After walking all the way out of the cemetery, Shen Ziyan tentatively said, "Sister Hongyu, there's something my teacher has instructed me to discuss with you all."
"Master has been dreaming of Huangying several times in the past few days."
"Master intends to move Huangying's tomb next to hers."
"Of course, Chen Xiaobei is Huangying's husband. So, Master's intention is to hear Xiaobei ge's opinion on this matter. Since I'm here this time, I'll tell you about it. You can discuss it with Chen Xiaobei when he returns."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu understood that Shen Ziyan had deliberately stayed behind for this very reason.
"Alright then, let's wait for Xiaobei to return, and I'll tell him your wishes. But frankly speaking, I think it's better to stay here. If the divine nun doesn't mind, she could also move to Hetou Village. Oh, and I heard there are quite a few places with good feng shui on Qingniu Mountain."
Liu Rumei's words were heard, and Shen Ziyan nodded gently.
"I will relay this to Master."
Returning home, Cui Hongyu hurried to prepare dinner. After all, Shen Ziyan had come, and she had to be invited to stay for a meal.
Faced with Cui Hongyu's invitation, Shen Ziyan eventually agreed but proposed a condition: she would leave immediately to pursue the Lotus Cult leader and his followers after the meal.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, in Wannian City.
Qiao Na, the Crown Prince of the Great Chu Kingdom, had been encamped around Wannian City for several days without making any move. This made his generals anxious. Ba Zahan repeatedly requested permission to lead his troops to attack the city.
Qiao Na, however, was unhurried and shook his head, refusing him.
"Ba Zahan, don't be so anxious. I have my own arrangements."
"Your Highness, what are we waiting for? With your command, we can charge into Wannian City, capture the Xiao father and son, and the Great Cang Kingdom will be ours."
Qiao Na shook his head. "Don't rush, don't rush. It's so cold and harsh. Who wants to fight? I'm just confirming some news!" What Qiao Na called confirming news was actually waiting.
He was waiting for Qiu Ye to send him a message back. A few days ago, Qiu Ye said she had hit Xiao Jingyun with a poisoned needle. Qiao Na immediately asked Qiu Ye to confirm the news and determine if Xiao Jingyun was alive or dead.
After investigating, Qiu Ye was still at a loss. The Crown Prince's mansion was strictly sealed off, with reports of him having caught a cold. She could no longer enter, as sentries had been added to the rooftops.
Therefore, Qiu Ye had to settle for the next best thing, gathering information indirectly from others.
At noon that day.
Qiu Ye booked a large private room at the Baiwei Tower in Wannian City.
After waiting for about the time it takes two incense sticks to burn, the door opened, and Tie Niu entered, followed by a man with a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks.
Upon seeing Qiu Ye, a hint of disdain flashed in the man's eyes.
Qiu Ye looked at Tie Niu, who quickly cupped his fist and said, "Great Commander, this is A Fei. He's a family member of General Du Bai."
Hearing Tie Niu address Qiu Ye as Great Commander, A Fei's gaze visibly restrained, and his demeanor became respectful. He bowed to Qiu Ye and said, "My name is A Fei. Greetings, Great Commander."
Qiu Ye nodded and gestured to Tie Niu. Tie Niu immediately turned to leave, while Qiu Ye smilingly invited A Fei to sit down.
"A Fei, you work in General Du Bai's mansion. I heard General Du Bai possesses unparalleled courage. You are truly fortunate."
A Fei sighed. "Alas, what fortune is there? I only get a little over an ounce of silver a month. If it weren't for Brother Tie Niu's help, my gambling debts would probably..."
Hearing this, Qiu Ye waved her hand with a smile and took out a 500 tael silver note from her sleeve. She then pushed the silver note towards A Fei. "I won't hide it from you. I am from the Great Earth Kingdom, and I wish to know some news."
"I want to know how Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun is doing now. Some say he has caught a cold, but others say he has been poisoned."
Upon hearing this question, A Fei glanced at the 500 tael silver note on the table. He wanted to take it but dared not. He grinned and stammered, "Great Commander, you, you're making things difficult for me. I'm just an ordinary family member, and I can't even see the Crown Prince you're talking about."
Qiu Ye's mind stirred, and she raised her eyebrows. "Have you heard if General Du Bai visited the Crown Prince in the past few days?"
Upon hearing this, A Fei scratched his head and suddenly seemed to recall something. "If you put it that way, I do remember something. Last night, I went to deliver tea and snacks to the General. I overheard him discussing with Deputy General Du Shun what to do if Marquis Liu doesn't come out of seclusion. They were also talking about a leaderless situation."
"They stopped when they heard me knock."
Hearing this, Qiu Ye frowned and thought for a moment. "Oh, the Marquis Liu you mentioned, is it Liu Xiangnan?"
A Fei's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Yes, yes, it's Liu Xiangnan. Liu Xiangnan was stripped of his official post by the Emperor and became a monk. Oh, it was at the Xiangguo Temple. It wasn't until you attacked that the Emperor brought them all back into the city."
Hearing these words, Qiu Ye nodded gently. "So, Du Bai strongly wishes for Liu Xiangnan to regain command of the army."
"Yes, Great Commander, you probably don't know, but Marquis Liu has extremely high prestige in the army. My General also deeply respects him."
"Then what do they mean by a leaderless situation?" she pressed again.
A Fei shook his head like a rattle. "I really don't know what that means."
Qiu Ye appeared slightly disappointed. Her mind stirred, and she reached out to cover the 500 tael silver note, about to withdraw it. Seeing the money he was about to get slip away, A Fei became anxious. "Wait, wait, Great Commander. Let me think a little more, let me think a little more."
"Oh, right. Du Bai also said something about sending a pigeon to the Emperor as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Qiu Ye's brows twitched.
"Oh, pigeon post. Do you still need to send messages by pigeon in your Wannian City?"
A Fei shook his head again at Qiu Ye's question.
Just then, the door opened, and Tie Niu walked in.
Behind him followed two waiters, holding platters with several dishes on them.
After the waiters placed the dishes, they wisely turned and left. Qiu Ye smiled, stood up, and looked at Tie Niu. "Tie Niu, please have a few more drinks with Brother A Fei."
Watching Qiu Ye leave, A Fei let out a long sigh of relief.
Tie Niu sat next to him, picked up the wine pot, and poured him a cup of wine.
"How was it, Brother A Fei? I told you our Great Commander is generous."
A Fei gently pressed the silver note in his chest. "Yes, Brother Tie Niu is right. Come, I'll toast you."
Qiu Ye returned to her lodging, turning left and right.
After making a cup of tea, Qiu Ye used various items on the table to depict the positions of the Crown Prince's mansion, Du Bai's general's mansion, and the imperial palace. She then pondered for a long time with a frown. If what A Fei said was true, then...
She suddenly understood something. That is, if Xiao An was not in Wannian City, and after Xiao Jingyun was poisoned, Du Bai would then speak of a leaderless situation.