A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Late at night, a lone rider braved the wind and snow to leave Huachidu Village, heading straight northwest.

Gu Xixi had no idea what kind of people Mu Nanzhao's political enemies were.

Judging from the behavior of those four people tonight, their ruthless scheming and bloodshed are already evident.

Therefore, Gu Xixi dared not gamble.

If Mu Nanzhao is captured, it will confirm that he faked his death and fled.

As the person who once took him in, Gu Xixi was either suspected of knowing some secrets or subjected to torture and forced confession.

Or... just silence them and solve the problem once and for all.

To prevent the plague from spreading to their own territory, those in power in the imperial court could dispatch troops to burn down an entire village.

They treat human life like dirt, something Gu Xixi had already experienced.

Thinking of Aunt Zhang, the old doctor, and Shi Tou, Gu Xixi's expression tightened. "Feng Chi, faster, faster!"

Now that Mu Nanzhao has reached a consensus with the general, seeking help from the Northwest Army is the only way out.

Outside the west gate of Qingtian County, there is a private estate.

It was already noon, and Mu Nanzhao was leisurely sitting inside drinking tea.

The doors and windows were locked, and eight people were guarding the windows and doors.

Someone complained in a low voice, "They're feeding him well, letting him sleep soundly, and they won't even let him be tied up. Is this how prisoners are treated?"

"This kid has made our lives so difficult. Several of us have to keep watch over him, and we can't even get any sleep!"

Another person advised, "Just bear with it. Once the person sent from above arrives and his identity is confirmed, you might have a chance to kill him and vent your anger!"

The person guarding outside the door peered through the crack in the door.

Mu Nanzhao noticed, but continued to play with the celadon lotus leaf cup without making a sound.

It should be about time; it's time for the person he's waiting for.

Actually, back when Gu Xixi first treated everyone to a meal at a restaurant, at the Bailixiang Restaurant, there was that drunkard who bumped into their table.

When Mu Nanzhao discovered that the man was faking his drunkenness, he became suspicious and secretly began to investigate.

He was certain that those people suspected he wasn't dead at all and was hiding in the Northwest.

Not long ago, Gu Xixi met another person at the village entrance and asked if Chen Fang had come from the capital.

Each step in this way is the result of the claws and fangs extended by the mastermind behind the scenes.

Fortunately, the Northwest Army had a long-standing reputation and controlled the entire Northwest intelligence network.

Mu Nanzhao's political enemies couldn't have extended their reach that far, and besides, their influence would be immediately discovered once it entered the Northwest, so they could only resort to roundabout methods.

For example, hiring a hitman.

The men guarding the door were all former deserters who later turned to murder and robbery.

However, the token they showed at Gu Xixi's house was genuine.

It's likely that even the magistrate of Qingtian County has been bribed.

As Mu Nanzhao was pondering, he heard the guards outside hurriedly stand up one by one.

Someone must be coming this way.

The slightly aged voice was full of flattery, "Lord He, Miss He, this way please."

“The thief is locked up in the room. I ordered my men to surround him completely, leaving no gaps. I doubt he can escape.”

"I have prepared a banquet and warmed some wine to welcome you two distinguished guests. Why don't you come with me to warm up first, and we can continue the interrogation later?"

The young man's voice was tinged with laughter, "That makes sense, when you're a guest, you should do as the host says."

"We will follow Magistrate Ma's arrangements."

His tone was as gentle as a spring breeze, making him seem very approachable.

Magistrate Ma of Qingtian County secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

When he received the secret letter, he was initially worried that the officials from the capital would be difficult to serve.

In addition, the other party comes from a prestigious family, holds a higher official rank than him, but is much younger; he fears they might not get along.

Surprisingly, this Lord He himself was quite unpretentious.

The woman accompanying him, dressed in men's clothing, was Lord He's younger sister. She was extremely beautiful, but always had a cold expression and hadn't uttered a single word since entering the city.

Mu Nanzhao listened as the laughter outside faded into the distance, his expression inscrutable.

That noon, Lord He from the capital got drunk and fell asleep, so the interrogation that evening had to be postponed.

The next day, Lord He slept until late morning, then took his sister out shopping, saying that the rouge from the Northwest was good and he wanted to buy more to take back with him.

Magistrate Ma and the others were extremely anxious, but dared not urge them.

As evening approached, Lord He looked up at the sky, which was turning completely dark, and said with a smile, "Let's go see that person."

Magistrate Ma had long remained a minor official in the local area, with no connections to gain access to the imperial court.

Upon encountering Lord He this time, his curiosity was so intense that he couldn't contain himself and cautiously asked, "I've heard that you and the person in the room... oh no, his identity hasn't been confirmed yet."

"So, you mean, sir, you've known that traitorous minister surnamed Mu since childhood?"

Lord He laughed and said, "You want to ask why I, who was once his closest friend, later helped Lord Zhao?"

Magistrate Ma, sweating profusely, replied, "I wouldn't dare."

Lord He chuckled softly, "What's there to be afraid of?"

"To tell you the truth, I even gave Lord Zhao some dirt on Mu Nanzhao back then!"

He looked at Magistrate Ma meaningfully, "So-called close friends are just people who can easily stab you in the back and be used as stepping stones in crucial moments!"

Magistrate Ma chuckled dryly and agreed, "You're right."

He secretly wiped away a bead of cold sweat.

Although I am not a gentleman, I am not ashamed to openly betray my promises like this Lord He.

Magistrate Ma admitted he couldn't do it.

When the door opened, Mu Nanzhao was leaning against the bed reading a book, without even moving his eyelids.

Magistrate Ma said displeasedly, "Bold Chen Fang, why don't you kneel before an official!"

Mu Nanzhao flipped through the book and said calmly, "Shouldn't one go to court to see an official?"

“Magistrate Ma’s current dealings are shady, so let’s stop with the pretense.”

Magistrate Ma's lips trembled with anger, and he was about to lash out when Lord He held him down.

Lord He smiled kindly and said, "Don't rush, let me see clearly whether he is my close friend who is better than a brother."

He walked step by step toward Mu Nanzhao.

Miss He stood motionless beside Magistrate Ma.

Even after Lord He had walked up to Mu Nanzhao, Magistrate Ma became somewhat anxious when he saw that Mu Nanzhao remained silent.

“Lord He, you were so close to him in the past, you must be able to recognize him.”

Lord He bent down and met Mu Nanzhao's eyes.

The atmosphere was so quiet it was almost frozen.

Magistrate Ma secretly prayed that the person he caught this time was Mu Nanzhao.

He's had enough of being a county magistrate.

Lord Zhao promised him that if this matter succeeded, he would be able to move up in rank.

Just as Magistrate Ma's heart was in his throat with tension.

Lord He suddenly turned around and said, "I don't know this person."

"What did you say his name was again? Chen something?"

Magistrate Ma was shocked and said in disbelief, "How is this possible! The appearance and demeanor in the intelligence report match perfectly. Who else could it be!"

Before he could finish speaking, Magistrate Ma suddenly felt a chill on his neck.

The woman's voice was full of impatience, "Shut up! I said I don't know you, that's all. Stop talking nonsense!"

Magistrate Ma's gaze stiffened and moved downwards, then slowly moved upwards again.

First he saw the dagger pressed against his neck, then he saw Miss He's cold, beautiful face.