The Killer's Cleansing Manual

Chapter 155 Before departure

A subtle flash of thought flashed across He Qing's eyes: "It has nothing to do with you, why are you apologizing?"

Ye Xi looked at the table: "Sister-in-law married into our family and suffered a lot of grievances. Naturally, she should apologize."

He Qing shook her head, her eyes soft, "These grievances are not because of you. I won't say anymore. Have you eaten yet?"

Ye Xi nodded: "I have eaten." She looked at the mess in the house and said helplessly, "Let them clean up the house. If sister-in-law is tired, come to my place to rest."

He Qing was slightly startled. After a few breaths of silence, she responded softly, "That's fine. Please, Xi'er, lead the way."

Ye Xi was immersed in shame and did not realize that there was something wrong with this sentence: He Qing had taken good care of her for so many years and often went to her yard to chat and laugh, so why did she need to use the word "lead the way"?

He Qing only brought a small, not very delicate suitcase with her. The two of them walked through the corridor between the courtyards, and Ye Xi took He Qing directly to the master bedroom.

"Please allow your sister-in-law to rest here tonight. I'll take some clothes and leave."

He Qing nodded and sat on the bed, the delicate fragrance wafting into her nose. She watched Ye Xi open the cabinet and pack some clothes out, as if she was going out.

"Xi'er, are you going out?"

Ye Xi paused, then stopped packing, stood up and smiled at her: "Well, I will be away from home for about two months tomorrow. If sister-in-law and brother quarrel again, you can come here to rest."

After all, Ye Lang's temper is so stubborn now that it makes people annoyed, let alone He Qing. She finds it difficult to communicate with him, so it is understandable that He Qing is annoyed.

There is even less I can do to interfere in their affairs as a couple, and I can only provide the most basic convenience.

He Qing looked at her thoughtfully: "Where are you going?"

Ye Xi opened his mouth and found an excuse: "I went to visit an old friend. We haven't seen each other for many years. We wanted to catch up."

He Qing seemed to believe it and watched her continue to clean up. There was an unreadable expression in her eyes and she looked at Ye Xi without blinking.

After not seeing her for a few days, she seemed to be more tired. She was going out. Where was she going?

Meeting friends is probably just an excuse.

Ye Xi quickly packed her clothes, tied a bundle and put it on her back: "Okay, then I won't disturb my sister-in-law's rest."

He Qing came back to her senses and called her: "Come."

Ye Xi didn't understand what was going on, but she still walked up to her. He Qing took out an exquisite porcelain vase from a small box and handed it to Ye Xi.

"It's a long journey of two months. This medicine can detoxify the body, and it can also be crushed and applied to wounds, just in case."

Ye Xi was stunned. She looked into He Qing's eyes and felt that something seemed different.

My sister-in-law in the past...didn't seem to be so calm when I was with her in private.

But my sister-in-law is my sister-in-law, so I was just being overly suspicious.

Ye Xi took it and smiled easily: "Don't worry, although the road is a bit far, it's not dangerous."

Seeing this, He Qing couldn't help but ask, "Are you going alone?"

Ye Xi was a little embarrassed, not knowing whether he should say that he was tired of Shanglin Shanjuan.

Seeing this, He Qing added, "I'm just worried about you. I won't tell anyone else, not even your brother."

Ye Xi nodded: "Let's go with the Prince Consort. We'll leave tomorrow morning."

He Qing took note and lowered her eyelashes: "Okay, come back early."

Ye Xi nodded, and went to the side room with the feeling that something was amiss.

However, Ye Lang, feeling aggrieved and depressed all the way, went straight to Xiaoyao Tower. When he was chatting and laughing with the girl in his arms, people from the Grand Tutor's Mansion came to look for him, so he had no choice but to go straight to the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

"General, please sit down." Ji Shihan placed the cup in front of him. Ye Lang drank it all in one gulp. "Grand Master, please speak freely."

Ji Shihan nodded, his face serious. "Chang Zhenming and I have been in contact for many years. It's a pity that he went astray and failed to educate his children, which is why he ended up like this."

