485: Zhu ignored the visit.

"That should be the case. If he wanted to kill the Prince, he wouldn't need to go to such great lengths."

"He is likely doing this to control the Prince. After all, a living person is more useful than a dead one," Miraculous Physician Sai nodded.

"You bastard, Cao Zhengchun! You actually think you can use such methods to control this Prince? You're dreaming!" Zhu Wushi sneered menacingly.

Seeing this, Miraculous Physician Sai said nothing more and bowed before leaving.

After Miraculous Physician Sai left, a figure entirely wrapped up walked in.

The figure approached Zhu Wushi without speaking, merely taking out a small box they carried. Upon opening it, a white insect, resembling a spring cicada, squirmed inside.

The Man in Black took out the white insect and placed it on Zhu Wushi's arm. The insect quickly crawled toward Zhu Wushi's mouth.

Zhu Wushi's face began to contort in pain, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. However, he endured it without moving, remaining still even as his body trembled from the agony.

Soon, another white insect, smaller than the first one, crawled out of Zhu Wushi's nostril.

The Man in Black reached out and collected both insects. Zhu Wushi immediately let out a long breath.

His complexion quickly returned to normal.

"Hmph... Cao Zhengchun, did you think this Prince didn't know what you were plotting?"

"And you certainly didn't expect that the person by your side is actually my man, did you?" Zhu Wushi sneered with disdain.

He exuded an aura of having calculated everything and looking down upon the world.

The Man in Black said nothing, bowed, and left with the Gu insects.

Without the Gu insect inside his body, he felt completely relaxed.

Now that he had obtained the second heavenly fragrant cardamom, the last one should still be in Consort Shu's palace. However, he had sent people to search many times, yet still found no clues.

Where exactly was this final heavenly fragrant cardamom?

Zhu Wushi racked his brains but could not figure out the location of the third heavenly fragrant cardamom.

Could it be that it no longer existed?

Impossible, absolutely impossible. He must have overlooked something.

Suddenly, Zhu Wushi thought of something.

"Perhaps this Prince should go and see him. Hopefully, he has news about the heavenly fragrant cardamom." Zhu Wushi suddenly stood up and immediately left the Dragon Guard Manor.

At the manor where Duan Zhengchun was staying, Zhu Wushi looked at the massive estate and sighed internally, realizing that the Hua Family truly lived up to its reputation of being rich enough to rival a nation.

Any random manor belonging to them could rival his own princely estate.

Hua Manlou and Duan Zhengchun's relationship must truly be excellent.

"Who is Your Excellency? Why have you come here?"

"I trouble you to inform him that Zhu Wushi has come to pay his respects to your King Kaoshan," Zhu Wushi said, cupping his hands.

Upon hearing Zhu Wushi's name, the gatekeeper immediately understood his identity, quickly dropped his arrogant demeanor, and bowed to Zhu Wushi.

"It turns out to be the Iron-Willed Divine Marquis! Please wait a moment, I will go immediately..."

"I trouble you."

This was the first time Zhu Wushi had ever been so courteous to a mere gatekeeper. Even in the Imperial Palace, no one could make him act this politely.

However, the Master of this place was different, and he dared not show any arrogance.

Because the Master of this manor was Duan Zhengchun, the Prince Kaoshan of Dali, who was currently hailed as the number one person in the Nine Provinces Continent.

Soon, the servant ran back and made a gesture of invitation toward Zhu Wushi.

"Marquis, the Prince requests your presence."

"Many thanks..."

"Prince, you flatter me too much."

Led by the servant, Zhu Wushi arrived in the main hall. The servant brought tea.

"Marquis, please wait a moment. The Prince will be here shortly."

Zhu Wushi nodded. He did not sit down, choosing instead to observe the furnishings of the main hall.

Whether it was the furniture, the porcelain, or the calligraphy and paintings, all were priceless. It was clear that Hua Manlou had put considerable effort into preparing this manor.

