The widow of Zhou Min?

Upon hearing these words, Xu Qi'an's first reaction was that she was lying.

Except for the officials, all the officials in the Great Feng Dynasty, from the provincial governors to the county magistrates, were from outside the region.

As the commander of the command post and an experienced undercover Nightwatcher, Zhou Min would naturally be no exception. Moreover, his official position was just a cover, and his true identity was a Nightwatcher spy.

Would Wei Yuan let an undercover spy bring his wife and children with him? That would be too risky.

"Zhou Min?" Zhang Xun frowned, "What grievances does he have?"

He acted as if he had no idea who Zhou Min was.

Yang Yingying said with a mournful voice, "My husband was an experienced undercover in the Yunzhou command post."

Zhang Xun was surprised and his attitude suddenly changed. He bent down and helped Yang Yingying, who was kneeling, "So you are Zhou's wife. What happened to Zhou? Why did you have to go all the way to Qingzhou to file a complaint?"

"Qingzhou and Yunzhou are both at the same level of jurisdiction. Governor Yang in Qingzhou may not take on this case. Well, I am the governor of Yunzhou, and all three departments in Yunzhou are under my command. It's fine to tell me about your grievances, madam."

It turned out that not only women were born actresses, but also officials were skilled actors... Xu Qi'an silently observed, watching Zhang Xun perform alone.

Yang Yingying hesitated for a moment, staring at Zhang Xun, and said, "Sir, may I see your appointment letter or even your official seal?"

This statement made Zhang Xun and the Nightwatchers frown.

The Nightwatchers instinctively gripped their knives and scrutinized Yang Yingying.

This was not something an ordinary woman could say, even if she was an experienced undercover's wife.

She knew the situation very well... Xu Qi'an also gripped his knife and stared at Yang Yingying seriously. This woman showed no signs of aura or martial arts, and her body fat coverage did not seem like someone who practiced martial arts.

But he couldn't rule out the possibility that she was a martial artist. Other systems had too many flashy techniques, and he couldn't take it lightly.

Zhang Xun took two steps back without showing any signs, saying, "Jiang Jinluo, please fetch my appointment letter and official seal."

Coward... Jiang Lvzhong glanced at him and brought the documents and official seal.

Zhang Xun ignored Jiang Lvzhong's gesture and looked at Yang Yingying, "Since you are Zhou's wife, I will allow you to take a look."

Jiang Lvzhong had no choice but to step forward and present the documents and official seal.

Yang Yingying carefully looked at them for a long time. In fact, it was her first time seeing an appointment letter. Her gaze searched for the words "Yunzhou" and "governor" and then saw the bright red seal, dispelling any doubts.

Up to this point, the other party was willing to discuss with her, which showed sincerity and attitude.

Yang Yingying knelt down again and kowtowed, saying, "I am Yang Yingying, a woman from the Yunzhou Official Brothel Sector. Several years ago, I met and fell in love with Mr. Zhou, who was an experienced undercover in the Yunzhou command post. I left my lowly status and have been serving by Mr. Zhou's side..."

Everyone showed an expression of "so that's how it is."

...So she was a seafood merchant, no wonder she was more knowledgeable than ordinary women and knew how to read documents and official seals. Xu Qi'an suddenly realized.

In this era, female seafood merchants were a highly educated and cultured group of women. They were proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and other arts.

Yang Yingying briefly mentioned her past with Zhou Min and openly admitted that she was a concubine kept outside. Zhou Min would only meet her once in a while.

"A while ago, Mr. Zhou suddenly came to me and gave me something. He said that he might be in danger recently. If something really happened to him, I should immediately hide and then find a way to leave Yunzhou and deliver this item to Governor Yang in Qingzhou."

"Not long after, I received news of Mr. Zhou's death..." Tears rolled down Yang Yingying's face, and she sobbed, "I was both sad and scared. I didn't dare to stay any longer, so I hid at a sister's house and asked her to gather information for me."

"After hiding for a while, that sister told me that Zhao Ye's caravan was going to Qingzhou soon. So I borrowed twenty taels of silver from her, bought a horse, and left Yunzhou with the caravan..."

Everyone knew what happened next.

Xu Qi'an silently observed, carefully examining Yang Yingying's subtle expressions. This time when she spoke, her eyes were focused, her voice was mournful, and full of emotions.

There was no sign of falsehood.

So he searched for clues in Yang Yingying's words—Zhou Min never revealed his identity as a Nightwatcher spy until his death, even to someone he could completely trust. This showed that Zhou Min was a qualified spy.

If he easily revealed his identity, it would be suspicious.

As for why he went to Qingzhou to find Master Ziyang instead of the neighboring states, Xu Qi'an judged that Zhou Min didn't trust anyone except this Great Scholar from the Yunlu Academy.

Firstly, compared to ordinary scholars, the Great Scholars from the Yunlu Academy were more trustworthy due to their cultivation system. After all, scoundrels couldn't survive in the Confucian system.

Secondly, there was a dispute between the Yunlu Academy and the National Academy scholars. Following the principle of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," it was the right choice to find Master Ziyang.

Zhang Xun frowned, "Are you suspecting that Zhou Min was murdered?"

Yang Yingying nodded vigorously, "It's already obvious, isn't it? I beg you, sir, to help my husband."

"This..." Zhang Xun pondered for a moment, "Alright, I promise you. Show me the item that Zhou left for you."

Yang Yingying immediately kowtowed, "Thank you, sir."

Xu Qi'an couldn't help but look at Zhang Xun with a different perspective. Zhang Xun's scheming was impressive, truly an old hand in the officialdom. He was also someone who worked under Wei Yuan, and his heart was quite dirty.

