Chapter 3, The Burning of the Xiang Residence

Wei Zihao, having finished answering, became curious again: "Tell me, how does the young lady of the Shen family look, worth ten thousand taels of silver?"

Emperor Ming was greatly pleased and ordered the Ministry of Personnel to commend and evaluate the governance performance of Chen Zhishan, the governor of Jiangnan Road, as outstanding this year. Du Xin, who had achieved merit by killing water bandits, also received rewards.

Who would have thought that Wei Zihao was serious, as he slammed the table fiercely, the smell of alcohol wafting from his mouth: "How about Xiao Du sets the fire, and I lead people to put it out?"

After everyone had left the garden, Du Xinyan opened the door and stepped out only after a moment had passed. He looked around to ensure no one was present, then leaped out and vanished into the darkness

"Is it possible that Lord Du looks down upon this official?" At the entrance, another young official dressed in a scarlet official robe walked in. He had a face like jade, red lips and white teeth, and a pair of slanted, phoenix-like eyes that rose at the corners, making him exceptionally handsome. He was none other than Yu Pincheng, a key official dispatched by the Ministry of Revenue to oversee cases in Jiangnan.

Gao Xi returned to the residence, trembling with anger, pointing at Du Xinyan but unable to speak for a long time

Du Xinyan smiled with narrowed eyes and elegantly shook his head, saying: "In matters of rescuing a beauty, I have always preferred not to rely on others; only by taking action myself can I truly appreciate the nuances of the experience"

Shen Xiaofei removed her veil, revealing skin below her eyes that was uneven and appeared as if it had been splashed with hot oil, looking particularly grotesque under the dim light. She calmly gazed at Du Xinyan, and upon seeing the horror in his eyes, she smiled: "Does Young Master Du still wish to marry Xiaofei?"

Du Xinyan was well aware of the operational strength of the secret agents from the Supervisory Yuan. To see the token was akin to seeing a person; at a single command, the undercover agents would execute their tasks without questioning the reasons even once. But why must all the pirates be killed? Could it be that this case is not as straightforward as it appears to be, and that there are hidden complexities behind it?

He is very curious about what expression Shen Xiaofei would have if everyone knew that he took Ding Qianhe to the Luoyang Peony Festival and she ran over to wait for him

Du Xinyan's curiosity about Shen Xiaofei surged like a tidal wave at this moment. After several interactions with Shen Xiaofei, he had not even seen her face.

Du Xinyan would never allow her to gain the upper hand again, and with a leisurely smile, said: "Marry a second wife to serve her." Qianhe was so pleased that she had no time to feel jealous or angry about the matter.

Is that so? Shen Xiaofei took out paper and pen and finally stepped out of the shadows

Chen Zhishan blinked and replied with a smile: "Miss Shen said before her departure yesterday that she does not wish to see Du Yushi entangle with her on her way back to Beijing."

Du Xinyan thought to herself, Chen Zhishan casually scratched with a claw. Taking on the demeanor of handling official business, she made the Crown Prince suffer a silent loss, yet did not bring Gao Rui into the open at all. By suppressing the people of the Crown Prince's residence, there was no need for elevation; under the Emperor's anger, he would naturally lean towards the Third Prince.

Du Xinyan wished she could rush up and kick him right in the backside. The information about Shen Xiaofei surfaced in her mind

He indeed instructed the steward to fetch three thousand taels of silver notes for Wei Zihao, then kicked him out and scolded, "You are not allowed to enter my residence for a month!"

Du Xinyan took the wine and drank it all in one gulp. The rich and warm aroma rose from his lower abdomen; it was indeed good wine. He thought with a pang of regret, at least twenty taels of silver for a jar! Upon this thought, Du Xinyan gritted his teeth and said, "Is this how you betray your brother? The moment I heard her words, I knew it was you! Only you would know my plan so well!" He slumped in his chair like a deflated balloon, heartbroken: "Ten thousand taels! How long will it take to earn ten thousand taels?"

