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On the way back, Qian Wan'er sat inside the carriage and soon fell asleep due to the swaying motion. Nangong Shuang and Qiao Er sat beside her, exchanging glances in silence for a moment.
"Why did you take in Qiao Er?" Qiao Er suddenly asked in a low voice, her tone lacking the usual streetwise edge and carrying a hint of steadiness.
Nangong Shuang smiled slightly. "Because I know you are not an ordinary vendor."
A flicker of surprise crossed Qiao Er's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. "Sister, you have a keen eye."
"You carry the aura of someone trained in martial arts, and your hands bear the marks of someone who has long used hidden weapons," Nangong Shuang said, looking directly into her eyes. "Moreover, you seem particularly wary of officials."
Qiao Er sighed, her wariness gradually dissipating. "Sister is indeed not simple. To be honest, I am not just an ordinary embroiderer."
"Then who are you?" Nangong Shuang's voice was gentle yet firm.
Qiao Er hesitated for a moment, weighing whether to be honest. Finally, she made up her mind and whispered, "I am from Jinyi Tower, responsible for gathering intelligence."
"Jinyi Tower?" Nangong Shuang frowned slightly. "What kind of organization is that?"
"It is an intelligence organization in the martial world that provides information to various factions without regard for stance, only seeking profit," Qiao Er explained. "However, recently Jinyi Tower has been suppressed by an organization called Shadow Pavilion, and many of my brothers and sisters have fallen victim. I managed to escape by luck and had to hide my identity to make a living in the streets."
Nangong Shuang's heart jolted—Shadow Pavilion! It was the mysterious organization she had discovered a few days ago that might be related to the extermination of the Nangong Family!
"What is Shadow Pavilion's background?" Nangong Shuang tried to keep her tone calm.
Qiao Er cautiously glanced around to confirm that Qian Wan'er was still asleep before lowering her voice. "Shadow Pavilion is an assassin organization secretly formed by a powerful figure in the court, specifically tasked with eliminating dissenters. They operate discreetly and employ ruthless methods. It is said that ten years ago, during the shocking extermination case of the Nangong Family in the capital, Shadow Pavilion had a hand in it."
Nangong Shuang's heart raced as she forced herself to remain composed. "The Nangong Family? Is that the medical family that was exterminated for alleged treason?"
"Treason?" Qiao Er scoffed. "That was merely a frame-up. The truth is well known among those in the martial world."
"Oh?" Nangong Shuang feigned curiosity. "What is the truth?"
Qiao Er looked around again and mysteriously lowered her voice. "It is said that the Nangong Family possessed a medical book containing a tremendous secret related to the royal family. To cover up the truth, someone used the charge of treason to wipe out the entire Nangong clan."
This aligned with what Nangong Shuang knew; it seemed Qiao Er indeed had some insider information. She decided to probe further: "So you mean to say that the Nangong Family was wronged?"
"Of course!" Qiao Er nodded firmly. "The Nangong Family has treated people for generations with high moral standards; how could they commit treason? It's just..." She suddenly paused and squinted at Nangong Shuang. "Why are you so interested in the Nangong Family?"
Nangong Shuang calmly avoided answering the question: "I happened to hear someone mention it recently and became curious. Since you are an intelligence expert, I assume you know quite a bit about the secrets of various families in the capital?"
Seeing her change the subject, Qiao Er no longer pressed for answers and smiled proudly. "That’s certainly true! Especially regarding the Xiao Family; on the surface they are high-ranking officials in court, but behind closed doors they engage in all sorts of unsavory dealings."
"The Xiao Family?" Nangong Shuang feigned surprise. "Isn't that Lord Xiao's family?"
Qiao Er nodded and lowered her voice further. "Exactly! The Xiao Family appears prosperous but is rife with internal strife. Lord Xiao has two sons; although his eldest son Xiao Zhongyan is legitimate, he is not favored; while his second son Xiao Zhongmo is illegitimate but deeply loved by Lord Xiao. The two brothers have been vying against each other for years."
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