Governor Yang lowered his eyes to read a collection of poetry, as if he hadn’t seen the person standing before him. That dismissive attitude made one’s heart quite uncomfortable.

But Chief Historian Gao at this moment completely lacked the courage to be angry, all his thoughts focused on analyzing why his superior was displeased. After thinking back and forth, he still had no clue.

“Lord Governor, this humble official Gao Wenliang pays his respects to you.” After waiting for the duration of one incense stick, Chief Historian Gao could no longer hold his composure and bowed again.

Governor Yang rustled as he turned a page of his book, cast a cold sidelong glance at Chief Historian Gao, and asked in a measured tone: “Do you know why this governor summoned you here?”

“In reply to Your Lordship, this humble official does not know.”

“You don’t know?” Governor Yang casually threw the poetry collection in his hand onto the desk, knocking over the brush stand which clattered onto the table with a loud bang.

“My lord, please calm your anger!” Chief Historian Gao hastily performed a deep bow.

Governor Yang had been newly promoted after Great Zhou’s annexation of Great Yan, originally an official of Great Zhou, while Chief Historian Gao was an old hand from the former capital. The two were naturally distant, and moreover Governor Yang was cautious by nature, always careful and courteous in his dealings with others. In front of Chief Historian Gao, he had never displayed such great temper.

Chief Historian Gao clenched his fists, his entire body’s muscles twitching somewhat.

Governor Yang’s face was as dark as water, his eyes containing resentment. He stood up, his fingertips trembling as he angrily pointed at Chief Historian Gao. After a long while, he suppressed the rebuke about to spill from his lips and instead said in a deep voice: “Gao Wenliang, the things you’ve done in secret—do you think I don’t know about them?”

Chief Historian Gao’s whole body shivered, his head dropping even lower.

Governor Yang walked around the desk, slowly approaching Chief Historian Gao. From Chief Historian Gao’s angle, he could only see the pair of official boots on Governor Yang’s feet.

“Who you contact privately, whose instructions you receive, whose business you handle—this official doesn’t care about any of it, nor do I wish to get involved. But you must have some sense of propriety in your actions. You need to know for whom you’re working and to what extent you should go!

“This official will not report to the court, nor do I wish to favor anyone. But you must not push your luck. Your current actions have already seriously affected the public security under this official’s jurisdiction.”

At this moment, Chief Historian Gao’s heart suddenly felt clear.

It seemed Governor Yang knew that he privately served Prince of Zhennan with loyalty.

He had originally been a person of Yan Dynasty, formerly an official of Yan Dynasty as well. Though Prince Yan had now become Prince of Zhennan, his authentic imperial bloodline was genuine. Chief Historian Gao’s arrest of the Zheng matriarch this time was indeed on Prince of Zhennan’s orders.

He just hadn’t expected that his son would suffer such a fate, now lying half-dead at home, crying and wailing constantly.

He himself also felt that whether Zhao Wanjin had kicked and injured his beloved son, leading him to arrest someone and provoke public anger, or whether the killing of two death row inmates in prison had caused the wealthy households to pressure Governor Yang, all of this was premeditated.

That old woman had been locked up for many days without any contact with the outside world, yet these events occurred externally. Chief Historian Gao could not convince himself by any means that this was mere coincidence.

Now hearing Governor Yang’s words, Chief Historian Gao’s mind became clear.

So Governor Yang also felt these events were related to his imprisonment of the Zheng matriarch? What was that Zheng matriarch’s background—where did she get such great influence?!

However, though he thought this way in his heart, how could Chief Historian Gao dare to admit it?

In front of Governor Yang, this veteran official of Great Zhou Dynasty, to admit that he had acted on Yuchi Yan’s instructions would be tantamount to acknowledging participation in certain unspeakable activities. Would he still want to keep his head on his neck in the future!

“My lord, might you have misunderstood something? This humble official serves the court with single-minded devotion, not daring to have the slightest personal agenda. How could I possibly work for others?”

Governor Yang let out a cold laugh: “Honest people don’t speak in riddles. Must this official spell everything out clearly?”

Chief Historian Gao’s heart pounded rapidly.

But Governor Yang’s tone turned gentle: “Enough, you should already understand this official’s meaning. Further words are useless. Handle the aftermath quickly and don’t affect this official. I trust that with Chief Historian Gao’s capabilities, calming the current situation would be effortless for you.”

