Universe Infinite Canteen

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"Interesting, the Beggar's Gang Member who stole the Lotus Bowl said he was forced by Merry Woods, the Eight-Bag Elder of the Beggars' Sect died under the signature deadly technique of the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dragon Sect, and the Deputy of the Heavenly Dragon Sect was killed by an expert wielding a staff."

Ma Lu stroked his chin, "Is it my illusion, or do I always feel like someone is intentionally intensifying the conflict between the Beggars' Sect and the Heavenly Dragon Sect?"

"Eh, you think so too? I've had this vague feeling while investigating the whereabouts of the Lotus Bowl these past days."

Gu Qingyi was overjoyed to find her thoughts coincided with Ma Lu's, but she immediately sighed again, "It's a pity... I can't find any evidence."

During the conversation, she had already turned the room upside down, yet nothing suspicious was found.

Afterward, Gu Qingyi wanted to chat with Madame Xu, but she was politely turned down.

Madame Xu had just lost her husband and was still in sorrow. Gu Qingyi did not press her and asked Manager Zhou to gather all the maids and servants of the mansion, questioning each one in turn.

As a result, she actually did tease out some information this time.

"You're saying the Deputy of the Heavenly Dragon Sect was sick?" Gu Qingyi looked at a maid working in the back kitchen.

The latter did not answer immediately but looked at Manager Zhou first, who nodded.

"The master is no longer here, there's no need to keep it a secret anymore."

After speaking, he bowed to Gu Qingyi and Ma Lu, "The master did indeed have a secret illness. About more than ten years ago, he was injured by a very powerful enemy, who left a strand of Yin-Shade True Qi in his body.

"Although this strand of True Qi was suppressed by the master's refined Inner Strength at the time, it was never fully resolved. Over the years, the master tried many methods and sought numerous divine doctors, but none could do much about this Yin-Shade True Qi.

"When the plum rain season came, the Yin-Shade True Qi would act up, causing the master unbearable pain, and during severe episodes, he would even struggle to speak.

"Fortunately, later on, Divine Doctor Qu arrived in Qingzhou and prescribed a medicine for the master. As long as the master took it regularly, it would greatly alleviate the suffering during the outbreak."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyi slapped her thigh, "That explains it!

"At first, I thought someone had poisoned the Deputy of the Heavenly Dragon Sect, but no signs of poisoning were found when I tested the corpse with a Silver Needle.

"Now it seems that whoever wanted to harm the Deputy didn't need to use poison at all. Simply by tampering with the medicine that the Deputy was supposed to take, making that concoction ineffective, would achieve the same result."

After speaking, she then asked the maid, "It just happens to be the plum rain season, did the Deputy take his medicine last night?"@@novelbin@@

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The maid nodded.

"Who prepared the herbal medicine, you?"

The maid seemed frightened by Gu Qingyi's aggressive gaze and took a half step back before responding, "The medicine has always been personally prepared by Madame for the master."

"Oh, it was prepared by Madame Xu?" Gu Qingyi turned her head towards Steward Zhou, "I want to talk to Madame Xu."

Steward Zhou's face showed a hint of displeasure, "Haven't I told you already? Madame is overwhelmed with grief and it is inconvenient to meet guests at the moment. And are you suspecting Madame?

"Madame and the master have always been very loving; it is absolutely impossible for her to harm the master."

Steward Zhou spoke decisively, while Ma Lu noticed that a maid seemed hesitant to speak. Therefore, while Gu Qingyi and Steward Zhou were arguing, he pulled the maid aside and said softly.

"What is your name."

"Cai… Cai Die."

"Cai Die, do you have something else on your mind? It's alright, speak boldly. If anyone blames you, just mention my name.

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"I am the only heir of Xu Deputy Sect Leader, and even in the presence of Madame Xu, I have a say,"

Hearing him say this, Cai Die felt a bit more at ease and whispered softly, "Then come a bit closer, I'll only tell you."

Upon hearing this, Ma Lu took two more steps towards her and leaned in close to her mouth, catching a whiff of the faint fragrance of orchids.

"Normally, nobody else is allowed in the kitchen when the lady is brewing herbal medicine, but last night, she stepped away for a short while, and that's when the young master sneaked in. I was picking vegetables by the back door and saw everything,"

After finishing, Cai Die blushed and glanced at Ma Lu again, "Young Master Ma, I don't know if this information is of any use to you."

"Thank you. The clue you provided has been a great help,"

Ma Lu smiled at Cai Die, then pulled Gu Qingyi aside to share the news, and Gu Qingyi's spirits lifted.

"This makes Young Master Xu a major suspect."

"Exactly. I remember Fragrance Master Tan also mentioned that Young Master Xu has been infatuated with a courtesan named Xiao Hong recently, spending seven or eight thousand silver on her. If someone could control Xiao Hong, it would be tantamount to indirectly controlling Young Master Xu."

"We could wait for Fragrance Master Tan, couldn't we? Didn't he go to find someone?"

However, Ma Lu and Gu Qingyi were not able to wait for Tan Mazi's return. Instead, as dusk fell, another beggar appeared at the door.

The men arranged by the Heavenly Dragon Sect to protect Xu Mansion in secret immediately surrounded the beggar.

Yet the beggar was not afraid at all and even requested to see Madame Xu, claiming he had something to deliver to her.

Eventually, Madame Xu, accompanied by Manager Zhou and several of the Heavenly Dragon Sect's capable men, came to the front door.

This was Ma Lu's first time seeing Madame Xu; she was a full twenty years younger than Xu Deputy, barely in her forties—perhaps her youthful appearance was due to meticulous self-care.

Aside from the corners of her eyes, there were hardly any wrinkles on her face, clearly she had also been a beauty.

However, at the moment, she looked quite haggard, possibly from having cried too much. Her eyes were slightly swollen and her complexion lacked color; she walked with a shaky step.

The beggar handed over a purse, and upon seeing it, Madame Xu's pupils contracted sharply.

And when she opened the purse and saw the Green Jade Pendant inside, she staggered even more.

"What, what have you done to Erlang?"

The beggar wiped his nose, "Madame Xu, rest assured, your young master is unharmed, not a single finger is missing.

"However, a short guy covered in pockmarks brought a big group of thugs and suddenly stormed our Yicui Tower, attacking everyone they saw and terrifying the girls inside. Madame Xu, how do you suggest we handle this situation?"

"As long as you don't harm Erlang, I can pay you whatever amount of money you want," said Madame Xu, her voice trembling.

"Good, Madame Xu is indeed straightforward. We won't ask for much, just a thousand silver pieces will suffice, but it must be you who delivers it in person," said the beggar.

"Alternatively, Madame Xu could also try seeking help from the Heavenly Dragon Sect, although we are just a bunch of beggars, we never shy away from trouble."

As he spoke, he looked provocatively around at those gathered, his gaze defiant.

One of the Heavenly Dragon Sect's men, infuriated by his arrogant attitude, was about to make a move, but was stopped by Madame Xu, who said, "Alright, I will go with you."