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

Madam Mingzhu continued, "Now I'm giving you two tasks: first, to find out Wei Zhuang's exact strength and Zi Lan Xuan's purpose; second, to obtain the secret behind Liu Yi and Wu Jiu's deaths from Ji Wuye."

Cao Ze paused for a moment on Madam Mingzhu's back; he happened to know about both of these tasks.

Seeing Cao Ze pause and remain silent, Madam Mingzhu's voice was slightly cold: "Is it difficult?"

Cao Ze applied a little of the floral oil that Madam Mingzhu had personally prepared to her fair back and began to massage it slowly.

“Madam, the first task will take time. As for the second task, I received the news yesterday.”

Lady Mingzhu suddenly smiled and said, "I knew you were very capable, sir. Tell me about it."

Cao Ze thought to himself, "Women change their attitude so quickly. They're clearly enjoying themselves but still putting on a cold face. They're never satisfied and are insatiable."

"Your Majesty, Liu Yi was killed by a vulture, one of the hundred birds."

As Cao Ze spoke, he began to pinch Madam Mingzhu's long, fleshy legs.

Lady Mingzhu asked in surprise, "Was Liu Yi really killed by vultures?"

She had previously been secretly speculating whether Han Fei and Ji Wuye had made a secret deal, putting on an act to shift all the blame onto an unknown nobody.

"Yes, madam. You may not know the vulture's original identity."

Madam Mingzhu sat up straight, and Cao Ze had no choice but to put Madam Mingzhu's long legs in his arms and continue to knead them, as if playing the pipa.

Explain carefully and in detail, without omitting a single sentence.

Although Lady Mingzhu was only wearing a few pieces of clothing, she still appeared aloof and unapproachable, her beautiful face exuding a cold and distant aura that kept people at arm's length.

"The vulture was originally a notorious bandit who roamed the Baiyue region more than a decade ago. He and two others were known as the Three Wolves of the Broken Hair, and they repeatedly committed arson, murder, and robbery. Later..."

With the intention of passing the time, Cao Ze told Madam Mingzhu about the events of Baiyue sixteen years ago in detail. Madam Mingzhu listened intently, finding it hard not to think about how Bai Yifei's defeat in Baiyue had almost led to the annihilation of the Bai family.

If it weren't for his father's voluntary resignation as a strategic retreat, which prompted a reaction from the Bai family, and his aunt's temporary return from seclusion, the Bai family would have been able to continue standing at the top of the Korean political ladder. Otherwise, they would have faced a situation where everyone was pushing them down when they were down, and everyone was kicking them when they were broken.

However, her father was still secretly attacked and died one after the other, along with her mother.

It was at that time that she followed the instructions of her aunt, who was still in seclusion, and secretly entered the palace. Using the incense-making techniques that her cousin had obtained from Baiyue, she gradually controlled Han An and the palace.

After a long while, Madam Mingzhu exhaled a breath of stale air from her delicate pink lips.

"So, the deaths of Liu Yi and Wujiu were both caused by the Baiyue treasure?"

"Yes, madam."

Lady Mingzhu murmured to herself, "Could it be that the Baiyue treasure truly still exists?"

The reason why Bai Yifei was able to become a commander at such a young age was due to the full support of his aunt, which seemed to be to make it easier for Bai Yifei to go to Baiyue to find Baiyue treasures and treat his aunt's injuries.

What was initially thought to be just an illusion, a reflection of my aunt's resentment, now seems to indicate that the past has not been forgotten and the Baiyue treasure truly exists.

"Is Li Kai really dead?"

Madam Mingzhu suddenly asked Cao Ze a crucial question.

Cao Ze said, "He must be dead, otherwise Ji Wuye wouldn't have given up so easily."

“That’s true.” Madam Mingzhu shifted her other long leg to Cao Ze’s lap, gesturing for him to continue.

"So, what's next..."

Lady Mingzhu gently traced her fingertips across Cao Ze's chest. "The task of finding the Baiyue treasure is now entrusted to you."

Cao Ze really wanted to beat this woman up; she didn't understand the hardships of working people at all.

Are the treasures of the Baiyue people easy to find?

A casual remark, without even a reward—what's the difference between that and a fairy?

"My lady, if I were to investigate the Baiyue treasure, it would surely arouse Ji Wuye's suspicion..."

"It's alright. Ji Wuye has a cousin who can speak on your behalf. Just go and investigate. Once you find out, I will..."

Cao Ze had no expectations whatsoever.

Lady Mingzhu said with a coquettish smile, "I will keep you by my side and have you massage my legs and back every day."

And it really was true… Cao Ze said “happily”: “Thank you, Madam. I will definitely find the Baiyue treasure.”

He silently added in his mind, "After finding the treasure, before leaving South Korea, I must repay you with my fists and let you know the power of a certain plant on my body!"

After feeling refreshed, Madam Mingzhu ruthlessly sent Cao Ze away.

She put on her clothes and went outside barefoot.

Outside, the sky was just beginning to clear. Lady Mingzhu narrowed her phoenix eyes and murmured, "Birds chirp in the clear weather, peeking and chattering under the eaves at dawn. The morning sun dries the overnight rain on the leaves, the water is clear and round, and the lotus leaves sway in the breeze..."

"Prepare the carriage to return to the palace; I wish to admire the lotus blossoms."

"It's ma'am."

……

The General's Mansion, at nightfall.

