Changling had originally thought that with Fu Yangui’s overwhelming power and influence, seeing a patient in the palace would be a matter of one word from him. She hadn’t expected that he would actually go through the proper procedures and report to Shen Yao—who naturally summoned her into the palace.

Since she had already met him once at the martial arts banquet, this audience didn’t cause as much emotional turmoil as before. She performed the protocol between sovereign and subject without batting an eye. Seeing Shen Yao’s attitude toward Fu Yangui—both dependent yet guarded—she couldn’t help but recall Ye Qi’s previous metaphor about wontons, noodles, and jianbing. Suddenly she felt this emperor, who seemed to occupy a lofty position yet constantly walked on thin ice, was rather pitiable too.

Pitiable people have their detestable qualities.

She could only hope that before she personally cut him down, he could take it easy and not bring about his own destruction so quickly.

After Fu Yangui stated his purpose, Shen Yao nodded and said: “So that day Miss Changting became separated from He Yu, no wonder she didn’t see the villain who injured him…”

Changling was somewhat surprised. From Shen Yao’s words, he seemed quite concerned about Ye Qi, as if he didn’t particularly wish him dead.

Upon further thought, she immediately understood—more than half this court was under Fu Yangui’s control. If Ye Qi died, wouldn’t Shen Yao be left without even one person to maintain balance and provide checks?

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Shen Yao ask her: “When He Yu left Jinling City that day to go to Yanling Town, what exactly was his purpose? You followed by his side—you should know a thing or two?”

Changling had already guessed he would ask this, and answered: “He heard that hidden in Yanling Mountain was a martial arts manual that might cure his meridian stagnation condition, so he specifically went there…”

Shen Yao asked: “Oh? Did you find that manual?”

Changling said: “We found it. The manual is called the ‘Ten Thousand Flowers Treasure Mirror.'”

Hearing this, Shen Yao leaned forward. “Zhen seems to have heard this name before. It seems to be… some technique passed down by a monk?”

Fu Yangui helped Changling answer: “Your Majesty, this scripture was created by Chan Master Baozhi and is as renowned as the Sakyamuni True Scripture.”

Changling hadn’t expected Fu Yangui to know this. Her heart trembled slightly. When Shen Yao heard “as renowned as the Sakyamuni True Scripture,” his entire person shook, and he quickly asked: “Where is the treasure mirror now? Has the Marquis mastered it?”

“The treasure mirror is carved behind the waterfall cliff of Yanling Mountain. The Marquis spent several days memorizing it, but the techniques in the mirror have profound meanings that are difficult to fathom. Originally, the Marquis planned to return to Jinling and invite experts to study it, but who knew we would encounter an accident on the road…”

Changling deliberately mixed truth with falsehood, precisely to make Shen Yao covet this Ten Thousand Flowers Treasure Mirror. The village chief should have destroyed what was carved on the cliff before leaving. When Shen Yao’s people went and couldn’t see the complete version, naturally they would do everything possible to save Ye Qi’s life.

As expected, Shen Yao’s face already showed a barely containable eagerness. He asked: “I heard from Prime Minister Fu that you understand acupuncture and might be able to awaken He Yu. Is this true?”

Changling nodded: “This subject learned the Southern Hua Acupuncture technique through fortuitous circumstances while in the martial arts world. I can try, but cannot guarantee whether it will be effective.”

“Good.” Shen Yao raised his hand. “Zhen permits you to try.”

Honghua Palace was indeed heavily guarded. Just from the main gate to the rear garden, the guards along the way were practically lined up like a long dragon with no gaps. The building used to confine the young marquis was packed with people on both upper and lower floors. As Changling walked this path properly and orderly, in her mind she had already rehearsed a scene of flashing blades and bloodshed, just waiting for when she returned to strike more cleanly and efficiently.

Perhaps worried that young Marquis He would wake up and reveal the secret manual to others, Shen Yao actually personally followed along this time. Probably fearing the young marquis might be killed by a needle, he also brought people from the Imperial Medical Bureau. Fu Yangui also attended at his side, and more often than not, he secretly watched Changling’s every move, as if afraid she might do something catastrophic.

However, at this moment Changling showed no improper behavior.

From the moment she stepped into the bedchamber and saw that familiar figure lying quietly on the bed, her heart, which had been suspended and wandering anxiously for days, gradually settled down.

Finally seeing him, five steps away, seeing his hands folded over his chest and abdomen, rising and falling slightly with his breathing—even in this chaotic world, she felt a measure of peace.

