Hearing Lu Chen's voice, Chu Yuqin's hand poised to push the door stopped mid-air. She felt a touch of curiosity, wondering what kind of matter could necessitate an entire evening of discussion.
Had Lu Chen's Immortal Master come?
The thought made Chu Yuqin increasingly nervous inside.
Otherwise, why would Lu Chen stay in the study all night without returning?
Chu Yuqin then said, "Chen'er, then I won't disturb you, take your time chatting."
After saying this, Chu Yuqin turned to leave.
Upon hearing Chu Yuqin's words, Chu Qingli and Lu Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Perhaps because Chu Yuqin had startled them earlier, Lu Chen was now filled with negative emotions and immediately transferred all his negative feelings onto Chu Qingli.
Chu Yuqin had just stepped out of the courtyard when she heard a woman's voice coming from the study. As she was wondering what Lu Chen's master looked like, her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the voice coming from inside the room.
Chu Yuqin's mind stalled, and a trace of bitterness crossed her face. She then huffed lightly and muttered, "I thought his Immortal Master had come. Turns out he's doing something shady in there, no wonder he didn't go back to his room all night."
After she spoke, Chu Yuqin's cheeks flushed slightly.
She suddenly realized that the study seemed like quite the appropriate place.
The study wasn't part of the inner courtyard, and although Chu Qingli would patrol the inner courtyard, she typically just glanced at the study before leaving.
The guard duties for the outer courtyard and the study were now primarily Bai Qingqing's responsibility, so Chu Qingli didn't pay excessive attention to the study.
Moreover, it wasn't impossible for Lu Chen to stay in the study all night without returning.
Didn't Lu Chen just spend the previous night in the study?
With this thought, Chu Yuqin's heart suddenly became frantically unsettled.
How could she think about such things? She truly was shameless.
Immediately, Chu Yuqin shook her head and hurriedly tried to stop herself from continuing down this train of thought.
The best way to avoid being discovered by her own sister was to send her sister away. It wouldn't be right to sneak around in the study doing that sort of thing, making it seem like they were stealing away for something indecent.
Thinking of her stubborn little sister, Chu Yuqin sighed.
Right then, Chu Yuqin heard the sounds in the study getting louder, which added to her confusion.
Why did that voice sound somewhat like Qing Li's?
Chu Yuqin rubbed her temples, convincing herself that it must be an auditory hallucination.
Having been thinking of ways to send her sister away these past few days, even reaching her dreams, it was normal to experience auditory hallucinations.
It was highly probable that it was that shameless vixen with the surname Wang in the study.
Only she would behave so disgracefully.
Every time she came to report intelligence to the study, she'd end up doing something unsavory with Lu Chen.
This thought stirred a sour feeling in Chu Yuqin's heart.
Looking at the study once more, she snorted coldly and muttered, "Damn bitch, so shameless!"
The study was clearly a place for Chen'er to deal with government affairs, and that woman would always come to do such indecent things, making it lose its sanctity.
Although she felt uncomfortable, Chu Yuqin didn't rush to the study to drag out the woman inside and instead left the courtyard fuming.
Chu Yuqin had left, but Lu Chen's work in the study was far from done, and he continued to be busy for an unknown amount of time.
Winter was about to pass, and the snow on the rooftops began to gradually thaw and drip down.
The weather today was pleasant, with bright sunshine.
At this moment, a beautiful woman adorned in a pink and turquoise Lotus Cloud Dress was heading toward the study.
Lin Wanyun and Chen Wanrong had discussed throughout the previous night.
Chen Wanrong believed that now, with Great Sum dealt a heavy blow by Great Wu, drastically reducing its strength, and with the destruction of the North Prince's Black Cavalry, it was the perfect opportunity to close ranks with Lu Chen. Meanwhile, by employing the Love Worm on Lu Chen to control him, they could then concoct the Subtle Dragon Spell.
Of course, the Subtle Dragon Spell was just one aspect. Besides that, controlling Lu Chen had another significant upside—Mysterious Moon Palace would then become the de facto ruler of North City.
Although North City was still quite destitute, it had great potential, especially the money-making schemes of the North Prince Mansion, which could rapidly accumulate a substantial amount of silver for Mysterious Moon Palace.
Restoration of the state required silver. With silver, they could easily smooth things out, buy people's loyalty, and likewise, manufacturing weapons also required silver.
Therefore, Chen Wanrong decided to take action against Lu Chen; she wanted to have him completely under her control, at her service.
Lin Wanyun's task for today was to serve as the intermediary. She was now Lu Chen's Madam Lin, and she also had a position as a Guard Commander in the Prince's Mansion, which allowed her to approach Lu Chen readily, making her the perfect connector.
Just as Lin Wanyun was about to reach the study, she suddenly caught sight of a figure swiftly passing by right in front of her.
Lin Wanyun focused her eyes.
Chu Qingli's clothes were torn, as if she had been through a fierce battle, and she used her Qinggong skills to quickly flee back to her room.
Lin Wanyun was startled by the sight.
As they brushed past each other, a breeze came through, and soon Lin Wanyun smelled a strange scent.
Lin Wanyun was puzzled, what was this smell? Why did it seem so odd?
Lin Wanyun didn't dwell on it, as now was not the time to ponder such matters. She had a more important task ahead of her today: to have a straightforward discussion with Lu Chen.