176: Arranging for the dealer's security: A preliminary exploration of the palace's secrets.

The sound of carriage wheels rolling over the stone roads of the Capital City made Wei Xiaobao's complaints even clearer: "Brother Hui, if I had known, we should have hired another carriage. Walking back has almost given me blisters! We ate so much at the Zhuang family's place just now, and now I'm out of breath after just a few steps. Do you think we've gotten too used to a life of luxury?"

Xie Hui kicked him in the butt, still carrying the cloth bundle Shuanger had stuffed into his hands—inside were freshly baked Sesame Cakes, specially for him to take into the palace as snacks. "Stop talking nonsense. Who was the one who said they wanted to 'connect' with the Heaven and Earth Society people and insisted on having a few drinks with Xu Tianchuan's group? Now your feet hurt? Why didn't you think of that earlier?"

They had just met Xu Tianchuan at a tea stall outside the Capital City. Xie Hui specifically instructed Xu Tianchuan to send a few agile brothers to the Zhuang family's home to reinforce the courtyard and install a simple wooden fence to prevent anyone else from causing trouble. Xu Tianchuan, owing Xie Hui a favor from the Tongzhou Ferry, patted his chest and promised to go with men tomorrow morning. He also mentioned in passing, "Chief Helmsman Chen told us to keep an eye on the Divine Dragon Cult people; there have been suspicious figures lurking around the outskirts of the capital lately." Xie Hui kept this in mind but didn't ask much—the lead on Dragon'er wasn't ready yet, so he couldn't rush.

The two dawdled their way to the palace gate and happened to run into that Guard Captain Liu from before. Seeing Xie Hui, Guard Captain Liu's eyes showed a bit more politeness, unlike the last time when he was being overly critical: "Little Brother Xie, you've just returned? Her Highness the Princess came to ask about you twice this morning."

Xie Hui was amused; it seemed Jianning really considered him one of her own. But he replied politely: "Thank you for the concern, Guard Captain Liu. I was afraid the Princess would be anxious, so I hurried back as soon as I finished my business."

Entering the palace, just as they turned past the moon gate of the Imperial Garden, they heard a crisp sound of footsteps. Jianning ran over, lifting her skirt, her goose-yellow palace dress dazzling in the sunlight. She ran up to Xie Hui, hands on her hips, and glared at him: "Why are you only just back! I've been waiting since morning, and I thought you weren't coming back!"

Xie Hui quickly handed over the cloth bundle and coaxed her with a smile: "How could that be? Didn't I bring something good for the Princess? Smell it, freshly baked Sesame Cakes, Shuanger made them specially for you. They're even more fragrant than those from the Imperial Kitchen."

Jianning's nose twitched, and she immediately stopped being Life Qi. She snatched the bundle and opened it, taking a bite of one. Her eyes lit up: "Mmm! So delicious! Much crispier than what the small kitchen makes!" She didn't forget Xie Hui and handed one over, "You eat too, don't just stand there watching."

Wei Xiaobao watched from the side with envy and reached out to grab one: "Princess, give me one too, I'm hungry too!"

Jianning dodged his hand and hugged the cloth bundle to her chest: "No! Xie Hui brought this for me. If you want to eat, go to the small kitchen yourself!" She glared at Wei Xiaobao as she spoke, looking just like a kitten protecting its food.

Xie Hui stifled a laugh and fished a small tin box from his pocket—it was Fruit Candy brought from the real world, with colorful wrappers that looked exceptionally novel in the Qing Dynasty. He opened the box, took out a red candy, and handed it to Jianning: "This is even better, sweet and tasty. Give it a try."

Jianning took the candy and pinched the wrapper, looking at it for a long time: "What's this? The paper is so pretty. Is it edible?"

"You can eat it once you peel off the paper," Xie Hui helped her unwrap the candy, revealing the translucent candy inside. "Keep it in your mouth, don't chew."

Jianning put the candy in her mouth, and her eyes instantly curved into crescents: "Wow! So sweet! Even sweeter than rock sugar! Xie Hui, do you have more? I want more!"

"I have some," Xie Hui teased her on purpose, "but you can't eat too much, or your teeth will hurt. I'll give you more tomorrow."

Jianning wouldn't have it and shook his arm: "No! I want it now! If you don't give it to me, I'll tell my Imperial Brother that you're bullying me!"

As they were making a fuss, a small eunuch ran over in a panic. Seeing Jianning, he quickly knelt: "Your Highness, Eunuch Liu is making a scene at the gate of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility. He says he wants to settle accounts with Little Brother Xie, and... and says you are protecting an outsider and not following palace rules."

Xie Hui raised an eyebrow—this Eunuch Liu really didn't learn his lesson. It seemed he hadn't been beaten enough last time.

Jianning flared up as soon as she heard this. She spat out the candy and pulled Xie Hui toward the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility: "Let's go! I want to see if he dares to say it again! A mere eunuch dares to meddle in my business. He must be tired of living!"

