From the book: Yu Wu Xiang

“Grand Commander means that Sage Mingxin holds the method to break the formation, and finding him would allow us to capture the ringleader?”

“At least it’s a way to break the deadlock.” Cheng Maoming didn’t comment much on Emperor Tai’an’s decision.

He wasn’t skilled at these matters of grand strategy; what he needed to do was properly execute His Majesty’s orders.

Lin Hao lowered her eyes and took a sip of hot tea.

Though the tea was hot, it refreshed the mind and cleared the thoughts, making her thinking lucid.

She didn’t understand these great matters, but she also knew that among the three parties—Northern Qi, Yuliu, and Emperor Pingle—the easiest to suppress was Emperor Pingle’s faction. Moreover, battles with those two nations were at the borders, while Emperor Pingle’s faction was in Great Zhou’s heartland. Once they grew strong and rampaged about, the destruction they caused would be even greater.

She took another sip of tea and asked: “Since Sage Mingxin was the former dynasty’s National Preceptor and followed the old Emperor far away, he must be utterly loyal to the old Emperor. Even if you find him, how can you guarantee he’ll reveal the method to break the formation?”

She could be certain that using force wouldn’t work.

“That’s a matter for after we find him.” When Cheng Maoming said this, his eyes revealed confidence, clearly believing that with the Jinlin Guard’s methods they could make Sage Mingxin talk.

Lin Hao shook her head inwardly.

What kind of person was Teacher?

Because he had promised the Great Ancestor to assist Emperor Pingle, even though Emperor Pingle was weak and incompetent and simply not imperial material, he still resolutely followed Emperor Pingle to assume a false identity and devote his heart to scheming. And when he finally saw the truth, even knowing it would bring mortal danger, he still strongly urged Emperor Pingle to abandon the restoration.

Would such a person yield?

He would not.

“Then I wish the Grand Commander success in finding him soon.” Lin Hao raised her teacup.

Cheng Maoming also raised his cup: “Borrowing Second Miss Lin’s auspicious words.”

After parting, Lin Hao slowly walked toward the General’s Mansion, contemplating in her heart what she should do.

She knew Teacher was in the palace, but she couldn’t say so directly. First, she couldn’t bring herself to personally push Teacher onto a dead end; second, she was very clear that unless he was willing in his heart, even if Teacher became a prisoner, he still wouldn’t let Emperor Tai’an order him about.

The key was for Teacher to see reason.

At this point in her previous life, Teacher had actually already wavered, but truly seeing reason came a year later. To advance this timeline, either there needed to be external stimulus or she needed to try earnest persuasion.

Lin Hao pressed her lips together and made up her mind: she needed to meet Teacher once.

While thinking this through, the General’s Mansion was already before her eyes. If not for Baozhu behind her quietly reminding her, she would have walked right past.

“Baozhu.”

“This servant is here.”

“In a moment, go tell Du Qing to come see me this afternoon.”

“Yes.”

On the other side, Du Qing was led into the Jinlin Guard, bathed and changed clothes, and appeared before Cheng Maoming in a brand-new guard’s uniform.

“Greetings, Grand Commander.”

Cheng Maoming looked him over and nodded slightly: “Not bad, quite spirited. Do your work well from now on, don’t waste such good potential.”

Du Qing listened with a humble appearance, a question slowly surfacing in his mind: After one bath, you can tell he has potential?

Cheng Maoming had a pile of matters to attend to and naturally had no time to waste words on a minor character. After saying a few polite phrases, he had his subordinate take Du Qing down to familiarize himself with the situation.

The Jinlin Guard named Fang Ming very enthusiastically took Du Qing around the offices for a tour, introducing everyone they encountered. Finally, patting Du Qing’s shoulder, he said: “Brother Mu clearly looks like someone meant to eat this bowl of rice in our Jinlin Guard. When you get promoted in the future, don’t forget your elder brother.”

