The ace special forces who dominated the Sui dynasty's late period

  Only a young nobleman in magnificent attire, accompanied by more than ten green-clad servants with small hats, was hurrying along the garden path towards the pavilion. Liu Ziqiu only knew that after Longsun Sheng's death, Longsun Wuji and his sister were raised by their uncle Gao Shiyan, but he didn't know what relationship this young nobleman had with them.

  But then Chang Sun Wu Guo said: "Third brother, this big fellow has saved..."

  Changsun Sheng had five sons and one daughter. Changsun Wuji was the fourth son, with three older brothers above him. The eldest son, Changsun Wunai, was killed during Han Wang Yang Jue's rebellion. The second son, Changsun Wujiao, was appointed as a hawk-yangling general by Yang Guang due to his brother's merits and went to serve in a distant land. This young prince was Changsun Sheng's third son, named Changsun Wuchen. After Changsun Sheng followed Yang Guang on the northern expedition, Changsun Wuchen took charge of the household affairs.

  "Shut up!" Zhangsun Wu Xian didn't even let Zhangsun Wu Guo finish speaking, and with a majestic air, he waved his hand towards the back and pointed at Liu Ziqiu, saying "Entering without permission is thievery! Bind him and send him to the authorities!"

  Chang Sun Wuji suddenly rushed over and blocked Liu Ziqiu's way, shouting: "He is my friend, you can't catch him!"

  The two maids who were hiding far behind the house slave saw Changsun Wuji step forward, and they were all shocked.

  "So he really is a friend of the fourth young master."

  "He's really handsome, if I had known earlier, I wouldn't have gone to report to Third Master."

  "He's actually here looking for our young lady."

  "Hum! Miss is still young, how could it be... However, if we can become a companion maid, that would be great."

  Two people whispered to each other like they were infatuated, completely unaware that swords had been drawn in front of them.

  "Go! Take Fourth Brother away!" Zhang Sun Wu Xian shouted loudly.

  On this side, Changsun Wuji did not back down at all and loudly shouted: "I'll see who dares!"

  "Master Wujin, this young friend, Liu has made up his mind." Liu Ziqiu gently patted Long Sun Wujin's shoulder and said, "You'd better step aside first, don't let Liu ruin the harmony between you brothers."

  "I'm not young anymore." Zhang Sun Wuji muttered, but still retreated to the side obediently. A dozen or so household slaves "hustled" and surrounded him immediately.

  Liu Ziqiu sneered: "If Liu wants to come, he will come. If he wants to leave, he will leave. Do you think the few of you can stop him?"

  As soon as the words fell, he saw him flash and pounce on Long Sun Wu Xian. Several house slaves rushed forward to block him. Without seeing how Liu Zi Qiu moved, several house slaves either fell to the ground or collided with each other. Liu Zi Qiu had already reached Long Sun Wu Xian's side, his right hand gently pressed against his chest, and said in a deep voice: "If I find out you're bullying them two siblings, I won't forgive you!"

  Chang Sun Wu Xian only felt a huge stone pressing on his chest, and he couldn't even breathe, let alone answer. It wasn't until Liu Ziqiu withdrew that he felt his breathing ease up a bit. When he looked again, Liu Ziqiu was already gone, leaping away like a flying bird.

  Changsun Wuji's siblings had seen Liu Ziqing's skills before, so they weren't surprised. However, Changsun Wucheng was both shocked and furious, and was about to shift the blame onto his brother and sister. But then he remembered Liu Ziqing's warning as he left, and swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He furiously swung his sleeves, and hastily departed with his servants.

  It was approaching dusk when the sky suddenly started drizzling with a fine, misty rain that seemed to go on and on without end.

  Li Jing raised his head and looked at the sky, saying: "Younger brother, let's not go tonight."

  Every time Liu Ziqiu sneaked into the Forbidden Palace at night, Li Jing and his wife would stay awake all night, only putting their minds at ease when he returned.

