"Miss Afang plays the zither very well," the wicked husband exclaimed, standing outside the villa and listening to the melodious music.
Although the melody was poignant, it exuded a transcendent quality, truly befitting someone Zheng Ge'er had remembered for so many years.
Indeed, Chinese things are never inferior to anyone else's. Even though most of the people on this land are not yet enlightened, we have all the basic things we need.
If it weren't for the dynastic changes and the emergence of too many incompetent and treacherous rulers, what would be the point of anyone else in this world?
Just then, a man in black suddenly appeared behind him: "Grand Commandant, we've found it!"
"Speak!" The wicked man's expression hardened.
"The person playing the zither is a musician named Gao Jianli. This man..." The man in black lowered his voice, looked around, and continued, "According to investigations, he is from the Yan state, and his identity is not simple."
"A person from Yan?" The wicked man narrowed his eyes, countless possibilities flashing through his mind. "Continue..."
"After the fall of the Yan state, the king had long heard of his skill in playing the zither, so he invited him into the palace so that he could enjoy his music. He then lived in the music room."
"Not long ago, his performance pleased Empress Dowager Huayang, so he was promoted to be the head of the music room."
"My investigation revealed that he has been frequently visiting the Southern Palace recently, maintaining close contact with Consort Sun, always late at night, acting suspiciously. And this Consort Sun..."
"No need to say more." The wicked husband raised his hand to interrupt him, a cold glint in his eyes. "This Grand Commandant knows who she is. The late King's granddaughter, born into a high-ranking family in Yan. When Yan fell, how could she not hate the King? I never expected she would finally hold back and now dare to..."
Zhang Erhe, standing nearby, asked with suspicion, "Grand Commandant, who exactly is this Gao Jianli? Why is he helping Consort Sun?"
"You are still too young," the wicked man shook his head and said, "Do you remember the assassins who tried to kill me in Yan? The one I killed was Jing Ke and his master!"
"Do you know who his closest friend is? Who is the person who has been inseparable from him and lived with him for five years?"
"Could it be..." Zhang Erhe gasped.
"It's Gao Jianli!" the wicked husband sneered. "He and Consort Sun, one a remnant of a fallen kingdom, the other a close friend and sworn brother. Now they're using the Afang Palace affair to stir up trouble—what a clever scheme!"
"Should we report this to the King immediately? Knowing his temperament, he will surely be furious upon hearing of this and will absolutely not tolerate the two of them."
"No rush," the wicked man said, narrowing his eyes in thought. "Let them run wild for a few days. Think about it, if it's revenge, it won't be that simple. This Grand Commandant wants to see what tricks they're up to. By the way..."
He turned to the man in black and said, "Keep a close eye on them. Record their every move. Especially Gao Jianli; he's a master of music, and might be plotting something."
"Yes, sir!" The man in black responded and disappeared into the night.
........
Meanwhile, deep within the Southern Palace, in a secluded courtyard.
The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense, and the candlelight flickered. Consort Sun sat in the main seat, looking at Gao Jianli who had just returned, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes: "Master Gao, you've worked hard."
"It's not hard work." Gao Jianli put down his zither, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "As long as I can avenge the destruction of my kingdom and the loss of Jing Ke, what's this little thing?"
"As expected, Mi Ji was startled by the music tonight, and the imperial physicians were thrown into chaos." Consort Sun took a satisfied sip of tea, her tone filled with vengeful pleasure. "It seems we made the right move."
"It's time to let that brat Ying Zheng taste the pain of losing a son, to throw his mind into turmoil, and to inflict suffering upon him!"
Gao Jianli frowned: "I'm afraid it's not that simple. That wicked husband is not easy to deal with; his Black Ice Guard is spread throughout the palace, and he may have already noticed something."
"No need to worry," Consort Sun sneered. "Even if he's clever, he can't fathom the relationship between us. At most, he might find out someone is stirring up trouble in the harem, but he won't figure out our true purpose. Besides..."
She gave Gao Jianli a meaningful look: "Our goal isn't just to stir up trouble in the harem; it's simply to let Ying Zheng experience the pain of losing a son first, and then...!"
"Indeed." A ruthless glint flashed in Gao Jianli's eyes, his hand unconsciously reaching for the strings of his zither. "We must make him taste the pain of losing a loved one! For Brother Jing Ke..."
"For the sake of Yan..." Consort Sun clenched her fist, her nails digging deep into her palm.
They exchanged a glance, both seeing a deep-seated hatred in each other's eyes. So much time had passed, yet the hatred hadn't faded; instead, it had grown even stronger.
"However..." Gao Jianli pondered, "The wicked husband is always a potential threat. He certainly won't let this go after tonight's music."
"Don't worry about that," Consort Sun said confidently. "I've already arranged a scapegoat. There's a palace maid who can play the zither, and she's about your age. Even if they trace it back here, they'll only find her."
"I see." Gao Jianli suddenly realized. "No wonder the Princess always insisted that I visit late at night and not show myself."
"What's this trivial matter?" A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Consort Sun's eyes. "As long as I can avenge the destruction of this nation, I'll risk everything, even my life! Besides..."
She lowered her voice: "There are some things even the wicked husband couldn't have imagined. He thought we were just trying to sow discord in the harem, but he didn't know how much preparation was behind it all. That Epang was merely a prelude..."
Gao Jianli remained silent.
He knew Consort Sun was telling the truth. She had been lurking in the palace for years; even with Empress Dowager Xia and Empress Dowager Huayang keeping things under control, countless secret agents had still been planted within her ranks.
And he too must avenge his dearest friend from back then!
Recalling the scene before Jing Ke's departure, he still remembers the taste of that cup of wine and the tragic grandeur of the "Song of the Yi River." Now, it is finally his turn to fulfill this unfulfilled wish.
"Brother Jing Ke..." he murmured to himself, his fingers unconsciously caressing the strings of his zither, "Can your spirit see this in heaven? I've finally waited for this opportunity..."
Just then, footsteps approached. Gao Jianli flashed and quickly disappeared into the shadows. All that could be heard was Consort Sun's voice, feigning composure, "Someone, prepare dinner for me!"
The moonlight outside the window was hazy, illuminating the figures of the two avengers.
They all knew that this was just the beginning.
When the storm begins and the harem is in chaos, that will be the time for them to truly make their move!
Only after the footsteps faded into the distance did Gao Jianli breathe a sigh of relief.
It seems we need to be even more careful from now on; there are spies everywhere in the Qin Palace. One wrong move and all our efforts will be in vain.
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