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When Tang Jinghong heard Chu Qingzhi’s answer, he immediately rolled up his sleeves and raised his arm to let the golden-feathered phoenix return to his arm. The gentle smile on his face instantly disappeared and he became expressionless. Then, he walked towards the door of the study.

Why was the princess in his residence in the middle of the night?

Tang Jinghong opened the door to the study, and Princess Changle happened to raise her hand, ready to knock. She lifted a gentle smile and said, “Jinghong…”

Before she could finish speaking, Tang Jinghong raised his hand and knocked her out. He called the secret guard over. “Send her back to Changle Palace.”

The secret guard took the princess and immediately sent her away.

Tang Jinghong turned around and returned to the study. He wrote a secret letter to the emperor. The next day, Princess Changle was grounded in Changle Palace.

Tang Jinghong released the golden-feathered phoenix again and told Chu Qingzhi everything about Princess Changle. He did not dare to hide a word.

He knew very well that with Chu Qingzhi’s personality, once he lost her trust, they would never have a future.

He found living without Qingzhi unbearable.

After Chu Qingzhi heard the explanation, her mood eased. “Why does the princess like you so much?”

Tang Jinghong fell into recollection, “More than five years ago, 1 was ordered by the Crown Prince, who is now the current Emperor, to set up an ambush in the shadows to stop a palace coup. When a prince rebelled and led troops into the palace, I happened to save the princess’s life during the skirmish…”

It was normal for a girl to fall in love with a hero. Moreover, Jinghong was so outstanding.

However, love couldn’t be forced. Even though she knew that Jinghong already had a fiancee, she was unwilling to let go. That’s where the problem lies.

Chu Qingzhi wanted to ask Tang Jinghong if he had feelings for the princess, but she swallowed her words. If he had, the two of them would have gotten married long ago.

“Jinghong, what do you plan to do with the princess?”

Tang Jinghong had thought about this question many times, but his head hurt as he thought about it. In the end, he gave up. “To be honest, 1 don’t know. Qingzhi, how do you think 1 should deal with it?”

Chu Qingzhi thought for a moment and said helplessly, “I don’t have any good ideas either.”

After a short silence…

Chu Qingzhi brought the topic to the case. This was the most important thing now. “Jinghong, have you found any leads about “Yun” during the investigation?”

Tang Jinghong replied, “My team is putting in maximum effort to investigate, but we haven’t found any leads yet. Also, the Minister of War is not cooperating, and we’re currently at an impasse.”

Chu Qingzhi remained silent. In her mind, a plan was taking shape. After refining it further, she would discuss it with Jinghong.

Tang Jinghong continued, “Qingzhi, I found out that the person who bought the official position also had a rice grain tattoo.”

Chu Qingzhi asked, “Is that person from the eastern border?”

Tang Jinghong responded, “Yes, he passed the imperial examination in the eastern border five years ago, but before that, he had been in a very inconspicuous position and was someone nobody cared about.”

Chu Qingzhi said, “This person has a rice grain tattoo on him, so he must be from one of the factions in the eastern border. What he is doing in the capital is definitely instructed by his faction in the eastern border.”

She paused and said, “Jinghong, think about it. Which official position did he buy? What rights does that official position have?”

“Also, the Minister of War definitely doesn’t lack money. Why would he sell official positions?”

“In addition, I think that since the person who bought the official position is an imperial scholar, isn’t it good for the Minister of War to just recruit him? Why did he have to take a risk to sell an official position?”

“By the way, who told you that they are involved in the buying and selling of official positions? I think you might have been misled.”

When Tang Jinghong heard this, he felt enlightened. “Qingzhi, sometimes a few words are worth more than years of study. 1 have clues now.”

Chu Qingzhi said, “As long as I can help you, 1’11 be happy.”

A subtle smile curled on the corner of Tang Jinghong’s lips. “Qingzhi, you are my lucky star.”

Chu Qingzhi accepted the praise calmly. “By the way, Jinghong, I have a plan to tell you. 1 need your cooperation.”

Tang Jinghong said solemnly, “Go ahead.”

Chu Qingzhi said seriously, “1 plan to pretend to be Tao Pengnan and go to the black market to deliver the goods. I’ll take the opportunity to catch ‘Yun’.”

Tang Jinghong hesitated. After a while, he pursed his lips and asked, “Qingzhi, are you confident that you can escape unscathed?”

Chu Qingzhi said with certainty, “Yes.”

Tang Jinghong considered for a moment, then replied, “I’ll cooperate with you. Once you’ve made the arrangements on your end, let me know.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “Okay.”

In the morning, the birds chirped incessantly, awakening the land that had been asleep all night. The sun, tinged with a rosy hue, ascended from the horizon, revealing a smiling face.

“Master…”

“Master…”

Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang ran into Chu Qingzhi’s house one after another.

The family members had all gone to work in the fields, and since Chu Qingzhi didn’t join them, she stayed at home to help with preparing breakfast. Upon hearing the voice, she raised her voice and said, “I’m in the kitchen.”

The two young men immediately ran towards the kitchen. “Master, we’ve detoxified the snake venom.”

Chu Qingzhi curled her lips, generously praising, “Well done! 1 thought it would take you several more days to figure it out.”

Growing up, both of them had been used to receiving praises, but never had any praise felt as joyful as it did now.

Zhan Hongjun, with a hint of shyness, said, “It’s all thanks to the excellent guidance from Master.”

Bao Linjiang also felt a bit embarrassed. They only figured it out by luck. He chuckled and displayed the detoxification formula for Chu Qingzhi. “Master, take a look. This is the detoxification formula.”

The detoxification formula detailed the herbs used, specified which parts of the herbs were employed, outlined the various steps in the pharmaceutical process, and indicated the duration for each herb to be boiled before adding the next one. It was a highly intricate process.

Chu Qingzhi quickly scanned the formula. “There’s an even simpler method,” she remarked.

Zhan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang immediately displayed a curious expression, “Please, Master, enlighten us.”

Chu Qingzhi spoke gently, “Remove the fourth, fifth, seventh, and ninth herbs. Swap the positions of the first and third herbs, then add the sixth herb. Keep everything else the same.”

Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang looked at the formula and fell into deep thought…

Chu Qingzhi looked at the two of them. “Study it when you have time. Right now, there’s something else I need you both to do.”

Zhan Hongjun solemnly replied, “Master, please tell us, we will get it done.”

Chu Qingzhi said, “After breakfast, go collect ten types of herbs: mulberry leaves, turnip, purple hibiscus,…, and bamboo fungus. Gather 50 kilos of each.”

These herbs can be used to fake poppies. Since the decision has been made to expose the mastermind behind the scenes, she had to be fully prepared.

Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang nodded. “Master, we understand. We’ll definitely get it done by the afternoon.”

Chu Qingzhi instructed, “When you go to collect the herbs later, bring Qingning with you. Oh, and remember, we’ll be having lunch at my auntie’s place today. It’s Songnian’s birthday celebration, so don’t miss it.”

The two of them replied, “Got it.”

Chu Qingzhi pointed at the cupboard and said, “Go get the bowls and chopsticks. It’s time for breakfast.”

The two of them nodded vigorously. “Got it..”