On the contrary, he had indeed hooked a few fish within.
Cao Yiyan's expression darkened as he narrowed his eyes at one man. "Has Cao Min made any unusual moves?"
The man wore a merchant's clothes. He had likely hurried on his way and been drenched by rain; his face was pallid beneath its bluish cast, making him look somewhat haggard. Yet his eyes gleamed faintly as he kowtowed. "Yes, Your Majesty. Once Your Majesty left the main camp, Minister of Agriculture Zhang, Liu Dafu, and the other generals remained well behaved. Only Cao Min visited several senior generals in succession. Their tents were under tight guard, and we could not hear the specifics. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
"For talks of such secrecy, tight guards are only natural. It is normal that you could not hear anything. What crime is there?" A glint flashed through Cao Yiyan's eyes. He accepted the tea, took a sip, and gazed at the rain-dark sky, speaking mildly.
Cao Min—one could tell from his surname that he was of the royal clan, though far removed.
Even so, if not for Cao Yiyan, he would have had a chance of inheriting the Kingdom of Ying. Of course, not under the Cao surname, but under the Xia surname.
No matter what, Cao Min's identity was sensitive. At this time, it was even more sensitive.
Much of the time, evidence mattered. But most of the time, there was no need for much evidence at all; suspicious traces alone were enough.
Cao Yiyan did not immediately speak of punishment. He turned and asked another man.
"Yang Jia, your family has served Great Wei for generations. How are matters in the Capital City?"
Over the past three days, Cao Yiyan had not rushed directly to the Capital