Miss Luo most dislikes peacocks?

Luo Sheng’s heart stirred slightly, though her face remained expressionless. “Come in then.”

Afterward, she bathed and changed clothes. After tidying up, she finally lay down on the soft bed.

It happened to be Hong Dou’s turn for night duty. Luo Sheng called her in from the outer room to ask about the peacock lantern. “Did I dislike peacocks in the past?”

“Yes, when you were young, you went with Princess Changle to visit Princess Imperial Shoushan’s residence. While teasing the peacocks that Princess Imperial Shoushan kept, you were pecked by one. From then on, you’ve disliked peacocks.”

After hearing the reason, Luo Sheng asked calmly, “Why didn’t you mention this before?”

Hong Dou blinked. “Miss, you instructed this servant at the time never to mention this matter again. In your anger, you twisted that peacock’s neck and broke it. Because today I saw Kou’er bring back a peacock lantern and found it strange, this servant couldn’t help but ask about it.”

Luo Sheng fell silent.

Hong Dou took the opportunity to disparage Kou’er. “Miss, in the future when you go out, you should still take this servant along. This servant was with you for quite a few of those impressive things you did before. What does Kou’er know…”

Listening to Hong Dou’s endless disdain for Kou’er, Luo Sheng’s thoughts drifted far away.

Princess Changle had personally witnessed Miss Luo being pecked by a peacock in her youth, yet tonight at the lantern fair, Princess Changle had used this peacock lantern to test her, saying she loved peacocks most of all.

Princess Changle had detected the difference between her and Miss Luo and grown suspicious.

Luo Sheng leaned against the pillow, her eyes slightly closed.

So now, did Princess Changle think Miss Luo had been replaced by another person, or that she had lost her memory?

Soul transmigration was too preposterous. Presumably, in Princess Changle’s view, she had lost her memory.

Thinking of how Princess Changle had sealed Wei Wen inside the statue of the Longevity Immortal Lady, Luo Sheng pressed her lips together.

If it were a normal person, upon learning a good friend had lost their memory, they should be shocked and sympathetic. As for what Princess Changle thought—that was hard to say.

However, when soldiers come, generals block; when water comes, earth dams. If Princess Changle only planned to distance herself from her, that would be exactly what she wanted. If she prepared to deal with her as she had dealt with Wei Wen, she wouldn’t sit idle waiting for death either.

The young lady in snow-white undergarments slowly opened her eyes, gently rotating the gold-inlaid seven-treasure bracelet on her wrist.

Calculating the time, if all went smoothly, within half a month Zhu Wu should return with the items. Returning with him would also be some of the Vermillion Bird Guards.

With money and people, even facing the unscrupulous Princess Changle, she wouldn’t be completely powerless to fight back.

On the eighteenth day of the first month, the tavern opened its doors like the various shops large and small on Qingxing Street. However, those ministers like Minister Zhao, who had been holding back through the entire New Year without a proper meal, were nowhere to be seen. Only a few scattered meritorious nobles who didn’t concern themselves with state affairs came to drink.

Luo Sheng wasn’t surprised by this.

News of the princes’ heirs being killed in the capital had already spread. Although with her status she couldn’t obtain timely information from all directions, she imagined things wouldn’t be peaceful.

Far away, the various princes were stirring restlessly. Nearby, Noble Consort Xiao had given premature birth to a little princess who could die at any moment. If the civil and military officials continued eating, drinking, and making merry, they might well become the unlucky targets for His Majesty’s venting.

As for those idle meritorious nobles—living in drunken stupor was their duty. They needn’t worry too much.

Just as Luo Sheng predicted, several urgent reports piled on the dragon desk, making Emperor Yong’an’s face ice over.

Following Prince Dingdong, two more princes had rebelled. The remaining ones were also restless, ready to join the rebel army at any moment.

Although Emperor Yong’an had anticipated this after the princes’ heirs were assassinated—on one hand issuing edicts for the various regional guard commands to closely monitor the princes’ movements, on the other selecting suitable generals to prepare for further deterioration—when chaos erupted from all directions at once, he still felt overwhelmed.

What made Emperor Yong’an even angrier was that the Regional Military Commissioner of Hexi had colluded with Prince Pingxi and rebelled together.

