Chapter 193: The Hidden Hand Appears

The old master was still uneasy and tentatively asked, "What is your relationship with him? How can you be so confident letting him know about this matter?"

Chi Nan Yi recounted how she met Xie Yuwei, saying, "Sir Xie is your prized disciple; I imagine his character and talent are both outstanding. As a gentleman, he surely knows what to do."

Hearing her unreserved praise of Xie Yuwei, Old Master Chi couldn't help but ask, "Since you think he's so good, what about your…?"

"Stop!" Chi Nan Yi waved her hand. "How could I possibly have that kind of relationship with Sir Xie? We are purely revolutionary friends."

"Revolutionary friendship? What is that?"

"You wouldn't understand even if I explained. In short, remember that Xie and I are completely innocent—past, present, and future all remain spotless!"

Seeing her so solemnly swear, they finally felt at ease.

After all, Chi Nan Yi had just been reinstated; she is the prized pearl of the Chi family, an incomparable treasure! Not to mention lingering thoughts—if anyone even glanced at her, all those grown men, from old to young, would surely scramble for her.

Chi Nan Yi reiterated the plague in the city, and Old Master Chi frowned tightly after listening: "I never imagined people's hearts have sunk this low, resorting to deliberate poisoning, causing so many civilians to meet a gruesome end—truly a loss of all virtue."

"The mastermind behind this hasn't been caught yet, and Liangzhou City remains highly risky. Maternal relative, once the epidemic is cleared, Liangzhou will reopen, and then we'll head back to Jingcheng!"

"Fine." Before Old Master Chi could speak, Chi Xingzhi cut in: "It so happens I haven't returned to Jingcheng for a long time, and I don't know if those interesting taverns are still open. If they are, when we get back to Jingcheng, big brother will take you there for fun."

As the words faded, a stick dropped toward Chi Xingzhi.

"Sir, why does a child like you butt in?"

"I was just talking nicely with Yi'er, and you showed up, huh?"

"You stinky brat, I think you're just itching for trouble!"

Old Master Chi, who has prized his dignity all his life, is now, at his age, forced by his grandson to break his guard.

Chi Nan Yi looked at Old Master Chi's demeanor, a slight smile curving her lips; to have so many family members accompany her in this life is truly an honor.

The next day, when Chi Nan Yi returned to the relay inn, she found many soft sedan chairs parked outside. The officials she had seen at the city gate that day were standing there with utmost respect; even though they were turned away, not a hint of displeasure crossed their faces.

"Our lord has said there will be no guests for a few days; please, gentlemen, return!" Qing Zhuo said in a flat tone, almost rolling his eyes at them.

"Kindly convey that a few of us can wait here; it's not too late to speak after the lord finishes his business."

"Our lord has said that until we return to Jingcheng, there is no time to entertain you gentlemen; please return!"

The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with heavy gloom.

Now that the city's epidemic is under control, everyone knows it's thanks to Xie Yuwei; when he returns to Jingcheng, the Emperor will surely grant him honors. If Xie were to reveal their neglect of him now, the Emperor would erupt in fury.

Then they would all suffer the consequences.

It's all Li's fault; had he not meddled, they wouldn't have ignored Xie Yuwei.

If they hadn't slighted him from the start, they wouldn't have to grovel like this now.

At that moment, Zhao, standing at the front, flicked his eyes, walked up to Qing Zhuo, and whispered a few words.

Qing Zhuo raised an eyebrow: "Sir, please wait a moment."

Soon after, Qing Zhuo emerged from the relay inn, allowing only Zhao Cheng to go inside.

Zhao Cheng approached Xie Yuwei and knelt down outright.

"Sir Xie, save me!"

Xie Yuwei furrowed his brow and said in a deep voice, "Lord Zhao, what do you mean?"

"Sir Xie, some time ago I received this," he said, handing over a note. Xie Yuwei frowned at its contents, which were strikingly similar to the one Ge Linquan had sent, except it omitted any mention of grain.

"What is this?" Xie Yuwei asked calmly, as if seeing the note for the first time: "Lord Zhao, where did you obtain this note?"

Zhao Cheng observed his expression and whispered, "I have no idea when this note was tossed into the study. Reading its contents only fills me with fear; I beg you, Sir Xie, save me and my entire family."

"Lord Zhao, rest assured, I will definitely report this matter to the Emperor."

After Zhao Cheng left, Xie Yuwei threw the note onto the table and said coldly, "You really think I'm a fool."

"Sir, Miss Chi has arrived."

"Please, quickly!" Upon hearing Chi Nan Yi's name, Xie Yuwei's eyes lit up, and a faint excitement stirred within him.

"Sir Xie." Chi Nan Yi entered carrying a box of tea leaves: "You left in a hurry yesterday; the maternal relative said these are your favorite tea, so I brought them for you."

"Miss Chi, you are overly courteous. It should have been me, as the junior, presenting a gift to him, but I came in such a hurry this time and didn't know if he was here, so I hadn't prepared anything," Xie Yuwei said with a smile. "The first time I saw you, you seemed familiar, but your parents were both present then, so I didn't think much. I never imagined you were truly a descendant of Old Chi, but when you were in Yuping Village, your family…"

"This story is long; when I have time, I'll recount it to you in detail," Chi Nan Yi said, her gaze falling on the note in his hand. Seeing this, Xie Yuwei didn't hide it and unfolded the note for her: "This is the one Lord Zhao delivered today; its content is roughly identical to the note Ge Linquan gave me back then."

"Do you mean that perhaps every official in Liangzhou City received this threatening letter?"

Xie Yuwei nodded: "Exactly, but we don't know who the mastermind is or what his goal is."

"If you think about it, it's not hard to see: Lord Zhao presenting the note now either aims to portray himself as a victim, leaving a fallback before the Emperor, or to test whether you have heard anything from Ge Linquan."

Xie Yuwei nodded: "We happened to arrive at the same conclusion."

But whatever his motive, it cannot change his fate.

Night fell in the Zhao mansion's study.

A man in a black robe sat in the main seat, while Zhao Cheng stood nearby, bowing low to serve.

"Sir," Zhao Cheng said with a flattering expression, "I have already submitted the note. Judging by Xie Yuwei's reaction, it seems to be his first time seeing this note."

"It had best be so." The black-robed man's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice low and hoarse, carrying thick killing intent: "Ge Linquan cannot be spared. Once we find where he is imprisoned, kill him directly."

Zhao Cheng nodded: "Yes, it's just… My Lord, the position of Prefect of Liangzhou Prefecture that you mentioned earlier…"