Wei Xiaobao quickly followed, muttering: "Can't watch the excitement, can't watch the excitement..." But his pace was faster than anyone's.

Arriving at the gate of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, they indeed saw Eunuch Liu standing there with two small eunuchs, his face full of arrogance. Seeing Jianning, he not only didn't kneel but also stiffened his neck and said: "Your Highness, this Xie Hui privately brought an outsider into the palace and even dared to strike this servant. If you continue to protect him, this servant will have to petition the Empress Dowager to handle it according to palace rules!"

"Handle whom?" Jianning sneered, walked up to Eunuch Liu, and raised her hand to give him a slap. "What kind of thing are you to dare mention the word 'handle' in front of me? I think you've forgotten your status. A servant eunuch dares to try and control me!"

Eunuch Liu was stunned by the slap. Covering his face, he cried out: "Empress Dowager! Empress Dowager, look! Her Highness is hitting someone!"

The door of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility opened with a creak, and the Fake Empress Dowager walked out, supported by a maid's hand, looking at the scene before her calmly. She glanced at Eunuch Liu and then at Jianning, her tone betraying no emotion: "Imperial Sister, why bother getting Life Qi with a eunuch?"

Eunuch Liu thought the Empress Dowager was going to help him and quickly complained: "Empress Dowager, look at this servant's face. It was all from the hits by Xie Hui and Her Highness. You must seek justice for this servant!"

"Seek justice?" The Fake Empress Dowager's gaze turned cold. "As a servant, you dare to make a racket at the gate of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility and even dare to sow discord between the Princess and me. What is your crime? Someone, take Eunuch Liu away, slap his face twenty times, and send him to the Laundry Department to serve. He is not to come out without my command!"

Eunuch Liu's face instantly turned pale. He knelt with a thud: "Empress Dowager, have mercy! Empress Dowager, have mercy!"

Two guards came up, grabbed Eunuch Liu, and dragged him away. Eunuch Liu's screams grew distant. Jianning didn't expect the Fake Empress Dowager to handle it this way. She was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "The Empress Dowager is indeed reasonable. Thank you, Empress Dowager."

The Fake Empress Dowager smiled, her gaze falling on Xie Hui with a hint of scrutiny: "Little Brother Xie, I heard you are very good at making novel things. If you have time another day, why not make one for me as well?"

Xie Hui's heart tightened—this Fake Empress Dowager was testing him. He bowed and said: "The Empress Dowager overestimates me. I only know how to make some small trinkets. If the Empress Dowager doesn't mind, I will make a simple one for you another day, though I'm afraid it won't be worthy of your notice."

"No matter," the Fake Empress Dowager waved her hand. "I am tired and will return. Imperial Sister, Little Brother Xie, you two should also return early." After saying that, she entered the palace supported by the maid.

Jianning took Xie Hui's hand and whispered: "I didn't expect the Empress Dowager to help us. It seems she doesn't like Eunuch Liu either."

Xie Hui didn't respond, thinking to himself—the Fake Empress Dowager wasn't helping them; she just didn't want to offend Jianning. After all, Jianning is the Kangxi Emperor's biological sister. If she provoked Jianning, the Kangxi Emperor might investigate the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, and the forty-two chapter sutra she hid in the secret room would be in danger. This old fox is truly deep.

As the three walked back, Wei Xiaobao leaned in close to Xie Hui and lowered his voice: "Brother Hui, I went to the Imperial Study to look for you just now and heard Hai Dafu telling the Emperor that he plans to go to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility tonight to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and... and find a chance to look for the Empress Dowager's secret room."

Xie Hui's eyes lit up—a pillow delivered just as he was getting sleepy. He could use Hai Dafu's opportunity to scout the location of the secret room. He nodded and said to Wei Xiaobao: "Go with Hai Dafu tonight. Watch his movements. If there's a chance, send me a signal."

"Me?" Wei Xiaobao's face turned pale. "Brother Hui, I don't dare! That old fellow Hai Dafu's eyes are like knives. If he catches me, I'll definitely have a bad time!"

"What are you afraid of?" Xie Hui patted his shoulder. "You have me. Just follow behind him, don't talk nonsense, and I'll help you if anything happens. Besides, don't you want to find the forty-two chapter sutra? This is a great opportunity."

Hearing about the forty-two chapter sutra, Wei Xiaobao's eyes immediately lit up. He grit his teeth: "Fine! For the sutra, I'll risk it!"

Back at Jianning's bedchamber, Jianning was still thinking about the Fruit Candy. She held Xie Hui's hand and wouldn't let go: "Xie Hui, hurry and give me the candy. I promise I'll only eat one, not more."

Xie Hui had no choice but to give her another one, instructing: "You can't have any more after this one, or I won't care if your teeth hurt."

Jianning happily took the candy, put it in her mouth, and leaned against the window humming a little tune, in an excellent mood. Looking at her, Xie Hui couldn't help but smile—although Jianning was bossy, she was also simple. Winning her over shouldn't be hard.

