Mingyue lowered her eyes and straightened her sleeves. "Go down, this is rather boring."
After Zhang Wen withdrew, Ji Yong'an knelt on one knee and asked, "Why didn't the Grand Preceptor press the matter further?"
Mingyue rested her forehead on one hand, looking down at Ji Yong'an. "How can you interrogate someone when there's no evidence against them? Have you made any progress on the matter I asked you to investigate?"
Ji Yong'an shook his head dejectedly, "No, the shopkeepers are all very tight-lipped, and the servants and maids below them have all been bribed."
Mingyue tapped her fingertips on the table, saying, "Go and see if there are any martial arts practitioners in the city. Be discreet and don't let the people from the city lord's mansion find out."
"What is the meaning of seeking out江湖人 (jianghu people)?"
"I'm afraid our portraits have already been drawn and sent to various government offices so that some江湖人 (jianghu people, people from the martial arts world) can investigate the matter."
Ji Yong'an suddenly understood, "Yes!"
Ji Yong'an came and went like the wind.
Mingyue led Chen Yao around the city lord's mansion, occasionally encountering some servants, but they all seemed to have seen a ghost and ran away with their heads down.
"These servants don't even know how to bow to people; they're utterly rude."
Chen Yao stood up for Mingyue.
Mingyue glanced at Chen Yao indifferently, "Paying respects to the old master and the old lady is the most important thing."
The two walked to a courtyard with the gate tightly closed and a wisp of smoke rising from inside. Chen Yao stepped forward and knocked on the door.
After a long while, the door creaked open, and a small, innocent face peeked out. "Who are you?"
"My Imperial Advisor has come to pay his respects to Master Zhang and Madam Zhang."
"Okay!" The boy closed the door. "Wait here."
Chen Yao was turned away; the people from the city lord's mansion were quite arrogant.
It's just that the adults are gentle and easy to talk to, and never get angry.
The door opened this time, and the boy bowed, "Greetings, sir. The master and madam invite you in."
Mingyue nodded slightly and went inside.
Although the courtyard was small, it was kept very clean, and there were vegetable seedlings planted in the corner. Just as Zhang Wen said, they could build a stove in the courtyard and be self-sufficient.
The old man sat in his chair, his square face stern, his gaze sharp and authoritative. He didn't rise to greet anyone. "What brings the Imperial Advisor here?"
Mingyue didn't put on airs. Instead, she performed the etiquette of a junior, saying, "I wanted to visit the old master as soon as I arrived in Huaizhou, but I only came now. It's really impolite of me."
The old man was the former head of the guards in charge of Huaizhou. He was a fair, just, and incorruptible person.
The old man stroked his beard, his tone softening, "Sit down."
"yes."
After Mingyue sat down, she asked with a smile, "Grandpa, you're only forty now, why did you retire so early?"
The first question was sharp. The old man seemed to think of something, and his originally gentle expression immediately turned cold. Just as he opened his mouth, someone outside announced that Zhang Duwei had arrived.
The old man snorted coldly, swallowing the words that were about to come out.
Zhang Wen swaggered in, carrying a jar of fine wine. "What brings you here, sir? I've just come to deliver some wine to my father. Shall we have a drink together?"
"I won't disturb you any longer, sir. I'll come to visit again next time."
The old man waved his hand, signaling someone to see him off.
Only the old man and Zhang Wen remained in the hall. Zhang Wen placed the wine on the table with a cold face. "Father, you must know that the City Lord's Mansion and the Zhang family share the same fate, and they share the same fate."
The old man glared angrily and shouted, "Put your things away and get out!"
“As long as Father is careful with his words, I will not even step into the courtyard.”
Zhang Wen spoke casually, his eyelids slightly drooping as he threatened nonchalantly.
"You beast!" The old man's eyes were red with anger. He was such an honest and upright man, how could he have given birth to such a greedy and ungrateful scoundrel!
Unfortunately, this beast is involved with many forces. He could tell at a glance that the Grand Preceptor was no ordinary person. What good would come of Zhang Wen going against her?
The Zhang family is going to be ruined in his hands!
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