The frail counselor you said, you fight against three heroes alone?

After hearing this, everyone looked at each other, and then a younger villager cleared his throat and prepared to start describing what happened.

A man spoke first, "Prime Minister, my home is not far from Zhao Tianyue's. I was herding sheep to graze nearby that day when I saw this man walking towards me in a hurry. He looked like he was in a hurry. Zhao Tianyue chased him from behind, shouting at him to stop, but he ran so fast that Zhao Tianyue was unable to catch up."

At this time, another woman also echoed and said, "Yes, I was washing clothes by the river that day. I looked up and saw this person coming. The strange thing is that the murderer walked up to me and deliberately stayed for a while, and said arrogantly, 'If you have the guts, go to Youzhou College to find me, Dongfanghong.' That tone was so arrogant. So later I told Zhao Tianyue that this person's name is Dongfanghong, and I said it all truthfully, without a single lie."

After listening to their stories, everyone nodded and looked at Xi Yu as if to say, now the evidence is conclusive that Dongfanghong is the evil doer.

Zhao Tianyue, on the other hand, had a look of grief and anger on his face. He glared at Dongfanghong again, his eyes full of hatred.

Dongfanghong was both angry and anxious, but she didn't know how to refute for a moment, so she could only sit there with her face flushed.

At this time, Xi Yu looked at Zhao Tianyue and asked calmly, "It was after that woman told you that you knew about Youzhou College, and then went there to look for Dongfanghong, right?"

Zhao Tianyue was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

Xi Yu suddenly laughed, and his laughter was full of insight. He continued, "Think about it, if a bad guy did something bad, would he be so stupid as to tell you where he is? And he would even openly tell you his name. How is that possible? This is totally against common sense."

As soon as Xi Yu said this, everyone in the audience was stunned.

Then everyone suddenly understood. Many people slapped their heads and said inwardly in frustration: "Yes, it's such a simple truth, why didn't we think of it?"

Seeing this, Xi Yu's expression became serious, and he said solemnly: "So, in my opinion, someone must have deliberately framed Dongfang Hong and set up this trap to make everyone misunderstand him."

After hearing this, everyone looked at each other, and there was a bit more doubt in their eyes when they looked at Dongfanghong. They were no longer as sure as before that he was the murderer.

Dongfanghong looked aggrieved and angry, and gnashed his teeth as he said, "Someone must be trying to harm me. I must find out who is behind this!"

But Zhao Tianyue still refused to give up, and continued: "But the person I saw that day was exactly the same as the person in front of me. How could I have made a mistake? Could he have a twin brother? Anyway, I saw it with my own eyes, so I can't be wrong."

As he said this, his eyes were full of stubbornness and he stared at Dongfanghong.

Dongfanghong was so angry that he was shaking all over, and his eyes became red and swollen because of anger. He responded loudly: "I don't know about that, but I can pat my chest to guarantee that I didn't do anything bad. You can't just rely on that so-called "evidence" to insist that it was me. If you continue to question and slander me without any basis, I will not give up. I will definitely fight you to the end!"

Looking at Dongfanghong's expression, everyone fell silent for a moment, and began to think that this matter might not be that simple.

Maybe it's true as Xi Yu said, someone is deliberately framing him behind the scenes.

Xi Yu was thinking about how to explain the strangeness when suddenly an idea flashed in his mind and he remembered the magical object, the human skin mask, mentioned in the martial arts drama he watched in his previous life.

He and Dongfanghong exchanged glances, and they both blurted out almost at the same time: "Human skin mask!"

After saying this, both of them burst into laughter as if they had solved a mystery.

Zhao Tianyue was confused by their sudden reaction and asked with a puzzled look on his face: "What do you two mean by this? What human skin mask are you talking about? Why don't I understand?"

Xi Yu stopped laughing, cleared his throat, and patiently explained: "This human skin mask is something that can imitate the face of another person. After wearing it, you can appear in front of everyone as someone else. So it is very likely that the person who claimed to be Dongfanghong that you saw that day was actually wearing a human skin mask and deliberately disguised himself as him to do such evil things and put the blame on Dongfanghong."

After hearing Xi Yu's explanation, everyone was shocked, as if the door to a new world had been opened, and they all started whispering to each other.

There was a hint of thought in his eyes when he looked at Dongfanghong. He was no longer as certain as before that he was the culprit.

After listening to Xi Yu's analysis, Zhao Tianyue showed a little guilt on his face and said, "After the Prime Minister's analysis, I also feel that I was indeed a little impulsive before. I just concluded that it was Dongfanghong who did it based on the appearance I saw, and I didn't think about the doubts. But, if that's the case, how can we find the person wearing the human skin mask?"

Xi Yu frowned slightly, stroking his chin gently with his hand. After thinking for a moment, he sighed helplessly: "This is really very tricky. This human skin mask is elusive. After putting on the mask, it is almost exactly the same as the person. Trying to find that person is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, we can't give up. We have to look for clues from other aspects to see if we can follow the clues and catch the person behind the scenes."

