The sky had not long been bright when the carriage bearing the plaque of the Northern Yamen arrived, waiting by the grand gates of the Jiang residence.

The coachman was yet another unfamiliar face. Jiang Wang subconsciously noted his soul breath before looking into the carriage. Zheng Shangming and Lin Youxie were both inside, seated one on each side, silent. Each technique had its specialized attack. In the single night since they last met, they must have made some progress in their respective endeavors, yet their expressions revealed nothing. Those skilled at finding clues were naturally also skilled at concealing them.

Jiang Wang bowed his body and stepped into the carriage, seating himself in the center.

“This coachman is from my own family,” Zheng Shangming said, breaking the silence. “There are extra street patrols near your residence, as ordered by Chang Le Palace. Lin Vice-Envoy’s residence has them too. The Crown Prince has given strict orders that this case must not be interfered with.”

Jiang Wang knew this was a veiled threat concerning the outcome of the coachman incident. It wasn’t that he, Jiang, was incapable of mobilizing a larger force; it was simply that the coachman had, in various senses, vanished, and there was no trail leading to anyone.

“Understood,” Jiang Wang replied.

His interest in today’s search was waning. His mind was entirely consumed by what clues Gongsun Yu might provide. He had originally planned to cultivate all the way to Chang Sheng Palace when Lin Youxie suddenly spoke.

“We have the results of the examination of that bowl of medicinal soup from the Eleventh Hall.”

“What did it reveal?”

“Besides the spirit-suppressing grass, there was also Burning Sun Flower, Scarlet Fish Powder, Crimson Spider Legs… all are herbs that resist cold poison.”

“Looks like nothing out of the ordinary,” Jiang Wang said.

“Yes.” Lin Youxie turned to Zheng Shangming. “Captain Zheng, did your interrogation yesterday yield any harvest? I heard you went to examine the corpse again last night?”

Zheng Shangming gave a wry smile. “I originally thought I’d find something, but it turned out to be wishful thinking. Handling cases is like this, it’s inevitable to walk down the wrong path.”

Lin Youxie nodded and asked again, “Then Captain Zheng, do you have any insights to share today?”

“One’s approach to handling cases should be broad, but one cannot just imagine things out of thin air. We still need to let the clues speak, gather evidence first, and then talk about other things.” Despite the platitudes, Zheng Shangming’s expression was very serious as he spoke.

Lin Youxie simply said, “Captain Zheng is absolutely right!”

Jiang Wang remained expressionless throughout. These two had come all the way from the Northern Yamen together, had been in the carriage together for so long, and hadn’t said a word! They had simply waited for him to arrive, then went through the motions.

“Lord Jiang seems to be in a low mood?” Zheng Shangming asked pointedly.

“Oh?” Jiang Wang countered.

“I noticed you haven’t been speaking much,” Zheng Shangming explained.

Jiang Wang said in a muffled voice, “Ultimately, you two are responsible for investigating this case. It’s fine as long as you reach a consensus.”

“That’s true,” Zheng Shangming nodded, no longer speaking.

Amidst the strange quiet in the carriage, they arrived at Chang Sheng Palace once again.

Zheng Shangming and Lin Youxie were indeed very active, fully immersing themselves in the search of Chang Sheng Palace, from the front hall to the back hall, from Jiang Wuqi’s sleeping quarters to the rooms of the eunuchs and palace maids… not letting go of a single clue. Jiang Wang silently followed behind, only speaking when absolutely necessary.

This time, the search covered the entire Chang Sheng Palace. Zheng Shangming and Lin Youxie practically turned over every nook and cranny, until the sun set in the west, before declaring the end of the search.

“Lord Lin, have you found any useful clues?” Zheng Shangming asked.

“A thousand threads, ten thousand knots, more and more confused.” Lin Youxie shook his head and countered, “And you, Lord Zheng?”

Zheng Shangming also shook his head. “Same as Lord Lin. I feel that Feng Gu’s death… might not be related to the revenge of the Kingdom of Equality?”

“That’s a very high possibility!” Lin Youxie said very seriously.

