This morning intoxicated, tomorrow turned to ash

Gu Qiuhan, filled with ambition, said: "After all this time and effort, if there were no progress, would I still have the mood to invite you for a drink? The truth of this case is about to be revealed, and I will explain it to you in detail later." Mei Juansheng raised an eyebrow and chuckled dryly: "That's good, that's good"

A glimmer of unusual light flashed in Mei Juansheng's eyes as he replied nonchalantly, "Then I must congratulate you. However, Hu Weiyong's influence in the court is deeply entrenched, and it is hard to say whether Deputy Minister Zhang would dare to oppose him." Gu Qiuhan confidently stated, "Having worked under Deputy Minister Zhang for many years, I know his character quite well. If it were not for his integrity and his offense to the powerful, he would have likely already become the Minister of Justice." Mei Juansheng said, "In that case, it is best; we should celebrate even more. Come, let us drink a few more cups."

The continuous sunny days have long melted away the snow, yet the plum blossoms are still in full bloom, clusters upon clusters, red as fire, white as jade, adorning this winter that is not cold but appears particularly gloomy. Gu Qiuhan walked along the fragrant path and arrived at Yumei Mountain Villa

Since he could not find the portrait, there was no need to continue staying in the tower for the time being. He took a breath and then descended the mountain, returning to Liu's residence in a daze. Lying on the bed, he stared at the ceiling, as if in a trance. Shen Bisha and Liu Jing exchanged glances, both thinking: "He must have suffered some setback at Yumei Villa again." Shen Bisha said: "This is truly a way to relax, but my heart seems to have scattered somewhere far away." Gu Qiuhan turned over, ignoring them. Shen Bisha and Liu Jing exchanged glances again, both thinking: "He must have suffered some setback at Yumei Villa again." Shen Bisha remarked: "This is truly a way to relax, but my heart seems to have scattered somewhere far away." Gu Qiuhan turned over once more, disregarding them.

Shen Bisha's expression was one of deep sorrow, and she felt an overwhelming sense of shame in her heart. The sisters had been separated since childhood. By the time Shen Bisha had completed her training, Shen Bitao had already become a renowned courtesan, famous throughout the land. Although Shen Bisha understood that her sister had fallen into such a state out of necessity, she still felt ashamed and had very little contact with this only remaining family member. It was only after her sister's death that she was profoundly moved, but it was too late for regrets, and she vowed to avenge her sister's grievances. Reflecting on this, she realized that her understanding of her sister was even less than that of a stranger, which inevitably led to self-reproach. She stood up and said, "What are we waiting for? Let us go to the Baofang Public Tower once again."

Before long, the servant brought in the food and wine. Mei Juansheng said, "I will have a few drinks with Young Master Gu, you go outside and keep watch, ensuring that no one approaches." The servant repeatedly acknowledged and turned to leave. Mei Juansheng closed the door securely, poured the wine, and asked, "Where have you been these days? Is there any progress on the Shen Bitiao case?"

Gu Qiuhan touched his face and said, "I just forgot to shave, sigh, we are friends, you can't just mock me when we meet." Mei Juansheng smiled and said, "Indeed, we are friends, there is no need for us to beat around the bush, just tell me, what is it that you need from me?" Gu Qiuhan lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "I came to find you for a matter of utmost importance." He waved his hand, and Mei Juansheng leaned in closer, his expression becoming serious. To his surprise, Gu Qiuhan only uttered two words, "Drink wine."

They chose a small tavern near the Stone Bridge, sitting by the window, with the bustling pedestrians on the street in full view. Liu Jing smiled and said, "Young Master Gu always drinks alone; it must be rather dull. Miss Shen, how about we keep him company for a drink today?" Shen Bisha, being a martial artist, was bold and unyielding, and immediately called for the waiter to bring three large bowls of wine, placing them on the table. In such a shabby little tavern, they did not provide wine cups for the guests; drinking was always done from large bowls. Liu Jing was unaware of this; just looking at the large bowl of wine made him dizzy, and he regretted it too late.

After a moment of silence, Gu Qiuhan's gaze shifted to the jade statue on the table, and her mood sank again. Old Du forcibly took away the Thirteen, and she wondered if there would still be a chance to meet her. Even if she were to clear her grievances, where could she seek out her trace? Her background was completely a blank slate for Gu Qiuhan.

