An Jiu dodged quickly, disappearing in a flash.
Fearing they might be caught in the crossfire, Sui Yunzhu and Li Qingzhi quietly retreated.
Although An Jiu had faced a setback, her mood remained high. Regardless of whether her newfound path was right or wrong, at least she had managed to come up with a goal unrelated to killing.
Suddenly feeling fulfilled, this sensation was wonderful!
Sui Yunzhu and Li Qingzhi sneaked back into their respective rooms, pretending they had never left.
The next day during their shift, Sui Yunzhu deliberately pulled An Jiu outside to stand guard with him, preventing her from staying in the room alone and potentially running off to ask the Crown Prince if he had any dreams.
An Jiu was still basking in her joy, while Li Qingzhi had become depressed after guarding the Crown Prince closely four times.
An Jiu observed his expression, knowing he must have witnessed the Crown Prince’s debauchery! In the past half month during her shifts, the Crown Prince had only missed two days of seeking female company. She estimated that he spent at least twenty-five days a month engaged in “physical activities.” It wasn’t surprising that Li Qingzhi had stumbled upon it four times.
The Crown Prince… was even more vigorous in this aspect than his father! The Emperor practiced Taoism and usually paid attention to his health, at least not engaging in dual cultivation every day.
“Watching such a crown prince, I have no desire to serve,” Li Qingzhi grumbled, crouching by Sui Yunzhu’s field.
Sui Yunzhu, while weeding, cautioned, “Be careful what you say.”
An Jiu added, “There’s no one else within ten zhang.”
“How about serving another master?” Li Qingzhi asked.
As Sui Yunzhu contemplated the feasibility of this idea, he suddenly remembered something strange. Lowering his voice, he said, “I recall seeing in the Controlling Crane Army’s records that the Dragon Guard used to have a custom of taking poison. Why don’t we have that?”
“That unit does,” An Jiu said, pointing to the neighboring courtyard.
They all fell silent.
After a while, Sui Yunzhu beckoned to the other two.
Li Qingzhi and An Jiu leaned in close as he whispered, “Could it be that Lord Gao has withheld it…?”
It was entirely possible!
The Emperor trusted Gao Dazhuang greatly, and his loyalty had likely left a deep impression even on the Controlling Crane Army’s commander. The poison was probably given to him and then withheld; otherwise, there was no reason for everyone else to have taken it while they remained unaffected.
If this was indeed the case, then Gao Dazhuang must have other intentions!
Sui Yunzhu glanced at Li Qingzhi, “In the future, we can’t speak so negatively. It might bring unnecessary trouble.”
The Controlling Crane Army consisted of people who would never see the light of day. Apart from carrying out missions, they usually minded their own business. However, wherever there are people, there will be conflicts. Even here, there were always those who craved power and engaged in open and covert struggles.
“I’ll ask Lord Gao about it in a few days when his anger has subsided,” Sui Yunzhu said.
An Jiu asked, “What if it wasn’t him?”