Chapter 198: Ru Yan

Jiang Xiaomu strove to calm his tone:

"Xiao Yu, go back to your room first; I have some things to discuss with Miss Ru Yan."

Jiang Xiaoyu was a bit doubtful, but she obediently nodded and turned back to her room.

After Jiang Xiaoyu left, Jiang Xiaomu's face darkened as he stared intently at Ru Yan:

"Miss Ru Yan, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Ru Yan wiped off her smile, her expression turning solemn:

"Sir Jiang, I want to make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Jiang Xiaomu raised an eyebrow, "What kind of deal?"

"I know you've been searching for clues about the cause of death of Zhao, the Prefect of Wangjiang Cheng."

Ru Yan spoke in a low voice, saying word by word, "I can tell you the truth."

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted; he never expected Ru Yan to know about this.

He asked in a deep voice, "What exactly do you know?"

Ru Yan did not answer directly, but instead countered:

"Sir Jiang, do you want to know the true culprit?"

Jiang Xiaomu nodded without hesitation: "Of course."

Ru Yan curled the corner of her mouth with a meaningful smile:

"All right, help me with one thing, and I'll tell you."

"What thing?" Jiang Xiaomu felt a faint bad premonition.

"Help me…… get close to the Grand Marshal."

Ru Yan's tone was gentle, yet carried an unquestionable firmness.

Jiang Xiaomu startled, "Get close to the Grand Marshal?" His doubts deepened, and he asked bewilderedly:

"Get close to him? Why?"

"I want you to help me obtain something."

Ru Yan's eyes flickered as she said softly:

"If you help me get that thing, the true cause of Zhao Prefect's death will come to light."

Jiang Xiaomu harbored many doubts, not knowing what medicine Ru Yan was selling from her gourd.

But the cause of Zhao Prefect's death had always been a thorn in his side; he had to uncover the truth.

"At least tell me what that thing is," Jiang Xiaomu asked in a deep voice.

Ru Yan merely gave a mysterious smile:

"I can't tell you yet; when the time comes, you'll naturally know. You just need to promise me to help me obtain that thing."

Jiang Xiaomu stared fixedly at Ru Yan, trying to read something from her face, but her expression remained calm as water, inscrutable.

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu still hesitating, Ru Yan continued:

"Sir Jiang, I know what you're worried about. Approaching the Grand Marshal is no easy task, but you're not without opportunity. I can provide you with all kinds of help—information, connections, and so on. As long as you agree to help me, I guarantee you'll be able to obtain that thing."

Jiang Xiaomu's heart was torn.

He knew this was a gamble full of unknowns, but his obsession with uncovering Zhao Prefect's cause of death made it hard for him to refuse.

Ru Yan stared into Jiang Xiaomu's eyes:

"Zhao Prefect's death isn't as simple as you think. The people involved are far more numerous than you imagine."

"Of course, you can also choose not to believe me and continue investigating. But I guarantee that with your current abilities, you'll never uncover the truth, only wasting your time—and possibly even losing your life."

Ru Yan said softly.

"All right, I agree." Jiang Xiaomu finally made up his mind, raised his head, and looked at Ru Yan with determined eyes,

"I'll help you get that thing, but you must also keep your promise and tell me the true cause of Zhao Prefect's death."

Ru Yan's lips curled into a relieved smile: "Deal."

"Deal."

As soon as her words fell, Ru Yan produced an exquisitely carved jade pendant from her sleeve and handed it to Jiang Xiaomu:

"This is the access token for the Grand Marshal's Residence; with it you can come and go freely."

Jiang Xiaomu took the jade pendant; it felt warm and smooth to the touch.

His mind filled with growing doubts: Who exactly is Ru Yan? Why does she have the access token for the Grand Marshal's Residence?

He was on guard against this woman who had suddenly appeared, staring intently at Ru Yan's eyes, but she remained composed, showing no flaw.

"Miss Ru Yan, just who are you?"

Jiang Xiaomu couldn't help but ask, his tone laced with caution.

Ru Yan did not give a direct answer, merely saying lightly:

"Sir Jiang, I am merely an ordinary mortal with no special status. You only need to know that I sincerely want to help you, and you also need my help."

Jiang Xiaomu gazed into Ru Yan's deep eyes, his heart full of doubts, yet he chose to believe her.

After all, Ru Yan had no reason to harm him, and she held the clue to Zhao Prefect's cause of death, which was crucial to him.

"All right, I understand." Jiang Xiaomu put away the jade pendant,

"I will quickly get close to the Grand Marshal and obtain what you want."

Early the next morning, Jiang Xiaomu brought Xiong Kuohai to the Grand Marshal's Residence.

With the access token given by Ru Yan, they entered the residence smoothly, encountering no obstacles along the way, even skipping the announcement.

Grand Marshal Huo Yunsheng was practicing calligraphy in his study; seeing Jiang Xiaomu arrive suddenly, he flashed a hint of surprise, then quickly regained his composure:

"Sir Jiang, why do you have time to come to my residence today? Has the Empress given any orders?"

Jiang Xiaomu clasped his hands in salute: "Grand Marshal, I have come today to discuss an important matter."

He paused, observing Huo Yunsheng's expression, then continued,

"I have heard that the Grand Marshal is recently recruiting aides; I wonder if I might also be allowed to contribute?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Yunsheng understood; he set down his pen, examined Jiang Xiaomu up and down, and said with a half-smile,

"Sir Jiang, you are in high favor beside the Empress, with a boundless future; why would you humble yourself to come here as my aide?"

Jiang Xiaomu replied calmly,

"Grand Marshal jests; I merely wish to serve the Imperial Court and bring blessings to the people. Moreover, I have long admired the Grand Marshal's talent; to study at his side would be my honor."

Huo Yunsheng burst into laughter:

"Sir Jiang, you are indeed silver-tongued; good, since you have this intention, I will give you an opportunity."

"Thank you, Grand Marshal!"

Jiang Xiaomu felt a surge of joy; he knew he had successfully entered the Grand Marshal's Residence.

Next, he would seek the "thing" that Ru Yan had spoken of.

Over the next few days, Jiang Xiaomu stayed at the Grand Marshal's Residence, assisting Huo Yunsheng with government affairs while secretly observing, searching for the "thing" Ru Yan had mentioned.

Huo Yunsheng seemed intent on testing him, assigning him thorny problems, but Jiang Xiaomu handled them in orderly fashion, causing Huo Yunsheng to look at him anew.

One day, while Jiang Xiaomu was organizing documents in the study, he inadvertently discovered a hidden compartment.

His heart stirred; could it be…

What secret of Huo Yunsheng does this hold?

He gently tapped the hidden compartment, hearing only a soft "click," and it sprang open.

Inside were no gold or silver treasures, only a thin booklet and a small seal.

Jiang Xiaomu carefully took out the booklet, opened it, and his expression instantly turned grave.