Later, I returned to Yingtian and happened to encounter Old Du, so I had him send away those few followers. However, Old Du forbade me from contacting you again, saying that if this continued, I would eventually lose my life. He did not allow me to participate in the investigation of the Shen Bitiao case any longer. It was not until this morning, when I had him take me to see the plum blossoms, that I found an opportunity to shake him off.

Shen Bisha's beautiful eyes sparkled as she exclaimed, "Oh, what wine did Young Master Gu drink today? Why is he acting so drunkenly?" Liu Jing chuckled awkwardly and said, "Could it be that Young Master Gu hasn't managed to get any wine?" Gu Qiuhan sat up, glanced this way and that, and finally couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Second Young Master, has the letter been delivered to the Ministry of Justice?" Liu Jing replied, "I gave that courier five taels of silver, and he delivered the letter, claiming to have handed it directly to Minister Zhang." Gu Qiuhan nodded and said, "Very well, I have arranged to meet Minister Zhang at the Stone Bridge at the hour of You. Whether this plan succeeds or not will be known then."

Mei Juansheng saw this old friend with a face full of stubble and a haggard appearance, and couldn't help but laugh heartily, "The once dashing and handsome young man has actually fallen to such a state?"

Three people chatted and laughed, eating and talking. As the hour of You approached, they settled the bill and stepped outside, waiting for the arrival of Zhang Minzhong at the street side. The moonlight was pleasant tonight, and it was the time when thousands of lights were lit, making the entire street as bright as day. However, it was winter, and the number of pedestrians on the street was sparse, giving it a somewhat desolate appearance. Before long, Zhang Minzhong's tall figure appeared on the street. Gu Qiuhan waved, and Zhang Minzhong quickened his pace, coming to stand before the three.

Old Du chased after him for such a long distance, his expression unchanged, and pointed at Gu Qiuhan saying: "You little brat, where do you intend to take my young lady?" Gu Qiuhan retorted: "She is going willingly"

Gu Qiuhan forced a smile and said, "It's getting late, let's rest. We don't know what will happen tomorrow." The three of them dispersed in low spirits and returned to their rooms to sleep. The Liu family's house had not been sold, which provided them with a place to stay; however, Gu Qiuhan knew that it was not safe here, as Hu Weiyong's minions would eventually come looking for them. Therefore, his desire to find that portrait grew increasingly urgent. Only with Hu Weiyong's demise could he completely escape this nightmare

Are you thinking of the Thirteenth Young Lady again? Or is it that Shen Bisha is perceptive, having gleaned some insight from Gu Qiuhan's sorrowful gaze

The two of them exchanged cups, and soon the wine jug was nearly empty. Mei Juansheng called for a servant outside to bring another jug. After feeling a bit dizzy and warm, Gu Qiuhan spoke more freely and mysteriously said, "Old Mei, the death of Shen Bitiao is related to a great secret, you don't know, do you?" Mei Juansheng replied irritably, "How would I know if you don't tell me?" Gu Qiuhan, slightly intoxicated, responded with an "Oh" and said, "Liu Bowen once wrote a memorial detailing Hu Weiyong's treasonous crimes and hid it within a portrait of Shen Bitiao, which is why Hu Weiyong killed her." Mei Juansheng replied nonchalantly, "These are just street rumors; who cares about them except for Hu Weiyong himself? However, I heard recently that you know the whereabouts of that memorial?"

Liu Jing joyfully said: "She is safe and sound, isn't that wonderful? But why didn't she come back with you?" Gu Qiuhan replied: "Her family, the old Du, is worried that she might be harmed by Hu Weiyong, so they do not allow her to get involved any further. We only met briefly, and then she was taken away by old Du." Shen Bisha murmured: "It is understandable for her family to have such concerns. Our opposition to Hu Weiyong is driven by hatred, and she is completely unrelated to it, so there is no need for her to wade into this murky water. By the way, did you ask her about the situation with my sister?"