"Lin Shanjuan is keeping a close eye on Chang Zhenming. Even though I've already sent someone to destroy the correspondence, Chang Zhenming must have a trick up his sleeve."

Ye Lang had also heard about this matter: "I have also heard a little about this matter. I heard that Lin Shanjuan led people to search for a whole day and night, but they didn't find anything. It seems that the people under the Grand Tutor are still clean."

Ji Shihan shook his head. "Just now, I received news that Lin Shanjuan has found Chang Zhenming's first wife, Wu Liu. She is always quick-witted and would never act without a purpose. Wu Liu must have some important clues."

Ye Lang nodded, realizing that Ji Shihan wanted him to go and stop them, but he was not too willing to agree.

If he didn't go, at most he would be listening to Ji Shihan's plan, which would not be considered as going along with him.

But if I go through this for him, I will really become someone working for Ji Shihan.

"In that case, what are your plans, Grand Master?"

Ji Shihan was such a shrewd man that when he asked this question, he guessed that he was unwilling to go.

He also has a solution for this.

"General, do you know what kind of critical situation the Ye family is facing now?"

Ye Lang was stunned. He was caught off guard by the sudden mention of this topic. Besides, everyone knew that the Ye family controlled the Qing Cang Army and had been favored by the Emperor for generations. How could they possibly face any crisis?

Ji Shihan wanted to understand his confusion: "This is the emperor's method of controlling his subordinates. On the surface, it seems that the Ye family has inherited glory for generations and controls a large military force, but in reality, does the Ye family even have the title of marquis?"

Ye Lang was stunned for a moment, then reacted a little late: "No."

This answer was within Ji Shihan's expectations: "The reason Chang Zhenming was able to save his good-for-nothing son's life was because he held the title of Marquis and also had a life-saving golden medal. Therefore, as long as the mistakes he made did not endanger the imperial power, he would be pardoned."

"But the General's Mansion is different. They don't even have a red seal and iron certificate. General, do you know why?"

Ye Lang shook his head.

"Because the emperor is afraid!"

Ji Shihan moved closer, his tone becoming more serious. "The Qingcang Army is the most elite force in Jingguo. It's under the control of the Ye family, and the highest military power is in the hands of the emperor, isn't it? The emperor has indeed given the Ye family fame and status, but these are all empty. General, do you understand?"

After his persuasion, Ye Lang immediately believed it without a doubt: "Could it be that... my father has been used for so many years?"

Ji Shihan put his hands behind his back and said, "The general is a wise man, unlike others who are blindly loyal. That's why I am speaking frankly to him."

"I do want to sit on the throne, but the politics of the world will ultimately fall into the hands of men. Even if Xihe has some talent and knowledge, it is only a woman's opinion, and it is difficult to implement it in the counties below."

"If I become the Supreme, General, you will be the founding general. The fame and status will rightfully belong to you, and every title of marquis will be yours. Then, we can rule the country together, and the beauty will belong to you, too. What's wrong with that?"

Ye Lang was somewhat shaken, but after listening to teachings for so many years, he still had a trace of conscience in his heart.

"But, my father's teachings..."

Ji Shihan seized the opportunity to interrupt him: "If the old general could see with his own eyes that the Ye family can become more prosperous under his leadership, he would surely praise you highly."

These words touched Ye Lang's heart.

My father thinks I am not doing my job properly, and even Xier thinks I am ridiculous. If I really have the ability, I will naturally be able to win back Zhaozhao's heart, and I will also be able to hold my head high in front of my father and Xier.

Ji Shihan didn't threaten him: "General, you can go back and think about it. This matter concerns the future, so it's normal to give it more thought."

He turned and pulled out a map. "If you, General, wish to join me in this great cause, you should depart for Yuezhou as soon as possible and find Wu Liu before Lin Shanjuan does. This is a shortcut, little known, and I'm sure Lin Shanjuan himself is unaware of it. Taking this route will save you five days of travel. Here, General."

Ye Lang took it in his hand without saying a word, and the answer in his mind was already biased.