Qing Hancheng surveyed the ancestors of the surrounding families and said, "I will be in seclusion for a few days. As for the Liu Family... all mbers Sixth Grade and above are to be detained and strictly interrogated. Those below Sixth Grade should be controlled for now, and we’ll discuss them after I exit seclusion."
Having said that, he looked at Li Yuan and said, "Master Li, enjoy the wedding feast.
When I co out of seclusion, there’s sothing I need to discuss with you."
Li Yuan replied respectfully, "Yes."
Qing Hancheng said no more, seemingly unwilling to stay a second longer, and swiftly turned towards the core area of the Inner City.
...
The ancestors went on to handle the affairs of the Liu Family.
The battle had only been raging for half a year, and the Divine Wood Hall had already seen one family destroyed and another betrayed.
The once "cunning and crafty" ancestors suddenly beca somber.
Having lived so long, they all understood the truth of "when the nest overturns, no egg remains intact"...
Internal strife was one thing, but with such a great enemy at hand, the remaining six ancestors would not foolishly continue the infighting.
Yet this... still needed a small catalyst.
Li Yuan returned to the banquet and quietly sat back beside his wife.
Cui Huayin had put down her chopsticks, having barely eaten anything, and the First Madam next to her, the Patriarch of the Cui Family’s wife, seed to have no interaction with her.
Cui Huayin glanced at him without asking a thing.
The two of them sat silently, watching the bride and groom not far away anxiously serve drinks to everyone.
Li Yuan quickly ate so food, his "elegant" eating manner earning a small disdainful look from Cui Huayin.
Li Yuan paid no heed to his wife.
He and Cui Huayin had been married for three years, and he had long understood her "queenly airs".
Before traveling, he’d seen a TV show where a character resembled Cui Huayin — the "Lady Hua" who always wished for everyone’s well-being.
Although she often cast disdainful glances, this over ti only added interest to their marital bed.
At this mont, Li Yuan’s brain was working rapidly, recalling the events of the night.
But he had too little information; he saw the Sect Leader catch a traitor, yet knew little else...
Social unrest affects people like natural changes affect beasts; if one cannot anticipate and prepare for changes, the consequences are endless troubles.
Li Yuan did not want to get involved in trouble.
Therefore, he needed to know more.
But deep in this Inner City, where even perception couldn’t be easily extended, how could he gather information?
...
...
A little while later.
The guests went their separate ways.
Li Yuan deliberately let a short knife slip from his sleeve under the table, then stood and left.
Cui Huayin did not notice her husband’s small act; she graciously took Li Yuan’s arm and exchanged simple greetings with those around before entering the carriage parked in the corner’s shadow.
The coachman was diligent, staying in the carriage and not even attending the wedding feast for a side al.
Once inside, Cui Huayin abruptly released her grip.
In the dark carriage, the couple sat on opposite sides.
After a while, Li Yuan went over and embraced his wife.
Cui Huayin didn’t resist, allowing him to hold her.
Thus, the carriage quietly headed towards the Triple Gate.
A little while later, as the carriage neared the gate, Li Yuan suddenly exclaid, "Ah, Xiaocui, wait."
The carriage stopped imdiately, and the driver responded, "Master Li, what is it?"
Li Yuan patted around and said, "My knife... it’s gone?"
Cui Huayin looked at him wordlessly.
Li Yuan suddenly said, "I rember now. Xiaocui, return, my knife might have been left at the banquet."
Cui Huayin blinked at Li Yuan, wanting to say sothing but eventually just saying, "You’ll sleep in another room tonight."
About half an hour later, when the carriage returned to the banquet, it was already cleaned up, as if there had never been a gathering there.
And the newlyweds, no one paid them any attention anymore.
The night wind blew through the bustling streets.
The moonlight carried an inexplicable sense of urgency and distortion, casting light with a stirring scent of intense fragrance, along with so unknown floral scents...
And the air was filled with a dense rustling noise, like countless insects flying and crawling, causing a feeling of slight restlessness and unease.
Even behind the Triple Gate, there was a division between the outer and inner areas.
The Jing Family’s location was already very close to the core.
"What is that sound?" Cui Huayin instinctively asked, furrowing her brows, and continued, "Just now, I didn’t hear this..."
Her words halted as Li Yuan raised his hand and gently covered her mouth.
Their eyes t, and Cui Huayin imdiately fell silent.
Perhaps... the Inner City now truly revealed its true form, not the previous "festive and harmonious" image of wined and dined guests.
Cui Huayin looked at her husband, sowhat surprised.
Why are you so cautious, yet careless enough to forget things?
On further thought, she realized she knew very little about her husband... because they mostly t at night, during the day he was busy with his own things, and she was imrsed in practicing martial arts.
Li Yuan hurriedly got off the carriage; not far away, the gates of the Jing Family were about to close, but the doorkeeper paused upon seeing Li Yuan, then called out, "Master Li?"
Li Yuan laughed and said, "I forgot sothing, haha."
The doorkeeper was very polite, "Master Li, please co in and sit; I will inform the lord."
Li Yuan casually asked, "What’s that sound? Buzzing..."
The doorkeeper said, "It’s nothing, it’s always like this at night here."
Li Yuan replied, "I’ve never heard of it."
The doorkeeper laughed and said, "That’s a secret of the Inner City’s core, of course, you’d never hear about it outside. It’s said that only the Hall Master and Jing Gu’s two families know."
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