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

Just as they were having a great conversation, Wang Ergou came to report the news.

"General..." Ergou turned his head to look at Zhang Jingwei beside Huangfu Changshui, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Huangfu Changshui said, "Just say it."

Wang Ergou reported everything one by one: "Informants in Gaoyang County have reported that the Gaoyang County Magistrate committed suicide in his private residence out of fear of punishment. The rest of the officials and clerks involved in the case have all been arrested."

"Over at the Water Defense Camp, Yi Feiyu and the others have all fled, and there's no news from them yet."

"News has come from Jinzhou that the royal palace has sent troops, probably to retrieve Han Ye and Wang Zhen!"

"Also, the brothers from the garrison camp reported that Gao Fei left the city last night and has not returned yet. I have already sent people to keep an eye on him."

Wang Ergou suddenly paused, a hint of hesitation showing on his face: "And..." His voice was a little nervous.

Huangfu Changshui's eyes turned cold and he shouted, "Hurry up and tell me!"

Wang Ergou was shocked and dared not hide anything anymore. He quickly replied, "The young lady stayed overnight in the East Courtyard. The maidservant said that she did not have her period!" His voice was very low. This matter was difficult to talk about, and it was not easy to say it in front of the main person.

Zhang Jingwei had to admire Wang Ergou's professional ability and the detailed and clear intelligence he provided. This kind of covert organization was very similar to the Jinyiwei of the Ming Dynasty.

After hearing this, Huangfu Changshui's face instantly turned gloomy, and his eyes flashed with anger and disappointment.

However, this expression was fleeting, and finally he smiled and said to Zhang Jingwei: "Forget it, young people should not rush into things..."

Zhang Jingwei said with a puzzled look on his face, "I don't understand...what does this mean?"

Huangfu Changshui saw Zhang Jingwei's expression of being indifferent, and immediately his eyes widened and he shouted: "You kid, don't you think my Ling'er is not worthy of you!?"

Zhang Jingwei quickly explained, "Father-in-law, that's not what I meant. It's just that this matter concerns Ling'er's reputation. Father-in-law, can't you consider her feelings?!"

Huangfu Changshui said disapprovingly, "Ridiculous! You two are husband and wife, and what's the difference between them when it comes to honoring one another?"

Zhang Jingwei looked at Huangfu Changshui in shock, his heart filled with doubts and confusion. He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "What a hasty move! Could it be that my father-in-law also knows about this..."

Huangfu Changshui frowned, with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone, and asked: "What do I know?"

Zhang Jingwei felt this was perfunctory, so he widened his eyes and angrily questioned Huangfu Changshui, "You...you treat me like livestock, how is this different?"

Huangfu Changshui was stunned. He had no idea what Zhang Jingwei was talking about.

But Zhang Jingwei was very angry and left with a wave of his sleeves.

Wang Ergou was also confused and watched Zhang Jingwei leave.

Huangfu Changshui couldn't help but mutter, "What medicine did this kid take wrong?"

Wang Ergou replied respectfully, "I don't know. He and Mu Tou are staying at an inn east of the city. I'll send someone to keep an eye on him."

However, Huangfu Changshui waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to do so.

He said, "No need. Let him ask for what he wants. He is your master. You must treat him as you would treat me."

After hearing this, Wang Ergou quickly nodded in agreement.

Huangfu Changshui then warned again, "Keep your eyes on the spot. If Wang Huang is found, capture him immediately. If he resists, execute him on the spot!"

Wang Ergou replied: "Yes!"

……

On the street, Zhang Jingwei sat there striding with anger on his face.

He couldn't imagine that his father-in-law knew about this and wanted to make his daughter have an affair with him. He really thought he was being taken advantage of!

When people are angry, they tend to think of things in the worst possible way. He completely imagined Huangfu Changshui as an unforgivable evil father-in-law.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, so he kicked the stone at his feet away.

"Hey, who is plotting against me?"

The flying stone happened to hit an innocent pedestrian.

The two looked at each other and found that they were all acquaintances of Zhang Jingwei.

"Oh, it's my benefactor!"

Zhu Banshan ran over with an attentive look on his face and bowed to greet Zhang Jingwei.

"Zhu Banshan? Are you ready now?!"

Zhang Jingwei was very surprised that after he had been away for a few days, Zhu Banshan was full of energy again.

Zhu Banshan said with a grin, "Thanks to the brothers' careful care day and night, the doctor prescribed some medicine. I just have to eat porridge and mussels from now on, but luckily I was able to save my life."

Zhang Jingwei said, "I'm glad you're alright. We'll need you to provide evidence in court later."

Zhu Banshan asked with some confusion: "Your Excellency seemed very unhappy about what he did just now. Is there something on his mind?"

Zhang Jingwei smiled and said, "It's just some troubles, let's not talk about it."

Zhu Banshan continued, "Today, the courtesan will perform a piece of music. If you don't mind, Banshan would like to invite you to sing a piece of music."

Zhang Jingwei waved his hand and said, "No, I've been busy lately and can't spare the time!"

Zhu Banshan hurriedly advised, "Hey, this courtesan is as beautiful as a fairy. Hasn't your benefactor been coveting her for a long time? It's a rare opportunity for us to be together today, so it's okay to take a break from our busy schedule. It's harmless."

Driven by his curiosity about this courtesan, Zhang Jingwei finally couldn't overcome his curiosity and took the opportunity to see what the level of the ancient "nightclub" was like.

Zhang Jingwei reluctantly agreed: "Since Brother Zhu has such leisure and elegance, I will respectfully obey your command."

……

As night falls and the lights come on, the bustle of the ancient brothel has just begun.

Upon entering the hall, the lights were brilliant and the sounds of the crowd were bustling. On the stage, the singers sang and danced gracefully, drawing cheers from the audience. Guests toasted their glasses and flirted with the women around them, creating a scene of decadence and extravagance.

The entire brothel was filled with an ambiguous atmosphere that made people intoxicated.

Zhang Jingwei looked excited, as if he had broadened his horizons today. He kept telling himself in his heart: It's legal, it's legal.

A wealthy middle-aged woman came over and greeted the two of them.

"Master Zhang, what a rare guest! After we got married, I thought Master Zhang would not dare to come to my land of tenderness."

Zhang Jingwei smiled awkwardly. It seemed that the original owner had been here many times before.

"Young Master Zhang came with me today, so please don't tell anyone, madam." After Zhu Banshan said this, he handed the madam a silver ingot.

When the madam saw the silver, her eyes lit up and she put it in her breast pocket.

"Don't worry, Master Zhu. I'll find you two a private room where you won't be disturbed and you can watch our top singer perform."

The first floor is the lobby, and the second floor is the private room, which is relatively quiet.

Each private room was elegantly decorated, filled with scholars reciting poems and businessmen negotiating deals. But all of these guests were in the company of their favorite women, enjoying a moment of tranquility and tenderness as they drank and chatted.

Zhang Jingwei became a little restrained, like a child entering a bathhouse and getting into a big pool.

The third floor was dimly lit. It was understood that the third floor was the guest room where guests stayed overnight. Some guests spent the night with the prostitutes in their rooms, while others, when drunk, would be accompanied by special tea girls, though this was not free.