Qin Zhaoyue lazily shifted her body on the soft couch, finding a more comfortable position.

"Alright, Auntie, we don't need to go through all this formality."

Soon, another identical soft couch was placed near her in the corridor, and Yin Zhe readily lay down on it.

The two sat side by side, enjoying the rare tranquility of autumn.

Qin Zhaoyue took a sip of milk tea, her tone slightly casual and teasing.

"Auntie, you're really something. From the start of the disaster relief efforts in the Southern Territory, you managed to keep your identity a secret all the time."

Yin Zhe showed no shame whatsoever, and retorted sarcastically:

"You possess such a precious treasure as the Heavenly Disc, yet you haven't uttered a word to anyone?"

"Oh."

"Hiss."

Two sneers, each with the same emotion and meaning, collided lightly in the air, thus bringing to a close this unspoken "concealment," with neither of them blaming the other.

Yin Zhe lowered his head and took a sip of milk tea, the sweet taste mixed with the rich tea aroma melting in his mouth.

During the time she temporarily stayed at the Sixth Princess's residence, she drank this new drink quite often, and it suited her taste quite well.

Glancing sideways at Qin Zhaoyue, who was as languid as a cat beside him, he suddenly asked:

"Back in the Chengyuan underground palace, when I advised you to fight for that position, were you secretly laughing at me the whole time?"

Judging from the detailed battle reports subsequently submitted by Xuanji Guard, Xiao Liu was able to wreak havoc in the Southern Territory, slaughtering everyone in his path.

Looking back, when she was trying to persuade him, she thought that Xiao Liu's situation was somewhat similar to her own back then, and that they both needed to fight hard to gain a chance at survival and power.

But looking at it now... it's so different.

Xiao Liu entered the third rank realm at an astonishing speed, possessing great fortune from the Heavenly Plate, and his future cultivation is limitless;

He was accompanied by two disciples of the Heavenly Evolution Sect, both of whom were second-grade Grandmasters. The three of them worked together to activate the formation, which could even bring down experts close to the first-grade level.

Frankly speaking, with such overwhelming strength, whether or not she fights for the throne is no longer that important to her.

"It wouldn't be so bad as to mock them..."

Yin Zhe suddenly understood. Well, it seems he really was just joking in his mind back then.

She didn't bother arguing and instead asked, "What are your plans next?"

"Just eat and drink for free and enjoy life."

Qin Zhaoyue's answer was crisp and decisive.

Yin Zhe chuckled; this answer was truly in line with Xiao Liu's usual personality.

"I have two main things to do here."

"Wait a minute!" Qin Zhaoyue instantly became alert and immediately raised her hand to interrupt.

"Let me make this clear beforehand, I'm not doing any work."

Are you guys trying to work me to death?

No, absolutely not!

Yin Zhe ignored her protests and continued speaking to himself:

"Firstly, it concerns the whereabouts of the former crown prince."

If this matter cannot be thoroughly investigated, it will remain a thorn in our side, affecting the stability of the court.

Secondly, there is Yan Wujiu.

This monstrous creature possesses bizarre and unpredictable magic, and it stirs up trouble. We must not allow it to continue causing chaos.

The Xuanji Guard has an inescapable responsibility for these two major tasks.

Qin Zhaoyue nodded and said seriously:

"Very good, then I, as the commander, will now entrust these two important tasks entirely to the deputy commander. Good luck!"

Yin Zhe stared at her, having already anticipated this outcome, and said helplessly:

"I didn't say you had to personally leave Beijing to investigate the case and travel around."

It just requires you, along with Sect Leader Jiang and Commander Chu, to work together to deduce the result.

At least give the Xuanji Guard some direction, so we don't wander around like headless flies.

Qin Zhaoyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief and rolled her eyes at her, "You should have made things clear first."

He then waved his hand dramatically, striking a pose of heroic spirit and righteous indignation.

"Alright, I'll help you with this!"

She paused, her joking expression fading, and looked at Yin Zhe, her tone tinged with a hint of probing:

"Auntie, if... I mean if, the deduction results show that the former Crown Prince is still alive, then you..."

Yin Zhe's eyes remained calm and undisturbed, as still as a deep pool.

“I was never very close to him, otherwise I wouldn’t have sought refuge in your mother’s palace back then.”

She was unwilling to comment on the grudges and entanglements from the late emperor's time, and simply drew a clear line with a single sentence.

Qin Zhaoyue shrugged. She had no intention of delving into the grudges and feuds of the previous generation.

Since the Empress Dowager was willing to entrust the investigation of the former Crown Prince to the Xuanji Guard, it already represented a kind of trust, so why should she worry about it?

Before long, Jiang Wuyai and Chu Xinglan, who had been summoned, arrived at the corridor.

Yin Zhe succinctly explained his purpose, hoping to use the power of the three plates of Heaven, Earth, and Man to make deductions.

Neither of them declined, and they readily agreed.

On her very first day back at the manor, the junior sister instructed everyone in the manor to treat them as she would treat herself.

Although this statement may be somewhat exaggerated, it does sound comforting, doesn't it?

The two now live in the best side room of the main courtyard, where they can take and use the precious medicinal herbs from the mansion's private treasury at will.

The food, drink, and daily necessities were all top-notch, and there were many novel and delicious dishes.

It's just a matter of spending some time and effort on a deduction; how could I refuse?

Yin Zhe was clearly prepared, and immediately took out a carefully folded piece of paper.

The birth date and time were written in neat small regular script, and it belonged to the late Crown Prince.

"Senior brothers and sisters, what preparations do I need to make?"

Jiang Wuyai waved his hand dismissively:

"No need, no need. Junior sister, you can just observe from the side. We two can handle it."

With the birth date and time (based on the Chinese astrological system), isn't it a piece of cake?

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