Once Lin Mengya associated the incident with Bloody Mary, she became reticent.

Lin Mengya would not have made such a mental connection if not for Xiu’s comment on Sumei’s pale countenance and the subtle scent of blood on her body that could not be detected by common people.

Moreover, from the time Xiu was abducted, the events that followed seemed to be connected to each other.

Lin Mengya could almost see a long dark chain connecting them.

Be it when they met the groups of businessmen along the way or when they met with those pursuing their lives, or even the bandits who captured Long Tianyu and gave him the Immortal Powder.

At this moment, Lin Mengya was certain that these people were accomplices with each other.

Even when Sumei was only a chess piece, they were able to fully exploit her.

What more those girls whom they had invested and groomed so meticulously?

Lin Mengya could hardly imagine how those girls had been groomed using such a twisted method.

Perhaps every one of them would become a weapon that created much trouble, just like Qinghu.

“Unfortunately, we’re being trapped here for now and it’s hard for us to turn the situation around. If we can get out of here, those people would not dare to be so audacious.”

Zuo Qiuyu sighed with regret, not knowing that his words served as a reminder to Lin Mengya and Long Tianyu.

True, they had been trapped here not merely because the elders of the Pavilion of Herbs wanted to make things difficult for Zuo Qiuyu so that he would lose the qualification to succeed the Chief Elder.

More importantly, without their obstruction, those people creating trouble in the old capital became even more savage.

“So I see. They had been calculating and expecting a favorable outcome. Say no more. It was all because those people were backing up Nan Rui and his gang so much so that they had the audacity to lay their hands on the Chief Elder and Mr. Yuan. Snort, I suppose they were not only trying to overturn the Pavilion of Herbs.”

Lin Mengya’s expression was cold as she snorted. However, there was no anxiety in her eyes.

“Let’s get out quickly, lest the situation changes for the worse if we delay.”

Long Tianyu said with a deep voice. He always had a premonition of what was going to happen.

While the old capital appeared to be restful as of now, there were dark and unknown undercurrents that might whip up a huge storm.

“There’s no need to do that. There will naturally be someone outside who would act. Let’s not get too anxious. Since we’ve already entered here, we have to check on them. Otherwise, those old bastards will become very complacent.”

When they saw that Lin Mengya appeared to have a well-thought-out plan, Long Tianyu and Zuo Qiuyu were rather puzzled.

Lin Mengya had not asked for any manpower and she barely left her accommodation when they were out and about.

From her tone, they could tell that she ought to have secretly planted one of her agents among them.

How strange! When did this lass do that?”

“Alright, stop your wild guessing. The answer to the riddle will be revealed in due time. Whoever tries to play games with me will suffer sooner or later. We have been enjoying such quiet times for days and it’s time for some excitement. Xiu, can you do me a favor?”

Xiu, who deemed herself as rather useless, hated herself for not sending men to follow those guys.

She was therefore elated when she heard the princess’s request for a favor.

“Rest assured, Elder Sister. I’ll complete the task perfectly!”

Xiu beat her chest as a guarantee and Lin Mengya responded with a gentle smile. Thereafter, she whispered something into Xiu’s ear.

Xiu’s eyes darted and her lips curled up into an evil smile.

“No problem, I assure you I’ll complete the mission!”

Xiu blinked at Lin Mengya, indicating that only the two of them understood each other.

Lin Mengya looked on as Xiu exited the room in a few quick steps and she narrowed her eyes.

“What scheme are you planning now?”

It should be noted that even Zuo Qiuyu and Long Tianyu felt the creeps when they see Lin Mengya smiling in this way.

This lass always had something up her sleeve. They would be thankful if she behaved herself on normal days.

Once she stirred up a commotion, the entire Pavilion of Herbs would be turned upside down.

“Just watch. Xiu will complete the mission beautifully. Rest assured that in a while, they will treat us like honorable guests.”

As Lin Mengya spoke with conviction, Zuo Qiuyu and Long Tianyu exchanged looks and wondered what she was up to again.

Xiu had just left and soon, a cry of agony echoed from outside.

If they guessed correctly, the voice came from the disciples guarding outside the entrance.

In an unhurried manner, Lin Mengya led Long Tianyu and Zuo Qiuyu to the spot where the incident happened.

At this moment, an innocent-looking Xiu was confronting a group of disciples outside the entrance.

Sitting on her delicate hands was a purple poisonous scorpion. It stayed very still on her hand.

At Xiu’s feet were lying two disciples who appeared to have fainted.

“Don’t come closer. My scorpion is still hungry.”

