Sudden Change

What can be confirmed for now is that the River Law Bureau and the Grain Constitution Bureau are both among the masterminds behind the scenes.

As for whether there are other forces, that can only be seen as things develop.

As long as we can pinpoint specific individuals, everything can be negotiated.

"It's not that. Something's off. When our people followed behind Escort Master Zhou to investigate, all traces of Su Wantang in the Fragrant Flower Pavilion had vanished without a trace."

"Moreover, Liu Wenjun is dead, lying on the bed at Spring Fragrance Residence." Uncle Zheng said solemnly.

"Liu Wenjun is dead?" Feng Xiu was startled at the news.

Seeing Feng Ao's puzzled expression, Feng Xiu then explained who Liu Wenjun was and the fact that he was suspected of having an affair with Su Wantang.

Feng Ao nodded slightly. He had heard of Liu Wenjun before; the Liu family's steward had some personal acquaintance with him in ordinary times.

"How exactly did he die?" Feng Xiu continued asking.

"He died not long ago, right around the time it started raining. The official yamen examined the corpse, and the coroner ruled it as death from overexertion during intercourse."

Death from overexertion during intercourse was just a polite way of putting it; in reality, it meant dying from exhaustion of vital essence during sex.

With his stallion-like stamina, he'd die from that?

Did Su Wantang drain him too?

Feng Xiu asked again, "Is there any connection in time between Su Wantang's disappearance and Liu Wenjun's death?"

"That, I don't know." Uncle Zheng replied.

Liu Wenjun's strange death, Su Wantang's sudden disappearance.

Internal strife, silencing a witness, uneven spoils?

Was it that after learning Zhou Gang had come to cause trouble, an internal quarrel broke out, and Su Wantang was forced to kill to silence him?

What exactly did Zhou Gang do? He didn't actually kill anyone, did he?

Thoughts flashed through Feng Xiu's mind, and then he asked, "What about Uncle Zhou? He took people out earlier. Has he returned? Any news?"

Liu Wenjun dying was one thing, but Feng Xiu feared he might get caught up in a legal case over this.

The two families were currently in a cooperative period, and the Feng Clan had just emerged. If someone used this matter to stir up trouble, handling it later would be very troublesome.

Uncle Zheng shook his head. He hadn't paid much attention to Zhou Gang's whereabouts.

Zhou Gang was strong in martial arts and experienced in the ways of the jianghu. Whether he was settling a score between criminals or investigating the truth, there was naturally no need to worry.

But Feng Xiu suspected that Su Wantang's method of killing Liu Wenjun was somewhat eerie.

Just as Feng Xiu was about to press further.

Amid the sound of rain, several overlapping footsteps rang out as Zhou Gang led his men back to the mansion.

"Nephew, did you really pray for this rain?"

Zhou Gang's burly figure was the first to step into the hall. He wiped the rainwater from his face, his expression tinged with curiosity.

"Uncle Zhou flatters me. I don't have that kind of ability. All the credit goes to Daoist Yellow Dragon." Seeing him arrive, Feng Xiu felt much more at ease and replied with a smile.

"Brother Feng, this son of yours is truly skilled. The people in the city are practically singing his praises."

Zhou Gang laughed heartily, looking at Feng Ao, who was proactively offering tea.

"Alas, it's all empty fame. Wenzheng has only just taken charge of the clan; there's still much for him to learn." Feng Ao waved his hand, casting a feigned stern glance at Feng Xiu.

"Brother Feng, if you ask me, you're just too hypocritical. If Wenzheng were my son, I'd probably be laughing in my dreams."

Zhou Gang took the teacup and drank a sip.

He seemed rather dissatisfied with Feng Ao's "humble" words.

The two were close friends. In the past, Zhou Gang would have certainly called him out on it.

But thinking it over, he followed the topic and continued with a beaming smile, "In that case, when my girl arrives, Brother Feng, don't forget to arrange the marriage~"

Feng Ao's smile froze for a moment, and he looked up at Feng Xiu.

Can't we let this go?

Feng Xiu said helplessly, "I'll leave it entirely to Father's decision."

