Most of the people here are not ordinary people.

The woman's every move was under everyone's watchful eyes.

They wanted to see what she was up to, but then they heard that cold laugh, and she still followed Qi Shan closely—that was intriguing. The crowd pretended to look at the tents, fidget with their bags, deliberately lower their heads to drink water, and some even shifted restlessly... Only their ears were strained; as long as the woman didn't make any aggressive moves, they were content to watch a free spectacle, a spectacle of wicked schemes!

Gongxi Chou was the only one who was unaware of the situation.

He said, "It's one thing for Qu Tan to laugh, but why are you laughing too?"

They're blind and can't recognize a good thing!

Does she know who she is?

Not to brag, but apart from Mama and Big Brother, everyone else here was like a slap in the face to him, or a hundred slaps! Gong Xi Chou was a force to be reckoned with in the Northwest Continent. If he asked, people would line up from the Northwest to the Southeast begging for his guidance!

Even this is something I wouldn't approve of!

Gong Xichou didn't necessarily have to be Imamsong's master; he had plenty of children to choose from for practice, but he couldn't be refused.

Where does that leave him to save face?

The woman slowly raised her head.

Qi Shan slowly suppressed her smile.

The woman said to Gong Xichou, "It's not General Xiao."

Gong Xichou asked, "Then what are you laughing at?"

The woman said, "They are laughing at 'Qu Tan'."

Gong Xichou's face darkened. He was always inclined to side with his own people rather than with what was right. After Qi Shan's true identity was revealed, he officially included her in his protective circle, and naturally, he wouldn't allow outsiders to mock her. Considering that the woman was an ordinary person and that Imamsong was still present, he didn't use his power to oppress her, but the aura he had honed over years of killing was still enough to intimidate people.

The woman did not back down.

He simply smiled and asked, "Isn't it funny?"

As she spoke, her gaze fell on Qi Shan.

Qi Shan looked around awkwardly.

The cup of tea he was offering to his teacher was long gone, yet he kept putting it into his mouth, pretending to drink tea, his whole being radiating unease and guilt.

Upon seeing this, everyone exchanged subtle glances.

I've seen Qi Shan make a scene over the years, and I know he has many enemies, but no matter how many enemies come knocking, Qi Shan can always shamelessly bite back. When have I ever seen him so guilty?

The key point is that the person who came to the door was a woman.

The woman was an ordinary person, lacking the nourishment of literary or martial arts skills, so naturally she couldn't maintain her youth forever; the years had already left subtle traces on her face. Judging from her appearance, she shouldn't be much different in age from Qi Shan? That's interesting.

Shen Tang's gaze kept shifting between the two of them.

As the lord, she also has the privilege of "causing trouble".

Seemingly standing up for Qi Shan, he was actually adding fuel to the fire: "How dare you! Who gave you permission to be disrespectful to my Grand Secretary?"

My inner voice was screaming: [Tear it apart! Tear it apart!]

This was the first time she had learned that Qi Shan had female enemies.

Judging from Yuanliang's posture, could it be some kind of emotional debt?

The woman bowed and said, "This humble woman dares not."

He said he dared not, but his tone showed no fear.

Shen Tang wanted to pour some more flammable oil on it.

Qi Shan couldn't hold back for even a moment and spoke up: "My lord, she is an old friend of mine and did not mean to offend you."

Shen Tang turned the cannon towards Qi Shan: "Know him? An old friend?"

Qi Shan closed her eyes in anguish and admitted, "Yes."

Back then, he was so worried that Kang Shi might accidentally let slip his real name to Cui Xiao that he never imagined the one who would expose him would be that fool Gong Xi Chou. It was also his own fault for being so careless, assuming that since Cui Shanxiao wasn't there, there was no need to correct Gong Xi Chou's way of addressing him; he figured he could remind Gong Xi Chou later when he was ready to reinforce the troops at He Yin's battlefield. But—

Cui Shanxiao is not here.

But Choi Seon-hyo's daughter has arrived!

The person they couldn't find even by mobilizing the secret intelligence network of the Northwest Branch of the Pantheon, the person they had been searching for for five or six years, suddenly appeared out of nowhere! And immediately went all out!

Qi Shan finally understood what it meant to be "unpredictable and impossible to guard against"!

Seeing this, everyone got even more excited.

Suppressing his excitement at being the gossip, Shen Tang asked the woman in a nonchalant tone, "Since you are an old friend of Yuan Liang, may I ask how to address you?"

The woman said slowly, "My surname is Cui."

The surname sounded familiar to everyone.

The surname Cui is widely distributed in the southeastern region and the central part of the mainland. It is a major surname that has been confirmed by the legendary star of thieves and is one of the "Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families". In regions that value "family lineage", the five surnames Li, Cui, Lu, Zheng and Wang are extremely prestigious. The change of national power basically only occurs among them, and they are more likely to produce scholars with literary talent and warriors with martial prowess.

While the latter has not been confirmed, the former is indeed true.

The Northwest Continent is a "literary-centered" region, and these major surnames do not have any special advantages in this area, hence they are rare.

