Song Liulang's expression softened.

He smiled at Dao Ci and said, "Master, there is a separate reading room next door where you can browse. Of course, my grandfather has already given the word that you can also take the books you want to read back with you."

This is a treatment that even Song Liulang, his direct grandson, doesn't receive.

As they were talking, the maid carrying the book arrived in front of them, dressed in the clothes worn in the banquet garden outside.

Large families like Song Garden are very particular about their possessions.

The maids who managed the flowers and trees, the maids who were in charge of the kitchen, and the maids who were responsible for sweeping each had their own duties and did not interfere with each other.

Maids serving guests at banquets were not allowed to freely enter the library.

…

Dao Ci caught a faint fishy smell.

The maid who had approached had already raised her eyes.

Song Liulang, who was beside him, was still talking to him and didn't notice.

The maid's eyes were completely black, with no whites!

If you look closely, something else is churning within that darkness.

The book she was holding fell to the ground.

Dao Ci reached out and pulled Song Liulang back two steps.

The maid spoke up: "Young master, the scriptures..."

She only uttered these few words before black liquid flowed from her mouth, nose, and five orifices.

The maid's eyes churned with darkness, and she took two more steps forward.

He finally collapsed to the ground, convulsing continuously.

Beneath her, a black liquid, like blood, gushed out.

Song Liulang was completely dumbfounded on the spot.

"This, this..."

Dao Ci pursed his lips, his face icy cold.

Unexpectedly, Song Garden was the first to suffer. This must be the black water gu that Qi Su had mentioned before.

He gestured towards the window.

A sharp, short whistle rang out from the rooftop.

This is a command that only the Black Bird Guard can understand.

Dao Ci grabbed Song Liulang and dragged him out of the library.

"That person had a Gu worm in his body. Don't let anyone get close."

Song Liulang's face was ashen, and it was only after being exposed to the sunlight that he finally came to his senses.

"I wonder if there are any other people in the library."

Dao Ci: "That's all."

Even in the sunlight, his eyes were exceptionally deep and cold.

Even though they entered the building at the same time, he seemed to know the place better than Song Liulang.

"Send someone to inform the head of the family to suspend the banquet and that all guests should not gather."

In his panic, Song Liulang inexplicably believed him.

"I'll go right now!"

He hurriedly disappeared outside the library.

The dark beads on Dao Ci's wrist reflected the midday sun.

He turned back to the empty pavilion and said:

"Invisibility".

…

Sure enough, a person soon emerged from the shadows of the stone steps.

That was also a woman, dressed as a maid.

His expression was gloomy.

He gave Dao Ci a cold smile: "I'll trouble you, Buddhist disciple, to come with me first. Otherwise, it's hard to say how many people will survive today's banquet at Song Garden."

The white-robed monk descended the stone steps and disappeared into the shadows.

His expression was indifferent.

"Can."

.

In Ling Shuang Garden, the chrysanthemums are in full bloom.

The hot spring water lies underground, occasionally revealing a babbling brook that nourishes this chrysanthemum garden, making it lush and verdant.

This garden has many rare and precious flower species.

Phoenix Feathers Falling, Jade Pot Spring, Ink Chrysanthemum, Jade Phoenix on Jade Terrace, Vermilion Red Frost.

There were only flowers in the garden, but no human presence.

Its tranquility makes it seem even more like a fairyland.

Ayan strolled along the flowerbed, occasionally exchanging a few words with the flower maids.

She clearly liked the Jade Phoenix Tree in front of her very much, and lingered there admiring it for a long time.

The white petals resemble a phoenix fluttering its wings, with a touch of pale yellow in the center, making them delicate and charming.

Shen Qingyu squatted down next to Ayan.

"You like this?"

Without waiting for a response, he reached out and snapped off the chrysanthemum that was in full bloom.

He handed it to Ayan.

"It's yours."

Ayan frowned, but still took it.

He looked down at the broken flower branch, his gaze filled with regret.

Shen Qingyu showed no empathy for her feelings and pointed around with great interest:

"Do you like these flowers? If you do, I can pick them all and give them to you to take home."

Ayan: "No need. They're fine staying where they're supposed to be."

Shen Qingyu rested her chin on her hand and looked at her.

"Now that you're satisfied, you should repay me."

"To repay you?" Ayan was taken aback.

“Yes.” Shen Qingyu smiled like a fox.

"In my opinion, folding a flower is almost the same as folding a person. Now that I've given you my life, it's time for you to repay me. I like the little insects you raise, so why don't I become your apprentice? If you don't like that, I can become your godmother."

Ayan's expression was strange.

Shh—Shen Qingyu put her finger to her lips.

"Think carefully before you answer. For me, the word 'no' doesn't exist."

Ayan understands now.

Why did the maid tell us not to provoke him?

This person is really out of their mind.

However, she had met a few people like this before. The most important thing when dealing with them was not to reason with them.

Ayan: "Are you mistaken? What little bug?"

Shen Qingyu laughed loudly.

"I knew it, I knew it all along. Women, women are the best at pretending. But I don't have much patience right now. So, let's be frank."

As for how he knew?

If he so desires, no secret in the entire city of Jincheng can be kept from him.

He knows everything that the old man knows.

Ayan shed her feigned fragility, her face expressionless.

There's another principle to dealing with madmen.

That is, you must not anger them.

“Okay,” she said. “When I get back, I’ll pick out a few for you.”

Shen Qingyu, however, refused to give up.

"Give it to me now." The fox-eyed man smiled slyly. "I bet you've got quite a few on you right now."

Ayan stared at him intently.

The wind stirred the petals of the chrysanthemum from the Jade Phoenix Pavilion in her hand.

Shen Qingyu took a step back.

"Tsk, you've decided to kill me."

The two were facing off when suddenly a powerful bell rang out from the garden.

The servant went out for a short while, and when he returned, his expression had changed.

"Young master, quick, let's hide! They say a Western Rong spy has infiltrated."

Western Rong spies?

"The main banquet has been cleared out, young master, let's go quickly."

The spies from the Western Rong are not important; the insects are what matter.

Ayan took the first step, followed closely by Shen Qingyu.

"where you go?"

Ayan: "Go find Lord Qin to protect me."

Shen Qingyu smiled and said, "I'll also go find Lord Qin to protect me."

Outside the garden, it was a mess, with servants running around everywhere.

Song Garden hasn't seen such chaos in many years.

Everyone knew there were spies from the Western Rong, but no one knew how the news had spread.

The stone bridge they came across.

Shen Qingyu suddenly stopped and looked at Qingyin Pavilion not far away.

"Strange, weren't they saying the banquet had already been cleared away? Why are there still people performing on the stage?"

Isn't that right?

The cacophony of orchestral sounds not only didn't stop, but grew clearer and clearer.

It's like a good show, with all the characters, just getting started.

Ayan's eyes flickered, and the corners of her mouth curved up.

Not bad, those Western Rong fools.

Her efforts in connecting them were worthwhile; now, the real show is finally about to begin.

"Let's not go see the Qin merchant. Let's go see a play first."