People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

"Thanks……"

With a "snap," the shackles and chains on Li Kai's body broke.

Cao Ze led Li Kai away from the Poison Scorpion Sect without a sound and arrived in the moonlit city of Xinzheng.

"Let's go."

Li Kai struggled to his feet, but when he looked again, Cao Ze was nowhere to be seen.

His lips moved slightly; he was unable to express his gratitude to Cao Ze in words.

He only asked that Cao Ze take good care of Nongyu and his wife, and he could die in peace.

The vulture was unaware that Li Kai had been released by Cao Ze.

He disguised himself as a guest and entered the still bustling Zilan Pavilion. After several attempts to inquire, he learned some information about Nongyu. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, he decided to take action the following night.

Cao Ze sipped his wine, while Zi Nu sat beside him, listening to Hong Yu's report and nodding slightly.

"Thank you so much, sir."

Cao Ze laughed and said, "It's a small matter, just keep an eye on it."

Zi Nu smiled charmingly, "It seems that Nightfall attaches great importance to Zi Lan Xuan, and even sent the Hundred Birds Assassin to spy on this place."

Cao Ze casually said, "Although I don't know why they are inquiring about Nongyu, Nongyu needs to be careful these next few days."

"I won't let her go out for a while, and I'll live with her."

Zi Nu was very concerned about Nong Yu's safety. Aside from the fact that Nong Yu was a girl she had raised, she also had the intention of following the clues to find out more.

Cao Ze smiled leisurely.

Li Kai is nowhere to be found. As long as the murderer, Wujiu, is dead, his brother-in-law will fill in the blanks in his mind.

The thought of Madam Hu wearing mourning clothes was unbearable.

Tsk tsk, very good. Brother Liu Yi's death was worthwhile. He deserves a cup of wine before his coffin, and then a toast with Madam Hu...

Chapter 288 The Widow

"What? Liu Yi is dead?! Who did it?!"

King An of Han was shocked, angry, and uneasy.

Ji Wuye snorted coldly and said, "Your Majesty, we need to ask Lord Sikou about this."

Han Fei stepped over him to enter the court, take charge of criminal justice, and obtain the position of Minister of Justice.

Before he could even make a move, someone killed his own watchdog!

"Ninth Brother, what exactly is going on?" King Han An was somewhat frightened. Could it be that there really were ghost soldiers from Zheng?

Han Fei forced a smile and said, "According to the old watchman last night, it was the work of ghost soldiers. As for the specifics, we still need to investigate."

Ji Wuye's face was grim. "Your Majesty, Liu Yi, as the Left Sima of Han, has made countless military achievements. He is excellent in military strategy and tactics and has saved Han from dire straits several times. This matter must be caused by someone colluding with foreign forces to frame our loyal minister and general. I urge that this matter be thoroughly investigated. The law is impartial, and anyone involved must be beheaded as a warning to others!"

He was convinced that Zilanxuan was behind this, and if so, he would take this opportunity to raze Zilanxuan to the ground.

"What does the Prime Minister think?" King Han An looked at Zhang Kaidi. Compared to Ji Wuye, he trusted the Zhang family, who had been loyal for generations, more.

Zhang Kai glanced at Han Fei discreetly and pondered, "Your Majesty, regardless of whether it was done by enemy forces, we should first find out the truth before making any judgments."

King Han An immediately replied, "I will do as the Prime Minister says."

"Han Fei!"

Han Fei cupped his hands and said, "Your subject is here."

"Immediately dispatch men to investigate the matter thoroughly. I need to know the results within three days."

"Yes!"

Han Fei accepted the order and took his leave.

Zhang Kai, his eyes half-closed, was deep in thought, wondering who had killed Liu Yi and why they had chosen to kill Liu Yi.

Could it really have been Prince Han Fei who did it? And what was his goal? The throne?

South Korea is in turmoil...

Zhang Liang had been waiting outside the palace. When he saw Han Fei come out, he immediately asked, "Brother, how is it?"

"Please call me Lord Sikou now."

Zhang Liang couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Yes, brother."

Han Fei stroked his chin: "Ji Wuye now suspects that I sent someone to kill Liu Yi, and he talks at length about Liu Yi's loyalty and military achievements in front of Father King."

"It's the work of ghost soldiers again. Could it be that Liu Yi's death was caused by Ji Wuye, who wanted to frame his brother?" Zhang Liang looked at Han Fei with deep concern.

Han Fei chuckled and said, "How could that be? Liu Yi is, after all, the Left Sima of Han, a position of great power and influence. Even if Ji Wuye wanted to harm me, he wouldn't do something so insane."

"Alright, let's go to Liu Yi's residence and see who is behind this."

Zhang Liang nodded in agreement.

Han Fei suddenly stopped and asked, "Where is Brother Cao?"

"He's at Liu Yi's residence, comforting the frightened Madam Hu," Zhang Liang said with a hint of unease.

"Madam Hu? Hu Meiren's sister?"

“That’s right, she’s Consort Hu’s older sister, and they’re said to be very close.” Zhang Liang was quite familiar with the various factions both inside and outside the palace.

