Chapter 77

Wang Yuyan seemed to pay no attention to these matters; she focused all her thoughts on the flying dagger, her small cherry lips slightly parted, and her brows always revealing an indelible springtime charm.

"If what the young master said is true, there is indeed a match. In the Zhe Dong area, there is a Haijiao Sect. The sect leader, Shi Baoshan, is skilled in a type of flying dagger. It is said that this fish-scale dagger technique requires practice from a young age. Once proficient, one can use it at will, directing the dagger with their mind!"

Wang Yuyan's voice was pleasant, serene, and melodious. Zhao Yougong listened carefully, of course, mostly because he was looking at the beauty's face.

The pleasant atmosphere was always marred by some spoilsport. The usually silent Dugu Qiubai suddenly snorted, "A trifling skill!"

One trifling skill made Wang Yuyan blush, but she did not dare to contradict Dugu Qiubai. She could only pout and glare at him with her beautiful eyes, "Mr. Dugu, don't look down on the martial arts of the world. Even you can't defeat this young master!"

Wang Yuyan was quick-witted, and with one sentence, she brought Zhao Yougong into the conversation. Fortunately, the two men were not fools, especially Zhao Yougong, who pursed his lips and said rudely, "Young lady, don't play these tricks. If you anger Mr. Dugu, it won't be good for you!"

Hearing Zhao Yougong's words, Wang Yuyan was very angry. These two people actually didn't fall for it. In fact, she couldn't understand why this strange Dugu, who didn't even care about her cousin Murong Fu, had a deep friendship with this young master.

Having gotten what he wanted, Zhao Yougong had no intention of staying longer and got up to leave.

"Young master, may I know your name?"

"Hehe, young lady, are you trying to secretly tell your cousin my name? Don't even think about it, just be a good cousin to me!"

Zhao Yougong left with a swagger, leaving Wang Yuyan fuming, why couldn't she deceive these two people?

Looking at the dim moonlight, Dugu Qiubai, holding a wine flask, walked into the house, "Go to sleep!"

"I won't sleep!"

"Then don't sleep!"

"Hey, Mr. Dugu, who is that young master?"

"A strange person!"

Wang Yuyan was frustrated, knowing that asking would be in vain. That young master, with his brocade robe and jade-like face, and such remarkable skills, must not be an unknown person. Why hadn't she heard of him?

In the Kaifeng Prefecture, Gongsun Kang was directing the five brave warriors to run around. Most of the people in the government office were preoccupied with the murder case at Xiangguo Temple, while Zhao Xiaogong, the young prince, was lounging in the back office, sipping plum juice. He had never realized that Ajiu had such good culinary skills.

Today was a leisurely day, and Zhu Lian, dressed as a man, was pretending to be a criminal investigator. He didn't understand why this woman was so interested in solving cases.

Shi Baoshan, the Haijiao Sect in Zhe Dong, could he be one of Fang La's people? Since the end of the Song Dynasty in this timeline was already a mess, Zhao Yougong couldn't be sure if Shi Baoshan would still follow Fang La. In any case, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious.

Sometimes, Zhao Yougong was really frustrated. If this Northern Song were still the historical Northern Song, it would be much better. Then he could rely on his knowledge as a time traveler to do something. Now, everything had to be done on his own. He remembered the first time he heard that the Northern Liao was ruled by Yelü Hongji, he almost fainted. According to the normal timeline, Yelü Hongji should have been dead for a long time, how could he still be ruling the Liao Kingdom? From then on, Zhao Yougong knew that this timeline's Northern Song was already unrecognizable, and relying on historical knowledge would lead to a very tragic end.

Ajiu stood obediently by his side, and Zhao Yougong couldn't help but look at her a few more times, then smiled and shook his head. This girl, with better nutrition, was becoming more beautiful, her skin no longer dry. The only thing that made him depressed was why this girl's certain part wasn't growing. Was it because she was too young and hadn't reached the age of development? But that didn't make sense. Fourth Sister was only fourteen, and her certain part was already so full. Ajiu was only one year younger than Fourth Sister, why was there such a big difference?

Zhao Yougong's eyes were lecherous, making Ajiu feel uncomfortable. She looked down at her clothes and then looked at Zhao Yougong pitifully.

".... What are you thinking, girl? I just want you to change into a public official's uniform. Do you want to wear servant's clothes for the rest of your life?"

Ajiu nodded and smiled, making a sewing gesture, which made Zhao Yougong laugh. It turned out that the public official's uniform was too loose on Ajiu and needed to be adjusted.

After noon, Gongsun Kang came to report on the progress of the case, and Zhao Yougong listened attentively.

Recently, Zhao Ding and Gongsun Kang had been focusing on investigating the Red Flower Troupe and the deceased's enemies, but they couldn't find any clues. Gongsun Kang was already at his wits' end, and the emperor's pressure made Zhao Ding almost go crazy.

At some point, Zhu Lian walked in with a book and interjected, "Mr. Gongsun, since it's hard to find clues, why not change direction?"

"Does Mr. Zhu have any good ideas?"

