Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Li Yi sighed heavily. "Alas... all of this is to blame on that damned scholar in blue! Originally, we just wanted to secretly steal some saltpeter and return it to the Salt Gang in exchange for a small reward to support our families. Who could have imagined that the scholar in blue would have such a sinister scheme, instigating us to set fire to the military camp and then taking all the saltpeter away."

Zhang Jingwei frowned and asked, "Then do you recognize this scholar in green?"

Li Yi replied with a look of annoyance: "If I'm not mistaken, this man's name is Qing Yi Qian Shou, and he's a well-known figure in the martial arts world. At the beginning, I had no idea he was Qing Yi Qian Shou, let alone why he would take the initiative to help us. Now that I think about it carefully, I realize that this man is truly insidious, cunning, despicable and shameless!"

Zhang Jingwei's eyes widened, and he said in surprise, "I see. Then did you know that this Qing Yi Qian Shou is actually a disciple of the Xin Xue sect?"

Li Yi slapped his thigh and cried out in regret, "Oh! I know nothing about this! Most of the stories about him are just rumors circulating in the underworld. If I had known this would happen, I would never have believed his nonsense!" Then Li Yi shook his head helplessly and sighed, "It's too late to regret now... But I still have to thank you, Mr. Zhang, for saving my life."

Zhang Jingwei smiled bitterly and waved his hand, "Don't thank me yet. The governor only promised to give me one night. So even if I can save your life today, you will still be sent to the guillotine tomorrow!"

Li Yi said numbly, "Whether I get beheaded or not is of no significance to me anymore. For the past three days, I have been hung up and beaten like an animal by those guys. Now I just want to have a peaceful sleep, even if it's just one sleep. Apart from that, I don't ask for anything else." After speaking, he slowly closed his eyes, as if he had exhausted the strength to open his eyes.

Zhang Jingwei, who was standing aside, listened to Li Yi's words quietly, was silent for a moment, and then responded softly: "Well, maybe this sleep is indeed enough for you... Then, let's say goodbye!" After speaking, he turned and walked out of the dark and damp death cell.

As soon as he stepped out of the death row, Sun Yaolang couldn't hold back his anger and complained to Zhang Jingwei, "You made me come all this way to see him and give him medicine, only to listen to him talk such useless nonsense? It's a complete waste of my time and energy!"

Zhang Jingwei stopped and turned to look at the furious Sun Yaolang and explained, "Didn't he just say that all this was instigated by the Xinxue people. You know, those Xinxue people are serious criminals in the court!"

Sun Yaolang's eyes widened, and he asked in confusion, "Since you knew he was connected to a serious criminal in the imperial court, why did you bother saving him? Was it just because of his last plea?"

Zhang Jingwei took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "That's right. It was because he asked me for help when he was dying that I decided to help him this time."

Sun Yaolang curled his lips in disdain and snorted, "How ridiculous! I think you're just looking for trouble because you've had too much to do!"

Zhang Jingwei smiled slightly, bowed, and said, "I have to thank Sun Yaolang for his help today. I will send someone to deliver your medical fee to your house, please rest assured!"

Sun Yaolang turned his face away and muttered angrily, "Humph, I really don't understand you rich kids. You idle away all day, doing nothing but all sorts of weird and unconventional things!"

Zhang Jingwei's eyes widened as he said righteously, "At least I didn't reveal your unclear relationship with Li Zaizhi to the authorities!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Yaolang's face instantly turned red, and he angrily retorted, "Stop your nonsense! How could I possibly have anything to do with that so-called Xinxue person?"

Zhang Jingwei's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sly smile. He asked, "Since you keep saying you have nothing to do with him, how did you know he was a Xinxue scholar? Isn't there some hidden secret?"

Sun Yaolang was speechless after being asked this question. He could only snort coldly and curse: "Hmph, you corrupt scholars who talk about benevolence, righteousness and morality!" After that, he turned around angrily and strode away from Zhang Jingwei.

Looking at Sun Yaolang's back as he walked away, Zhang Jingwei shook his head gently, ignored Sun Yaolang, turned around and walked leisurely towards the brothel.

……

Inside the brothel, there was a bustling bustle of activity, with people coming and going. Just then, a clever waiter spotted Zhang Jingwei entering the building and quickly stepped forward to greet him with a smile on his face.

The waiter bowed and said flatteringly, "Oh, Young Master Zhang, you are so honored to be here. I'm so sorry for not welcoming you! We've already prepared a private room for you upstairs. Please follow me this way."

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly and replied expressionlessly, "Yes, I understand. Call Ningxiang to see me."

The waiter hurriedly replied, "Miss Ningxiang has been eagerly waiting for you. I will report to the brothel owner right away." After that, he ran away.

Zhang Jingwei walked straight to the third floor with long, flowing strides. He came to the door of an empty room, pushed it gently, and it slowly opened. He walked into the room, then sat leisurely in a chair, picked up the teacup and took a sip of hot tea.

Not long after, a sudden burst of exclamations erupted from downstairs, one after another, deafening. It was obvious that the stunningly beautiful courtesan had made her grand entrance. Upstairs, Zhang Jingwei, hearing the uproar, clenched his teeth, his expression growing increasingly gloomy. With a crisp "snap," he slammed his folding fan down on the table.

At this moment, the door was gently pushed open, and a delicate and charming figure came in like a willow in the wind. It was Ningxiang. When she saw Zhang Jingwei, she threw herself into his arms like a young swallow flying into the forest.

Ningxiang complained coquettishly, "Zhang Lang, you are so cruel! You made me wait here for so long."

However, in the face of Ningxiang's passionate actions and tender words, Zhang Jingwei remained indifferent and showed no intention of responding. His icy eyes stared straight at Ningxiang and he asked coldly, "Where is Chen Jianxiong?"

Ningxiang was stunned at first, then pretended to be confused, blinking her big watery eyes and asking in a delicate voice, "Zhang Lang, what are you talking about? Why don't I understand?"

Zhang Jingwei was furious at this, but he suppressed his anger and asked again, "Don't play dumb with me! I'm asking you one last time, where is Chen Jianxiong?"