Han Fei pondered Zhang Liang's words for a while, and suddenly came up with an incredible deduction.

Could it be that Brother Cao did this? What would he be after?

Adhering to the principle of "better to catch the wrong person than let them go," Han Fei silently listed Cao Ze as a suspect. He would not admit that he had a strong prejudice against Cao Ze.

……

At Liu Yi's residence, everyone, from top to bottom, was under the surveillance of the imperial guards, and dozens of city guards surrounded the outside.

Han Fei took out the token and walked in with Zhang Liang, heading straight to the study where Liu Yi had died.

"Wow, what a big study."

Han Fei first sighed, noting that most people's studies wouldn't be this large unless they were used for official business, like his father.

Zhang Liang squatted down beside Liu Yi's corpse and carefully examined the muscles on his face and the location of the fatal wound.

"Liu Yi seemed to have been frightened before he died. His fatal wound was in his abdomen, where he was killed with a single stab from a short blade."

Han Fei nodded, not paying any attention.

He left early today because his father summoned him, and hadn't had time to thoroughly examine the contents of the study. However, judging from various details, Liu Yi did not die on the spot.

Zhang Liang also noticed this at this moment, "Brother, it seems that Liu Yi was dragged here by someone."

“That’s right. Moreover, it can be determined that the murderer is quite strong, has a very steady hand, and is not a first-time killer. The wounds are small but fatal, which shows that the murderer is an experienced one.”

Han Fei walked to the desk, glanced at the bamboo slips of "Dream of the Red Chamber" on the ground, and asked in surprise, "Liu Yi has this hobby?"

He always thought that books like "Dream of the Red Chamber," which focus on romance, were meant for his sister and Zi Nu, young women confined to their chambers.

It's surprising that Zuo Sima, a rough and uneducated man, would read this book. It's both strange and odd.

He paused, then said, "Zifang, go and call Madam Hu over. I have something to ask her."

He now suspects that this is a crime of passion.

It's unclear who the lover is, but as for who the mistress is, it's quite obvious: only Hu Meiren's sister has such beauty and a motive for the crime.

After a short while, Zhang Liang entered, followed by Madam Hu and Cao Ze.

Madam Hu, wearing a white cloth on her head, bowed slightly and said, "The widow greets the Ninth Prince."

Han Fei said, "I, the Minister of Justice, have come here today only to investigate a case. Madam Hu, there is no need for formalities. Please speak frankly."

He then looked at Cao Ze, "Brother Cao seems to have a close relationship with Madam Hu?"

Cao Ze coughed lightly and said, "I was on good terms with Brother Liu Yi, and that's why I was quite familiar with Madam Hu. Now that Brother Liu Yi is dead, as his brother, it is only right that I take care of his sister-in-law."

Han Fei asked in a cryptic tone, "Really?"

He knew that Cao Ze and Liu Yi were just drinking buddies, so why was he being so enthusiastic in taking care of Madam Hu? There must be something fishy going on between them.

He began to suspect his brother-in-law again. It seemed not impossible that Cao Ze and Madam Hu had committed adultery and killed Liu Yi.

Zhang Liang's gaze towards Cao Ze was different now.

Cao Ze's lips twitched slightly.

Trust? They still say we're all brothers? Pah!

Han Fei said, "Madam Hu, you are Hu Meiren's elder sister and also my elder. There's no need to be so reserved. Raise your head."

Madam Hu hesitated for a moment, then raised her head, and Han Fei's gaze narrowed slightly.

With his skill in observing women, he could clearly see the faint hint of spring in Madam Hu's face and eyes, not to mention her eyes, which were full of affection.

So delicate and beautiful, it's obvious she shared a room with someone last night.

"Madam, did you sleep alone last night?"

"……Yes."

"This morning, the servants in the manor found Liu Yi dead in the study. I questioned the servants in the manor, and they all said that the lady and Liu Yi slept in separate courtyards and their relationship had been cold for many years. I don't know why."

Madam Hu subconsciously looked at Cao Ze, but Cao Ze remained expressionless. He knew that Madam Hu, being a woman, would find it difficult to hide the truth from her brother-in-law.

He was in a real bind, having to protect his brother-in-law's nominal status as his concubine while also ensuring his brother-in-law got the answer he wanted.

"Madam, why do you keep looking at Brother Cao?" Han Fei pressed further.

Cao Ze comforted her, saying, "Sister-in-law, please speak frankly. Brother Han has always been fair and just."

Madam Hu composed herself and said, "It is true that my relationship with Liu Yi is not good. After my husband died, Liu Yi forced me to remarry in order to protect myself."

Han Fei's words were sharp: "Who is your ex-husband, Madam? You have been separated for many years, why has Liu Yi never pressured you?"

"My ex-husband was Li Kai, the former Right Sima of the State of Han. As for why Liu Yi didn't force me, it's because my younger sister is in the palace, and also because..."

Han Fei nodded slightly. Hu Meiren and Madam Hu had a very close relationship, so it was only natural for her to help her sister.