Inside the Imperial Palace, the courtyard walls were deep and the security heavy.
Even the desolate Cold Palace was patrolled by the Imperial Army.
However, compared to other areas within the palace, the defense here at the Cold Palace’s Chang Chun Palace, known for its desolation, was relatively less strict.
Jiang Dali and two other experts from the Martial World took three separate routes to explore the Chang Chun Palace. It was quite easy for them not to be detected by the Imperial Army.
With the Heavenly Dragon Seven Forms now mastered to the ninth realm, coupled with the previous consumption of the Phoenix Gold Fruit, Jiang Dali, even while carrying a large sword weighing over two hundred pounds, moved faster than most experts recognized in the Martial World.
He seemed to be strolling leisurely, but in reality, he moved through Chang Chun Palace like a ghost.
He swiftly passed by two concubines’ quarters, catching only a glimpse of two concubines who were rather unremarkable and did not discover much else.
"According to Dongfang, that old eunuch from the previous dynasty is most likely secluded within the Cold Palace.
If this old monster really possesses the Sunflower Treasure Book, he must have unparalleled strength.
Why would such a formidable old monster seclude himself in the Cold Palace? Could he have a peculiar hobby of attending to the concubines in the Cold Palace, or simply enjoy the leftovers of the Emperor?"
Various odd thoughts flashed through Jiang Dali’s mind as he continued to roam in Chang Chun Palace.
The plan was for the three of them to search the area roughly initially.
If they did not find any trace of the old eunuch, they would explore further together.
This deeper exploration meant they would need to approach each suspect one by one.
Since Dongfang Bubai cultivated the Sunflower Treasure Book and possessed the Sunflower True Qi,
if they indeed encountered the old eunuch who also cultivated the Sunflower Treasure Book, a resonance of True Qi from the same source was inevitable.
So, the plan was not completely without clues or hope of success.
A cold wind whirled past.
Jiang Dali appeared before a third bright hall.
The number of concubines banished to the Cold Palace was not actually that many.
After excluding this third one, his search in the area could basically come to an end.
Dodging two ordinary eunuchs guarding the hall entrance, Jiang Dali sneaked into the hall and approached the brightly lit side hall, peeking through a slit in the window.
He then saw a stunning beauty inside, sitting by a low table on a cushion, focusing intently on her embroidery.
Jiang Dali then observed two maids serving nearby, seeing nothing unusual, and turned his gaze back to the embroidering beauty.
Her hairstyle to her luxurious clothes were meticulously refined, the vibrant colors accentuating her eyebrows that shone like a radiant moon in the sky, exuding an unreachable noble aura.
Although her demeanor was dignified and gentle, a charm seemed to surge within, enough to make any man’s heart race at first sight, desiring to indulge in pleasures with her.
Even Jiang Dali, accustomed to seeing beauties, had never seen such a strange combination of grace and enchantment in one woman, which made him look surprised.
However, his attention sharply focused, and he felt astonished.
"Something’s wrong, this woman is clearly a concubine, but her looks, figure, and the charm she now displays, vastly differ from the previous two concubines. Why would the Emperor banish such a woman to the Cold Palace?"
"And...she’s actually embroidering...?"
Having seen Dongfang Bubai embroidering countless times, seeing the familiar scene before him stirred many thoughts in Jiang Dali’s heart, his heartbeat intensifying, almost finding some clues.
"This woman is suspicious, something’s wrong, I need to inform Dongfang and Qiao Feng now."
Just as Jiang Dali thought to turn around and leave,
a charming and pleasant voice suddenly came from inside the side hall, "We’ve only just met, why the hurry to leave? It’s cold outside, since a friend has come, why not come in for a drink, and see if there’s anything I can help with?"
Jiang Dali paused, his gaze growing more solemn.
With his current strength, his footsteps nearly silent, and having held his breath to observe without revealing any hint of his presence, he was still discovered, indicating the Noble Consort’s strength was extraordinary.
Unusual situations flagged danger.
It was now wiser not to hastily leave, but to enter and probe further before any hostility was shown, to learn more about the situation.
Seeing no red glow emitting from the woman inside through the crack in the window, Jiang Dali decided, chuckled quietly, and casually walked to the door.
He hadn’t even reached out to push the door,
when it was opened by a maid with a squeak.
"Please come inside, sir!"
The two maids courteously invited, surprisingly calm.
Jiang Dali found this even stranger, his vigilance heightened, stepping inside.
"Dismiss yourselves," commanded the distinguished woman lightly.
The maid bowed and replied, both gracefully exiting the room and closing the door.
Jiang Dali, frowning, stared at the woman behind the bead curtain, "I didn’t expect the palace to have a concubine of such extraordinary strength, and yet banished to the Cold Palace. Are you Chen Guifei?"
Jiang Dali had no recollection of any Chen Guifei from Ming Country, neither in his past life nor in this one.