Chapter 80: Who Is Master Yuan, Really?

This time, she had chosen the wrong side, and being harmed by Zhan Lianjing left her full of regret. For now, the Emperor dared not move against her family’s general’s manor, but who could say what the future held? Le Qianxue was already pondering how to turn the situation around, but her thoughts were in turmoil and she could think of nothing.

She fiddled with several lanterns, intending for Yin Susu to admire them when she returned; after all, they were quite beautiful. Yin Susu had been conducting investigations for several days and only returned late that night.

Le Qianxue happened to be explaining to Yuan Tianci the methods for dissolving gu poison. In truth, there were several approaches, but each gu worm required different solutions, and sometimes even Le Qianxue could do nothing. She had simply been fortunate in recent cases.

When Yin Susu saw her return, she finally breathed easily. "Xue’er, you’re finally back safe. I’ve been worried for days."

Le Qianxue invited Yin Susu to sit, then said, "It was a stroke of bad luck—I was hunted by imperial assassins."

Yin Susu nodded. "I know. The Prince of War came himself, and when he found you gone, he was furious. He told me the Emperor might order your death. Later, it seems that the Prince of War sent people to rescue you. We should thank him for that."

Just thinking of him made Le Qianxue uneasy. She merely murmured a response, then asked, "Let’s not speak of that. Have you noticed any unusual activity at the Crown Prince’s residence lately?"

Yin Susu had been observing the Crown Prince’s residence for several days, but had found nothing. She replied, "No one unusual has entered or left. Only eunuchs and palace maids go about their daily business."

Le Qianxue frowned. In that case, could it be that Master Yuan was not residing in the Crown Prince’s palace? She considered the possibility, yet doubted it—after all, Yu Guhan would never allow Master Yuan to remain outside, especially since everything used for raising gu was being sent into the Crown Prince’s residence.

Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she asked, "Susu, have you seen any eunuch from the Crown Prince’s palace visit the Prince of War’s manor these days?"

Laying a gu worm was different—the person responsible had to be present, or at least nearby. Yin Susu pondered, then recalled, "There was indeed a eunuch who visited the Prince of War’s manor. His name is Xiao Yuanzi—he’s quite clever. He usually serves Yu Guhan, but with Yu Guhan under house arrest, he’s had plenty of free time."

Le Qianxue’s thoughts snapped into clarity. "I see. I think I’ve guessed who Master Yuan is, but I need to verify it."

Yin Susu shivered, a bit nervous. "Really?!"

Reflecting, she guessed whom Le Qianxue suspected. "You mean Xiao Yuanzi is Master Yuan?!"

Le Qianxue said, "I’m not certain. You should investigate—find out who last met with Le Linglong. Yu Guhan hardly trusts anyone, and Master Yuan is obviously hiding in the Crown Prince’s residence. It’s impossible to conceal someone without a trace, especially with all the Prince of War’s spies. Unless Master Yuan is disguised as a eunuch, how else could it be done?"

Yin Susu slapped the table, convinced by Le Qianxue’s reasoning. She said angrily, "In that case, I’ll go and capture him!"

"Don’t be hasty. Wait until tomorrow and test him," Le Qianxue advised. "I’ll write a letter—you’ll deliver it to the Crown Prince’s residence tomorrow. We’ll soon know if Xiao Yuanzi is Master Yuan."

No one had ever seen Master Yuan, and although Le Qianxue was almost certain, she didn’t want to act rashly and alert the enemy. Testing him in secret was the best course.

That night, Le Qianxue wrote a letter at once.

The next day, Yin Susu delivered the letter to the Crown Prince’s residence. Meanwhile, Le Qianxue was discussing strategy with Yuan Tianci. Although members of Yin Susu’s organization remained, most had been scattered by Zhan Lianjing’s earlier sabotage, leaving her with few people to call upon. Given that, they could not be completely confident of capturing Master Yuan.

"Perhaps we should ask the Prince of War for help," Yuan Tianci suggested.

Le Qianxue, unwilling to become further entangled with Zhan Lianjing, replied, "No need. The Prince of War wants to win over Master Yuan, while we want to defeat him. Our goals differ. If Su Su can’t get her revenge, all our efforts will be wasted."

Yin Susu agreed, nodding. "That’s right. This Yuan stole my family’s gu technique manual. I must have my revenge!"

Yuan Tianci fell silent.

Le Qianxue continued, "What worries me is that Master Yuan might bring a large retinue of guards to deal with me. With Yu Guhan under house arrest, it’s not easy for him to send messages. But you know who’s behind Master Yuan’s attack on Zhan Lianjing, don’t you?"

