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He looked up toward the distant night sky, and no one knew what he was thinking at that moment.

His ears twitched slightly as he sensed someone approaching, yet he did not turn around but continued to gaze at the stars in the far-off night sky.

An old man, showing signs of illness, late in arriving and assisted by an elderly servant, stopped a few steps from the man and clasped his hands in apology, "Elder Liu has arrived late, I hope Mr. Wu will not take offense."

The old man’s voice was slightly breathless, but his demeanor remained composed, exuding an air of refined nobility.

The elderly servant helped him closer, made sure he was standing steady, then quietly stepped back.

The man seemed to have only just become aware of someone’s presence.

He turned around, hurried a few steps forward, and supported the old man with both hands.

His peach blossom eyes were especially sincere under the moonlight, "Elder Liu need not be so courteous.

It is I who have been impolite to visit so late at night.

May I ask if Elder Liu is feeling any better? "

With that, he let go of the man.

Liu Xianzhang waved his hand and let out a long sigh, "It’s all a matter of time and fate, merely clinging to life."

The man smiled faintly, "Elder Liu speaks too modestly. I have observed the heavens, and the Wenqu Star in Tianquan Palace is shining brightly. Since your destiny is linked to the Wenqu, it indicates a long and fortunate life."

Liu Xianzhang revealed a trace of a smile. Although Mr. Wu was young, he was indeed a sage. Conversations with him were always refreshing and made one feel good.

Moreover, Mr. Wu was perceptive, seeing the beginning and knowing the end, his predictions were accurate, his expectations turning out to be exactly as he said nine times out of ten. He had never won a wager against him.

If it had been earlier in life, he would certainly have considered him a confidant, but now... it was no longer possible.

When he thought of his daughter in the Harem, his heart felt like it was being scorched by a fierce fire.

His eyes dimmed again.

Liu Xianzhang had led a noble life, regarding fame and profit as passing clouds, wishing only for his family’s well-being.

Yet fate had not been compliant. His wife had died in childbirth long ago, leaving him with only this daughter, whom he treasured and nurtured with all his heart. He loved her to his very bones, and it was beyond his expectations that now his daughter would...

The thing he regretted the most in his life was consenting to his daughter’s entrance into the Eastern Palace; otherwise, she would not have ended up being poisoned...

After learning of this, he had fallen seriously ill. Since then, his health had declined sharply, rendering him incapable of fulfilling his duties as the Libationer at the Imperial Academy, hence he withdrew from court affairs.

Thinking of his daughter in the Harem, crippled and likely never to meet again in this life, the pain in his heart became unbearable.

He only had this one daughter; now his only concern was for her, willing to pay any price to fulfill her wishes!

The man saw the dimness in Liu Xianzhang’s eyes and knew what was on his mind. He consoled him, "Elder Liu need not worry, Noble Lady is not one with shallow fortune. She has the protection of the heavens, please be at ease."

Liu Xianzhang sighed to himself. While those were comforting words, Mr. Wu knew only one side of the story, unaware of his daughter Lingyi’s condition... alas.

Suppressing the pain in his heart, he once again clasped his hands toward the man and said, "Thank you for your auspicious words, Mr. Wu. May I ask if you have come to see me because you have received some news, just like I have?"

His turbid eyes stared intently at the man.

With disciples everywhere, it was not difficult for him to receive such news. His question was to test how well-informed this man was. If the man was out of the loop, then everything he said would be false, casting doubt on the trust he held in him.

Once personal interests were involved, relationships could no longer be simple. With his daughter’s situation at stake, he couldn’t be completely open—a reason he could not truly befriend this man.

The man seemed completely unaware, his expression tranquil and composed, as he said indifferently, "Indeed, the harem of the former court’s Xue and Xu families gradually took opposing stances, and the Internal Guard Bureau stirred up Capital City from top to bottom.

Now, the order has also come from above to thoroughly investigate General Shen’s matter, calling back the involved military officers to Daying to argue their cases.

