Lin Qinghe returned to the castle, and everything went back to normal. You Rong trained during the day as Lin Qinghe requested, while Lin Qinghe became increasingly busy with matters of the Elder Council, needing to attend whenever she had free time.
The biggest change was among the vampire servants in the castle and Zhang Yi and his companions. They had to attend human culinary classes on time every day, forcing themselves to learn cooking while enduring their aversion to fire.
This situation finally broke the vampire servants. They cried and begged Zhang Yi to intercede. Zhang Yi, with a heavy heart, went to plead with Lin Qinghe. Lin Qinghe, perhaps seeing their extreme suffering, decided to torment them further and let them be. Only then did the vampires heave a sigh of relief.
Zhang Yi secretly prayed that the young master and the Progenitor would never have a falling out again, otherwise, they would be the ones suffering.
The other vampire servants in the castle harbored the same thoughts as Zhang Yi, praying silently.
The Elder Council.
A knock echoed on the door. The voice outside respectfully announced, "Progenitor, it is I, Chu Tianhao."
Lin Qinghe collected her thoughts and said, "Come in."
Chu Tianhao pushed the door open and approached Lin Qinghe. He placed his fist over his chest and bowed slightly, greeting her, "Progenitor."
Lin Qinghe nodded, her eyes gesturing towards the sofa. "Sit down and speak. How is the investigation I asked you to conduct coming along?"
Chu Tianhao produced a file from his embrace and placed it on the coffee table in front of him, pushing it towards Lin Qinghe.
"Progenitor, I have thoroughly investigated the mutated vampires you brought back. This is the result of the investigation... Their bodies were injected with something, with the purpose of modifying them so they could strengthen themselves by devouring other vampires and absorbing their power. Moreover, this experiment seems to be evolving and maturing step by step. This can be seen from the few mutated vampires you brought back from the eastern city this time."
Lin Qinghe's alluring eyes narrowed, and a thoughtful expression crossed her face.
Chu Tianhao hesitated for a moment before asking, "Progenitor, who could be intentionally cultivating these異種 (yì zhǒng -異種 - mutant/abnormal species) vampires? It happened once a few years ago, but didn't we already figure it out and deal with that vampire completely?"
That dealt-with vampire was likely a scapegoat. Someone capable of making a pure-blooded vampire a scapegoat must be a high-ranking figure among the vampires, and likely a member of the Elder Council.
Was it Mu Shaoqing? Or Shang He, or Li Shuo?
Lin Qinghe initially directed her suspicions towards the three elders of the Elder Council.
However, without concrete evidence, she could only suspect.
Seeing Lin Qinghe remain silent, Chu Tianhao called out to her a few times, "Progenitor, Progenitor... Do you think something is amiss?"
Lin Qinghe returned from her thoughts, and after a brief consideration, she said, "Patriarch Chu, I have something I need you to do. However, you must be careful. You cannot let the Elder Council or the other three great families know."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tianhao immediately felt Lin Qinghe's profound trust in him. He said resolutely, "Progenitor! Please, just command me. I will do my utmost to complete it for you! And I guarantee not a single detail will be leaked!"
Lin Qinghe nodded with satisfaction and gave Chu Tianhao a look. Chu Tianhao, understanding, leaned closer. She whispered something into his ear. For a moment, shock flashed across Chu Tianhao's face, but he quickly composed himself and nodded solemnly.
Chu Tianhao left. Lin Qinghe looked at the message from You Rong. Remembering she had promised to return early for dinner with him today, she prepared to leave.
As she walked out, Lin Qinghe encountered Mu Shaoqing, who was approaching, and involuntarily slowed her steps, scrutinizing him subtly.