Fifty ters from the bamboo house, Nangong Jue stopped in his tracks and glanced casually at his ten subordinates, "Do not act rashly, and do not startle her."
"Yes!"
The ten n took the order and dashed toward the bamboo house like flying eagles.
Nangong Jue stared at the bamboo house for a mont, then shifted his gaze to survey the surrounding scenery.
His eyes swept over a makeshift stove, the tables and chairs placed under a tree, and finally rested on a swing woven from vines and wildflowers.
Nangong Jue curled his lips nonchalantly, it seed she was living quite well in this place?
The subordinates who went in quickly ca out to report, "Master, there is no one inside."
"We have checked every corner thoroughly. There are no traps or secret rooms found inside the house. Nor are there any signs of struggle or damage. It appears she left on her own."
Nangong Jue looked at the people kneeling in front of him, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he pressed his lips in silence.
His face betrayed no emotions, yet those under his gaze couldn’t help but tense up, lowering their heads and not daring to breathe, a thin layer of sweat slowly seeping down their backs.
After a long ti, two cold, heavy words floated down from above:
"Find her."
The Hidden Guards, as if granted amnesty, breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes!"
The ten n dispersed in ten directions, searching throughout the valley.
Nangong Jue stood for a while, then turned and walked in one direction.
He arrived at the riverside.
Walking along the riverbank for a while, seemingly attracted by a cluster of blooming flowers in the distance, he turned and walked over.
A gentle floral fragrance wafted by on the breeze, occasionally interspersed with bird songs echoing through the valley, ethereal and clear.
Suddenly his foot hit sothing, and Nangong Jue looked down— it was a transparent glass bottle.
Beside the bottle lay a brocade pouch quietly.
The pale purple cloud brocade had a blue butterfly embroidered on it, clearly belonging to a woman.
Nangong Jue hesitated for a mont, then bent down to pick up the brocade pouch.
A faint fragrance lingered at his nose as Nangong Jue squinted slightly, opening the brocade pouch.
Inside, instead of a Unity Knot or so herbal petals as expected, there were silver needles of varying lengths.
He estimated, there were no less than a hundred.
He picked one up with his fingers and examined it, the silver needle was polished extrely finely, certainly not for embroidery purposes.
"It can be used to save lives with acupuncture, or as a hidden weapon to kill stealthily."
Seems to belong to a dically trained martial artist, and a woman at that.
Lin Wanyue’s image flashed in Nangong Jue’s mind.
This caused him to frown slightly, instinctively dismissing the notion.
Lin Wanyue had always lived under his watch; her preferences, her thoughts, her story, her everything, he knew inside out.
She could not possibly know martial arts.
As for dical skills, perhaps knowing a bit about health care from being chronically ill, but to perform acupuncture or treat illnesses, absolutely impossible.
Then these silver needles...
As Nangong Jue gazed at the silver needles pondering deeply, the Hidden Guards returned, having searched all over the valley.
Everyone reported similar findings: having searched the valley, no trace of anyone was found.
Nangong Jue gripped the brocade pouch tightly, his gaze directed at the endless azure mountains in the distance, he spoke in a deep voice, "Find out who took her away."
"Yes!"
"Also, investigate what Lin Wanyue has been doing and who she has t since she married into the Royal Mansion."
The Hidden Guards hesitated briefly, then quickly lowered their heads, "Yes, we will investigate imdiately!"
"And..."
The Hidden Guards who were just about to get up paused, kneeling back in place, awaiting orders.
Nangong Jue’s fingers gently caressed the brocade pouch, his eyes deep, flickering between darkness and light.
"Check her daily diet, preferences, words, and conduct. Every detail, I need to know."
Although the Hidden Guards harbored doubts, they dared not show a hint or hesitate a mont, swiftly heeding the command.
Nangong Jue put away the brocade pouch, strolling through the sea of flowers, his posture like jade, expression indifferent, rendering his thoughts inscrutable.
The remaining three Hidden Guards followed behind Nangong Jue, safeguarding him, their minds puzzled yet silent.
...
Lin Mansion.
When Mrs. Qin went to see Lin Yanran, she was clutching a handkerchief, pacing back and forth in the room, clearly uneasy, unable to sit still.
"Yan’er, what’s the matter? Still worrying about that jinx?"
Lin Yanran cast a glance at Mrs. Qin but did not stop pacing, her expression impatient, an obvious question written all over: Isn’t it obvious?
Mrs. Qin, however, did not mind, she went over to guide her to sit on the Imperial Concubine Chair, and had a maid pour so tea.
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