Chapter 2

The heavy, vermilion door of the Fengtian Hall, inlaid with gold nails, slowly closed behind Gu Linzhi, making a dull and long "clang" sound, like a giant beast biting its sharp teeth, isolating all the stormy waves, whispers and countless suspicious gazes in the hall.

Outside the palace, the sky remained hazy and dim. A streak of pale light in the eastern sky struggled, trying to tear through the leaden veil of clouds, but it seemed powerless. The gray light sparingly filtered down the layers of glazed tiles in the palace, reflecting no warmth, leaving only vast expanses of cold, rigid shadows.

Gu Linzhi walked along the straight, arrow-like palace path. The hem of his dark python robe curved subtly in the morning breeze, each time it brushed against the cold, hard bluestone, it evoked a barely audible sigh. His tall, solitary figure stretched out across the empty, desolate palace path, like a slowly sheathed, shrouded ancient sword, its edge extinguished. His presence was solemn, yet carried a lingering, austere aftertaste.

The towering palace walls cast a vast, almost all-encompassing shadow. The air was filled with a distinct, cool, palace-like atmosphere, a blend of the dampness of last night's rain and the faint scent of vegetation wafting from the distant imperial gardens. Occasionally, a line of armored guards passed by on patrol, their heavy footsteps echoing in the empty space, the grating of armor scales creating a cold, metallic clang. Upon catching sight of the dark figure from afar, they halted, holding their breath and lowering their heads, their movements perfectly synchronized, like puppets controlled by invisible strings, not daring to even slack off, much less raise their eyes. Awe, like tangible, icy water, silently flowed along the long path leading to the palace gates.

Only when the heavy palace gates creaked shut behind him, completely isolating the magnificent yet suffocating prison, did the invisible, suffocating pressure surrounding Gu Linzhi seem to ease slightly. But it was only a loosening, not a dissipation. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, the cold pool beneath them was bottomless. All the turmoil and turmoil stirred by the secret report had been forcibly suppressed, frozen again beneath the ice. The stinging and faint wetness in his palms reminded him of the brief but powerful confrontation in the palace that had shaken the entire court.

Outside the palace gates, a spacious carriage, entirely jet-black and devoid of superfluous ornamentation, sat quietly waiting. The two sturdy black horses pulling it, their coats glossy, their snorts snorting, their hooves steady as a rock, exuding a well-trained calm. Atop the shaft sat a young man, also dressed in dark, formal attire. His face was as cold and hard as stone, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's. He was Gu Linzhi's shadow, the commander of the Prime Minister's guards, Qing Feng. Upon seeing Gu Linzhi step out of the palace, Qing Feng silently leaped from the shaft, his movements as swift as a cheetah. He stood solemnly, his hands lowered, his gaze lowered, his demeanor utterly respectful.

Gu Linzhi walked straight towards the carriage without looking around. Qing Feng had already silently lifted the heavy black curtains. The interior of the carriage was spacious, yet extremely simple, with only a small fixed table and a couch covered with a dark velvet carpet. The light was dim, like a mobile, isolated fortress.

Only after Gu Linzhi's figure completely faded into the shadows of the carriage did Qingfeng lower the curtains and silently return to the shafts. With a flick of his wrist, the reins made a faint sound of breaking through the air. Without further instruction, the two black horses immediately set into steady steps, pulling the silent black carriage across the slightly damp bluestone pavement of Shengjing, heading east for the prestigious yet shrouded in mystery the Prime Minister's residence.

The rumbling of wheels crushed the scattered clamor of the newly awakened streets. The curtains blocked out outside light and prying eyes, plunging the carriage into a near-stagnant darkness. Gu Linzhi leaned back on the dark velvet rug, his body still tense and restrained. He slowly unfolded his right hand, which had been clenched in his sleeve.

On his palm, several deep crescent-shaped bloodstains were clearly visible, their edges slightly curled, and the blood that had seeped out had already congealed into a dark red. The secret report, nearly soaked from being clenched, its writing slightly blurred by sweat and blood, lay quietly in his palm.

"Urgent news from Jiangnan! The floods aren't natural disasters, but man-made! Shen Ziqing has confirmed that, in order to cover up the 'Jingbei Military Grain' case, he went so far as to breach the dikes and destroy the evidence! Over ten thousand people have been killed or injured, and countless more have been displaced! His heart is damned!"