Even though she had come here single-handedly, as long as he was still alive, this was not a solitary battle.

Changling’s eyes slightly focused, the corner of her mouth revealing a barely perceptible smile. After Imperial Physician Chen took his pulse and shook his head slightly, Shen Yao said: “How does Miss Changting plan to administer the needles? Do you need the imperial physicians to assist?”

“No need.” Various silver needles were already arranged on the small table by the bed. Changling walked slowly forward and sat down by the bedside. First, she gently lifted his hand and placed it against his neck meridian. After feeling that extremely weak pulse, her left hand smoothly picked up a silver needle and administered the first needle at his Meichong acupoint, followed immediately by the second needle falling calmly.

In fact, the Southern Hua Acupuncture technique could only expel poison and had no effect in clearing stagnation or treating illness. What she administered was merely the most basic detoxification acupuncture method, purely to put on a show. She didn’t really plan to rely on this performance to rescue him from danger.

Just as she was applying needles to the acupoint in his hand, in one instant, Ye Qi’s little finger seemed to brush across her palm ever so slightly.

This movement was so subtle—so subtle that Shen Yao and the others monitoring by the bedside didn’t notice at all. Changling’s hands didn’t pause, but her heart trembled. She deliberately pretended to measure his pulse and shifted his other hand to a different position. The next moment, her palm was lightly scratched again—still by his little finger.

Changling stared at Ye Qi in a daze. He remained motionless, not even his eyelashes had fluttered.

She knew that those two touches just now were absolutely not her imagination, but his signal!

Suppressing the wild joy in her heart, she maintained the ancient well-like calm on her face. Not until she had completed the entire set of needles did either of them reveal any telltale signs.

Shen Yao tilted his neck. Seeing him still looking like he was dying and awaiting slaughter, he couldn’t help but furrow his brow: “The Marquis looks… how come he seems no different from before?”

Changling put the needles back on the small table, stood up, and slightly raised her sleeve toward Shen Yao in salute. “Your Majesty, it seems this subject was too boastful. The Marquis’s injuries are too severe—this subject is powerless to help.”

“You…” Shen Yao pointed a finger, saw Fu Yangui watching, and dropped it again. “Forget it, forget it. You also had good intentions.”

After confirming that Ye Qi couldn’t wake up, Shen Yao swept his sleeve and said: “Since you’re powerless to help, there’s no need to linger here. Everyone disperse… Imperial Physician Chen, the Marquis’s illness will still be under your primary care.”

“This subject obeys the decree.”

As she was leaving, Changling quietly glanced at him with her peripheral vision, the corner of her mouth showing a barely perceptible smile, and even her footsteps became much lighter.

After leaving Honghua Palace, the sunset’s rosy clouds were already slanting across the palace buildings. Shen Yao and a procession of guards departed in a grand manner.

Fu Yangui personally escorted Changling toward the palace gates. He walked forward alongside her with his sleeves gathered, and seeing her remain silent the whole way, he spoke first: “You’ve seen him. You should know I didn’t deceive you.”

“Mm.”

“It’s just that his chronic condition…”

“I know. It has nothing to do with you.”

“I will still try my best to think of a solution for Marquis He…”

“There’s no need for such empty pleasantries.” Changling stopped in her tracks and looked at Fu Yangui. “Prime Minister Fu still has government affairs to handle. I can return on my own.”

Having said this, without paying any attention to Fu Yangui’s expression, her feet seemed to sprout wings as she walked quickly several steps and soon disappeared from his view.

Changling was indeed heading toward the palace gates, but halfway there she turned a corner, flashed into a side path, yet didn’t see Second Young Master Fu who should have been waiting here.

She was slightly surprised.

Originally they had agreed that after she came out, he would wait here, and after nightfall he would disguise himself as an assassin to draw away part of Honghua Palace’s guards, then she would seize the opportunity to enter and treat Ye Qi.

However, after seeing Ye Qi just now, she had temporarily changed her plan.

Besides those two touches of fingertip to palm as signals, in fact, in the moment when she stood up and blocked Shen Yao and the others’ line of sight, Ye Qi’s lips had moved ever so slightly.

He had silently said to her: Go back and wait for me.

“Go back” was telling her this place was dangerous and not to do anything; “wait for me” was hoping she would trust him, that he could walk out of the palace gates on his own.

She didn’t know from when, but between her and Ye Qi no words were needed—a few words could reveal each other’s hearts.