Since it's so rare, why does it sound so familiar?

Shen Tang, however, seemed to have thought of something. She glanced meaningfully at Qi Shan, who was sitting on pins and needles, and said, "Cui? You're also surnamed Cui?"

The woman asked in surprise, "Also?"

“I have an important minister under my command who shares your surname. His name is Cui Xiao, and his courtesy name is Shanxiao.” As Shen Tang spoke, he paid attention to the woman’s expression. When she heard the name “Cui Xiao,” she did not react significantly, but when she heard “Shanxiao,” her pupils changed.

Considering that Cui Xiao's name is an alias, the woman's surname is Cui, she knows Qi Shan, and she reacts to the name Shanxiao, Shen Tang can be fairly certain that the woman is a direct relative of Cui Shanxiao, most likely her daughter. Why not speculate that the woman is Cui Xiao's first wife?

Naturally, it's because their appearance doesn't match their age.

Choi Sun-hyo and his wife are of average age.

The woman looked around, searching for someone.

Shen Tang said, "No need to look anymore, Shan Xiao isn't here. May I ask what your relationship is with Yuan Liang? It's not that I want to pry, but you just... seemed rather unfriendly?"

Everyone perked up and strained to listen.

Now it was Qi Shan's turn to have a face that looked as long as a donkey's.

The woman said, "Just as he said, he's just an old friend. If I had to say, he's an old friend with whom I almost got married."

Everyone's pupils dilated in shock, and they all turned to look at Qi Shan.

Qi Shan felt annoyed by being looked at.

"What's so strange about that? It's just a temporary measure!"

It's not surprising that everyone reacted this way. After working together for so many years, they had never seen Qi Shan have any inappropriate contact with any woman; his personal life was spotless. Officials who tried to secretly send him beauties they had carefully chosen not only failed to please him but also ran into a brick wall, and within a couple of days, they would be ridiculed by the Censorate. Other officials who wanted to curry favor with him watched with lingering fear.

There was also a clever woman who thought Qi Shan was into men and secretly sent her several male concubines of different styles, but she was also retaliated against by Qi Shan.

I don't like women, and I don't like men.

Therefore, rumors circulated that Qishan actually liked cats.

He plans to spend his life with cats.

[The author], using the character of Qi Shan as a template, wrote a poignant love story between a young boy and a cat demon, which garnered considerable attention. This bizarre colleague was even revealed to have had a fiancée? And they almost got married? Is the sun rising in the west?

Shen Tang asked the question that everyone was most curious about.

"Huh, then why didn't it form?"

The woman avoided answering the question.

She simply looked at Qi Shan and asked, "Why didn't it work out?"

Qi Shan: "..."

The woman smiled smugly: "It's a temporary measure."

The same thought crossed everyone's mind: [There's juicy gossip!]

While everyone was enjoying the gossip, the person directly involved was unwilling to reveal more details, and bystanders shouldn't overstep their bounds and pry. Everyone stopped there, making excuses to leave and preparing to move the meeting to another location. This left Qi Shan with some space to resolve the issue.

That evening, Shen Tang saw Qi Shan.

She made a point of checking Qi Shan for any external injuries.

The Lord rolled his eyes, and Qi Shan knew what mischief she was up to. How could she not see what she was thinking? "None of the scenes in the Lord's mind have happened. What do you want to ask?"

I'm not afraid of Shen Tang getting to the bottom of things, I'm afraid of her taking matters into her own hands.

That's how rumors get more and more outrageous as they spread.

Shen Tang hurriedly put down her calligraphy brush, cleared away all the official documents on the table, and tidied up a clean space: "Yuanliang, what exactly happened between you and her before? If there are still feelings between you..."

Qi Shan interrupted her: "Stop, there's no past affection."

He and Cui Kewu had no romantic feelings for each other.

When they first met, Qi Shan was going through a low point in her life, and had no time to think about settling down and starting a family. The almost-married situation was also a calculated move to exploit her, which is one of the reasons why Qi Shan felt guilty around her. He was a fake, but Cui Kewu had genuine feelings.

Shen Tang: "Ke Wu?"

Qi Shan said, "Her name is Cui Hui, and her courtesy name is Ke Wu."

It is derived from "Be cautious and diligent in following the Five Canons, and be able to follow them."

Shen Tang pondered the name and shook her head, saying, "This name doesn't sound like something Shanxiao would choose; it's not like his style."

The Five Classics are the teachings of the Five Constant Virtues.

A father is righteous, a mother is kind, an elder brother is friendly, a younger brother is respectful, and a son is filial.

Judging from Cui Xiao's experience, things didn't go as planned.

Qi Shan said, "Make up for what's lacking."

Shen Tang: "..."

That's a rather unethical thing to say.

Qi Shan laid everything bare: "Over the years, I have been worried about Cui Shanxiao, this unstable individual. His way of being a scholar is too peculiar. If he really harbors the intention to harm the lord, it will be impossible to guard against. Originally, I thought of finding Cui Kewu first. Cui Shanxiao owes the most to this daughter. As long as I find Cui Kewu, I can slowly plot and resolve the grudges from back then. I just didn't expect to have no news of him for several years."

