The Marquis of Ningyuan was puzzled. "If we really bring the body back, even if we don't make a big deal out of it, it's hard to guarantee that no one will find out. It will only increase the risk."
Jiang Lanzhi smiled with gentle eyes. "Father, you've forgotten. We're not only being watched by the one on the throne."
"When Uncle was alive, our Jiang family could rely on him to gain a foothold in the court. Even after his death, the same holds true."
"If we really find his body, they'll only suspect that we have something else in our hands. The more they suspect, the less they'll be able to sleep soundly. Only by keeping them in the dark can we take the initiative."
"But if we really push them too far, we might end up like your uncle." The Marquis of Ningyuan understood Jiang Lanzhi's meaning, but he still had concerns.
Jiang Lanzhi said, "Father, what are you afraid of? Everyone says that Uncle was a traitor who colluded with the enemy. But there have always been people in this world who believe in and miss Uncle. It's them who should be worried."
"What happened back then involved more than one family. Even if they want to take action, they have to think twice. Once the lid is lifted, it won't just be one family that stinks."
"How will they explain it to the world? How can they silence the world's criticism?"
Jiang Lanzhi's expression remained unchanged. "All we want is for them to ensure the Jiang family's prosperity and peace for generations."
"Only by holding each other's secrets can we coexist peacefully."
The Marquis of Ningyuan fixed a probing look on Jiang Lanzhi. His son was more shrewd and resourceful than him.
He should be glad that Jiang Lanzhi was his son and that they were on the same boat.
The Marquis of Ningyuan murmured, "Changlin, Changlin. When you were alive, your merits were so great that they intimidated the emperor. Even after your death, you still cause trouble for your elder brother!"
...
Jiang Zhao walked side by side with Jiang Yunxi.
Jiang Yunxi's curiosity resurfaced. "How do you think Uncle died?"
"What do you think?" Jiang Zhao replied indifferently.
Jiang Yunxi voiced her thoughts. "Although I didn't know Uncle well, I've heard Grandmother talk about him a lot. I've also heard a little about his past deeds."
"I don't believe that Uncle colluded with the enemy."
The smile on Jiang Zhao's lips faded, and her eyes darkened. "I once divined for Uncle."
"The official ghost line holds the world and meets the white tiger. Moreover, the corresponding line restrains the self and shows injury."
"This is an inauspicious hexagram."
"Jiang Yunxi, do you know that colluding with the enemy is a capital crime that implicates nine generations of the family? Yet you, me, and the entire Jiang family are safe and sound. Do you really think there's no hidden secret in this?"
Jiang Yunxi fell silent. If Uncle had died on the battlefield, he would have been a hero who sacrificed himself for the country and would have been remembered in history.
But if he had defected and fled, he would have lost everything, including his past merits.
Those people probably just wanted Jiang Changlin to die.
In exchange, the Jiang family had to accept this crime in order to ensure the family's peace.
Success and failure both stemmed from Jiang Changlin. It all depended on how they chose.
Jiang Zhao didn't dare to say how much her father, the Marquis of Ningyuan, had participated in this matter or what role he had played.
Jiang Zhao didn't dwell on this issue any longer. For them, it was meaningless to dig deeper.
Moreover, Jiang Changlin had also deliberately concealed the truth.
Seeing that it was still early, Jiang Zhao said, "Tell Chen Huainan that Song E will visit the Chen Mansion today."
At the mention of this, Jiang Yunxi perked up. "That's great. Let's all go and take a look."
He had no other hobbies but to join in the fun, especially when he could see Chen Huainan in trouble.
"The secrets of heaven must not be revealed. Song E won't agree. Have you forgotten what I told you before?" Jiang Zhao was a bit speechless. Her fourth elder brother was a typical person who remembered to eat but not to be beaten.
"Don't forget to tell Chen Huainan. I have something else to do. I'll leave first." With that, Jiang Zhao ignored Jiang Yunxi's reaction behind her.
Jiang Yunxi sighed. "Alas, I'm just a disposable tool. I'm only doing this because I'm your elder brother!"
