Chapter 367: The Illusion-Inducing Secret Technique

"It’s not."

"You don’t have to deny it. I just don’t understand why you’re so fixated on him. Du Yi is still in the palace. If he’s discovered, it’s a major crime." Xiang Minghou’s voice was tinged with annoyance and a hint of jealousy.

’My daughter treats that punk better than she treats me. Other than being a little handsome, that brat is just a bookworm.’

"Dad, it’s really not about him."

"If it’s not him, then who is it?"

’I’d like to see just which brat is making my daughter go through all this trouble.’

"It’s White Spirit."

"That punk White Spir... uh, what about White Spirit?" Xiang Minghou stopped mid-insult, realizing something was off.

"White Spirit snuck out of the estate to play a few days ago and was captured by Sang Qi’s Hidden Guards. They took it to the palace and gave it to Consort Yuan. Her niece suffers from a severe heart condition, and they plan to cut out White Spirit’s heart to make medicine."

"Something like that happened?"

"Yes. I did raise White Spirit for two days, after all. Even if I’m not fond of it, I can’t just stand by and watch its heart get cut out." Ye Qianning planned to have someone release it into the wild as soon as she got it back.

’After all, I don’t have the energy to raise it properly. Besides, other people are already after it. If I grow attached to it and someone kills it, I’d be heartbroken.’

"Indeed. A spiritual creature like White Spirit shouldn’t be killed. I’ll have someone look into this tomorrow. You stay out of the palace, just in case something else happens."

"Dad, don’t get involved. I’ve already looked into it. Right now, White Spirit is locked up in Consort Yuan’s bedchamber. Take me to the palace tomorrow, Dad. I have a plan."

’It’s not good for a man to get mixed up in the affairs of the inner court.’

’If he were seen and slapped with some fabricated charge, his lifelong reputation would be ruined.’

Xiang Minghou asked suspiciously, "Who did you hear this from?"

"Du Yi."

"How would he know about matters of the inner court?"

"There’s a young palace maid who sweeps the floors in Consort Yuan’s bedchamber, and she has a bit of a crush on Du Yi. That makes it easier to find certain things out." Ye Qianning wasn’t just spouting nonsense.

Ever since the marriage was decreed at the banquet, Du Yi had been paying extra attention to matters in Consort Yuan’s palace, and to her maids.

Du Yi had a talent for charming people; he was quite handsome, after all.

"Tsk, it’s great to be young. At the end of the day, that whole group is about at the age where they should be getting married," Xiang Minghou said with a knowing look.

Hidden outside the carriage, Luo Wen, Luo Xuan, and Du Ying all stiffened in unison.

’We still have to guard the Young Miss. Who wants to get married?’

"By the way, the banquet is over. Why are the envoys from the three kingdoms still in the Capital City?"

"They’ve traveled a great distance to get here. Naturally, they’ll need to rest for a month or so before setting off for home," Xiang Minghou said.

"So does that mean there will be more banquets?"

"Special envoys are assigned to accompany them at the courier stations. The Third Prince is responsible for hosting the various crown princes and princes. The Emperor only grants them an occasional audience. There won’t be another official banquet until the farewell feast before they depart."

"I see... At the last banquet, I saw a key at the Emperor’s waist. It was very unique and beautiful. What do you suppose it’s for?"

"What key?"

"The one with the blue gemstone, with a bow shaped like a crescent moon."

Xiang Minghou looked down in thought, then shook his head. "I’m not sure. A key the Emperor keeps on his person must be very important... No, wait. It does seem to be the key to a certain place."

He suddenly recalled a place—one that was indeed very important to the Emperor.

"For the national treasury?" Ye Qianning asked, curious.

"No."

"For a treasure vault?"

"It’s the key to a secret chamber. A woman is locked away inside."

"...A prisoner?"

"No. She’s a woman the Emperor brought back from the Xi Yan border during his travels years ago. She is said to be stunningly beautiful, and she knows a secret technique that can cast illusions."