Otherwise, there would have been no need to arrange all of this.

"Divine Marquis, you are truly a rare guest. What brings you to this Prince's place?" Before the words finished, Duan Zhengchun's figure had already appeared in the main hall, holding a teacup and sipping tea.

Hearing the movement, Zhu Wushi spun around suddenly, only to see Duan Zhengchun sipping tea. He realized he hadn't sensed anyone approaching at all just now.

He was certain that there had been absolutely no one there a moment ago.

Yet, Duan Zhengchun seemed both to have just appeared and to have been there all along.

This greatly shocked him internally, but he maintained a calm expression.

"I apologize for my abrupt visit, Your Highness. I hope I haven't disturbed you?" Zhu Wushi said, cupping his hands.

"Since you are already here, if this Prince said you were disturbing me, would you leave?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Zhu Wushi with a smile.

Duan Zhengchun's words instantly froze the smile on Zhu Wushi's face.

Duan Zhengchun agreed to meet Zhu Wushi only because of his deep devotion to Su Xin. As for Zhu Wushi's rebellion and collusion with the Japanese pirates, that greatly displeased him.

"Your Highness certainly knows how to joke. If you didn't want to see me, you could have simply refused. Since you have met with me, you naturally won't send me away now," Zhu Wushi said, forcing a smile while looking at Duan Zhengchun, adopting a very humble attitude.

Even when facing the Ming Emperor, he had never been so subservient.

For Su Xin today, he would endure it. Once he became the Ming Emperor, he would settle the score with The one surnamed Duan.

"Stop with the pleasantries. Why have you come looking for this Prince?" Duan Zhengchun waved his hand.

"To be honest, I have encountered a difficult situation and wish to ask for Your Highness's help."

"Your Highness, please rest assured regarding the compensation. Just name your price, and Zhu Wushi will absolutely not refuse," Zhu Wushi said, cupping his hands toward Duan Zhengchun.

"First, tell me what kind of help you are seeking from this Prince," Duan Zhengchun said, looking calmly at Zhu Wushi.

"I heard that Your Highness is privy to many unknown secrets. Therefore, I came here hoping to inquire about the whereabouts of the third heavenly fragrant cardamom."

"As for the reward, Your Highness, feel free to name your price. As long as I can achieve it, I will absolutely not refuse." Zhu Wushi bowed deeply to Duan Zhengchun.

His demeanor was absolutely flawless, beyond reproach.

Zhu Wushi was genuinely devoted to Su Xin. Before meeting Su Xin, this fellow was much like himself—a profligate prince who enjoyed roaming the Jianghu.

However, while traveling the Jianghu, he met Gu Santong, and through Gu Santong, he met Su Xin.

From then on, he was captivated by Su Xin and became uncontrollably devoted, trying to please her everywhere.

What he didn't know was that Su Xin's heart already belonged to someone else. Because of Gu Santong, she had always kept her distance from Zhu Wushi, treating him only as a friend.

It was only because he wanted to separate Su Xin and Gu Santong—and thus gain Su Xin—that he killed 108 Masters and framed Gu Santong.

During his duel with Gu Santong, Su Xin's appearance caused him to accidentally injure her, leading to the current situation.

Throughout these years, Zhu Wushi had neither married a wife nor taken a concubine, simply waiting for the heavenly fragrant cardamom.

Now that he was here looking for him, it seemed he had already obtained the second one from Cao Zhengchun.

Originally, if he hadn't interfered, Zhu Wushi would have still found the third one, thanks to the relationship between Cheng Shifei and Princess Yunluo.

That was how he found the third heavenly fragrant cardamom hidden inside the Night-Luminous Pearl from Princess Yunluo.

Now that Cheng Shifei had been crippled by him and abandoned by Zhu Wushi, Cheng Shifei no longer had the opportunity to help him find the third heavenly fragrant cardamom.