Every word was like a red-hot iron, burning his heart again.

Shen Ziqing! What a great Shen Ziqing!

Gu Linzhi's fingertips brushed across the smudged ink, the movement light yet carrying a force that bordered on destructive. A chill more intense than the northern snowstorm surged in his icy eyes. He had promoted Shen Ziqing for his competence and the shrewdness honed over years in the Ministry of Revenue, but also because his background seemed clean, lacking deep ties to the entrenched old forces. He had thought he was a handy knife, a pawn to wedge into Jiangnan and undo some of the lingering ills. He had never imagined that this pawn had long been eroded by a deeper darkness, becoming a mere escapee from the bloody incident of that year, a mad dog who dared to commit such heinous crimes to cover up his own sins!

Dams burst, dams destroyed... evidence destroyed... tens of thousands displaced, countless dead and wounded...

In order to cover up the evidence of the crime fourteen years ago, they even resorted to creating another human disaster! Their actions were despicable, their intentions were vicious, and they were completely outrageous!

Rage burned silently within his cold frame, threatening to consume his sanity. But Gu Linzhi simply closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the raging flames had been forced back into the depths of his eyes, leaving only a murderous intent tempered by ice. Shen Ziqing deserved death, but at this moment, he couldn't die. He was a thread, a thread that might lead to the core of that massive cancer. He must live, he must be thoroughly investigated, and this process of thorough investigation must become the catalyst that shakes up the entire chess game!

The carriage moved steadily through the increasingly bustling streets. From outside came the cries of vendors, the creaking of wheels, and the chatter of pedestrians, creating a vibrant morning scene in the imperial capital. Yet, all this was blocked out by the thick, dark curtains. Inside, the only sounds were the subtle rustle of Gu Linzhi's fingertips on paper and the sound of his icy, abyssal breathing.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of the wheels grew duller, as if they were on a smoother road. The bustle of the market outside gradually faded, replaced by the majestic silence that characterized a large courtyard. Finally, the carriage stopped.

The carriage curtain was silently lifted. Qing Feng stood solemnly outside and whispered, "Master, we're here."

Gu Linzhi carefully refolded the bloodstained secret report and placed it close to his chest. He adjusted the cuffs of his flawless black python robe. All the emotion on his face faded completely, returning to that intimidating, impeccable coldness and depth. He bent down and stepped out of the carriage.

The main gate of the Prime Minister's residence was tall, heavy, and painted a deep, inky color. Two ferocious stone lions, each holding a copper ring in its mouth, crouched on either side, silently demonstrating the power and majesty of its owner. Above the lintel, the five gilded characters "Prime Minister Gu's Residence" glowed coldly in the dim morning light.

The gates of the mansion had already silently opened, but the area in front was unusually deserted, with not a single person in sight. Only a few guards, also dressed in dark, dignified outfits, stood on either side like stone sculptures, their gazes piercing their surroundings. As Gu Lin stepped out of the car, everyone bowed in unison, their movements in unison, without a single word uttered. The air was filled with a near-suffocating atmosphere of absolute obedience and awe.

Gu Linzhi looked straight ahead and walked straight over the high threshold that symbolized supreme power.

Inside the door is another world.

There was no imagined grandeur, no ostentatious display of gold and jade. Instead, a deep, weighty, solemn atmosphere, steeped in time, greeted the viewer. A massive screen wall, carved from a single block of bluestone, depicted a profound image of a sea of ​​clouds, pine trees, and cranes. Its lines were strong and unadorned, exuding a sense of unspoken authority. The courtyard was vast, its bluestone floor as smooth as a mirror, practically reflecting one's own reflection. Several tall, ancient trees, their gnarled branches and verdant crowns swaying gently in the breeze, cast a deep, tranquil shadow.

The air was filled with a strange blend of aromas: the cool, crisp fragrance of ink, the unique dry smell of aged paper, and a faint, almost herbal bitterness. The entire residence was eerily quiet, like a giant beast lurking in the shadows. The servants and clerks, young and old, moved about with light steps, quick movements, and focused eyes, their lips tightly pursed, uttering no unnecessary sound. Upon seeing Gu Linzhi, they bowed their heads and stepped aside, their postures extremely respectful, as if even their breathing was deliberately light.

This mansion, like a massive block of iron soaked in icy water, stood silently amid the bustling city of Shengjing, exuding a chilling and majestic aura that kept people at a distance. Every brick and stone, every leaf, seemed imbued with the owner's unfathomable will and pervasive control.