His relationship with Cui Hui was not bad.

It's easier to resolve the relationship by starting with her.

The plan failed at the very first step.

He thought Cui Hui was dead, but he never expected her to be alive and to appear in front of him in such an unexpected way.

He had just spoken with Cui Hui about her experiences over the years.

"Home is where the world is"—these four words perfectly encapsulate the meaning.

Shen Tang frowned and said, "You didn't lie to her feelings, did you?"

Qi Shan protested her innocence: "It was clearly me who was robbed by trickery and coercion."

He was forcibly taken back by Cui Hui's mother.

It's true he intentionally approached Cui Shanxiao, but he wouldn't go so far as to deceive her daughter. Besides, Cui Hui is a very good girl; she truly supported him through his most confused and difficult period. The young woman already had someone she liked, but "the onlooker sees more of the game than the player," and she was young and impetuous, which is why she was oblivious. Qi Shan was initially quite flustered, but realizing this, he was relieved…

Cui Hui was in love with her because she was his childhood sweetheart.

Zhu Ma is a student that Choi Sun-hyo has always had high hopes for.

However, Cui Hui was stubborn and abhorred forced marriage.

Coincidentally, Qi Shan appeared at that crucial moment, and his appearance and temperament matched Cui Hui's ideal of a future husband. Cui Hui then made up her mind that she had to have Qi Shan. The two spent some time together.

It's said to be a couple, but it's actually a trio.

That student, Choi Sun-hyo, is haunting me.

To help his student, Cui Shanxio secretly told Qishan that Cui Hui and her mother were a pair of ruthless bandits who kidnapped Qishan to make him Cui Hui's male concubine. Learning from past mistakes, Cui Shanxio couldn't bear to see a respectable man fall into the hands of bandits and helped him escape.

Qi Shan gathered enough evidence and fled.

The timing of the run was just a little tricky.

Shen Tang raised an eyebrow: "You ran away on your wedding day?"

Qi Shan retorted, "Otherwise? Wait until things are fading before running away? I'm just here as an undercover agent to investigate evidence of the prince's rebellion; there's no need to risk my innocence..."

Shen Tang: "..."

Qi Shan's elopement caused Cui Hui to lose face.

The girl was easily embarrassed and was furious.

Taking advantage of the situation, Choi Sun-hyo's student patiently comforted his sweetheart. The childhood sweethearts, who had secretly harbored feelings for each other, soon confessed their love and pledged their lives to one another. Choi Sun-hyo was delighted with this and happily went through with the wedding preparations, but the wedding did not go smoothly.

Qi Shan said, "...blood splattered on the wedding."

Shen Tang's eyelids twitched violently: "You did this?"

Qi Shan nodded and then shook his head: "Alas, the situation was somewhat complicated at the time. I was actually helping another person investigate evidence of a prince's rebellion. Cui Shanxio had been secretly working for this restless prince, using many underhanded methods. However, it can't be said that the prince was entirely innocent; ultimately, he was forced into a corner and took the risk. It's just that in these power struggles, those who pay the blood price are often their supporters and ordinary people who are complete strangers to them..."

As mentioned before, Choi Sun-hyo's father-in-law was a notorious bandit.

The ruthless bandit rescued Cui Shanxio and made him his daughter's adopted son-in-law.

As the domestic war subsided, the bandit stronghold began to transform, retiring from banditry and engaging in other livelihoods. The old and weak members of the former bandit stronghold remained with Cui Hui's mother. These people were no less than blood relatives to Cui Hui and her mother, and in some ways even closer than Cui Shanxiao.

but--

Everyone died at that wedding.

The bandit stronghold was also burned to the ground.

Cui Hui's husband died from being pierced through the heart by a hail of arrows.

This is also the main reason why Choi Sun-hyo was not forgiven by his wife and children.

Qi Shan continued, "Cui Shanxio has kept his loyalty to the prince a secret from his family. Cui Kewu and his mother always thought he was just an ordinary schoolteacher, especially his mother, who never wanted him to enter officialdom. Cui Shanxio verbally agreed, but—"

Which scholar or writer would willingly remain in obscurity?

Choi Sun-hyo planned to confess after he had accomplished his mission.

Unexpectedly, Qi Shan appeared out of nowhere.

Qi Shan was also an accomplice, while Cui Shanxio was the principal offender.

Choi Sun-hyo clearly did not think so.

Shen Tang was completely bewildered and asked a crucial question: "Is Shan Xiao's wife, Cui Ke Wu's mother, still alive?"

Qi Shan said, "I also asked Cui Kewu."

"And then what happened?"

Qi Shan: "Uncertain."

The mother and daughter last met five years ago.

Five years is a long time; too many things can happen in that time. Qi Shan immediately prepared to send people to search for the person following the clues provided by Cui Hui, hoping for good news. If Cui Shan refused to listen to his filial piety and had to suffer the consequences, he wouldn't mind sending the other party to drink the soup of oblivion.

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