"Haha, good! My son-in-law, don't worry. My girl is a stunning beauty, not some rough brute."

Hearing this reply, Zhou Gang laughed heartily, his joy undisguised, the corners of his mouth nearly reaching his ears.

Seeing this scene, Uncle Zheng, standing by, also let a smile appear on his face.

Establishing a career and starting a family—the eldest young master's marriage was settled. But Zhou Gang was a bit rough around the edges; he just wondered what the young lady's personality was like.

As Uncle Zheng's thought passed, Zhou Gang's bold voice continued in the hall.

"My son-in-law, rest assured. When I die, all my escort team's men will be yours."

Feng Xiu: "..."

Feng Ao: "..."

There was no way to respond to that. Zhou Gang wasn't wrong, he was just too overbearing.

"Uncle Zhou, you're too kind..." Feng Xiu quickly said.

Before he could finish, Zhou Gang cut him off with displeasure. "Hm? What did you call me?"

"Father... Father-in-law?"

"That's right, worthy son-in-law. Don't get me started on that girl of mine..."

"Stop, stop, stop. Father-in-law, you haven't gotten to the main point yet."

Afraid he'd ramble on endlessly, Feng Xiu shut that down and cut straight to the topic, turning to ask instead.

"What main point?" Zhou Gang was taken aback.

Wasn't marriage a main point?

"Father..." Feng Xiu felt it was too soon; calling him father-in-law directly felt strange.

He changed his tune. "Uncle Zhou, didn't I tell you to help me handle Su Wantang of the Fragrant Flower Pavilion?"

"Did you find out anything about her background?"

At this, a flash of obvious bewilderment crossed Zhou Gang's face.

He rubbed the stubble on his chin, raised his thick brows, and asked back, "Su Wantang? Nephew, who is this Su Wantang?"

?

Now it was Feng Xiu's turn to be dumbfounded.

"Uncle Zhou, have you forgotten? This morning, you said you'd help me look into Su Wantang. She set up a Thousand Gates Gambit. You even took Brother Han Che and a crew of men to the Fragrant Flower Pavilion."

"This morning?"

Zhou Gang cut him off, his face growing even more confused, utterly baffled.

"This morning? I never left the manor this morning. I was training with the men. Then the heavy rain came, and the servants said you'd prayed for it. Yesterday, I only went to check out that courtyard you found."

"Nephew, what exactly are you talking about? Have you run into some trouble? Do you need me to find someone for you?"

His tone carried concern, his expression natural.

But halfway through, a hint of suspicion crept into his face as he looked Feng Xiu up and down.

"Su Wantang... that sounds like a woman's name. Worthy son-in-law, you're not looking for a concubine, are you?"

At that moment, Feng Xiu had no time to dwell on it.

Bzz.

It felt like something exploded inside his skull. A chill shot from the base of his spine straight to the crown of his head!

He whipped his head around, exchanging glances with Uncle Zheng and Feng Ao. In each other's eyes, they saw the same disbelief and terror.

The coolness from the rain hadn't yet dispelled the heat in the room, but Feng Xiu couldn't feel a trace of warmth.

A biting cold spread through his limbs and bones, raising a fine layer of goosebumps on his skin.

Brother, grandpa, ancestor!

Don't you dare mess with me!

Feng Xiu suspected Zhou Gang was playing a prank. His tone was cautious, testing the waters with a hint of a joke.

"Uncle Zhou, you really don't remember Su Wantang? Didn't we agree? After it's done, you get seventy percent, I get thirty."

"What seventy-thirty? There's no such thing."

Zhou Gang's stern gaze swept over them. He noticed the grim expressions on all three people in the hall.

He sensed something was off, but his tone remained firm and decisive.

No sooner had he spoken than Feng Ao, equally serious, cut in with a low voice.

"Brother Zhou, you weren't in the manor this morning. You just came back from outside."

"The servants in the manor can all testify to that." Suppressing the turmoil in his mind, Feng Ao's gaze turned sharp.

Like Feng Xiu, he suspected Zhou Gang was joking, but knowing Zhou Gang's character, he immediately dismissed the thought.

Uncle Zheng nodded vigorously. He had personally seen Zhou Gang leave with his men.

