched Mao Dan's belly in a long time."

Her tone was somewhat defiant; she genuinely felt sorry for Gui Yao for wasting so much spiritual energy on someone unrelated to her.

"You just said I suffered huge losses."

Gui Yao rolled her eyes at it, "You're enslaving your master who needs rest right now, don't you feel any remorse?"

His hands, however, told him otherwise, but his mouth remained sharp: "Men and women shouldn't touch each other. What you're doing is really an eyesore."

"My owner used to scratch me a lot too."

Mao Dan muttered, "Now that we have a prince, people are starting to disregard the proper boundaries between men and women. Master, they're starting to look down on birds."

"The prince is indeed more handsome than you."

Gui Yao stabbed it in the heart, "The prince is even more capable than you..."

"Owner!"

Mao Dan rolled over and said, "You're such a big guy, hurting a bird that's smaller than your palm, don't you have a conscience...?"

Gui Yao chuckled, "I don't even have a heart, so where would I get a conscience? Come on, now it's your turn to loosen my scalp."

The bird's beak was more useful than a comb. The bird pecked and sweared, while Gui Yao closed his eyes comfortably and gradually fell asleep.

She was awakened by the sound of a bell at night.

Mao Dan flew over and said, "Master, someone's come to the door. It's an old man."