Yang Yingying stood up straight, reached into her bosom, and took out half of a jade pendant, offering it with both hands, "This is what Mr. Zhou gave me that night."

Everyone's gaze focused on the jade pendant.

It was a semicircular jade pendant, translucent green all over. It should have been a complete round jade, but it was cut in half by a sharp weapon.

Jiang Lvzhong took the jade pendant and handed it to Zhang Xun, who held it between his fingertips and pondered in silence.

"It looks like a token," Jiang Lvzhong whispered. After he finished speaking, he looked at Xu Qi'an, seeking his opinion.

Zhang Xun also looked over.

Why are you looking at me? I can investigate the case, but I'm not a diviner... You two are not hiding the fact that you're using me as a tool at all... Xu Qi'an pondered and said, "Let's go to Yunzhou first. There's no point in guessing blindly."

Zhang Xun put away the jade pendant and ordered his soldiers, "Continue forward, heading to Yunzhou."

They buried the bodies in a pit and brought the surviving merchants and goods with them. The team continued on their journey, following the official road towards Yunzhou.

...

Under the bright sunshine, in this rare morning, after Huai Qing finished her sword practice, she was about to call the palace maids to prepare hot water. But when she turned her head, she saw two palace maids sitting in the pavilion playing chess.

Huai Qing frowned, not because she disliked the palace maids playing chess, but because they didn't know how to play chess at all.

She didn't say anything and silently walked into the pavilion, observing the two palace maids playing chess.

The delicate palace maids were completely absorbed in the game, not noticing the approach of their mistress.

They played chess without any strategy, without understanding the layout or competing for advantageous positions. They placed their pieces quickly, seemingly without any thought.

Huai Qing's frown deepened. This kind of random play was very uncomfortable for her, a skilled player. But after watching for a while, she understood.

This kind of chess was very simple, the goal was to be the first to form a line of five pieces, whether vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. Whoever achieved five consecutive pieces would be the winner.

Unable to hold back, she asked, "What kind of chess is this?"

The two palace maids were startled and hurriedly stood up, answering in a soft voice, "It's called Five-in-a-Row."

Five-in-a-Row? What is that?

Huai Qing, who was highly educated, was stunned.

The other palace maid explained, "It was spread by Princess Lin'an. It has already reached the palace, and everyone is playing it."

She referred to the palace eunuchs and palace maids.

"I heard that even Concubine Chen finds it interesting," the other palace maid said.

Lin'an? She's just a foolish girl... Huai Qing nodded and said, "Cancel my lunch. I will go to bathe."

The Emperor Yuan Jing's palace was hosting a banquet this morning, and the princes and princesses would have their meals in the Qianqing Palace.

After finishing her bath, Princess Huai Qing left the palace and headed to the Qianqing Palace.

In the magnificent and grand hall, she saw her brothers and sisters. In a place where she was absent, Lin'an, who liked to wear red dresses and wear elaborate and intricate jewelry, was the center of attention.

Search tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w for the original.

Today was a bit different. The princes and princesses only nodded to Huai Qing before continuing their previous conversation.

"Lin'an has created a new style. Five-in-a-Row has simple rules and is more interesting to play. Even the attendants in my palace easily picked it up and enjoyed playing it."

"Our Princess Lin'an's name will be widely known."

With a round face and charming eyes, Biao Biao enjoyed the praise from her brothers and sisters. Her mouth curled up into a sweet smile, but she pretended to be modest.

Like a proud little hen who wanted to show off but restrained herself.

Seeing Huai Qing enter, she slightly raised her snow-white chin and struck a proud pose.

Be jealous of me, be jealous of me... Biao Biao muttered in her heart, stealing a glance at Huai Qing.

But the aloof Huai Qing just sat down, took a few sips of tea, and ignored her foolish sister.

Hmph... Huai Qing is indeed jealous of me. Biao Biao comforted herself in her heart.

Princess Huai Qing was an outcast among the imperial princesses. This was not only because she was proud, but also because her thoughts were unpredictable, making it difficult for the princes and princesses to figure her out. While the princesses discussed topics such as beautiful clothes and makeup, she was interested in the Four Books and Five Classics.

When the princes discussed politics and the overall situation, she would say, "How to solve the water disaster? How to govern officials?"

The princes would feel uncomfortable. Who knows about that? We are discussing the big picture, macro issues. You're just being argumentative.

As noon approached, the eunuchs from Emperor Yuan Jing's palace came to invite the princes and princesses.

Biao Biao followed behind the Crown Prince, swaying her skirt, and suddenly heard Huai Qing's voice from behind, "Lin'an."

Biao Biao perked up and smiled uncontrollably, unable to control her expression. She proudly said, "What?"

When the other princes walked away, Huai Qing walked over, and Biao Biao couldn't help but look at the annoying Huai Qing. Her beautiful face showed no expression as she ate her food.

Biao Biao's eyes rolled around, and she smiled playfully, "Because Lin'an is Father's daughter, and Father is the smartest person in the world."

Emperor Yuan Jing burst into laughter.

Father really has been paying attention to the palace's situation, just like how he silently watched over the court... Huai Qing ate her food calmly.

She never cultivated her own trusted subordinates in the palace, never actively inquired about palace news. Even the recent Five-in-a-Row that had become popular, she didn't know about it.

It wasn't that Huai Qing didn't know, but that she didn't want to know.

Huai Qing had to admit that even though Lin'an was extremely foolish, even if she was a waste, she still had her uses. It all depended on how you used her.

At least in pleasing Father, no one in the palace could surpass Lin'an, including those favored or once favored concubines.