In He Lianfang’s residence.
Zhao Yao and He Lianfang were engaged in a battle over the sand table.
Over the past two years, Zhao Yao’s knowledge of military strategy had improved a lot, yet he was still not a match for He Lianfang. However, He Lianfang could no longer easily defeat Zhao Yao as he did in the beginning.
He Lianfang sat by the side drinking tea, while Zhao Yao stood at the sand table recreating their recent battle.
Every time after a battle, Zhao Yao would review the game and reflect on it.
Following He Lianfang’s teachings on military tactics over these two years, Zhao Yao had developed his own insights. However, due to his young age, he could not practice on the battlefield.
By the time Zhao Yao finished reflecting, it was noon, and the butler had already prepared lunch.
The mentor and disciple discussed military strategy over lunch.
After lunch, Zhao Yao wheeled He Lianfang out to the courtyard to bask in the sun.
The wheelchair that He Lianfang now used was modified by Zhao Yao, making it more convenient than the previous old wheelchair. He Lianfang didn’t need anyone to push him and could wheel himself to the courtyard to enjoy the sun.
Zhao Yao stood behind He Lianfang, with his hands on the back of the wheelchair, tilting his small face upwards, squinting as he enjoyed the warmth of the sunlight.
"There are no clues on the case of the former Empress being murdered for now," He Lianfang said in a flat tone.
"I expected as much," Zhao Yao was not surprised by the result, "How could the Old Duchess leave any leverage to threaten her daughter? She must have destroyed all evidence thoroughly."
"However, some interesting matters were uncovered," He Lianfang slightly curled his lips, revealing a suggestive smile. "Many years ago, many servants were expelled from the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, accused of theft."
Zhao Yao propped his right hand against his face and said, "If I’m not mistaken, those servants expelled from the Duke Zhen Country Mansion were killed, not a single one left alive."
"That’s right, among these servants were the old servants of the mansion, those who had served Duke Zhen Mansion all along and even served at the Old Duchess’s side," He Lianfang said in a deep voice, "The Old Duchess not only killed them but also annihilated their entire families, sparing no one."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao gasped in shock, "So ruthless?"
He Lianfang sneered, "Which of these noble families isn’t sinister and ruthless?"
"Those people served them all their lives, not only were they killed, but also their entire families," Zhao Yao frowned tightly, his face grave and cold, "Truly heartless and cruel."
"So far, there are no loose ends uncovered."
Zhao Yao sighed heavily, "Alas, I fear there are no loose ends."
"The Old Duchess was smarter and more ruthless than Empress Xie," He Lianfang remarked expressionlessly, "If she were still alive, Noble Princess Consort Rong would likely have long been dead."
"Second Uncle, you underestimate my father," Zhao Yao said, "If the Old Duchess were still alive and interfered in my father’s harem affairs, once my father knew, she would have only one outcome—death, and then Empress Xie would be deposed as well."
Hearing Zhao Yao say this, He Lianfang looked at him teasingly and said, "It seems you have great faith in your father’s skills."
"It’s not whether I believe or not, but that my father’s skills are not inferior," Zhao Yao huffed, "When it comes to playing tricks, machinations, and power plays, few in this world can outplay my father."
He Lianfang looked at him with disdain and said, "That’s true, your father is despicably treacherous and deceitful."
Zhao Yao: "..." Second Uncle, is this a compliment to Father?
"I’m sure those noble families must have planted informants in the harem, and those informants were eliminated completely by my father," Zhao Yao switched his support to his left hand and spoke with a somewhat lazy tone, "It’s impossible for these families to play tricks under my father’s nose."
"You kid are just like your father."
"Second Uncle, are you praising me or mocking me?"
"I’ll take it as a compliment," Zhao Yao said, and suddenly remembered something else, "Second Uncle, is there still no clue about the Pei Family’s abandoned house?" Follow current novᴇls on novelFɪre.net
He Lianfang shook his head and said, "No, everyone who knew about the Pei Family’s situation back then is dead, and now no one knows what secret treasure the Pei Family had."
Zhao Yao scratched his face and said, "We can only wait for Ding Yuan to recover his memory," but so far, Ding Yuan hadn’t recalled any important things. The possibility of fully recovering his memory in this lifetime is slim. "Could Han Zhong know something?"
"Han Zhong only knows that the Pei Family secretly left behind a treasure, but what and where it is remains unknown," He Lianfang raised an eyebrow slightly, "Perhaps the treasure the Pei Family left behind is just a gimmick."