Chapter 2324: Sunset Will End

The Star-Picking Tower stood atop the mountains, deep within the clouds.

The magnificent Star-Picking Tower, known as the earthly abode of the gods, attracted countless pilgrims daily. Currently, however, the tower had been closed to outsiders for ten days, and anyone who dared to step inside would be killed on sight.

The setting sun cast a golden glow upon the pristine white jade steps. Any piece of this jade, if taken to the human world, would be worthy of adorning a wealthy family's display screen, but here, it was merely stone for people to walk on.

With the main gates closed, the palace appeared spacious and desolate. Fortunately, the delicate, butterfly-like figures of maidservants flitting about added a good deal of liveliness to the place.

The work at Mount Xu was exceptionally arduous, and every maidservant was busy, especially today.

Just then, the eaves bell chimed, and the main gates of the Star-Picking Tower, which had been tightly shut all morning, slowly opened inward. Dozens of people entered in a line, all high-ranking officials from the Celestial Palace, each with a solemn expression.

The two at the forefront were the leading candidates for the next Chief Envoy of Duyun: Hou Tianyu and Lu Yongyan.

They ascended the Stairway to Heaven and swiftly entered the main hall.

Several maidservants who were fetching medicine hastily stopped to make way for them, curtsying as they did so.

The two Duyun Envoys looked straight ahead, not even glancing at them.

Only when everyone had ascended to the second floor did the maidservants dare to breathe a sigh of relief.

One of them whispered, "In the past half-month, the two Lord Duyun Envoys have visited five times. The last time was the night before last."

"It's a critical time now. I heard Aunt Zeng has secretly cried several times, hasn't she, Sister Tong?"

Sister Tong, who had been addressed, remained silent.

"Officials from the Royal Court also keep probing us for information. Does it really matter if they know a day earlier or a day later?"

"That's different! If news from here gets out even half a day earlier, the human world could be turned upside down."

The first maidservant to speak continued, "Hey, who do you think will take over the position of Chief Envoy? Lord Hou or Lord Lu?"

Before anyone could answer, Tong Yiyi suddenly spoke, "Silence! You all know it's a critical time; how can you be so careless with your words?"

Her voice was somewhat stern, and the other maidservants dared not speak.

Just then, another voice suddenly rang out from nearby: "Do you think you are entitled to discuss the arrangements of the gods?"

Three people emerged from behind a pillar. The one leading was a beautiful woman who appeared to be in her early thirties, though everyone knew she was almost fifty.

Behind her followed two more maidservants, whose attire was more exquisite than those already present, clearly indicating higher status.

The maidservants were greatly alarmed and knelt together, "Aunt Zeng, please forgive us!"

Aunt Zeng said coldly, "I should have torn out your tongues, but we are short-staffed tonight. Each of you will receive thirty slaps to the mouth, to be carried out tomorrow morning!"

"Yes!"

Aunt Zeng dismissed the other maidservants, keeping only Tong Yiyi.

"Have the medicines been brought?"

Tong Yiyi respectfully bowed to her again, "They have been brought according to the exact measurements, not a single bit off."

"You are diligent in your duties, but your social skills are lacking." Aunt Zeng looked at her with a hint of exasperation.

Such a beautiful face, if paired with a clever and resourceful mind, could be incredibly effective.

It was a pity; this girl, though loyal, wasn't sharp enough. In a place like the Celestial Palace, not being sharp enough meant being foolish and unreliable in crucial moments!

She had made blunders twice, so Aunt Zeng couldn't entrust her with important responsibilities.

"The fact that they dared to gossip behind your back indicates that you don't discipline them well enough."

Tong Yiyi didn't argue, immediately kneeling and saluting, "Yiyi's management is not strict enough; please punish me, Auntie!"

"Alright, come with me to prepare the medicine."

Once inside the pharmacy, the preparation took a full two *kezhong* (approximately half an hour).

Aunt Zeng had served the Chief Envoy of Duyun for over thirty years. She was his most trusted maidservant, handling all matters, big and small. Even the medicines the Chief Envoy took were personally prepared and delivered by Aunt Zeng.

The medicinal ingredients Tong Yiyi brought all bore the original seals from the medical treasury, indicating they had not been tampered with.

She now understood a little about medicine, and seeing that Aunt Zeng was preparing potent, "tiger and wolf" type medicines, she was secretly alarmed.

Aunt Zeng's loyalty to the Chief Envoy of Duyun was beyond doubt, and it was even less likely that she would harm him in public. So, were these medicines for temporarily prolonging his life?

In other words, the Chief Envoy couldn't hold on much longer.

No wonder Hou Tianyu and Lu Yongyan had rushed back; they probably intended to settle the matter tonight.

As Aunt Zeng worked, she suddenly let out a long sigh and wiped the corner of her eye.

Xiao Yu, the maidservant behind her, quickly offered a soft cloth, "Auntie, please rest for a while."

Tong Yiyi thoughtfully added, "You rest for a while; leave the rest to us..."

Aunt Zeng glared at her, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

For such important work as preparing medicine, had she ever allowed anyone else to handle it?

Tong Yiyi also realized she had spoken out of turn and fell silent.

Xiao Yu, standing nearby, cast a schadenfreude-filled glance at her. Fortunately, this was a beautiful idiot; her attractive features were only utilized to a fraction of their potential. Otherwise, Aunt Zeng's chief maidservant might not be Xiao Yu.

Aunt Zeng pounded the medicine for a while longer, then asked the two maidservants, "What are your plans for the future?"

Xiao Yu cautiously replied, "Whatever Auntie arranges, Xiao Yu will do her best!"

Tong Yiyi hesitated, then bit her lip, "Aunt Zeng, may I go home?"

"You may." Aunt Zeng glanced at her; her disposition was indeed not suitable for staying in the Celestial Palace. "When I leave the palace, you can come down the mountain with me."

Tong Yiyi was delighted, but Xiao Yu was startled, "Aunt Zeng! You, you mean...?"

"The Chief Envoy said that if he were to be called by the gods, I could return to my hometown." Aunt Zeng sighed softly, "I was only sixteen when I first entered the Celestial Palace, the same age as you when you came in. In the blink of an eye, thirty-five years have passed."

Xiao Yu's mind was in turmoil. She had considered all sorts of scenarios after the Chief Envoy's passing, but she never expected Aunt Zeng to retire and return home!

"Con..." Tong Yiyi, standing nearby, realized her mistake as soon as the word left her mouth and quickly changed it, "After working for so many years, Aunt Zeng deserves to enjoy a peaceful retirement."

Both of them knew she had originally intended to say "congratulations," but that was inappropriate at the moment.

Aunt Zeng's face darkened, "Why do you keep making mistakes tonight?"

Tong Yiyi kept her gaze lowered, not daring to utter another word.

Just then, a guard rushed in from outside, "Aunt Zeng, is the medicine prepared? The Chief Envoy wants you to come immediately."

"Coming!" Aunt Zeng placed the medicine on a tray and carried it herself, her gaze shifting between Tong Yiyi and Xiao Yu.

She said to Xiao Yu, "You come with me."

To Tong Yiyi, she said, "You wait here."

At such an important and crucial moment, no one could afford to say the wrong thing. It was better for her to take a more astute maidservant.

"Yes."

They took the medicine and walked out of the pharmacy, naturally followed by several more maidservants.

Only Tong Yiyi remained in the pharmacy, watching their figures disappear.

Then she tilted her head and pursed her lips.