Quan Feitong merely smiled lightly without speaking, slowly pacing into another pathway, no longer looking at Li Zhaoting and his companion, whether to avoid suspicion or for other reasons.

It was Chao Huang who thought of something, cautiously lowering his voice: “Big brother, that person has been out of contact for many years. Since he’s made contact with you, have you found him? What’s his current identity?”

Quan Feitong waved his hand dismissively. “Not yet. There’s no rush either. Let’s see what tricks he wants to play. Tell me, why is it that sometimes dogs just can’t be tamed? However, this time he did bring me important information.”

Chao Huang laughed heartily. “Whether tamed or not, it shows big brother’s chess move back then was quite useful.”

Quan Feitong sighed softly, saying indifferently: “Chess… you and I are also pieces in this game. One careless move, and we’ll be checkmated by other pieces. In this world, the most unclear thing is the human heart – far less reliable than these picturesque mountains and rivers.”

As he spoke, he kicked at the dust on the ground with his boot and walked away with his hands tucked in his sleeves.

When Li Zhaoting went to find Quan Feitong, Chao Huang was no longer there. Quan Feitong had set up a chess board in his room and was playing against himself, the black and white pieces evenly matched.

Li Zhaoting glanced at it and said: “Senior brother is an elegant person, able to find leisurely interests even when occupied with affairs.”

“Just boredom,” Quan Feitong pointed to a chair beside him, indicating for him to sit. “Would you like a game?”

Li Zhaoting smiled and shook his head. “I often lost to senior brother when we were studying. Why seek such frustration?”

But Quan Feitong scolded: “You’re someone I personally taught. I’m still counting on the younger generation surpassing the older.”

Li Zhaoting offered no flattery, but said earnestly: “Zhaoting wouldn’t dare.”

“You’re just too serious, boring.”

Quan Feitong’s eyes held a smile as he swept his sleeve, scattering the half-completed chess pieces to the floor, then asked: “Have you settled Shuangcheng properly? Where will she stay?”

Li Zhaoting was about to pick up the pieces when Quan Feitong stopped him, so he sat down instead. “She said since senior brother suggested it, she can stay here.”

“Mm,” Quan Feitong responded casually, but finally put away his playful expression and glanced at him. “What do you plan to do about Magistrate Huang’s matter?”

According to Si Lanfeng’s report, Lian Yu had secretly departed for Minshan. Li Zhaoting was pondering how to reveal this information to Quan Feitong without making it obvious, to see how he would handle it. After all, it wasn’t appropriate for him to take too much action now. But then he heard Quan Feitong say casually: “Lian Yu has probably already arrived secretly.”

This was completely unexpected for Li Zhaoting. He had precise intelligence, but why could Quan Feitong guess it? Compared to the Ministry of Works’ expenditures in Chuhe Prefecture, if Lian Yu wanted to crack down on official corruption, he should target where those five hundred thousand taels went. The Ministry of Works’ various levels of officials in the Forging Department were involved in large amounts, while Huang Tianba’s case, though extremely serious, involved only one person.

Though slightly startled, having Quan Feitong personally bring up Lian Yu’s whereabouts was perfect. He pondered briefly, his face showing just the right amount of gravity: “Lian Yu should be on his way to Chuhe Prefecture now. He’s already sent Yan Da there. How could he himself…”

At this moment, Quan Feitong was bent over slowly picking up chess pieces, his eyes showing layered ripples that were difficult to read clearly.

He said: “Zhaoting, look. When people reach a certain peak, three situations often occur. First, they hesitate to advance; second, they retreat instead of advancing; third, they transcend themselves. You and Lian Yu both belong to the third type. Being this third type isn’t easy – it requires strong innate talent, later effort, and sufficient ambition. Lian Yu is no ordinary person; his edge is becoming increasingly sharp. However, he’s still lacking in one aspect – he’s still very young after all.”

“He’s overlooked one point. I’ve been in court for nearly ten years. I know very well what kind of people are in court and their temperaments. Cai Beitang wouldn’t go so far as to act recklessly. He’s sat securely in that most profitable position for so many years for good reason. The court just allocated funds not long ago, and he’s proposing another allocation – this is too hasty, not quite like that old fox’s nature.”

Li Zhaoting understood clearly by this point, his heart brightening and emotions stirring slightly.

“Double act, misdirection. At the same time, Lian Yu also gave Cai Beitang a warning – Minister Cai, you’ve profited quite enough over these years, it’s time to stop. This way he both gained Cai Beitang’s gratitude and support, and most importantly, he can withdraw personally to bring down Huang Tianba himself, giving the entire court a warning.”

“Indeed.” Quan Feitong took several chess pieces and gently tossed them in his hand.

“Senior brother, this time is troublesome. We’re in the open while he’s in the shadows, especially with you appearing before Yan Da and Gao Chaoyi.”

Thinking of that man in black robes, Li Zhaoting felt deep, suppressed hatred, though his face remained perfectly calm and composed.

But Quan Feitong still appeared nonchalant. He lowered his eyes for a long moment before looking up with a smile, his gaze now cold and heavy enough to make one’s heart palpitate.

“Whether I’m in the open or shadows doesn’t matter. Lian Yu knows I’ll come, just as I know he’ll come. The only thing he doesn’t know is that this trap was set before he even departed. Do you know what I want to do?”

This sudden question from the young chancellor caught Li Zhaoting off guard, leaving even such a composed person momentarily stunned.

In fact, before Yan Da and Gao Chaoyi finished reading the documents and sent people to investigate among the common people, Lian Yu’s group had already infiltrated to conduct business.

Dividing into several groups, they separately visited multiple households of innocent people whose land was wrongfully confiscated, families of those wrongly sentenced, wealthy young men who had killed but were freed through bribes, ordinary people wrongly convicted due to having no money or influence, and they even went to several mining sites to seek employment.

…

That evening, everyone gathered at an ordinary inn in the prefecture.

White Tiger had also rushed from the palace, following the markers left along the way to find this place.

However, after their discussion, everyone’s expressions were grave and complex.

Lian Qin could least hide her thoughts, unable to conceal the surprise in her eyes as she exclaimed: “Tell me, how could this be? This Huang Tianba clearly committed multiple serious crimes, yet we can’t find a shred of evidence. Not a single common person is willing to come forward to testify against him. What’s more, some even say he’s a… good official!”