Unfortunately, his estimation was completely wrong; Liu Jing did not possess martial arts skills, and he need not be distracted by this. However, Shen Bisha's martial arts were not inferior to Gu Qiuhan's. Liu Jing was struck on the shoulder and fell backward with a cry of "Ah!" Shen Bisha swiftly arched her body to evade his palm strike and, taking advantage of the momentum, kicked out with both feet to block his escape route. Yuan Feng silently lamented his plight, frantically waving his palms to fend off Shen Bisha's relentless assault. Suddenly, he felt a gust of wind stirring behind his head, realizing that Gu Qiuhan was closing in on him, and he hurriedly sidestepped to evade. His lightness skill was exceptional, but his fist and foot techniques were truly lacking. Under the combined assault of Gu Qiuhan and Shen Bisha, he had no means to defend himself and could only dodge left and right, feeling utterly helpless.

Gu Qiuhan and Shen Bisha both laughed heartily, helping him by patting his back and handing him water and a handkerchief. After a while, he finally stopped coughing and repeatedly waved his hand, saying: "These days, the thing I envy the most is your martial arts skills, but now, I only envy Brother Gu's capacity for alcohol. To be able to drink a large bowl of such terrible-tasting stuff in one go is simply unbelievable"

Gu Qiuhan nodded with a smile, appearing quite pleased with himself. Liu Jing said, "But how can you make Hu Weiyong believe that the envelope contains the will of your late father?" Gu Qiuhan replied, "My true purpose in going to Yumei Mountain Villa is precisely this." Shen Bisha asked, "Are you saying that there are also Hu Weiyong's spies at Yumei Mountain Villa?" Gu Qiuhan sighed softly, neither confirming nor denying, his face taking on a shadowy hue.

However, the space in the room was cramped, and his lightness of foot was of no use at all. Before long, he was each held by an arm and pressed against the table. Liu Jing rubbed his shoulders and said resentfully, "This kid looks frail, but he is surprisingly strong." Gu Qiuhan laughed and said, "You go find the madam and borrow a knife; I will take revenge for you and deal with this son of a dog." Upon hearing this, Yuan Feng turned pale with fear and repeatedly pleaded for mercy, saying, "We are all officials in the same court, why must we go to such extremes? If Young Master Gu has any questions, please feel free to ask; I assure you I will speak without reservation and leave nothing unsaid."

Thirteen spoke eloquently: "After Shen Bitiao discovered that secret, she sensed that something was about to happen. She once told me, no matter what, we are already connected. At that time, I did not understand how two women could be connected. I thought she meant that regardless of any difficulties, we would face them together. Just now, when I heard you mention those few words, I suddenly realized that my jade statue and her portrait must be closely related"

The Baofang Tower remains unchanged, standing abruptly on the hillside, seemingly untouched since Gu Qiuhan and Shen Bisha left. Fortunately, it is winter and not long has passed; otherwise, the corpses of the Six Soul Searching Ghosts would have begun to decay, filling the tower with a foul stench, which would have been deadly. This time, Gu Qiuhan meticulously searched every level, leaving no potential hiding place unexamined, almost akin to dismantling the tower. By the time he reached the top level, this ancient tower, weathered for nearly a thousand years, had become unrecognizable.

In this suffocating silence, the three sat in stillness until deep into the night. Shen Bisha could no longer hold back and said, "I can't find my sister's portrait anywhere. What should we do next? There must be some plan, right?" Liu Jing shrugged, indicating that he had no ideas. Gu Qiuhan weakly replied, "Your sister did not know that the portrait concealed a secret, so there was naturally no need for her to be secretive. Even if she was not one to show off, she would not deliberately hide it from others, would she? Yet, it seems that apart from Shisan, everyone else in the world is completely unaware of this! You and that old matron must have been the closest people to her in this world, yet you have never heard of that portrait. The second young master also said that Mr. Liu only asked Ma Wenbi for a painting and did not specify that it had to be your sister's portrait. Moreover, Ma Wenbi left in a hurry and soon fell ill after returning to the mountains. From the letter he did not send, it can also be confirmed that he owes Mr. Liu a painting. If he did not leave Shushengzhai after that letter, then where did your sister's portrait come from?

