Relieved by Yun Changfeng’s assurances, Yun Shu’s worries subsided.
“Father, remember, absolutely do not use your internal energy recently,” Yun Shu added one more instruction.
Yun Changfeng nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ve noted it all down. You can rest assured, Shu’er.”
Yun Shu glanced at the darkening sky. “Father, it’s getting late. You should go rest.”
“Alright, I am indeed feeling a bit sleepy.” Yun Changfeng stood up, yawning, looking quite weary.
However, he suddenly remembered something. “Ah, I almost forgot. I heard that the Crown Prince Yi has an outside mistress. Marquis Zhongyong spoke with me today and wants you to persuade Crown Prince Yi not to keep an outside mistress. Furthermore, Marquis Zhongyong insists that the mistress absolutely cannot enter the Marquis's manor. Crown Prince Yi has been pestering Marquis Zhongyong these past few days, trying to get him to agree to let the woman in. Marquis Zhongyong has been at his wit’s end, which is why he sought me out. This matter… I don’t want to make things difficult for you, as it concerns Crown Prince Yi, but Marquis Zhongyong looks ten years older because of it.”
“I have never seen Marquis Zhongyong like that before. See if you want to find out about Crown Prince Yi’s outside mistress. If she is a good woman, I’ll help Crown Prince Yi persuade Marquis Zhongyong. If she’s not a good woman, then we’ll help Marquis Zhongyong guide Crown Prince Yi back to the right path?”
Mentioning this matter brought the haggard face of Marquis Zhongyong to Yun Changfeng’s mind.
As a father himself, he deeply sympathized with Marquis Zhongyong.
Yun Shu fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then replied, “Alright, I’ll find a way to have Jing Heng investigate. Given Crown Prince Yi’s current resolute attitude, that woman must have a reason for his affections. It’s hard to say for sure right now.”
Yun Changfeng nodded, agreeing with Yun Shu. “Good, I know you always have your reasons for doing things. It’s late, I’m going to rest. You should rest early too.”
Watching Yun Changfeng walk away to his courtyard to rest, Yun Shu also prepared to return to her room.
A’cha approached. “Miss, warm water has been prepared. Would you like to bathe?”
“A’cha is truly my thoughtful little sister. After a day of busyness, I really need a good bath to relax.” Yun Shu’s eyes lit up. She had visited the Regent’s manor, then the palace, and after leaving the palace, the Prince Ye’s manor. It had been a long, busy day, and she was indeed quite sweaty.
The sweat felt sticky and uncomfortable on her skin.
Just as she entered her room and was about to undress, there was a knock on the door.
“Yun Shu, Yun Shu, something else has happened! Quickly, come out!”
Ruan Xi’s anxious voice came from outside the door.
Yun Shu sighed and put her clothes back on.
As she stepped out, Jing Heng also emerged from the shadows.
“What is it?” Yun Shu asked.
A wisp of steam drifted out of the room. Ruan Xi immediately realized what Yun Shu had been about to do. His eyes flickered, and his heart stirred. “Um, were you about to bathe?”
Why was it that among all his beautiful women, none could compare to Yun Shu?
The mere thought of Yun Shu bathing, her exquisite beauty veiled by the misty steam, made him feel he might start bleeding from the nose.
“Ruan Xi, you are seeking death! If you dare to have such lewd thoughts about your master again, I’ll take your life!” Jing Heng saw through Ruan Xi’s colorful imaginings at once. He drew his sword, its cold, sharp blade glinting menacingly, and threatened Ruan Xi.
Ruan Xi’s chaotic thoughts vanished. He wiped his nose, his mouth twitching. “You, Jing Heng! What am I thinking? I just said it in passing. If Lu Hao hadn’t gotten into trouble, I’d be sleeping with a beauty right now. Why would I be out looking for Yun Shu in the middle of the night?”
“Lu Hao? What happened? Speak clearly, and be brief.” Yun Shu’s expression turned grim.
How could Lu Hao have gotten into trouble out of the blue?
Ruan Xi immediately became serious. “Lu Hao snuck out by himself today and hasn’t returned to my place yet. I sent people to look for him, but there’s no news of Lu Hao. I suspect he was captured by people from the Regent’s manor as soon as he left.”
“He’s courting death,” Jing Heng said coldly and ruthlessly.
Yun Shu immediately realized Lu Hao was in danger. Without hesitation, she said, “Jing Heng, accompany me to infiltrate the Regent’s manor tonight.”
“Alright.”
Seeing Jing Heng and Yun Shu about to leave, Ruan Xi quickly pointed to himself. “What about me? What do I do?”
Yun Shu glanced at Ruan Xi. “Go back to your beauties and enjoy yourself.”
“Um, I’d rather go with you. What’s so great about beauties! Besides, I think that kid Lu Hao is pretty good too. I can tolerate his medical skills. Perhaps if I get a headache in the future, I won’t have to trouble you; I can just find him, right?” Ruan Xi said as he followed along.
Yun Shu didn’t stop him. It was good to have someone follow.
The Regent’s manor was heavily guarded now, and the situation was uncertain.
Soon,
The three of them arrived at the Regent’s manor.
Just as they were about to force their way into the Prince Ye’s manor,
Yun Shu suddenly stopped Jing Heng and Ruan Xi. “The Regent’s manor harbors several experts who are hidden in the shadows.”
Jing Heng narrowed his eyes.
Ruan Xi raised his eyebrows. “Really? I don’t sense anything.”
“With your amateur skills, what could you sense? Master, their aura is very similar to assassins, rather like the group that ambushed you and Prince Ye outside the city before.” Jing Heng opened his eyes, first reprimanding Ruan Xi, then speaking to Yun Shu.
Yun Shu hummed. “Your guess is the same as mine.”
“I never thought they were the Regent’s people. It seems the Regent has been raising quite a few hidden guards and assassins in secret. These assassins are even more skilled than those hidden guards. So, what do we do now? If we barge in and are discovered by these people, it might be impossible to retreat safely,” Ruan Xi did not argue with Jing Heng.
In front of Jing Heng and Yun Shu, his martial arts were indeed amateur.
“This is indeed difficult,” Yun Shu frowned, lowering her eyes in thought.
A moment later,
“You stay here and wait for backup,” Yun Shu said to Ruan Xi.
Ruan Xi’s eyes lit up. “That makes sense!”
His martial arts were average. If he went in, he might be exposed and even cause them trouble.
Then Yun Shu looked at Jing Heng. “Jing Heng, you do this…”
…
Inside the Regent’s manor.
A basin of cold water was doused over Lu Hao.
Lu Hao was already exhausted. The cold water, mixed with ice, made him tremble uncontrollably.
The wounds on his body throbbed with unbearable pain.
Zuo Yan looked at Lu Hao’s miserable state, his brows furrowed tightly. “I know your medical skills well. You couldn’t have tampered with the Regent’s medicine. Tell me, who ordered you? Do you still have that medicine? Lu Hao, I can guarantee that if you tell me everything, I will have the Regent release you and let you leave the capital safely. You may not trust others, but you can trust me.”