On the other side of the Prince's Mansion, a black aura shot out from the back wall of the Buddha Heart Hall.

They scattered rapidly in all directions.

With a thud, Qin Minglang fell heavily to the ground, smashing the old, dilapidated baskets piled up in the alley.

He clutched his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.

A dark figure landed in front of him, still wearing a long black veil, making it impossible to see any of its features.

"Did you get the item?"

Qin Minglang struggled to sit up, still shaken.

If this person hadn't suddenly appeared and used his strange crow illusion technique to attract the troops, he would have been trapped in the Buddha Heart Hall and caught red-handed.

Clutching the stolen map, he didn't hand it over.

"Who exactly are you? What you promised me..."

"Three days later, the Empress Dowager will go to Huguo Temple to pray for the Emperor Emeritus. The remnants of the Sui Dynasty plan to kill the Empress Dowager on that day."

He stretched out his hand, holding a dark pill in his palm.

"It can instantly increase your martial arts skills tenfold, but it will expire after one day. Remember, since you are risking your life to save someone, the more seriously injured you are, the better the effect will be."

Qin Minglang looked at the pill, then picked it up after a moment and put down the map in his hand.

...

On the other side, Jiang Qingwan regained some strength and, together with Guo Hao, crawled back through the dog hole. One of them carried a bucket and the other a basin, and they quickly joined the firefighting team.

Many people at the banquet also participated.

The women did not come over.

After the fire was extinguished, everyone's face was covered in dust, looking disheveled and far from the noble air they had when they entered the mansion.

The entire ancestral hall was burned black.

Although the rescue was timely, the room already contained an ever-burning lamp, hung yellow banners, and the incense was never extinguished, making it extremely flammable.

Su Weichuan looked at the memorial tablets that the servants had carefully brought out; there wasn't a single one with any writing that could be clearly seen.

His face looked extremely pale.

The surrounding court officials were all indignant.

"Where did these thieves come from? How dare they set fire to the Su residence and, of all things, the ancestral hall? What are their intentions?"

"The thieves must be brought to justice; they are utterly despicable."

"The Su residence is heavily guarded. The thief probably sneaked in during the old princess's birthday banquet. Have you seen anyone leave the banquet and not return?"

Everyone looked around.

At this moment, the old servant hurriedly walked to Su Weichuan's side and whispered a few words.

Su Weichuan's expression darkened further.

"Gentlemen, today thieves broke into the mansion, set fire and stole, and even stole the golden dragon cup personally bestowed by the Emperor."

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone stood up.

"Your Highness, such a thief is truly despicable. Since we don't know who left the table, why not search them on the spot? We'll surely find the thief."

Everyone agreed and actually volunteered to be searched.

Jiang Qingwan frowned.

Wasn't the red-eyed crow caught?

Why are you searching me?

At this moment, the old servant brought over a jade plate, on which was placed something resembling a luminous pearl.

It is radiating a warm light.

"My lords, to protect the Golden Dragon Cup, His Highness has coated it with a special powder. Anyone who has touched it will have their marks revealed immediately when this object shines upon them. Would any of you like to proceed?"

Someone stepped forward to investigate.

Jiang Qingwan was startled.

That stuff wasn't made of any kind of powder at all.

It is a magical artifact specifically designed to test spiritual power.

Su Weichuan actually possesses such a magical artifact.

Everyone present wanted to prove their innocence.

Whether they were distinguished guests or court officials, or even the servants who came with them, they all obediently went over and voluntarily accepted the inspection.

Guo Hao, who was in line, gently nudged Jiang Qingwan with his shoulder.

"It's truly a stroke of luck that the thief is guilty of arson."

He looked relaxed as he led Jiang Qingwan over for a checkup.

Just as it was their turn, Xia Yu suddenly rushed over.

"It's Guo Hao."

Guo Hao was so startled that he shuddered and pressed his hand directly onto the sphere, almost pulling it out of the tray.

The old servant was also startled and hurriedly reached out to catch it.

Su Weichuan's gaze fell on the sphere, but the halo around it remained unchanged.

Xia Shihui said in a deep voice, "Yu'er, do not speak nonsense in front of the prince. As the heir of the Marquis's mansion, how could Guo Hao do something that defies imperial authority?"

At this moment, Guo Hao was extremely panicked.

He glanced at Jiang Qingwan furtively, his eyes asking what was going on.

Wasn't it supposed to be that I would lose my memory?

How do you still remember?

Jiang Qingwan gestured for him to calm down.

There won't be any problem with her talisman.

However, at that time her spiritual power was almost exhausted, and she was not sure what effect the talisman would have.

When Xia Yu heard that the matter was so serious and saw Guo Hao standing in front of everyone, he thought that they had caught him red-handed and immediately shouted, "Father, I'm not lying. I saw Guo Hao leave his seat and walk this way with my own eyes. He must have started the fire."

Everyone turned to look at Guo Hao.

Guo Hao felt a moment of guilt before putting his hands on his hips and retaliating.

"Xia Yu, you're just angry that I slapped you before the banquet, right? That was because you slandered my father first, which is why I hit you. Your father has already apologized on your behalf, so why are you still holding a grudge and even accusing me of arson?"

"Everyone was helping to put out the fire, but you ran back from outside. You say I'm a suspect, but I think you are too. By the way, did you take the stolen Golden Dragon Cup and put it outside the palace in the chaos, then come in and falsely accuse me? What a vicious scheme."

When it comes to scoundrels and rogues, Guo Hao is a piece of cake.

When he was a child, he often lied and made up stories in order to trick the old lord into giving him money.

Now, when he speaks, there's not a single flaw in his tone or expression.

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