Princess Nanzhi held the little maid's hand tightly, her eyes full of determination and resoluteness. She whispered, "I will ask the secret guards to send you back to Youli. You go and report to my father and mother and tell them that Dazhi has picked me up. I will definitely cure my cousin of the Biluo poison." Although her voice was soft, it was filled with unshakable determination.
Tears welled up in the little maid's eyes. She shook her head and held tightly onto the corner of Princess Nanzhi's clothes, unwilling to leave.
However, Dark Moon Enchantress's words were like a sharp sword, piercing her heart, "Why are you following? Are you holding us back?" These words made the little maid burst into tears.
Princess Nanzhi looked at the maid's sad face and felt a pang of sadness in her heart, but she knew that for her safety, she had to let her go. She gently stroked the maid's hair and comforted her, "Don't cry, I'll be fine. Go back and wait for my good news."
The little maid wiped her tears and nodded. Although she was very reluctant, she still followed the secret guard and left. Princess Nanzhi watched her retreating figure and silently prayed that she could return to Youli safely.
After the maidservant left, Princess Nanzhi showed a resolute smile on her face. She turned to Dark Moon Fairy and said, "How can we enter the Wu'an Palace now?"
Dark Moon Enchantress raised the corner of her mouth slightly, revealing a mysterious smile, and said softly: "It will be soon! Don't worry, someone will naturally recommend us." There was a hint of confidence and expectation in her voice.
Du Zhong arrived at the home of the city's defending general with a nervous heart. His heartbeat raced, his hands trembled slightly, and he felt a surge of anxiety. However, when the general drank the wine containing the pill without hesitation, Du Zhong and Du Heng, who was hiding in the shadows, both gained a new understanding of the pill given by Dark Moon Fairy.
Mu San had complete confidence in his Pavilion Master, knowing full well his abilities and methods. The changes in the generals defending the city were entirely within his expectations, and he secretly applauded his Pavilion Master's wisdom and strategy.
Du Zhong smiled tenderly and said, "Sir, we sisters have admired Marshal Xiao for a long time and longed for the opportunity to perform in the palace." Her voice was gentle and pleasant, with a hint of pleading.
The eyes of the general defending the city were a little dull, and he said slowly: "No problem, leave it to me!" His tone was firm, as if controlled by some power.
Du Zhong whispered again: "But I am not familiar with the layout of the palace, and I am afraid of getting lost in it!" There was a trace of worry and uneasiness in her eyes.
Without a word, the general defending the city quickly took out his pen, ink, and paper and silently began to draw the entire layout and guards of the Wu'an Palace. His brushstrokes were skillful, and each line was clearly outlined, as if he was imprinting the appearance of the Wu'an Palace on the paper.
Du Zhong, anxiously holding the blueprints of the Wu'an Palace, hurried back to the inn with Du Heng and Mu San. As soon as he entered, he saw that Sword Soul and Ghost Hand had returned. However, when he looked around, he found that Dark Moon Fairy and the others had not returned, and his uneasiness instantly intensified.
He frowned and asked hurriedly, "Has the Pavilion Master encountered any difficulties? He just went to pick up Princess Nanzhi, why hasn't he come back for so long?" His voice was full of worry and anxiety, as if he could feel the time passing by every second, and every second could bring bad news.
Sword Soul and Ghost Hand exchanged a glance, their expressions becoming somewhat solemn. Xiao Jingyi's men were currently searching the entire city for Princess Nanzhi, and it was unknown whether they had managed to evade the search.
Sword Spirit stepped forward, patted Du Zhong on the shoulder, and comforted him: "Du Zhong, don't worry too much. The Pavilion Master always acts with discretion. Maybe there was some delay on the way. Let's wait patiently." His voice was steady and firm, trying to calm Du Zhong down.
Du Zhong nodded, but his eyes were still full of worry. He paced back and forth in the room, rubbing his hands constantly: "Why haven't you come back yet? Will you be caught by Xiao Jingyi's people?"
Before he could finish his words, a man in night clothes suddenly jumped in from the window like a ghost, kicked him to the ground, and said jokingly: "Du Bangchui! Did you miss me?"
Du Zhong was about to burst into a curse, but the moment he looked up, he saw Dark Moon Fairy staring at him with a gloomy face. Shang Lu, who was standing behind him, had an anxious look in his eyes and kept winking at him, as if to tell him to stay away! Don't mess with her!
Du Zhong endured the pain in his buttocks, got up from the ground, and said cautiously: "Master, I got the layout of Wu'an Palace."
A hint of excitement flashed in Dark Moon Fairy's eyes. She immediately took the blueprint and examined it carefully, muttering to herself as she looked at it: "There are so many guards here, it must be where the treasure is placed!" Her voice was full of anticipation, as if she had already seen the treasure waving to her.
Mu San frowned, his tone a little anxious: "Although there are a few people in our Black Hawk team who can sing opera, the manpower is far from enough!" He glanced at the men of the Dark Moon Pavilion, his eyes full of helplessness.
Shang Lu pondered for a moment and said slowly: "We can provide some manpower, but it is really difficult to ensure that everyone can enter the palace!" His voice revealed determination, but also a hint of worry.
Dark Moon Fairy's eyes remained fixed on the topographical map of the Wu'an Palace, seemingly lost in thought. She spoke without hesitation, "The rest of us can act as a circus troupe. However, if your opera is too popular, it might not appeal to Xiao Jingyi's father-in-law and mother-in-law. I'll teach you a few excerpts later, and let the defenders see them tomorrow to see how they perform." Her voice was filled with confidence, as if she had a perfect plan.
Dark Moon Fairy opened her rosy lips and began by teaching them the enchanting "Dream in the Garden" from The Peony Pavilion. Everyone was mesmerized, lost in the melodious tune and moving plot. Seeing their keen interest, Dark Moon Fairy smiled and continued with "The Torture of Red Beauty" from The West Chamber.
Everyone was captivated by the two excerpts. Mu San couldn't help but ask curiously, "Pavilion Master, this opera is truly unique and unconventional, and the characters are vivid and lively. Logically, such a masterpiece should have caused a sensation throughout the Great Zhao Kingdom. Why have we never heard of it?"
Dark Moon Fairy's lips twitched slightly, a subtle sadness flickering in her eyes. She said vaguely, "This is an opera from my hometown. Perhaps it's too remote, and information is scarce, so this wonderful opera hasn't yet reached Shangjing." Her voice was tinged with a hint of melancholy, as if she was missing her distant home.
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