Old Du's martial arts, Gu Qiuhan had witnessed, and he knew very well that he was not a match for him. Thus, he quickened his pace and said as he walked: "We found a jade statue of you in the house where we stayed at Shen Bitiao, and strangely, there are a few characters engraved on it." Thirteen asked eagerly: "What characters?" Gu Qiuhan replied: "'At midnight, during the hour of the rat, the treasure visits the top of the tower.'" Thirteen's expression changed immediately, and he said: "Are there really these characters?" Gu Qiuhan was taken aback and said: "Would I lie to you? What's wrong?"

The two of them drank until noon, and only then did Gu Qiuhan, feeling tipsy, leave Yumei Villa. He hummed a little tune along the way, feeling particularly cheerful. As he walked, he suddenly noticed someone following him from behind, and his heart skipped a beat, thinking, "He is finally going to make a move on me!" However, he pretended not to notice and continued on his way. But the person behind him walked slowly and soon caught up. When Gu Qiuhan heard the footsteps behind him, he suddenly turned around and threw a punch. Yet, halfway through his punch, he suddenly realized that the person was none other than the Thirteen he had been longing for.

Liu Jingyu listened and felt increasingly perplexed, scratching his head incessantly, sighing deeply. Shen Bisha also lost her bearings and could only comfort Gu Qiuhan, saying: "Miss Thirteen is exceptionally intelligent, and she will definitely be fine. I believe in her; that portrait is certainly not a figment of the imagination"

Gu Qiuhan smiled and said, "Aren't you his master?" Shisan replied, "This time he isn't listening to me, what can I do? But now that you are by my side, even if he comes after me, I am not afraid." As she spoke, she chuckled.

Two individuals, one chasing and the other fleeing, moved with remarkable speed, and in the blink of an eye, they reached the main street. Gu Qiuhan, disregarding the peculiar gazes of the onlookers, focused solely on running at full speed. However, his lightness of step was not as proficient as that of Old Du, and burdened with the weight of Shisan, after sprinting across one street, he was gradually caught up by Old Du. Hearing the footsteps closing in behind him, Gu Qiuhan realized he could not escape. Rather than exhausting his strength in vain, he decided to confront Old Du, thus he halted, placed Shisan on the ground, and began to breathe heavily.

Liu Jing suddenly realized: "Oh, I understand now. You deliberately lured Hu Weiyong to send someone to steal the memorial, allowing Minister Zhang to capture him, subjecting him to severe torture, so that the thief would reveal the mastermind Hu Weiyong. At that time, you could report to the Emperor and carry out the interrogation against him"

Mei Juan stared at him angrily and smacked her lips, saying, "So that's how it is!"

Thirteen spat and said, "Hmph, you really have no shame." After a pause, she reproached, "It's all your fault for abandoning me. I don't know any martial arts, and after running for an entire afternoon, I still couldn't shake off the pursuit of the Imperial Guard. Naturally, I didn't dare to seek you out. I thought, since they are determined to follow me, I might as well lead them far away, so I left Ying Tian and went to Yangzhou to have some fun for a few days"

Gu Qiuhan was both surprised and delighted. He quickly withdrew his fist and grabbed her arms, asking, "How is it you?" He looked her up and down, and after confirming she was unharmed, he burst into hearty laughter. Although Shisan had not been hit by his fist, she was still frightened, her pretty face turning pale, and she trembled as she asked, "What are you laughing at?" Gu Qiuhan glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then took her hand and said, "Where have you been? You've been missing for so many days; I thought something had happened to you. Now that I see you safe and sound, should I cry?"

Gu Qiuhan did not pursue. The words of Old Du still echoed in his ears, "... you can hardly protect yourself, how can you protect my young lady?" As he watched the figure of Shisan gradually fade, Gu Qiuhan let out a long sigh, and his heart suddenly felt empty and desolate

"I really searched everywhere?" Thirteen was in a daze, "Those nine characters, each one is crucial, Shen Bitiao would never write them carelessly." Gu Qiuhan asked in surprise, "Now I want to know even more, what is your relationship with Shen Bitiao? Given our current friendship, you shouldn't be hiding it from me any longer, right?"

It was not until Lao Du and Shi San completely disappeared from his sight that Gu Qiuhan dragged his weary body towards the direction of Shenlie Mountain. Since Shi San believed that Shen Bitiao would hide the portrait in the Baofang Tower, he did not mind expending a bit more effort.

