Xiaoxiao.

Chapter 180 Spying in the dark

Ever since that chance glimpse of Bingniang's surging, alluring breasts, Zhu Lu has been bewitched, tossing and turning every night, unable to fall asleep.

From then on, he visited the back courtyard of the Zhu Guo Palace more and more often.

Even he himself couldn't explain why he felt this way, but whenever the image of Bingniang's graceful figure appeared in his mind, especially the magnificent sight of her breasts, his heart burned as hot as a bonfire.

As his thoughts wandered into wild fantasies, Zhu Lu even felt a strange and unfamiliar reaction in his lower body.

This feeling left him both confused and somewhat unable to extricate himself.

Even so, he still couldn't shake off this feeling.

The rear courtyard of Zhu Guo Palace is actually a collective term for a large area of ​​buildings, and is not the actual harem of Zhu Xian.

The residences of the seven elders are also located here.

However, as time went by, Zhu Xian's prestige and power grew day by day, and the seven elders wisely moved away from the place to avoid unnecessary trouble and suspicion.

Therefore, although this vast complex of buildings was not strictly isolated, those who knew how to assess the situation dared not easily set foot here again after the seven elders moved away, in order to avoid suspicion.

Zhu Lu and his two brothers grew up by Zhu Xian's side since childhood. For them, the entire Zhu Guo Palace was their home.

The rear courtyard, which is closely connected to the magnificent and imposing main hall, is no exception.

Especially after all the families of the seven elders moved out in a rush, Zhu Xian generously arranged separate residences for the three brothers in the back courtyard.

However, as time went by and the three brothers grew up, their free-spirited nature and aversion to any constraints led them to return to the inner palace less and less often.

As Zhu Xian's power and influence grew, he attracted more and more women, either to his own liking or as gifts from his subordinates. Without exception, all of these women were placed in various residences within his inner court, which objectively transformed Zhu Xian's inner court into his harem.

Under these circumstances, it was clearly no longer appropriate for the three brothers, who were already adults, to continue living there.

Although Zhu Xian did not explicitly issue an order to reclaim the mansions bestowed upon the three brothers in the inner palace, everyone knew perfectly well that the inner palace had now become Zhu Xian's true forbidden territory.

As Zhu Xian's most favored junior, Zhu Lu was naturally well aware of the taboos involved.

But ever since that day when he met Bingniang by chance, he has undergone a complete transformation.

He, who had never set foot in the inner quarters for nearly ten years, has recently been frequently going in and out, and even specially instructed his servants to tidy up the mansion that used to belong to him. It seems that he has made up his mind to settle down here for a long time.

This was only on the surface; in reality, he wanted to find evidence of Zhu Xian's possible existence through the many women in his harem.

There's a saying: "The person you sleep with can be deadly!"

It's not that your bed partner is the most dangerous, but rather that they know you best.

A single word from her (or his) can give the enemy the opportunity to seize your weakness.

That's why some people say their bed partner is "deadly".

Zhu Lu had this plan in mind, which is why he took advantage of his accidental encounter with Bing Niang and being instantly captivated by her to re-enter his original residence in the inner courtyard.

Of course, the so-called being bewitched and distracted were all false information he deliberately spread.

Having served Zhu Xian for so many years, Zhu Lu was well aware of his lord's suspicious and fickle nature.

Without a plausible excuse, he'll be kicked out tomorrow, and the whole 'gathering information' thing will be pointless.

The news that Zhu Lu was about to move back into the Hou Ting Mansion was like a bombshell in the Hou Ting, instantly causing a huge uproar.

It should be noted that the people currently residing in the entire inner courtyard are either Zhu Xian's wives and concubines or the servants who serve these women.

But whether they were masters or servants, they all had one striking and common characteristic—they were all women.

Although there is no explicit rule prohibiting men from entering the rear courtyard, over the years, has any man ever dared to approach this place even half a step?

Let alone getting close, even if they have to pass through this place, they will take a detour from a distance, for fear of causing trouble if they are not careful.

But Zhu Lu, first of all, brazenly roamed around the backyard in broad daylight;

He's still not satisfied with that, and now there are even rumors that he plans to settle down permanently.

How could such a shocking act not leave people speechless and spark heated discussions?

As the person in charge of all affairs in Noguchi Ridge, Zhu Xian is fully aware of every little thing that happens in his territory.

His tight surveillance system was virtually all-encompassing; under his control, no one's slightest movement could escape his notice.

Therefore, when news came that Zhu Lu was about to relocate to the inner palace, Zhu Xian naturally became the first person to receive this information.

Moreover, thanks to his powerful intelligence system and ubiquitous spies, he has even figured out the whole story.

Although no one noticed their chance encounter in the back garden that day, how could Zhu Xian, who regarded the back garden as her own private property, be completely unprepared?

In fact, on the very day they met, someone had already reported the matter to Zhu Xian.

He not only learned that Zhu Lu's original intention in lying in ambush there was not Bing Niang, but somehow he suddenly changed his mind.

Even what they said at the time, and how they behaved afterward.

What people did they meet, what did they say, and what did they do in the next seven days? And so on!

Such things, in all their detail, were clearly and neatly arranged, categorized, and meticulously laid out before Zhu Xian.

Zhu Lu thought he had done everything secretly, but little did he know that in front of Zhu Xian, he was as naked as if he had taken off his clothes to swim!

After reviewing the intelligence on his desk, Zhu Xian did not issue any orders.

Instead, she said with some emotion, "Sigh! The kids are all grown up now, they all have their own ideas. They're hard to manage and take care of!"

After that, she didn't say anything more;

His spies, having received no explicit orders from him, acted as if nothing had happened.

Although Zhu Xian did not take this matter to heart, after all, there were many people in the vast Noguchi Ridge who opposed him and even wanted him dead.

No matter what, Zhu Lu was raised by him. He made mistakes, but his crimes did not warrant death.

Therefore, he plans to suppress the matter for the time being and act as if nothing has happened.

Although his genitals were practically forbidden territory to him, there was no explicit rule prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving.

However, everyone was intimidated by his authority, so for the past ten years, they tacitly kept their distance from this area.

Moreover, since its construction, the main purpose of the rear courtyard has been to provide residence for the elders of Noguchi Pass.

Although this generation of elders is really incompetent and has been suppressed by Zhu Xian, their righteous cause is still there.

Although Zhu Xian was arrogant and domineering, he was not stupid and would not do anything foolish that would anger the public.

Even when the seven elders were ousted, he paid for each of them to build a larger mansion.

To the outside world, he hypocritically claimed that the back courtyard was in disrepair and the buildings were old, and he couldn't bear to see the elders suffer.

In short, they've taken both appearance and substance to the extreme.