Jiang Wang silently watched their performance, making no sound.

“Lord Jiang, have you made any discoveries?” Lin Youxie suddenly asked.

“No discoveries, you two are both quite normal.” Jiang Wang turned and said, “Let’s go back.”

Lin Youxie and Zheng Shangming had clearly both set their sights on the case of Noble Consort Lei’s stabbing. Both knew the other’s intentions, and both pretended not to know.

Lin Youxie only wanted to uncover the truth of that year, and make it known to the public, to restore her father’s good name. To this day, in the Northern Yamen’s records, Prime Minister Lin’s cause of death was still listed as “failing to handle the case forcefully, fearing responsibility and ending his own life,” his good name lost!

Zheng Shangming also wanted to uncover the truth of that year, but whether this “truth” was made public had to align with the Emperor’s preferences, and this was to pave the way for his future succession to the position of Northern Yamen Commandant. If Jiang Wang was willing to first serve as the Northern Yamen Commandant, then he would share the clues in this case with him. If Jiang Wang was unwilling, he would perform well himself. The conflict between the two lay precisely here, so who found the truth first became the key to the problem.

Since Jiang Wang had put it this way, there was no longer any need for them to pretend. Thus, they left.

The heavy palace gates slowly closed, temporarily sealing this palace.

The three blue plaques silently sat in the carriage. It was interesting that everyone in this carriage felt they were approaching the truth. Though silent, each had a goal and a choice.

Lin Youxie needed Jiang Wang to turn a blind eye and an open eye – the open eye being “truth,” and the blind eye being “duty.” She wanted to first gain control of the clues in the Noble Consort Lei stabbing case and dig out the truth of that year.

Zheng Shangming wanted Jiang Wang to agree to take over as the Northern Yamen Commandant, and then he would share the clues within this case with him. He also needed Jiang Wang to turn a blind eye and an open eye – the open eye being “loyalty,” and the blind eye being “truth.”

As for Jiang Wang himself, he wanted to make a choice after mastering the truth. The best outcome would be for the final destination of the three to be consistent. That is, the situation Chong Xuan Sheng described as “the Emperor should know the truth.” But Jiang Wang also had to make the worst-case scenario.

Of course, while Lin Youxie and Zheng Shangming were searching for clues that day, Jiang Wang was silently cultivating. But in reality, that entire day was just the three of them testing each other’s patience.

The carriage dropped off Zheng Shangming and Lin Youxie at the Northern Yamen, then sent Jiang Wang back to his residence alone. Having watched a boring play at Chang Sheng Palace all day, he had no desire to go to the Northern Yamen again. Anyway, neither side was going to share clues with him at this point, so he simply left directly.

“This is too boring…” This was Jiang Wang’s only thought after getting out of the carriage.

Fortunately, he had his preparations. Stepping into the residence, he went directly back to his own bedroom, closed the door, and began to cultivate. He wasn’t like this for a day or two, but every day, so it wasn’t unusual.

Jiang Wang was trapped in cultivation, unable to extricate himself. Chong Xuan Sheng, on the other hand, was taking advantage of Chong Xuan Zun’s absence to busy himself flattering the Marquess of Bo Wang, being very diligent. The moment Jiang Wang returned to his residence, Chong Xuan Sheng and Fourteen left the house with great fanfare. They pulled two full carriages of supplements, heading straight for the Marquess of Bo Wang’s residence. This kind of ostentatious behavior was not rare for him, and probably not many people in Linzi didn’t know about his, Sheng Young Master’s, filial piety…

With Chong Xuan Zun absent, he was the undisputed young master of the Marquess’s residence, although more often than not, this fatty only preferred to live at Jiang Qingyang’s place.

Upon entering the grand gates of the Marquess’s residence, Chong Xuan Sheng immediately pulled the housekeeper’s hand and said very seriously, “These are supplements I bought with great difficulty, be sure to have the storehouse receive them well, thank you!”

The housekeeper was flattered and repeatedly said yes.

