“Marquis Guanjun went to the Xie family in White Cloud Town?” Upon hearing the spy’s report, County Magistrate Wang immediately sent someone to deliver the news to Governor Li.

Governor Li received the message and called his advisors for a discussion.

“Scholar Han, what do you think? Does Marquis Guanjun’s actions today have any deeper meaning?”

The advisor called Scholar Han, was a thin, elderly man with a goatee. Upon hearing this, he stroked his beard and said: “We’ve already investigated the Xie family in White Cloud Town before—they’re just an ordinary household. Qiao Zhuo was on good terms with the Xie family during his lifetime, and the Qiao and Xie families became family friends. It’s not surprising that Marquis Guanjun would visit the Xie family upon arriving in Jia Feng.”

“Visiting the Xie family isn’t surprising, but Marquis Guanjun sneaking there early in the morning is somewhat strange. I always feel something’s not right.”

“It’s normal for Your Lordship to have such feelings. Any unusual movement by a person has its reasons. This student suggests we might as well continue watching. After all, it was just a visit to the Xie family in White Cloud Town—it’s difficult to guess Marquis Guanjun’s intentions.”

Governor Li’s expression was grave as he looked at the ink chrysanthemums on the windowsill and sighed: “I’m afraid Marquis Guanjun is openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing at Chencang—visiting the Qiao family’s old friends is false, investigating the truth behind the Qiao family fire is true.”

Speaking of this, Governor Li smiled coldly: “Wasn’t the account book that the Qiao family’s eldest son presented to the emperor obtained from one of the Qiao family’s old friends? We were truly careless then, letting the Qiao family’s eldest son escape alive. For this, I received quite a scolding.”

“So this time we must watch carefully.”

Governor Li nodded: “Naturally, we cannot relax. Fortunately, the Xie family is just an ordinary household. The Qiao family’s eldest son didn’t visit the Xie family before or after the Qiao family fire, which shows that, given the Xie family’s level, the Qiao family had no deeper connections with them. The other families are harder to say.”

“Your Lordship, we must pay special attention to the Zhu family in Jia Feng City. The one from the Zhu family who is in mourning was a colleague of Imperial Censor Qiao, both serving in the Supervisory Office.”

Hatred flashed in Governor Li’s eyes: “Before Qiao Mo left Jia Feng, he visited several old friends to create confusion. I estimate that the account book was obtained from the Zhu family. Fortunately, that Zhu fellow died from falling off a startled horse. Even if they go there, it will be a wasted trip.”

“Your Lordship must not be careless. That matter is no small thing—who knows if the deceased Imperial Censor Zhu left any contingencies?”

Killing intent appeared in Governor Li’s eyes: “It’s just a pity that after the Qiao family suffered the fire, to avoid drawing attention, it wouldn’t be good to uproot the Zhu family entirely. Who would have thought that after sending away the imperial envoy from the capital, Marquis Guanjun would come? If I had known, I shouldn’t have worried so much—should have gone all the way—”

“Your Lordship, please don’t be impulsive. Now Marquis Guanjun is in the open while we’re in the shadows. The one who’s completely in the dark is Marquis Guanjun, not us. If you move against the Zhu family at this time, you’ll give him a trail to follow.”

Governor Li nodded: “Scholar Han is right. First, send people to watch Marquis Guanjun closely. If he’s merely visiting the Qiao family’s old friends, so be it. But if he has other plans, once he discovers anything, act immediately!”

“Marquis Guanjun won’t be easy to deal with,” the advisor said, stroking his beard.

Governor Li sneered: “Two fists can’t match four hands. Marquis Guanjun didn’t dare bring people on this southern trip. As for the others, they’re just useless decorations. No matter how capable he is, send enough people and we can wear him down to death!”

The advisor was somewhat worried: “That would make too much commotion. I think Your Lordship should quickly inform that side. Even if we need to use people, don’t use our people who are in the open.”

“Of course. Didn’t we send word to that side when we received the letter from the capital? I imagine their people should arrive soon.” Governor Li got a headache thinking about this and said with a gloomy face: “If it comes to that step, we’ll still need to appease the Jinlin Guards. What a troublesome affair. I hope Marquis Guanjun is sensible and doesn’t drag out so many complications!”

The capital had said that after his evaluation next year, he could receive a superior rating and be transferred to an official position in the capital. At such a crucial time, if he wasn’t forced into a corner, who would want to play with fire?

Thinking of this, Governor Li’s gaze became even more sinister.

Having obtained the oil paper package from the Xie family, the two abandoned their plan to continue visiting old friends and returned early to White Cloud Village.

Human skin masks were easy to put on but difficult to remove. Qiao Zhao raised her hand to pull at it, causing her face to hurt so much that tears nearly flowed.

Seeing this, Shao Mingyuan was both amused and heartbroken: “Zhaozhao, why are you so anxious?”

“I want to see what’s inside the oil paper package as soon as possible. Can’t this human skin mask be removed directly?”

“You need to steam it with hot water.” Shao Mingyuan went to the kitchen and brought back a basin of hot water, instructing: “First, steam your face with hot air for a quarter-hour, then you can remove it.”

Qiao Zhao nodded and lowered her head toward the water basin. Thinking that someone was watching her intently from the side made her feel somewhat awkward, so she turned her head: “General Shao, please go back first. I’ll come find you after I remove the human skin mask.”

The certain someone sat still without moving.

“General Shao?”

The young general sighed helplessly: “Zhaozhao, this is my room.”

Suppressing his laughter at the girl’s embarrassment, the man looked quite aggrieved: “Where would you have me go?”

Qiao Zhao lowered her head and ignored him.

A quarter-hour was short, yet felt very long to Qiao Zhao. When it finally ended, she straightened up.

Shao Mingyuan suddenly stood and walked over, half-crouching in front of her: “Don’t move, I’ll help you remove it.”

Qiao Zhao blinked, about to object, when the man continued: “There’s a proper technique for removal. If you forcefully pull it off and accidentally tear it, leaving half stuck to your face—”

Qiao Zhao simply closed her eyes, adopting an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude: “Remove it quickly.”

Shao Mingyuan chuckled softly and slowly approached.

He placed his hand on the girl’s smooth forehead, and her curled eyelashes trembled.

He hesitated no more, carefully removing the human skin mask to reveal the face etched in his heart.

“Is it done?” Qiao Zhao opened her eyes and suddenly realized the man was extremely close, his breath intertwining with hers in boundless intimacy.

Qiao Zhao’s face heated up as she quickly backed away.

Shao Mingyuan quickly supported her with steady hands, chuckling softly: “Careful not to fall. I’ll move away.”

The young general obediently walked to a chair not far away and sat down, quite puzzled in his heart.

When he didn’t know she was Zhaozhao, she would often stare at his abdomen without blinking. Why was she now avoiding him like a snake or scorpion?

If Miss Qiao knew General Shao’s thoughts at this moment, she would probably sneer: Need this be said? When men become thick-skinned, it’s simply outrageous. If she still acted like before, wouldn’t she be completely devoured by him?

Qiao Zhao rubbed her face to relieve the discomfort from wearing the human skin mask for so long, then extended her hand: “General Shao, please open what Uncle Xie gave you and let’s see.”

Shao Mingyuan took out the oil paper package. After opening it, inside was a blank sheet of paper.

Qiao Zhao took it and held the blank paper to her nose to sniff. After pondering for a moment, she said to Shao Mingyuan: “General Shao, please trouble yourself to bring a candle.”

Shao Mingyuan brought a candle. Qiao Zhao carefully held the white paper over the candle flame, and gradually, a rough sketch began to appear on the white paper.