After returning to the inn, Lu Xiao told Yongzhen what he had discovered.
"A vixen..."
Yongzhen tried to speculate: "If Yuchi Yanhong is really a vixen, what about Shan Xiaoxiao, who has a similar identity to her?"
Lu Xiao shrugged and said: "Although I don't know the specific race, I guess it is probably some kind of spirit. Dugu Ningke really knows how to choose maids."
Yongzhen nodded thoughtfully: "Now that I think about it, Shan Xiaoxiao's abnormal social skills are inherently problematic, and her language may contain some kind of unnatural power."
After half a month of observation, both Lu Xiao and Yongzhen discovered some abnormalities.
The official maids who talked to Shan Xiaoxiao would always get along with her quickly and unconsciously reveal the secrets that their master had let slip.
One or two can be said to be a comparison of the compatibility between the two parties, but ten or eight is definitely abnormal.
Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win every battle. Half a month of observation gave Lu Xiao and Yongzhen a deeper understanding of the power Dugu Ningke secretly controlled. It was indeed the right decision not to act rashly.
While the two maids were busy broadening their personal networks, Dugu Ningke would go to the Imperial Master Yuwen's Mansion in Dongcheng District almost every day and squat in Yuwen Tuo's study in the name of surveillance.
Yuwen Tuo was temporarily banned by Yang Guang and could only sit in the Taishi Mansion to handle official affairs, leaving all matters outside to the four major ministries for settlement.
Yang Shuo and Han Teng returned from their missions one after another. Shangguan Zhenyuan was sent by Yuwen Tuo to the Dunhuang Grottoes to check on the rebel soldiers, while Hu Lu'an went south to the Bashu region to search for the Nuwa Stone.
While monitoring Dugu Ningke's actions, Lu Xiao discovered something strange.
The cruel and ruthless Princess Dugu would occasionally show behavior in front of Yuwen Tuo that was inconsistent with her acting personality.
She looked at Yu Wentuo with very complex eyes, sometimes showing tenderness and nostalgia, and sometimes showing cruelty.
After long-term observation, Lu Xiao concluded a pattern.
When alone with Yuwen Tuo, Dugu Ningke's behavior will be relatively peaceful.
Although he would occasionally make naughty comments about the Grand Master, most of the time he would take the initiative to lead the conversation with a smile.
Yuwen Tuo is the kind of rigid and boring character who can't say anything in three sentences. He will only answer one or two questions when Dugu Ningke takes the initiative to provoke the topic. The two characters' personalities complement each other to a certain extent.
And once there are other women around Yuwen Tuo, whether they are maids or noble ladies sent by other officials to "greet", Dugu Ningke will show a sinister look in his eyes.
Some ladies who go too far will be punished and retaliated by her afterwards.
'Could it be...'
Lu Xiao's expression was a little strange. He had an uncertain guess in his mind, but when he thought about it carefully, he found it unbelievable.
As the female demon general sent by the devil Satan to lurk in the east, Dugu Ningke and Yuwen Tuo, who is determined to protect the land of China, are undoubtedly undying enemies.
But Dugu Ningke, who is sensible at the age of one, can be said to be childhood sweethearts who grew up with Yuwen Tuo. It seems logical that the two of them would develop feelings for each other.
'This relationship is a bit messy...'
Lu Xiao smiled wryly and rubbed the center of his brow, temporarily putting aside Dugu Ningke's emotional problems.
No matter what the relationship between the other party and Yuwen Tuo is, the fact that she is China's enemy will not change.
'If it's really what I think... Yuwen Tuo, I can only say sorry to you.'
…
In mid-July, Chen Jingchou and his party took the lead in bringing Chen Fu, who had lost all his physical strength, to Daxing City to meet up with Lu Xiao.
After dealing with Taotie, Gu Yuesheng and Ran Weng temporarily returned to Tianwai Village.
Before leaving, they left a promise that if Xuanyuan World needs help, they will come from Taoyuan Wonderland as soon as possible after receiving the call.
Gu Yuesheng used Pangu's ax to establish a secret temporary transmission channel between Taoyuan Wonderland and Xuanyuan Realm. It can bypass the barrier that separates the two realms and travel freely. The entrance to this side of the transmission channel is at Gongshan House in Daliang City.
