First annul the engagement, then sever ties with the empress; the empress reigns supreme.

Upon entering the inner passage, candlelight illuminated the narrow, dark corridor, truly ushering us into a dark room. The space inside became larger, but also darker and damper.

In the corners of the walls and on the floor, you can see seven-step snakes, geckos with broken tails, and black spiders crawling haphazardly at any time; every kind of small animal is poisonous.

If an ordinary person accidentally wandered in and saw that these "little things" hadn't been poisoned to death, they would be scared to death.

Su Li, who was behind Gu Qingyanzi, was already used to these poisonous creatures. When a black spider crawled onto her foot, she didn't even lift her eyelids, letting the black spider climb and jump on her foot.

"Send this bottle of refined pills to Lord Cheng of the Ministry of War." Qingyanzi took out a porcelain bottle from a hidden compartment and handed it to Su Li.

Su Li respectfully accepted it with both hands outstretched.

She had been working for Qingyanzi for a short time, but she had already sent elixirs to many officials in the court.

These elixirs, ostensibly for prolonging life, are in fact highly poisonous.

The poison is as fine as scattered beans; a handful scattered, or a handful held in both hands, yields a considerable quantity.

Those who have consumed the elixir will all become slaves to the poison at Qingyanzi's command, and the overthrow of the court and the establishment of a new emperor will be just around the corner.

The court that appears prosperous and powerful now is actually in a state of deep decay and corruption.

Su Li frowned beneath her mask, thinking that it wouldn't be long before the people were displaced. Realizing she was worrying about strangers, she immediately shook her head inwardly, disgusted with herself.

She's a bad person, her heart is harder than stone, she can't even take care of herself, what does the life or death of some strangers have to do with her?

Su Li put away the pills, turned around, and walked towards the passage.

Qingyanzi showed no intention of leaving. He walked to the table filled with various jars and vessels, picked up a black snake and threw it directly into the jar, then threw in spiders, toads and other things in turn. He focused on refining the Gu.

Suddenly, a noisy commotion came from outside.

"Catch the thief."

"Stop him quickly."

Someone has broken into the mansion.

Su Li had a bad feeling when she thought about how Qin Yue had secretly checked all the exits and sent a message to Gu Junxi at the hunting grounds earlier that day.

She turned around and looked at Qingyanzi: "Master, there are thieves breaking into the mansion. Would you like to go and take a look?"

Qingyanzi looked over, his eyes as dark as venomous snakes crawling on the ground: "What, you don't want me to go?"

These words carried a probing tone, as if daring to utter a single wrong word would result in a bite to the neck.

The mask concealed all her emotions, and Su Li appeared unchanged. She shook her head and said, "How could that be? Of course I want Master to go. Master's methods are superb; he will surely ensure that the thief never returns."

"Hmph, then I'll go and see. Let's see who's so bold as to trespass on my Imperial Preceptor's residence." The Emperor's decree appointing Qingyanzi as Imperial Preceptor had not yet been issued, but recently there had been signs of a softening. Qingyanzi, however, couldn't wait and had already assumed the title of Imperial Preceptor.

Su Li lowered her eyelashes, concealing the surging murderous intent within her.

Ning Hanshuang was surrounded by layers of people dressed in blue Taoist robes and wearing masks.

The Qingyanzi residence was not only heavily guarded, but also riddled with traps.

Ning Hanshuang was exceptionally skilled and had some knowledge of maze formations. She took each step very carefully, but she still made a mistake and accidentally struck a bell in the maze, drawing people in.

Moreover, the newly accepted disciples and grand-disciples in Qingyanzi's mansion are all skilled in using poison techniques. Ning Hanshuang is indeed gradually showing signs of defeat.

"Who dares to trespass into our National Preceptor's residence? Don't you have a death wish?" Qingyanzi gripped his whisk and glared menacingly at Ning Hanshuang.

Ning Hanshuang sent one of her disciples flying with a single palm strike, then looked at Qingyanzi with a mocking expression: "Isn't it said that Master Qingyanzi is the most compassionate and kind-hearted, like an immortal? How come he's trying to take someone's life with just a few words today?"

“Because I don’t like uninvited guests.” Qingyanzi stepped back, letting Su Li, who was originally standing behind him, move to the front: “Good disciple, kill her.”

Ning Hanshuang wore a face mask to cover her face, but those who had spent day and night with her could still recognize her by her figure and voice.

The word "kill her" startled Su Li, causing her to freeze in place for a moment, her heart pounding.

Until Qingyanzi's devilish voice rang out again. Qingyanzi's hand landed heavily on Su Li's shoulder: "What? You can't bear to part with him? Do you know this person?"

When Qingyanzi said this, it meant he recognized Ning Hanshuang, or rather, he had some suspicions.

Having experienced Qingyanzi's methods countless times, Su Li knew in her heart what kind of torment awaited her if she did not make a clear statement now.

Moreover, if she hesitates and her mother recognizes her identity, Qingyanzi will definitely not let her mother off the hook.

Su Li bit her lip, raised her eyes and rushed towards Ning Hanshuang. She attacked with deadly force, each move ruthless, targeting Ning Hanshuang's weakest points.

A handful of poison was spilled, and Ning Hanshuang was seriously injured.

Ning Hanshuang clutched her chest, looking at the masked woman who was now sparring with her and whose martial arts skills were on par with hers. Suddenly, she really wasn't sure if this woman was her daughter.

Su Li had always been resistant to her and distant. But she knew her own daughter well, and she believed that no matter what, her daughter would never truly want to kill her.

After another ten or so moves, Ning Hanshuang glanced at Qingyanzi, who was eyeing her menacingly, and prepared to escape. Just as she was figuring out how to break free, the masked woman fighting her seemed to read her mind. She followed the woman in the direction Ning Hanshuang went, eventually blocking her path.

Suddenly, before her hand even touched the masked woman, the masked woman's body flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground, giving her the best chance to escape.

The masked woman deliberately let her go!

Ning Hanshuang was shocked. She had already given up hope that the masked woman before her was her second daughter. But now, her previous conclusion was overturned once again.

The masked woman is her second daughter.

Ning Hanshuang looked at Su Li lying on the ground, unable to move, and her eyes flashed with reluctance. She was eager to take Su Li away with her.

However, she saw Su Li wink at her.

It implies that you don't need to worry about her.

Receiving Su Li's gaze, Ning Hanshuang felt even more conflicted.

While she was still in a daze, Su Li turned her head and covered her chest, seemingly pleading with Qing Yanzi, but in reality blocking Qing Yanzi's way out and creating an opportunity for Ning Hanshuang to escape.

"Master, this thief is very skilled. I am no match for him. Please avenge me."

Ning Hanshuang was not the kind of person who hesitated. She was only stunned for a moment before she came to her senses and did not want Su Li's efforts to be in vain.

She turned her head and used her lightness skill to break through the encirclement, quickly leaping onto the top of the wall.

Ning Hanshuang was not slow and was quite skilled. The reason she was surrounded earlier was not only because there were many people around, but also because of good luck.

She broke free of the encirclement like a bird flying into the forest. It wouldn't be so easy to trap her again.

After weighing the options, Qingyanzi took no action.

He simply walked up to Su Li. Looking down at her, he gave her a cold laugh, then raised his leg and stomped heavily on her chest.

"You little beast, don't think I can't see through your little scheme. If you want to die, I'll grant your wish."

This kick used internal force, and Su Li lay on the ground, writhing in pain.

Hearing that painful cry, the other disciples nearby all felt sorry for Su Li and took a step back.