However, several officials that the Crown Prince Gao Xi had placed in Jiangnan were also implicated. They were neither the masterminds nor co-conspirators, yet they were charged with negligence in supervision. The Ming Emperor summoned the Crown Prince to the palace and reprimanded him severely. That evening, he went to rest at the residence of the Imperial Noble Consort

Another thought flashed through his mind: the mission had failed. The Emperor would first receive the memorial from the Jiangnan Provincial Government, the Supervisory Court would return empty-handed, and he would be left with a significant loss of face

The inspector of Jiangnan Road had not seen the secret envoy for two days, and was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. At this moment, upon seeing Du Xinyan, he saluted and immediately said: "My lord, the secret envoys in various places of Jiangnan Road treat your orders as if they were seeing you in person. They have already acted in secret as commanded and eliminated a water stronghold on the river, with a total of forty-eight bandits, leaving not a single survivor. I have come to report back on this matter."

A single word awakened the dreamer, and Du Xinyan suddenly recalled the encounter with Shen Xiaofei in Jiangnan

Du Xinyan watched for a while and couldn't help but laugh. She had been experiencing a streak of bad luck lately and still didn't know where things had gone wrong. Now that she had identified the root cause, it was not entirely a bad thing.

Du Xinyan was taken aback, a hint of sarcasm flashing in her eyes: "Yesterday, I heard the official say that the case had not yet been concluded, yet today not only has the case been resolved, but it has also been swiftly reported to the capital. Is the official being so secretive because he does not trust the Supervisory Court?"

Du Xinyan understood that this time, the De Fei had intervened, and the Ming Emperor had smoothly handed the case over to her, clearly indicating that the Emperor's heart was also more inclined towards the Crown Prince.

He hung under the eaves, dipping his fingers in saliva to poke at the window paper. It was not yet early summer, and the window was still covered with thick rice paper. Wei Zihao licked his fingers again before poking. His tongue went numb, and he silently cursed himself, rolling over and leaping out. He heard the tinkling laughter from inside the building: "Just drink more, and it will be fine. Be careful when peeking, or you might get pinpricks!"

Could it be that Shen Xiaofei asked Chen Zhishan to hold her back just to buy time? Du Xinyan thought of this and nearly crinkled his nose in anger, his smile trembling yet still persisting on his face. He lowered his voice and said: "My lord, this official and Miss Shen... could Lord Chen possibly inform her... one or two things?" His words were vague, carrying a hint of mystery and ambiguity.

Yu Pincheng, during the imperial examination years ago, ranked third in the palace examination alongside Du Xinyan. He entered the Ministry of Revenue, while Du Xinyan was appointed to the Supervisory Court. A few years later, Du Xinyan became a sixth-rank official, while he was a sixth-rank assistant. He believed that his literary talent and abilities were not inferior to those of Du Xinyan, and his appearance was also not worse than Du Xinyan's. However, the reputation of the young Du in the capital always overshadowed him. Whenever there was an opportunity, Yu Pincheng would seek to undermine Du Xinyan.

Wei Zihao looked at him with confusion: "Really?"

Du Xinyan returned to the inn, and Xin'er had been waiting anxiously. Upon seeing him with disheveled hair, soiled clothes, and pants still dripping with water, she was momentarily stunned.

The trees in the garden were burned to a state of disarray, and although the embroidered building was not on fire, smoke was being driven directly towards it by the wind. Du Xinyan felt somewhat restless, realizing that it was indeed cruel to set the garden ablaze just to catch a glimpse of Shen Xiaofei.

During the gathering, the toasts and exchanges were indeed lively. Du Xinyan attempted several times to steer the conversation towards the suspects of the Jiangnan tribute rice case, but was dismissed by Chen Zhishan with a simple remark of not discussing official matters.

