Qingju wanted to lend a helping hand, but also thought that if there was anything urgent, she would need to go inside and inform the princess immediately. Zheng Yu originally wanted to keep it a secret, but seeing how impatient Qingju was, she finally spoke up.
When the topic turned to business, his smile vanished, and his intense gaze fell upon He Yi: "Exactly. I have already discovered that Sun Sanlang is the behind-the-scenes owner of the Hongyan Gambling House in the west of the city. This man is addicted to gambling, yet he is able to control the gambling house from behind the scenes. His methods must be extraordinary. Last night, Madam Lin sent someone to the gambling house to deliver a message. I suspect that she wants to use Sun Sanlang to do something."
Zheng Yu looked at He Yi seriously, his eyes almost scrutinizing her.
"Tonight I'd like to take you to the gambling den to investigate, but... we'll need to disguise ourselves. Are you willing?"
Zheng Heyi smiled. She recalled the sinister look in Lin's eyes in her father's room yesterday, and the conversation between her and her father alone.
She hesitated for a moment, then quickly nodded: "I'll go! Father's illness and Aunt Lin's scheming are both inextricably linked to this Sun Sanlang. I think this matter is urgent."
As she spoke, He Yi seemed to remember something.
"By the way, how is Father today? Is he feeling better?" Zheng Yu's eyes showed worry, but he still comforted him gently: "I went to see a doctor before I came. Father has taken his medicine and fallen asleep. His breathing is more stable than yesterday, so don't worry."
Not wanting He Yi to worry too much, Zheng Yu prepared to change the subject: "But your Princess's residence is managed so well by Granny Feng, it's much better than our Minister's residence. I'll definitely thank Granny Feng properly later."
Since they had just agreed to go to the Red Beauty Gambling House that evening, Zheng Yu decided to take He Yi back before noon. The two had a quick lunch, and then he took He Yi back to the Minister's residence.
As soon as he entered, he saw several servants whispering among themselves in a panic. When they saw Zheng Yu return, they hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects.
From the shifty eyes of the servants and guards, Zhenyu knew something bad had happened. Her heart sank, and she demanded sharply, "What's going on? Why are you all so flustered? Is there anything unusual with the master?"
A trembling old woman in charge said, "Reporting to the young master and the princess! Just now, Concubine Lin went to the master's bedroom, and after she came out, the master... then vomited blood and fainted. Please don't worry, the doctor has already come to see him..."
[!! Lin really went to see the master! Vomiting blood and fainting? This is bad!]
[These servants must have received bribes from the Lin family, right? Why are they only saying this now!]
[Zheng Yu, run! Go see Dad! He Yi, hurry up and catch up!]
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yu's expression changed drastically. He grabbed He Yi and ran towards his father's bedroom. As soon as they reached the door, they smelled a strong stench of blood. Zheng Shangshu on the bed was deathly pale, even though he had been much better in the latter half of the night.
But at this moment, the father's breath seemed even weaker than yesterday, and he couldn't even open his eyes.
Zheng Heyi exclaimed, "Father!" She rushed forward, her hand touching Minister Zheng's cold hand, and her eyes instantly reddened. Zheng Yu suppressed his shock and anger, and ordered in a deep voice, "Quickly, fetch a doctor."
A short while later, Physician Zhang entered. Zheng Yu glanced at Minister Zheng's expression before asking Physician Zhang, "Sir, how is my father's condition right now?"
After examining the patient, Physician Zhang did not answer immediately. He sat up, gently stroking his beard, and looked quite solemn.
"Young Master, Princess, the Minister has suffered a stroke, and now he's had two strokes in quick succession. His pulse is dangerously weak, and I'm afraid... I'm afraid he'll never be able to speak again, or even..."
He hesitated, glanced at the siblings, and shook his head helplessly. Zheng Yu felt a chill sweep up from the ground.
"This is outrageous!" Zheng Yu was furious. He rushed out of the house and headed towards the backyard. Inside the house, Madam Lin was chatting with her maid, the two of them laughing and talking happily.
Suddenly, Madam Lin turned to look at the door and saw He Yi and Zheng Yu approaching menacingly. Her face turned pale instantly. Before Zheng Yu could speak, He Yi rushed forward angrily: "What did you say to my father today?!"
Lin was startled by the coldness in He Yi's eyes. She staggered to her feet, gritted her teeth, and forced herself to remain calm, saying, "I was just visiting the master, just to have a private chat!"
“Confidential words? You use these confidential words to plot against people for money and kill them.” Zheng Yu was furious.
Lin stammered, "Who knew that Master would get so angry! Zheng Yu, how is Master? If anything happens to him, you can't wrong me!"
As she spoke, Lin managed to squeeze out a few tears.
Zheng Heyi looked at her coldly, her heart filled with icy desolation. As for Zheng Yu, she recalled the words of the matriarch of the Minister's mansion before her death.
His wife had warned him that Lin Shi, though seemingly gentle on the outside, was actually treacherous on the inside, and now it seemed that this was indeed true.
[The Lin family is number one at feigning helplessness!]
[Zheng Yu, expose her quickly! Don't be fooled by this vicious woman.]
Zheng Yu took a deep breath, knowing that this was not the time to get entangled with the Lin family.
He ordered his trusted confidants: "Immediately send more men to guard the master's room for twelve hours straight. No one is allowed to enter without permission, including..." Zheng Yu stared at Lin Shi with eyes as sharp as knives.
"Including Aunt Lin."
Lin's face turned ashen, and she tried to speak several times, but in the end she did not dare to refute.
After arranging his father's affairs, it was already getting dark. Zheng Yu returned to his courtyard, where two sets of men's clothing had already been prepared. He handed a gray set to He Yi, who smiled and changed into it.
After watching Zheng Heyi change her clothes, Zheng Yu gave her a hairpin, which Heyi used to tie up her hair.
As a result, He Yi's originally pretty face, when dressed in men's clothing, actually exuded a refined and elegant temperament, making her look completely different from her usual self.
"How is it?" Zheng Heyi couldn't find a mirror to look at, so she simply turned around gracefully and looked at Zheng Yu. At this moment, there was a hint of playfulness in her lustful eyes.
Zheng Yu looked at the "young man" in front of her, and it took her a while to find her voice: "Hmm, little sister, you...you look like a complete pretty boy dressed up like this."
He stepped forward and personally straightened He Yi's collar. His fingers inadvertently touched He Yi's warm cheek, and a strange flutter stirred in his heart.
It felt like a caterpillar crawling across my heart.
[The villainous female supporting character's male disguise is absolutely stunning, who can resist?]
[Zheng Yu, your eyes are acting strange! That's your sister.]
[What an amazing brother and sister pair! Wow, I'm in love!]
Seeing Zheng Yu staring blankly at her, He Yi hurriedly stepped back, creating some distance, and reminded Zheng Yu—"Let's go,"
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