Snowy night.

Having just broken the shocking big case, Sheng Yuan Yao was too lazy to even participate in the subsequent discussions and returned to Xia State overnight through the snow.

She arrived full of energy, galloping on her horse quickly, but left leading her horse, her face pale.

Behind her followed a group of Xia State Zhenmisi subordinates, each with injuries, all very silent as they looked at her back.

No matter how this matter was finally defined, everyone’s merit was not small, and they all seemed likely to be promoted one level. But in fact, everyone basically knew nothing about this matter, fought blindly and got injured, only suddenly realizing at the end, as if they had picked up something for free.

Then they also knew that the dream of this young girl leader, who had a dream in her heart, was almost shattered.

Lu Xingzhou always accompanied her walking on the official road outside the city, like accompanying a walk after a meal.

Only after leaving the city for several li did Sheng Yuan Yao finally speak: “Can your foot walk for so long without issue? I saw you trying not to move during the battle.”

“Walking is still okay now, I should say I need to try to walk slower… As for fighting, if not forced to that extent, I won’t move if I can avoid it.”

Sheng Yuan Yao nodded: “No matter what, I still have to thank you this time.”

“I didn’t achieve the result you wanted.”

“…… That’s not your problem. What you did far exceeded the scope of a helper, saying you led is not an exaggeration.” Sheng Yuan Yao thought for a moment, then suddenly laughed: “You are like this on Shen Tang’s side too… Is this your usual style of action?”

Lu Xingzhou hadn’t carefully considered this aspect of the problem, was asked to reflect a bit, and nodded: “Is it? I seem to be like this.”

Sheng Yuan Yao laughed: “Has anyone told you that you are too dominant, doing the role of an assistant like a master, and need to try to restrain you?”

Lu Xingzhou was startled for a moment, fell silent, lowered his head to look at his leg, and only after a long time said: “Shen Tang won’t say that.”

Sheng Yuan Yao snorted and said leisurely: “Then I’ll just wait and see.”

Lu Xingzhou did not reply to this.

The two walked in silence for a while longer, and only then did Sheng Yuan Yao speak in a low voice about the main topic: “When you said the clue should be found at the prefecture level, I agreed in my heart, feeling that the reason I couldn’t find clues of demons in Xia State was probably because someone at the prefecture level was covering it up. So as soon as you said that, I immediately planned to come to the prefecture to investigate… But even so, I never suspected the prefecture guard, not only because it was too shocking, but also because his official reputation was very good.”

Lu Xingzhou knew what she meant. Hao Jingchuan’s official reputation was indeed very good. He had never heard of any corruption or bullying of men and women since he came. And many of his governance measures had contributed significantly to the prosperity of Dongjiang Prefecture, making him a truly good official. Compared to the reputation of the Huo family in Xia State that year, it could be said to be worlds apart, and even better than Xu Bingkun’s reputation.

In the absence of evidence, you cannot even determine that he must have blood food and so on behind him just because he is a demon… Maybe not, because large-scale blood food would be difficult to escape the suspicion of the Dongjiang Prefecture Zhenmisi and could not be hidden for so many years.

Of course, being so good doesn’t mean he is a good demon. This kind of large-scale infiltration can only prove that the scheme is very deep, and he doesn’t want to be pushed down the stage because of some mistake. Perhaps he still wants to be promoted so he can do more.

Sheng Yuan Yao laughed self-deprecatingly: “Now I can’t tell whether all the local officials are people or demons… You see, when a demon case comes out, demons want to cover it up, and people also want to cover it up, how ridiculous.”

That demons want to cover it up is understandable, but precisely because people also want to cover it up, and everyone universally thinks so, this completely shattered the young girl’s dream.

Sheng Yuan Yao continued: “I can’t even tell whether they should be people or demons. Hao Jingchuan is a better official than many bureaucrats.”

“There’s no need to think so hard about this.” Lu Xingzhou finally replied: “Demons, no matter what they do now, their ultimate goal is to eat you and me. Even when I was in Yanluo Hall, in the most demonic period of thinking, I never planned to have any interaction with demons, because everyone has the most fundamental difference… Yan Jun is also like that, killing demons like dogs. Even the demonic path is like this, are you still thinking about this among the court people?”

“Um, I know, I just said that.” Sheng Yuan Yao stretched lazily: “Alas… Anyway, it’s very meaningless… Finding out the case, not daring to investigate further, let alone speaking out, what’s the point of this job? To say it will be better when the position is higher, but my dad couldn’t do it, and I don’t know if I can reach half of my dad’s position in my lifetime. It’s better to go back and be a yamen child who muddle through and wait to die, and tease common girls.”

Lu Xingzhou said: “This is an environmental problem, not dependent on your Sheng family, there’s no need for internal self-consumption.”

“Anyway, I really don’t want to stay in the local area, I’m afraid every time I go to a place I can’t help but dig up these bottoms… You know me, I’m too curious, and I’ll dig something up sooner or later.” Sheng Yuan Yao turned her head and smiled at him: “After Xia State, there may be one less helper you can use. I don’t know who the next city master and Zhenmisi leader will be, you’ll have to solve it yourself. Um… I believe it’s not a problem to talk to you, Young Master Huo.”

Sheng Yuan Yao was actually very certain that Lu Xingzhou was not Huo Shang, but also knew that he was guiding people to think this way now, so she simply helped him solidify it: “I see that Wan Cheng all listen to you now. After helping at the prefecture level, there’s no need for Xia State to do much. When I return to the capital, do you need me to help you solidify the identity of Huo Shang?”

