Chapter 319: Chapter 275
Lian Rong bowed his head deeply: "I dare not let down the master’s expectations."
Xu Yin took a deep breath, looked at the flower beds outside the railing, and asked again: "Is there any movement on the Prince Manor’s side? How are the Prince and the Princess recently?"
"The Prince spends most of his time with Consort Lin. Consort Lin’s illegitimate son recently got a position at the Clan Court. Consort Lin is very pleased and is currying favor with the Prince in every way. The Princess is quite angry, but there’s nothing she can do."
"As for the Princely Heir’s wife, after our men’s assassination at the Dali Temple, the Princely Heir’s wife was furious and now harbors deep resentment against the Princess. Recently, our brothers have reported that it seems someone from the Prince Manor is secretly watching the master, most likely people from the Princely Heir’s wife’s side."
Xu Yin slowed his fan upon hearing this, and his expression turned less pleasant: "Is the person responsible for capturing the assassin for Zhe Yu still without any leads?"
"There are no clues, making it extremely difficult to pinpoint a target." Lian Rong’s face also showed difficulty, "We can only confirm that someone in the dark is discontent with the master."
Xu Yin took a deep breath and slammed the fan on the table. "What’s Zhe Yu’s current situation? Have you investigated?"
"We can’t get in at all. Zhe Yu, somewhere, has hired guards with extraordinary skills. Our people have tried multiple times to enter but haven’t succeeded."
"Extraordinary skills?" Xu Yin squinted at him and suddenly curled his lips coldly, "The day our people were apprehended, it was also by highly skilled guards. Haven’t you thought that the ones now guarding the Zhe family might be the same people catching the assassin for Zhe Yu?"
Lian Rong paused, then lowered his head: "Subordinate is dull."
Xu Yin said: "Then what are you waiting for? Isn’t this the perfect lead? Go capture their guards and find out who’s behind them!"
"Yes!"
Lian Rong immediately accepted the order, turned around, and walked out.
Xu Yin withdrew his gaze, shook his fan a few times, drank the half-cup of tea in front of him, and then stood up.
As night descended, the alley where the Pei Mansion was located gradually turned from bustling to peaceful.
Fu Zhen went to the pavilion after dinner to catch the breeze. After carefully checking the items Mrs. Ning had sent over for Pei Mu to take to Huzhou, Yang Tong came hopping over.
"Young Madam! Something’s come up! Master Guo said there’s a situation over at the Zhe family. The guards arranged by the General and Young Madam were just ambushed!"
Fu Zhen immediately straightened up: "What’s the situation now?"
"The two sides fought for a while, and one of Master Guo’s men pretended to retreat, withdrew from the Zhe family, and rushed towards our General Mansion!"
"Is someone following him?"
"Yes! As soon as he left, there was a tail on him! They followed him all the way to the outside of our mansion! The General has already gone to the Zhe family according to plan, and he asked me to inform you before he left!"
"Great!"
Fu Zhen briskly left the pavilion: "Prepare, we’re going to the Zhe family!"
...
There were foreign envoys in the capital city in recent days, and Xu Yin led the Ministry of Rites to receive them very thoughtfully, earning praise from the Emperor. Even at this late hour, he was still attending social engagements at the West Lake Building, listening to a group of officials find ways to flatter him.
When Lian Rong hurried to his side, Xu Yin was feigning to be overwhelmed by alcohol, supporting his forehead with one hand while responding absentmindedly.
After listening to Lian Rong’s report by his ear, the smile on Xu Yin’s face gradually faded.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely clear! It’s definitely him!"
Under the glass lamp’s glow, his eyes flickered slightly as he straightened his body.
The officials below saw this and quickly signaled the dancing girl holding the jug to serve tea in front of him.
But before the dancer could squat down in front of him, he stood up, pressing the table.
"It’s getting late, we’ll leave it at this. Those who have duties should go attend them, and those who don’t should return to their residences early to rest."
"Why rush, my lord..."
The officials all stood up to persuade him to stay.
The dancer lingered: "It’s rare for me to have the chance to serve the Assistant Minister. Please, Assistant Minister, show some compassion."
Xu Yin glanced at her faintly, his lips curled slightly, and he looked behind at the group of officials: "I know you all are sincere, pitying my current solitude, but I don’t like these gentle types. To please me, you must be attentive in your work."
After saying this, he bypassed the woman in front of him and strode out.
The Xu family guards, who had been waiting at the door, immediately led the horse forward upon seeing him emerge.
Without saying a word, Xu Yin mounted the horse: "Let’s go, to the Zhe family!"
...