Chen Yi is undoubtedly the best candidate. Firstly, his martial arts have already reached the third grade realm, overshadowing Dong Gong Ruoshu. Secondly, they have quite a bit of rapport, so he wouldn't just leave this stupid girl be. Moreover, there is an order from the Empress Dowager, so Wei Wuque conveniently entrusted this heavy responsibility to Chen Yi. As for the benefits, if one day this stupid girl were to fall for him, that would be the only gain, which is pretty much none.
Miss Donggong held the tea bowl and gently blew on it, slightly raising her other hand to cover herself. While this girl may be a bit foolish, she is not ignorant of etiquette. Her deanor still carries the aura expected of a Chen Family daughter. She simply doesn't want to be restrained, and this is sothing Chen Yi could discern.
Afterwards, there's still the need to infiltrate the White Lotus Sect under the guise of an ally. Chen Yi's only concern lay with this. After pondering for a mont, he said, "Miss Donggong, let be clear upfront. I don't care if you try to seduce , nor how you think of , but you'd better not cause any trouble for on the way, and don't ruin my plans."
Dong Gong Ruoshu, who happened to be listening at the ti, naturally understood that Chen Yi was talking about gaining the trust of the White Lotus Sect. She nodded and said, "I understand. I have never been one to spoil others' plans."
"Good."
"Speaking of which, if you want to establish contact with the White Lotus Sect, it's best to visit the Su Family." Dong Gong Ruoshu ntioned this, pondering the issue, and then continued, "However... so people in the Su Family recognize , and they might be wary of you."
"Simple, change your clothes, put on your mask, and pose as an attendant student for ."
"Oh, where do I change clothes?" It dawned on Dong Gong Ruoshu, as she had been bored following along from the Xique Pavilion for quite a while. Now, being entrusted to Chen Yi, she quickly followed him out.
"What else can we do? First, let's get a room at an inn."
.........
.........
It was late at night, and the lights at the governnt office were still on.
The footsteps hadn't yet approached when Kou Jun stood up, timing his steps to greet the arrival, just as Su Hongtao's figure appeared, and he stepped over the threshold.
"Welco, Anshan Gong, apologies for not coming out to et you sooner."
"No need, no need, Governor Kou, no need for formalities."
After exchanging courtesies, Kou Jun led Su Hongtao into the hall, gesturing for the attendants to withdraw. The two of them moved behind the screen, and Kou Jun lowered his voice, saying:
"There are no outsiders here, Anshan Gong, so I won't beat around the bush. What has Mr. Han been up to lately? Have you found out?"
Su Hongtao's expression beca slightly solemn, and he pulled out a tightly folded piece of Xuan paper from his sleeves, saying, "It's all in here. Recently, while Han Naitai appeared to be having fun at the Bright Moon Pavilion, he disappeared for half an hour. I sent people to investigate, and found a trace at Yan Gui Building."
"Did he et soone? Initially insisted on auditing the canal transport accounts under the pretense of a case investigation, claiming to do things independently, yet secretly eting shady individuals. Han Naitai touts himself as a paragon of virtue but is a hypocrite beyond compare."
Kou Jun's repeated criticisms made Su Hongtao frown. Fortunately, he was skilled at adapting, and imdiately flattered, saying:
"It's Anshan Gong's keen insight that revealed his true nature."
He took the paper from Su Hongtao's hand, unfolded it, glanced over briefly, and then said, "It's regrettable we still don't know who Han Naitai t."
Su Hongtao pondered for a bit before asserting, "It couldn't be soone from the governnt office; his foundation is weak, and he has very few confidants."
"Nor should it be a wealthy rchant. As an Inspector handling criminal cases, he generally wouldn't co into contact with such people. He hasn't been lining his pockets at his residence either." Kou Jun paused, puzzled, and said, "Then it's strange. Who did he et? A commoner? What good would that do him?"
Kou Jun was puzzled, while Su Hongtao also speculated. When the White Lotus Sect first wreaked havoc in Hu-Guang, the officials thought it was only a cult inciting disorder among the troublemakers, easily quelled. But only Su Hongtao understood that the situation in Hu-Guang had long been on the brink of eruption, whether it happened during their term or the next one would be in trouble. And once chaos broke out, it wouldn't be easily resolved. Hence, early arrangents were made. He rapidly allied with Kou Jun to seize military, governntal, and financial control of Hu-Guang. At the sa ti, they placed operatives in the Imperial Prison to confuse Han Xiu with nurous complex old cases. And in this situation, Su Hongtao remains the one most inford about the circumstances.
He utilized his longstanding reputation alongside the Xia Shui Su Family's influence in Hu-Guang, combined with many far-sighted arrangents. Even the governor assigned by the court was sidelined by Su Hongtao and Kou Jun working together, leaving only Han Xiu who still didn't recognize the situation but hasn't escaped the trap either.
Because everything was under control, Han Xiu's action utterly surprised Su Hongtao. He couldn't figure out who Han Xiu was contacting.
"Hey, I suddenly thought, it doesn't matter who he contacts; what's important is what he plans to do with them." Kou Jun paused and sneered, "The important thing is that these people have sinister intentions, plotting to assassinate court officials. This lot must undoubtedly be the White Lotus Sect people."
In an instant, Su Hongtao understood the implication of those words.
It was simply a matter of framing, and Kou Jun didn't disappoint as the scourge left by the Lin Party, saying such disgraceful things outright.
The words sounded good, but it's difficult to determine whether Han Xiu was just putting on a façade, eting commoners to force them to show their flaws. If they act rashly and enter a trap, it will be too late to undo the damage.
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