Chong Xuan Sheng waved his hand and walked inside with large strides. It was his own home, of course, he didn’t need anyone to lead the way. He didn’t stop shouting until he was far inside the courtyard. “Grandfather, your grandson has come to see you!”

“What are you shouting for, what are you shouting for!”

Chong Xuan Mingguang, who was moving a small stool to pinch the old master’s feet while Chong Xuanyun Bo lay on a recliner, had already put on an elder’s demeanor and began to scold him. “The old master is already over a hundred years old, and his cultivation is beginning to decline. How can he endure you shouting like this? What if you scare him and something happens! Really, you’re so big, yet you’re still not sensible at all.”

Fourteen stood outside the courtyard.

Chong Xuan Sheng walked in alone, facing Chong Xuan Mingguang’s spittle, his face still full of smiles. “Uncle is right. Haven’t I specifically bought two carriages of supplements? Just to make sure nothing happens to grandfather!”

“At this age, and without divine arrival, what’s the use of supplements? It’s just a waste of money. Will you still be able to manage after this?”

Chong Xuan Mingguang was teaching his nephew, but his hands didn’t stop massaging. He turned to look at the old master, his seriousness instantly turning into flattery. “Dad, isn’t that the reason? When managing people, you can’t be too extravagant. I’ve been thrifty for so many years, and my account books are so beautiful, what do you say…”

The old master only looked at him faintly. “Listening to your tone, it seems you’re a little unhappy that I’m living too long?”

This look was very familiar! Wasn’t it a precursor to a beating?

Chong Xuan Mingguang, who had been afraid since he was a child, suddenly panicked. “Son… son didn’t mean that.”

“If you’re not talking, then shut up.” The old master impatiently withdrew his leg. “Go sit to the side!”

He originally thought this guy was coming to the county diligently every day to beat the drum for his grandson Chong Xuan Zun’s succession to the title. It was a little obvious, but after all, it was a parent’s heart. As the head of the family, he could understand.

Ho! He didn’t expect this waste of material actually had some desire to inherit the family business himself! What nerve!

If he didn’t pinch it off quickly, how could it succeed? Chong Xuanyun Bo couldn’t help but reflect on himself, when exactly did he give this guy such an illusion… If his grandson wasn’t still in front of him, considering his dignity as an uncle, he would have kicked him out long ago.

“Oh.” Chong Xuan Mingguang aggrievedly moved the small stool away.

Chong Xuan Sheng swayed his fat body closer, that was graceful. He looked at Chong Xuan Mingguang, his face full of smiles. “Uncle, you are also over sixty. You can eat these supplements too, I’ll buy more if it’s not enough.”

Chong Xuan Mingguang, such a handsome man who raced against time, hated nothing more than others mentioning his age. But at this time, facing the old master, he couldn’t get angry, he couldn’t possibly scold his nephew for caring about him, right? He only said “good child” with his mouth, quietly turned his face away, and glared fiercely at Chong Xuan Sheng.

Chong Xuan Sheng accepted the smile without any reaction.

Chong Xuanyun Bo half-reclined on the recliner and said slowly, “Why did you suddenly think of sending me supplements?”

Chong Xuan Sheng had someone move a large chair next to the old master’s side, smiled and sat down, leaning in front of him and saying, “Haven’t I always cared about grandfather? You are the pillar of the Chong Xuan family, you must be protected extremely well!”

Chong Xuanyun Bo suddenly sighed. “A pillar of the sky that needs protection, can it still be a pillar of the sky?” This was an old general who had taken off his armor for his family, and then put it on again. His entire life had been spent on the battlefield. And he was already so old.

Chong Xuan Sheng didn’t laugh, and said seriously, “As long as you are here, the sky will not fall.”

“Sheng’er, you are very smart, I haven’t seen many children smarter than you.” Chong Xuanyun Bo looked at him and said slowly, “But smart people are often self-confident in their smartness, they don’t put the rules of the world in their eyes, they feel they can control anything… sometimes, you should know when to stop. Even our Chong Xuan family, there are some things we cannot meddle with.”

