Lan Ruojing's sullen face frightened them. They hurriedly answered, "Yes, yes, Young Master. We will find her."

Lan Ruojing sneered at their fearful expression and asked Si, "Keep an eye on them."

Then he went out of the room.

...

Qiao Shu was unpleased.

She plotted this to prevent Yang Zijin from marrying Shuo Ling, however, the Emperor didn't punish Yang Zijin.

Now Marquis Shuo went to Jiandu and the Emperor even commanded Yang Zijin to go with Shuo Ling. Qiao Shu shut herself in the room and wept.

Early the next day morning, Si woke those three people up, "Don't play any tricks. We'll keep an eye on you. If you try to run away, you three and your brothers will die."

"We know, we know. We won't run away." They promised.

Si urged, "Don't waste your time. Go out to find that woman."

Chushi Youtian was also busy at this time. He finally found the way to see the content on the parchment scroll in an ancient book.

Chushi Youtian let Eunuch Li fetch him a basin of water and a paper igniter.

Eunuch Li wondered why Chushi Youtian needed these but he dared not to ask, so he did as he was told.

After Eunuch Li brought paper igniter and water, Chushi Youtian let him leave and close the door.

After Eunuch Li left, Chushi Youtian followed the steps in the book to soak the scroll in water and then he lighted the candle on the table with the paper igniter.

Then he took out the scroll from the water and dried it on the candle's fire.

As he had expected, the map and characters gradually appeared on the parchment scroll, overjoying Chushi Youtian.

He held it in his hand to look carefully as soon as the content fully appeared.

However, he frowned, because he found that the scroll he had was just a part of the treasure map. Where was the rest of the map? Chushi Youtian threw the scroll on the table. He rejoiced too soon.

Yan He the Beiling's Emperor was clever that he divided the map into two parts.

However, Chushi Youtian could always get what he wanted. Nothing could stop him from unifying this land.

The day was getting dark. Chushi Youtian called Luofeng and others again.

"What is the command, Your Majesty?" Luofeng asked.

Chushi Youtian pointed at Luofeng and Luoxue, "You two go to Jiandu and report to me if there's anything usual."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Luoxue and Luofeng exchanged a glance.

Chushi Youtian waved his hand and they disappeared in the darkness.

...

In the yard that shut Biesan, Lan Ruojing looked at the three men who went out in the day, playing with the sword in his hand, and asked coldly, "You didn't find her?"

"We didn't..." The three men shivered.

Lan Ruojing interrupted loudly, "Fine. Then today is the end of his days."

Lan Ruojing pointed the sword at the man who had his tongue cut out, their big brother Biesan.

Biesan shrieked and cowered back.

"Young Master, we will find her tomorrow. Please spare his life!"

A man stood out and knelt at Lan Ruojing to intercede for Biesan.

"It seems that you are a man of brotherhood. You intercede for him, then you die instead." He poked the man who interceded for Biesan.

Before the man reacted, he was lying on the ground and his blood spurted onto those men.

They were too frightened to speak. Biesan crept up to the man with tears in his eyes, covering his wound with his hands, shrieking.

The man on the ground held Biesan's hand tightly, "Big brother, I've never regretted to... to follow you, big... big brother, from now on..."

His hand fell before his words ended.

Biesan held the man tightly with his arms and other people also shed tears.

Lan Ruojing stood up and looked at them, "Tomorrow will be the same."

He wrapped the blood on his sword with a piece of cloth and left.

Early the next day morning, Prime Minister Lan called Lan Ruojing over.

"How is it going?" Prime Minister Lan asked.

Lan Ruojing answered, "I've caught those who made the disturbance at the gate, but I haven't found the plotter yet."

Prime Minister Lan sighed.

"Why sigh, father?" Lan Ruojing asked.

Prime Minister Lan shook his head, "I couldn't eat well or sleep well these days. If the plotter comes from the palace, she won't do us any good."

"No need to worry too much, father. I will find the plotter soon." Lan Ruojing comforted Prime Minister Lan.

Prime Minister Lan uttered another sigh, "Hope everything goes well. Go ahead."

"I'll take my leave." Lan Ruojing left the room for the side yard.

Si came back at noon. He saw Lan Ruojing and walked over, "Young Master, that woman is found."

"Who is it?" Lan Ruojing looked at Si.

