There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 453 The Breeding Ground of Power

She walked around Zhen Congming, her tone full of sarcasm.

"Let me guess what your master promised you? Immense wealth? A bright future? Guaranteed endless prosperity for your Zhen family descendants? Bah!"

"A mirage! Look at yourself now! A prisoner! You could lose your head at any moment! Where's your master? Does he care about you? Did he save you? He's probably afraid you'll betray him! You idiot! You've been sold out and you're still counting the money for him, and after you've finished counting, you still have to take the blame! Your loyalty is really worth a fortune!"

Zhen Congming's face flushed red and then turned pale as he was scolded, his lips trembling, but he still stubbornly refused to utter a word.

Li Shuchen knew that this kind of brainwashed, blind loyalty was very difficult to pry open by force.

She changed her approach, sat down again, softened her tone, and began to coax.

"Alright, if you don't want to talk about your master, I won't force you. Let's talk about that scorpion. The scorpion your master asked you to contact, he must have a pretty high status in Boyu Kingdom, right? How does he compare to Azim?"

Zhen Congming subconsciously replied, "Azim? What is he? He's just something in the hands of my master and Lord Scorpion..."

He abruptly stopped talking, realizing he had let something slip.

Li Shuchen's heart skipped a beat: Master? Lord Scorpion? So there really is a hierarchy! And it sounds like Master might not be from Boyu Kingdom, while Lord Scorpion is a high-ranking official on Boyu Kingdom's side, and the two are in a cooperative relationship! Is Azim just a pawn in their hands?

She remained calm and continued, "Lord Scorpion... are you very familiar with the royal family of Boyu? Can you freely enter and leave certain places? For example... certain restricted areas within the palace? Or, the secret meetings of the nobles?"

Zhen Congming kept her mouth tightly shut, but the glint in her eyes showed that she had guessed the right direction.

“Oh, it seems he’s a very influential figure,” Li Shuchen nodded. “Then he must be highly trusted by the King? Or… at least have a say in the King’s affairs? Can he influence the King’s views on certain people and matters? For example… his views on Princess Zoya?”

Zhen Congming turned his head away, refusing to look at her.

Li Shuchen smiled and stood up.

"Alright, that's enough for today's heart-to-heart talk, Commander Zhen. Think it over carefully. Is your blind loyalty really worth it? Will your master, and that Lord Scorpion, come to save you, this...useless dog?"

She walked out of the cell, her face darkening.

There are more clues, but they are also more complicated.

A traitor (master) hidden within the high echelons of the Purple Star Mission, and a "master" with a scorpion tattoo on his arm lurking in the core of power in the Boyu Kingdom—the two are colluding, and their purpose is clearly not as simple as sabotaging a marriage alliance or trade.

What are they trying to do? Princess Zoya seems to have become an obstacle in their plans that needs to be eliminated.

We must tell Yu-ying and Zo-ya as soon as possible!

This Scorpion Lord is far more dangerous than Azim!

Li Shuchen strode uphill, a growing sense of urgency in his heart.

Posthouse

Liang Yuying's room

The shielding ball is enveloped in a dim light.

Li Shuchen recounted every detail of Zhen Congming's interrogation, especially his master's connection to Lord Scorpion and his disdainful attitude towards Azim.

"...That's the situation."

Li Shuchen took a big gulp of water

"We not only have to guard against the king and the golden camel in the open, but also find out the master hiding in our own ranks, as well as that scorpion in the power core of the Boyu Kingdom. Good heavens, we are surrounded by enemies on all sides, and ambushed from all directions. It's going to be very exciting!"

Liang Yuying's face was as cold and stern as she spoke in a deep voice.

"The 'Master' must hold a high position in Zixing, as he can easily recruit a commander of the Imperial Guard like Zhen Congming as a loyal follower. The 'Scorpion' holds a position above Azim in Boyu Kingdom, and may even influence the King's decisions."

"The two sides are colluding, and their ambitions are far from small. Sabotaging the marriage alliance and obstructing trade are probably just the surface. What they really want is a chaotic or puppet-like Boyu Kingdom that is completely under their control."

Princess Changning slammed her hand on the table in anger.

"You traitor! Don't let this princess find out who it is, or I'll make him pay!" She looked at Li Shuchen. "That Zhen Congming, didn't he spit out anything useful? Like, what position might Scorpion hold? A prince? A general? A priest?"

Li Shuchen shrugged.

"That guy's a brainwashed blockhead. He'll play dead when pressed, but judging from his words, this Scorpion is definitely not an ordinary nobleman. He has access to the king's inner circle and might even have his own secret forces, using Azim as a pawn."

Gu Ziying pondered for a moment.

"The scorpion tattoo on his arm is a secret mark; this person must be an extremely cautious, discreet individual within the core of the Boyu Kingdom, possessing the ability to act independently."

“Prince Suleiman? He is highly respected, but seems more detached, and has no need to collude with the Purple Star traitor. The other powerful princes? Bash is clearly not one of them; if he had that kind of brain, he wouldn't have been so easily fooled by us. Finance Minister Azim? Ruled out. Minister of War? Or... some important minister in charge of rituals or intelligence?”

Li Shuchen stroked his chin

"From a perspective of interests, who would least want to see normal trade between Boyu Kingdom and Zixing, and political stability? And who would benefit the most from the continued chaos and the king's dependence? Besides those monopolistic merchants, it would be those who hold military power or secret forces. Chaos is the breeding ground for them to seize more power."

Ye Bingli said softly, "Perhaps we can start with the tattoo itself. In the ancient legends of Boyu Kingdom or among certain tribes, does the scorpion have any special meaning or totem affiliation?"

After a few breaths, Liang Yuying had a plan.

"Time is of the essence, and we must employ multiple approaches. Changning, take advantage of the tea party to subtly inquire among the high-ranking officials of Boyu Kingdom about those who have scars on their wrists or forearms, or who wear clothing that covers their wrists year-round. Pay particular attention to those who hold high positions but act discreetly."

"Also, have Ruan Jingshang keep an eye out for rumors about a certain mysterious 'big shot' in business circles and at banquets, especially those related to words like 'scorpion,' 'poisonous sting,' and 'secret.'"

"Ziying, you can subtly convey the metaphor of 'beware of poisonous scorpions' through newly composed stories or nursery rhymes, and observe who reacts abnormally to it."

"Bingli, regarding the clues about the tattoo totem, please consult the limited books we brought, or inquire with Princess Zoya about the details of the Boyu Kingdom's tribal totem."

"Shu Chen, you will continue to be responsible for Princess Zoya's safety in the Camel Camp. At the same time, take advantage of your covert operations to find out the guarding patterns and possible hidden passages in the palace and the residences of several important officials, in order to prepare for any future needs. Remember, safety is the top priority. It is better to achieve nothing than to expose yourself."

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.

Princess Changning rubbed her hands together, eager to get started: "This mission is going to be really interesting. Watch how I, the princess, will get the 'scorpion's tail' out of those noble ladies' mouths!"