She had originally wanted to notify Second Young Master Fu, fearing he didn’t know yet and would jump into the fire pit alone later. She hadn’t expected this kid to actually stand her up.

Changling thought to herself: Could it be that this kid got cold feet at the critical moment?

Just as well—it saved her from having to make up a reason to cancel the operation.

Changling left the palace and returned to the Prime Minister’s residence “without a care in the world,” completely unaware that right after she left, Fu Yanyang climbed over a wall and snuck in furtively.

He carried a bundle on his back containing night clothes. On the way here, he had accidentally been stopped by the Chief Palace Attendant and had racked his brain to muddle through. This delay caused him to miss Changling.

Fu Yanyang waited and waited, but his master never appeared. He couldn’t help but grow anxious: Could it be that my master revealed some flaw and was caught?

Thinking again, he shook his head: Impossible. With my master’s skills, to catch her wouldn’t there be utter chaos? How could it be this quiet?

Second Young Master Fu paced back and forth in circles several times, when suddenly something occurred to him and he exclaimed: “Could it be that my elder brother sensed something wrong and is personally keeping watch, so Master can’t get away?”

Changling naturally had no idea that her unreliable little disciple was wandering aimlessly all over the palace. After returning to the Fu residence, she pretended to stroll around admiring the scenery, thinking to take advantage of Fu Yangui not being back yet to seriously screen through this Prime Minister’s residence one more time.

The previous two days, her entire mind had been focused on rescuing the young marquis. Now, during this temporary breathing space, it was perfect for investigating the true nature of the man surnamed Fu.

From the first time outside the Five Poisons Sect, to entering Jinling… and all the seemingly coincidental encounters afterward, this Prime Minister Fu always gave people a feeling of hidden depths…

Hidden?

If what she was seeing now was what he wanted her to see, then before he concealed it, there should have been another appearance.

Thinking of this, Changling just happened to stop outside Fu Yangui’s study. She was about to push open the door when she suddenly heard someone behind her say: “Who are you, and why have you come to the master’s study?”

Changling turned around and saw Lu Biqiong, who was slightly surprised: “South… Miss Jing?”

Looking at the Prime Minister’s concubine whom she hadn’t seen in quite some time, Changling’s heart suddenly skipped a beat—that’s right, Lu Biqiong had been brought into the residence by Fu Yangui ten years ago. How had she not thought to borrow her eyes?

“Madam Bi, it’s been a long time. These past two days I haven’t had time to come and pay my respects.”

Lu Biqiong was obviously well-informed. She quickly adjusted her expression. “I’ve also heard about General Jing’s matter. Miss… please accept my condolences.”

Changling nodded noncommittally. “By the way, I just returned from the palace. Fu Yangui asked me to go to his study to help retrieve a dossier. I wonder if Madam Bi could help me look for it?”

Hearing her call him by name was already somewhat shocking, and hearing her mention a dossier, Biqiong felt an indescribable sense of dejection. “The master has always refused to let me touch his dossiers… I hadn’t expected he would trust the young lady so much…”

“This dossier is originally related to the Jing family. Madam Bi needn’t think too much.” As Changling spoke, she pushed open the door and entered the room. Lu Biqiong followed closely, watching Changling naturally walk to the desk, casually flip through the cover pages of dossiers, then casually put them down, looking truly as if she were searching for a dossier.

Lu Biqiong’s doubts remained, but she also felt that if this Miss Jing truly had some ulterior motive, she could have snuck in when no one was around. Being so conspicuous like this didn’t seem like lying. She stood by the desk only watching Changling, not moving herself. Seeing Changling flip back and forth, she couldn’t help but ask: “Did the master say what the dossier he wanted you to find looked like?”

The bookshelf was stacked with dossiers, their covers either blue or dark green. Changling glanced briefly and made something up: “He only said it had a green cover, with my fa… with my father’s name written on the first page. Eh, why can’t I find it?”

Lu Biqiong couldn’t help but join in searching through them. Seeing her take the bait, Changling imperceptibly slowed her movements, her eyes quickly sweeping around the study once—when she had lived at the Fu residence before, she had also secretly come here, but at that time it was only late at night rummaging through cabinets and drawers. She had never seriously observed the room’s furnishings and layout.

The desk, chairs, and cabinets were all made of superior golden silk nanmu wood, with a dark luster to the lacquer—they should have been used for some years.

The walls had a slightly yellowish tinge, and even the white sable fur on the chair had developed some pilling—this Prime Minister was rather nostalgic. This study had at least not been renovated in several years.

