Due to the Wu Yi’s Remnant case requiring him to apprehend individuals in the Near Sea Islands, Jiang Wang gained access to the confidential area of the Capital Patrol Office, allowing him to peruse the related intelligence on the Near Sea Islands.

Thanks to the convenience provided by the young master of the Northern Camp Commandant, Jiang Wang learned much information that he didn’t even need for his task.

Such as Huai Island, the Terrace of Heavenly Ends, Yang Valley, and even the various sects scattered throughout the Near Sea Islands.

Certain obscure tales and historical origins were also readily available.

He even investigated the full account of Xu Xiangqian’s romantic rivalry on the Near Sea Islands, which was far more detailed than what Chong Xuansheng had gleefully recounted.

The person who had competed with Xu Ga’e was none other than a direct disciple of the Sea Fishing Pavilion, a young expert named Yang Liu.

They were embroiled in a love triangle over a woman named Zhao Wuyan, who was said to be a genius Confucian cultivator from the Dragon Gate Academy.

The Dragon Gate Academy, like the Azure Cliff Academy, was one of the Four Great Academies in the world, renowned for its ability to nurture prodigies. Entering this academy was like leaping through the Dragon Gate, illustrating its remarkable qualities.

Similarly, the Jixia Academy was also called the Dragon Gate of Qi, but not many acknowledged this outside of Qi. Of course, this was also because the Jixia Academy was heavily regulated, and little information was leaked.

The course of the feud between Xu Xiangqian and Yang Liu was also quite melodramatic. In summary, it boiled down to, “What are you doing bothering her?” “What’s it to you?”…

And then they fought.

According to the Capital Patrol Office’s records, the two were evenly matched, unable to gain an advantage. Unfortunately, the incident occurred on Huai Island, which was the Sea Fishing Pavilion’s headquarters.

Yang Liu easily gathered a group of fellow disciples, chasing Xu Xiangqian around in a disheveled state, completely losing his refinement.

Due to the reputation of the Azure Cliff Academy, he did not suffer any overly severe injuries.

However, a grudge was formed, and face was lost.

The Azure Cliff Academy had little influence in the Near Sea Islands. Li Longchuan of the Stone Gate Li clan personally went to sea, flew into a rage, and stood up for his friend…

In any case, the whole affair was quite amusing. Two sons of prestigious families, for the sake of a woman, acted like street ruffians, engaging in unsightly mob brawls.

While Jiang Wang chuckled to himself, he couldn’t help but become curious about the protagonist in the incident, Zhao Wuyan of the Dragon Gate Academy.

He wanted to see what kind of charm she possessed that even the experienced Xu Ga’e had fallen for. That kid was not one to suffer losses.

Having finished reading the information on the Near Sea Islands and Xu Ga’e’s illustrious exploits, Jiang Wang recalled another matter and asked, “I heard that Palace Mistress Hua Ying beat up Yan Fu. What was that about? I’m quite curious. Where are the detailed accounts recorded?”

Chong Xuansheng had mentioned this to him before, but later, due to the matter with Zhu Biqiong, he had forgotten to ask further.

He remembered it later but was unwilling to ask Chong Xuansheng, lest that fat fellow become smug and take the opportunity to make demands.

Zheng Shangming looked troubled. “We at the Patrol Office don’t record matters concerning those individuals.”

As soon as Jiang Wang saw this, he knew that the Patrol Office might have records of matters related to the Great Qi royal family, or perhaps the records were only available to those with specific permissions. In any case, to avoid offending superiors, it was not easy to make them available.

He was not one to make things difficult for his friends, so he simply nodded. “It’s nothing, I was just asking casually.”

Zheng Shangming smiled. “However, I personally know some of the inside story about this matter. It seems that Yan Prime Minister’s grandson broke off an engagement first, and Palace Mistress Hua Ying taught him a lesson to stand up for her friend.”

Yan Ping had retired for many years, but people still habitually called him Yan Prime Minister, which showed how deeply rooted his status was in the hearts of the people of Qi.

