Chapter 171 Faster Than a Courier

Chapter 171: Better at Delivering Than a Courier

The West Warm Pavilion wasn't very large, its delicate architecture carried a hint of the former dynasty's charm, rumored to have once been the residence of a favored imperial consort.

After the former occupant faded away, the hall had long lain idle, exuded a cold loneliness.

Zhou Yinyun peered into the main hall; it was pitch dark inside, clearly empty.

His anxiety growing, he immediately turned his gaze to the east and west side halls.

He strode directly toward the west side hall. Just as he rounded the corner of the corridor, he stopped dead in his tracks.

Before the tightly shut door of the west side hall stood several unusually burly eunuchs.

The door was clearly locked from the outside—why station such brawny men to guard it?

Could his imperial uncle be hiding some rare treasure inside?

But Zhou Yinyun didn't dwell on it for long. His top priority now was to find Cheng Ge.

Without finding Cheng Ge, Zhou Yinyun felt a hollow emptiness inside, as if a piece of him were missing.

He circled the West Warm Pavilion a few times but still saw no sign of Cheng Ge.

After a moment's thought, Zhou Yinyun stepped forward and addressed those eunuchs: "Ahem, you there!"

The eunuchs clearly hadn't expected anyone to find this secluded corner, much less the Prince of Jing's heir.

They exchanged glances, instantly signaling vigilance, and subtly shifted half a step toward the locked door.

They hastily bowed in stiff, awkward movements. "Greetings, Young Master."

"Mm." Zhou Yinyun waved a hand casually. "Have you seen Lord Cheng? Someone said he came this way toward the West Warm Pavilion."

The leading eunuch bowed even lower, his voice respectful but tinged with feigned ignorance.

"Reporting to Young Master, we servants have been on duty here the whole time and haven't seen Lord Cheng come this way."

"Haven't seen him?" Zhou Yinyun's brow furrowed, deepening his suspicion.

The young eunuch and the sweeping maid had been so insistent... His gaze instinctively drifted past their shoulders to the tightly shut door.

In the dim light, his sharp eyes caught something unusual. In the gap under the door and along the window frames sat several gilded incense burners.

A strong feeling of dread seized Zhou Yinyun. Why light so many incense burners outside an uninhabited side hall?

This was far from ordinary! His thoughts raced, and he instinctively took another step forward to get a better look.

Those eunuchs, like startled hedgehogs, immediately shifted again, blocking the door completely.

The head eunuch hurriedly said, "Young Master, this servant just remembered! About fifteen minutes ago, a figure indeed hurried past on the east corridor. Judging by the build and clothes, it might have been Lord Cheng? Perhaps you could search the east side?"

Zhou Yinyun's steps halted abruptly, his eyes lingering on the closed door behind them, hesitation flickering across his face.

Yet just as he was about to turn away, from within the locked door came a suppressed but clear curse.

The voice carried indescribable pain and hoarseness, as if struggling to endure something.

"...Goddammit... Clear mind like water... Still water, clear mind... Goddammit..."

It was Cheng Ge's voice!!!

Zhou Yinyun's body stiffened, the air grew heavy.

After a few seconds, Zhou Yinyun stepped back a few paces, his expression deliberately calm.

"Oh? To the east? Thanks for the tip!" He slowly turned around.

He had barely gone ten steps when the eunuchs' feigned deference shattered.

The head eunuch's eyes flashed viciously, and he barked, "Seize him! Don't let him escape!"

Zhou Yinyun's hair stood on end. He dared not linger, but bolted, running for his life back the way he came!

Help!

Inside the side hall.

Cheng Ge pressed his forehead into the cold floor tiles, his body trembling from both the drug and his own resistance.

---

He mumbled the Clear Mind Mantra incoherently, trying to use his fading reason to suppress the burning desire consuming him.

But the mantra was constantly interrupted by unbearable groans and crude curses.

"...No breeze stirs... No waves arise... Goddammit... Alone in the bamboo grove... Long whistle, plucking zither... Ugh... Goddammit..."

His voice was as hoarse as sandpaper, every curse laced with despair on the verge of collapse.

Just then, that damned door was flung open once more, violently and without warning!