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"Every type of magic has its strengths and weaknesses, and the Puppet technique is no exception," Xing Ruyi explained. "Controlling a person's body is easy, but controlling their soul is not. In addition to needing the target's birth date and time, one also requires their blood, hair, and other items. Therefore, the tools needed for casting the spell may not be as simple as just a scarecrow. However, the current situation is somewhat perplexing."
"What part is perplexing?" Chang Tai asked.
"What my mother means is that if the caster wanted to obtain someone's birth date and blood, it wouldn't be difficult. The challenge lies in the fact that she has managed to acquire the birth dates, blood, and hair of so many people."
"What if this caster is not an ordinary person?" Chang Tai hesitated to ask. "If they are not an ordinary person, wouldn't it be easier for them to obtain these items? They might not even need them to cast the spell."
"Not an ordinary person!" Xing Ruyi muttered, carefully observing Miss Zhou and those affected by the Puppet technique. "But if the caster is not an ordinary person, then what are they? What could their purpose be in targeting that general's wife? Perhaps they are actually targeting the general himself?"
"Fox Demon, what are you thinking?"
"Oh, I'm pondering what the main objective of this caster is and who they are really targeting."
"Who are they targeting? Isn't it us?"
"Certainly not us!"
Xing Ruyi stood up, pulled Chang Tai aside, and instructed Yin Yuan to see if there was a way to break the spell on these people.
Her Ruyi Rouge shop in Yun Family Gathering was quite noticeable, especially since these women affected by the Puppet technique had been causing a commotion for some time. She speculated that it wouldn't be long before their families came looking for them. If they entered and saw all these people lying on the ground, various rumors would start spreading. It wouldn't be long before the county magistrate who had just accompanied the general's wife earlier that morning would return with many Yard Officers.
To break the Puppet technique, Yin Yuan would naturally need to use some unconventional methods. Xing Ruyi intentionally did not want Chang Tai to see this, so she made an excuse about mending his clothes and directly took him to the backyard.
"What did you mean earlier, Fox Demon? You said that the caster isn't targeting us but rather the general's wife or even General himself. What's going on?"
"The general's wife and the county magistrate visited our Ruyi Rouge shop this morning. You were responsible for receiving them?"
"Yes, I was in charge of receiving them. At that time, you and A Niu went to Watchman's House to help with a medical issue. Li Mao rushed in to report that the county magistrate was accompanying a distinguished lady. Since Yin Yuan is still young and unsuitable for receiving guests, I had to step in. It was only after I went out that I realized the lady accompanying the county magistrate was General Li Yan's wife; they arrived at around midnight last night. Because it was late when they came, it wasn't appropriate to disturb others, so aside from the county magistrate who accompanied them, no one else in Yun Family Gathering knew."
"Since no one else knows, where did those women in the shop get their information?" This question from Xing Ruyi left Chang Tai momentarily speechless.
Chang Tai shook his head. "This matter still needs to be investigated."
After a brief pause, he looked into Xing Ruyi's eyes and added, "There is one more thing. Since I returned, I have not found an opportunity to speak with you, Fox Demon. I have an old acquaintance, General Li Yan. After learning that he returned to the capital due to illness, I visited his residence several times, hoping for his swift recovery so he could return to his military camp.
You know, people like us become increasingly uncomfortable the longer we stay in the capital. As a Constable, even if I feel out of place or frustrated, I can simply vent my feelings because my position is lowly and few will pay attention. Li Yan is different; he belongs to the Li Family, a name that the Empress is wary of. Previously, when he was not a Li and stationed far at the borders, the Empress could afford to be lenient with him, and people in court could treat him as if he didn't exist. But now that he has returned—albeit due to illness—he has military achievements and a notable reputation. Whether from the Li Family or the Martial Family, for various reasons, it will be hard for them not to notice him or care about his every move.
Fox Demon, you live among the common folk and navigate the rivers and lakes, so you may not understand the dangers brought by shifts in court politics and entangled interests. I know that if Li Yan stays in the capital, even if he isn't tormented by his illness, he will be exploited by the Li Family and persecuted by the Martial Family under various pretexts. Moreover, since the imperial physician has been unable to help him with his condition, I recommended you.
