0p0 Chapter 255: Shadow Appears and Dangers Surround
Chapter 255: Shadow Appears and Dangers Surround
Zhen Huan's expression was solemn. As she hurried back to the palace, she said to An Lingrong and Concubine Hua, "The Shadow Cult's attack was definitely not accidental. It must have been orchestrated by Prince Shen and someone within the court."
An Lingrong panted slightly, "Huan'er, they're so impatient. Our recent investigations must have made them panic."
Concubine Hua gnashed her teeth and said, "Humph! Who cares about the Shadow Cult? They dare to act arrogantly in front of me. I will make them pay the price!"
Back in the palace, Zhen Huan summoned Cui Jinxi: "Go and quickly investigate the details of the Shadow Cult, find out where they usually hide, and what forces they are colluding with."
Cui Jinxi took the order and left. Concubine Hua paced back and forth in the palace: "This palace is becoming increasingly unsettled. First, there was the rebellion of Prince Shen, and now the Shadow Cult has emerged."
An Lingrong said softly, "Sister, let's not panic for now. I have a feeling this Shadow Cult might be connected to the spice incident."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Lingrong is right. If the hallucinogenic spices are used by the Shadow Cult and used recklessly in the palace, the consequences will be disastrous."
Concubine Hua stopped and said, "Then we must first find the source of their spices and cut off their roots."
Not long after, Cui Jinxi returned with a report: "Your Majesty, according to my investigation, the Shadow Cult usually gathers in an abandoned old house on the outskirts of the capital. However, the place is heavily guarded and difficult to approach."
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment. "We can't rush in. We need to come up with a comprehensive plan. Lingrong, you're familiar with spices. Do you have any way to counter their hallucinogenic spices?"
An Lingrong pondered, "Huan'er, I can concoct a scented sachet that can resist some of the hallucinogenic effects when worn, but the spices required are precious and take a long time to make."
Hua Fei said: "No matter what, you should make it as soon as possible. I can't wait too long and must take the initiative."
Zhen Huan added, "Sister, we still need to unite with some trustworthy people to fight against the Shadow Cult. Sister Duanfei has always been thoughtful and meticulous, so we can discuss this with her."
Concubine Hua frowned: "Concubine Duan? She is so weak, what use can she be?"
Zhen Huan explained, "Sister, please don't underestimate Concubine Duan. Although she is frail, she is extremely intelligent and has been in the palace for many years. She holds considerable prestige. If we can gain her help, we will have a better chance of success."
So, Zhen Huan took An Lingrong and Concubine Hua to Concubine Duan's palace.
Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Sister Duan Fei, I came here today to discuss an important matter."
Concubine Duan raised her eyes slightly and asked, "Is it because of the recent chaos in the palace?"
Zhen Huan nodded. "Sister, you are wise. Prince Shen has colluded with important officials in the court to form a confederacy with the Shadow Cult, and their intentions are ill-conceived. We would like to ask you to help us deal with this."
Concubine Duan coughed lightly a few times and said, "My body shouldn't be involved in these disputes. But now that the peace of the harem is at stake, I must do my part. But, do you have any plans to deal with it?"
An Lingrong said, "I'm making a sachet to protect against hallucinogenic spices, but it will take some time."
Concubine Duan said, "That's very good. But before the sachet is made, we must first try to contain the Shadow Cult and prevent them from acting recklessly."
Hua Fei asked, "What ideas do you have, sister?"
Concubine Duan thought for a moment and said, "We can spread the news in the palace first, saying that we have found a way to break the Shadow Cult's spices. This will make them suspicious and afraid to use the spices easily."
Zhen Huan's eyes lit up. "This is a brilliant plan. But how can we spread this news so that the Shadow Cult will believe it?"
Concubine Duan looked at Zhen Huan and said, "Huan Huan, you are very thoughtful. You can arrange for a few clever palace maids and eunuchs to discuss this matter in a mysterious manner in places where the Shadow Cult's spies often appear. Make sure they hear it."
Zhen Huan replied, "Don't worry, sister. I'll make the arrangements right away."
A few days later, An Lingrong's sachet was partially completed. Zhen Huan selected a few trusted palace maids, placed the sachets on them, and instructed them, "Go to the abandoned old house on the outskirts of the capital and pretend to accidentally reveal the story of the sachet. If you encounter danger, do not fight and return to the palace immediately."
The maids took the order and left. Concubine Hua waited anxiously in the palace: "I don't know if this method will work. I am really waiting impatiently."
Concubine Duan consoled her, "Don't worry, sister. Zhen Huan has always been prudent in her work. Let's just wait for good news."
However, the maids who had gone to spread the news had not returned yet. Zhen Huan felt uneasy: "Could something have happened?"
Just as she was worrying, Xiao Yunzi came running to report, "Your Majesty, the palace maids who went there were attacked by the Shadow Cult. Several of them were injured and thrown at the palace gate, but the sachet was not taken away by them."
