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Feng Ji was only able to pressure her because he had been with Canglan Court early on.

But there was nothing to be done because Feng Ji was Beauty Lian’s favored servant, and she was just a maid charged with menial tasks in Canglan Court.

She couldn’t speak up in front of Nanny Qi and Beauty Lian, so after failing to reason with Xiao Linzi, she had no choice but to come and report; under someone else’s roof, one must bow their head, and she endured it.

Xiao Jizi scrutinized Xia Liu, thinking to himself that it was strange for the palace maid to choose the moment when Nanny Qi was absent to go out.

After a moment of thought, he made a decision, tossed the grass he held away, and said earnestly, "When the master is resting, it’s long been a rule set by Nanny Qi that there must be no movement within the court.

Since sister has urgent matters to attend to, then go ahead, and I will report back to master and Nanny Qi on your behalf. "

Xiao Jizi was both explaining why he stopped her and testing to see if Xia Liu would show any signs of guilt upon hearing that he would report to Nanny Qi.

At the mention of Nanny Qi, Xia Liu’s eyes flickered momentarily, and she bowed slightly, "Then I thank Eunuch Ji for his kindness."

With that, she turned and walked straight out.

Xiao Jizi watched her departing figure thoughtfully.

Xiao Linzi also looked on, staring for quite a long time.

He couldn’t understand what was so interesting about this palace maid for Brother Xiao Ji to be so entranced.

Eventually, he couldn’t hold back and asked timidly, "Brother Xiao Ji, do I still keep watch at the gate?"

Xiao Jizi came back to his senses, seeing the simpleton still there and gently patted his shoulder, "Simpleton, you did well just now. Keep a good watch at the gate today, and let me know when the palace maid returns."

Xiao Linzi revealed a smile, "Yes, Brother Xiao Ji..."

He had been complimented by Brother Xiao Ji, a rare occurrence for him.

With a smile on his face, he turned to head back to the gate, eager to resume his watch and hoping to earn another compliment from Brother Xiao Ji.

Xiao Jizi weighed his thoughts and hesitated before calling out to him, "Simpleton, usually, you keep an eye on this palace maid..."

Xiao Linzi stopped in his tracks and turned back, perplexed, "Huh? Brother Xiao Ji, why?"

Xiao Jizi looked at this blockhead, sighing to himself at how slow-witted he was. Why had he foolishly thought to enlist this simpleton’s help with surveillance?

He waved his hand in disgust, "Never mind, you needn’t bother; go on."

This simpleton had an excellent memory indeed, but his wits were not sharp. Tasking him with observation meant he might stare too obviously at someone and give himself away without even realizing it—it was better not to have him watch at all.

Theoretically, the people appointed by His Majesty were supposed to be reliable. The staff at Star Palace had been meticulously vetted and were essentially clean; he should not be suspicious.

Yet this palace maid somehow made him feel uneasy, as if she harbored an indistinct hostility towards them?

Better safe than sorry; caution was advisable.

Whether she was friend or foe, indications would eventually surface. He was curious to see what suspicious aspects this palace maid might reveal.

"Oh..." Xiao Linzi scratched his head, obediently walking outside.

When Concubine Fang Pin arrived, she saw Xia Liu leaving.

Xia Liu was taken aback for a moment, then went through the rituals, leaving only after receiving Concubine Fang Pin’s permission.

Concubine Fang Pin always felt that she had seen this palace maid somewhere before; she looked vaguely familiar.

She muttered to herself, "How strange, where have I seen her before? Why can’t I remember?

Never mind, I’ll stop thinking about it.

It’s giving me a headache. Jin Xi, when we get back, fetch the medicine according to the prescription Doctor Wang gave me before and cook a bowl of medicinal soup for me to take. "

"Yes," her palace maid Jin Xi replied, accustomed to such tasks—her master’s health was always frail and she often needed to take medicines.

The two made their way toward the entrance of Canglan Court.

Hidden in the trees near the entrance, Shadow Guard A and B hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to intervene. Allowing these two to barge in unchallenged was likely not a good idea.

Normally, people rarely approached Canglan Court so openly, while those who spied covertly were often quietly dealt with by them.

Thus, they were momentarily indecisive.

They were ordered to guard this place secretly and to protect Master Lian without revealing themselves. Otherwise, if the whole palace knew about it, the Shadow Guards would have to be renamed Imperial Guards.

The fact that one of the two persons attempting to enter the court was clearly a master could cause complications if captured; the guards might have to reveal themselves and thus become Imperial Guards.

Shadow Guards were called such because their identities were highly secret. If they were exposed too much, they would then have to transform into Imperial Guards.

Seeing that the young eunuch who had been guarding the gate previously hadn’t returned, if they allowed these outsiders to enter so brazenly, it would be considered a dereliction of their duty.

Just as the two persons were about to enter, Shadow Guard A and B simultaneously had the same idea: to knock the intruders unconscious.

The two shadow guards leapt down at the same time and exchanged a quick glance after landing, only to be surprised that another figure had also jumped down. Then, as if by prior agreement, they quickly leaped back up into their hiding spots.

They moved with such speed that Concubine Fang Pin and her palace maid only felt a gust of wind on the backs of their necks. Both turned to look but noticed nothing amiss.

"Jin Xi, did you feel an unusual breeze just now?" Concubine Fang Pin felt uneasy.

Jin Xi had noticed it too, initially thinking it was an illusion, but upon her master’s question, she realized she wasn’t the only one who had felt it.

She swallowed nervously and remembered a rumor. Her voice trembled as she said, "Master, I felt it too, that wind was chilly and sinister. Could it be... the wind of a ghost?"

"Ghost... the wind of a ghost?" Concubine Fang Pin stuttered slightly; she was faint-hearted.

Jin Xi felt a chill on the back of her neck getting colder, and she was becoming more convinced it was true.

Moving closer to Concubine Fang Pin, she said in a weak voice, "Master, have you heard about the ghost disturbances lately on the western side of the Imperial Garden? We’re on the western edge right now..."

Concubine Fang Pin looked around and felt a creeping sense of unease.

She struggled to maintain composure and said, "What ghost? Don’t talk nonsense. Talking about such things in the palace is a violation of the rules."

She was a beauty with a fragile constitution—what would she do if she really encountered a ghost?

Jin Xi drew even closer to Concubine Fang Pin, glanced around to make sure no one was there, and still feeling unsafe, spoke even more softly, "It’s true, Master.

The eunuch I know who takes care of the gardens saw it himself.

One night, he saw a lantern floating rapidly—almost frightened him into fainting.

He fell seriously ill after returning, and it was because he encountered something unclean, with Yin energy invading his body. "

Concubine Fang Pin’s heart pounded, "Really? Why haven’t you told me about this before?"

If she had known about the ghost disturbance here, she would not have come...

Jin Xi grew more frightened the more she thought about it and explained, "It’s true, Master.

The ghost flame that the young eunuch saw happened not too long ago, I think it was the night when Beauty Lian was conferred her title.

I didn’t mention it because I worried you would be scared, and I also feared violating the palace rules.

This has been spreading among us servants in whispers. "