Special Thanks to these patrons for their support!
S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.] [Galetron]
O R A N G E S T A R
[Fazzienaz] [K.Rom] [Onepiece] [Reece P.] [Suong D.] [Tori D.] [Ziana K.-P.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Chlaudette P.] [Gwyneth T.] [Leticia P.] [Pa.s.serby] [Xena]
G O L D S T A R
[Nanashi D. Y.] [Nevy] [Roxanne C.] [Scorpion Princess]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Allie] [Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Peggy F.]
T H E S U N
[Ava C.] [Kaylee3150] [kuroneko_chan] [Lily J.] [Malinkat]
[Manon] [Mich.e.l.le K.] [Smurfinbatik] [Sophia W.]
Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)
Gu Jiao had just experienced a battle, and Xiao Heng didn"t want to make her suffer again, so he let her stay with Princess Xinyang for recuperation while he went back to Bishui Alley to deal with Grand Preceptor Zhuang"s affairs.
On the way back, he tried to piece together a complete truth based on the clues he had.
Jiang Ping said, ‘General Nangong, thank you very much.’
This sentence indeed seemed like they had reached some kind of deal.
Xiao Heng remembered another thing: Gu Jiao and Gu Chengfeng overheard a conversation between Qin Fengyan and the people from the State of Yan when they followed her.
At that time, Qin Fengyan said, "It seems there"s nothing more to discuss between us."
The other party responded, "If you want your things back, it"s best to do as we say."
Qin Fengyan then asked, "Why bother with all this trouble? Why don"t I just help you kill him?"
The other party replied, "If you can really kill him, you can bring his head to us, and we"ll give you your things."
From the conversation between the two individuals, it appeared that something belonging to Qin Fengyan had fallen into the hands of the Yan people.
When Princess Xinyang searched through Qin Fengyan"s den, she found money and account books left by Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing for Qin Fengyan.
It was worth mentioning that since that conversation, Qin Fengyan hadn"t seen those Yan people again.
In other words, Qin Fengyan"s things were still in the hands of those Yan people.
All of Qin Fengyan"s belongings had been inspected when she came back from the border, and there was nothing of great value.
That thing must have also been left by Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing for her.
Everything left by Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing was significant. Could their deal be related to that thing?
After returning to Bishui Alley, Xiao Heng went next door.
An Junw.a.n.g had been living here for a while.
His position in the cabinet had deteriorated, and to force him to submit, Grand Preceptor Zhuang had cut off almost all his retreats.
Neither his colleagues, superiors, nor even his former cla.s.smates dared to interact with him.
Except for Xiao Liulang, who he had once regarded as a thorn in his side.
There was also Chief Huo.
And, of course, Empress Dowager Zhuang.
An Junw.a.n.g had recovered from the immense shock of discovering "Empress Dowager Zhuang disguising herself as an old lady playing leaf cards here" and "Chief Huo actually serving tea, pouring water, doing ch.o.r.es, cooking, and even handing over private money to Empress Dowager Zhuang."
Why worry about so much?
His rent hadn"t even been settled yet.
Gu Yan hired him to clean up chicken p.o.o.ps every day, two copper coins for each cleanup, two for feeding the chickens, two for taking them out, and four extra for complimenting Gu Yan with a fancy phrase.
All that added up to ten copper coins a day. But that was only three hundred copper coins a month, not even enough for a night"s rent.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door. An Junw.a.n.g rubbed his sore shoulders and said, "Come in."
Xiao Heng entered the room.
An Junw.a.n.g asked, "Why are you back in broad daylight? Don"t you have to be on duty at the yamen?"
Since the family members weren"t aware of Gu Jiao"s injury, An Junw.a.n.g naturally didn"t know either, only a.s.suming that Gu Jiao was taking care of Princess Xinyang.
"I have something to discuss with you."
"Have a seat."
Xiao Heng sat opposite An Junw.a.n.g.
