Inside the changing room.
Shen Yueyao was suddenly pulled away by Sister Yurou without even realizing it. Upon hearing Ye Xingge's voice, she quickly blushed, hugged her chest, and hid behind Sister Yurou.
An Yurou was quite surprised by Ye Xingge's speed in arriving at the scene, but thankfully she got inside in time. A hint of relief lingered in her eyes, a sense of "thankfully I had anticipated this," as she quickly pulled her skirt over her shoulders.
"I'm fine, I was just worried something might have happened to you. What happened just now?"
Ye Xingge hadn't figured out what was going on with that group of people either, so after thinking for a moment, he told the truth:
"I overheard some people talking about Young Master Han, so I went to check it out and found Han Zhongwu and Fan Zhe. Then four more people appeared and rescued Han Zhongwu. They were dressed in black and masked, so I couldn't figure out their identities..."
"..."
An Yurou hadn't arranged for anyone to report the news, so upon hearing this, she naturally realized there was a problem:
If it were someone from the Cao Clan or Han Clan, they wouldn't have tipped off Ye Xingge.
If they were enemies, they wouldn't have rescued Han Zhongwu and the others.
Therefore, the other party must be another force, plotting something.
After careful consideration, An Yurou reminded him:
"I just overheard some casual conversation. It's too much of a coincidence. Someone might be up to something. Be careful. Hmm... I remember Fan Zhe Han Zhongwu were at the Myriad Phenomena Tower a few days ago. Could they be related to this?"
On that day, An Yurou had already investigated and found that Zhang Jin and others were secretly contacting Fan Zhe and Han Zhongwu, but Ye Xingge let them go, and she didn't figure out their purpose.
Ye Xingge naturally knew that Zhang Jin was attempting to assassinate the emperor, and upon hearing Lady of Anyang's words, he understood what had just happened:
It's the same group that assassinated the emperor; they're setting up another scheme to harm the Cao Clan.
Four masked experts dressed in black rescued the young masters of the Cao Clan and Han Clan in full view of everyone. To outsiders, they must be people under the Cao Clan's command. He also unexpectedly saw a 'snake tattoo'!
The birthday banquet is the day after tomorrow. If the assassin has this thing...
But if Lady of Anyang wanted to deal with Han Zhongwu, he couldn't possibly let the news of his impending arrival leak out.
How did the opponent foresee the future and set up this trap in advance, waiting for him to come and become a pawn...?
Moreover, they have connections to the highest levels of society; even Lady of Anyang, the Mountains and Rivers Association, and the Heaven-Observing Pavilion hadn't received any prior information...
Ye Xingge frowned, sensing a significant problem behind this matter, and considered his response:
"There's probably more to this than meets the eye. I'll send word to the officials in charge."
An Yurou still naked from the waist down and was slightly flustered, so she just hummed in response.
Shen Yueyao wrapped the skirt around her body, and quite boldly, she even opened the sliding door a crack, revealing her big, blinking eyes:
"Brother Ye, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Ye Xingge had only caught a fleeting glimpse of Lady of Anyang and hadn't even noticed the Baby Bunny protecting him. Now, not wanting to rush into the changing room to offer any comfort, he simply exchanged a few words before taking out the United Hearts Plaque to report the news...
at the same time.
Outside Jinghe Hot Springs, inside a teahouse.
As riots broke out in the brightly lit buildings, large contingents of constables poured onto the streets.
The strategist Huang Guan, dressed as an ordinary scholar, stood at the window, looking at the chaos in the building complex across the street, his eyes filled with a complex expression.
A few days ago, something happened at Myriad Phenomena Tower. Huang Guan escaped alive, but when he returned, he was severely scolded by the Duke Who Protects the State. He thought that the assassins were gone again.
But he soon heard that Zhang Jin had used lime powder to Ye Xingge, and Ye Xingge had actually escaped alive.
Huang Guan knew Zhang Jin was somewhat capable, but Ye Xingge had never failed, so he couldn't help but be suspicious.
To be on the safe side, Huang Guan didn't contact Zhang Jin. These past two days, he's been busy trying to salvage the birthday banquet plans from other angles.
Yesterday, Huang Guan suddenly received a tip that Ruan Jinyu had started investigating the Han Clan's case, and that the Han Clan had hidden their son in the Cao Clan's territory.
The Duke Who Protects the State's mansion had a simple goal—to frame and suppress the Cao Clan and reclaim the position that rightfully belonged to the Wang Clan.