Gu Linzhi's footsteps didn't pause for a moment as he walked straight through the first solemn courtyard and headed deeper. His steps were steady and firm, and the soles of his boots landing on the mirror-like bluestone slabs made a clear and cold echo, the only main theme in this dead silence.

Qing Feng followed silently, half a step behind like the most loyal shadow, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows and columns around him to ensure that nothing was wrong.

Just as they were about to pass through a moon-shaped gate and enter the inner courtyard, a middle-aged man in a dark blue steward's uniform, with a capable face, emerged from the shadows of the side corridor as silently as a ghost, his movements so swift that he left only a trace of shadow. He quickly stepped forward, stopping three steps away from Gu Linzhi, bowed deeply, and presented a plain white letter with both hands, also without a signature. His voice was extremely low, but every word was clear:

"Prime Minister, a secret report from Jiangnan, urgent."

Gu Linzhi paused for a moment, then without any unnecessary movement, stretched out two fingers and naturally picked up the letter. The moment his fingertips touched the paper, he could feel the faint warmth left on it, the warmth of the carrier pigeon's body.

He didn't open it right away, but simply tucked the thin letter into his wide sleeve, his movements smooth and unpretentious. His gaze remained fixed straight ahead, as if he were simply taking over an insignificant item.

After completing his mission, the steward immediately bowed again and retreated quietly into the shadow of the side corridor just as he had come, as if he had never appeared.

Gu Linzhi's steps were unwavering. He passed through the moon gate, and the view before him suddenly opened up. This was a more refined and private inner courtyard, with delicate rockery, clear pond water, and a few clumps of green bamboo leaning against the wall, rustling softly in the breeze, finally adding a touch of vitality to the austere mansion.

He walked straight to the solemn study at the back of the courtyard, with its soaring eaves and brackets. Above the study's door hung an ebony plaque, inscribed with two large characters, painted in iron and silver: "Quiet Observation." The words were majestic and towering, exuding a cold and insightful gaze that looked down upon the world.

The two black-clad guards guarding the study door saw Gu Linzhi and immediately pushed open the heavy carved wooden door silently.

The study's interior was vast, yet it didn't feel empty. Floor-to-ceiling rosewood bookshelves lined three sides, densely packed with files, tomes, and maps. Like a silent fortress, they exuded the rich fragrance of cool ink and the aroma of aged paper. A massive rosewood desk sat by the window, its four study treasures meticulously arranged, spotless. Sunlight filtered through the plain white paper covering the high windows, casting a few hazy beams of light on the mirror-like golden brick floor, with tiny specks of dust floating in them.

This is the heart of the Prime Minister's Mansion, and it is also the center where countless undercurrents of the entire Dayong Dynasty converge and countless commands are issued.

Gu Linzhi walked to the desk and sat down in the large rosewood armchair. The high back, carved with ancient cloud patterns, framed his upright figure like a rock. He didn't immediately deal with the secret report in his sleeve, nor did he touch the mountain of reports from various places on his desk.

He raised his eyes, and his gaze fell on Qing Feng, who stood like a shadow on the inside of the door. His gaze was calm, yet it carried a tremendous force.

"Qing Feng."

"I'm here." Qing Feng immediately bowed, his voice low and clear, like a taut bowstring.

Gu Linzhi's voice rang out in the empty and quiet study. It wasn't loud, but it carried a coldness and unquestionable tone like the surface of a frozen lake:

"Go and do two things right away."

"First, order the Jiangnan 'Shadow Scale' to closely monitor the movements of Shen Ziqing, his confidants, and his family. All correspondence and contacts, no matter how big or small, must be recorded and reported confidentially. They are ordered not to alert the enemy, and are not to take any action without authorization."

"Secondly," Gu Linzhi's fingertips gently tapped the cool rosewood tabletop, making a soft "thump" sound like a hammer striking a melody. "Use all our undercover agents in the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court to secretly transcribe all the files on the Jiangnan flood and embezzlement case, regardless of whether they are public or private, large or small, authentic or not, and have them delivered to my desk within three days. Tell them to act quickly and thoroughly, and not leave any trace behind."