Changling’s gaze finally settled on a calligraphy painting beside the desk—a historical admonition scroll on paper silk. The painting style was meticulous and detailed, the brushwork like spring silkworms spinning silk. Even Changling, who didn’t understand calligraphy and painting, couldn’t help but glance at it a few more times.

Seeing her halfway through searching for the dossier suddenly become distracted looking at the painting, Lu Biqiong found it strange: “Miss, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just feel this painting’s temperament doesn’t quite match Fu Yangui,” Changling said lightly. “I thought that someone who is prime minister would have those imposing landscape ink paintings hanging in his room…”

Lu Biqiong smiled slightly. “This painting was bestowed by His Majesty two years ago. It tells the story of a Han minister protecting Emperor Yuan. Actually, the master has never liked hanging calligraphy and paintings in his room, but since it was bestowed by His Majesty, he couldn’t very well hide the painting away.”

Changling made a sound of understanding, finally finding the source of dissonance—beneath this wall, there was neither cabinet nor chair, nor any other furnishings. Rather, it made this painting seem somewhat abrupt.

She asked: “Before this didn’t have a painting, it was just left empty like this?”

Lu Biqiong blurted out without thinking: “Before, there was a sword hanging here.”

A sword?

Changling slightly furrowed her brow: If she remembered correctly, Fu Yanyang had clearly said that Fu Yangui never used swords. Why would a person who doesn’t touch swords hang a sword in his room?

“What kind of sword?”

A flash of something indescribable passed through Lu Biqiong’s eyes. She had just spoken casually, but now seeing Changling specifically ask about it, she didn’t know how to describe it. She could only speak evasively: “It was just… an ordinary sword. Biqiong doesn’t know what that sword was called either.”

Changling found this even more baffling: She had only asked about the sword’s appearance, not about the sword’s name.

She put down the dossier in her hand and walked beneath the painting, thinking: If it had hung there for many years, the position where the sword was should be whiter than the wall surface.

Thinking of this, she reached out to move aside the historical admonition scroll.

At this moment, what appeared before her eyes was the sword mark left on the wall by years of hanging there.

The sword was three feet long, three inches wide, with a straight hilt and a slightly drooping curved end.

It was as if a sword light sealed by the years flashed through Changling’s pupils. An answer surged forth in her heart. Her hand loosened and the historical admonition scroll fell to the ground. Before Lu Biqiong could speak, she had already rushed out of the study.

The horse headed toward the Fu family’s bamboo forest mountain.

That bamboo forest where she had taught Fu Yanyang the Solitary Crane Sword.

In her mind, she recalled a few words Second Young Master Fu had said: “However, this bamboo forest all over the mountain was planted by my elder brother…”

“Your elder brother likes bamboo forests?”

“If he didn’t like it, why would he have the leisure and interest to fuss with so many bamboo plants… He even built a summer retreat house on the mountain…”

The bright moon hung high in the sky, the night colors languorous, cricket chirps everywhere in the bamboo forest.

Changling raced all the way to the mountain peak, but slowed her steps when she saw that summer retreat house.

It was a wooden house. Outside on the stone table sat a chess board, with several bamboo stools obediently arranged around the table.

The most ordinary rural cottage, so ordinary that… it was identical to the one Second Young Master Yue had built on Lingjue Mountain for martial practice and cultivation.

After a long while, Changling stepped forward and gently pushed open the door.

The interior furnishings were extremely simple—table, chairs, and bed all made of bamboo. With each breath was the fresh fragrance of bamboo.

Changling accidentally bumped into the small brazier placed at the corner of the eight immortals table. As she lowered her head, she saw that besides brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, there was also a soft cushion on the table.

Once, because someone complained of sore hands and shoulders from drawing fist manuals, another person had personally sewn a soft cushion for supporting the hand.

Changling’s heart palpitated so violently she could no longer hear the howling wind outside. The room was pitch black, but she seemed to need no light at all to move forward. She stopped before the bamboo cabinet by the window and opened the first drawer.

Inside the drawer was a longsword. The scabbard was entirely dark, and as moonlight passed through the window to illuminate it, it showed a faint blue tinge.

The hilt curved slightly back, the luster of wrought iron proclaiming the passage of years and a past once invincible.

The Muling Sword.

The character Mu represented both the formlessness of twilight and the approaching tomb.

This was originally the sword of Second Young Master Yue, Yue Changling.