"Besides, isn't Lord Gao planning to get rid of Qin Zhiyu after obtaining the gold mine's location? My deal with Lord Gao is just to make him die sooner."
Gao Wancheng couldn't help but take a second look at the person in front of him.
He knew everything.
This person seems to know him very well.
Why did you kill Qin Zhiyu?
Given Fengyulou's capabilities, why would they need to make an exchange with him?
"A blood feud that killed me."
Qin Hou killed him in his previous life, so there was indeed a grudge.
"The Qin family?"
Zhao Shi'an nodded.
"Yes, a long time ago, if it weren't for Qin Hou, I probably wouldn't be who I am today."
If Qin Hou hadn't killed him in his previous life, he wouldn't have been reborn.
Gao Wancheng was referring to the debts that the Qin family had incurred in their early years.
Therefore, the fact that the Qin family's incriminating evidence was delivered to the Emperor so quickly was probably due in no small part to the influence of Fengyulou.
"I can do this deal with you, but I also have a piece of advice for you."
"Young man, do not be arrogant. The last person who threatened me like this is gone without a trace. Do you really think that the secrets you hold over me can kill me? You are still too young."
He became increasingly calm, looking at Zhao Shi'an with the same expression and tone as if he were looking at a young, ignorant child.
As he spoke, he stood up and looked down at Zhao Shi'an.
"I need to receive the address I want by noon tomorrow. As for the Qin father and son, I think with the capabilities of Fengyulou, you can easily deal with them without my protection."
Zhao Shi'an fiddled with the ring on his hand without saying a word.
Gao Wancheng felt that his words had been somewhat intimidating, and he turned and left the pavilion with satisfaction.
Little did he know that Zhao Shi'an was smiling with satisfaction behind him.
He set a trap, then laid some bait, and the arrogant Gao Wancheng couldn't possibly resist falling into it.
Gao Wancheng got into the carriage, and Gao Ren sat opposite him.
"Godfather, what do the people from Fengyulou want with you?"
“The people of Fengyulou are cunning. They only seized on a small handle against me and tried to threaten me. I gave them a warning and they gave up on those ideas.”
Gao Ren knew perfectly well that he wasn't telling the truth.
After they returned to the capital, they safely escorted Gao Wancheng back to his residence, while Gao Ren went to the Wan Hua Lou (a brothel).
He only recently learned that this was the contact point for the Wind and Rain Tower.
The Wan Hua brand, reserved for the most discerning customers of Fengyulou, is a key to entry. Only those with this brand will be led by a servant to meet Uncle Luo.
"I want to see your lord."
This was the first thing Gao Ren said to Uncle Luo.
Uncle Luo glanced at him briefly, chuckled, and said, "Oh, it's Lord Gao. Sorry, our boss doesn't have time."
“I just saw him outside the city.”
"Why didn't you speak to the Lord outside the city if you had something to say, Master Gao? Oh, perhaps it was inappropriate to ask certain questions when your godfather was present?"
Gao Ren narrowed his eyes slightly.
Uncle Luo continued, "If Lord Gao comes back to ask the same question as last time, the price will still be the same: ten thousand taels of gold. If Lord Gao can afford it, we will definitely offer you the secret about your background."
Gao Ren gripped the riding whip tightly, his anger turning into a laugh.
"Your Wind and Rain Pavilion is really something..."
"What really is it?"
"It makes me very unhappy."
After saying this, Gao Ren turned and left, but Uncle Luo called him back.
"Our host said that if Master Gao doesn't have this money, he can actually exchange it for something else."
Gao Ren glanced at him sideways.
"There are even things that the Wind and Rain Pavilion desires but cannot obtain?"
"Lord Gao, you are joking. Our Fengyulou is just a legitimate business, we don't have such great abilities."
Gao Ren turned around and asked, "What does Fengyulou want me to do?"
"Our landlord wants a layout plan of the Gao family mansion."
Gao Ren narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out Uncle Luo's purpose.
"The layout is simple. The Gao Mansion was a gift from the current emperor. You can get the blueprints from the Ministry of Works."
"If it were just simple blueprints, would we need to trouble Master Gao? The Gao residence has been renovated more than once. What we need are the blueprints for all the secret rooms and hidden compartments in the Gao residence."
Gao Ren's eyes deepened.
Even if we don't know exactly what Fengyulou is planning, it certainly won't be a good thing for the Gao family.
Seeing Gao Ren's momentary silence, Uncle Luo's smile deepened.
"No way, no way, does Master Gao still harbor fatherly feelings for your godfather?"
These words struck Gao Ren like a thorn in his side, and his expression darkened instantly.
"I will find a way to get what you want, so please keep your promise."
After saying that, he strode away, leaving through the back door, his figure disappearing into the night without leaving any trace.
The next morning, Zhao Shi'an sent a letter to the Gao residence. Soon after, Zhao Shi'an received news that Gao Wancheng had sent assassins to Liujiazhai in Yan County, Xichang Prefecture, to investigate.
Not long after, the Crown Prince secretly met with Zhao Shi'an at a teahouse outside the Hanlin Academy.
“Gao Wancheng believed it,” Zhao Shian said.
The crown prince chuckled.
"It seems that Gao Wancheng has become increasingly arrogant as he gets older. He actually dared to take over the gold mine. If Father Emperor finds out about this, will he even survive?"
Zhao Shi'an silently brewed tea, and upon hearing this, said, "Yes, Gao Wancheng has been immersed in the court for decades, how could he not understand the advantages and disadvantages? Yet he still dared to monopolize the gold mine. Is he not afraid of such a crime, or is he certain that even if this crime is exposed to His Majesty, he can still get away with it?"
Zhao Shi'an calmly countered with a question, which startled the Crown Prince.
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