The Immortal One
Zhao Second Miss spoke dully, “Your daughter wouldn’t dare.”
“Where has your sister gone?” Zhao Qiuming asked again.
She didn’t even lift her eyelids—just shook her head silently.
Suddenly, Zhao Qiuming felt exhausted. This chessboard of politics—he was cornered. Every move was dead. No way forward.
Second Miss Zhao knew her father was injured—badly, even—but she felt neither sorrow nor satisfaction. Nothing. She and Zhao Yingqin were illegitimate daughters, always overshadowed by their dazzling legitimate sister. They were invisible in the Zhao household. Now their father had even brought in two outsiders to take their place. His promises of “future arrangements” were nothing but lies, and she believed none of them.
“You really don’t know where she went?” Zhao Qiuming tried once more.
“I haven’t seen her,” she replied, “You ordered me to stay confined. I didn’t dare disobey.”
“You’re harming her!” Zhao Qiuming roared.
She said nothing. You think staying obedient in this house, being auctioned off to the highest bidder, will get us a good future? Don’t insult girls raised in noble houses. Just because they don’t speak out doesn’t mean they don’t see everything.
“Go back,” Zhao Qiuming finally muttered. He didn’t even have the strength to wave her off anymore.
Second Miss Zhao turned and left. Not a word more.
“Why raise daughters at all?” Zhao Qiuming whispered bitterly. Even my eldest in the palace—if she continues to fall from favor, she too will become nothing but a burden. What use are daughters?
At Huixin Money House, fire and smoke filled the sky. Standing in the courtyard, Money Master Qian had just heard the full report. His face… had turned the exact shade of the smoke.
Zhao Qiuming?
He cursed silently. He had lavished Zhao Qiuming with gifts for years. And now this? Robbery and arson in return? Over the years, Qian Tai Duo had given that man more than 100,000 taels in silver and gold. Not enough for him?
Behind him, the chief manager—face still swollen from getting punched—winced as he touched his injury.
“If it hurts that bad, go see a doctor,” Qian Tai Duo snapped. “What’re you standing here for?”
The manager shook his head. If the bank collapses, where would I go for food? “Consort Zhao’s fallen from favor lately,” he said carefully. “And the Prime Minister’s position in court has weakened.”
“So what are you trying to say?”
“The Sixth Prince has gone to Zhuri,” the manager continued, lowering his voice. “The Seventh Prince is still in the cradle… Master, do you think Consort Hua and the Crown Prince might be thorns in their side?”
Qian Tai Duo sucked in a sharp breath. Then his expression darkened.
Zhao Qiuming—you really expect me to only do business with your faction? I’m a businessman, not your lackey!
“He’s trying to force you to cut ties with the Hua family,” the manager said.
“Impossible!” Qian Tai Duo exploded. “That old dog is already drowning! And he still wants to drag me under with him?!”
“This doesn’t really feel like the Prime Minister’s style though,” the manager added. “But… who else could dare break into the Zhao estate so openly?”
“Exactly!” Qian Tai Duo’s fleshy face twisted further. “He’s doing it so openly—he’s not even trying to hide the fact he’s the mastermind. He’s spitting in my face!”
“So… what now, Master?” the manager asked cautiously.
Qian Tai Duo wanted nothing more than to strangle Zhao Qiuming with his bare hands.
“He’s still the Prime Minister…” the manager reminded. “We’re just civilians. In this country, you don’t fight officials. We can’t win.”
Qian Tai Duo paced furiously for a few rounds, then stopped. “Prepare the sedan!”
“You’re going to report this to the authorities yourself?”
Qian Tai Duo sneered. “He murdered monks from Yongsheng Temple. I’m going to the Huguo Temple. Let’s see if he dares face them!”
He couldn’t fight Zhao Qiuming with money or politics—but he could let the monks fight for him. He refused to believe even the mighty Zhao family wasn’t afraid of the temple.
“What about the young miss?” the manager asked.
“If anything happens to my daughter,” Qian Tai Duo gritted out, “I’ll drag Zhao Qiuming down with me!”
And so, even with his bank still burning, he set off with his entourage straight to Huguo Temple.
As for the guard who had followed the Gu family to their residence—after getting casually flung aside by Yu Xiaoxiao, then watching his companions get thoroughly beaten—he remembered her offhanded “kill him” comment and noped out of town entirely. He didn’t even bother collecting his things from the bank. That night, he fled to the city gates, waiting for dawn. Once the gates opened, he’d be on the next cart out of the capital. Farming was poor, sure, but at least you didn’t die.
Meanwhile, in the Gu estate, Yu Xiaoxiao and Gu Xinglang finally fell asleep in each other’s arms, exhausted after two days of non-stop chaos. Their breathing was even and deep.
At the same time, within the inner sanctum of Huguo Temple, Master Mo Wen sat alone in his prayer hall.
One jade vial was missing.
And that particular vial had contained the antidote for the poison afflicting Wuhuan.
No outsider had entered the temple that day, and Mo Wen trusted his monks. Which left only one possibility.
He looked at the Buddha statue atop the altar and muttered, “Hua Nu.”
The thief had to know exactly what poison Wuhuan had, had to break into his quarters, and had to identify the right vial among dozens that looked identical. More importantly—they wanted to save Wuhuan.
Only Hua Nu fit that description.
He thought of her again—always naked, shameless in her disregard for modesty. Suddenly, Master Mo Wen slammed his palm down and shattered the tea table beside him.
Could it be… that she had already succeeded? Had she cultivated an immortal body with full mental awareness?
The monks nearby heard the crash—but not one dared speak or question.
Mo Wen shook his head. That woman… even if she still lives, she only seeks death. Given a true escape, how could she not take it?
Little Pink Starfish 
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