I’m afraid the situation is not so simple. "

Liu Xianzhang felt somewhat reassured, and he lowered his eyes to conceal his probing, "A thorough investigation into Shen Ming’s matter, how do you see it, sir?"

The man smiled faintly, "I am here precisely because of this matter to disturb Elder Liu’s peaceful night.

It’s difficult to grasp the whole truth by just glancing at a part, and it’s not something that can be dealt with simply.

I hope Elder Liu and the Noble Lady inside the palace will not act rashly, otherwise, there may be a great disaster. "

Liu Xianzhang hesitated, "This..."

But he worried his daughter couldn’t wait any longer.

Last time, whether the snake scheme was successful or not, it could have provoked the Son of Heaven’s wrath and put Xue Ping in a life-threatening situation. They could just sit back and watch the fight unfold.

The plan was nearly perfect; they could have easily extricated themselves from the situation no matter how it turned out. But some key element had gone awry; the anticipated effect was not achieved, and in the end, everything fell silent, unresolved.

If it hadn’t been for Mr. Wu’s guidance, their movements might have already been discovered.

Even so, he had lost a confidant who had followed him for many years, forced to endure the pain of cutting off a limb to save himself.

He was somewhat skeptical, but Mr. Wu had already warned him beforehand of the consequences of their last scheme, fearing it would not succeed and had advised him.

It was just that he and his daughter hadn’t listened fully.

Therefore, hearing Mr. Wu say so, Liu Xianzhang became hesitant; he brought up his doubts, "You mean to say this matter is not as simple as we’ve seen?

But as far as I can see, no matter what, it seems to be all thunder and no rain.

Look at these days; the Internal Guard Bureau has been investigating day in and day out, and the people they investigate are all just peripheral figures.

Xue Ping hasn’t been harmed in the slightest."

The man’s peach blossom eyes slightly lifted, and he shook his head, "Elder Liu only knows one part and not the other."

He stepped forward, pointed to the sky, and a mysterious smile appeared on his lips, "Who knows if those above aren’t Xiang Zhuang performing the sword dance with his real intention aimed at Duke Pei?

The Internal Guard Bureau, having receded from the court for many years, now acts decisively, pointing directly at Xue Ping and his party.

Does Elder Liu truly believe it’s just thunder without rain? "

Having said that, he stepped back, and his expression returned to indifferent once more.

After careful thought, Liu Xianzhang’s muddy eyes suddenly revealed a sharp light, along with a hint of gloom and satisfaction, "What do you think our next step should be, sir?"

The man said earnestly, "As I see it, there will be major actions soon.

If Elder Liu trusts me, then please stay calm and composed, and have the Noble Lady within the palace exercise a bit more patience.

Those above will never allow anyone to spoil the plans at this time. Please be cautious, Noble Lady."

Liu Xianzhang became anxious, "How could you say such things, sir? I’m just a worn-out old man, fortunate to have sir’s help. How could I not trust you?" His words were so hurried that he started to pant for breath.

The man waited for him to catch his breath, then began to bow in return, "Then I thank you for your trust, Elder Liu. My purpose for coming tonight has been achieved, so I shall take my leave." With that, he turned to leave.

Liu Xianzhang hurriedly stopped him, "Sir, it is late in the night. If you don’t find my home too humble, why not rest here for the evening? Otherwise, I would feel uneasy for letting you toil on my behalf."

The man paused for a moment, then turned back to say, "There’s no need for formalities, Elder Liu. I have no power or influence, my only desire is the same as Elder Liu and the Noble Lady’s – to help myself, that’s all."

Just as he was about to leave, something else came to mind, "Last time, I heard Elder Liu mention that in the palace, there is a good knife, which, if used properly, could uproot the Xue Family’s power within the palace completely. May I know what kind of knife that is?"

Liu Xianzhang didn’t expect him to ask about this and was taken aback, "Are you considering...?"

The man smiled confidently and meaningfully, "If I don’t know about this knife, how could I put it to good use?"

...