Han Feng is a member of the Cao Clan's old guard, Jinghe Hot Springs is related to the Cao Clan and the Empress. If we don't take this opportunity to smear them, we'll be wasting this chance.
While the Han Clan was frantically trying to cover up their son's mess, Huang Guan was also frantically preparing dirty tricks, such as contacting Fan Zhe and pretending to offer help.
Fan Zhe is a spoiled brat, very easy to fool.
Huang Guan's original plan was to notify the Inspection Bureau to arrest the person, then rescue him, thus establishing contact between the Cao Clan and the assassins of the day after tomorrow.
But to everyone's surprise, that damned eunuch Ruan Jinyu really did not put in any effort!
He went to great lengths to elevate Han Zhongwu's position, but Ruan Jinyu ignored it, merely sending his men to wander aimlessly around the city, pretending to be diligently investigating the case, his meaning clearly:
Hey, we checked, but we couldn't find it!
If you're incompetent, Ye Xingge, you can't exactly sue us for dereliction of duty and official collusion, can you?
This is absolutely outrageous!
Huang Guan's efforts to persuade Ye Taisui to arrest people were fruitless, so he had to change his mind and try to bring Ye Grand Duke Jupiter to arrest people.
Ye Xingge were even more outrageous!
Before he could even deliver the intelligence, the enemy appeared on its own via 'void search'.
But if there's something wrong with Ye Xingge, it's because she was invited by Lady of Anyang and the granddaughter of the Heaven-Observing Decree, and Lady of Anyang had already booked the pool before Ye Xingge even returned to the capital.
Moreover, after Ye Xingge arrived, she didn't go looking for Han Zhongwu, but instead soaked in the hot spring.
So this must be a coincidence!
Therefore, Huang Guan made a last-minute adjustment, arranging for someone to "inform" Ye Xingge from behind a wall, thus luring him over.
Although the plan was meticulously crafted, the result was unexpectedly perfect.
Although Huang Guan sensed something was amiss, after pondering for a long time, he still said:
" Jinghe Hot Springs has therapeutic effects, so it's not surprising that Ye Xingge came. As long as nothing unexpected happens, it's fine. If the incident occurs the day after tomorrow, with Ye Xingge's help in providing testimony, the Cao Clan won't be able to clear their name even if they jump into the Yong River..."
Standing next to Huang Guan was Wang Zhengan, the second son of the Duke Who Protects the State.
Wang Zhengan noticed that the process had gone astray in many ways, but the result was entirely correct. Feeling uneasy, he responded:
"This kid is quite eccentric. Be careful in the future, and avoid him if possible. If you are accidentally exposed, you may lose everything."
"Understood. What should we do with Han Zhongwu and Fan Zhe?"
"Let them indulge in a life of debauchery outside the city, inquiring about routes to the imperial city, the deployment of the imperial guards, and even the private words and preferences of the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince—make the whole charade complete..."
"Yes..."
Not long after.
Behind Jinghe Hot Springs is Snow Plum Pool.
The two halves of Meng Wanshan's body had been covered with white sheets.
The embroidered-clothes officials, government clerks, and even members of the Cao and Han families all gathered in the courtyard.
Ruan Jinyu, dressed in a black brocade robe, stood in the courtyard with her hands tucked into her sleeves, next to the stunningly handsome Chen Xiaobao.
Beside him were Gongsun Yanwu, who was in charge of the Leopard General, and Imperial Uncle Cao.
Imperial Uncle Cao's real name was Cao Dingbang. He was Cao Xiong's second son. He was stout and looked more like a wealthy landowner. He usually managed his businesses in Linyang. He came to the capital to offer birthday greetings.
Imperial Uncle Cao was not originally in charge of household affairs, but this matter was indeed quite thorny.
Jinghe Hot Springs was owned by his sister, Empress Cao, and Fan Zhe was his nephew.
Fan Zhe's blatant attempt to break prisoners in this place, if proven true, would implicate the Cao Clan and the Empress. If Cao Xiong hadn't been attending a banquet in the palace, he might have come in person.
Because it was quite hot in the summer, Imperial Uncle Cao was still fanning himself with a fan, and said with great concern:
" Fan Zhe has always been... always been unreliable, but he's never been so lawless. This must be a frame-up against my Cao Clan. Last time, when Lord Ye captured that Yang Tuyan, he almost framed me..."
The courtesan who had just played the zither was now standing trembling in the courtyard, clearly nervous.
"I was brought here by Young Master Fan this afternoon, and I don't know the details..."
