Chapter 281: with translation of chapter title

Anyway, they've already achieved their goal; there's no need to keep entangling with him—let's talk about it tomorrow.

The Nine Thousand Years acted as if it were up to them, making a gesturing invitation.

The place arranged for them by the Yingxu State was a palace beside the imperial palace; there are two palaces in Jingcheng altogether—one was the former imperial palace, now converted into a secondary palace, and their lodging was arranged in that secondary palace.

His Majesty has already sent people to take care of everything; the palace staff are in place. If you honored guests have any orders, just call them, or send someone to summon me.

Mu Yuanzhi: "So Eunuch Yao still has to manage these things?"

Isn't he called the Nine Thousand Years? Why does he still need to do the usual tasks of a chief eunuch?

Or is he personally supervising them himself?

"After all, I'm also the steward of this palace gate," the Nine Thousand Years replied with a smile.

Before he left, he turned again to Pei Di and said, "Young Master's martial arts have improved by leaps and bounds; it seems you truly have taken a good master, but…"

The Nine Thousand Years shifted his tone, his gaze moving from Qi Shihuai to Gu Rongjin, saying, "If you want to advance your studies, you still need to find the right master."

"Eunuch Yao is overthinking; my master is fine," Pei Di said.

He's still trying to drive a wedge between them!

"That's excellent," the Nine Thousand Years chuckled softly. "Actually, Young Master, you could directly take me as your teacher; I will certainly impart all my learning to you."

Pei Di didn't believe it—this person has not a single disciple, how could he possibly take on an apprentice? Moreover, he wouldn't bow to such a person as his master.

After the Nine Thousand Years left, they gathered together to review what had happened today.

Gu Rongjin had been somewhat absentminded, so Mu Yuanzhi asked him, "What's wrong, Rongjin? What are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking..." Gu Rongjin mused, his voice low and drawn out, "How did this false eunuch learn my true identity? Even the previous emperor didn't know this."

Qi Shihuai, hearing this, also found it odd: "Even His Majesty previously didn't know your identity; how could the Nine Thousand Years of the Yingxu State possibly know?"

Mu Yuanzhi: "I have a bold hypothesis—could he have once been a member of Frostfall?"

Her words left everyone staring at each other in disbelief.

Gu Rongjin looked at Mu Yuanzhi with a troubled face: "What you're thinking is what I'm thinking… but I joined Frostfall when I was very young, and the people from back then are still around; no one has ever mentioned anyone defecting."

"Could it be that even those people don't know?" Qi Shihuai hypothesized. "Perhaps he defected long ago."

Gu Rongjin: "How long would that take? It would surely be passed down somehow. As a secret organization, we generally don't leave records but rely on word of mouth."

"Pei Di, how old is this Nine Thousand Years?" Mu Yuanzhi asked.

Gu Rongjin: "How old could he be? At most about the same age as his Father Emperor."

Pei Di shook his head. "I don't know. Why not look up his file in the Office of Reverent Service?"

Mu Yuanzhi: "Let's do this—we'll split up, those who check the files will check the files, those who go to the magistrate's office will look for clues."

"No need to split up—just leave it all to me," Gu Rongjin said. "I'm best at this; you're not as capable as I am, and besides, we need to keep Shihuai here as a bodyguard."

Mu Yuanzhi: "You're right—we should indeed summon Master Yuan Yan as well."

"Does Sister-in-Law look down on this general?" Qi Shihuai snapped. "Although my martial arts aren't as good as your husband's, I'm no pushover—I can more than protect you, and besides, Pei Di can throw a couple punches."

Pei Di: "I can do more than just two strikes."

Qi Shihuai: "Well, three strikes."

Pei Di: "…"

Madame Pei couldn't help but laugh; seeing them like this, she knew her son got along well with them.

She felt relieved; she had previously thought this child wasn't close even to his three older brothers, worrying he'd have no friends, but now it seems she was overthinking—once he grew up, he would make friends.

Gu Rongjin: "Actually, I've already sent a pigeon message requesting Master Yuan Yan's arrival, though coming from the Great Zhou will take at least a month and a half, but his coming is better than not coming."

Qi Shihuai: "Will that monk come then?"

Gu Rongjin shrugged: "I don't know about that, but he probably will."

After dinner, once night fell, Gu Rongjin began to act.

Mu Yuanzhi and the others stayed put, not going anywhere; Qi Shihuai took on the role of bodyguard, never leaving their side, but he needed something to do, so bored he came over to spar with Pei Di.

Mu Yuanzhi was also bored; after preparing a medicinal bath for Madame Pei, she sat down to watch them train.

"Wouldn't the Princess like to give it a try too?" Qi Shihuai laughed, brandishing his spear.

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head: "I'm not cut out for this; if I anger you, Master, it would be bad."

"Is that so? I've never taught you, so how do you know whether you're suited for this? Maybe I understand you better than your master does." Qi Shihuai said.

"Master, you really shouldn't force the issue—even Elder Sister Mu has refused you."

"You little brat, what do you mean by 'forcing the issue'?" Qi Shihuai scoffed. "You're probably just jealous, afraid a little junior sister will steal your affection."

Pei Di: "…Are you always this confident?"

"Isn't this general's street worthy of confidence?" Qi Shihuai raised an eyebrow.

Pei Di ignored him and went off to practice martial arts on his own.

At midnight, Gu Rongjin still hadn't returned, so Mu Yuanzhi and Pei Di went to sleep; Madame Pei had already retired even earlier, only Qi Shihuai remained awake, faithfully keeping watch as a bodyguard, at least waiting for Gu Rongjin to come back before saying anything.

If that monk were here, he wouldn't have to stay up late here.

At that moment, in Jingcheng, capital of the Great Zhou.

The monk who had received Mu Yuanzhi's pigeon message was examining the letter when the Qilin curiously crept over, asking, "Whose letter is this?"

The monk shifted to block the Qilin's view, saying, "No one; it's none of your business."

"Tch, I don't even want to know," the Qilin grumbled. "Why hasn't Senior Sister sent me a letter? It's been three days with no word!"

"Only three days? She's not your mother—don't be so clingy."

"You can't tell me what to do!" the Qilin lay listlessly on the desk. "How did I end up sick that day? Otherwise I'd be in Yingxu State right now…"

I don't know whether Senior Sister can take care of herself, or if she'll run into danger.

It feels just like before!

"Do you want to go to Yingxu State?" the monk asked.

Qilin lifted an eyelid: "So what if I want to?"

"If you want to go, just go."

"I'm afraid that if I sneak after her, I'll make Senior Sister angry."

"It won't happen, look at this letter." The monk smiled and shoved the letter into Qilin's hands.

Qilin snatched it over suspiciously, took a look, and instantly his eyes lit up: "It's a letter from Gu Rongjin! You just said it had nothing to do with me!"

"Indeed it has nothing to do with you, Patron Gu invited the humble monk, it's unrelated to you." The monk teased.

"I don't care, I want to go! I want to protect Senior Sister! Let's go!"