“I haven’t heard of that.” Jiang Wang remembered that Chong Xuansheng had vaguely mentioned that Yan Fu was to be arranged for a marriage alliance when he was in the Western Frontier. Later, he didn’t associate the matter with Jiang Wuyou beating him up.

He couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Which family’s daughter was it?”

“The Liu family.” Zheng Shangming smiled and then ended the topic, unwilling to say more.

Of course, these were just casual conversations.

That’s what you call a fortunate coincidence.

As soon as Jiang Wang stepped out of the Capital Patrol Office, a servant in green clothes and a small cap approached him and said respectfully, “Lord Jiang, my young master invites you for a meeting, hoping you will come.”

“Who is your young master?” Jiang Wang asked.

The servant replied respectfully, “I am from the Yan family. My young master is an old acquaintance of yours.”

Yan Fu!

He had just heard gossip about him in the Capital Patrol Office, and unexpectedly, he encountered him as soon as he stepped out.

To be precise, Yan Fu’s servant had been waiting here for a long time.

“Where is he?”

Yan Fu could be considered one of the more amiable friends he had in Linzi, and it had been a long time since they had seen each other. Jiang Wang couldn’t help but feel delighted.

But he also had doubts.

Given Yan Fu’s gentle and tranquil nature, he shouldn’t need to put on airs just to see Jiang Wang, waiting somewhere and specially sending a servant to invite him.

“Please follow me.” The servant said softly.

Unafraid of being lured away by anyone in Linzi City, Jiang Wang suppressed his curiosity and followed the servant.

Passing through the bustling streets, they turned into a small alley, and pushed open a low, partially closed door. Yan Fu was standing behind the door.

He cupped his fist in apology to Jiang Wang, “I apologize for the discourtesy, Brother Jiang.”

This small courtyard was actually very close to the Capital Patrol Office, not far from the side rear. One could even see the Capital Patrol Office’s eaves from the courtyard.

Jiang Wang looked around and smiled. “I didn’t expect the Yan family to have a villa here as well.”

“It was bought temporarily to meet Brother Jiang,” Yan Fu said casually, gesturing behind him, “Brother Jiang, I learned of your return to Qi a little late, otherwise I should have welcomed you sooner. The preparations were a bit hasty, please don’t take offense.”

Behind him was a lavish feast, with precious birds and beasts, dragon cakes and phoenix wine. At a glance, one could see the word “expensive”.

One could only say that the “hasty” preparations of a wealthy family were different from the understanding of ordinary people.

And to be the first to host Jiang Wang after he left the Capital Patrol Office, he temporarily bought a courtyard here.

Although this courtyard was small, it was close to the Capital Patrol Office, and the land price couldn’t be cheap. Moreover, it was purchased on a whim, and the price would probably double to get it done in time.

But in Yan Fu’s mouth, it was such an ordinary thing.

What a “rich” character!

“This is considered hasty?” Jiang Wang laughed. “You should know that Chong Xuansheng only prepared half a pot of tea to welcome me that day, and he had already been drinking from it for a while!”

After saying that, he explained, “It’s not that Jiang has forgotten old friends, but I was really tied up with important matters and in a great hurry. I really couldn’t spare any time. That’s why I didn’t inform you.”

“I don’t blame Brother Jiang,” Yan Fu waved his hand. “Gao Zhe has returned to Jinghai, Longchuan and Xiangqian have gone to Huai Island. Even if you informed them, they wouldn’t be able to come. As for me…”

Saying this, he gave a wry smile, “I also have to find a gap in my schedule to secretly meet old friends.”

The people he mentioned were all in Linzi before, usually gathering together to drink and make merry.

There was the direct grandson of the former Prime Minister, the direct son of the Stone Gate Li clan’s head, a top student of the Azure Cliff Academy, the young master of the Jinghai Gao clan… In Linzi, if they couldn’t walk sideways, they could at least stroll through most places unimpeded.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, Xu Xiangqian and Yan Fu had suffered losses and been beaten… Truly, things had changed, making people want to secretly laugh… ah, no, sigh with emotion.