“Vague is fine. Because if the real Huo Shang is alive, he will not be willing to admit this bloodline. It’s more true the more vague it is. For me, even if I want to use this identity, it’s quite disgusting to say I am a member of the Huo family myself. Being vague can also make me more comfortable… Although it’s also self-deception and meaningless.”

“Being able to make yourself more comfortable is meaningful. I find it quite difficult to make myself more comfortable now.”

Lu Xingzhou: “……”

Sheng Yuan Yao laughed: “You are leaning towards this direction now because it is beneficial to Princess Chao Huang?”

Lu Xingzhou frankly said: “Um… partly. Another part is that this identity is indeed useful for my revenge.”

Sheng Yuan Yao curled her lip. Lu Xingzhou’s goodness to Shen Tang made her, who was often used, inexplicably a little jealous, but on second thought, she knew there was nothing to be jealous of. People were lovers, what were you? Did you really think that messing around in the carriage, the Zhenmisi leader in the hall didn’t hear anything?

However, both knew that Shen Tang was a princess, so the term “lover” might change. Should it be called “face favorite”?

Yet she heard Lu Xingzhou say: “Actually, your own inner knot, have you thought about whether this is also a way to solve it?”

Sheng Yuan Yao’s steps paused for a moment.

Lu Xingzhou’s words were very clear. The current emperor was unreliable, and it was hard to say about the other princes. On the contrary, Shen Tang might be much better in this regard. If she, Sheng Yuan Yao, still hoped that the Zhenmisi could do what the Zhenmisi should do, then her Sheng family should choose Shen Tang.

Sheng Yuan Yao stared at his profile: “Is this the meaning of you specially coming out to see me off? Just to tell me this one sentence?”

Lu Xingzhou shook his head: “No, it’s just because my friend is in a bad mood, so I’m accompanying her for a walk. These are just casual chats. In fact, you can’t change the family’s tendency, and what you say has no big use.”

Sheng Yuan Yao looked at him for a while, showing a hint of a smile: “From the fact that you chose the identity of Huo Shang, you will definitely not always stay in Xia State, and you will sooner or later use this identity to enter the capital and cause trouble. Or you will simply enter the capital with Shen Tang, that will be more fun… When that happens, remember to call me for melon, maybe it won’t be the action of walking the demonic path that I catch.”

Lu Xingzhou also laughed: “Certainly.”

“Coming out of the capital this time was quite unhappy, but making you this friend is not a loss.” Sheng Yuan Yao mounted her horse, turned her head and smiled: “Tell A Nuo, the little fat face should not lose weight too early, I still want to rub it next time. Farewell.”

The good horse galloped, and in an instant, it went far away. The Xia State Zhenmisi subordinates hurriedly followed, and Lu Xingzhou did not see them off again. He watched the fire-red cloak disappear into the night, and only slowly turned back to the city.

A Nuo pushed the wheelchair over: “Master, no one is tracking.”

“That’s good, it seems I was overthinking.” Lu Xingzhou sat back in the wheelchair a little tired, took off his mask, and laughed again: “Sheng Yuan Yao likes you very much.”

“Of course, A Nuo is the cutest.” A Nuo pushed the wheelchair back like a fly: “Anyway, no matter how much she likes me, it’s useless, I won’t go and let her rub me.”

“How is that side?”

“Sister Qingli and Yang Dechang are there. This demon, they can’t cover it up even if they want to, it’s just like that. Next, a big clean sweep should begin. Good or bad, it can fulfill what Sister Yao has been thinking about.”

“What she has been thinking about may not be checking one demon in Dongjiang Prefecture… Forget it.” Lu Xingzhou stopped talking and turned to ask: “About Hao Jingchuan’s last shout about the rebel of Fenxiang Lou, do the people on the scene have any indications?”

“They all know that old man is a demon, so of course there are no indications. At this time, their minds are not on these matters.”

“I was still afraid they would have indications, and borrow this excuse to push Fenxiang Lou first, then we wouldn’t even have a mouthful of soup left.” Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: “Now it’s just right. With Hao Jingchuan’s shout, no one will speak up for Fenxiang Lou no matter how we abuse it.”

As he spoke, the wheelchair reached the fork in the road outside the suburbs, where Shen Tang and others were already waiting.

At the same time, there were also Shi Tielong and a group of strong men from the Dongjiang Gang on the scene.

Seeing Lu Xingzhou arrive, Shi Tielong’s expression was extremely solemn. He was not too clear about the details of the battle at the prefecture guard’s mansion, but the prefecture guard’s sentence “Fenxiang Lou rebel” had already spread like wildfire. He knew the matter had succeeded. Not only was the attack not a problem, but even afterwards, no one would cry injustice for Fenxiang Lou.

“Heaven’s time, earth’s advantage, and human harmony.” Lu Xingzhou glanced at the darkness, seeming to be talking to someone: “Rest assured, after tonight, Fenxiang Lou is guaranteed not to say anything.”

Yang Dechang laughed bitterly in the darkness. He knew that he had been set up by Lu Xingzhou again tonight. Now he didn’t even know how to report his relationship with Shen Tang to the higher-ups.

But then again… Lu Xingzhou’s scheme was truly stunning when he thought about it. It seemed that except for being a cripple and his cultivation not keeping up, none of the other several brothers of the Huo family could compare with him.

What if he solved this problem?

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