Bai Yifei, dressed in red with a white belt around his waist and wearing military boots, walked into the hall with his hands behind his back.

Jade Tiger quickly stood up and bowed to Bai Yifei, "Lord Marquis".

Bai Yifei merely glanced at the Emerald Tiger, his indifference undisguised.

"Where is the General?"

Jade Tiger dared not show the slightest anger, instead forcing a smile and saying, "General..."

"Ha ha, Your Excellency has come to my manor, I am so sorry for not welcoming you properly!"

Ji Wuye strode in, past Bai Yifei, and plopped down on the large seat.

Bai Yifei was already used to Ji Wuye's vulgarity and said, "General, when I entered the city yesterday, I learned from my cousin that the Zilan Pavilion has now gained power in Xinzheng, causing considerable losses to Nightfall."

Ji Wuye slammed his hand on the armrest, “That Han Fei, relying on Wei Zhuang being a Grandmaster, has repeatedly come to my residence to cause trouble!”

Bai Yifei's lips curled up slightly, "I heard that almost all the birds in Ghost Mountain were wiped out, which must have been done by Zilanxuan."

Seeing that Bai Yifei was reopening his wounds, Ji Wuye's expression became gloomy and uncertain.

The jade tiger shrank its short, thick neck, wishing it could crawl under the table.

“Wei Zhuang does have the strength to wipe out the hundred birds on Ghost Mountain, but according to Mo Ya’s investigation, apart from the assassins killed by swords, most of the other assassins died from lightning.”

Bai Yifei asked in surprise, "When did South Korea have a powerful expert who knows thunder magic?"

"I don't know either, but in my judgment, this person is very likely the mistress of Zilan Pavilion. The origin of Zilan Pavilion's mistress, Zi Nu, has always been mysterious. She has rarely made a move since she debuted, but judging from her ability to easily injure Bai Feng, she is very likely to be hiding a lot of strength, just like Wei Zhuang."

Ji Wuye recounted his recent investigation into Zilan Pavilion.

Bai Yifei nodded slightly, "In that case, Zilanxuan is indeed a major threat."

Ji Wuye narrowed his tiger-like eyes: "According to the Marquis's wishes..."

Bai Yifei coldly said, "Release the dogs to test them, and then eliminate them completely!"

……

Chapter 294 Unlocks a New Scene—The Funeral Hall

The stars were few and far between, and a bright moon hung high in the night sky.

A spring rain fell early in the morning, and the night was exceptionally refreshing.

Cao Ze did not return to Zilan Pavilion, but went to Liu Mansion alone.

When the steward of the manor saw Cao Zezhen arrive, the wrinkles on his old face deepened, and his surprise was palpable.

"gentlemen……"

Cao Ze said confidently, "I have already said that I will keep vigil for Brother Liu Yi. Do you have anything to say?"

The steward vehemently denied it: "No, sir, please wait a moment, I will ask your wife to come over right away."

After saying this, the steward turned and hurriedly entered the main hall where the mourning hall was set up.

Madam Hu was keeping vigil for Liu Yi in accordance with Korean custom, though she was very unwilling.

If it were her younger sister, Hu Meiren, who was the murderer who caused her family's destruction, she would not only not keep vigil for him, but would definitely find a way to tear Liu Yi apart and grind his bones to ashes.

"Madam, Mr. Cao Ze has arrived."

Mrs. Hu was slightly taken aback, thinking she was hallucinating.

"Who...did you say came?"

The old steward raised his voice slightly, "Mr. Cao Ze has arrived and says he wants to keep vigil for his master."

Madam Hu suddenly remembered that Cao Ze had told her yesterday to prepare and try it out in the mourning hall that night.

He's incredibly audacious...

Madam Hu managed to calm her agitated emotions and stood up, saying, "Take me to see him."

The old steward hesitated and said, "Madam, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Madam Hu's heart raced slightly. "You are the old steward of the manor, so please feel free to speak your mind."

The old steward rubbed his hands together and pondered, "Although Mr. Cao Ze had a good relationship with the master during his lifetime, the matter of keeping vigil is usually done by relatives..."

Madam Hu mistakenly thought that the old steward had noticed something, and hurriedly explained, "My husband has been orphaned since childhood and is ruthless in his dealings, so he has few relatives and friends. Mr. Cao Ze is kind and righteous and has never distanced himself from me, so please do not have any doubts."

The old steward paused, then lowered his voice and said, "Madam, you are still young and beautiful. My intention is not to suspect Mr. Cao Ze of having ulterior motives. Rather, I want to remind you that now that the master has passed away, it is only natural for you to make plans in advance. There is no need to worry or avoid it."

"I see that Mr. Cao Ze is handsome and seems to be fond of your wife. If your wife were to marry him, wouldn't that be a wonderful story?"

He had witnessed Madam Hu's arrival in the mansion for many years and knew that she was kind-hearted, gentle, and pure-hearted. Compared to Liu Yi, her care for the servants was like that of a fairy descended from heaven.

Madam Hu blushed to her ears and said in a low voice, "Sir, you are young and promising, while I am old and faded. Old steward, don't talk nonsense."

The old steward is a shrewd person who has served as steward in Liu Yi's household for many years; otherwise, it would have been difficult for him to have served as steward in Liu Yi's household for so long.

At this moment, he understood and couldn't help but smile and say, "Madam understands, so I won't say any more."

Madam Hu was flustered and her heart was pounding in her chest.

"Don't keep the gentleman waiting."

……