Since it was inconvenient in the mansion, Jiang Zhao had left all of Song E's clothes in the Buwen Zhai.
Jiang Zhao changed into the clothes and put on the mask. As soon as she came out of the inner room, Fu Shengyan greeted her. "Wait a moment. A big client has come." As he spoke, Fu Shengyan twirled his fingers.
Jiang Zhao raised her eyebrows. "A big client? How big?"
Fu Shengyan immediately burst into laughter, and his pale face looked extremely strange.
"Is this big enough?" Fu Shengyan took out a large gold ingot from the cabinet behind him with both hands.
It was heavy in his hands. As soon as the gold ingot appeared, the whole shop seemed to light up.
Jiang Zhao couldn't help but widen her eyes. "It's really big."
This was probably the most generous client she had ever met.
Fu Shengyan nudged her shoulder and whispered, "I think that person is either rich or noble. He's come here several times."
"He specifically asked to see you. When did you become so famous behind my back?"
Jiang Zhao snorted twice. "It's a secret."
"Where is he? I'm free now. I can take a look for him."
Fu Shengyan went out the door. There was a carriage parked at the door. Jiang Zhao didn't know what he said to the person in the carriage.
"Song E, this is the young master who is looking for you."
Jiang Zhao looked up in the direction of Fu Shengyan's voice and was immediately stunned on the spot.
The man in front of her was wearing a vermilion robe embroidered with gold. There was a black gold-threaded spider-patterned belt around his waist, and the fan pendant and jade pendant on it were jingling and dazzling.
His appearance was somewhat feminine and handsome. His peach blossom eyes, half-closed as if smiling but not really smiling, tilted slightly at the ends, and there was a hidden hostility between his eyebrows.
This face was truly amazing whether he was dressed as a man or a woman.
Jiang Zhao frowned slightly under the mask. For some reason, the person in front of her seemed a bit familiar.
"I have something to do today. I won't do the divination." Jiang Zhao felt a vague uneasiness and got up to pack her things and leave.
Fu Shengyan was stunned. First, he said to Xie Si, "Please wait a moment, young master."
Xie Si wasn't angry. He sat down leisurely on one side.
"Money! Do you still want to make money? A big gold ingot!" Fu Shengyan blocked Jiang Zhao's way and whispered, "Going against money isn't your style."
Jiang Zhao bit her lip, thought for a moment, and sat down again.
Forget it. Who could resist so much money?
Jiang Zhao's voice was hoarse. She steadied her mind and said, "I wonder what this young master wants to ask?"
Xie Si looked completely nonchalant, but there was an indescribable chill emanating from his body. "I've heard that Master Song is proficient in physiognomy. How about taking a look at me first?"
Jiang Zhao raised her eyes and her gaze fell on Xie Si's overly handsome face.
It was a very prosperous and lucky face.
"Young master has a full forehead and a square chin. You come from a superior family and achieved success at a young age."
As the saying goes, a prominent forehead means achieving success at a young age. A person with a full forehead also shows that his family has a deep ancestral blessing.
Jiang Zhao continued, "Your frontal bone, cheekbone, and nose are well-proportioned. Your eyes are beautiful and long. You're bound to be close to the king."
"This is a face of power. You will surely not be just an idle rich man in the future."
Xie Si raised his eyebrows. "According to Master Song, I'll have nothing to worry about in the future."
Jiang Zhao shook her head. "Not so. Your eyes are too sharp. Your brilliance is too overwhelming, and there's hidden hostility in them. It's easy to damage yourself."
"Appearance is born from the heart, and it also changes with the heart. It's still too early to make a judgment now."
Jiang Zhao said it very euphemistically. There are nine rising bones, and one's character can be judged from the eyes and nose. The eyes are the key to judging a person's character.
Although Xie Si's face was a once-in-a-century one, there was a strong sense of aggression in his eyes.
Xie Si let out a low laugh when he heard this. Suddenly, he said, "Then Master Song might as well calculate how long my lifespan is."
Jiang Zhao raised her eyes to meet Xie Si's eyes, and her fingertips trembled involuntarily.