On the way back, the two almost collided with the patrolling officers and soldiers of the night. Fortunately, they reacted quickly and ducked into a small alley, hiding behind a cart belonging to a small vendor, avoiding being seen.

Once they returned to Yunyin Pavilion, Lu Qing immediately instructed Fu Lu to heat some water, allowing Zhu Yu to bathe and change first.

With the nasal plugs Lu Qing had procured earlier, Zhu Yu wasn’t troubled while inside that cramped little room. Not until they left that courtyard and she removed the nasal plugs did she realize her entire body had been permeated with the rotten stench of corpses.

In this stealthy investigation, they couldn’t immediately burn baizhi or cangshu to rid the foul smell, so she had to endure the unpleasant stench all the way back.

Fortunately, they had previously purchased a lot of medicinal herbs and plants. Zhu Yu picked out some, soaking them in the bath, and soon, a faint herbal fragrance rose with the steam in the clean water.

Zhu Yu blissfully immersed herself in the bath, comfortably washing herself. Afterward, she changed into dry, fresh clothes before calling in Lu Qing, allowing him to bathe behind the screen.

As Zhu Yu heard the sound of someone stepping into the tub, she spoke to Lu Qing, "While you bathe, I’ll wait outside for you..."

Her words weren’t even finished when she heard a splash over from the screen as Lu Qing stood up in the tub.

The screen used to block the bathtub was relatively short. Standing beside it, Zhu Yu could just about shield her view from below the shoulders. Now, with Lu Qing the one standing, everything from the chest upwards was fully exposed.

Though, thanks to Zhu Yu’s meticulous care and diligent change of dressings, there were hardly any fresh scars left from the thrashing ordered by Emperor Jin. She was helpless against the old scars.

At this moment, on Lu Qing’s sturdy and broad chest, clear water slowly streamed down the tan skin, encountering the slight elevations of old scars, spreading horizontally like it was saturating the area. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

This scene, under the veil of steam, mysteriously gained a kind of indescribable atmosphere. Zhu Yu hadn’t even snapped back to reality when she swallowed, her throat trembling slightly.

"My lady, it’s late outside, the night wind is chilly, and you’ve just bathed; you shouldn’t go out," Lu Qing noticed Zhu Yu’s gaze fixed on him and smiled, his satisfaction seemingly too lazy to hide.

"Weren’t you just waiting outside?" Zhu Yu asked.

"I’m not the same as you," Lu Qing shook his head earnestly, "I lack restraint."

Zhu Yu had anticipated many possible answers from him, but she hadn’t expected this one. Nearly choking on her own saliva, her face turned red as she shot him a fierce glare.

Since the two had confessed their feelings, Lu Qing had solemnly explained to Zhu Yu that because he cared for her and yearned for a home truly belonging to them, he wouldn’t cross the line before the situation was settled. Otherwise, causing an "accident" could be risking Zhu Yu’s safety for nothing.

Throughout these many nights, Zhu Yu, being an astute adult woman, could clearly sense Lu Qing’s fervent longing. She naturally understood how much effort he put into restraint for the greater good.

So, for a long time now, she hadn’t been unkindly teasing him anymore.

Yet, this guy was now teasing her instead.

She had intended to "pay him back in kind," but an image of Gu Lingyun’s face, covered in bruises, flashed through her mind, instantly washing away any teasing thoughts she had.

Zhu Yu sat down by the small table not far from the screen. After Lu Qing resumed his bath in the tub, she couldn’t help but sigh, "The mastermind we are facing is truly ruthless.

Judging by the information we have, over these years, the Headdress and Shoes Workshop has achieved great feats openly and covertly.

Whether it’s Chang’e Drunk or other things, being able to infiltrate the palace and being coveted by the capital’s officialdom and noblewomen, Gu Lingyun certainly played a significant role.

From the silent layout in the beginning to directly pushing the entire family of Duke Yan into the limelight with a ’stroke of genius,’ Gu Lingyun indeed contributed greatly.

I thought that someone who played such a big role should at least be hidden away, eventually letting her live a life of leisure and wealth under another name elsewhere.

Unexpectedly... it’s not the case of ’killing the hound when the rabbit dies,’ but rather ’cooking the hound before the rabbit is dead!’"

"Someone wanting to leave a back path for themselves would never burn their bridges. However, if they’re at a point where there’s no turning back, and they can’t return, destroying the bridge just after crossing it wouldn’t affect their path forward,"

Lu Qing’s voice came from the other side of the screen, seemingly calm, showing no surprise at Gu Lingyun’s miserable death.

"So, were Gu Lingyun’s shattered bones her final act of being ’used to the fullest’ as a pawn?"

Zhu Yu rubbed her brow. Although she detested Gu Lingyun and those behind them for using all sorts of strange things to concoct poisonous fragrances, and pulling numerous innocent civilians into untold harm, those who played vicious tricks and followed ruthless masters should expect such outcomes—there’s no room for sympathy.

Yet, having felt a corpse, outwardly intact but internally shattered, that eerie and cruel sensation makes one feel uneasy inside.

"Regarding the phoenix robe incident, Duke Yan claimed he was framed. If what he said is true, then the one who most wishes for Gu Lingyun and the others at the Headdress and Shoes Workshop to be alive would be Zhao Bi.

After all, if they could find her, the palace experts could uncover the truth, thoroughly clearing Zhao Bi of any rebellion intent.

If Gu Lingyun were alive, hiding her wouldn’t be safe. Getting discovered would ruin everything.

Even if she were a well-trained warrior prepared to testify that Zhao Bi was the mastermind, though viable, it can’t ensure she won’t defect or slip in unexpected situations.

By contrast, it’s clear: a dead person’s stance will never change.

Moreover, a death linked to Zhao Bi doesn’t just remain unchanged; it further solidifies his guilt.