Si answered, "I followed her and saw she entered Qiao's Mansion. Then I inquired about her and knew she was Qiao Shu, the lady of Qiao's mansion."

"Qiao Shu? I know. Go ahead." Lan Ruojing frowned but then he smiled.

Si asked, "Young Master, what do we do with those people?"

"Keep them in check." Lan Ruojing went out.

He had heard that the lady of Qiao's mansion admired Marquis Shuo and Si's words proved this. He had to say that she played her card well at preventing Shuo Ling's marriage with Yang Zijin.

Unfortunately, she shouldn't have gotten involved in it.

But then he let out a long sigh of relief: It was not a big deal as long as the plotter was not imperial concubine Xiao or her kind.

Thinking it over, even if Qiao Shu didn't do this, Infanta Qingcheng would manage to let the Emperor know and things would get worse.

Lan Ruojing rolled his eyes and came up with an idea.

He went to the direction of Qiao's Mansion.

Qiao Shu went back to her residence. She had just sat down when she heard the noise aside and immediately stood up, "Who is it?"

"Miss Qiao." Lan Ruojing leaped in through the window and smiled at Qiao Shu.

Qiao Shu had met Lan Ruojing before, "Young Master Lan, how come you're here?"

"It doesn't matter why I'm here, but I know that His Majesty has given the order to look into the disturbance at the gate. I'm here to kindly remind you of it." Lan Ruojing sat down next to Qiao Shu.

Qiao Shu paused and then said, "I don't know what you mean."

"You don't know? Then I have to show His Majesty the fake soldiers. If they give you away..." Lan Ruojing looked at her.

Qiao Shu stood up and came to the window, "Say it, what do you want?"

"You are a smart girl, Miss Qiao. Then I won't beat about the bush. Shall we make a deal?" Lan Ruojing smiled.

Qiao Shu turned around, "What deal?"

"I get rid of those people for you, and you kill a person for me." Lan Ruojing said with murderous intention flashing in his eyes.

Qiao Shu was shocked but then she asked, "It's a piece of cake for you to kill someone. Why do you ask for my help?"

"I'm afraid you will be pleased to do me this favor, Miss Qiao." Lan Ruojing walked over.

Qiao Shu looked at Lan Ruojing over her shoulder, "Why am I pleased? And who is it?"

"Infanta Qingcheng." Lan Ruojing slightly smiled and then said.

Qiao Shu revealed a trace of hatred in her eyes when she heard Yang Zijin's name. She asked, "Infanta Qingcheng is not in Jing City. How can I do something to her?"

"Don't worry. Following the flood in Jiandu must be a plague. His Majesty will send imperial doctors there. Miss Qiao, hold your chance then." Judging from her complexion, Lan Ruojing could know her hatred for Infanta Qingcheng.

Qiao Shu sat down at the table and then questioned, "Why do you think I'll agree to your plan?"

"As the saying goes, 'If you have the same enemy, you are allies.' Am I right, Miss Qiao?" Lan Ruojing uttered a laugh.

Qiao Shu also heard about what Yang Zijin had done on her wedding feast. If she was not mistaken, it was Prime Minister Lan who was in charge of the fund for Jiandu's dam this year.

She thought of this and promised, "Fine. Since this is your intention, I take it."

"I know you are a smart woman. I will dispose of those fake soldiers for you." Then he left.

After Lan Ruojing went away, Qiao Shu felt a little worried. But a moment later she regained her composure. A malicious smiled appeared at the corner of her lips: Yang Zijin, you've asked for it.

Lan Ruojing entered the side yard and went directly to the room that shut Biesan and others. He ordered the doorkeeper, "Open the door."

The men inside watched the door open and were feared to see Lan Ruojing.

Lan Ruojing went to Biesan and said with a smile, "Since the plotter is found, you have nothing to do with the following matters. You can leave."

Biesan and others immediately rose to their feet and ran out. They couldn't bear staying here any longer.

Lan Ruojing's smile faded disappeared after they all went away. He called Si.

"What should I do, Young Master?" Si came up, asking.

Lan Ruojing turned to him and said, "Follow them."

He then made a cut-throat gesture.

"Got it." Si wanted to leave.

Lan Ruojing added, "Wait a minute."

"Anything else?" Si turned around.

Lan Ruojing said, "Do it quietly."

"Yes, Young Master." Si chased after the direction they left.