Chapter 65: Peeping

My lord, this humble servant Defu has served in the Appraisal Mansion for over thirty years. If Your Lordship has any questions, please feel free to ask. The old steward dismissed the others and led Zhao Erdong toward the inner hall.

Zhao Erdong glanced at Defu. He was dressed in a cyan-grey long robe, his white hair tied up high. Although his eyes appeared slightly cloudy at first glance, Zhao Erdong clearly caught flashes of sharp, piercing light hidden behind that haziness.

Judging by his unservile yet unarrogant demeanor, it clearly did not match his station as a servant. Even with his white hair, he was unmistakably at least seventy years old. Yet, despite such advanced age, he walked without making the slightest sound, his movements as light and agile as a young maiden's.

This person was by no means ordinary; he was undoubtedly a crouching tiger, a hidden dragon. Residing in such a lofty position within the Appraisal Mansion, what could his true intentions be?

Defu, how old are you this year? Zhao Erdong stepped into the front hall and sat directly on the main seat, while a maid prudently brought in a cup of fragrant tea.

Replying to Your Lordship, Defu is seventy-eight this year.

He remained standing rigidly straight, his expression indifferent, answering Zhao Erdong's questions word for word.

Seventy-eight, you say! And what about your family? Zhao Erdong picked up the teacup, gently blowing away the rising steam from the brew. Her question seemed casual, but her eyes never left Defu for even a moment.

Defu remained utterly calm and unruffled, merely shaking his head slightly. Defu has no family.

No family? Was this what one would call a lonely old man?

Knowing that further questioning would yield nothing, Zhao Erdong stood up, pulled Baihe by the hand, and headed toward the back courtyard. As she reached the exit of the front hall, she suddenly turned back to look at Defu, who was still standing in the same spot, watching the two of them depart. That distant glance gave her an inexplicable sense of déjà vu, as if she had seen him somewhere before, though she could not place it for the moment.

Suppressing her swirling suspicions, she turned and left.

My lady, do you also feel that this Defu is extremely suspicious?

Once they reached a secluded spot where no one else was around, Baihe softly inquired.

What did you notice?

Baihe glanced around to the left and right, then lowered her voice further. This Defu must be a formidable expert concealing his true power. Look at his hands—though the skin is dark, the texture is smooth, and the web between his thumb and forefinger is raised high. These are clearly the physical traits of a martial arts master. Just think, how could an ordinary person, and a servant at that, live past seventy with skin that good, moving as swiftly as if flying? It is simply impossible.

Zhao Erdong nodded, unable to help a smile. Well, well, my little Baihe, your powers of observation are so meticulous. If you had been born in my era, Sherlock Holmes would have been out of a job! Conan and the like would be mere trifles in front of you!

Baihe's face flushed red, and she shot Zhao Erdong a fierce glare. My lady, you only ever know how to make fun of me. What on earth is a Fuo-er-mo-si?

Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand!

Zhao Erdong scampered away with a giggle, leaving Baihe stamping her feet behind her. My lady, you must be scolding me, right? That Fuo-er-mo-si thing can't be anything good, can it?

That night, moonlight spilled across the earth like cascading silver, draping all creation in a pure, elegant, and luminous white attire.

Zhao Erdong sat cross-legged, her hands forming mudras resting upon her knees, her phoenix eyes tightly shut, wisps of faint grey smoke curling above her head.

Outside the door, a dark shadow flashed, and a pair of piercingly bright eyes appeared at the door crack, spying on the situation inside the room.

Zhao Erdong suddenly snapped her eyes open, golden flames darting into her pupils. Who's there? Her divine eyes activated, revealing a person clad in black night-garments spying from right outside the wooden door.

When the dark shadow caught sight of the golden flames within Zhao Erdong's eyes, his expression shifted drastically, shock and uncertainty flashing across his gaze. Seeing that Zhao Erdong had already risen to her feet, his figure shifted, and he vanished into the nocturnal veil.