Du Xinyan opened her eyes wide

The result was that he was trapped at Black Stone Beach in Yangzhou for three days. Someone took away the token, and all the water bandits who had used him were eliminated. Chen Zhishan also began a large-scale arrest, conducting overnight interrogations. He deliberately kept him for one night, allowing the Supervisory Court to be unable to intercept the submitted memorial in time.

"If I were to say that you are here to tease me, my father would believe it too." Shen Xiaofei focused on her book and said no more. Only when she heard voices outside, knowing that the fire had been extinguished, did she lazily put down her book, stand up, and without even glancing at Du Xinyan, she headed for the door to go out

Seeing him causing trouble, Du Xinyan knew that the case would definitely not be tried tonight. After receiving the news, the large prison in Jiangnan Road had long been under the watchful eyes of the Supervisory Yuan. As long as the case remained unresolved, he had no worries

He was so enraged that he was left speechless, his mouth numb and his tongue swollen to the point where he could not utter a word. With no other option, he had no choice but to whirl back to the Yang residence.

He shook his head, recalling that terrifying face, and his heart was once again filled with doubt. Could it be that in the dim light of the dark room, he failed to recognize the change in her appearance? After a long while, Du Xinyan sighed; he had to admit that he was extremely curious about Shen Xiaofei's looks and the Jiangnan case. In an instant, a fox-like smile reappeared on his face

The gloom was swept away. Du Xinyan happily finished an entire jar of wine

The current Empress has no offspring. The De Concubine gave birth to the First Prince Xi, the Imperial Noble Consort gave birth to the Third Prince Rui, and the Shufei gave birth to the Fifth Prince Ning. Among the three princes, the First Prince Xi has a gentle temperament and handles affairs with stability, subtly resembling the Emperor in his youth. Being the eldest, he has the highest call for the position of Crown Prince. The Third Prince Rui is intelligent and capable; last winter, he led troops to resist the Khitan's southern advance and achieved military merit. The Imperial Noble Consort ranks below the Empress and above the four concubines, enjoying the Emperor's favor. There are also many who support the Third Prince Rui for the position. The Fifth Prince Ning is only four years old, and his mother, the Shufei, does not come from a prominent family. Naturally, the competition for the Crown Prince is not a match for the eldest brother and the third brother.

You! You are just hoping for your arrival, without mentioning dragging the third brother into this. We cannot allow others to capture our people. How could you have silenced all the bandits? This is not your usual method! Furthermore, Liu Ji is associated with the third brother, and his deputy committed a crime, yet he was still able to avoid severe punishment!

Chen Zhishan, sipping his morning tea, said leisurely: "I must once again express my gratitude to Inspector Du for his decisive action. Just as the water bandits were about to flee, he managed to capture them all in one sweep. It is a pity that not a single one was left alive. Grain Transport Officer Liu Ji discovered the clues, and I followed the leads to find the suspects, finally solving the case. Those associated with the case have already provided their testimonies and signed their statements, and the case file has been sent to the capital. The Emperor should have already received my urgent memorial. I have also reported to request merit for Inspector Du. Since it is rare to come to Jiangnan, why not enjoy a few more days here? Rowing on West Lake would also be a delightful pastime. The talented scholar has been inspired by the scenery these days and has penned quite a few wonderful verses."

Is it unparalleled

He kicked open the study door, and Wei Zihao, dressed in a loose robe, appeared languid, leisurely sipping his fine wine. Upon seeing him return, he smiled and handed over a glass of wine, asking, "Have you seen anyone?"

Chen Zhishan smiled as he looked at the time: "It is getting late. The Minister of Revenue, Yu Tiju, has heard that Inspector Du has arrived and has prepared a banquet at the Shicui Garden to welcome you. I must ensure that Inspector Du is invited. We have been in session all day today and have made some progress, but the case is not yet concluded. Let us go together with Inspector Du to continue the hearing tomorrow"

Du Xinyan, feeling anxious about the case, could no longer sit still at this moment. He stood up and paced around the assistant, squinting his eyes as he instructed, "Take me to the prison!"