Shen Bisha and Liu Jing both knew that the owner of Yumei Mountain Villa was Mei Juansheng. They simultaneously asked, "Are you planning to ask Master Mei for assistance?" Gu Qiuhan smiled mysteriously and replied, "When there is nothing to do, having a drink with old friends and enjoying the plum blossoms is also a good idea." The two were momentarily speechless; at this time, he actually had the leisure to drink and appreciate the plum blossoms? However, upon reflection, considering his recent troubles, it was indeed good for him to go out and relax. Liu Jing lowered his head and glanced at the envelope, which was inscribed with the words "To the Honorable Zhang Minzhong of the Ministry of Justice". He then tucked it into his sleeve and left with Gu Qiuhan, parting ways as they exited.

Gu Qiuhan lowered his voice and chuckled, "However, my efforts in running around have not been in vain. This morning, I have found Liu Bowen's will and had someone deliver it to Deputy Minister Zhang at the Ministry of Justice. Haha, Liu Bowen truly deserves to be called a remarkable figure, with keen insight. The evidence listed in the will is sufficient to ruin Hu Weiyong's reputation." He was probably really drunk.

Gu Qiuhan felt a sense of unease in his heart, yet he maintained his decorum and said: "If this plan fails, it is of no consequence; I merely feel deeply sorry for causing you so much trouble." Zhang Min replied: "What are you saying? Punishing evil and eliminating treachery is the inherent duty of the Ministry of Justice. However, the power of the Hu faction is overwhelming, and I am powerless despite my intentions, feeling ashamed before the grace of the Emperor."

As he momentarily lost focus, Old Du seized the opportunity to strike, his right palm crashing directly into his chest. Gu Qiuhan was caught off guard and quickly bent down; Old Du immediately changed his move, his large hand, resembling a fan, pressed down on his shoulder, pulling him inward and then yanking him to the right. Gu Qiuhan instantly lost his balance and stumbled away. Thirteen, sensing the danger, raised his leg to flee, but was grabbed by Old Du, who lifted him effortlessly. Thirteen, in a panic, flailed his limbs and cried out, "Save me..." Before he could finish his plea, he was whisked away by Old Du.

Gu Qiuhan said: "I asked, but unfortunately before she could speak, Old Du rushed over." Shen Bisha was stunned for a moment, shaking her head helplessly; everything was so unfavorable that she had grown too weary to lament. Gu Qiuhan continued: "However, Shisan told me that your sister once said that the two of them are connected, whether through shared suffering or some deeper meaning, it is evident that their friendship is extraordinary. Moreover, Shisan speculated that your sister carved those words on the jade statue to guide us in finding Mr. Liu's will; she asked me to go to Baofang Tower to take another look." Gu Qiuhan added: "However, Shisan told me that your sister once said that the two of them are connected, whether through shared suffering or some deeper meaning, it is evident that their friendship is extraordinary. Moreover, Shisan speculated that your sister carved those words on the jade statue to guide us in finding Mr. Liu's will; she asked me to go to Baofang Tower to take another look."

Liu Jing said: "Not long after Ma Wenbi left, my late father retired to his hometown, and until my father passed away, Ma Wenbi never appeared again." Gu Qiuhan sighed deeply and said: "Therefore, what we have been striving to find may not even exist at all"

Thirteen sighed and said, "Alright, I will no longer hide it from you. In fact, I have been with Shen Bitiao..." Before he could finish his sentence, a loud shout rang out: "Stop!" Gu Qiuhan turned around and saw a figure rushing towards them like the wind. Thirteen was startled and exclaimed, "It's Old Du!" Without a second thought, Gu Qiuhan hoisted Thirteen onto his shoulder and fled. Even though he had no questions to resolve, he did not want to lose Thirteen so quickly, allowing Old Du to take him away. Suddenly, a loud shout echoed again: "Stop!" Gu Qiuhan turned around and saw a figure rushing towards them like the wind. Thirteen was startled and exclaimed, "It's Old Du!" Without a second thought, Gu Qiuhan hoisted Thirteen onto his shoulder and fled. Even though he had no questions to resolve, he did not want to lose Thirteen so quickly, allowing Old Du to take him away.

