Chapter 840: Turbulent Clouds and Trouble
As night fell, Liu Xunyi, who left the City God Temple, did not go to West Lake Langyuan, nor did he return to Tianji Pavilion. Instead, he wandered around Lin'an City like a walking corpse, repeatedly thinking over every word that Qiu Han and Ding Chou had said.

At this moment, Liu Xunyi truly felt that the future was uncertain and dangerous.

However, what made it even more difficult for him to let go was that he had clearly sensed the undercurrents in Lin'an City, but someone had covered his eyes and ears with an invisible hand. No matter how hard he tried, he still could not guess where the crisis came from?

Maybe Liu Xunyi no longer trusted his colleagues, maybe he was subconsciously wary of Qin Wei, maybe Qiu Han and Ding Chou's tragic experiences deeply touched him, maybe he was distracted and had some strange idea...

Before he knew it, Liu Xunyi arrived at Wangchuan Silk Shop.

At this time, Pan Yun, who had eaten and drunk his fill, was sorting out recent accounts in his study. After careful training by Pan Wen and his wife, he has now become a real businessman.

In the dim yellow candlelight, Pan Yun was concentrating on sorting out the accounts at his desk. His left hand moved the abacus skillfully, making a crackling sound, while his right hand picked up the pen to make marks on the account book, calculating and taking notes at the same time, managing two things at the same time with ease.

There was a basin of warm water under the table, and Pan Yun soaked his feet in the water, feeling very comfortable.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

The sudden knock on the door interrupted Pan Yun's thoughts.

"No need to add water, just go down!" Pan Yun thought it was a servant at home, and his tone was quite impatient.

"squeak!"

However, after hearing Pan Yun's answer, the person outside did not leave, but pushed the door open and walked in.

"you……"

Seeing that the servant was so ignorant of the rules, Pan Yun couldn't help but frown and was about to scold him, but suddenly he recognized who it was and stopped talking.

"Mr. Pan, how are you?"

"Liu...Brother Liu?"

Facing the sudden appearance of Liu Xunyi, Pan Yun subconsciously rubbed his eyes, stood up suddenly, but because his feet were slippery, he lost his balance for a moment and staggered and fell onto the chair. He looked surprised and flustered, which looked very funny.

Today is the first time Liu Xunyi and Pan Yun have met since they parted in Yingchuan.

"Brother Liu, you...you..." Pan Yun was so excited that he didn't know how to start for a moment.

"I apologize for interrupting you so abruptly. I hope Master Pan will forgive me."

“No, no, no!” Pan Yun waved his hands repeatedly. “Brother Liu is our family’s benefactor. How could I mind you disturbing me? I mentioned Brother Liu to us before. When I learned that you returned to Lin’an, I was worried about you.”

Seeing Pan Yun's sincere words, Liu Xunyi couldn't help but feel moved.

"How is it?" Pan Yun looked Liu Xunyi up and down, and asked worriedly, "Brother Liu, are you doing well these days? It is said that the court has been in turmoil recently, and there are many rumors in the streets."

"It's a long story. I'm doing fine. Thank you for your concern, Master Pan." Liu Xunyi didn't want Pan Yun to be too involved with the court, so he hurriedly got to the point. "I came here tonight because I want to ask Master Pan for help."

"Are you asking me for help?" Pan Yun was stunned, and then his face showed embarrassment. "Brother Liu is a big shot, and I am just an ordinary person. I have no power, no influence, no courage, and no strategy. How can I help you?"

"To be honest, I am only living a good life on the surface. In reality... I have long been a lonely man. If I had not had to, I would not have bothered you tonight."

"That's not what I meant..." Pan Yun quickly defended, "I'm just worried that I'm stupid and not only can't help Brother Liu, but will cause trouble for you instead."

"This is an easy task for Master Pan." Liu Xunyi explained, "Miss Pan is a weak woman, I really can't bear to trouble her, so..."

"I understand." Pan Yun gave Liu Xunyi a knowing smile, "Just tell me what you need, I will do my best."

"I would like to ask Master Pan to go to the City God Temple and help two people."

"City God Temple?" Pan Yun frowned and thought, "But is it the long-abandoned City God Temple in the south of the city?"

"Exactly!"

"This..." Seeing Liu Xunyi's seriousness, Pan Yun became even more confused. "As far as I know, the City God Temple is full of homeless beggars. How come Brother Liu..."

"I'm worried that I'll stand out, so I'd like to trouble Master Pan to rescue them for me." Liu Xunyi said with a wry smile, "As for the reason, Master Pan, it's best not to ask too much. The less you know about some things, the less trouble you'll have."

"This……"

"After you rescue them, send them to a private residence in the south of the city and hand them over to a man named Li Haitang, and tell him that they are my friends."

"It's a small matter!" Pan Yun knew that Liu Xunyi always knew his limits, so he readily agreed. "I've met Li Haitang, and I know he's a friend of Brother Liu."

"That's great!" Liu Xunyi thought about it and reminded, "One of my friends is seriously injured. If Master Pan knows a reliable doctor, please..."

"I know what to do!" Pan Yun seemed to sense Liu Xunyi's sadness and quickly agreed, "Brother Liu, don't worry, your friends are my friends. When the time comes, I will send two reliable servants to take care of you."

"Thank you, Master Pan, for your generous help!"