Dongfanghong nodded and said seriously, "We must investigate further. We can't let the guy who framed me get away with it. I can't let this injustice go to waste."

After hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought, wondering where to start looking for the mysterious masked man.

Xi Yu looked solemn.

"No matter how difficult this matter is, I must do it. This is not just to clear Dongfanghong's name. Just think about it, if this human skin mask is widely used in life, it will be a mess. People with bad intentions wear it and pretend to be someone else to do evil. Then anyone could be wronged and the situation will become a mess. It will be very harmful to all of us."

After hearing this, the surrounding villagers nodded and agreed with it.

The old man frowned and said worriedly, "The Prime Minister is right. If the bad guys use this human skin mask to hide their identities and do bad things, we ordinary people will have no peace of mind. We really need to find out who is behind this. We must not let this kind of thing spread."

Others followed suit, and everyone realized the seriousness of the problem at this moment.

Finally, Zhao Tianyue said sincerely: "Prime Minister, I believe you. You must do justice for my poor sister."

After that, he turned to face the villagers and raised his voice and said, "Today, let's let the Prime Minister and Brother Dongfanghong go back. I trust the Prime Minister and believe that he will give us a satisfactory explanation."

Xi Yu listened, smiled and nodded, and said: "Haha, it can be said that there is no acquaintance without fighting. In this case, Dongfanghong and I will go back first. Don't worry, I will investigate this case thoroughly in the shortest possible time and I will never break my promise."

Dongfanghong also echoed, "Yes, just relax, we will definitely find out the mastermind behind this."

After saying that, the two men said goodbye to Zhao Tianyue and the villagers, mounted their horses, and galloped back the way they came.

The horses' hooves raised clouds of dust, leaving everyone standing there, looking at their receding backs with full of expectation.

Dongfanghong and Xiyu were riding their horses at full speed on the way back, but both of them were in a very heavy mood, and they did not feel relieved at all because the villagers' misunderstanding had been temporarily resolved.

Dongfanghong broke the dull atmosphere, sighed and said, "After this incident, I now understand your hard work. You have to worry about even such a small matter. How tiring it must be every day."

After hearing this, Xi Yu turned his head to look at him, raised his eyebrows, and said in a disapproving tone: "Hey, are you praising me or mocking me? Why do I feel that what you said is not right?"

Dongfanghong couldn't help but smile when she saw this, and said, "It doesn't matter how you interpret it. I'm just expressing my feelings. It's really not easy for you to be the prime minister."

After saying this, the two smiled at each other, but behind the smiles, they still hid their worries about this difficult case.

With the clatter of horse hooves, they continued on their way back, each thinking about how to find clues next and catch the person behind the scenes.

After returning to the college, Dongfanghong was exhausted both physically and mentally, so he went straight back to his room to rest.

Xi Yu did not rest for a moment, and immediately began to plan and investigate the matter in an intensive manner.

He knew very well that time was running out and the truth had to be found out as soon as possible. The mastermind behind the scenes could not be allowed to go unpunished, and Dongfanghong could not continue to suffer injustice.

On the other hand, Chen Shou, who couldn't stand Zhao Yun last time, followed his father away and settled down in a very remote mountain village in Qingzhou.

Life in this small mountain village was dull but peaceful, but unexpectedly, one day, Father Chen suddenly fell seriously ill.

Chen Shou was extremely worried and ran out to ask for doctors everywhere. He asked several doctors in succession. But after seeing the doctor, all the doctors shook their heads helplessly and said that they were really powerless and that the disease had reached the point where no medicine could cure it.

Father Chen was lying on the hospital bed, looking at Chen Shou, whose face was filled with anxiety and sadness. He weakly raised his hand, patted his hand gently, and said slowly: "My child, don't be sad. Life and death are determined by fate. My fate has ended. How can a person not die? Don't worry too much."

After hearing this, Chen Shou couldn't stop his tears from rolling in his eyes, but he tried hard not to let them fall. He choked and said, "Dad, don't say such things. There must be a way. I will find another doctor to try."

After hearing what his father said, Chen Shou felt even more sad.

Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind, and he remembered that Xi Yu had invited him over before. He muttered to himself, "Dad, I suddenly remembered that the Prime Minister asked me to go over before. I don't know if it's okay for me to go over now. Besides, there must be better doctors there, who might be able to cure your illness."

After hearing this, Father Chen shook his head and said weakly, "Son, don't bother going. We are a long way from there. It will take many days and half a month to go back and forth. Dad can't wait that long. Besides, you didn't go when they invited you last time. You must have offended the Prime Minister. How can you ask for help again? Don't bother yourself."

After hearing what his father said, Chen Shou looked hesitant and felt very conflicted.

But at this moment, Father Chen suddenly started coughing even more violently. The violent coughing sounded as if he was going to cough out his heart and lungs. His originally sallow face became even uglier, revealing a sense of death, and it seemed that he was getting worse and worse.