Seeing his serious expression, An Junw.a.n.g couldn"t help but ask, "What"s the matter? You look so serious. You"re not going to raise the rent, are you?"
Xiao Heng replied, "Do I look like someone who"s about to raise your rent right now? Let"s talk about that next month."
An Junw.a.n.g: I shouldn"t have mentioned it!
Xiao Heng then said solemnly, "I have something important to discuss with you, but you can choose not to answer."
An Junw.a.n.g"s expression changed slightly, "Is it related to my grandfather?"
Not dumb at all.
Since the topic was opened, Xiao Heng decided to be straightforward, "That’s right. I recently received some information indicating that your grandfather has colluded with people from the State of Yan."
"People from the State of Yan? How is that possible?" It wasn’t that An Junw.a.n.g was belittling themselves, but the State of Yan was a superior state.
They didn’t even have the opportunity to come into contact with people from the State of Yan, so how could there be collusion?
An Junw.a.n.g pondered, "I know you don"t like my grandfather, but you can"t just make baseless accusations."
Xiao Heng explained, "There"s a force from the State of Yan infiltrating the State of Zhao. Their purpose isn"t something I can disclose right now. Does your grandfather have an aide named Jiang Ping?"
An Junw.a.n.g frowned, "How did you know?"
Xiao Heng said truthfully, "He was the one who went to meet with the Yan people that day. Jiang Ping wouldn"t serve anyone other than your grandfather, would he?"
An Junw.a.n.g"s eyes showed a hint of disappointment, "Jiang Ping is not only my grandfather"s aide, but also his adopted son. Only my grandfather can command him."
Xiao Heng looked at him and said, "I"m not here to convince you to believe this. Based on what I know now, the Yan people must have given your grandfather something very important.”
“This something is likely the trump card that Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing left for Qin Fengyan. Unfortunately, it fell into the hands of those Yan people. You should know that Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing is a remnant of the previous dynasty, and her goal is to restore the previous dynasty.”
“Therefore, the trump card she left for Qin Fengyan must be something that can overturn the State of Zhao"s authority. If this something really fell into your grandfather"s hands, given his character, you shouldn"t have any trouble guessing what he would do."
An Junw.a.n.g fell silent.
Xiao Heng continued, "I came here today to ask you where your grandfather usually hides important items. Of course, as I said earlier, you can choose not to answer. No matter what happens in the future, it won"t involve you."
After all, Grand Preceptor Zhuang was An Junw.a.n.g"s grandfather.
Even if he had a falling out with Grand Preceptor Zhuang, it didn’t mean An Junw.a.n.g could betray him without any guilt.
Xiao Heng understood this, so he didn"t force him.
An Junw.a.n.g struggled for a moment, then tightened his fists and said softly, "My grandfather is a very cautious person. If you plan to search his study or his courtyard for things, you may have miscalculated."
"Then where would he keep them?" Xiao Heng asked.
An Junw.a.n.g said, "It depends on what it is and his mood. He once said, "If you can"t feel the pattern yourself, others won"t be able to figure you out.""
He was telling the truth. His grandfather"s thoughts were deeper than the sea.
Xiao Heng sighed, "He really is an old fox."
An Junw.a.n.g added, "The Zhuang Residence is even bigger than the Supreme Commander Estate. You won"t find anything by searching aimlessly."
Xiao Heng stood up, "Even if we can"t find it, we have to try."
Tonight, he would send Long Yi to search.
"Xiao Liulang." An Junw.a.n.g called out to him.
Xiao Heng turned back, "What"s wrong?"
An Junw.a.n.g"s throat moved, and he said with a complicated expression, "I"ll go find it."Raz P."s Thoughts
To read advance GSPW chapters! Updates 7x a week (daily).
You can read up to 30 advance chapters in our patreon so you should go check it out. ^^
No patreon but want to support us? Then,
OR if you can"t support us in money, you can always support us emotionally -just hope into . Hehehe~