Xiuxuefang was an unassuming house with an inconspicuous facade.

Gray walls and old tiles are hidden in the shadow of a few old locust trees. Two black lacquered wooden doors are closed, and the copper rings are old and worn.

Li E surveyed the surrounding area before silently slipping inside.

Climbing over the wall, one finds a completely different world.

Facing you is a cloud-shaped screen wall, with a hollowed-out center inlaid with a pine and crane longevity motif carved from blue stone.

Turning past the screen wall, a bright and open view suddenly appeared before us.

Although the courtyard is not very spacious, its layout is exquisite, and every plant, stone and stream reflects the craftsman's ingenuity.

A winding path paved with fine white pebbles passes through a miniature landscape, mottled with moss, where stone lanterns stand silently.

A pavilion is built against one side of the wall, with upturned eaves at the corners, covered with dark gray barrel tiles;

On the other side is a small waterside pavilion, where you can see several koi carp leisurely swaying their tails in the clear pond water.

The water reflects the sky and clouds, creating a serene and elegant scene.

There were no luxurious or dazzling items around, but whether it was the few green bamboos planted in the corner of the wall or the antique paper lantern hanging under the corridor, everything revealed the owner's taste and wealth.

Sure enough, this place should be the private residence of Su Quan, the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Household.

Li E moved swiftly, touching the ground silently like a falling leaf, and sped towards the backyard.

He quietly released his senses and quickly locked onto a small courtyard outside the side room.

Zhao Hengjiang was playing with a gun in the yard with his son, Zhao Qingshan.

He looked powerful and imposing, but in Li E's eyes, his aura was only at the sixth rank.

However... the outline of his eyebrows and face still faintly reveals a blood connection to the general.

The window frame creaked very slightly, like the wind blowing by, or like a night owl darting across the eaves.

Zhao Hengjiang suddenly looked up, his eyes instantly becoming as sharp as an eagle's.

He pulled his son behind him, his body tense, and he hissed in a low voice, "Who?"

Li E landed lightly, making a sound that he had deliberately created.

Zhao Hengjiang frowned. "Who are you? Why... do you look somewhat familiar?"

Li E's chest heaved, he clasped his hands and bowed, still performing the old military salute, his voice unusually hoarse and low as he tried his best to suppress his surging emotions:

"Li E was formerly under the command of General Zhao Polu."

"Li E?!"

Zhao Hengjiang's pupils suddenly contracted, and his face was instantly filled with disbelief and shock.

He almost staggered forward half a step, carefully trying to make out the face that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

"You...you're still alive?"

"Yes, I'm still alive. There's no time for reminiscing. Listen to me..."

He lowered his voice and swiftly revealed the truth that had been buried for many years in the most concise language.

How General Zhao Polu was secretly framed by Cao Cheng'an and the Shuofeng Dynasty, how he was lured into a desperate situation on the border and brutally murdered, and how he was later framed for embezzling military funds...

Every word was like a poisoned ice pick, piercing Zhao Hengjiang's heart.

He stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning, his blood seemingly freezing instantly. The young man Zhao Qingshan beside him was also stunned.

The incident happened suddenly, and the father and son were quickly removed from the military base.

It was only later that we learned that my father had died fighting alongside the Shuofeng cavalry.

Then came the overwhelming accusation of embezzling military funds, which led to the confiscation of his family property and the collapse of his household.

He went from being a son of a military family to a prisoner, sentenced to exile, and has been barely surviving ever since…

Zhao Hengjiang never imagined that the truth would be so unbearable!

The injustice done to my father, the downfall of Zhaoyi Army, and the hardships of half a lifetime all stemmed from a despicable betrayal!

"Uncle Li..."

Zhao Hengjiang's voice was hoarse and almost broken, and his eyes instantly turned red, with bloodshot veins spreading across them.

Overwhelmed by grief and pain, he felt as if he were being torn apart; his body trembled uncontrollably.

"Then now..."

"We must leave Fengjing immediately!" Li E said decisively, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Where to?

Zhao Hengjiang took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the surging emotions that were about to burst out of his chest.

Having weathered many storms over the years, I know that any hesitation at this moment could lead to utter ruin.

"The Western Regions are a place of harsh cold, but the emperor is far away and the heavens are high."

"Alright!" Zhao Hengjiang was also decisive, and without any hesitation, he said, "Qingshan, let's go."

There was nothing to pack, and I had nothing of value.

The three of them quickly left the mansion, while the rest of the old group split into several groups.

Some left first, while others secretly guarded the city, all heading straight towards the city gate.

If this had happened a moment ago, it wouldn't have been easy to leave Fengjing, which was heavily patrolled, without anyone noticing, especially since he had committed a crime against the Xuange Division.

However, at this moment, due to a sudden upheaval in the palace, the Xuanji Guard's forces were all withdrawn to guard the imperial city.

They left easily, without causing any ripples.

...

Meanwhile, in a three-courtyard house in the western part of Fengjing.

White walls and black tiles, a well-organized layout, and a deep courtyard.

A few late-blooming osmanthus trees exuded a lingering fragrance, while the chrysanthemum bonsai displayed under the eaves were graceful in shape, conveying a low-key yet dignified air of abundance.

For Li Dajing, the wealthy merchant who had just settled in, these conditions were considered rather rudimentary.

The son, unaware of his arrival, naturally occupied the main room in the courtyard.

Li Dajing didn't intend for him to move out, and moved into a slightly more secluded wing room in the east courtyard himself.

The room was simply furnished with a couch, a small table, two chairs, and a cabinet.

Only a wisp of very faint smoke rose from the mouth of the ancient-style lion-shaped incense burner.

The fragrance is extremely unique. At first, it smells like plum blossoms after a snowfall, clear and crisp, but upon closer inspection, one can also detect a subtle warmth within it.

Like the tidings of spring quietly hidden beneath the ice and snow, it is restrained and refined, pure and pristine.

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