However, when she asked this question, Zhou Yinzhi’s brows furrowed. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “I wasn’t able to obtain it.”

Jiang Xuening was immediately stunned. “You didn’t?”

Zhou Yinzhi said, “The letter wasn’t on that person. There seem to be other contacts within the Heavenly Doctrine. According to what he said, the person I caught today only came out to assess the situation. He would wait for the right opportunity before daring to hand over the letter. Because things happened so hastily, I thought this matter must be extremely important to Second Miss, so I came to report first without thoroughly interrogating him. I don’t know how to proceed next?”

Jiang Xuening’s gaze fell upon Zhou Yinzhi, seeming to contemplate something. After a moment, she actually said, “This person is still at your manor? Take me to see him.”

This was late at night.

Zhou Yinzhi hadn’t quite expected Jiang Xuening to be so decisive, but thinking it over, he understood that after all, he was a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Jiang Xuening probably didn’t dare trust him absolutely. For such a major matter, going to see for herself would be more appropriate.

So he didn’t stop her.

However, the gatekeeper at the Jiang Manor entrance was startled to see their own Second Miss wanting to go out so late at night. Jiang Xuening only instructed that if the family asked, they should say she went out with Zhou Yinzhi to handle some business and the family needn’t worry. Then she left through the gate.

Zhou Yinzhi truly hadn’t spoken any falsehoods.

That person was indeed bound in his manor.

However, Jiang Xuening suddenly discovered that in just half a month, Zhou Yinzhi had actually already changed residences. He had moved to Willow Tree Alley. Though it still couldn’t be considered luxurious, with its blue bricks and black tiles, it looked far better than that shabby small courtyard from before.

An Embroidered Uniform Guard dressed in dark black stood at the entrance.

By appearance, he was Zhou Yinzhi’s subordinate.

Changing residences wasn’t surprising. If Zhou Yinzhi didn’t know how to make money, he wouldn’t be the Zhou Yinzhi that Jiang Xuening knew. However, in such a short time after entering the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he had already developed trustworthy subordinates—his capabilities were truly considerable.

When entering through the gate, Jiang Xuening couldn’t help but take an extra look at this gate-guarding Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Zhou Yinzhi said, “His name is Wei Xi. His martial skills are quite good.”

Jiang Xuening then nodded.

That Wei Xi had the appearance of a young man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, very reserved. However, when Zhou Yinzhi introduced him, he couldn’t help secretly glancing at Jiang Xuening, clearly curious about who could receive such courtesy from his superior.

Unexpectedly, what entered his vision was an extremely beautiful young lady.

In his surprise, he nearly stared outright.

When he came back to his senses, he discovered that this young lady before him was looking at him with a somewhat amused gaze. Though her eyes weren’t sharp, inexplicably his face reddened and he immediately lowered his head.

Seeing this scene, Zhou Yinzhi’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He only asked, “The person is still here?”

Wei Xi immediately collected himself and replied, “He hasn’t left even half a step. He’s still inside.”

Zhou Yinzhi thus led the way in.

However, Jiang Xuening raised her eyebrows and deliberately took another look at this young man called Wei Xi before stepping forward to follow behind Zhou Yinzhi. Wei Xi, his heart in turmoil, fell in behind Jiang Xuening.

The person was confined in the firewood shed at the southwest corner of the manor.

After the door was pushed open, the interior was actually quite clean.

A thick hemp rope together with a chain made of refined iron bound the person to a pillar at the back. From the doorway, one could see this person wearing the brown garment worn by minor clerks of the Ministry of Justice.

Jiang Xuening stopped right at the doorway without continuing to walk further in.

Zhou Yinzhi, however, walked all the way to that person’s front.

Before he could even speak, that person saw him and began struggling forcefully, as if he had already suffered some hardships earlier and was extremely afraid. “I truly know nothing more, and the letter isn’t on me either. Didn’t you say you’d let me go if I talked!”

Zhou Yinzhi looked down at him and said, “Then who is the person who coordinates with you?”

That person trembled directly. “In our sect, we all act in secrecy. We few people secretly take orders from Mr. Gongyi’s side in Jinling. Every day at the hour of zi, we place letters at White Fruit Temple, and naturally someone retrieves them. When we return the next day, there’s a reply letter. But I’ve never seen those people. Judging by the handwriting of the replies, there are at least three people. Lord Zhou, it’s useless even if you capture me! The letter truly isn’t on me!”

