How could they possibly guess?

“Master Xiang, please just tell us directly.”

“Sitting beside An Ran was the later Commander of the Brocade Guard, Yu Shengyan.”

Yu Shengyan?

It was actually Yu Shengyan!

Yan Sanhe’s first reaction was to look at Xie Zhifei. She discovered that Xie Zhifei, wearing an expression of utter disbelief, was looking back at her.

Not just disbelief—it was as if a pie had fallen from heaven, hitting them on the head, leaving them somewhat dizzy and dazed.

An Ran had been wanted by the Qi Kingdom for making fake waist tokens.

Yu Shengyan was very likely the actual implementer of the Zheng family case.

An Ran and Yu Shengyan were eating together in a private room.

Could they confirm that the half waist token and the blood-stained cowhide were An Ran’s handiwork?

The answer was: Yes!

First, An Ran was from the Qi Kingdom and knew Qi Kingdom script.

Second, he had been in the Qi royal court and knew the characteristics of Qi royal waist tokens.

Finally, he had the ability and a prior record of forging waist tokens.

Xie Zhifei forcibly suppressed his joy and asked, “Master Xiang, does this mean An Ran was recruited into the Brocade Guard?”

Master Xiang: “I truly don’t know. That time at Zui Jing Xiang was the last time I saw him.”

Xie Zhifei: “Then do you know whether he’s currently alive or dead?”

Master Xiang: “I don’t know, and I wouldn’t care.”

The three words “Brocade Guard” were not only taboo in common people’s hearts, but even civil and military officials would avoid them at all costs.

When Master Xiang saw An Ran mixed up with Brocade Guard people, his last bit of goodwill vanished. From then on, he never thought about this person again.

Yesterday morning, he was strolling in his son’s courtyard and saw a lotus flower drawn on paper. He kept feeling he had seen that lotus somewhere but couldn’t quite recall.

In the middle of the night, a scene of the tribal village suddenly flashed through his mind. Only then did all the past events reload into his brain, and he finally remembered why that lotus flower was so familiar.

At daybreak, he called his son before him and asked about the origin of that lotus flower.

His son didn’t dare hide it from him and explained the ins and outs of the matter completely. After much hesitation, he ultimately decided to make this trip.

Master Xiang stood up. “Miss Yan, that’s all I have to say.”

“Wait a moment, Master Xiang.”

Yan Sanhe quickly walked before him. “I rarely thank people, but to you, I must say a word of thanks.”

Master Xiang was about to say “you’re too kind,” but seeing Yan Sanhe’s earnest eyes, he ultimately said nothing.

“I’ll have Ding Yi and Huang Qi secretly protect you for a period of time.”

Fearing he would refuse, Yan Sanhe quickly added, “This is the younger generation’s obsession. Please fulfill this wish, Master Xiang.”

Though Master Xiang had spent his whole life dealing with wood, having lived so many years, he had seen quite a few people.

This young lady’s origins were unclear, but her eyes were clean and clear.

Whether a person was upright or not could be known by looking at their eyes.

He liked upright things. They could bear the main beam. When the main beam was set well, the house built wouldn’t collapse.

Master Xiang spoke slowly: “Then protect for a period of time.”

Xie Zhifei immediately stepped forward: “Master Xiang, Mingting and I will see you out.”

“Master Xiang, when you need to offer incense, chant sutras, or invite a Daoist priest, please don’t be polite with me.”

Pei Xiao’s face was full of smiles: “If there are any difficulties at your residence, just tell Xie Wu Shi. If he dares say no, I’ll scold him for you.”

Looking at the young people before him, Master Xiang suddenly felt this trip was worthwhile.

People, after all, cannot rush forward when there are benefits and retreat when there’s trouble.

Under heaven’s affairs, who can say for certain? What if one day misfortune befalls the Xiang family? He also hoped someone would extend a helping hand at a critical moment.

“Good, I’ll trouble Third Master and Young Master Pei to see me out.”

“Master Xiang, please!”

“Please!”

…

This seeing-off continued all the way to the alley entrance.

Ding Yi and Huang Qi openly followed behind Master Xiang.

Using Third Master’s words, this was a silent warning to those watching them from the shadows: The young masters are already prepared. If you dare come again, we’ll kill you!

After the carriage left, Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao jogged all the way back to the villa.

The news Master Xiang had brought was too important. They had to immediately discuss with Yan Sanhe what to do next.

Yan Sanhe was waiting for them in the study.

Li Buyan replaced the cold tea and brought four cups of hot tea.

Xie Zhifei drank several sips, his mind very clear:

“In a bit, I’ll personally go find Han Yong to inquire about this person An Ran, but don’t hold too much hope. Most likely we won’t find him.”

Li Buyan pursed her lips: “More than likely he was silenced by murder.”

Xie Zhifei: “That’s just one aspect.”

Li Buyan: “Could there be another aspect?”

“The Brocade Guard has a type of person. These people each possess special skills. On the surface they’re all ordinary commoners—blacksmiths blacksmith, butchers butcher—but secretly, they’re actually Brocade Guard people.”

Xie Zhifei: “This group of people has no names in the registry. Only their superiors know of their existence. In professional terms, they’re called ‘hidden doors.'”

Yan Sanhe: “You mean An Ran is a hidden door.”

“Extremely likely.”

Xie Zhifei sneered: “Just based on his identity as a Qi Kingdom person, it would be impossible for him to gain a foothold in the Brocade Guard.”

Pei Xiao slapped the table: “Then let’s not waste words. Let’s find him first, then talk. Xie Wu Shi, I’ll go with you.”

Xie Zhifei looked at Yan Sanhe without moving. The spring sunlight shone through the window onto his body, reflecting the gentle color in his eyes:

“Yan Sanhe, what’s your opinion?”

Yan Sanhe was dazzled by the gentle color in his eyes, her voice involuntarily softening as well.

“The person might not be findable, but the work he did certainly wouldn’t be limited to just the waist token and cowhide.”

Instantly, Xie Zhifei was enlightened.

Right.

An Ran had this unique skill of forgery. If he was a Brocade Guard hidden door, he would certainly do all kinds of forgery work for the Brocade Guard.

Following this line of thought to inquire would be easier than simply searching for the person.

Only then did Xie Zhifei turn to look at Pei Xiao.

“Ding Yi and Huang Qi are still more convenient by our side. You make another trip to Chonghua Palace. Have Huairen arrange people to protect Master Xiang.”

Pei Xiao: “…”

Why was it always him running errands to find Huairen?

He was also a bit scared!

Seeing him not move, Xie Zhifei grew anxious in his heart and said viciously: “Go! What are you standing there for?”

Pei Xiao was about to kick him and curse him thoroughly, but seeing Li Buyan beside them, he rose gracefully:

“When matters are urgent, the heart cannot be hasty. Xie Wu Shi, you still need to cultivate yourself!”

Xie Wu Shi: “…”

This old man isn’t becoming a monk. What’s there to cultivate?

After the two left, Yan Sanhe looked at Li Buyan:

“Go to the Han family courier station. Have Han Xu help inquire again whether there’s anyone in the capital who’s particularly good at making forgeries.”

Li Buyan understood immediately.

That person called An Ran, since he could forge waist tokens to make money for himself, was clearly someone without much of a bottom line.

Hiding in the capital, he wouldn’t just forge things for the Brocade Guard. As long as the money was sufficient, he would certainly take any job.

“I’ll go right now.”