"But what benefit would it bring to Qiao Xiuyuan if he helped Ye Chengping ascend the throne? Logically speaking, Qiao Xiuyuan should still become emperor himself."

Xiao Ce still couldn't understand.

Ye Ziyu said calmly, "That's right, Qiao Xiuyuan is the one with the greatest ambition, so everything he's done is to try and sit on the throne for himself!"

"Although Qiao Xiuyuan is shrewd and calculating, he comes from a military background. He was forced to abandon his military career for a civil one. Therefore, he must want to return to the army and gain the approval of the generals."

"If Ye Chengping were to rebel, Qiao Xiuyuan would certainly request an imperial decree to quell the rebellion, and the Emperor would feel at ease sending Qiao Xiuyuan to Ganzhou to quell the rebellion because Qiao Xiuyuan is a person despised by the entire Xuanwu Army."

"As for the fact that I died at the hands of the Heavenly Immortal Sect, and that the Heavenly Immortal Sect was colluding with Ye Chengping, Qiao Xiuyuan will surely find a suitable opportunity to expose it. At that time, Qiao Xiuyuan will take the opportunity to express his guilt towards Uncle Yu, tell some lies, and then use the pretext of exonerating Uncle Yu to directly storm into the capital."

"Perhaps Qiao Xiuyuan will not directly ascend the throne, but will instead support a puppet ruler to serve as regent."

"Of course, these are just my guesses. But none of that matters anymore, because I will nip all of Qiao Xiuyuan's ambitions in the bud!"

Xiao Ce thought Qiao Xiuyuan was really terrifying.

He schemed and plotted against everyone, even his own daughter.

However, his master is even more terrifying than Qiao Xiuyuan. After all, his master saw through all of Qiao Xiuyuan's little schemes!

"Master, when do you think Ye Chengping will make a move against Zheng Yi?"

Ye Zeyu's thin lips curled slightly beneath his mask. "Ye Chengping is such a patient person that he definitely won't make a move until the very last day. Moreover, Zheng Yi also needs time to immerse himself in the gentle embrace of Ganzhou City before Ye Chengping has the opportunity to act."

Xiao Ce thought for a moment, still somewhat worried about Zheng Yi, "Should I go and give Zheng Yi a warning?"

Ye Zeyu shook his head. "No need. He performed very well today. If we give him a warning, it will only make him afraid and cause him to reveal his weaknesses."

Xiao Ce's face was full of disdain. "He's a dissolute playboy by nature, he doesn't need to act at all."

Ye Zeyu didn't say anything more, but he felt that Zheng Yizhao had changed a lot compared to before.

Even knowing that the trip would be dangerous, he was still able to calmly display his playboy side.

Perhaps Zheng Yi isn't an incurable idiot.

If this matter can be resolved smoothly, he is willing to temporarily set aside Zheng Yi's previous disrespectful behavior towards Xi'er and give Zheng Yi a chance to live.

Thinking of this, Ye Ziyu continued to grope for the pouch at his waist.

"Xi'er, are you alright?"

Meanwhile, the town of Fukang was brightly lit.

Everyone who can move is working.

With ample medicinal herbs, sufficient food, and enough manpower, everyone is full of enthusiasm.

The young men from Jinzhou City also rediscovered the passion and enthusiasm they had when they first arrived in the city.

The passion and fervor they felt earlier stemmed from sympathy and indignation after witnessing the tragic plight of the people in Fukang County.

Their current passion and enthusiasm stem from seeing the reputation and generous reward that Su Muxi promised them upon their return to Jinzhou City.

Although Su Muxi was aware of all this, she believed that whatever these people's motives, it was good to resolve the matter of Fukang County as soon as possible.

Instead of personally interrogating the soldiers and officials of Fukang County at the city gate, Shao Jie, the commander of the Shuofeng Battalion, personally helped the people of Fukang County prepare medicine.

However, it is immediately obvious that their motives are impure.

"Miss Tang, did I brew these medicinal herbs correctly?"

"Miss Tang, be careful, it's hot. Let me help you."

"Miss Tang, this is so hot on your face, let me fan it for you."

…

Although Shao Jie is now over thirty, he doesn't look old at all.

He was tall and had striking features.

Perhaps because of his military background, although he could give off a sense of pressure, he would deliberately soften his voice and show tenderness and consideration in front of Tang Yan.

Shao Jie's intentions were obvious, and both Tang Yan herself and those around them could see them clearly.

Shao Jie likes Tang Yan!

Seeing this, Su Muxi asked Shao Hongzhuo, who was standing to the side, "Does your uncle have a wife?"

"Yes! My uncle is thirty-five this year, how could he not be married!"

Hearing Shao Hongzhuo's words, Su Muxi sighed slightly.

In that case, Tang Yan could only become a concubine.

Although becoming Shao Jie's concubine would be nice for Tang Yan, she still hoped that Tang Yan could find a man who only loved her and live a loving life as husband and wife.

Even if the other party is just an ordinary farmer, it is still better than living in a wealthy family and relying on a man's favor.

Unexpectedly, Shao Hongzhuo said, "However, my aunt has been dead for almost seven years, and my uncle has never remarried. He stays in the military camp every day, and my father is afraid that he will get sick from being cooped up."

So my father always tried to find some young ladies for my uncle, but my uncle always used the fact that my father hadn't remarried as an excuse to refuse, leaving my father at a loss.

At this point, Shao Hongzhuo looked at Shao Jie and Tang Yan not far away with a knowing smile, "I didn't expect Uncle to suddenly realize this! I hope Uncle can give me a younger brother or sister soon, preferably a sister!"

Su Muxi asked in surprise, "Your uncle has no concubines or children?"

Seeing Shao Hongzhuo nod firmly, Su Muxi couldn't help but get excited.

Although Shao Jie is a bit older, he is a devoted and considerate man, and perhaps he is a good match for Tang Yan.

Xie Xuan, who was not far away, also heard Shao Hongzhuo's words.

Thinking of how Tang Yan had bravely shielded him just now, and seeing the scenes of Shao Jie and Tang Yan interacting together, he felt a strange pang of jealousy.

Back when they were at Xunfanglou, Tang Yan was the one who loved to pester him the most.

He could naturally see the adoration in Tang Yan's eyes when she looked at him.

Later, when he learned that Tang Yan had contracted a sexually transmitted disease, he summoned Su Muxi to treat her. Tang Yan's initial admiration for him was deliberately hidden, replaced by gratitude.

He also knew that Tang Yan's behavior was a sign of her true affection for him.

Tang Yan knew she was not good enough for him and that nothing would come of it.

In his heart, he only loved Su Muxi, so he didn't pay much attention to Tang Yan.

After all, there were many girls who liked him in the brothel, and Tang Yan was just one of them.

Moreover, it was impossible for him to fall in love with a courtesan and marry her.

Even if he were to take a concubine, his father probably wouldn't allow it.

Just now, when Tang Yan rushed out of the crowd and stood in front of him without regard for anything else, his heart felt as if it had been struck by something.

Looking at Tang Yan again, a different feeling arose in his heart.

It felt like a lifetime ago, yet also like the first time we met.

Now, he should be happy for Tang Yan, but for some reason, he just can't feel happy at all.