His eyes were filled with red veins, and the aura emanating from him made him resemble a lion on the brink of fury. Xin'er rarely witnessed the young master in such a rage; she swallowed hard the words she wanted to say, stamped her foot in anxiety, and hurried to prepare hot water

As the lights turned on, he saw himself ensnared in a net, unable to move in mid-air. There were no windows around; the first floor had originally been renovated to create a dark room with a partition. Although it appeared from the outside that there were windows, they were actually installed on the wall to deceive the eye.

"You are just hiding it from me, wanting to see me make a fool of myself, aren't you?" Du Xinyan said angrily

Upon arriving at the governor's office, Du Xinyan was invited to the inner office's study, where he ended up drinking tea for an hour, yet Governor Chen had not yet appeared. Du Xinyan felt a bit angry and coldly said to the secretary standing by, "Is Governor Chen not here? If this delays the case, what shall we do?"

Du Xinyan received a message via carrier pigeon on the way back to the capital. Chen Zhishan's memorial had already been hastily delivered to the capital. The details of the case were clearly laid out, and the testimonies of the officials involved were explicit. The suspects in the case were also being successively escorted to the capital

I will certainly let you out of the net before writing again

A day with strong winds is suitable for arson

I am here to save you! How could Miss Shen repay kindness with enmity? To falsely accuse a good person!

The people of the government residence gradually dispersed, waiting only for dawn to report to the authorities to apprehend the thieves, assess the losses of property, and replant the flowers and trees

At the hour of the Rat, a whiff of oil wafted through the air, and a smile appeared at the corners of Xiaofei's mouth, signaling the beginning of the performance

Du Xinyan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into loud laughter: "Alright, alright, what a Shen Xiaofei! I give in!"

A rocket shot in from a distance, and the backyard was instantly engulfed in flames

Xiaofei extinguished the candle, quietly waiting in the darkness

Du Xinyan inhaled sharply. To use his men to kill the pirates? And leave not a single survivor, how ruthless! Forty-eight lives would be counted against him. If he claimed he lost the token, the Ming Emperor would exile him three thousand miles away. Du Xinyan, furious to the point of laughter, asked, "What news from the Jiangnan Supervisory Office?"

Could a woman who has won the favor of the Third Prince Gao Rui possibly be extremely unattractive in appearance

That group of pirates was ordered to be exterminated by Du Xinyan, and not a single one escaped alive

Ten thousand taels of silver

The daughter of the Shen family is only seventeen years old. At the Lantern Festival, she became acquainted with the Third Prince Rui, who presented her with a unique guard for her protection.

He was about to rise to save someone. The window on the first floor of the embroidery building was wide open, and Wushuang, holding a woman wrapped in a wet cotton quilt, rushed out. A few fell and rolled to the side of the moon gate, and just as they were about to return, the raging fire had sealed off the moon gate. Wushuang let out a piercing cry: "Quick, save her! The young lady is still on the second floor!"

That evening, Wei Zihao went to the Prime Minister's residence, heading straight for the back garden where Shen Xiaofei lived

Xiao Fei sat quietly by the window, resting his chin on his hand, gazing into the depths of the night. Which rooftop is he currently sitting on, waiting to watch the show?

Du Xinyan sat leisurely on the rooftop opposite the back garden, sipping wine without a care. His eyes remained fixed on the embroidered building, not blinking at all

Counting the days, there are only ten left until the Luoyang Peony Festival. Du Xinyan was drinking alone, smiling at the painting on the wall. "Shen Xiaofei, your desire for revenge is indeed strong. The Luoyang Peony Festival coincides with the poetry gathering by the Mo Chou Lake in the capital. You want everyone to know that I abandoned Qianhe and rushed to Luoyang for you."

Shen Xiaofei also smiled: "But Wushuang and Yanran know that I am here. As soon as the door opens, Young Master Du appears in my boudoir at midnight, risking his life to save me from the fire. A lone man and a solitary woman in a dark room, if discovered, Young Master Du would have no choice but to marry me."

