Seeing his master in this state, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but put a hand to his forehead in resignation.
"Master, we'd better stay out of the way. We don't want you to get hurt accidentally. It wouldn't be worth it."
Shi Muyuan was, of course, afraid of death. She nodded while keeping an eye on the situation not far away.
Although the man on the other side seemed quite capable, she still believed that Cui Qizhou should be able to handle the situation with ease.
And the man didn't disappoint her. Taking advantage of the man's inattention, he suddenly struck and held his sword to the man's neck.
"It seems you've lost. In that case, let me see who you really are. How dare you take action on the territory of the Great Liang?"
Hearing this, the man tried to escape. His identity must never be discovered by anyone. Otherwise, all his years of planning would come to nothing.
He struggled desperately, but it was in vain. The sword in the man's hand remained at his neck. His actions only piqued the man's curiosity. What kind of identity would make him afraid to show his face?
Cui Qizhou didn't hesitate any longer. He ripped off the man's mask. When he saw the familiar face, his expression changed instantly.
"I didn't expect you've already extended your influence to the South of the Yangtze River. You've been busy. I'll report this to the emperor when I get back."
Qin Feng snorted. "You don't even know if you can leave the South of the Yangtze River. Don't get too complacent. You're just daydreaming if you think you can go back and inform anyone."
Hearing this, Cui Qizhou immediately realized something. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "It seems you've been up to a lot behind our backs. I'd like to see what you've done today."
With that, he snapped his fingers, and several shadow guards appeared.
"Lock him up and interrogate him strictly. Use any means necessary to get the information out of his mouth."
The shadow guards nodded and were about to leave when a familiar voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"Wait! National Master, you can't take him away. Hand him over to me instead. I can give you what you want. Just name your price."
Hearing this, Shi Muyuan looked towards the doorway and saw Concubine Rui standing there in a pink dress, looking anxious.
She suddenly became curious. What was the relationship between these two? Why was she so worried about him?
It would be hard to believe if they claimed they had no connection at all.
The man, of course, had the same thought. "Concubine Rui seems to have a close relationship with this enemy general. I wonder what his relation to you is?"
As soon as he said this, Qin Feng looked the most nervous. His face fell.
"She's a concubine of the Great Liang. What could she possibly have to do with me? Are you all stupid? Do whatever you want with me. Stop making wild guesses."
His attitude made Concubine Rui burst into tears.
"No! Don't! I'll exchange myself for Qin Feng. Isn't that what you've been trying to do, to capture me? I'm willing to go back with you and tell you many things."
Cui Qizhou thought it was ridiculous for the usually wise Concubine Rui to say such things.
He didn't even bother to lift his eyelids. "Concubine, do you think I'm that stupid? Exchanging you for an enemy general? That's absurd. Do you think I'd be interested in you when I have this enemy general in my hands?"
Although his words were harsh, they were the truth. Yes, with Qin Feng in his hands, and knowing how much information he had, how could a fleeing concubine be of more value?
However, Concubine Rui still wanted to try.
"I know something that none of you know, and it concerns the life of the current young emperor. Don't you want to hear it?"
Shi Muyuan rolled her eyes. Concubine Rui must have run out of excuses.
"We have a major criminal in our hands. Why would we care about you? Besides, you and I have been living in the deep palace for so long. What could you possibly know that we don't?"
Concubine Rui took a deep breath. That thing was her biggest secret and her last bargaining chip. She had hoped that with that information, Concubine Shen would help her, but now it seemed that it was all in vain.
But none of that mattered now. Nothing was more important than Qin Feng's life.
"Do you still not know why the late emperor suddenly fell ill?"
Cui Qizhou's expression darkened. He still didn't know what had happened to the late emperor. He didn't know what kind of poison he had been poisoned with, colorless and odorless, and even all the imperial physicians couldn't detect it.
Now that they finally had a clue, he hesitated and glanced at the person beside him.
But with just that glance, Shi Muyuan immediately understood.
"Ask whatever you want. I believe you can make the right decision based on the situation."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your understanding."
When Cui Qizhou turned around again, his eyes were filled with determination.
"If Concubine wants me to release him, you'll have to tell us what we want to know. Otherwise, General Qin here might just become a ghost under my sword."
Seeing that he had relented, Concubine Rui didn't hesitate. "Actually, Concubine Shen has placed people beside every emperor. These people are all the most trusted by the emperors. They'll take action when the time is right."
Shi Muyuan's face turned pale. She suddenly thought of something.
"So you're saying that these people are usually the most trusted by the emperors and won't be easily discovered. They can be used when needed, right?"
"That's right. Now you should believe me, right?"
The two looked at each other, and a sense of unease welled up in their hearts.
"When does she usually take action against the emperor?"
Concubine Rui parted her red lips and said something that made both of them feel a chill.
"I remember that the Empress Dowager offended Concubine Shen last time. And now you're not in the palace. I'm afraid this is the time she'll take action."
The two frowned. No matter what, the safety of the emperor was the most important. They quickly made a plan.
The two of them would go back first to see what was going on. If they found out that what she said was true, they would surely keep their promise. If there were any problems, then this general would face their pursuit.
Just like that, the group split up. The official received the news and wanted to help, but was stopped.
Xiao Xiao was left behind by his master to handle these matters. He was very unhappy because he wanted to go back with his master.
"My lord, it's better if you don't go. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager and the National Master will have to take care of you."
The official's face looked a bit unpleasant, but he didn't refute. Xiao Xiao was right.