After the bandaging was done, Zi Yuan leaned against the doorframe, gritting her teeth and closing her eyes.
Damn it, my body is becoming more and more uncontrollable these past two days. I must find the reason as soon as possible.
During this time, I must keep it a secret and absolutely cannot let my young master worry!
Su Yun Mo walked back, but stopped halfway: "Lin Lang, when Zi Yuan opened the door earlier, did you smell blood?"
Lin Lang was stunned for a moment and shook her head: "This subordinate did not smell anything."
She was a bit far away just now, and in this weather, it wasn't easy to smell a slight anomaly.
"Is that so?" Su Yun Mo frowned, feeling uneasy: "No, I have to go back and check."
She turned and walked back.
Su Si Yuan ran in from outside the courtyard: "Mo Mo, it's good that you're here. Come, come with third brother."
Su Yun Mo was pulled by him as she walked out, feeling a bit strange: "Third brother, where are you taking me?"
"Of course, I'm taking you to see something good." Su Si Yuan whistled, but unfortunately, he couldn't whistle properly, only making a 'hissing' sound.
Su Yun Mo pouted helplessly and glanced back in Zi Yuan's direction, her brows furrowed.
Perhaps she was overthinking. Zi Yuan knew martial arts, and she hadn't assigned her any tasks these past few days. She shouldn't be injured.
Thinking this, Su Yun Mo put her mind at ease and followed Su Si Yuan out.
Meanwhile, Ye Ning Yuan did not go home after leaving the General's mansion, but went to the Marquis's mansion.
As she entered, the third concubine was being dragged away. Her lower body was bloody and mangled, showing how angry Lin Ze Qu was.
The servants of the mansion saw Ye Ning Yuan approaching and met her.
"Go and report to your Marquis that a distinguished guest has arrived and ask him to come out and greet her."
Lin Ze Qu's cold voice came from the hall: "Whether a guest is distinguished depends on what they bring."
The servant glanced at Ye Ning Yuan with some hesitation.
Ye Ning Yuan raised her eyebrows, smiled, and didn't mind. She waved her hand, instructing the servant to retreat.
The servant stepped back and stood on both sides of the door.
Ye Ning Yuan stepped into the hall: "My gift is more valuable than the Marquis imagines. It's a piece of paper."
Lin Ze Qu immediately snorted coldly: "My Marquis's mansion has plenty of such things. Princess, you should take it and give it to someone else."
The servants walked over and made a gesture of 'please' to Ye Ning Yuan.
Ye Ning Yuan raised her eyebrows, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes: "This is no ordinary paper, but a letter, half of which has been burned."
Lin Ze Qu looked up in shock, staring at her in disbelief.
Ye Ning Yuan tilted her head and smiled: "Does the Marquis really want me to stand here and talk?"
Lin Ze Qu moved aside, making way, and said in a deep voice: "Please, Princess, come into the hall for a chat."
Ye Ning Yuan flicked her sleeves, put her hands behind her back, and swaggered into the inner hall with the air of someone strolling through a night market.
As she entered, Lin Ze Qu waved his hand, dismissing the servants to close the hall door. The room suddenly became dim.
Ye Ning Yuan glanced at him, her tone carrying a hint of mockery: "The Marquis is truly cautious."
Lin Ze Qu walked over: "Caution is the ship that sails for ten thousand years."
Ye Ning Yuan casually found a seat, poured herself a cup of tea, and said: "I hope it's a ship that sails for ten thousand years, but if it capsizes in a shallow ditch one day, the Marquis shouldn't cry."
"As long as no one interferes, this ship will not capsize," Lin Ze Qu narrowed his eyes dangerously.
When Feng Qing'er's matter was exposed, he had been wondering who sent people to deliver the letter. Now it seemed it was definitely Ye Ning Yuan.
She had really orchestrated a grand play all by herself!
Ye Ning Yuan picked up the teacup, blew on the floating tea leaves, and said: "Marquis Lin, you don't need to hold such deep animosity towards me. I'm here to bring you warmth today."
Lin Ze Qu glanced at her and sat opposite her: "Earlier, my concubine went to Prince Yu's mansion and encountered you, Princess, a formidable obstacle."
She had indeed helped him conceal the matter at the Feng family's old residence in a clever way. He had to admit that.
But usually, her relationship with Su Yun Mo was not bad; they almost always went in and out together.
This girl in front of him was definitely not that simple. He couldn't distinguish friend from foe.
"Mo Mo is watching closely, and I can't help myself." Ye Ning Yuan took a sip of tea and placed the teacup on the table.
She rested her elbow on the table, propping her chin with one hand: "But I don't think the Marquis needs to be angry about what happened today. Since there was no Glazed Lock among the遗物 (yi wu -遗物), I don't think the Marquis's mansion is lacking that bit of dowry money."
Lin Ze Qu's expression changed drastically: "You know about the Glazed Lock? Who exactly are you?"
Perhaps people associated with Su Yun Mo had heard the name 'Glazed Lock,' but Ye Ning Yuan's words clearly indicated that she was targeting his interest in the Glazed Lock.
She knew too much!
Ye Ning Yuan tilted her head playfully: "What is the Marquis talking about? I am the daughter of Prince Yun Yi, and a Princess specially enfeoffed by His Majesty."
Lin Ze Qu's expression became solemn: "If you continue to be evasive, then there's no need for us to talk further."
A princess who had just returned from the border could not possibly know these things, nor could she be involved in them.
Ye Ning Yuan sighed, crossed her arms, and said with some impatience: "I've heard from people outside that the Marquis is very intelligent, but it seems the rumors are mistaken."
Lin Ze Qu immediately turned cold: "What do you mean by that!"
"Isn't it? I've made this trip with great difficulty. Doesn't the Marquis want to ask me about the purpose of my visit? That treasure map, besides Mo Mo and the others, only I have seen it."
Lin Ze Qu was suddenly startled.
This girl was after the treasure map!
His eyes darkened: "If you want to make a deal, say it."
Ye Ning Yuan hooked her lips, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes: "This is the Marquis's style. So straightforward and efficient."
She tossed her hair and said with a smile: "It's very simple. I need a detailed map of the Southern Border. An exchange of maps, isn't that fair?"
Lin Ze Qu gazed at her with a deep gaze: "Are you going for the treasure?"
A daughter raised in Prince Yun Yi's mansion would not be so greedy. Perhaps she had other motives.
"Does it matter? Whatever I want, I don't think it's important to the Marquis." Ye Ning Yuan continued to smile.
Lin Ze Qu took a deep breath and had to admit she was right. Even if she wanted to compete with him for something, he wasn't afraid. He knew everything about the Southern Border, so his speed would definitely be faster than hers.
"Alright, deal."
Lin Ze Qu dismissed the servants and had them bring brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
They each drew their maps and handed them over to each other.
Ye Ning Yuan glanced at the detailed map of the Southern Border: "Since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
She turned and walked towards the exit.
Lin Ze Qu called out to her in a deep voice: "Why did you help me last time?"
He had no prior dealings with her, and his relationship with Prince Yun Yi was also ordinary.
"Hmm~" Ye Ning Yuan touched her lips and then smacked them: "Perhaps out of boredom."
She smiled and walked away.
Lin Ze Qu watched her retreating figure, his gaze gradually deepening.
After exiting the Marquis's mansion, Wu Ze, who rarely appeared proactively, showed up beside Ye Ning Yuan: "Princess, Lin Ze Qu is a man of deep schemes. The map he gave you might not be entirely accurate."
Ye Ning Yuan shrugged indifferently: "It doesn't matter. The map I gave him is fake anyway."