Du Qing really couldn’t help asking: “Are there any special requirements for selecting Jinlin Guards nowadays?”

Fang Ming smiled slightly, thinking to himself: What requirements—don’t you know in your heart? You’re someone with connections.

When word came that someone from the General’s Mansion was looking for him, the smile at the corner of Fang Ming’s mouth deepened even more.

Du Qing walked out of the offices and saw Baozhu standing by the roadside.

It was bitterly cold, the little maid’s cheeks flushed red. As soon as she saw Du Qing emerge, she quickly waved.

In that instant, Du Qing even felt the impulse to hide.

Wasn’t Second Miss Lin afraid that the old Emperor’s people would discover their connection and act against her? This young lady was so carefree that even he, someone from the opposing camp, couldn’t help but want to cover for her—quite an ability.

Du Qing shook his head and walked over.

“Our young lady has business with you.”

Baozhu stated the specific time and place, received confirmation that he would go, and curtsied before turning to leave.

Du Qing kept the appointment on time. Looking at the relaxed demeanor of the young lady, his brow furrowed: “Has Second Miss Lin forgotten my identity?”

Lin Hao didn’t know where this suddenly stiff tone came from and asked with some amusement: “Are you talking about your new identity as a Jinlin Guard, or your old identity as a minor spy leader?”

Du Qing was taken aback: “Isn’t Second Miss Lin afraid those people will act against you?”

Also, putting the two identities together like that—it felt like she was mocking him!

“You mean the old Emperor’s people?” Lin Hao smiled. “Wouldn’t that be perfect—catch one when one comes, catch a pair when two come, and let me claim a reward. The authorities are worried they can’t find them.”

Du Qing fell silent.

He had overthought it.

“What does Second Miss Lin want with me?”

Lin Hao’s hands clasped together on the table, showing some hesitation: “There’s a matter I can’t decide on, and I wanted to discuss it with you.”

Du Qing became serious: “Please speak, Second Miss Lin.”

“The person in today’s wanted poster—you can contact him, can’t you?”

Du Qing directly sprayed out a mouthful of tea.

Lin Hao had anticipated this reaction and quickly shifted her body to the side.

“What does Second Miss Lin mean by this?” Du Qing gripped the teacup tightly, veins bulging ferociously on the back of his hand.

Tea water sprayed on the table surface before him was still dripping down, but he couldn’t spare any attention for it. His eyes condensed with killing intent, ready at any moment to strike fatally.

“A year ago when the Imperial Family posted a notice seeking medical help, I saw that gentleman take down the imperial notice and enter the palace—”

Before Lin Hao could finish speaking, a dagger pressed against her neck.

“How do you know this?” Du Qing asked through gritted teeth, every word wrapped in ice.

Lin Hao lowered her eyes to look at the dagger beside her neck. Her dense, slender lashes trembled slightly, and the corners of her lips lifted, no different from when chatting earlier: “Not only do I know, the heir also knows.”

This single sentence made Du Qing’s hand tremble, and he then withdrew the dagger.

The instant he heard Lin Hao mention the imperial notice, his first reaction was to use the dagger to slit her throat so she could never again speak these chilling words.

But he couldn’t.

Since she dared say this, she must have contingency plans.

Lin Hao raised her hand to stroke her neck, where the fine hairs still stood on end—an instinctive human reaction to danger.

If the person before her weren’t Du Qing, she really wouldn’t dare speak like this. Fortunately, although Du Qing’s heart was ruthless enough, he was sufficiently rational.

“How did you find out? What do you want?”

Du Qing’s mind was about to explode—nothing but inconceivable, over and over.

“I apologize, I cannot tell you the reason. However, you can help me pass this along to the Master. Perhaps he’ll be willing to see me.” As Lin Hao spoke, something dropped from her sleeve, and she gently pushed it forward.

Du Qing picked up the small glass vial and examined it from all angles.