The palace is really haunted.
And it's not just Yan Qu Hall.
When Li Xuan finally understood what had happened, even he himself was a little dazed.
As the cat who knew the truth best, he felt that things seemed to have spiraled out of his control.
This news spread throughout the imperial harem even more rapidly, and Yan Qu Hall, originally the protagonist, was now just one of the supporting roles mentioned.
The wind howled, signaling an approaching storm.
That night, Deng Weixian sat alone in the small courtyard, his expression grave.
Li Xuan, hidden in the shadows, was no different.
Both of them now understood that the entire situation had begun to undergo a drastic change.
Like Yan Qu Hall, they too had been relegated from protagonists to supporting characters.
It was not difficult to guess that Deng Weixians Godfather was fanning the flames behind this.
It's just that none of them expected this matter to escalate so much.
The rumors of ghosts had long since spread beyond Yan Qu Hall, affecting the entire imperial harem.
What was even more worrying was that overnight, in several other important palaces, similar ghost rumors began to circulate, intensifying day by day.
At this point, not only was Deng Weixian starting to worry, but even Li Xuan was a little scared.
"Deng Weixians Godfather, when he doesn't make a move, it's nothing, but when he does, it's a grand gesture."
Li Xuan couldn't help but feel a little worried, though he wasn't concerned that these matters would implicate their Jingyang Palace.
The Cold Palace also had its advantages.
As long as Deng Weixians Godfather wanted to attract enough attention, he wouldn't choose a place like the Cold Palace.
Compared to Jingyang Palace, Li Xuan was more worried about Deng Weixian.
His Godfather's ambitions were not small, and he feared that Deng Weixian would often have to put himself in danger in the future.
Although wealth is often found in danger, Deng Weixian was, after all, Yu'er's biological younger brother, her only living blood relative.
Li Xuan naturally did not want Deng Weixian to have an accident.
Moreover, having shared hardships during this period, he had also developed some feelings for Deng Weixian.
At least since this kid appeared, Li Xuan had gained many benefits; he could be considered his lucky star.
After a moment of reflection, the two began their evening practice.
Things had reached this point; there was less and less they could do.
If that was the case, then they could only focus on the present and do their best to improve themselves.
Perhaps this seemingly insignificant strength could allow them to safely escape from this vortex.
In the following days, Deng Weixians Godfather did not appear.
Li Xuan and Deng Weixian had no choice but to continue as usual; after their evening practice, they would monitor Xiao Zhuozi.
However, the atmosphere had become increasingly tense these past few days, and Xiao Zhuozi gradually dared not move around.
This saved Li Xuan and Deng Weixian a lot of trouble, avoiding the need to tail Xiao Zhuozi every day.
However, as time passed, the ghost rumors in the palace became increasingly real.
Every day, people reported seeing ghostly figures in the palace, and everyone was on edge.
This atmosphere of impending storm made everyone feel a crushing weight, as if a mountain was pressing down on them.
the Eunuchs and palace maids were all filled with worry, but as this oppressive atmosphere continued to brew, they went from being tight-lipped at first to discussing the matter privately whenever there was an opportunity.
This matter became an open secret among everyone in the palace.
The various functions within the palace seemed to have suddenly disappeared, allowing this atmosphere to continue to ferment for several days.
On this day.
Yan Qu Hall, amidst the gloomy atmosphere, finally welcomed a new change.
A Grand Eunuch suddenly paid a visit.
He was a tall, middle-aged eunuch dressed in a magnificent silver-edged flower-patterned robe.
He was escorted by a group of tall Flower-Clothed Eunuchs, making quite a grand entrance.
Eunuch Yin had been waiting early at the palace gate, leading everyone in Yan Qu Hall to respectfully welcome this person.
"Wei Chengji of the Printing Room in Yan Qu Hall, respectfully welcomes Deputy Director Zhao."
"Eunuch Wei, you humble me too much; how could I trouble you, my elder, to welcome a junior like me?"
Deputy Director Zhao formed an orchid-finger gesture and spoke in a high-pitched, delicate voice, a hint of genuine shyness even flashing across his face.
He truly vividly portrayed a state of helplessness and vulnerability to the fullest.
Deputy Director Zhao had the physique of an ape's arms, a bee's waist, a crane's knees, and a tiger's back; even amidst the tall Flower-Clothed Eunuchs, he still stood out, his stature truly excellent, yet his words and actions were full of contrast with his build.
But this also greatly conformed to Li Xuan's stereotype of eunuchs.
Li Xuan, who was now staking out Yan Qu Hall every day, naturally took in this scene.
It must be said that the reception was indeed grand; all the Eunuchs and palace maids in Yan Qu Hall were gathered.
Even Deng Weixian and Xiao Zhuozi stood in the last row of the crowd.
However, from their position, they probably couldn't see the meeting of the big shots in front.
As for Deputy Director Zhao's polite words, Wei Chengji, as Eunuch Yin, naturally wouldn't take them seriously.
Although he was a full cycle older in age, in the palace, status was determined solely by the power one held.
To be fair, the Deputy Director Zhao in front of him was someone Wei Chengji had watched grow up.
Deputy Director Zhao, whose real name was Zhao Bugao, was currently the Deputy Director of the Internal Affairs Bureau and was the de facto second-in-command of the Internal Affairs Bureau.
As for the first-in-command, that was his Godfather.
Therefore, even though Zhao Bugao was younger than him, Wei Chengji dared not offend this fellow.
"Deputy Director Zhao, you are too polite. Why don't we go inside first for a chat, and then slowly discuss the inspection of Yan Qu Hall?"
"Good, good, I'll follow Eunuch Wei's arrangements entirely."
Zhao Bugao appeared very easygoing.
"Please."
The two walked into Yan Qu Hall together, with Wei Chengji half a step behind, following closely.
The other eunuchs and palace maids dispersed at Wei Chengji's signal, going about their own duties, leaving only a few trusted confidants by his side.
However, although the accompanying eunuchs were also tall, Wei Chengji's side clearly had less imposing presence than the Flower-Clothed Eunuchs behind Zhao Bugao.
After all, they all knew how much skill it took to wear that flower-patterned robe.
These were not beings that they, with their brute strength, could contend with.
But at this moment, they could only stand as straight as possible, making themselves appear taller, to hold their ground.
"Eunuch Wei, you must be very clear about why I came today, right?"
Zhao Bugao asked with a slight smile and a soft, gentle voice.
Wei Chengji immediately felt a chill and sighed inwardly.
He hadn't expected that before he even sat down, the other party would be unable to resist launching an inquiry.
"This subordinate is incompetent, allowing Yan Qu Hall to be plagued by rumors of evil spirits. I deserve death!"
With that, Wei Chengji immediately prostrated himself, without any regard for his dignity, making to kneel.
He seemed to completely disregard that this was Yan Qu Hall, which he managed, and that there were many servants nearby who could witness this.
Just as Wei Chengji's knees were an inch from the ground, Zhao Bugao reached out and helped him up.
"Alas, Eunuch Wei, aren't you shortening my lifespan?"
"Please get up quickly, please get up quickly."
"Bugao is here today to help Yan Qu Hall, not to accuse anyone. Eunuch Wei, please do not misunderstand."
"You and my Godfather have many years of friendship. I, well, I was sent to help you."
Zhao Bugao spoke sincerely, effortlessly helping Wei Chengji straighten his body.
However, hearing these words, Wei Chengji's heart sank, his fear growing tenfold, a hundredfold, compared to before.