Zhou Yinzhi then looked toward Jiang Xuening.

Jiang Xuening stood near the doorway, frowning, and said coldly, “You are a clerk of the Ministry of Justice and can approach the Heavenly Prison. Those few people must hide in the shadows and rely on you to gather information. Presumably, they also need to depend on you to deliver this letter to the court’s knowledge, correct? That is to say, as long as you tell them the time is ripe, they will give you the letter!”

Upon hearing this voice, goosebumps rose all over that person’s body.

Only now did this unlucky wretch realize that someone else had actually returned with Zhou Yinzhi, and moreover it was a young lady. From the meaning of her words, she seemed to be the person behind Zhou Yinzhi, and for a moment, several degrees of fear arose in him.

He instinctively turned his head wanting to see who it was.

However, the moment he moved, Zhou Yinzhi had already forcefully kicked him. “Is that someone you should look at?”

That person cried out in pain immediately.

Zhou Yinzhi only said sternly, “The young lady asked you—is it or isn’t it?”

That person wailed, “Yes, yes!”

Jiang Xuening then said, “Then the matter is simple. You contact these people as you usually do. Tell them the opportunity for the Three Judicial Offices joint trial has ripened, and the time has come to hand over the letter. Write the letter down. Tonight at the hour of zi, deliver it. Don’t play any tricks.”

That person was terrified. “No, no, if the sect finds out…”

Jiang Xuening’s brows immediately furrowed more deeply.

Zhou Yinzhi glanced at her and said, “Why don’t you step aside for a moment?”

Having said this, he pulled out a rag and stuffed it into this person’s mouth.

Seeing this, Jiang Xuening retreated outside.

Standing under the eaves outside for just a short while, she heard muffled screams from inside, along with the sharp, piercing sound of iron chains violently striking against pillars. After some time, it finally stopped.

Probably that mouth-stuffing rag had been removed. Only then did that person’s gasping, pained sounds emerge.

However, compared to before, he seemed much weaker.

Zhou Yinzhi only asked flatly, “Will you write or not?”

That person no longer dared resist stubbornly and hurriedly said, “I’ll write, I’ll write.”

Jiang Xuening thus knew that Zhou Yinzhi must have used some harsh methods from the Embroidered Uniform Guard to force this person to comply.

Wei Xi immediately went to fetch paper and brush.

That person tremblingly wrote down the letter.

After writing it, Zhou Yinzhi looked it over once, then brought it out for Jiang Xuening to review. Jiang Xuening carefully examined it several times. Seeing nothing amiss, she returned it to Zhou Yinzhi and had him take this person overnight to White Fruit Temple to deliver the letter, waiting for those Heavenly Doctrine people to take the bait.

Zhou Yinzhi had people lie in ambush nearby.

Jiang Xuening returned home that very night.

However, completely unexpectedly, although Zhou Yinzhi did indeed capture someone the next evening, the person he caught only carried half a letter!

Moreover, it seemed he had long anticipated such a trap waiting for him. That person wasn’t the least bit flustered. He only smiled and said to Zhou Yinzhi, “Yesterday when Chiliarch Zhou took that person away, we already noticed something. After retrieving that letter, we guessed it was a trap. However, since that good-for-nothing must have told you everything, I won’t beat around the bush. We are moles secretly developed by the Heavenly Doctrine. Apart from Mr. Gongyi, we don’t contact others. However, now even the gentleman has no news—he’s probably met with misfortune or fallen into the court’s hands. According to Mr. Gongyi’s instructions, this letter must be delivered to the Ministry of Justice no matter what. But now this scheme has actually been exposed by you people. It seems it can’t be accomplished. We are merely of rough origins and don’t necessarily have to sacrifice ourselves to accomplish this matter. People living in this world seek nothing more than fame and profit. Lord Zhou may take this half letter back to read. As for the remaining half, it depends on how much ‘sincerity’ Lord Zhou and the person behind you have.”

Zhou Yinzhi hadn’t expected to be outmaneuvered.

And this letter…

He asked, “What do you want?”

The other party said coldly, “Fifty thousand taels of silver to buy the lives of the Yan clan. After receiving the money, we’ll leave the capital and never set foot here again! But if not, the remaining half of that letter will definitely appear on the desk of Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan!”

Today, Xie Wei had to enter the palace.

