Chapter 623

Even so, where could one possibly find out what Yu Ziliang was defeated by?

Pei Ye had also heard the vague dream-talk Guo You had just blurted out; the 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】 had indeed been defeated. But according to Guo You, it seemed to have been lost to Yu Sicheng himself. Pei Ye certainly couldn't count on Grand Eunuch Yu finding the victory too boring and offering pointers while they were fighting.

Moreover, they knew absolutely nothing about the details of that battle; Yu Sicheng might not have been fighting that Yu Ziliang one-on-one, and Yu Ziliang might not have possessed the profound cultivation that Yu Sicheng currently had.

Pei Ye thought this to himself but didn't say it, instead saying to the woman beside him, "Please instruct me, Your Highness."

Li Xizhou glanced at him: "You and Yu Sicheng truly crossed swords in the Spirit Realm, but before entering the Spirit Realm, you also exchanged a few moves at his residence. Do you remember?"

"I remember; this subordinate exchanged five moves with Grand Eunuch Yu."

"Five moves, and you punched through two rooms, smashed a three-zhang courtyard wall, left a seven-foot-wide crater in the white marble floor, and the three-foot-thick ice on the South Pond still has ten thousand catties of floating ice scattered on the water," Li Xizhou said. "That is the trace left by the 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】 when it first tested its mettle."

Pei Ye understood what she meant, but still frowned: "But the Palace Internal Affairs Bureau could repair that within half a month. Twenty-three years have passed since the Yu Ziliang incident; even if any traces were left back then, I'm afraid countless cycles of moss have grown on the repaired stone steps by now."

"Is that so?"

"Hmm?"

Li Xizhou glanced at Guo You, who was blankly touching things around the room, then turned and stepped over the threshold: "Let him stay here and reminisce; let's go out and get some air."

The afternoon sun was intense, its scorching light shining into the dusty, old courtyard. As far as the eye could see, the eaves and stone steps were old, while the sunlight and snow were new.

The view was excellent today. Standing under the eaves and looking toward the south, one could clearly see the rising terrain from afar, with that old palace hidden amidst the dense forest of green trees, residual snow, and tangled branches.

Pei Ye stood beside her, and Li Xizhou looked into the distance: "Guo You must be very clear about the danger of the 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】. To strip the flesh and replace the bones of an entire person, even with Body-Binding, is to gamble one's life with the King of Hell. He delayed completing the entire design precisely because he was facing this difficult hurdle."

"But since that's the case, why did he forcibly forge it for that Yu Ziliang?" Li Xizhou looked at him.

"... Because he had to." Pei Ye roughly understood her line of thought.

"Correct. They chose to let Yu Ziliang forcibly accept the 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】 only because there was a more important, more urgent goal," Li Xizhou said. "—To protect the Ming Ming Niangniang."

Pei Ye nodded earnestly.

"Then this timeframe can also be deduced," Li Xizhou said, pulling an exquisite small dagger from her sleeve and playing with it between her hands. "According to your account, on the night of the Moon-Bright Assassination, both Guo You and Yu Ziliang were caught off guard. Since they were unaware before that night, they likely didn't have such resolve. Or rather, if they had completed the forging before then, there would have been no reason for Yu Ziliang to be intercepted."

"Yes."

"Therefore, the time the 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】 was forged was within that month after the Moon-Bright Assassination and before Wei Qingju's death," Li Xizhou said. "Guo You and his friend could never have smelled the scent of the Ming Ming Niangniang's life hanging by a thread more vividly than at that time, which is why they risked everything to activate the 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】."

The woman looked at him: "Then, could their destination be anywhere else?"

"... Moon-Bright Palace."

"Correct, Moon-Bright Palace," Li Xizhou said. "No matter how many days it took to forge this purple-gold skeleton into a human body, they must have rushed there before Wei Qingju died."

"It's a pity that the 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】 couldn't prevent everything, and the immortal body, touted as invincible, couldn't guard Moon-Bright Palace," the woman continued. "In Guo You's view, he failed to perfect the 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】 design sooner, failing to guard the Ming Ming Niangniang and causing his close friend to die. These were likely the two most important people in his lonely life, which is why he went mad and fell into the dreamscape woven by the Guo family ancestors."

Li Xizhou spun the small dagger between her fingers: "Although it's a conjecture, I think that's likely how it happened."

Pei Ye nodded slowly: "So, if a battle occurred, it was mostly likely outside Moon-Bright Palace. And while every part of the palace may have undergone repairs, only the Moon-Bright Forbidden Area has maintained its original appearance for twenty years."

"Correct."

Pei Ye gripped his sword and said: "Then, before the sun sets, let's go to Moon-Bright Palace immediately."

Li Xizhou didn't move, however; she tilted her head slightly while looking at him and said slowly, "Hmm?"

"... Hmm?"

"It seems you are indeed quite poor at being a subordinate," Li Xizhou said. "At a time like this, you should first say, 'Your Highness is wise; this subordinate has been enlightened.'"