During this escort of Si Niang back to the capital, I made a special trip to the general's residence to inform him of your medical skills. Li Yan is a wise man; he understands that my advice for him to leave the capital was not merely about seeking your treatment. Therefore, without hesitation, he summoned the general's wife and wrote a letter to the Empress while quickly packing some belongings and bringing along a few trusted servants before leaving Divine Capital with me.
Once we reached a safe place outside the capital, I hastened to catch up with you and Young Master Yin. After settling down, I planned to send a message for him to come over. However, I did not expect you would open such a Rouge shop in Yun Family Gathering nor that Li Yan and his wife would arrive so soon."
"I have already discussed these matters with Yin Yuan. As for General Li's condition, once Night Watchman’s affairs are settled, I will go see him myself." Xing Ruyi's words eased Chang Tai's mind somewhat.
"Then what about those Puppet people you mentioned earlier..."
"Actually, I'm not clear on all the details either; what I just mentioned was merely speculation between me and Yin Yuan." Xing Ruyi said as she tugged at Chang Tai's sleeve. "Yin Yuan informed me that those affected by Puppet techniques arrived after the general's wife and the county magistrate visited your Rouge shop. Moreover, it was rumored that the general's wife intended to help him take a concubine. Initially, I was just curious—if these people were after positions in the general's household, why were they entangled in my Rouge shop? And why were they surrounding you specifically, Brother Chang?"
Chang Tai widened his eyes in surprise; clearly unaware of the general's wife's intentions regarding taking a concubine. He was simply puzzled as to why he suddenly found himself surrounded by attention in Yun Family Gathering when he had never been particularly popular before.
"It was Yin Yuan who reminded me first about some unusual scents in your Rouge shop and then pointed out how strange these women surrounding you were—not only their postures but also their actions."
"Strange actions? I don’t recall anything odd about them. They were just quite chatty; they kept repeating the same thing in my ear. If it weren't for my good temper, I would have truly lost my patience."
"So you had already noticed this aspect? Indeed, besides their repetitive chatter being quite annoying, these women also unconsciously mimic similar actions." Xing Ruyi demonstrated a light sniffing gesture. "They instinctively try to smell your scent."
Chang Tai furrowed his brows, lifted his sleeve, and gently sniffed it twice.
"Brother Chang, although you are an excellent man with a heroic spirit, I do not believe these women are attracted solely by your masculinity. If it were just those married women, it would be fine, but for those unmarried young ladies from the maternal family to behave so inappropriately is quite unreasonable.
If they are not drawn to your own aura, Brother Chang, then why would they act in such an unbecoming manner? The answer lies in the sudden presence of a fresh fruity fragrance from the Rouge shop, which is not a scent that belongs to you.
Brother Chang is a good man and will one day be a good husband and father. However, such refined qualities cannot be discerned by these women simply from a glance today. Considering previous events, it can be inferred that they are ostensibly interested in the general's concubines but are actually being manipulated from behind the scenes to use their interest in the general's concubines as a cover for assassination.
Those seven-inch wooden nails—I have yet to investigate what secrets they hide—are likely weapons. As for whether they are aimed at the general's wife or General Li Yan himself, further investigation is needed. From what we see now, although those women are being secretly controlled, they rely on scent to identify their targets. They arrived late; by the time they came, the general's wife had already left, and you had picked up her Fruitwood Fragrance, which is why they mistook you for their target for ambush and attack."
"My people's words seem disjointed and somewhat off. If they truly admired me, they could express their intentions directly instead of saying they don't mind and only want to be a Concubine. I have not yet married; how could I take a concubine? Thanks to you, Fox Demon, Brother Chang now understands that those people are not interested in me but rather in the general."
Chang Tai's tone was somewhat teasing, but his expression was very serious.
"In that case, the person behind this should also be targeting the general's household. They are using this underhanded Puppet technique; their intentions are extremely dark and even somewhat unspeakable."
"But such people are even harder to guard against. Since Brother Chang already knows the situation, it would be wise to visit the relay station and alert either the general or his wife; this could provide some precaution." Xing Ruyi thought for a moment and added, "If you see Li Mao, let him stay at the relay station to keep watch and not return for now. Since the person behind this is using Puppet techniques, they will certainly not act openly. Both you and the general are straightforward individuals who are not adept at guarding against these covert methods. Li Mao understands some of these matters; keeping him at the relay station will give you some peace of mind."
Chang Tai's eyes suddenly brightened as he raised his hand towards Xing Ruyi but said nothing.
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