"Impossible."

Zhou Gang shook his head, still convinced of his own memory.

At this point, Feng Xiu's heart sank. Suddenly, his expression stiffened. He exchanged a look with Feng Ao, who had also figured it out, and they both turned to Uncle Zheng.

Uncle Zheng felt a jolt of alarm and instantly understood what they meant.

"I'll go now." Uncle Zheng turned and strode quickly out.

A moment later.

The men of the Zhou family escort team stood in a dark, crowded mass inside the hall. Feng Xiu looked at Han Che and the other escorts who had been there that morning.

"What were you all doing this morning?"

"Have you ever heard of Su Wantang?" Feng Ao's face was heavy as he questioned each man in turn.

Some of the men met his gaze; some scratched their heads, others exchanged glances. Catching Feng Ao's stare, they all shook their heads, indicating they had never heard the name.

Feng Xiu immediately ordered someone to go to the Fragrant Flower Pavilion and find the other patrons who had been present that day.

"Eldest Young Master, it's confirmed. Chief Zhou did take his men to the Fragrant Flower Pavilion, and according to some patrons, they even entered Su Wantang's private room."

"But not long after, sounds of fighting broke out, along with Chief Zhou's shouts. Then it started raining, and Chief Zhou led his men back."

Soon after, a guard rushed back and reported to Feng Xiu.

"Furthermore, the madam and the aunties there also said they had no knowledge of anyone named Su Wantang in the pavilion."

Feng Xiu said nothing, merely looking at Feng Ao, whose face was full of gravity.

At this moment, Uncle Zheng still refused to give up. He stepped forward, his aged voice trembling along with his face. "Chief Zhou, please think more carefully."

Zhou Gang's brow was completely furrowed. He looked at the solemn Feng Xiu, then at Uncle Zheng.

"Brother Zheng, Wen Zheng."

He stressed his tone. "I may be old, but I haven't reached the point of senility yet."

"I still know what I did this morning. Training is training."

"Where did this 'pure courtesan' or this 'setup' come from? What's wrong with you two? Have you been listening to some rumor?"

He paused, his eyes narrowing as he studied the two with suspicion. "Or have you encountered something unclean, something that's clouded your minds?"

Zhou Gang's last sentence struck like a thunderclap, exploding in the ears of the three men.

It wasn't a joke. It wasn't a prank. It wasn't concealment.

Memory—the memory of Su Wantang—had been completely erased from the minds of Zhou Gang, these witnesses, and everyone who had come into contact with her.

The moment this conclusion emerged, it carried a horror far beyond the supernatural or the fantastical!

Feng Xiu let out a long breath, feeling a chill that reached even his fingertips. Then, in a tone that was almost eerily calm, he asked.

"Uncle Zhou, if this is a joke, it's not funny. If it isn't, then please think carefully!"

Feng Xiu's tone and attitude were extremely forceful, completely lacking the respect he usually showed his elders.

Hearing this, Zhou Gang's face was blank for a moment, as if he were carefully recalling something.

Gradually, his brows knitted tightly together, and a look of pain spread across his face.

Boom~

Painful memories churned in his mind. Zhou Gang's breath hitched, draining away at a visible speed, and his face instantly turned pale.

Curtains, curtains. Woman, woman!

Stagger, stagger, stagger.

His body wavered, a dizzying sense of vertigo washing over him, accompanied by a tearing pain in his chest.

Seeing this, everyone was alarmed and quickly gathered around.

Feng Ao moved first, catching Zhou Gang as he was about to fall, while barking an order without turning his head.

"Uncle Zheng, close the door. No one is to approach the main hall without my order!"

Uncle Zheng moved at once, his steps swift. Feng Ao supported Zhou Gang with his hand; the veins on the back of his hand bulged, and his knuckles were slightly white.

It was clearly the result of using too much force and extreme restraint.

Feng Ao helped Zhou Gang into a chair, then placed his fingertips on the pulse of his left arm. His expression tightened, turning serious.

Then, he pulled open the front of Zhou Gang's clothes.

What came into view was a palm print with an eerie, unnatural color!