  "On a rainy day, the guards will definitely be slack, it's just right to take action." Special forces are on 24-hour standby at all times, and when a mission is issued, no matter if it's raining or even hailing, they must resolutely execute it. There have been several times when Liu Ziqiu directly entered combat state on the training ground, this bit of difficulty isn't worth mentioning, he waved his hand and said, "Sister-in-law, help me prepare a rain hat."

  The raincoat is too cumbersome and not conducive to action. If it gets wet, it's better to let it go. The bamboo hat is still needed, which can block the rain and cover his face. Due to the rain, the sky darkened earlier than usual, and Liu Ziqiu's actions were also advanced. He put on his bamboo hat, wrapped the newly made leather ball in cloth, and tied it around his waist. The little princess didn't reveal his secret, and he couldn't betray her trust either.

  The guards in the palace were as usual, and did not slack off because of the rain. Liu Ziqiu had already grasped their patrol rules and routes, and easily crossed the Yuanyu City to arrive at the second progress.

  What surprised Liu Ziqiu was that the last time he came, both Xiwen Temple and Guanwen Temple were pitch black, but today a lamp was lit in the third wing room on the left.

  Since someone was here, Liu Ziqiu had to be extra careful. He had observed these book houses, you are rows and rows of bookshelves, there is nothing special, only the places near the roof all have windows opened separately, probably for ventilation purposes. These windows are now closed, but it's not difficult for Liu Ziqiu.

  Liu Ziqiu took out a universal key and inserted it into the gap in the window, fiddling with it for a few moments before prying open the window latch.

  The sound of the rain outside covered up the creaking of the window, and Liu Ziqiu slipped in like a civet cat, lightly crouching on the beam, looking down.

  All he saw was a desk in the middle of the house, and a thin, weak-looking man dressed as a scholar kneeling in front of it, holding his pen and staring at the table, seemingly writing something, but his shadow blocked Liu Ziqiu's view.

  Liu Ziqiu's curiosity arose, and he poked his head out. Just now outside the house, the rainwater on the bamboo hat had not been shaken off clean, and this poking of the head caused a few drops to fall, landing right on that person's head.

  He muttered to himself, "This newly renovated house is already leaking? I'll have to find someone to take a look tomorrow, don't want the books to get wet."

  Liu Ziqiu only then saw clearly, on the table was spread a piece of paper, with three lines written: "Drooping branches drink clear dew, flowing sounds come from sparse tongs. Living high, voice comes from afar", and couldn't help but blurt out: "It's not autumn wind."

  "Not the autumn wind, not the autumn wind, good, good sentence!" The man became excited, picked up his pen and wrote on paper, suddenly came to himself, looked up and glanced around, "Who was speaking just now?"

  His tracks had been exposed, but Liu Ziqiu wasn't worried. There were no guards around, and this person looked weak and feeble, unable to withstand a single blow. Liu Ziqiu casually descended from the rooftop, reached out to grab the person's throat, and suddenly felt that this person seemed familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

  That man was much shorter than Liu Ziqiu, and as a result, he saw clearly the face hidden under Liu Ziqiu's bamboo hat, and exclaimed in surprise: "It's you!"

  At this time, Liu Ziqiu also remembered and said: "I saw you in Yizhou."

  On that day, Liu Ziqiu went to investigate the news and naturally paid special attention to every face in the store, so he had some impression of this person.

  That man didn't even read the poem to the end, but kept praising: "The last line of this poem, Yu Xiang thought about it for six or seven days and wasn't very satisfied. I didn't expect a strong man like you to have such skills. Admire, admire."

  "Are you Mr. Yu Shinnan?" Liu Ziqiu was greatly surprised, he had learned this "Cicada" poem when he was a child and still remembered it vividly, never expecting to meet the real person now.

  "Do you know me? Ah, how dare you sneak into the palace!" Yu Shinan seemed to have just come to a realization and said with a hint of understanding, "Oh, I see. You must be here for Yun Lixiashi, quite a romantic."