Zhen Huan hurried over to check and helped the injured maid to her feet. "How are you? Did you see any unusual movements from the Shadow Cult?"
The maid said weakly, "My Lady, the Shadow Cult doesn't seem to believe in the sachet. They also said...they said there are even more powerful methods waiting for you, my Lady."
Concubine Hua angrily said, "How bold they are! I will take people to wipe them out right now!"
Zhen Huan tried to stop her, "Sister, don't be reckless. This must be their way of provoking us. If we go now, we'll fall right into their trap."
Concubine Duan also said, "Sister Hua Fei, calm down first. We need to reconsider our countermeasures. It seems that the Shadow Cult is more cunning than we expected."
An Lingrong looked at the injured palace maids and felt sorry for them. "These palace maids have suffered because of us. We must find a solution as soon as possible and not let the Shadow Cult continue to act recklessly."
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment: "I think we might be able to start from within the Shadow Cult, find a breakthrough point, and divide them."
Hua Fei was puzzled: "How do we start this? The people of the Shadow Cult will definitely be on high alert against us."
Zhen Huan said, "I've heard there are some new members of the Shadow Cult who are quite dissatisfied with some of the cult's cruel methods. We can try to find these people and offer them generous rewards to make them work for us."
Concubine Duan nodded. "Although this plan is risky, it is a viable option. However, it will be difficult to find these people, and we must ensure their loyalty."
An Lingrong said, "I can concoct a special spice that can make people speak the truth for a short period of time. If we can find those Shadow Cultists, it will help us determine whether they are sincere."
Zhen Huan said, "That's very good. Sister Duan Fei, you stay in the palace, and I, Sister Hua Fei, and Ling Rong will go find those Shadow Cultists."
Concubine Duan warned: "You must be careful on this trip. If there is any danger, do not act recklessly and return to the palace immediately."
Zhen Huan and her companions disguised themselves and left the palace to search for the traitors in the Shadow Cult. In a remote alley in the capital, they finally found a man who might be a member of the Shadow Cult.
Zhen Huan said softly, "Sir, we know you are from the Shadow Cult. We have no intention of making things difficult for you. We just want to make a deal with you."
The man looked at them warily: "Who are you? Why should I trade with you?"
Hua Fei said: "If you cooperate with us and help us to overthrow the Shadow Cult, we can guarantee you prosperity and wealth, and you will be free from the control of the Shadow Cult."
The man sneered, "Why should I trust you? You are all familiar with the methods of the Shadow Cult. If I betray you, I will surely die."
An Lingrong took out the spices and said, "Young Master, please smell this spice. It will make you speak the truth. If you truly wish to leave the Shadow Cult, we will not treat you unfairly."
The man hesitated for a moment, sniffed the spices, and slowly said, "I am indeed dissatisfied with some of the Shadow Cult's practices, but I am also afraid of their revenge. Can you really protect me?"
Zhen Huan said, "Of course. We are concubines in the harem, so our words are our duty. You just need to tell us some secrets of the Shadow Cult, such as their next plan and the source of the spices."
The man whispered, "Their spices are collected from a mysterious valley, the exact location of which is known only to the core members of the sect. Furthermore, they plan to use the spices again at a palace banquet soon to create chaos and assassinate the emperor."
Zhen Huan and the others' expressions changed: "When will this banquet be held?"
The man said, "It will be at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in three days."
Zhen Huan said, "Thank you for telling me, sir. You can find a place to hide first. Once the situation has calmed down, we will fulfill our promise."
After returning to the palace, Zhen Huan hurried to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I have learned that the Shadow Cult intends to assassinate Your Majesty at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. I beg Your Majesty to cancel the banquet and strengthen the palace security."
The emperor was shocked: "How could this happen! Huanhuan, how did you know about this?"
Zhen Huan briefly informed the Emperor of what had happened. The Emperor angrily declared, "I will not let these traitors off lightly! The Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet will be held as scheduled. I will catch them all in one fell swoop!"
Zhen Huan said worriedly, "Your Majesty, this is too dangerous. The Shadow Cult's spices are extremely powerful. If they are used at a banquet, it would be impossible to defend against them."
The Emperor pondered for a moment. "I will have the Imperial Guards on high alert at the banquet. At the same time, I also want to see what conspiracy they have in mind. Huanhuan, you, Noble Consort An, and Consort Hua must be careful not to become their targets."
Zhen Huan and the others had no choice but to obey. On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, and Concubine Hua were busy preparing in the palace.
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I have prepared some more sachets and will distribute them to everyone attending the banquet. I hope this will provide an additional layer of protection."
Concubine Hua inspected the guards' arrangements and said, "I have already instructed the guards to take immediate action if anything unusual occurs. We must not let the Shadow Cult succeed."
Zhen Huan looked at the night sky: "This battle concerns the peace of the harem and the court. We can only win, not lose."