Lin Xiansi pursed his lips tightly and didn't say a word.

  "I've waited for you for two days, and you're really not clever. Two lives from the Zhao family, three from the Hu family, five lives in total, no explanation given. In this city of Hangzhou, which pass can you get through?"

  Lin Xiansi's knife flashed back and forth across his neck twice, Lin Xiansi slightly raised his head, "Who are you?"

  "Just take me as one of those five wronged spirits."

  Hayashi Koji pursed his lips tightly.

  "Is this the nth time that Yao Qian has led you into such a predicament? He is self-unaware, you are unaware of people, do you plan to let him lead your Lin family to death?"

  Lin Xiansi's face turned slightly pale, "You are... Shuai Si Fu, or Ming..." The words "Mingtao Mountain Villa" Lin Xiansi didn't dare to say out loud.

  The person behind him ignored his question, the knife left and came back again, changing its blade. Lin Xiang's face suddenly turned pale, from head to neck, his whole body stiffened.

  The blade was motionless, stuck to Lin Xiansheng's neck, and he clearly felt the pain of the blade cutting through his skin with each pulse, the fear of being squeezed towards the blade with each beat, every beat was long and seemed to be from prosperity to desolation, every beat was more violent than the last, as if the next beat would burst through the blade and gush out...

  The blade suddenly retracted, and a small porcelain bottle was thrown in front of Lin Xiansheng from behind. "Heguanghong, either you or Yao Qian can use it."

  Lin Xiansi stared straight at the small porcelain bottle with a white body and a big red ribbon in front of him, and suddenly turned around, but there was nothing behind him.

  Lin Xiansi was stunned for a while, stiffly turned around, slowly raised his hand, picked up the small porcelain bottle, held it in his palm to take a look, carefully put it on the table, sat upright, and stared straight at the bottle.

  In the palace, the most beloved is the crimson cinnabar...

  Shen Shangshu was right. From the day the Emperor ascended to the throne, and even before that, the Empress Dowager had always been standing in the imperial court, never leaving...

  Lin Xiansi lowered his head, remained silent for a long time, reached out to grasp the porcelain bottle, straightened up, got down from the bed, went out of the door, and headed directly to Mr. Yao's residence in the side courtyard.

  ………………

  Xian Si Yaomen's clerk Yao Qian fell ill in the middle of the night and died before the doctor arrived.

  This news was reported in the main hall of Mingtao Mountain Villa shortly after Yao Qian took his last breath.

  The Empress Dowager's eyebrows slightly furrowed, "Is it Ye Gongzi?"

  "No," replied Huang Taijian, "before I came in, I took a detour and asked Lu Yi first, but he didn't know about this matter either."

  The Empress Dowager's eyebrows furrowed, "Have you investigated?"

  "Yes." Eunuch Huang looked up at Empress Jin, "Lu Yi said it was probably Guo Sheng, and I also think so.

  This Guo Sheng, has a grudge must be reported, daring to defy the heavens. Lu Yi said that Li Wenshan looks honest and loyal, but is actually also a reckless and presumptuous person. The first two masters of Hengshan County government were his doing, and Master Wang had him investigate at the time. Lu Yi said that Master Wang was quite appreciative.

  "Guo Sheng was probably resentful. Yesterday Li Wenshan returned and gave his consent, so he did such a thing."

  The Empress Dowager's face was inscrutable, but after a moment, she hummed softly and ordered the eunuch Huang, "Go investigate thoroughly. It's really the doing of Xiangshan County... You take a good look for them and clean up properly."

  "Yes." Huang Taijian responded clearly and was about to leave when Empress Jin added, "Go tell your brother about this matter. Firstly, regarding Yao Qian's case, it shouldn't be left to Xiangshan County to take action on its own. Li Wenshan is his man, and he needs to protect him and have some explanation for it. Secondly, although we should think of the bigger picture and not want to suffer too much loss, there's no reason why we should be taken advantage of. If we're going to strike at him, we should make sure to leave a good backhand."

  "Yes."

  "Also, pass a message to the other side, Lin Ming is too stupid, replace him with someone else. Go." The Empress Dowager continued to instruct, and Huang Taijian responded with a sound, bowing his head and retreating, first going to find Qin Wang to explain what had just happened.

  ………………

  Guo Sheng heard the news of Yao Qian's sudden illness and death in a small foot shop in Hangzhou City, led his horse out of the city, and rushed straight to Wansong Academy.

  Li Wenshan had just entered the academy when he was called out by Guo Sheng, who whispered to him about Yao Qian's sudden death. Li Wenshan was stunned for a while before reacting and pointing at Guo Sheng.

  Before he could say anything, Guo Sheng looked at him with a smile and said: "Yao Qian is an old hand in this line of work, naturally understands the rules. If it were me, I would have to do the same to apologize to the world for dragging the master into such a situation. Fifth Master will see the king soon, and he might bring up this matter, so I came over specifically to tell you first. As long as you understand, that's all that matters. When the king asks, just pretend you don't know. I'll take my leave now, County Magistrate is still recovering from his illness and can't be left unattended at the yamen."

  "Ah!" Li Wenshan finally spoke up, "Mr. Guo, you think... this matter, such a thing, you should have told me first, you must have told me first!" The last sentence was spoken with annoyance and a hint of severity in his tone.

  Guo Sheng was taken aback, then immediately loosened his reins, clasped his fists and bowed deeply, standing up with a serious expression: "I was indeed careless, Fifth Master's teachings are absolutely right, please be at ease, it won't happen again."

  In the distance, a group of people were rushing towards the academy. Guo Sheng took a glance and hastily bid farewell, "Fifth Master, I have to go. Fifth Master, rest assured that there will be no next time. Fifth Master, just pretend you don't know."

  Kuo Sheng said as he hastily mounted his horse and left.

  Li Wenshan stood at the gate of the academy, with his hands on his hips, looking anxiously at Guo Sheng who was riding away. He already knew everything, how could he pretend not to know? He wanted to pretend not to know, but he couldn't do it, he couldn't deceive them!

  Kuo Sheng and Li Wenshan saw the horsemen, Lu Yi had already seen Kuo Sheng and Li Wenshan, reined in his horse close to the King of Qin, pointed and signaled, "Kuo Sheng, was just talking to Li Wu, eh, ran away, really fast."

  "Aren't you quite brave, why are you running?" Jin Zheyu said coolly, Qin Wang squinted and gazed at the distant Guo Sheng who was galloping away on his horse, his face not looking good.

  A group of people galloped quickly, and in just a few words, they arrived at the gate of Wansong Academy.

  The King of Qin and others dismounted, Chang followed by leading the horse to retreat to the side and wait. The King of Qin adjusted his clothes, took out a folding fan in his hand and turned it around, walked to Li Wenshan's face, looked him up and down.

  Li Wenshan was looked at by him with a puzzled expression, and after a moment, he had an epiphany and became flustered. He rubbed his nose twice, his eyes darting back and forth, just as he was about to make an excuse, Qin Wang burst out laughing. "Li Wu, looking at you like this, you don't seem like someone with deep thoughts. Such a big matter, why didn't I see any reaction from you the day before yesterday? Have my eyes become dull?"

  "I just found out too." Li Wenshan's voice had barely fallen when he hastily added: "It can't be said that I just found out, what I mean is, it was me..."

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