Gu Sinian investigated the Yun family's affairs privately. Besides asking the Emperor, he also questioned the old people in the palace. Therefore, there must be someone among them who was Qin Lang's subordinate, otherwise, where would so many coincidences come from?
What Qi Zhenzhen needed to do now was to find out who Gu Sinian had spoken to, and thus determine who was connected to Qin Lang.
As long as that person was found, Qin Lang's whereabouts would be revealed.
Once Qin Lang was found, the Yun family would be found.
Qi Zhenzhen got up and wrote a letter, then called Er Xi in. "You go back to the capital and find Qian Yuanbao. Give him this letter, and remember, you must hand it to him personally. Also, this letter is for the Young Lord."
Seeing Qi Zhenzhen's serious expression, Er Xi knew the importance of these two letters and did not delay. Only at the doorway did he ask Bai Su to take good care of Qi Zhenzhen before leaving in a hurry.
Over there, Hong Dou quickly found the Shadow Pavilion and successfully passed the entry inspection to report to the Pavilion Master about the mission.
"Yang Erniang, although your martial arts are not top-notch, your poison skills, without any defense, even I would suffer at your hands. How could you not even handle a mere woman? Are you deliberately going easy?" a bearded man scoffed.
Hong Dou calmly glanced at him. She knew this man's identity; he was a capable subordinate of the Shadow Pavilion Master, in charge of the Pavilion's刑堂 (Xing Tang - Punishment Hall), and had always looked down on people like Yang Erniang, who were considered lower-tier in the Shadow Pavilion.
Hong Dou ignored the bearded man and cupped her hands towards the Pavilion Master. "The person had many people protecting her, all of them skilled experts. Besides that, there was also a poison expert. If I hadn't used the medicinal powder passed down by my master, I wouldn't be standing here now. As for the others who went with me, I didn't have the ability to save them, so I could only return by myself."
The Shadow Pavilion had no rules about rescuing companions during missions, so Yang Erniang's solo return did not arouse any suspicion.
"Tell me in detail about the methods of that poison user," the Pavilion Master said.
Hong Dou recounted the prepared statement. "Pavilion Master, may I accompany the next group of people on this mission?"
"Not reconciled?"
Hong Dou nodded. "I believe I have learned my master's skills perfectly and have not yet encountered anyone superior to me in poison arts. To be outdone by a mere young girl, I truly feel indignant. Moreover, as you know, I have never taken a disciple."
"You've taken a liking to the young girl's talent?"
Hong Dou nodded. "That is indeed the intention."
"Such talent, if it can be used by our Shadow Pavilion, would be a good thing," the Pavilion Master said after a moment of silence. "But you know the rules of the Pavilion; failure in one mission does not allow one to take on the same mission again."
"I will not ask for any reward for this mission, and I will also provide the Pavilion with a batch of medicinal herbs for healing."
"Alright, don't forget when you return. You can go down and rest first; the next group to take on the mission has not been decided yet," the Pavilion Master added.
"Pavilion Master, your subordinate ventures to ask, what enmity does the person who posted the mission have with that woman?" Hong Dou asked, stopping and turning back after walking a couple of steps.
"Yang Erniang!" the bearded man glared fiercely at Hong Dou. "Have you forgotten the rules of the Pavilion?"
"How could your subordinate forget?" Hong Dou said unhurriedly. "It's mainly that this woman's identity is unusual. The Changping Marquis's mansion and the Protector Duke's mansion are inextricably linked to her. If such a person were to fall into our hands, the trouble for the Pavilion later..."
"You don't need to worry about that. When has the Pavilion ever feared power and wealth?" the bearded man snorted. "Many people with identities higher than this woman have fallen in our Pavilion; what's one more to us?"