Seeing this, Chen Shou's eyes turned red and tears welled up in his eyes. His grief was beyond words. He seemed to have lost all his strength and stood blankly beside the bed.

Father Chen used up his last bit of strength and raised his hand with difficulty, trying to wipe away his son's tears. He said in a weak but open-minded voice, "Son, I don't have any regrets in this life. You don't have to be particularly sad. Birth, aging, sickness and death are all destiny."

After saying this, Father Chen slowly closed his eyes, his hands dropped weakly, and he was completely dead.

Chen Shou felt as if the sky had fallen down. He threw himself on his father and burst into tears, feeling extremely sad.

The crying sound echoed in this small house, filled with endless sorrow and reluctance.

On this day, Chen Shou suppressed his grief and buried his father with his own hands on a hillside outside the village.

In the days that followed, he was alone and his life was still difficult.

After all, the father and son had always lived frugally in this small mountain village, relying on the meager income from writing petitions for others to make a living. Now that the father is gone, the family's financial situation has become even worse.

But in the few days since his father passed away, he was filled with sorrow and had no mood to do anything else.

He often sat in the house, staring at the place where his father used to sit, with every detail of his past interactions with his father constantly emerging in his mind.

Whenever I think of those things, my tears can't stop flowing, and I am completely immersed in the pain of losing my loved ones and unable to extricate myself.

Parthia.

Shi Daming and Hesheli stood in an empty square in the palace, surrounded by solemn silence.

Shi Daming said to Hesheli solemnly, "Your Majesty, no matter what, we have to find out Xi Yu's date of birth first. I think we should continue to go to the Central Plains and not go to Youzhou for now, because it is not easy to get in. But in most other places, we can still go in and out freely, and we can always find some clues."

After listening to this, Hesheli nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, Shi Daming bid farewell to Hesheli, left the palace alone, and rode the horse that had been prepared long ago to the Central Plains.

As the day progressed, a rain suddenly began to fall from the gloomy sky. The rain was so heavy that it soon covered the earth in a curtain of rain.

Shi Daming rode his horse into the Qingzhou area. He wanted to continue moving forward in the rain, but when he looked up, he saw a small village in front of him, surrounded by wilderness.

It was dark and raining, making it really difficult to travel.

Shi Daming was anxious and just wanted to find a place to shelter from the rain.

Just then, he saw a thatched cottage not far ahead. He was immediately delighted and hurriedly drove his horse towards the cottage.

When he arrived, he dismounted without hesitation and walked inside immediately.

This thatched cottage is Chen Shou's home.

At this moment, Chen Shou was in the house. Hearing the noise coming from outside, he was full of doubts and wondered who would come out in the rain.

After hearing the noise, Chen Shou walked out of the house and saw Shi Daming, who was soaking wet.

Shi Daming hurried forward and said politely, "My dear brother, I am really sorry to bother you. It is raining so hard outside. I am on my way here and would like to ask if I can take shelter here. I am a businessman on the road."

Chen Shou looked Shi Daming up and down and noticed that his skin color was somewhat different from that of people from the Central Plains, so he asked, "You are probably not from the Central Plains, are you?"

Shi Daming answered truthfully: "Brother, you have good eyesight. I am from the Parthian Empire. I was passing through here and didn't want to encounter this rain, so I took the liberty to come and ask for help."

Chen Shou listened, nodded slightly, and said: "I see, I have heard of the Parthian Empire. Since you are just taking shelter from the rain, then you should come in quickly and don't get wet outside."

When Shi Daming heard this, he quickly said gratefully: "Thank you very much for taking me in. Thank you so much."

After saying that, he followed Chen Shou into the house. Raindrops kept dripping down the corners of his clothes, forming a small water stain on the ground.

Shi Daming entered the house and saw that it was simple yet tidy. He felt more respect for Chen Shou.

He stood aside, wringing the rain out of the corner of his clothes somewhat embarrassedly.

Chen Shou found a clean cloth and handed it to Shi Daming, saying, "Wipe it with this first. The rain came suddenly and you are soaked. It will be bad if you catch a cold."

Shi Daming took the cloth and wiped it while saying, "Thanks to meeting you today, otherwise I really don't know what to do. I thought the rain would stop soon, but it got heavier. Fortunately, I have your hut in this wilderness."

"Everyone has difficulties when traveling abroad, but why did you, a merchant from the Parthian Empire, come here? This journey is not short, and it is also quite dangerous, right?"

"Alas, I am just running around to make a living. I heard that the Central Plains is prosperous and there are many business opportunities, so I came here."

As the two were talking, the rain outside was still crackling down, as if it had endless stories to tell.

In this small hut, two people from different places began to share their experiences.

After a while, Shi Daming saw that there was a word "smile" on Chen Shou's clothes, so he asked: "What are you doing..."

Father Chen talked about the death of his father.

"That's so unfortunate. I hope you can accept my condolences." (End of this chapter)