Three people stood on the street, watching Zhang Min walk away into the distance. A cold breeze blew, causing their clothes to flutter and their hair to dance in the wind. Yet at that moment, the coldest place was in their hearts. "What should we do now?" Shen Bisha asked dreamily. Gu Qiuhan forced a smile and said, "Let's go home and sleep." In fact, there was nothing else they could do but return home to sleep, as they had exhausted all their options.

Gu Qiuhan said with a bitter smile: "Although your words are reasonable, I have already searched the Baofang Public Tower thoroughly, and there is no such painting."

Gu Qiuhan saw his face was filled with sorrow and indignation, and her heart ached even more. She said: "With treachery prevailing, what can be done? It is getting late, my lord, please return and rest. I will consider another plan, and I will certainly need to trouble you again."

The three exchanged glances and smiled. Gu Qiuhan tapped lightly on the top of his head and said, "Were the Soul-Searching Six Ghosts killed by you?" Yuan Feng replied, "Those six assassins from the martial world? I have never met them before, why does Young Master Gu ask this?" Gu Qiuhan said in a deep voice, "Do you still not admit it? The Soul-Searching Six Ghosts all perished at the Baofang Gong Tower, their bodies pierced by the three-edged arrowheads exclusive to the Governor's Office..."

Gu Qiuhan looked at the two, feeling a warmth in his heart. In a moment of boldness, he temporarily cast aside his worries and laughed heartily, "Drink today, for tomorrow we may turn to dust! Ah, it actually rhymes; I just realized that I am a man of both letters and martial prowess. Haha, I shall drink first as a toast." He picked up a large bowl and drank it all in one go.

However, from beginning to end, not even a piece of torn silk was found. Gu Qiuhan was extremely frustrated, wishing to push down the ancient tower to vent the anger in her heart. Upon careful reflection, there truly seemed to be no overlooked places. Could it be that Shisan was also mistaken, and the painting was not here? She recalled that Shisan had said those nine characters were very important; was there something she had not yet understood? If Shen Bitiao carved these characters, it must have been to guide future generations, and certainly, each character held its significant meaning. Yet, thinking it over, it was merely those nine characters; what exactly had she failed to comprehend? The most difficult to understand was "midnight at the hour of the rat"; what connection could the location of the hidden painting have with this time? Vaguely, Gu Qiuhan felt that the key to the mystery lay within this hour, but she simply could not grasp it at the moment.

"What strategy?" the two asked in unison

Zhang Minzhong nodded and said, "Very well, you all must be extra cautious. I can see that Hu Weiyong is truly anxious; the conflict between us and the enemy has reached a critical point, and he will certainly take further action against you." Gu Qiuhan replied, "My lord need not worry; it is not so easy for him to capture us." This was, of course, merely a comforting remark, as Gu Qiuhan had gradually lost confidence in the future.

Old Du softened his tone and looked at Thirteen: "Miss, heed an old servant's advice, do not investigate Shen Bitiao's case any further, you cannot contend with Lord Hu." Thirteen peeked out from behind Gu Qiuhan, pouting, and said: "It's none of your business!" Old Du stamped his foot and said: "This old servant speaks earnestly, it is only because I fear you might bring trouble upon yourself. Since you refuse to listen to my advice, I have no choice but to offend you." After saying this, he suddenly shrugged and approached Gu Qiuhan, reaching for Thirteen behind him.

Zhang Minzhong patted his shoulder, as if he had a thousand words to say, but ultimately only solemnly uttered eight words: "The heavens' net is vast and wide, yet nothing escapes it"

The next day, the three of them still had nothing to do. After finishing breakfast, they gathered together again, continuing in despair. Gu Qiuhan had already begun to contemplate how to expose Hu Weiyong in the absence of the missing will. After much careful consideration, he took up his pen and wrote a letter, sealing it with glue, and handed it to Liu Jing, saying: "I will make a trip to Yumei Mountain Villa. You go to the post station, find a postman, give him some silver, and have him deliver this letter to the Ministry of Justice as quickly as possible"

Zhang Minzhong continued: "At that time, I was hiding behind the screen and saw Liu Weiqian pick up the envelope. I immediately revealed myself to inquire. He claimed he was looking for a document, glanced into the envelope, and then returned it to me. Upon discovering that the envelope was empty, he should have been able to deduce our intentions. When it was time to disperse, Hu Weiyong intentionally waited outside the criminal department, escorting me out of the West Gate on foot, ostensibly to engage in small talk, but in reality, he was trying to probe for information from me"

Gu Qiuhan certainly had no need to kill Yuan Feng, and he let him go, saying: "I apologize for the offense." He then called for Shen Bisha and Liu Jing to leave "Drunken Flower Shade" and return to Liu's residence. The night was still young, and the three of them were not in the mood to sleep; each wore a frown, sighing deeply and intermittently raising their heads as if they had something to say, only for their words to ultimately dissolve into a series of sighs.

