Night falls, fog and rain linger on, green shadows sway gently.

  There is a guest house.

  Lu Shang stood in front of the window, gazing at the scattered red petals that had been washed down by the rain.

  "In a soft voice: Hows the investigation going?"

  A man in a black mask emerged from the shadows, "Reporting to Master, under my orders, I have sent undercover agents to infiltrate Li Hai Rus mansion and discovered that the Governor of Zhenzhou is indeed involved. In recent years, the amount of grain embezzled is approximately 2.5 million dan, and when converted into silver, it amounts to 3.7 million dan."

  Lu Shang slightly lowered his eyes and said, "Go investigate again those places where Li Hai Ru had close dealings with the wealthy families."

  Corrupt officials and corrupt officials are numerous, and colluding with officials has become a business practice. They deceive the imperial court by forging account books, which is a very convenient plan to intervene from here.

  Whether he can become Lingdis confidant depends on this trip.

  ......

  They traveled south for seven or eight days before finally stopping.

  Lu Shang stepped down from the horse carriage first and then stretched out his hand towards Chu Cha.

  Chu Cha raised her chin slightly with a hint of arrogance and put her hand on his, "You have good taste."

  Lu Shang smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth, "Yes, my elder sister."

  Chu Cha looked at the two big characters Qizhou written on the city gate.

  A group of people came out from inside, with the leader wearing a deep blue official robe.

  Li Hairu was the governor of Zizhou.

  They were supposed to be very low-key on this trip, but as soon as they arrived in Xuzhou, Li Hai knew about it, which means they had been under surveillance from the start.

  "Ah, Lord Shang has arrived, yet I was unable to greet you from afar. This is truly a dereliction of duty."

  Lu Shang smiled faintly, "Governor Li is joking."

  Li Hai rubbed his hands together, "Shang Qing has been entrusted with an important task by the Emperor to investigate the disaster in Ji County. He must be exhausted from traveling, why not rest at my humble abode for a few days?"

  Lu Shang nodded slightly, "Thank you for your hospitality, Ive troubled you."

  Li Hais hand paused in its motion, a hint of surprise flashing across his face before he quickly covered it up with a hearty laugh. "Sir, please!"

  After entering the city, they changed into the carriages and horses of Li Ruhais mansion.

  This carriage was nothing like those of the royal nobles in Beijing, but rather simple and unadorned. Even the horses pulling it looked old.

  "Im sorry to trouble you." Li Hai Ru smiled all over his face.

  "Governor Li is joking."

  The horse-drawn carriage drove all the way into the city.

  Even if they sat in the carriage and couldnt see the outside situation, a few words occasionally revealed from the hustle and bustle outside could also let them know that the people here lived in peace and happiness.

  "Our Xia Zhou is better than outside..."

  "Thats not possible! Dont you know who our ancestor is? Its Lord Li!"

  "Mr. Lis magnanimous and upright spirit is truly precious!"

  ......

  Before long, the carriage came to a stop.

  The house in front of me was very dilapidated, looking like a residence from twenty or thirty years ago that had never been renovated. There were also very few servants inside.

  Li Hai smiled and said: "My humble abode is simple, Im afraid its not good enough for Your Excellency."

  Lu Shangs eyes were filled with a smile, "Governor Li is honest and dedicated to his duties, with clean sleeves."

  The two of them flattered each other for a while, and then Li Haiyu yelled at the few servants in the mansion to take Lu Shang and others to the wing room that had been cleaned up early.

  Chu Cha glanced at the servants who seemed to have walked away but were actually hiding in a dark place to supervise, and calmly closed the door.

  "Do you believe it?"

  Lu Shang was leaning on his desk reading a book when he heard Chu Chas question, and replied with a smile: "If being clean and honest is taken to such an extent, it becomes fake."

  "Is Li Hai Ru secretly colluding with the Chu family in this corruption case?" Chu Cha slowly walked closer to Lu Shang and took the book out of his hand.

  Lu Shangs book was taken away, but he didnt get angry. Instead, he smiled and wrapped his arms around Chu Chas waist, pinning her against the table, "No."

  Chu Chas eyebrows slightly furrowed, "Then what did you investigate him for, wasting time."

  "What does Big Sister want to know? The reward."

  ......