  Liu Ziqiu didn't want to explain to him, but instead asked in return: "So, Mr. Yu entered the palace also for Yun Lixiashi?"

  Yu Shinan's face turned red, and he said with a guilty conscience: "Nonsense. The Emperor will return to the palace soon, and as the Secretary Lang, I naturally need to come and organize the books, in preparation for the Emperor's review."

  Most literati have some romanticism, and Yu Shinnan is no exception. He has long admired the name of Yunlishi, and is also a frequent visitor to her place. Yu Shinnan is over 40 years old, and his appearance is not outstanding. In terms of power and wealth, he cannot compare with those wealthy young masters. The only thing he can be proud of is his talent, but unfortunately, Yunlishi is just the daughter of a wine house owner, and she has no interest in him at all.

  Although Yu Shinan denied it, Liu Ziqiu knew that out of ten guests who came to drink and eat, nine were there to see Wang Guizhi. Yu Shinan was no exception, and he had an idea, saying: "That's right, I just want to see how she is doing in the palace."

  Yu Shinan sighed and said, "There are a few more good ones alive inside the palace."

  Liu Ziqiu pretended to be anxious and said: "Then I must see her, only the imperial palace is too big, does Mr. Yu know where she is?"

  Yu Xiang suddenly said, "Right! There are drawings of the construction of Shanglin Western Garden here, as well as a register of the names of the beauties. Let me check!"

  The list of candidates for the imperial harem was stored in the seventh room on the right, but Yu Shinan had a key, so Liu Ziqiu didn't need to exert himself. Because the mistresses of the various palaces hadn't been determined yet, the lists hadn't been put away in the bookcase either, and were temporarily stacked in a corner, sixteen large volumes in all. This list was arranged from the 16th palace to the 1st palace, Liu Ziqiu flipped through them one by one, Yu Shinan was exceptionally nervous, insisting on standing outside the door to keep watch for him.

  When she flipped to the eleventh book, Liu Ziqiu saw Hou Susu's name, who was assigned to the sixth courtyard as a sweeper. Because she didn't see Wang Guizhi's name, Liu Ziqiu feared Yu Shinan would be suspicious, so she had to continue flipping through until the last book, where she finally found out that Wang was one of the candidates for the head housekeeper of the first courtyard.

  Liu Ziqiu went ahead and flipped to the end of this book, didn't see Gao Xiuer's name, and suddenly felt relieved. But he had no idea that Gao Xiuer was using Shi Huiniang's name.

  Yu Shinnan took Liu Ziqiu to the second room on the right, where the entire construction plan of Dongdu was stored. Liu Ziqiu had a good memory and remembered the layout of Weilin Xiyuan firmly in his mind, but unfortunately, the five big lakes in each courtyard were not named, which added considerable difficulty for him.

  It's still early, so Liu Ziqiu plans to continue on to Shanglin Garden to explore the road. He bowed his hands to Yu Shinnan and said: "Mr. Yu, I'll be leaving now. Please keep this a secret!"

  Yu Shinnan first served the Southern Chen and later served the Sui, originally not a loyal person to die for. Moreover, on that day Liu Ziqiu came drunk to help Wang Guizhi take the lead, had already won his favor, today also helped him continue his poem with excellent sentences, felt more close, naturally agreed with his mouth full of answers, and instructed: "If you see Yun Lixi Shi, ask for Yu Mou's well-being."

  Liu Ziqiu cursed under his breath "old sentimentalist", and vanished into the rain curtain.

  After looking at the map, Liu Ziqiu already knew that Xilin West Garden was actually adjacent to the palace. He went straight west and saw the Moon-Embracing Pavilion. Suddenly, he thought of the leather ball tied around his waist, so he took a familiar route and climbed in through the window again.

  The little princess hadn't fallen asleep yet, and upon seeing Liu Ziqiu enter, she immediately let out a shrill scream that pierced through the quiet night sky.