When Xiu opened her mouth, her bright and crispy voice seemed to penetrate their ears.

Lin Mengya observed that many people standing outside had their legs turned to jelly.

She could easily tell that they were pretending to be brave.

How cowardly! Merely a scorpion had frightened them so badly. Although the scorpion was venomous and a sting from it would prove fatal.

Nevertheless, they had lost a man’s dignity by appearing so terrified.

“What trouble have you created again, Xiu?”

Lin Mengya put away the gloating look in her eyes. She pretended to have come late and began scolding Xiu.

“You’ve wronged me, Elder Sister. I’m only trying to look for some food for my scorpion, but these two men outside outrightly refused to let me out. All I could do was to feed them to the scorpion.”

Xiu replied, appearing all innocent, but the scorpion in her hands appeared to have perked up. It looked like it was ready to sting those men any minute.

In that instant, those useless disciples retreated one big step.

“Oh, I see. You’re right. The scorpion would starve to death if you don’t feed it. We can’t get out of this place anyway. How about we feed whoever is guarding our entrance to your scorpion, so we’re using the resources we have right here? Dear brothers, who will be next?”

Lin Mengya’s smile blossomed like a flower. Together with Xiu’s innocence and loveliness, the two beautiful ladies looked as terrifying as the King of Hell to them.

Not to mention who would court death by coming forward, whoever took a step forward would be like participating in some kind of daredevil game.

Sigh, none of these weaklings dared step forward.

Xiu pretended to take a step closer to them and these useless men got a fright immediately.

Instantly, a few of the men who were more quick-witted quietly fled. They must have gone to look for someone who could make decisions.

“Er… er… Your Highness, this matter had nothing to do with the disciples. We were merely acting under orders. Please calm down and be angry no more. Please ask this lady to keep her scorpion. Let’s talk over the matter.”

A young man, who appeared to hold a higher position, was chosen by the others to negotiate terms with Lin Mengya.

Looking at the young man, Lin Mengya knew he had been pushed to be the sacrifice.

Xiu eventually kept the scorpion, but still, no one dared come within a five-meter radius of the four of them.

Finally, the five elders of the Pavilion of Herbs were spotted hurrying in this direction not too long after.

They were still adorned with the white ceremonial costume especially worn by the people in the Pavilion of Herbs. Lin Mengya supposed the competition had just ended and they had rushed over after hearing the report from their disciples. They were in such a hurry that they did not have time to get changed.

“Greetings to the elders.”

When the disciples saw that the decision-makers had arrived, they were overjoyed and their confidence was boosted.

They had broken out in cold sweat a moment ago, being frightened by Lin Mengya, but now they felt much more relieved.

However, the elders were crest-fallen.

Even Chang Tianhua looked downcast and this made Lin Mengya wonder. Could it be that all five of them failed in this round of tests?

This was getting really interesting.

“What’s the commotion? Why are you not at your posting and had come running here?”

Qian Yuming scolded as usual. After the incident with Du Zhong, his disciples had learned to be smarter. They had all prepared a way of escape for themselves.

After all, what if one of them got singled out to be the scapegoat like Du Zhong. It would be so not worthwhile to die a wrongful death.

Therefore, not many were left who were not the disciples of the Qian family.

For this reason, Qian Yuming began resenting the other elders. Of course the people he hated most were Lin Mengya and her company.

“Elder Qian, it’s… it’s because Her Highness, the princes found it inconvenient being forbidden to leave her courtyard, so, so she…”

The young man, who was responsible for negotiating with Lin Mengya spoke, sounding like he had been put into a tight spot.

Qian Yuming looked ruthlessly at the two disciples who had collapsed at the entrance and a gloating look flashed across his eyes.

“Elder Nan, aren’t those your disciples? If they had been savagely killed, you must avenge them.”

In an instant, a cunning Elder Qian had thrown the ball over to Nan Rui’s court.

However, to their surprise, Nan Rui was not anxious at all. On the other hand, he looked at Lin Mengya and said, “You must be joking, Your Highness. They had merely fainted. It was my fault for not teaching my disciples properly. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Despite hearing that Nan Rui had hit the name on its head, Lin Mengya was not provoked.

She smiled elegantly and gazed directly at Nan Rui with no guilt whatsoever.

“Elder Nan was indeed very observant. These two men had merely fainted. However, they are not to be blamed. My honored guest had offended you. However, we ask for an account and explanation for locking us up here because of what happened to Du Zhong. Even the emperor could not imprison us as and when he likes. Are you trying to set up an illegal court to judge us?”

Lin Mengya’s eyes sharpened, as well as the tone of her voice.