Dark Moon Fairy rode atop a steed, leading a group of people at a gallop through the night. Shang Zhi, filled with doubt, couldn't help but ask, "Pavilion Master, why don't you just kill the owner of the black shop?"
Darkmoon Enchantress smiled, as if anticipating this question. A shrewd glint flickered in her eyes as she replied, "This is a golden opportunity to make a fortune. How could I be so foolish as to scuttle my own path?" Her voice betrayed a thirst for wealth.
Shang Zhi's face twitched, clearly dissatisfied with the Pavilion Master's answer. She said worriedly, "By the time we return, the owner of that shady shop will probably be gone!"
However, Dark Moon Fairy didn't seem to care about Shang Zhi's worries. She was extremely happy to receive this huge treasure.
She explained with rare patience: "Don't worry, he can't run away! When I have time one day, I will go to visit his master. I guess it might be a gold mine!" Her tone was full of anticipation and excitement, as if she had already seen endless wealth beckoning to her.
Shang Zhi fell silent. She knew that Dark Moon Enchantress would become obsessed with gold, silver, and jewelry whenever she mentioned them. Her obsession with wealth was frustrating!
Shang Zhi secretly speculated that the Dark Moon Fairy might have attacked Dragon Bone Village simply to lust after the treasures there! However, unexpectedly, she became famous in this battle and became a feared figure in the martial arts world!
Dark Moon Fairy and her followers journeyed for five days, passing through several cities and staying at five inns. However, Dark Moon Fairy's expression grew increasingly gloomy, becoming uglier day by day.
The Sword Spirit finally couldn't hold back any longer, and he asked cautiously, "Pavilion Master, is there something that bothers you?"
Dark Moon Fairy sighed, "We're almost at Nanyi, and we haven't even encountered a single shady shop! This is so boring!"
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this, secretly surprised. Is there anyone else who is looking forward to being ripped off by a shady shop? No, it should be the Pavilion Master who is looking forward to ripping off the shady shop!
Mu San smiled slightly and said, "Pavilion Master, we will reach the city of Nanyi in one day. I heard that Xiao Jingyi of the Wu'an Palace has collected many rare treasures and placed them in the palace."
Dark Moon Fairy raised the whip in her hand suddenly and shouted excitedly: "Speed up! We must enter Nanyi City before dark!" Her eyes flashed with greed, and she seemed to be eager to seize those treasures.
Everyone felt her desire and sped up their horses, galloping towards Nanyi City.
Du Heng was completely confused. Should we protect Princess Nanzhi or rob her?
At midnight, all was quiet, and the Imperial Observatory was serene. Suddenly, a mysterious guest quietly arrived. Clad in a dark cloak, he seemed to blend into the darkness, making it impossible to discern his true appearance.
Ning Yuan, the director of the Imperial Observatory, was overwhelmed with fear when he saw this uninvited guest. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Ning Yuan tried to calm himself down, bowed tremblingly, and asked in a trembling voice, "I wonder what the Prime Minister wants to talk to you about so late at night?"
Prime Minister Li Mingfu slowly removed his cloak and hat. The dim candlelight cast a shadow on his face, casting a somewhat gloomy expression. Without a word, he sat down at the table and said calmly, "Lord Ning, please sit down!" Then, he gracefully lifted the teapot, poured two cups of tea, and gently pushed one towards Ning Yuan.
Ning Yuan sat down and quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. He felt a wave of anxiety. Whenever something happened, whether it was a dispute in the court or trivial matters in the harem, these powerful people would unhesitatingly shift the blame onto the Imperial Observatory. He was well aware of his insignificance and helplessness in this vortex of power, yet he felt powerless to change it.
If he really had the ability to observe the stars at night and get a glimpse of the laws of nature, he would definitely become a free and easy rich man. Why would he have to stay suffocated in this cold and lonely observatory, living in fear all the time, afraid that his head would be choked off!
Li Mingfu remained silent, drinking several cups of tea. The tension in Ning Yuan's heart snapped at this moment with a bang! His emotions instantly collapsed, his voice tinged with tears: "Prime Minister! I really didn't say anything about this matter! But the Empress Dowager..."
Li Mingfu patted his shoulder and said in a heavy tone, "Master Ning, how could you be so confused? This world belongs to the Chu family, not the Xue family!"
Ning Yuan seemed to be struck by these words. His body softened, and he slid off the stool and fell to his knees with a plop. He kowtowed repeatedly to Li Mingfu, the sound of his forehead hitting the ground echoing in the silent room. "Prime Minister, please save me! Save me!"
Each time he kowtowed, he was filled with fear and despair, his tears pouring out like a flood, soaking the ground. This was a heinous crime, deceiving the emperor and punishing the extermination of his entire clan!
He knew that the Prime Minister in front of him was his last hope. If he didn't get his help, he would probably be doomed.
Li Mingfu stared at him expressionlessly, his eyes revealing a chilling calm. After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "The Crown Prince and several other princes will be struck down with serious illnesses tonight, and they urgently need to select consorts to bring good luck! You will go to court tomorrow morning. I don't need to teach you what to do, do I?"
Ning Yuan lowered his head, not daring to look Li Mingfu in the eye, and replied tremblingly, "I...I will do my best to get this done for the Prime Minister!"
Li Mingfu's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a satisfied smile: "Lord Ning has always loved cranes. I will send two over tomorrow!"
After hearing this, Ning Yuan quickly raised his head and said with gratitude, "Thank you, Prime Minister!"
The night was deep and all was silent. Suddenly, a cry of alarm came from the Crown Prince's chambers: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is unconscious!"
Immediately afterwards, the entire Eastern Palace fell into chaos, with palace maids and eunuchs running around in panic. The imperial physicians were urgently summoned, their faces solemn and brows furrowed as they anxiously examined the prince.
However, before they could find the cause, several princes living in the outer palace also fell into coma. Everyone in the Imperial Hospital was suddenly worried, and they were helpless to deal with this strange illness.
Wen Mu, the director of the Imperial Hospital, reported to Emperor Wen: "Your Majesty! I am incompetent and have not yet determined what illness the Crown Prince and the other princes are suffering from! It appears that they are merely unconscious. Their lives are not in danger!"
Emperor Wen waved his hand and dismissed Wen Mu. He immediately summoned Ma Wei, the commander of the imperial guards, and sternly demanded, "Go! Investigate thoroughly for me! Who dared to murder my heir?"
As soon as Ma Wei left, a young eunuch from the Haoxue Palace came running in with a panicked report: "Your Majesty! Prince Xiao has fallen unconscious from the poison!"
When Emperor Wen heard this, his heart tightened, his heartbeat accelerated instantly, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.
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