Zhuoqin Hall had long been cleaned spotlessly. Not a trace of blood could be seen anymore.

Gongyi Cheng’s corpse had also disappeared.

However, Xie Wei’s mood didn’t seem to have improved even half a degree. Compared to days prior, it seemed even worse. When changing into that sky-blue Daoist robe, his brows locked deeply. He only asked, “Still haven’t found anything?”

Daoqin stood behind and shook her head.

Jianshu’s expression also carried some gravity. Even her movements arranging his collar became extremely careful. She said in a low voice, “The Jinling main altar did leave some people in the capital as moles, but these people only take orders from Gongyi Cheng. Now we’ve already taken control of the incense hall in the capital area and questioned the people who were at Gongyi Cheng’s side during the previous period. We only know that orders were given, but, but no one knows what exactly they were yet.”

As she spoke, her voice dropped lower.

The murderous energy in Xie Wei’s eyes slowly surfaced, as if he were suppressing something. He asked again, “What about Dingfei’s side?”

Jianshu dared even less to look at him, lowering her head and saying, “After you gave the order that day, we searched everywhere in the capital. But Young Master Dingfei hasn’t returned to the incense hall even once. Someone said he was at Zuile Pavilion. When we went looking, the courtesan conveyed his message saying he’d gone to ‘Ten Year Brew’ to drink. But when we went there, there was no one either…”

In other words, this person had also disappeared without a trace.

Xie Wei actually laughed lowly. “Not bad, very not bad.”

Both Jianshu and Daoqin heard the dangerous meaning hidden in these words and didn’t dare respond at all.

After straightening his robe, Xie Wei said flatly “continue searching, continue looking” and said nothing more. He directly left the manor gate and took a carriage toward the palace.

Matters were being discussed in the Southern Study.

Shen Lang’s mood was unprecedentedly good. Apart from Wen Zhaoyi’s pregnancy in the rear palace, something that inspired morale had actually occurred in the court as well.

As soon as Xie Wei entered, he burst into laughter. “Mr. Xie has finally arrived. The Shuntian Prefect has already reported the news. This time, an important figure of the Heavenly Doctrine has been executed. Mr. Xie has performed great merit!”

Everyone’s gazes fell on Xie Wei, their eyes more or less showing admiration.

Of course, some people were relatively simple.

Xie Wei, however, acted as if he hadn’t seen anything and smiled flawlessly, saying, “It was merely that the people under my command happened to stumble upon their incense hall gathering. They were slightly alert, which is why they contacted the Shuntian Prefect to send people to surround and suppress them, shooting that Gongyi Cheng to death with arrows. Your subject learned of the news not as quickly as Your Majesty and dares not claim credit.”

If Lu Xian were here to hear this, he would probably be greatly shocked—

Hadn’t Xie Wei personally killed that Gongyi Cheng?

How was it that at this moment, it had become the Shuntian Prefect who had executed him during a suppression operation?!

But in this Southern Study, not a single person knew the truth. Each person only contemplated how this Xie Shaoshi was already deeply trusted by Shen Lang, and after this matter, he would probably rise even higher—truly enviable.

Shen Lang, however, felt indescribable satisfaction.

He paced forward with his hands clasped behind his back, even appearing somewhat spirited and ambitious, saying, “This Heavenly Doctrine’s treasonous ambition to overthrow my dynasty never dies. Taking advantage of the Marquis of Yongyi Manor’s affair, they spread rumors everywhere to cause chaos. This time, their stronghold in the capital was eradicated in one stroke, and the great traitor who strategized for their leader was killed! It must be that Heaven is destroying this sect. Continuing like this, we’ll soon be able to uproot these rebel traitors entirely!”

Everyone echoed in agreement, praising “Your Majesty’s wisdom.”

But the newly appointed Minister of Justice, Gu Chunfang, with his stern, cold face, furrowed his brows. Without much joy, he only said, “It’s a pity that during the Shuntian Prefecture’s suppression operation, they didn’t know this person’s identity and shot him to death with arrows. Since this person had been strategizing at the bandit chief’s side for twenty or thirty years, he must have known many details about the Heavenly Doctrine—a person of utmost importance in this sect. If we could have captured him alive and interrogated him thoroughly, who knows how much useful information would have been revealed…”

Everyone immediately became somewhat abashed.

