Although Wang Chusheng had already given an oral account earlier on the hall, Zhao Douan merely listened at the time and did not feel too much.
But now, as he personally flipped through the events recorded on page after page, Zhao Douan felt the thin paper had become incredibly heavy.
Framing, wrongful killing, silencing, rape, corruption, harboring enemies...
In Zhao Douan's mind emerged the image of the upright face of the governor; who would have thought that behind the scenes, he was no better than a beast in human clothing?
"Heh... everyone calls me a treacherous official, ruthless and cold-hearted, a man who everyone wants to execute, but in comparison... I'm practically as clean as Hai Rui..."
Zhao Douan mocked himself internally as he closed the dossier.
Suddenly, he lost any interest to idle chat with the two Gold Shadow Guards; he waved his hand:
"Thank you for your hard work. When I return to the capital, I will commend you."
The eyes of the female warrior brightened, content and satisfied, a smile spreading on her face.
Her eyes lingered longingly on the Fengyue Treasure Mirror on the desk, thinking that it would be great if she were awarded it.
"Thank you, my lord. We won't disturb you further." Seeing what his colleague desired, the scholar hurriedly bid farewell, dragging his female coworker away.
Utterly helpless in his mind: Would the notorious "Yama Zhao" be easy to get along with?
You still dare to ask for a commendation... With such a single-minded nature, if not for the proficiency in killing, how could you find a place within the Shadow Guards?
Zhao Douan had just put away his precious mirror, along with the dossier.
Then he saw a figure in a flowing robe drift in, the distinguished lady Xu Junling stepping forward.
Behind her followed the maid Lv Shui, the elderly man in plain robes Lv Qingfeng, and other protectors, including a broadsword-wielding man and a sword-toting heroine.
"Commandery Princess?" Zhao Douan snapped out of his unknown emotions, revealing a smile.
Xu Junling's bright eyes stared at him as she said:
"I have decided to depart first."
Zhao Douan was momentarily stunned, then nodded:
"That's right, I should also be heading back to the capital tomorrow. It is indeed time to say goodbye. Heh, I thought the Commandery Princess was going to leave tomorrow or perhaps spend a few more days enjoying the city."
Xu Junling replied with a bitter tone:
"I'm not in the mood for enjoyment anymore. It's been a long while since I've been away from the Royal Mansion, and it's time to go back. I never expected that this small silver mine would be involved in such a huge incident."
She suddenly said seriously: "Gao Lian comes from a scholarly family in Jiangnan, and his legal wife's family is among the major clans of the south."
Zhao Douan joked: "I know, so?"
Xu Junling said annoyed:
"Thus, Gao Lian is also a member of the Li Party. Moreover, as a governor of Secondary Second Rank holding real authority locally, to some extent, he is far more important to the Li Party than many officials in the capital.
By taking him back with you this time, Li Yanfu won't sit by idly. Even if he doesn't want to get involved, he must do something. Otherwise, not just Li Yanfu's subordinates but also the major families in Jiangnan will not agree.
Just like what Wang Chusheng said, they are all grasshoppers on the same rope. Wang Chusheng can be treated as an Abandoned Child, but Gao Lian is different."
Zhao Douan said nonchalantly:
"Are you warning me? But I've pulled down more than one high-ranking official from the Li Party."
"Once may be possible, the second time too, but not the third. Retreat from one city today, five cities tomorrow... Forget it, there's no point in telling you. Just think it over clearly, whether you want to wade into these troubled waters."
Saying this, she turned to leave.
"Wait," Zhao Douan suddenly called after her, casually passing her the "Taicang Geographical Records" from the desk:
"I don't have any gifts to give, take this book to relieve your boredom on the journey, consider it a parting gift."
Xu Junling almost laughed in anger, thinking to herself how stingy could you be?
To give a tattered book that has been thumbed through as a gift.
After some hesitation, she still grabbed it and walked away:
"Take care of yourself. When you visit Huai River again, I'll invite you for crabs."