The next morning, he decided to get straight to the point

Where exactly is your esteemed family member?" Du Xinyan squinted her eyes and suddenly changed her expression, shouting sharply.

The master stood still, yet did not move.

"Inspector Du!" Chen Zhishan's voice arrived first as he walked in with a joyful expression and a smile. He was already middle-aged and had gained weight, with a round face that always bore a gentle smile. Dressed in a purple official robe of a first-rank official, he walked briskly, as if in a hurry to return, yet there was not even a trace of sweat on his forehead. "The Inspector has arrived; this official is busy with official duties and has failed to welcome you properly."

Wei Zihao took the silver note and left gracefully, not looking back as he said: "You are already in deep debt, how could you have money to buy me a drink! The poor live in bustling markets with no one to care for them, while the rich in the deep mountains have distant relatives. This principle, Zihao understands"

He pushed the window open and entered the room, only to be met with a net that was thrown down at him as soon as he stepped inside. Du Xinyan quickly rolled to the side to avoid it, but unexpectedly, his body became weightless, and he fell straight down from the second floor. He flipped in mid-air and leaped upwards, but the wooden board above him closed, leaving him no choice but to fall down. Below, another net was spread out, instantly ensnaring him tightly.

The steward was taken aback and instinctively replied: "The master is in the prison!"

Wei Zihao has never been defeated since his debut ten years ago. However, only he knows that he has actually lost once. In Wei Zihao's view, his sword has never been able to even cut a single hair of Du Xinyan, which means he has lost. Moreover, Du Xinyan has never drawn her sword.

Alright, then write a promissory note stating that I will pay three thousand in cash and owe seven thousand taels as debt. Remember to include that if it is not repaid within three months, the interest will be three percent.

Of course it is true. At first sight, I hurriedly wrote an IOU. If Shen Xiang finds out that I went to save his daughter and that we were alone together in a dark room, he would definitely force me to marry her. It is truly a pity; she has such a good demeanor, yet her face has been ruined.

Du Xinyan was taken aback and scolded, "How could such a significant matter not be reported earlier? Coming to see me without my command must indicate that something major has occurred"

During his journey to Jiangnan, he inadvertently stumbled into Shen Xiaofei's thatched cottage to avoid the rain. The jar of Drunken Spring Breeze did not contain poison; judging by the circumstances, if he had not exposed her identity, Shen Xiaofei would have pretended not to recognize him behind the bamboo curtain. She went to Jiangnan for the tribute rice case

After hearing his account, Du Xinyan had already collapsed in laughter at the edge of the table. On her handsome face, a pair of eyes sparkled as if she had obtained some treasure. Even the seasoned veteran was taken in by her, and it seemed that her own embarrassing matters were no longer of great significance.

In the past three days, around ten officials have been imprisoned in the maximum-security prison

It seems that Shen Xiaofei has connections with people from the martial world. Her maid, Wushuang, possesses exceptional swordsmanship. There is a formation in the back garden; if set ablaze, it would be devastating! I wonder if she would jump out of the building in a panic while still wearing her veil! Du Xinyan recalled the repeated pranks he had endured, the three days and nights of hunger and thirst at Black Stone Beach, and feeling unable to vent his frustration, he resolved to take decisive action.

Chen Zhishan smiled with narrowed eyes and slightly turned his body, whispering: "Well, this is due to personal matters. Du Yushi knows that my esteemed teacher is Lord Shen, and he has only one daughter whom he cherishes like a precious jewel. Miss Shen heard that Lord Du has come to Hangzhou and insisted that I keep Du Yushi for one night. She said that if I inform Du Yushi that the case has been concluded, he would not stay with you. Haha! The case files can be accessed by Du Yushi at will when he returns to the capital, so you must do me this favor." She said that if I inform Du Yushi that the case has been concluded, he would not stay with you. Haha! The case files can be accessed by Du Yushi at will when he returns to the capital, so you must do me this favor.