Hearing this, Xie Wei’s gaze flickered slightly, but it was as if he thought of something. He said, “If we could capture him alive, that would indeed be best, but now that this person is dead, it doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t be put to use.”

Gu Chunfang’s two eyebrows already showed some frost-white.

Hearing Xie Wei’s words, he immediately raised his brows and looked over at Xie Wei. “Xie Shaoshi has an insightful opinion?”

“I wouldn’t dare claim that.” Xie Wei was very polite, and while speaking, he bowed to Gu Chunfang, then said, “If Minister Gu hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have thought deeply about it. However, once Minister Gu spoke, an idea emerged in my mind. However, it may be somewhat risky.”

Shen Lang immediately became curious. “What idea?”

The corners of Xie Wei’s lips curved slightly as he said, “The court suppressed the Heavenly Doctrine rebels and killed many of them. Although an important figure like Gongyi Cheng was among them, this news is only known by the authorities and the court. That is to say, the Heavenly Doctrine’s side doesn’t know that Gongyi Cheng has died. If we spread the word, falsely claiming that Gongyi Cheng didn’t die but was only captured by the court and is currently being interrogated under torture—according to what Minister Gu just said, this person must know many Heavenly Doctrine secrets. The Heavenly Doctrine, fearing their secrets will leak, will certainly send people to rescue him. At that time, we need only deploy people in ambush, or go even more risky…”

When he reached this point, he paused.

Everyone listened and nodded.

Even Gu Chunfang couldn’t help stroking his beard in contemplation, then asked, “And what if we go even more risky?”

Xie Wei’s gaze lowered slightly as he actually said, “These past days we’ve also captured quite a few Heavenly Doctrine rebels. After repeated interrogations, regarding Gongyi Cheng—most of these people have seen him and know what he looks like. However, rumor has it that there is another person who strategizes for that Heavenly Doctrine bandit chief, called the ‘Dujun Hermit,’ who is deeply hidden and has never appeared before others. Even among the Heavenly Doctrine followers, even some incense hall masters, none have seen this person’s face. Only an extremely few people at the Jinling main altar know his background. If we use Gongyi Cheng as bait to lure the enemy to attempt rescue, but secretly deploy another person to lurk in the prison among the Heavenly Doctrine followers, falsely claiming to be this ‘Dujun Hermit,’ and travel all the way back with the many sect members who come to rescue, we’ll surely be able to learn many secrets of the sect. After obtaining information about this sect’s other strongholds, we can find an opportunity to withdraw. This should yield great gains!”

Hearing this, the others almost couldn’t suppress the hair standing up on the backs of their necks, while simultaneously they couldn’t help but silently cry out in admiration.

This was truly a bold plan!

But the opportunities and gains hidden within were truly somewhat tempting.

Shen Lang said, “But whom should we send?”

Yes indeed.

Whom to send?

The former plan using Gongyi Cheng as bait was still manageable. But the latter—if one wasn’t careful and their identity was exposed, they might perish among the rebels. It was truly too dangerous.

Everyone furrowed their brows in contemplation.

Xie Wei swept a glance around. After waiting for a moment without anyone speaking, he slightly leaned forward, preparing to speak.

However, just at this moment, Gu Chunfang, who had been standing not far away, actually opened his mouth and said, “If we speak of intelligence and strategy, this old official has heard of Xie Shaoshi’s reputation. Originally, we should first recommend the Shaoshi, as only you could handle such a situation. But Xie Shaoshi’s reputation is too prominent. If you falsely claim to be that Heavenly Doctrine’s ‘Dujun Hermit,’ it would require much more effort and would invite suspicion. This old official has a candidate here who has also thoroughly studied the Heavenly Doctrine’s case files and knows much about them. Perhaps he can serve.”

Xie Wei’s pupils immediately contracted slightly as he looked toward Gu Chunfang.

However, Shen Lang asked, “Who can serve?”

Gu Chunfang then looked behind himself before saying, “It is this old official’s former subordinate, also currently one of the Thirteen Bureau of Personnel Principal Officials of the Ministry of Justice—Zhang Zhe.”

Zhang Zhe stood at the very end. At this moment, everyone’s gazes instantly converged upon him.

However, he kept his eyes lowered without much reaction.

Xie Wei quietly observed this person, but the fingers hidden in his sleeves secretly clenched tighter. Since Gu Chunfang had said these words, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to suggest going himself anymore…