Sweat broke out on Chief Historian Gao’s forehead as he nodded repeatedly: “Yes, this humble official will certainly exert full effort to resolve this quickly!”

Governor Yang nodded, waved his hand to indicate he could leave, then returned to his previous position to read poetry.

Chief Historian Gao bowed and withdrew. Only after exiting the study did he quietly breathe a sigh of relief, following a servant’s guidance as he hurried toward the Yang residence’s exit.

Upon reaching the side gate, a gust of cold wind hit him head-on. Only then did Chief Historian Gao realize his entire body was covered in sweat. The sweat on his forehead dried in the cold wind, making him shiver. He hastily tucked his hands in his sleeves, hunched his neck, and hurried away.

After walking only five or six steps, he heard the chaotic sounds of horse hooves and rolling wheels behind him.

Chief Historian Gao curiously turned back to look, and saw two carriages stopping in front of the Yang residence.

Both carriages were ordinary single-horse oil-wax carriages, appearing neither new nor old, completely unremarkable.

But the horses pulling the carriages were all glossy-coated thoroughbreds!

What surprised him even more were the eight tall, sturdy men following alongside the carriages.

All eight were built solidly and robustly, yet moved with light, nimble steps. Chief Historian Gao had trained in martial arts himself and could tell at a glance that these were all masters skilled in both internal and external cultivation. Ten of him tied together couldn’t match a single finger of any one of them.

These bodyguards were worth more than the thoroughbreds!

What kind of household could afford to employ such bodyguards?

Chief Historian Gao stood in the corner, curiously craning his neck.

He watched as a bodyguard went to knock on the door, and the gatekeeper hurried inside the residence.

Before long, he glimpsed Governor Yang and several female family members flash past the side gate.

Then, the Yang residence’s main gate actually opened!

One must know that the main gate was normally never opened!

Chief Historian Gao grew even more curious, hiding himself in the wall corner while intently watching the carriages.

He saw a pale hand lift the carriage’s warm curtain, and from within emerged a woman wearing a green cloak.

This woman had her hair in double rings, wore green clothing in servant’s attire, with indescribably pretty features. Standing there gracefully, she was like a blooming lotus in summer. Even Chief Historian Gao, who had seen much of the pleasure quarters, couldn’t help but hold his breath upon seeing this maid.

The pretty maid held up the warm curtain, leaning forward to offer support.

Then he saw a tall figure wearing a moon-white long robe and purple sable fur cloak emerge from the carriage—a young master.

When he clearly saw this master’s features, Chief Historian Gao even forgot to breathe!

He had thought the pretty maid was already a peerless beauty, but this master’s appearance far surpassed that maid ten thousandfold!

Looking more carefully at this master’s walking posture and figure…

This was no master at all—clearly a tall woman in men’s clothing with heroic features!

Chief Historian Gao had never seen such a beautiful woman and couldn’t help but stare dumbfounded.

Not only Chief Historian Gao, but even Governor Yang, who had led his family members to greet them at the gate, now wore an expression of stunned bewilderment.

He watched as this woman approached Governor Yang, bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly with elegant and dignified bearing. Wearing men’s clothing, she appeared neither effeminate nor crude or vulgar. Her voice carried a certain noble reserve and self-possession, very appropriately revealing a hint of warmth.

“Uncle, I trust you are well.”

Governor Yang finally came to his senses, coughed once, and returned to his usual demeanor, extending his hand in a gesture of support: “Miss Qiu, please rise.”

“Uncle is too polite. Just call me Feishan.” Qiu Feishan turned to look at the governor’s wife behind Governor Yang: “Aunt, I trust you are well.”

The governor’s wife was still somewhat confused, her plump round face showing traces of doubt and inquiry as she smiled politely: “Please don’t be so ceremonious. It’s cold outside—let’s go inside to talk.”

“Quite right.” Governor Yang also nodded.

Governor Yang and his wife then led Qiu Feishan into the residence first.

The gatekeepers busily removed the door threshold, directing servants and bodyguards to drive the carriages through the main gate into the Yang residence. Then the gate closed with a loud bang.

Chief Historian Gao watched the entire process in stunned amazement, his mind still filled with that Miss Qiu’s countenance. He was also amazed by Governor Yang’s grand reception. After standing dumbfounded for a good while, he finally turned to head home.