Seeing Shen Xiang being suspended in mid-air like a flower thief caught in a net, it spread widely; how could he still have the face to mix in the capital? Du Xinyan quickly called out to Shen Xiaofei loudly: "How do you know this fire is related to me?"

Xiner thought indignantly, if you want to take a bath, who can be blamed for that

Du Xinyan was utterly speechless and took a large gulp from the wine jar

He smiled in an extremely ambiguous manner, yet it left Du Xinyan greatly shaken. Shen Xiaofei, it is Shen Xiaofei again

It is better not to mention it; whenever Du Xinyan is brought up, the terrifying and hideous face under the light comes to mind, causing a shiver throughout the body, and one repeatedly waves their hand, saying: "So ugly. No wonder she always covers her face with a veil."

He quickly calmed down, and the one he killed was presumably a water bandit involved in the exchange of tribute rice on the river. On this side, they eliminated the water bandit responsible for the stolen goods, while on the other side, they began to arrest people. Their actions are indeed swift! Du Xinyan squeezed out a sentence through clenched teeth: "Send a message to the Hangzhou station, keep a close watch on the prison! I will head to Hangzhou immediately!"

Based on his understanding of Chen Zhishan, this individual is well-versed in the ways of governance. He served as an official in Jiangnan for ten years, during which he cannot be said to have achieved outstanding political accomplishments, nor did he make any significant mistakes; he is truly a person of moderation. If one were to say he possesses a decisive and vigorous approach, it would be before he arrived in Jiangnan, when he secretly sent a message to Chen Zhishan, causing him to become so anxious that his lips blistered, losing his appetite and feeling utterly at a loss regarding the case. However, it was precisely when he was trapped in Heishi that Chen Zhishan managed to resolve the case with remarkable clarity.

Wushuang did not persuade any further, carefully examined once again, closed the door and left Xiaofei's boudoir

I am bound in a net, how can I write?

The study in the Du residence is illuminated, standing out particularly in the deep night, and is also quite glaring

Du Xinyan's face revealed an expression of sudden realization upon hearing this. He suddenly understood everything, gritting his teeth in anger, and replied very pragmatically: "I can provide it. However, I only have three thousand taels in cash. After all, I am still an honest official"

Wei Zihai remained unperturbed: "Who told you to be so malicious? Just to catch a glimpse of someone, you set fire to the garden. And it happens to be the garden of the current Prime Minister's family. If this gets out, losing an official position is minor; you might even lose your head! Spending 10,000 taels for peace of mind, what is wrong with that? Moreover, we are brothers... but not blood brothers. Wushuang, however, is my biological sister. You can't expect me to betray my own sister, can you?"

Du Xinyan quickly presented a jar of wine and said: "This is the Drunken Spring Breeze that I brought back from Jiangnan. Even the Crown Prince did not manage to persuade me to part with it. Brother Wei, could you do me this favor?"

He entangled her?! Du Xinyan was instantly furious.

The embroidery building, however, remained silent

When leaving the capital, the Crown Prince Xi earnestly advised him, which was actually a hint that the Jiangnan tribute rice case might be related to the Third Prince Rui. This is because Liu Ji, the grain transport officer of the Jiangnan Grain Transport Office, came from the Third Prince's residence. As long as Gao Rui could be implicated, the Crown Prince would have one less opportunity in the competition for the throne

Wei Zihao shook his head and said, "My sister does not say it that way. Wushuang said that Shen Xiaofei is very beautiful."

"Three thousand taels of silver, please." Wei Zihao spread his hands and said, "Miss Shen mentioned that this three thousand taels of cash is an unparalleled dowry. As for the seven thousand in debts, she will come to you for repayment. She also gave me something, saying that if you wish to see her true appearance, it will be a case of cash on delivery."

A few strokes outline the blooming peonies of Yao Huang and Wei Zi. Beside it is inscribed a line of poetry: "If you wish to see the true colors of the peony, in April, the city of Luoyang is filled with flowers"

The grain transport official Liu Ji was initially charged with a crime, but was exempted from severe punishment due to his contributions in reporting and investigating the case.