In the backyard.
Gongshan Tie's physical strength has basically recovered, but according to Jingchou, his uncle Gongshan still needs some time to regain his condition.
As for Fairy Zhong...
Yu'er spread her hands helplessly: "That free-spirited fairy left a word and left on her own."
"'I have something to go to Huashan. I will come back to meet you after finishing my personal affairs.'"
Chen Jingchou was a little uncomfortable with Lu Xiao's beard: "Brother Lu, you look like..."
Lu Xiao: "Yongzhen and I are wanted by the government, so we can only act in disguise for the time being."
From the strange positions of Chen Jingchou and the others, Lu Xiao saw clues of the disagreement.
Chen Fu, who still had a sick look on his face, remained silent. His steps were a little shaky when walking, and it was obvious that his physical condition was not optimistic.
Chen Jingchou and Xiaoxue walked beside him, ready to lend a helping hand at any time.
Yu'er, on the other hand, is outside the trio and is a bit far away from them.
This situation puzzled Lu Xiao and Yongzhen.
After a period of shared adventures, Yu'er, Jingchou and Xiaoxue have established good friendships. Logically speaking, they shouldn't be so alienated.
The attentive Yongzhen noticed Yu'er's respectful attitude toward Chen Fu, and probably guessed that the problem lay with these two people.
Pulling Lu Xiao's sleeve, relying on the tacit understanding between the two, Yongzhen gave Lu Xiao a silent reminder with his eyes.
Lu Xiao, who understood in his heart, put aside the disagreement between the two for the time being, and politely saluted Chen Fu with cupped fists.
"Mr. Chen Fu, this is the first time we meet. I am Lu Xiao, my companion who traveled the world with Jingchou. This is my wife Yongzhen."
Chen Fu stroked his beard, and finally a smile appeared on his serious face: "Young Master Lu, I heard a lot of rumors about you from Senior Brother Gongshan."
"Thank you for taking care of Jingchou during this period, and thank you for curing Senior Brother Gongshan from his chronic illness."
As long as topics related to Chen Guo's restoration were not brought up, Chen Fu was not a difficult person to get along with.
Compared with the Northern Dynasties, where the Hu-Han hybridization was very serious, the countries of the Southern Dynasties were inferior in military strength, but they were much better than the Northern Dynasties in terms of humanistic development.
Chen Fu was once a minister of the Chen State in the Southern Dynasties. He was also a man of literary talents when he was young. When he did not touch on sensitive topics, Chen Fu would quote witty remarks from classics from time to time.
The obsession with rejuvenating the country forced Chen Fu to become a strict and unsmiling master. He always pushed the somewhat lazy Jingchou to learn martial arts and Taoism, and instilled in him the concept of rejuvenating the country.
Chen Fu's physical condition is still not ideal, and his face clearly shows signs of fatigue after traveling for a long time.
Lu Xiao did not hesitate to exchange too many greetings with Chen Fu. After returning to the top floor of Youfeng Laiyi Inn, Chen Fu, who was out of energy, went back to his room to rest.
After seeing off his master, Jingchou finally let out a long breath.
"Sister Yu'er, I'm sorry."
Chen Jingchou suddenly lowered his head and apologized to Yu'er, and Xiaoxue also had a look of embarrassment on her face."
Yu'er waved her hands grandly: "Don't say that, I also have something wrong. I shouldn't have a dispute with an old gentleman who has just recovered from a serious illness."
Yongzhen poured tea for several people, and the five of them sat around the inn room that was temporarily used as a living room to exchange information.
"so?"
Lu Xiao took a sip of warm tea and frowned unconsciously.
The early tea soup passed down from the Western Han Dynasty is very unaccustomed to modern people like Lu Xiao.
The tea that was supposed to be light was added with seasonings such as ginger, onion, garlic, orange peel, dogwood, and mint. The taste... was simply indescribable.
After taking a sip, Lu Xiao put down the tea soup and turned his attention to Yu'er, who looked a little tired.
"Yu'er, what happened between you and Mr. Chen Fu?"