Gu Qiuhan took a sip of wine and said with a smile, "At that time, in order to save my life, I deliberately claimed that I knew where the will was, but in fact, Shen Bitiao had not revealed a single word to me."

Gu Qiuhan smiled and said, "I am a polymath. How about you come to me for guidance another day? I can teach you how to fight and drink, what do you think?" Liu Jing shook his head vigorously and replied, "Fighting is fine, but drinking is better left out. Even if I learn it, it would just be a waste of money."

Gu Qiuhan let out a disdainful sound, wondering how asking Mu Tianxiong for clarification would not be courting death. However, this question that had troubled him for many days was finally resolved; it turned out that the Emperor had mistakenly taken the Soul-Seeking Six Ghosts for tomb raiders. The western foothills of Shenlie Mountain had been designated as the imperial mausoleum and were about to commence construction. For ordinary citizens, it had evidently become a forbidden area. If the Emperor were to hear that someone was robbing graves there, how could he not be enraged? Thus, he ordered the governor's office to send people to apprehend them, but unexpectedly, this led to the accidental rescue of the two of them. Although the Soul-Seeking Six Ghosts worked for Hu Weiyong, they operated in the shadows, while on the surface, they were the imperial guards, with both parties unaware of each other, making a bloody battle not surprising.

Gu Qiuhan slightly turned to the side, using one hand to strike at the wrist of the hand he had extended, saying: "Thirteen is not a child; she has her own ideas, so why must you force her?" Old Du flipped his wrist, countering Gu Qiuhan's pulse point, and angrily replied: "If you truly care for her, you should consider your current situation. Hu Weiyong is a powerful prime minister, not an ordinary thief. If you cannot even ensure your own safety, how can you protect my young lady?" In the midst of their conversation, the two had already exchanged seven moves in a flash. Gu Qiuhan pondered over Old Du's words, feeling a sense of shame in his heart, and for a moment, he did not know which way to turn.

Ah?" As soon as these words were spoken, Shen Bisha and Liu Jing both exclaimed in surprise. If what Gu Qiuhan said were true, it would indeed be a tremendous joke! Shen Bisha said, "Are you implying that we have all been deceived by Miss Thirteen?" Gu Qiuhan nodded, then quickly shook his head, pondering as he said, "It is still too early to make a definitive statement. Your sister has collected the jade statue of Thirteen, and their relationship must be quite extraordinary. Perhaps only Thirteen truly understands the situation." After a pause, he continued, "Thirteen carries too many secrets, yet she is deeply reserved and unwilling to reveal even a word. I hope she does not come to harm; otherwise, these secrets may indeed be taken to the grave with her."

Gu Qiuhan exchanged pleasantries and introduced Liu Jing and Shen Bisha to him Zhang Minzhong, seeing that they were all on the same side, dispelled his concerns and said in a low voice: "I have read your letter and acted accordingly, but unfortunately, I was unable to achieve my goal" Upon hearing this, the three felt a chill in their hearts and asked in unison: "Why?" Zhang Minzhong replied indignantly: "Because the person who stole the letter is none other than Minister Liu, at the Ministry of Justice. It is perfectly reasonable for him to review any official documents or letters" The Minister Liu he referred to is his direct superior, Liu Weiqian. The three could not help but sigh, as it seemed that this Minister of Justice was also affiliated with the Hu faction

Gu Qiuhan sighed, "I have already seen her."

Gu Qiuhan said: "It's very simple, just one move: 'Luring the snake out of its hole.'" After going down to drink some water to moisten his throat, he explained to the two: "After Lord Zhang reads my letter, he will place the empty envelope on his desk. If Hu Weiyong learns that the envelope contains Mr. Liu's will, what will he do?" The two, somewhat understanding, replied: "He will definitely try to prevent the will from reaching the Emperor." Gu Qiuhan smiled and said: "The only way to stop it is to steal the will and destroy it."