"You still fall for it after I told you? I must at least earn some dowry for Wushuang! Miss Shen has gone to great lengths to arrange this; wouldn't it be dull if you didn't fall for it?"

Chen Zhishan is a first-rank official, the local emperor of Jiangnan. His politeness towards Du Xinyan is merely a reflection of the special status of the Supervisory Court. Du Xinyan is merely a sixth-rank minor official, and logically speaking, he should not dare to refuse. However, the Supervisory Court serves as the emperor's eyes and ears, and this time he came to Jiangnan under a secret order from the Ming Emperor. Du Xinyan remained seated and smiled, saying: "The emperor is anxious about the case, but I believe it is more important to prioritize the investigation."

It is too dangerous; let Wushuang disguise herself as a young lady

Du Xinyan smiled lightly: "Such respect is better than obedience, thank you, Brother Yu, for your kind invitation. It is rare to enjoy a drink with you in the capital, and today, with your fine wine, I am sure that Lord Chen will have a delightful time in this splendid place."

Du Xinyan raised an eyebrow and smiled broadly, saying: "I have heard that there are developments in the Jiangnan Tribute Rice case? I would like to request the case files for review"

Oh? Young Master Du, are you not infatuated with Miss Ding Jia Qian He? Have you already forgotten her and are thinking of marrying someone else so soon?

Du Xinyan still wanted to struggle

Gao Xi, after brooding for a long time, said: "Daring to misuse your token, leaving you with grievances that cannot be expressed, I suspect there must be a master behind this. Chen Zhi-shan is a disciple of Minister Shen. Could it be that old fox Shen is secretly supporting the third brother?"

Xin'er took a cloth to dry his hair and said irritably: "The people from the Supervisory Yuan are urgently looking for you; they have been waiting at the inn for two days."

Du Xinyan could only smile wryly and said: "Shen Xiaofei, Miss Shen, I am here to put out the fire"

Xiao Fei shook her head, her eyes sparkling with excitement beneath her thin eyelids: "It won't be fun if you take action."

The sound of rushing water echoed endlessly within the residence. Those carrying wooden buckets and rushing towards the back garden to extinguish the fire were repeatedly forced back by the flames, while outside the moon gate, cries filled the air.

Du Xinyan felt a tightness in his heart, and without caring much anymore, he leaped into the back garden. He naturally knew where the gap in his plan was. After a few ups and downs, he had already landed on the eaves behind the embroidery building

There is one more matter; it seems that the back garden is set up like a formation. If it were an ordinary thief, they would definitely not even get close to the embroidered building.

Shen Xiaofei yawned and smiled happily: "I am afraid that if I say it out loud, Xiao Du will be furious. Naturally, someone told me."

Du Xinyan sighed and said: "Isn't she a well-bred young lady who never leaves her home? Surely, I cannot, as the Minister of the Supervisory Court, go and climb over the walls of the Prime Minister's residence?"

"How many unmatched individuals are there in the world?" Wei Zihao said with a faint smile

After hearing his experiences several times, Wei Zihao could not help but chuckle. Staring at the empty wine jar, he said, "If I were to be caught while climbing over the wall, would Master Du come to my rescue?"

From this case, it appears that the one who benefits is the Third Prince Rui. Has the seemingly neutral Minister Shen been involved in this matter?

He directly threw the hat of the Supervisory Court over. Chen Zhishan, while disregarding him, also had to consider the anger of the Supervisory Court's Inspector Cheng Lian. As a similarly ranked official, the Supervisory Court was, after all, closer to the Emperor.

"Truly remarkable!" He suffered a loss, yet could not help but praise him. As he recalled it carefully, he found it puzzling.

He wearily extended a finger to silence what he was about to say: "Prepare hot water. Even the most important matters must wait until I finish my hot shower."