"... Your Highness is wise; this subordinate has been enlightened."

"You must bow."

"..." Pei Ye took a light breath, "Your Highness is wise; this subordinate has been enlightened."

"I've already exempted you from kneeling, yet you're still lazy with your salutes," Li Xizhou withdrew her gaze and said calmly. "Furthermore, you must distinguish between master and servant; you should ask, 'Shall we set off for Moon-Bright Palace now?' Do not make decisions for me."

"... Your Highness, shall we set off for Moon-Bright Palace now?"

"Hmm, let's go."

Li Xizhou gave her wrist a light flick, causing the small dagger to vanish back into her sleeve. With both hands behind her back, she walked down into the courtyard.

Pei Ye followed behind.

"Reporting to Your Highness."

"Speak."

"Should Guo You be left here?"

"Someone will come to watch him."

"Reporting again to Your Highness."

"Speak."

"Just now, this subordinate was thinking in another direction," Pei Ye said. "The 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】 was not Guo You's work alone. He said that a master craftsman surnamed Zai from the Yangyi Tower also participated. Even if the blueprints from the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories were scattered and lost back then, the Yangyi Tower might still have records. Moreover, no matter how Yu Sicheng defeated Yu Ziliang, the 【Mercury Flower Gonghua Gonghua Gonghua Fucha】 is now with him, so records of this transfer should also exist. Last night, you said you would send a letter to inquire at the Yangyi Tower... may I ask if there is any news?"

Li Xizhou walked out of the main gate, lowering her head to brush the dust from her skirt.

"You misunderstood."

"Hmm?"

"I inquired at the Yangyi Tower in the hope of asking them to shed some light on this matter and see if they could provide some suggestions, not to inquire about the people who were in the know back then," Li Xizhou said. "Twenty-three years ago, the twelve craftsmen from the Yangyi Tower who came to the capital and entered the palace were precisely those incorporated into the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories. During the violent purge after Wei Qingju died, not a single one of these people survived. Master Craftsman Zai Haidong was the very first to die."

"..."

"My mother was surrounded by many people back then—court officials, palace attendants, and those from the Jianghu—all unrelated, yet working in concert," the surroundings were very quiet as the two walked toward the south, and Li Xizhou spoke slowly. "The Yangyi Tower was one of them. Their 'Body-as-a-Raft' lineage sent a group of people into the palace. From that moment on, they could no longer maintain the transcendence of the Jianghu and stepped into the whirlpool of the Great Tang."

"The bustling crowds, the chaotic identities, the large and small factions," Li Xizhou looked ahead as she spoke. "Once there are too many people, it's impossible to remain a solid, flourishing whole. When the sun is out, everything is fine; rotten wood and damp moss cannot lift their heads and can only hide in the shadows. But once the sun falls, everything collapses at once. The most loyal believers die, and while the survivors live on, they leave no traces behind... When Yu Sicheng served as the Grand Eunuch, it was also while Wei Qingju was in power. Without her nod, how could he have ascended to that position? Yet, isn't he our enemy now?"

"... So Your Highness knows so much about the past." Pei Ye paused, then added, "Your Highness is well-informed; this subordinate is impressed."

"Of course I have to know about those years," Li Xizhou said calmly. "This is something I have done since I was a child."

"Then, may I ask Your Highness, is there anything else you can instruct regarding Guo You and Yu Ziliang?"

"I have heard the name Guo You, but before you found him, I did not know his whereabouts," Li Xizhou said. "And as for the name 'Yu Ziliang,' this is actually the first time I've heard it. Since Guo You said he passed away, it stands to reason that there is no news of him."

Having said this, the woman turned back to glance at him and said calmly, "Isn't it possible to be quite well-behaved? Why must you always maintain such an arrogant and untamed appearance? Once we go out, you must not show any less respect to Master Xu."

"... Yes."

Pei Ye lowered his eyes and cupped his hands, opening 【Knowing Intent】 in his heart and sending: "Xu Chuo, this princess is sick."

Li Xizhou's figure paused slightly. The golden-masked face turned back to look at him, expressionless. The youth was frowning slightly, looking at her respectfully and earnestly.

She turned her head back. The blue bird in Pei Ye's heart spread its wings and came to life, and a reply appeared on the light screen: "You're the one who's sick."

The two walked through the desolate northwest corner of the Great Ming Palace, facing the sun, crossed the Yuxian Garden, and ascended that desolate, cold Moon-Bright Mountain.

It was still tall trees growing freely without restraint, suddenly blocking out the sky. The light and shadows of tangled branches swept across their faces. The accumulated snow underfoot was already more than half as shallow, making the trek much easier than that day.

Although the woman had no cultivation, her body was not as weak as Pei Ye had imagined; she only panted slightly after climbing the mountain, as if she had just warmed up.

Moon-Bright Palace was the same as it had been when Pei Ye left that day—quiet, deserted. More than twenty winters and dozens of snowfalls had drifted here and melted away, and today was no different.