Gu Qiuhan forced a smile and said, "I have already been there, and I almost took apart the stairs, yet I still did not find the portrait. Where exactly did the mistake occur? Allow me to think it over carefully again". The hope that Shen and Liu had just ignited was thus extinguished once more. They knew that for the past few days, Gu Qiuhan's mind had not rested for a moment, and many of the ideas had come from him, so the two did not urge him. Liu Jing said, "Given the circumstances, we can only take it one step at a time. It is important to take care of your health, do not rush things". He looked at Shen Bisha and continued, "It is getting late; we should temporarily wrap things up and have dinner, right?" Shen Bisha replied, "Yes, after dinner, it is appropriate to accompany Young Master Gu to meet Minister Zhang"

Gu Qiuhan shook his head and said: "I am not worried about you, but rather concerned that no one will compete with Miss Shen and feel jealous."

Thirteen raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, not answering but instead asking, "Do you really want to know?" Gu Qiuhan gazed at her with deep eyes and nodded firmly.

Thirteen smiled slightly and said, "Have you been worried about me all along?"

The two watched his drinking method, repeatedly clicking their tongues in astonishment. Upon further reflection, the three of them were sitting together drinking, and perhaps with just one turn of the body, it could lead to a permanent farewell. As for what tomorrow would bring, they dared not think any further. Liu Jing slammed the table, resolutely declaring, "Today, I shall accompany you with my life, my friend." Imitating Gu Qiuhan, he picked up a wine bowl and tilted his head to drink, but after just two sips, he was choked and spat it out, coughing uncontrollably.

You ... ... " Mei Juansheng was taken aback; he also did not believe that Gu Qiuhan still had such refined interests at this moment. However, he readily agreed and instructed the servants to prepare food and wine.

Oh," Yuan Feng suddenly realized and said: "Those guys were actually the Soul Searching Six Ghosts! The situation is as follows: that day, Inspector Mu received an imperial order stating that someone was digging up the grave of the revered monk Baozhi, and he urgently dispatched people to stop it. Both Jiao Baihu and I were busy with your case, so Inspector Mu did not send either of us to lead the team. At that time, we truly did not know the circumstances. Young Master Gu had previously served in the Ministry of Justice, so he should know that grave robbing is a capital offense. If the Soul Searching Six Ghosts resisted, they would naturally be killed on the spot. This matter has nothing to do with me at all. If Young Master Gu does not believe it, he can simply ask Inspector Mu to confirm." He thought to himself that since Gu Qiuhan had made many connections in his early years, and since he inquired about the deaths of the Soul Searching Six Ghosts, it was likely that he had a good relationship with the Six Ghosts. Fortunately, he had not participated; otherwise, if Gu Qiuhan sought revenge for the Six Ghosts, his own life would have been forfeit.

With a brilliant light in her thirteen eyes, she placed her hand on her chest, seemingly striving to calm her emotions, and said: "It must be her guiding us!" Gu Qiuhan felt a surge of joy upon hearing this, as she believed that Thirteen would never speak without reason. Since she said so, there must be a rationale behind it. The extent of her knowledge had long surpassed Gu Qiuhan's imagination, and the words that puzzled her might very well find answers from Thirteen. Thus, she fixed her gaze on her, eagerly anticipating what would follow.

Gu Qiuhan sighed, "In fact, we have not been able to escape, and our situation is even worse than yours; we nearly became the old monk's burial companions." He recounted the experience of himself and Shen Bisha being bewitched by the Six Ghosts of Soul Searching and imprisoned in the tomb, which left Shisan feeling alarmed and terrified. He was deeply fearful for Gu Qiuhan's perilous experience, realizing that with just a slight misstep, both of them would have had no chance of seeing each other again in this lifetime.

In order to alleviate the oppression in Gu Qiu Han's heart, along the way, Liu Jing, the reticent son of an official family, unexpectedly began to tell jokes. Shen Bi Sha chimed in with him, and the mood of the group immediately lightened considerably. Even in the face of a dead end, they were able to share a knowing smile.