Du Xinyan hurriedly changed into her clothes and called for the secret agent to enter the room

Du Xinyan was quite puzzled by how quickly he returned. Wei Zihao had his mouth agape, his tongue swollen like a pig's tongue. He pushed Du Xinyan aside and drank the drunken spring breeze as if it were water. Only after finishing two jars of wine did the swelling subside

The Deputy Commissioner of Grain Transportation of the Jiangnan Road Grain Transport Office colluded with grain transport officials and a group of water bandits on the way to the capital, exchanging five ships of new rice, and the ill-gotten silver has been confiscated from his home

Over the course of three years, the two have sparred no less than a hundred times, gradually developing a bond and becoming friends. Wei Zihao is infatuated with his sword, vowing not to relent until he sees Du Xinyan's sword. However, Du Xinyan stubbornly refrains from drawing his sword, no matter how fierce Wei Zihao's attacks are or how clumsily he evades them, he simply does not draw his sword

He hurriedly rode to Hangzhou, the location of the Jiangnan Circuit Governor's office. After changing into official attire and holding a token, he entered without hesitation. Du Xinyan had a vague understanding in his heart, yet still harbored a final glimmer of hope. There had been no news from the Inspector General of the Ministry of Revenue regarding the investigation into the tribute rice case at the Jiangnan Circuit Governor's office, and he hoped that it was not too late, as the case had not yet been concluded

Shen Xiaofei sat by the table reading, her hair cascading down, dressed in loose robes, her face hidden in the shadows, revealing only a pair of bright, clear eyes. Her voice was no longer the crisp and cold sound it used to be, devoid of the distant feeling of standing atop a high mountain cliff, but rather calm, like an ordinary person beside her. There was a tone of joy in her voice, a delight akin to that of having captured her prey

It is rare for Du Xinyan to seek his help, and Wei Zihao felt pleased. He could not bring himself to threaten Du Xinyan into drawing his sword, yet his mockery did not cease. "What’s the matter? Is it so difficult for the Supervisory Court to investigate a person? With the power of Young Master Du, who would dare to disobey? If all else fails, with your skills, infiltrating the Prime Minister's residence would not be a difficult task."

After a stick of incense, Shen Xiaofei walked out of the small building alone. She rushed into Shen Xiang's embrace, crying incessantly. Shen Xiang exclaimed his relief as he held her and left the back garden

He harbored curiosity in his heart and was too lazy to argue further with Wei Zihao. Closing the door, he focused his mind and carefully opened the scroll.

Shen Xiaofei said with a cheerful laugh: "Renovating the garden only requires 2,000 taels. However, waking me from my sleep, Xiao Du must compensate 8,000 taels. If not, he will be considered a thief"

Du Xinyan was soaking in the water, feeling so comfortable that he wanted to sleep. He drank one mouthful after another, and gradually began to feel his energy returning. "Have there been any updates in the past three days?"

The figure of the lotus-picking girl across the river, the graceful silhouette of the departing figure in the bamboo forest, the poised stance standing in the misty rain of Xiaochun Lake... Has Shen Xiaofei lost her mind? She is talented and beautiful, with a father who holds the position of Prime Minister, yet she still worries about not being able to marry. Du Xinyan replied with a charming smile: "You are unmarried, and I am unmarried; what difficulty is there in that? My monthly salary is six stones and six dou, and I have no idea when the seven thousand taels will arrive. In comparison, marrying you would still earn me a dowry; Miss Shen's idea is quite to my liking." My monthly salary is six stones and six dou, and I have no idea when the seven thousand taels will arrive. In comparison, marrying you would still earn me a dowry; Miss Shen's idea is quite to my liking.

That night, he summoned Wei Zihao.

Du Xinyan smiled: "Are you really the Shen Xiaofei who has plotted against me several times? Aren't you afraid that if you let me go, I might have a change of heart? You have no martial arts skills; it would be very easy for me to knock you out and leave without a trace."

"What?" Du Xinyan jumped up again