"It's not a great idea, but I once read a case from the time of Chancellor Bao. It was a case of a wife being taken. According to the records, there was a daughter of a prominent family surnamed Wang, who had two suitors. Since a woman can only marry one man, the two men had a duel by the Cai River outside Bianliang. The survivor became Wang's husband!"

Bao Zheng's cases were often complicated, but Zhu Lian's narration was concise and clear. Zhao Yougong caught the meaning, and Gongsun Kang understood as well. He was delighted and left happily.

Without anyone else around, Zhao Yougong pointed at Zhu Lian and said helplessly, "You are really something. Didn't you say you were reading 'Qi Min Yao Shu'? Why are you reading case files?"

"If His Highness doesn't want me to, I won't come anymore!"

".... You are really bold, aren't you afraid I'll force you?" Zhao Yougong sat up straight, raised his hands, and made a milking gesture.

Zhu Lian didn't understand this gesture and pursed her lips calmly, "If His Highness is willing, I am willing too!"

Zhu Lian's words had deep meaning, and those who didn't know her well couldn't understand. To be precise, Zhu Lian only said half of it. If Zhao Xiaogong were to take action, she would leave.

"Ridiculous, I'll go for a walk. You can finish the plum juice yourself!"

Not wanting to play word games with Zhu Lian, Zhao Yougong got up and led Ajiu to the front office. Zhu Lian smiled and didn't press further. She believed that as long as the time was right, everything would become clear.

In the front office, Zhao Ding and Gongsun Kang were discussing the case. Gongsun Kang, having just heard Zhu Lian's advice, analyzed the case clearly.

"Zhao Langzhong, have you investigated whether the Red Flower Troupe has any recent engagements?"

"Hmm?" Zhao Ding hadn't thought about it before. He jumped and signaled to the person beside him, "Zhao Xiaowei, please investigate!"

Zhao Tianbao bowed and accepted the task. As he reached the door, he saw Zhao Yougong leading Ajiu around.

"His Highness!"

"Leopard, be smart. If there are any clues, report them to Mr. Gongsun alone. No reason to let the Ministry of Justice benefit!"

"Hehe, Your Highness, rest assured. I know what to do. Once the case is solved, the credit will definitely be ours in Kaifeng Prefecture!"

Fortunately, Zhao Ding couldn't hear this. If he did, he would surely storm out. Zhao Tianbao left and returned to Kaifeng Prefecture after more than two hours, carrying two pots of wine and several packs of dried meat.

Zhao Ding and Gongsun Kang had been busy all day without eating, so they didn't hesitate to tear open the paper and start eating. Unfortunately, after a few cups of wine, Zhao Ding fell asleep on the table. At this point, Gongsun Kang still didn't understand what was going on. After Zhao Tianbao explained the credit-grabbing, Gongsun Kang understood. In the political arena, it's like a battlefield. If Kaifeng Prefecture can keep the credit to itself, why share it with the Ministry of Justice?

"Mr. Gongsun, we have found out. On the second day of the eighth month, it is Cai Xiang's birthday. The Red Flower Troupe was originally invited to perform at the Cai residence. Now that the Red Flower Troupe is out, it's the turn of the Hejia Troupe."

"Hejia Troupe? Birthday? Wait, that's not right. Isn't Cai Xiang's birthday on the fifth day of the fifth month and the tenth day of the tenth month? How can it be the second day of the eighth month?"

"I have inquired. Cai Xiang consulted Master Lin, who said that the second day of the eighth month and the tenth day of the tenth month are both good for his birthday this year..."

Hearing Zhao Tianbao's words, Gongsun Kang sneered inwardly. What nonsense! It's ridiculous for someone to have two birthdays in a year. Last time, the fifth day of the fifth month was changed to the tenth day of the tenth month, and now it's even more absurd, having two birthdays in a year. Can't he find a better reason to get money? Gongsun Kang understood this clearly but didn't dare to say it.

Speaking of Cai Xiang, he was indeed impressive. A chancellor can change his birthday, and now he has two birthdays a year, which is a rare occurrence.

A corrupt chancellor is bound to be hated. Getting rid of the Red Flower Troupe and replacing it with the Hejia Troupe suggests that someone might be hiding in the Hejia Troupe to assassinate Cai Xiang. With this idea, Gongsun Kang went to Zhao Yougong and then hurriedly went to the Cai residence.

It was already the hour of Dog, and Cai Xiang was enjoying his meal. Upon hearing that someone from Kaifeng Prefecture had come, he casually said, "Wait!"

Waiting was no problem, after all, it was Cai Xiang. The problem was waiting for half an hour, which was too disrespectful. Gongsun Kang thought, if he had known, he wouldn't have come. Let the assassin scare Cai Xiang, rather than putting on a warm face to a cold one.

Cai Xiang finally arrived, and Gongsun Kang had to bow and greet him respectfully, "Cai Chancellor, greetings!"

Cai Xiang sat at the table, and a servant brought him tea and water for rinsing his mouth. Then he slowly asked, "Mr. Gongsun, is there something important?"

"Reporting to Cai Chancellor, I am here regarding the murder case at Xiangguo Temple!"

The murder case at Xiangguo Temple was a big deal, and it was even discussed in the imperial court. Cai Xiang naturally knew about it, but what did the murder case have to do with his residence?