This way, the western regions immediately descended into great chaos.

Emperor Yong’an rose and paced back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back.

A young palace servant at the doorway caught Zhou Shan’s eye.

Zhou Shan walked out and asked quietly, “What is it?”

“The National Preceptor has emerged from seclusion.”

Zhou Shan was immediately startled. “When?”

“The message just arrived.”

Zhou Shan nodded, walked back inside, and bowed. “Your Majesty, Taiqing Temple has sent word that the National Preceptor has emerged from seclusion.”

Emperor Yong’an’s footsteps halted. The face shrouded in ice showed change. “The National Preceptor has emerged from seclusion? Quickly summon him!”

As Zhou Shan left to carry out the command, Emperor Yong’an supported himself on the dragon desk and slowly sat down, his thoughts entirely occupied by news of the National Preceptor’s emergence.

The National Preceptor had said he would be in seclusion for three years—why had he suddenly emerged at this time?

Emperor Yong’an lifted his teacup to take a sip, then set it down with a grave expression. After anxious waiting, he finally awaited the National Preceptor’s arrival.

The man who walked in with Zhou Shan had a head of silver hair, though his face appeared only twenty-some years old.

With a young, handsome countenance and snow-white long hair, this man possessed a strange, otherworldly quality.

This was the Great Zhou’s National Preceptor, Taiguang Zhenren.

“This humble one greets Your Majesty.”

Emperor Yong’an’s tone held a warmth never present before his ministers. “The National Preceptor need not stand on ceremony.”

Signaling Zhou Shan to bring a chair for Taiguang Zhenren to sit, Emperor Yong’an asked, “Why has the National Preceptor emerged from seclusion early?”

Taiguang Zhenren’s expression was grave. “This humble one observed the celestial phenomena at night and discovered an anomaly. I had no choice but to emerge from seclusion to report to Your Majesty…”

After listening to Taiguang Zhenren’s account, Emperor Yong’an’s expression grew increasingly grim.

No wonder chaos abounded and misfortunes occurred frequently—there was actually a demon star disturbing the world!

Emperor Yong’an’s face was cold, his eyes as deep as the dark night.

As the New Year’s atmosphere gradually faded, Qingxing Street returned to normal. Luo Sheng didn’t wait for Princess Changle to make a move, but instead received a small sedan chair from Yuhua Palace.

Different from usual, this time the visitor wasn’t Nanny Dou but Taohong, Noble Consort Xiao’s trusted palace maid.

Standing before Luo Sheng, Taohong explained with some politeness, “Unfortunately, Nanny Dou is somewhat unwell, so this servant came in her place.”

“Then please wait a moment. Xiu Gu is currently making the beggar’s chicken.”

Taohong smiled. “Our mistress is currently in confinement, and her tastes are somewhat particular. This servant would like to personally give Xiu Gu some instructions.”

Luo Sheng nodded. “Kou’er, take Taohong to see Xiu Gu.”

“Sister Taohong, please follow me.” Kou’er led Taohong to the rear courtyard.

Upon reaching the kitchen entrance, Taohong stopped. “No need to trouble yourself, little sister. I’ll go in and say a few words to Xiu Gu, then come right out.”

Xiu Yue was preparing ingredients. Seeing Taohong enter, she held her cleaver and looked at her calmly.

Taohong glanced at the obviously sharp cleaver, and her imposing manner faltered involuntarily. The words she wanted to say got stuck.

Xiu Yue continued to quietly hold the cleaver.

Taohong drew a breath secretly, her tone losing some of its firmness. “Originally we wanted to invite Xiu Gu into the palace, but with our mistress in confinement, it’s inconvenient. Our mistress loves Xiu Gu’s cooking most and has been thinking of Xiu Gu constantly. How has Xiu Gu been lately?”

Xiu Yue looked at Taohong somewhat bewildered, then seemed to think of something and cried out in alarm, “Two days ago I suddenly had severe abdominal pain—could it be—”

In her excitement, she raised the gleaming cleaver in her hand.

Taohong was so frightened she retreated repeatedly, her face pale as she reminded, “Xiu Gu, don’t get excited first!”