The lock was the same, too.

The direction they came from was different from last time. An old lock hung on the door. Li Xizhou stood before the door, while Pei Ye stood silently behind her with his sword, neither moving nor speaking.

The air was quiet for a moment, then Li Xizhou said calmly, "When you came last time, didn't you see any traces inside?"

"I looked carefully, but the snow was thick, so this subordinate didn't search the ground inch by inch."

Li Xizhou nodded calmly: "Open the door; I am going in."

"Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate does not have the key."

"Oh?" Li Xizhou turned back to look at him, "Then may I ask Inspector Pei, how do you propose we get in?"

Pei Ye tilted his head slightly and glanced at the bottom of the wall to the side, where the snow had melted, revealing a gap the size of a dog hole.

His gaze quickly swept past it.

"..."

"..."

Li Xizhou looked at him coldly.

"I don't know how Your Highness got in before... but reporting to Your Highness," Pei Ye said, clasping his hands, "perhaps I should carry you over, or cut the lock to welcome Your Highness inside."

"Then what are you still standing there for?"

"Your Highness, one must distinguish between master and servant. You should say, 'Inspector Pei, cut the lock; I am going in,'" Pei Ye looked straight ahead and said earnestly. "This subordinate cannot make decisions for you."

"..." Li Xizhou let out a soft "pfft" of laughter. This actually startled Pei Ye, but when he looked down, the woman had already turned her head away, saying with dignified indifference, "Inspector Pei, cut the door."

Pei Ye drew his sword with a clang. With a single sound of drawing and sheathing, the old lock fell to the ground with a thud.

"Reporting to Your Highness."

"Speak."

"This subordinate already cut the main lock of Moon-Bright Palace last time; we could have just entered through the front door just now."

"... Open the door."

"Yes."

Pei Ye stepped forward two paces and pushed open the old, bolted door with a teeth-gritting sound. But when he turned back, Li Xizhou hadn't entered. He was just thinking that if he had to salute and invite her in, this princess was too playful... but then he saw her staring straight ahead.

Then, following her line of sight, Pei Ye also fell silent for a moment.

A maidservant was sitting on the steps, struggling to attach a wooden limb to herself. Half her body was covered in snow and dirt, and withered grass was stuck in her slightly messy hair. She looked at them in panic and despair, but upon seeing Pei Ye's face, a flower seemed to bloom on her face.

"Reporting to Her Highness of Jinyang, this servant admires the grace of the late Ming Ming Niangniang, so I came specifically to pay my respects. If I have violated palace prohibitions, I... I hope for your leniency." Meng'er's salute was much more respectful and solid than Pei Ye's. She knelt on the ground, every strand of hair expressing reverence.

"It's fine," Li Xizhou said calmly. She didn't cast a glance at her, nor did she stop her steps, walking straight up the stairs and into the palace.

Pei Ye remained at the bottom of the steps, looking down at the prostrate maidservant. It wasn't until Li Xizhou's footsteps had disappeared for several breaths that the squirrel-like maidservant quietly raised half her head.

"She's gone," Pei Ye said.

Meng'er quickly made a "shh" gesture and scrambled up, supporting herself on the ground.

"You're looking for that 'passage' again," Pei Ye said, finding it both annoying and funny. "Look at how scared you were just now. Didn't you beg the heavens in your heart, 'If you spare me this once, I'll never come again'?"

"I actually did beg," Meng'er said, sitting back on the steps to tie on her wooden limb. "But I prayed that if I were spared this once, I would definitely be more careful next time—or just catch me and beat me to death, I'm coming anyway."

Pei Ye sighed lightly, having nothing to say: "Then you look for it. You look for yours, and I'll look for mine."

"What are you looking for?"

"Someone fought near here twenty years ago; I'm looking to see if any traces were left behind."

"Then wouldn't it be better if we helped each other?" Meng'er said. "You help me look, and I'll help you look."

"..." Pei Ye didn't think he could find any "passage," but having the other party help him look was beneficial and harmless. "Fine."

"But I'm leaving the courtyard. After searching so many times, I think the secret passage probably isn't inside the courtyard walls, so it must be in... I'm going to check near the Jing Pond." Meng'er stood up, her forehead covered in sweat, clearly already very tired. She glanced quietly into the palace and whispered, "So you really are working for this Princess Jinyang... you must be very careful."

"She's actually very easy to get along with."

Meng'er widened her eyes: "Don't just become a ghost under her skirt because she's pretty."

"Do you know what 'pretty' means?" Pei Ye laughed. "I haven't even seen what she looks like."

"... My Highness is very pretty," Meng'er rolled her eyes slightly and whispered, "Anyway, be careful. Didn't you see how trembling I was just now?"

"Trembling while lying?"

"Then, what else could I say? That I come to the late Ming Ming Niangniang's place every day to rummage through things?" Meng'er frowned, then turned back, uneasy, "... By the way, you won't tell her, will you?"

Pei Ye was very reassuring: "I'm definitely telling her."