Chong Xuan Sheng wanted to borrow the cover of the Marquess of Bo Wang’s residence to quietly send Jiang Wang out of the city, which was naturally impossible to hide from Chong Xuanyun Bo. This was originally not a big deal, what made the old master wary was naturally the Noble Consort Lei stabbing case.

“Grandfather, rest assured, I know my limits,” Chong Xuan Sheng said.

“Exactly!” Chong Xuan Mingguang suddenly interjected from the side.

Chong Xuan Sheng looked at him with some surprise. Could you actually understand what we’re saying?

Chong Xuan Mingguang then looked at his fat nephew with a proud expression that said “I’ve caught you in the act”. “I heard you’re running a gambling house, is that right? Gambling harms people! How many families are ruined, how many wives are separated from their children. Is this the business of a proper family? It simply damages the reputation of our Chong Xuan family! Today, I’ll say it here. I am irreconcilable with the word ‘gamble’! Our Chong Xuan family is irreconcilable with the word ‘gamble’! You cannot go astray, it will be too late to regret it then!”

“Dad.” He probably also knew that no matter how fiercely he spoke, it was useless. He turned to find Chong Xuanyun Bo wanting support. “Tell this boy to quickly close it down.”

Chong Xuan Sheng was stunned. “Uncle, I saw you visiting a gambling house just two days ago!”

Chong Xuan Mingguang’s eyes widened. “Visiting a gambling house and opening a gambling house are the same? Is it one nature? You are harming people, I am being harmed! Can our Marquess of Bo Wang’s residence do business that harms people?”

Chong Xuanyun Bo was clearly a little tired, but he didn’t have much of a mood. If he could have been taught well, why would he be like this today? He only waved his hand at Chong Xuan Sheng helplessly. “Indeed, there is no need to do this kind of business.”

“Actually, grandson just invested a few percent of the dry stock, and it’s under someone else’s name…” Chong Xuan Sheng explained this sentence, then said, “Since both grandfather and uncle have spoken, grandson will go back and close it.”

Chong Xuan Mingguang nodded in satisfaction. “Knowing your mistakes and being able to correct them is the greatest good. Although Sheng’er had a moment of misguided thought, he is still a son of our Chong Xuan family, the foundation is still good!” He then put on a serious face again, playing a set of both grace and power. “Now, go back and close the shop, lest you regret it later. That gambling house is open for another hour, and our Chong Xuan family will be pricked by others for another hour! I sit here, and I feel like I’m sitting on pins and needles!”

Chong Xuan Sheng, instead, didn’t seem to mind at all, and said with a smile, “Uncle is right, nephew will go back and close the gambling house now.” He then said to Chong Xuanyun Bo, “Grandfather, I’ll come to see you next time then.”

Chong Xuan Mingguang was afraid that his fat nephew would take advantage of his genius son’s absence to sweet-talk the old master into favoring him, and hurriedly said, “Go on, go on, the old master has me here. Don’t worry, go back and cultivate well. Your cultivation has also fallen too far behind!”

Even Chong Xuan Sheng, who always adhered to the principle of “whatever you say is right” when it came to Chong Xuan Mingguang, felt his hair stand on end when he heard this. You old man, how dare you criticize my cultivation? But after thinking about it, he still smiled and left the courtyard on his own. With an uncle like this, what else could he expect?

Chong Xuan Mingguang probably didn’t know Chong Xuan Sheng’s thoughts. He watched his fat nephew leave, feeling that he had won another important game for his own genius son, and his spirits were greatly lifted. If he didn’t worry himself, how would Zun’er manage? How would this family manage?

He looked around and saw no one else, then huddled back to the old master’s side. With a diligent face, he said mysteriously, “Old master, didn’t you just say the pillar of the sky, the pillar that can’t hold up anything… I understand you! I have a formula here, it’s quite useful…”

On this side, Chong Xuan Sheng had almost left the Marquess’s residence when he suddenly heard an angry roar from the back courtyard, like an old general returning to the battlefield, like an angry lion waking up, like a fierce tiger roaring in the mountains—

“This old man will kill you, this unfilial son!”