"Yes!" Qing Feng had no doubts, his head lowered even further as he responded crisply. He knew full well that Shadow Scale was the Prime Minister's deepest and most secretive undercover agent in Jiangnan. Activating them signaled that his master had elevated this matter to the highest level of importance. Mobilizing operatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court directly touched upon the very core of the court's legal system.

"Also," Gu Linzhi paused, a gleam of light sharper than a knife flashing across his deep eyes, "Check. Besides that idiot Chen Bingzhi, who else in the court today showed the most 'concern' after Shen Ziqing's incident? Especially..." His voice dropped even lower, almost turning into a wisp of icy air, "Those with the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and even...those who had a history with the transportation of military supplies to the northern border. Put the list here before sunset tomorrow."

"As you command!" Qing Feng's heart trembled. His master was going to follow the clues, using Shen Ziqing as a clue to get to the real big thing behind it! And the target was directly targeting the old matter of military supplies in the northern border! He didn't dare to neglect it in the slightest and responded in a deep voice.

"Go." Gu Linzhi waved his hand and turned his gaze to the files piled on the desk, as if what he had just issued were just a few ordinary instructions.

Qing Feng bowed deeply again, and like a cheetah blending into the shadows, he quietly left the study. The heavy door closed silently behind him, separating the inside and the outside into two worlds.

The study fell into a dead silence. Only the rustling of bamboo leaves outside the window and the monotonous and eternal dripping of the clepsydra water could be heard clearly in the huge space.

Gu Linzhi then slowly took out the Jiangnan secret report that had just arrived from his sleeve. He opened the plain white envelope and pulled out the thin letter inside.

As his eyes swept over the few lines of ciphertext, the corners of Gu Linzhi's icy lips curled up slightly. It wasn't joy, nor was it relaxation, but rather a kind of cruel mockery, as if his prey had finally given up and walked into a trap.

The letter contained only a few words:

"Chen is already alarmed, and has secretly sent a confidant north with a large sum of money. He's suspected to be heading to Xie's residence. Also, Wang Yun, the Censor of the Jiangnan Circuit, will be meeting with the leader of the Cao Gang in the private room Bing of the Zuixian Tower at noon today. The meeting will last for half an incense stick. Wang Yun is a disciple of Lord Xie."

Xie Mansion? Elder Xie?

Gu Linzhi's fingertips gently brushed over the words "Xie Mansion". Deep in the cold pool of his eyes, beneath the ice, an undercurrent surged silently, with a whirlpool that could swallow everything.

Xie Yong, a veteran of three dynasties and a retired former prime minister, has students and former officials throughout the court and the country. He is a leader of the clean stream and highly respected... What a "highly respected" person!

Could the transportation, storage, and allocation of military rations in the northern border have been handled without the intervention of Lord Xie, who had long presided over the Ministry of Revenue and whose disciples spanned every aspect of the military supply chain? Shen Ziqing, a mad dog, was now as panicked as a stray dog. His first thought for help was this seemingly aloof "Lord Xie," who had long since left the court.

It’s really… expected, yet extremely ironic!

He slowly placed the secret report on the desk, side by side with the blood-stained urgent report. One was a panicked cry for help, the other a blood-soaked evidence of a heinous crime. They lay quietly on the cold rosewood table, like two balls of lightning about to explode.

Gu Linzhi leaned back in his chair, his body lost in the thick shadow cast by the high-backed chair behind his desk. He raised his head slightly, his gaze seeming to penetrate the high ceiling of the study and cast towards the still chaotic sky above Shengjing City.

On the chessboard, the pieces had already moved. The ripples created by the stone he had thrown were beginning to spread towards the deeper waters.

The floods in Jiangnan, the undercurrents in Shengjing, the wronged souls from fourteen years ago... all the threads began to quietly converge in the same direction - the Xie Mansion, which seemed noble and peaceful but was actually a complex and complicated place.

He needs more evidence, a clearer context, and needs to see the fangs hidden under the mask of "high moral character" completely exposed to the sun!

The study was dimly lit. Gu Linzhi's profile was sharply defined in the shadows, as if chiseled with a knife or an axe. He slowly closed his eyes, as if resting his mind. Only his bony fingers resting on the armrest silently tapped the cold rosewood with an extremely slow, steady rhythm.

Knock…knock…knock…

The sound was very soft, but carried a strange rhythm, like the beat of a death drum, or like the hunter's final countdown before his prey completely stepped into the trap.

The water in Shengjing was completely muddied.

And the fangs in the shadows will eventually be exposed.