As the head of intelligence, Ruan Jinyu had already found out Han Zhongwu's whereabouts, but he didn't care.
However, Ruan Jinyu found no clues about the four skilled fighters who came to rescue the prisoner.
Ruan Jinyu's expression turned quite solemn because of this:
What did Young Master Fan and Young Master Han talk about?
"Hmm... After I arrived this afternoon, Young Master Fan and Young Master Han were talking. They said that Lord Ye has returned, and with Lord Ye's abilities, it won't take long for him to investigate. The Han Clan is currently pulling strings, but Young Master Han said it might be too late..."
Gongsun Yanwu glanced at the corpse on the ground and nodded slightly:
"Young Master Han's judgment is quite accurate."
Imperial Uncle Cao frowned and asked:
"Was Fan Zhe also involved in the case of merchant Yang Chun?"
The courtesan thought for a moment and said, "Probably not. Young Master Fan is just being loyal and trying to find a way for Young Master Han... Young Master Fan also said that if General Cao knew about this, it would be good enough if he didn't punish the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness, so why would he help cover up for Young Master Han..."
Imperial Uncle Cao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, thinking that his nephew was at least a decent person.
Ruan Jinyu then asked, "Whom did Young Master Fan contact?"
The courtesan shook her head. "They only said they asked a friend from the Yong River Chamber of Commerce to contact someone in the martial arts world, but I don't know exactly who that person is. Then Lord Ye arrived..."
"In the martial arts world..."
After hearing what had happened, everyone turned their attention to Ye Xingge.
But then Ye Xingge was seen holding a sign and reporting, pointing it rapidly with two fingers behind the crowd.
Ta-da-da~
It looks like they're reporting a message to the Return to Origin Cult!
Chen Xiaobao looked puzzled, thought for a moment, and asked:
"Lord Ye, does the sect leader have urgent instructions?"
"Um?"
Ye Xingge has just finished his business and will definitely be with the Great Beauty Luo. The message log is as follows:
[ Sister Luo, I just killed someone at Jing River Hot Springs!]
[Huh?! Aren't you going to take a bath? Where are you going and who are you going to kill? That's the Queen's property!]
[ Han Zhongwu's guards happened to run into them.]
You're simply...
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobao's voice, Ye Xingge quickly put the sign away.
"Four people just arrived, all of them were highly skilled in martial arts, and their teamwork was excellent."
"The two men I fought were both dressed in black and masked. One used the Western Mountain White Ape Saber, and the other used the Pure Yang Nine Palaces Sword."
"The swordsman appears to have a snake tattoo on his left arm, but since no one has revealed any special skills, his identity cannot be determined."
Everyone present pondered for a moment, unable to determine his identity from these characteristics. Gongsun Yanwu thought for a moment and said:
"If the person was indeed hired by Young Master Fan, then the two young masters should be safe and sound and will contact their families soon. But if there are other hidden circumstances, then things will be troublesome."
Ruan Jinyu didn't linger and led his team out.
"Let's find Young Masters Fan and Han first. Start the investigation with the Yong River Chamber of Commerce."
"Yes."
Soon, the crime scene was sealed off, and personnel from various government offices dispersed into the city.
After truthfully recounting her experiences that day, Ye Xingge returned to Hibiscus Pool alone. Once she was alone, she called out softly:
" Yu'er, what's the situation with Zhang Jin?"
Hongyu had been paying close attention to the situation ever since the incident began, and responded:
"The informant has been keeping an eye on things, but the group in the shadows is very cautious and hasn't made contact with Zhang Jin. I suspect they've replaced their assassins. I've already arranged for my informant to investigate."
At this point, Hongyu thought for a moment and then added:
"I reckon this is a power struggle among the high-ranking officials in the capital, it has nothing to do with you. If the Cao Clan can even allow assassins to infiltrate the palace, then they can't blame anyone else for doing the same. You should focus on your own affairs first."
Ye Xingge's main purpose in coming here was to impersonate the Crown Prince of Western Shu.
He was just waiting for Xiyue to come and see the mark, but in the chaos, he struck first and saw Lady of Anyang's little flower...
Looking back now, I'd estimate it to be about 3.2 feet...
Of course, that's not the point.
The marks on his body were temporary and disappeared within a few hours.
If they don't see the mark and confirm that he is not the Crown Prince of Western Shu, then the Later Zhou might make a mistake later on.
Ye Xingge didn't waste any time and quickly headed towards the Hibiscus Pool...