"lead the way."
Xiao Liu breathed a sigh of relief and led Zhao Shi'an to their lodgings.
"Don't worry, Master. We have people planted among the Zhou family's guards. They will definitely be able to protect Miss Fang's safety."
Zhao Shi'an remained silent the entire way.
Xiao Liu's current location is across the street from Fang Qing's Inn. From the third floor of this inn, you can see the backyard of the inn.
Zhao Shi'an checked into this room.
Xiao Liu stood behind Zhao Shi'an, hesitating for a long time before speaking.
"My lord, now that you've come here, what about the capital?"
Now that the imperial examination is over, it is a good time to seek a way out, especially since the master has won first place. The princes in the capital will definitely try their best to win him over.
Although Fengyulou holds a high position in the martial arts world, it still needs powerful backers to gain a foothold in the capital.
If the master doesn't express his stance, the various factions in the capital might no longer tolerate him.
Zhao Shi'an did not answer immediately, and after a moment he looked away from the window.
"The arrangements in the capital were naturally made long ago."
Just like in his previous life, he chose to become the crown prince.
If, as in the previous life, this crown prince ascended the throne three years later with his help, and died five years later, entrusting his son to him on his deathbed, he would become the prime minister and act as regent.
Since Zhao Shi'an said so, Xiao Liu felt relieved.
"What are your plans regarding Miss Fang?"
Now that the Qin family is making things difficult for Fang Qing, the master will definitely not side with the Third Prince.
Of the remaining princes, only the Crown Prince was able to gain the emperor's favor.
"Will the Crown Prince's Palace help Miss Fang through this difficulty?"
Zhao Shi'an narrowed his eyes slightly.
Upon learning that Fang Qing was in trouble, Zhao Shi'an sent a message to the Crown Prince's palace. Knowing the Crown Prince as he did, he was certain that the Crown Prince would seize this opportunity to deliver a heavy blow to the Third Prince.
"At the latest, someone from the Crown Prince's Palace will come in two days. Go and investigate Zhao Fen."
In his previous life, this person was just an unknown nobody, and Zhao Shi'an had no impression of him.
If we can find something to hold against this person and get them to help the Crown Prince, then the blow against the Qin family will be even more powerful.
A short while later, Xiao Liu handed him all the information about Zhao Fen. After reading it, Zhao Shi'an's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
Zhao Fen's decades-long career in officialdom was remarkably clean, leaving him with absolutely nothing to use against him.
But if someone like that works for the Qin family, there must be something the Qin family holds in their hands.
"The information is not detailed enough, go check it again."
Xiao Liu broke out in a cold sweat.
"I wonder what aspect you're investigating?"
Zhao Shi'an gave it a cold look.
"Naturally, we'll investigate his connections with the Qin family. If I don't see anything by tonight, don't come back."
"Yes, I will investigate immediately."
Zhao Shi'an was in a fit of anger, and Xiao Liu felt that his words were more intimidating than usual.
Pressured by Zhao Shi'an, Xiao Liu returned to the inn in the evening.
"Master, we've found it."
Zhao Shi'an stood at the window, still looking in the direction of Fang Qing Inn.
"This Lord Zhao has no connection with the Qin family, but his younger brother Zhao Qin works as a page in the Qin family."
A person instantly popped into Zhao Shi'an's mind.
Zhao Qin.
He had dealt with this person in his previous life.
"Back then, Lord Zhao was implicated by the Zhong family and sent to a post outside the capital. His younger brother, who was still young, stayed in their hometown with his parents. A few years ago, he joined the Qin family and, because of his good academic performance, became the page of Qin Hou, the eldest son of the Qin family."
Upon hearing the familiar name, Zhao Shi'an's expression faltered for a moment.
Indeed, in his previous life, when he met Qin Hou, Zhao Qin was already by Qin Hou's side and was his most capable manager.
Xiao Liu continued, "Because I went to the Qin family in secret to investigate, and I also found out some secrets about the Qin family."
"explain."
"It's widely rumored in the Qin family that the famous articles written by their eldest son over the years were all written by this Zhao Qin. That's why the eldest son of the Qin family values a child from a poor family so much."
Zhao Shi'an was not surprised.
With the support of the Third Prince and the Imperial Concubine, members of the Qin family could hold positions in the court without having to take the imperial examinations.
Just like in the previous life, everyone is now saying that the Qin family has produced a great talent named Qin Hou.
But after he met Qin Hou in his previous life, he discovered that the man was actually quite uneducated, and that those passionate and inspiring articles might have come from his own hand.
Now that Xiao Liu is telling him these things, he's not surprised at all.
Where is Zhao Qin now?
"In the capital, Qin Hou will be appointed as the Prefect of the Capital next year. Zhao Qin is making arrangements for him and should be appointed as his steward."
Zhao Shi'an pondered for a moment.
What is the relationship like between the brothers Zhao Fen and Zhao Qin?
"The eldest brother and the youngest brother are both elderly. Zhao Fen is still unmarried, and he has been giving his salary to his younger brother Zhao Qin over the years. Zhao Fen still values Zhao Qin very much."
Zhao Shi'an understood.
Zhao Fen, mindful of his only remaining relative, was willing to be coerced by the Qin family into doing things for Zhao Qin's sake.
On the other hand, Zhao Qin doesn't seem to care much about his older brother, otherwise there would be no mention of his younger brother in Zhao Fen's file.
Silence fell over the room.
Xiao Liu stood to the side, stealing glances at Zhao Shi'an.
He thought the Zhao family would have some arrangements to make.
Zhao Shi'an remained silent for a moment, then asked, "How is Fang Qing's appetite today?"
Xiao Liu thought he had misheard and paused for a moment before realizing what had happened.
"This... I'd like to ask now?"
"Go."
Xiao Liu hurriedly went out and went to the inn where Fang Qing was staying. He secretly entered the inn by using a vegetable delivery cart and asked about the people they had placed there.
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