Yin Susu’s expression changed—she hadn’t expected an even greater power behind it all. Yuan Tianci turned pale. "What shall we do? How can we oppose the court?"

Le Qianxue asked, "Susu, do you really want revenge? Is it something you must do?"

Yin Susu replied with unwavering resolve, "Of course! My parents were killed, leaving me orphaned for years. This blood feud—I will never forget. Xue’er, I know this is dangerous and could implicate your family. You shouldn’t get involved."

Le Qianxue had already helped her identify Master Yuan, and Susu was deeply grateful. Vengeance was something she must pursue herself.

"I have a plan, and it won’t bring harm to your family," Le Qianxue assured her. "Gather everyone you can near the Thousand Buddha Pagoda. We’ll catch Master Yuan there!"

Yin Susu was moved by her loyalty.

By afternoon, a reply arrived from the Crown Prince’s residence. Le Qianxue’s letter, sent in the name of the Ghost Doctor, mentioned saving Lord Ye, then Le Qianxue, and finally Zhan Lianjing. She challenged Master Yuan: "What can you possibly do against me now? If you wish to impress me, meet me tomorrow night in the courtyard of the Thousand Buddha Pagoda."

The letter was a clear provocation. Furious, Master Yuan could not believe the Ghost Doctor knew he was hiding in the Crown Prince’s residence and dared to reveal her identity and challenge him. Nevertheless, he accepted.

Yin Susu’s spies soon learned that the remaining Shadow Guards in the palace were being mobilized. Clearly, the Emperor hoped to eliminate the Ghost Doctor and was assigning men to Master Yuan.

Yin Susu’s martial skills surpassed Le Qianxue’s, so she would pose as the Ghost Doctor herself. They spent the day preparing.

The courtyard of the Thousand Buddha Pagoda was not large, but it was elegant, with many artificial hills—perfect for an ambush. Le Qianxue, skilled in lightness arts, did not enter by the main gate but slipped in stealthily to avoid being detected by the Shadow Guards. She had visited before, and the monks recognized her, granting her some respect for Master Wenzhi’s sake.

On the fifth floor, Master Huijue saw her carrying odd implements and checking a bow and arrows. He asked, "Benefactor Le, what are you preparing for?"

Uncertain how to answer, she replied, "A friend is meeting someone here tonight, but I fear treachery, so I’ve come to ensure her safety."

"Amitabha. So, Benefactor Le is a woman of loyalty. If you need anything, just say the word," Huijue said.

She hesitated. "No need, I couldn’t possibly trouble you, Master."

"Senior Brother Wenzhi instructed us to help you with anything you require," Huijue insisted.

"So it was Master Wenzhi’s instruction? Still, what I’m doing might cause you to break your vows. Better not to involve you."

They planned to seize Master Yuan, and would certainly not treat him gently.

Huijue hesitated, then asked, "Who is your friend, Benefactor Le?"

"It’s... the Ghost Doctor," Le Qianxue said, heart pounding.

"In that case, there’s no problem," Huijue replied. "Senior Brother Wenzhi said we should always help when we can. Even monks cannot always turn a blind eye, merely urging people not to kill. Sometimes, sacrificing oneself for the greater good is necessary."

Le Qianxue was speechless. Master Wenzhi breaking the rules was hardly a new thing; it was typical for him to teach his disciples this way. Monks, she thought, could be quite endearing.

Night fell, and the appointed hour drew near. Le Qianxue was certain Master Yuan would come in person. He was arrogant, and this time he had the Shadow Guards protecting him—what did he have to fear? In her letter, she had already hinted that Xiao Yuanzi was Master Yuan; his reply was a tacit admission. He would surely want to silence the Ghost Doctor.

In the bright moonlight, she saw Yin Susu arrive, followed by Master Yuan. The two kept their distance, locked in a tense standoff. Le Qianxue, observing from above, noticed the Shadow Guards hidden nearby. If she hadn’t been completely alert and positioned high above, she might have missed them—so skilled were the guards.

Without some clever strategy, capturing Master Yuan would be impossible.

Below, Master Yuan had already shed his eunuch’s garb. He gazed at Yin Susu with a soft chuckle. "Who would have guessed the Ghost Doctor is also a beauty? What a pity."

Yin Susu wore a human-skin mask to conceal her identity, lest trouble follow later. The mask was delicate and attractive.

She replied, "Eunuch Yuan, you’re not bad yourself. To be a eunuch and a counselor—quite the reward."

Yuan Feng’s expression darkened. He was only pretending to be a eunuch; if not for his family’s orders, he would never have remained by Yu Guhan’s side! A man’s dignity is no small matter!