"It's just a small matter, Brother Liu, please don't be so polite!" Pan Yun said cheerfully, "I will go to the City God Temple tomorrow morning..."

"Tomorrow... I'm afraid it will be too late." Liu Xunyi interrupted hastily, with a guilty tone, "Their current situation is very dangerous, in order to avoid any more trouble..."

"I'll go to the City God Temple overnight!"

"That's great. Thank you."

After the discussion, Liu Xunyi left the Pan family under the protection of Pan Yun and disappeared into the night like a ghost.

……

In the dead of night, a carriage sped along the empty streets, heading straight for the Privy Council. "Who is it?"

"I am telling you that the emperor wants you to get out of the way!"

Before the guards could come forward to inquire, a man quickly emerged from the carriage, holding high a golden token in his hand, and strode into the Privy Council.

"Where is the Deputy Privy Councilor?"

"Oh! It's Eunuch Ding, what a rare guest!"

While he was talking, Bai Jin led his men to come forward. Facing the arrogant Ding Qinghong, he appeared polite and courteous on the surface, but in fact he was disdainful in his heart.

Ding Qinghong had been used and teased by the West Mansion, and he had deep resentment. Therefore, facing Bai Jin's warm greetings, he had a blank expression and a cold attitude: "Who do you think you are? Why doesn't Lord Qian come to accept the order?"

"I am old and weak, and my steps are slow. I hope you won't blame me!" Lord Qian came slowly with a burst of old laughter.

"The Deputy Privy Councilor has received the order!"

At Ding Qinghong's command, Lord Qian, Bai Jin and other officials knelt on the ground one after another.

"The emperor has ordered that the deputy envoy of the Privy Council be summoned to the palace immediately for an audience!"

"Old minister accepts the order!"

With the help of Bai Jin, Lord Qian stood up tremblingly, looking at Ding Qinghong with confusion, and said hesitantly: "Your Majesty is in a hurry to find me in the middle of the night, I don't know why?"

"I don't know!" Ding Qinghong particularly hated Lord Qian, who was smiling but had a dagger hidden behind his smile, so his attitude became even more unfriendly.

"Then...besides me, who else was urgently summoned to the palace by the Emperor?"

Faced with Lord Qian's perseverance, Ding Qinghong was indignant, but due to his status, he did not dare to offend Lord Qian too much, so he replied in a sarcastic tone: "Besides you, there is also Prince Rong and 'Acting Prime Minister' Lord Jia."

"Hiss!" Lord Qian was secretly surprised and asked suspiciously, "Did...something happen?"

"I don't know." Ding Qinghong shook his head slowly, "But the emperor seems to be displeased. Lord Qian should be careful when speaking in front of him, so as not to offend the emperor and get caught in the crossfire."

"Thank you for reminding!"

At this moment, Lord Qian no longer cared about Ding Qinghong's sarcasm. He hurriedly arranged for a carriage and rushed to the palace.

……

It was past three o'clock in the morning and the Tianji Pavilion was dark and silent.

At this time, most people had fallen asleep, but Qin Wei's room was the only one still brightly lit by candlelight.

Qin Wei, in his pajamas, leaned lazily on the bed. Lan Qi, with her slender waist and plump body, was like a charming snake that could capture the soul and snuggle up to him. A pair of small and delicate white jade feet kept moving back and forth on Qin Wei's legs, and ten soft and boneless jade fingers kept gently massaging his shoulders, making him feel refreshed and tired.

"Bang, bang bang..."

"Come in!"

Before the knock on the door ended, Qin Wei's voice had already sounded quietly. The door was divided into left and right, and Tu Long and Tu Hu, who were worried, walked into the room quickly.

When she saw the two men, Lan Qi's face immediately flushed, and she subconsciously wanted to pull her legs into the quilt, but unexpectedly Qin Wei suddenly made a move and grabbed her ankles. No matter how she twisted and struggled, she was unable to move and could only shyly expose herself in "public".

For a moment, Lan Qi felt embarrassed and annoyed, but helpless.

As if they had noticed something strange about Qin Wei and Lan Qi, Tulong and Tuhu subconsciously looked up. Seeing the two of them being affectionate and flirting with each other, their faces changed immediately and they hurriedly retracted their gazes. Even though they had a lot of imaginations, they did not dare to overstep the mark.

"Has Chu Mao come back?"

Facing Qin Wei's casual question, Tu Long calmly replied respectfully: "Not yet."

"Where is Lord Liu?"

"He hasn't come back yet."

"Strange!" Qin Wei frowned, leaned forward slightly, and a hint of suspicion appeared in his bright eyes, "Where are they?"

"According to the people who came back, after leaving the cemetery, Lord Liu wanted to relax alone. Chu Mao was worried about his safety and tried to dissuade him, but Lord Liu insisted on doing so and refused to listen. Chu Mao had no choice but to bring three lieutenants with him for protection. This was not unusual..." Tu Hu recalled, "but they were still missing until late at night, which was really strange."

"Has Lord Liu been keeping vigil in the hall these days?" Qin Wei pondered, "Has he seen any outsiders?"

"No!" Tu Long said firmly, "According to the Marquis's secret order, Chu Mao reported Liu Xunyi's every move truthfully every day. Until yesterday, there was nothing unusual."

"This……"

"Report!"

When Qin Wei was full of thoughts and doubts, a low voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"What's the matter?"

"Reporting to the Marquis, Lord Liu is back."

……

(End of this chapter)