Chapter 427 - 427: Preparation

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The woman turned to look at Lu Ziming but did not see anything. She looked away again. “Perhaps she’s waited for you for too long and lost all hope. By the way, did you go to see her? She’s been waiting for you to come back to pick her up.”

Lu Ziming denied it and said sadly, “I didn’t have the time. I originally planned to visit her tomorrow, but I didn’t expect her to commit suicide. If I had known, I would have gone to see her earlier. After all, we grew up together.”

The woman sighed. “Yes, we grew up together, but things have changed.”

Lu Ziming said meaningfully, “Things are the same, but people have changed. My heart hasn’t changed.”

The woman drank another glass of wine and was a little tipsy. Had Lu Ziming’s heart really not changed?

The two of them chatted in the room for a long time…

Lu Ziming reached out and held the woman’s hand. “Ziyuan, I’ve always liked you and thought of you all these years. I’ve missed you so much that I’m about to be possessed. Ziyuan, I-I’m not married. I only hope that I can come back and marry you one day. Are you married?”

Xin Ziyuan looked at Lu Ziming in a daze. “You, you like me?”

Xin Ziyuan was Consort Xin’s servant girl. Back then, after Consort Xin left the palace, she did not go with her. Now, she was the clothing manager in the palace.

Lu Ziming said affectionately, “Yes, I’ve always had you in my heart. Ziyuan, if you’re not married, are you willing to give me a chance?”

Xin Ziyuan had a relationship with Lu Ziming, but it was very vague. Later on, because Madam Xin liked Lu Ziming, she gave up. She did not expect Lu Ziming to confess to her after so many years.

She asked happily and uncertainly, “You, you really like me?”

Lu Ziming said solemnly, “It’s true. I came back mainly to tell you my feelings. Ziyuan, if you’re willing, I’ll take you back to the eastern border with me when I go back.”

Xin Ziyuan’s hands on her lap slowly tightened. She could not help but feel excited. “Ziming, I’m willing to go with you.”

Lu Ziming pulled Xin Ziyuan into his arms and said affectionately, “Ziyuan, let’s go back to the eastern border in a few days.”

Xin Ziyuan was overjoyed. “Ok.”

After that, Lu Ziming got down to the real business. “Ziyuan, can you do me a favor before wo leave?”

Xin Ziyuan’s heart was filled with sweetness as she said gently, “Ziming, what help do you need? Just tell me. I’ll definitely help if I can.”

Lu Ziming said tentatively, “I want to go to the palace.”

Xin Ziyuan straightened her body and stared at Lu Ziming. “Why do you want to enter the palace?”

Lu Ziming gently patted Xin Ziyuan’s shoulder and comforted her gently, “I bear no ill intent. Don’t be nervous.”

Xin Ziyuan relaxed slightly and leaned against Lu Ziming again. “Tell me, what is it about?”

Lu Ziming deliberately leaned close to Xin Ziyuan’s ear and said, “I want to enter the library. Can you help me?”

Xin Ziyuan did not understand. “The library is filled with books. Why are we going to the library?”

“What I want is a book,” Lu Ziming promised. “As long as you help me enter the library, I’ll immediately marry you as my first wife.”

Xin Ziyuan was very tempted. She had already given up on getting married, but now that there was another opportunity, she wanted to seize it.

It’s just a book, she thought. It shouldn’t be a big deal.

“What book are you looking for? I’ll help you find it.”

Lu Ziming would not tell Xin Ziyuan about such an important matter. “You can’t find it. I can only go by myself.”

Xin Ziyuan said sincerely, “It’s too risky for you to enter the palace. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

It was even more risky to tell Xin Ziyuan about this. That book was his treasury vault to make a comeback. Lu Ziming would not tell her no matter what. “With you helping me, nothing will happen.”

“Ziming, are you hiding anything from me?” Xin Ziyuan looked at Lu Ziming suspiciously. Was it really as simple as finding a book?

Lu Ziming said, “Ziyuan, you’re thinking too much. We’ll be husband and wife in the future. We’ll share fortune and misfortune. Why would I hide it from you?”

Ziming was a smart person and would not do anything rash. Xin Ziyuan slowly dispelled her worries and asked, “Do you have a detailed plan?”

Lu Ziming nodded. “Yes.”

General’s mansion.

Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong sat at the table and ate.

Chu Qingzhi picked up some food for Tang Jinghong and asked, “Do you have any news of Lu Ziming?”

Tang Jinghong looked up. “What’s wrong?”

Chu Qingzhi frowned and said, “After Lu Ziming got the map, there was no movement. I think it’s very strange.”

Tang Jinghong said, “Lu Ziming is very careful. He will definitely study the map after obtaining it. However, a few days have passed. He should have his next move.”

That was true. Chu Qingzhi asked, “Jinghong, have you told the emperor about the map?”

Tang Jinghong shook his head. “No. Without hard evidence, I won’t tell the emperor about it. Otherwise, there will be problems.”

After hesitating for a moment, Chu Qingzhi probed, “Jinghong, let’s not tell the Emperor about this first. Let’s wait and see how this matter unfolds.”

She liked to take risks and was quite interested in this ancient family.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.” Tang Jinghong agreed without hesitation. “In that case, shall we let Lu Ziming take the remaining half of the Record of Wonders?”

“Yes, we can let him take it away to scout the way for us,” Chu Qingzhi said. “But the map is fake. Can he enter the palace?”

Tang Jinghong said, “I turned the fake into the real one, but there arc many mechanisms there. If he goes in, he can’t get out. However, if we deliberately let him out, there won’t be a problem.”

“You’re fast enough.” Chu Qingzhi secretly praised Jinghong’s execution ability.

Tang Jinghong smiled. He liked to prepare in advance for everything.

Imperial Palace.

Xin Ziyuan had been in the palace for a long time, so she naturally had some tricks.

The next night, she specially sent some food to the two guards of the Cold Palace.

The two guards were familiar with her and did not guard against her. They finished all the food she gave them and fell asleep.

The secret passage led from outside the palace to the dry well in the Cold Palace. After knocking out the guards, Xin Ziyuan quickly called Lu Ziming up from the well and brought him to change into the eunuch’s clothes.

Few people went to the library in the palace. There were not many lights, and it was dark. If Lu Ziming lowered his head slightly, no one would be able to recognize him.

Xin Ziyuan was familiar with all the paths in the palace and easily brought Lu Ziming to the library.

The library was specially used to store Daling Dynasty’s works and some important documents. There were a lot of books inside. Every year, the palace maids and eunuchs had to dry the books for a month.

The door of the library was locked. Only the Emperor and some specific ministers could enter and leave freely. Ordinary people were not allowed to approach.

Lu Ziming looked around. He first flew up a tree and then the second floor of the library.

Xin Ziyuan hid in the shadows and prayed in her heart that everything would go smoothly..