He pulled out the walkie-talkie, walked into the courtyard, and pressed the call button: "Shuanger, how are things on your end? Did Xu Tianchuan's people arrive?"

Shuanger's gentle voice soon came through the walkie-talkie: "Brother Hui, Brother Xu's people have arrived. They are reinforcing the courtyard and have installed a wooden fence. They said they would leave two people nearby to watch and prevent bad people from causing trouble. Are you okay in the palace? Did anyone bully you?"

"I'm doing great, no one dares to bully me," Xie Hui said with a smile. "Don't work too hard, get some rest early. I'll contact you again tomorrow."

"Hmm, Brother Hui, you should also rest early," Shuanger paused, then said softly, "I left a bowl of chicken soup for you in the small universe's insulated box. Remember to drink it."

Xie Hui's heart warmed, and he replied "Okay" before hanging up the walkie-talkie. He opened his inner universe and indeed saw an insulated box inside, with the chicken soup still steaming. He took it out and had a sip. The delicious flavor slid down his throat, even more fragrant than the soup from the Imperial Kitchen—Shuanger was always so thoughtful.

At night, Wei Xiaobao followed Hai Dafu to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility as agreed. Xie Hui disguised himself as a patrolling servant and followed from a distance. At the gate of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, Hai Dafu told Wei Xiaobao to wait outside while he went in to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Xie Hui hid behind a nearby pillar, his eyes fixed on the door of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility. After about half an hour, Hai Dafu came out with a sour expression, saying to Wei Xiaobao: "The Empress Dowager is in a bad mood tonight and didn't let me stay long. Let's go back."

Xie Hui was puzzled—did Hai Dafu not find a chance to go to the secret room? Just as he was about to follow, he saw the side door of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility quietly open a crack, and a figure in black night-traveler clothes slipped inside.

Xie Hui narrowed his eyes—who was this? Could it be someone from the Divine Dragon Cult? He didn't dare to rush in and could only wait outside. After a while, the black shadow slipped out again, seemingly holding something, and quickly disappeared into the night.

Xie Hui quickly followed, but the black shadow was too fast and disappeared in no time. He could only return to the original spot, wondering—could what that person was holding be the forty-two chapter sutra? Or something related to the Divine Dragon Cult?

Just then, the walkie-talkie vibrated. It was a message from Wei Xiaobao: "Brother Hui, Hai Dafu seemed to have overheard the Empress Dowager talking to someone in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility just now. They mentioned the 'Divine Dragon Cult' and the 'Cult Leader,' and said the 'sutra is almost found'."

Xie Hui's heart tightened—it really was related to the Divine Dragon Cult! It seemed the Fake Empress Dowager had been in contact with the Divine Dragon Cult all along, and that forty-two chapter sutra might be moved by her soon. He said into the walkie-talkie: "Understood. Don't say anything, tell me in detail tomorrow."

Hanging up the walkie-talkie, Xie Hui walked back. The palace under the night was quiet, with only the sound of patrolling guards' footsteps. He thought to himself—now he not only had to find the forty-two chapter sutra but also keep an eye on the Divine Dragon Cult people. Dragon'er might already be in the capital. The coming days would likely not be peaceful.

But that's what made it interesting. Xie Hui smiled—the more chaotic it was, the more chances there were to win over more heroines and get more treasures. He touched the dagger in his robe and thought of the chicken soup Shuanger left him, feeling full of energy. Whether it was the Divine Dragon Cult or the Fake Empress Dowager, as long as they dared to stand in his way, he could handle them.

Returning to Jianning's bedchamber, Jianning was already asleep with a smile on her face, clutching a candy wrapper. Xie Hui gently covered her with a quilt and turned to return to his own side room. He opened his inner universe, put the Sesame Cakes from today and the remaining chicken soup inside, and organized the items he brought from the real world—Fruit Candy, lighter, walkie-talkie. These were his secret weapons.

Lying in bed, Xie Hui thought about the black shadow he saw today and the connection between the Fake Empress Dowager and the Divine Dragon Cult. He pondered tomorrow's plan—he had to get Wei Xiaobao to go to the Imperial Study again to gather information and see if the Kangxi Emperor and Hai Dafu had any next moves. At the same time, he needed to tell Shuanger to keep an eye on the surroundings of the Zhuang family home so they wouldn't be targeted by the Divine Dragon Cult.

While thinking, Xie Hui fell asleep. He dreamed that he had found the forty-two chapter sutra and met Dragon'er. Dragon'er was wearing a long white dress, cold and beautiful, pointing a sword at him. But after a while, she was impressed by his martial arts and followed him obediently.

Early the next morning, Xie Hui was woken up by Jianning's shouting. He rubbed his eyes and walked out of the room to see Jianning holding an empty candy box, hands on her hips, glaring at him: "Xie Hui! My candy is gone! Hurry and give me some more! Otherwise, I'll eat all your Sesame Cakes!"

Looking at her huffing and puffing, Xie Hui couldn't help but smile—it seemed there would be more excitement today.