Besides Qi Su and the witch, there were a few other people in the dilapidated temple.

Men of varying heights and ages mostly have smooth skin and are beardless.

There were also elderly mothers-in-law and women over forty years old.

These people were all gathered by Qi Su from the former dynasty's palace.

The priestess had previously let slip in the Ghost Market of Suspended Mountain that she had once stayed in the palace of the previous dynasty.

Since Nan Chu went to great lengths to send her in, she certainly wouldn't be placed next to an ordinary master.

If that's the case, then perhaps someone has seen her before.

Those people gathered by Qi Su are not doing well today.

Having served in the palace was an unparalleled honor.

Unfortunately, it was the palace of the previous dynasty. With the change of dynasties, their glory became an indelible dark history.

It's already a miracle that the new dynasty spared our lives.

What more could one ask for than wealth and luxury?

Upon hearing that Qi Su was going to reward them, everyone gathered around.

They not only looked at it themselves, but also exchanged and discussed it with each other.

…

The priestess was beautiful.

It was a striking beauty, completely different from the gentle and graceful women of the Great Yan Dynasty.

He has deep-set features, a high nose bridge, and a strong facial contour.

After looking for a long time, he still saw an old eunuch and squinted as he approached.

"She looks more like a palace maid from Consort Ying's palace."

Consort Ying?

Qi Su stopped fanning herself.

The shrine maiden's dark, drooping eyelashes also lifted up in a chilling manner.

The old eunuch looked at her face and nodded as if he suddenly understood.

"Yes, she was a palace maid in Consort Ying's palace."

When the old eunuch was still a young eunuch, he served in the Empress's palace.

I once accompanied the imperial eunuch to deliver imperial gifts to Consort Ying's palace several times.

Consort Ying was gentle and timid, and had some knowledge of calligraphy and painting.

She was not considered outstanding in the harem of the previous emperor, Ai.

Emperor Ai's favorite concubine at that time was Consort Fu, who came from a noble family and was beautiful and talented.

Because Consort Ying was Consort Fu's cousin, she gained some fame with His Majesty out of affection for Consort Fu.

The old eunuch lowered his voice.

"His Highness Prince Qishan was born to Consort Fu. Unfortunately, after giving birth to the prince, Consort Fu became depressed and went mad within a few years. Prince Qishan was also in poor health and was raised in a Buddhist temple from a young age."

"Before he was born, Emperor Ai dreamed that a string of relics fell into the harem. It was because of this that he favored the Prince of Qishan."

The middle-aged eunuch beside him interrupted him.

"Hey, Master, these are all old stories, why bring them up?"

The old eunuch realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly shut up.

"Look how senile I am. It's all hearsay and shouldn't be taken seriously."

Qi Su propped her cheek up with a fan.

It seemed he didn't care about the matter of the King of Qishan.

Instead, he asked an unrelated question, "Were there any concubines from Southern Chu in the imperial harem of the previous dynasty?"

The old eunuch shook his head.

"According to custom, women from Chu could only work as dancers and musicians. It was only a hundred years ago, when a princess of Chu was married off to a foreign ruler, that she was given the title of Consort Shu."

Oh, I see.

It seems that, although the Southern Chu cannot openly send women into the palace.

They put in a lot of effort behind the scenes.

…

All the rewards that were to be distributed have been sent out.

Even those who did not provide clues were each given ten taels of silver as a reward for their hard work.

Everyone dispersed, leaving only Qi Su and the witch in the dilapidated temple.

Sparrows chirped and fought in the sycamore tree, and a gust of wind blew, causing the leaves to flutter down.

Qi Su walked up to the witch.

Use a fan to lift her face.

He smiled and said, "We caught you. It was you who planted the poison. If it wasn't you, it must be your master, Consort Ying."

The priestess laughed too.

"It's me! Quickly take me to Yun Zheng. I can't wait to see what that adorable little prince looks like now."

Qi Su raised an eyebrow.

"What, isn't it you?"

The priestess is unfathomable.

"Take a guess. I'll tell him when I see Yun Wuyi."

Her expression was confident, as if she held some kind of leverage over someone, and she seemed quite composed.

Qi Su looked at her for a moment.

The round fan began to wave again.

"Fine, I've changed my mind. I've decided not to take you to see Yunzheng. Maybe you have some secrets, but it doesn't matter if you don't want to tell me. I'm too lazy to bother."

"This dilapidated temple is, at least, a Buddhist place. For a foreigner like you to die here is a fitting end. Perhaps your soul can even return home sooner."

After she finished speaking, she raised her hand.

Summon the worms within the priestess's body with all your might.

Removing the curse is very troublesome.

But it would be much simpler to make them self-destruct.

The priestess thought she had a protective amulet on her.

Perhaps she is the only one in the world who truly understands the Chongyan Gu Worm.

Qi Su went to such great lengths in the Ghost Market of Xuanshan, and now that she's almost brought her to Ganjing, she certainly wouldn't kill her for no reason.

But I didn't expect that.

The woman opposite you looks normal, but she's actually a madwoman.

They started fighting for real without even saying a word.

With a slight flick of her fingers, a strange power emanated from her body and spread to the numerous Gu worms within her.

It's like a resonance or sympathy.

The dormant insects and worms began to awaken.

That feeling of being out of control of my body came again.

Qi Su's eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

His palm suddenly tightened.

The venomous insects surrounding the witch went berserk, as if they wanted to tear her blood and bones to shreds.

Blood seeped from her ears and nose.

He collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony.

Impossible, she wouldn't, this is a test, she wouldn't...

Darkness enveloped everything.

One hand grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up.

The woman's voice was quiet and cold.

"You might as well die in this incense burner. When you're burned, it'll be clean and neat, saving you the trouble of moving it."

With a thud, she was thrown into a huge, hard, cold object.

My body is getting hotter and hotter.

My consciousness is slipping out of control, it can't be, no—

The priestess raised her hand.

"Don't go—I, I'll tell you—"

Qi Su did not leave.

In fact, after throwing the witch into the incense burner, she sat back down under the tree.

He fanned himself with a round fan.

Only when the priestess begged for mercy did she slightly raise the corners of her mouth.

See? The longer people live, the more afraid they are of death.

There's no need for a magic touch. As long as it addresses the root cause, that's the best approach.

.

When the priestess awoke again.

The cold, ashes smell of paper can no longer be detected in the dilapidated temple.

Everything was pitch black in front of me; I didn't know if I was blind or if the room was too dark.

But she could sense that the woman was right beside her.

She was even waving that damned round fan in her hand.

She didn't speak, perhaps waiting for the priestess to speak first.

Having narrowly escaped death, the priestess dared not harbor any further thoughts.

At least, I wouldn't dare now.

She spoke, her voice hoarse.

"Do you think I planted the Gu worms in Yunzheng's body? Or did Consort Ying plant them?"

The woman opposite her asked in return:

"Isn't that right?"

The priestess coldly replied, "Of course not."

…

When Qi Su returned to Yan Ruyu's rouge shop, she saw Manager Song wiping the counter.

Head bowed, again and again.

Even when she called out to her, Manager Song didn't look up, as if she had something on her mind.

"What's wrong with you?" Qi Su asked curiously.

Manager Song snapped out of his daze and smiled at her.

"I didn't sleep well last night, which must have worried the Second Miss."

While asking if things were going smoothly, he welcomed Qi Su back to the backyard and ordered someone to bring up lunch.

It was no different from usual.

Qi Su didn't find out until she went out the next day.

Why was Song Chu's reaction so strange yesterday?