She remarried a cold-faced, powerful man, and the scumbag regretted it and cried his heart out.

With the rapid sound of horses' hooves and the rumble of wheels, Jiang Jin'an and his entourage finally arrived outside Yangzhou City.

The city gates are wide open.

Prefect Zhao Yan of Yangzhou, along with a group of officials, had been waiting for a long time.

As Jiang Jin'an's entourage approached, Zhao Yan hurriedly went to greet them with a fawning smile that could drip honey, "This humble official is Zhao Yan, the prefect of Yangzhou, who respectfully welcomes the Commandant!"

His voice was loud and clear, as if he was afraid others wouldn't hear him.

"Lord Zhao, you're too kind." Jiang Jin'an sat upright on his horse, showing no intention of dismounting. His gaze swept across the faces of everyone present, his tone calm and unreadable.

"Your Excellency must be tired from your journey. I have prepared a feast to welcome you and wash away the dust of your travels!"

Lin Yu frowned upon seeing Zhao Yan's humble demeanor.

This kid is such a show-off!

Jiang Jin'an stared at him with his dark eyes for a long time, his gaze sharp as a knife, until Zhao Yan was covered in cold sweat before he finally spoke, "Thank you for your trouble."

The group entered the city, which was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. The people lined the streets to welcome them, and there seemed to be nothing unusual about it.

However, Jiang Jin'an keenly sensed a strange atmosphere.

This kind of liveliness feels too contrived.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Zhao Yan had already arranged for musicians and dancers. The sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and the dancers, with their graceful figures, swayed their waists and pressed themselves against him.

Jiang Jin'an glanced at Zhao Yan sideways, said nothing, let the dancer's hand brush past his shoulder, and stepped inside.

Zhao Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Jin'an remained silent, and they were all afraid of him, so they exchanged pleasantries with Lin Yu and the others, clinking glasses and toasting each other, occasionally commenting on the dancers, and for a time the atmosphere was harmonious.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Zhao Yan tentatively asked, "May I ask what brings you to Yanzhou, sir?"

Jiang Jin'an put down his wine cup, looked up at him, and said, "I am here to investigate a case."

Zhao Yan nodded repeatedly, "I wonder what major case it is that has troubled you, sir, to come in person?"

"Is Lord Zhao aware of the death of Li Maocai, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?"

Jiang Jin'an's voice wasn't loud, but it exploded in Zhao Yan's ears like thunder.

Zhao Yan's face turned pale, and he almost dropped the wine glass in his hand.

"I have heard of it."

Jiang Jin'an took in Zhao Yan's reaction. "Before Li Maocai died, he took leave in the capital and went to Yanzhou. Does Lord Zhao know why he came here?"

"This... I have no idea."

Lin Yu snorted coldly, "Lord Zhao, as the prefect of Yangzhou, how can you be so ignorant about such a major event that has occurred in your jurisdiction? If this is reported to the Emperor, your tenure as prefect is probably over!"

Zhao Yan was so speechless by Lin Yu's words that he almost fainted. The officials around him also looked at each other in bewilderment, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Jiang Jin'an spoke up to help him out, "Lord Zhao, please don't take it to heart. It's just that it's rather strange that a mere Vice Minister of Revenue would take a long leave and travel alone to Yanzhou."

Zhao Yan seized the opportunity: "Perhaps...perhaps they're visiting relatives?"

Jiang Jin'an shook his head, his gaze following the dancers as if he were quite interested in their dance. "As far as I know, Li Maocai is not from Yangzhou, and none of his family members are here."

"This humble official has failed in his duty! This humble official will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly!" Zhao Yan solemnly promised, but in his heart he cursed Li Maocai's ancestors for eighteen generations.

No one told him that Li Maocai had secretly come to Yangzhou!

"Alright, I'm tired. Has Lord Zhao arranged any lodgings?" Jiang Jin'an rubbed his temples, looking somewhat weary.

Zhao Yan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes, I have already made all the arrangements. Please follow me, sir."

Zhao Yan arranged for Jiang Jin'an and the others to stay in the backyard of the Yangzhou government office, a quiet and elegant place.

"My lord, are you satisfied with this place?" Zhao Yan asked cautiously.

"Very good."

"Then I won't disturb your rest any longer, sir." After saying this, Zhao Yan immediately bowed and withdrew, afraid that Jiang Jin'an would ask him any more questions.

After Zhao Yan left, Lin Yu approached Jiang Jin'an and said, "Young Master, there's something wrong with Zhao Yan."

Jiang Jin'an nodded, a dark glint flashing in his eyes, and instructed, "Send a message to Qingyun."

"Yes."

Lin Yu responded and turned to do it, but just as he opened the door, a middle-aged man in official robes carrying a lantern walked into the courtyard. It was Qiao Xin, the prefect of Yangzhou.

He was followed by a woman who wore a light gauze dress and had a graceful figure. She swayed as she walked.

Lin Yu looked at him with a hint of suspicion, then stood at the door for a few more glances before suddenly realizing what was going on.

Isn't this the dancer Jiang Jin'an glanced at a few times during the banquet?

Upon seeing Lin Yu, Qiao Xin quickened his pace, approached Lin Yu, and asked with a fawning expression, "My lord, has the Commandant rested yet?"

"Let him in," Jiang Jin'an's voice came from inside the house.

Qiao Xin was overjoyed. He led the dancers around Lin Yu and into the house. As soon as they entered, he bowed and greeted the Commandant with utmost respect, saying, "This humble official greets the Commandant."

Jiang Jin'an raised her chin, waiting for him to continue.

"My lord, Lord Zhao has prepared a small gift for you. I hope you will accept it."

As Qiao Xin spoke, he pushed the woman behind him forward.

His voice was extremely low, and the smile on his face left much to the imagination.

Jiang Jin'an's eyes darkened as he sized up the woman before him. He had to admit that this dancer was indeed quite beautiful; no wonder Zhao Yan had offered her to him.

"Hmm, you're very thoughtful," Jiang Jin'an said casually.

Seeing that Jiang Jin'an did not refuse, Qiao Xin quickly said, "This is a small token of Lord Zhao's appreciation. I'm glad you're satisfied. Then I won't disturb you any longer. Please get some rest."

Jiang Jin'an waved his hand.

Qiao Xin bowed and left, giving the dancer a meaningful look before he departed.

After Qiao Xin left, Lin Yu immediately closed the door, leaned close to Jiang Jin'an, and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, "What does Zhao Yan mean by this? A honey trap?"

Jiang Jin'an turned his gaze to the dancer, who was somewhat intimidated by his stare and lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.

"What's your name?" Jiang Jin'an asked lazily, drawing out the question in his voice.

"My lord, my name is Yu Niang," the dancer replied meekly.

"look up."

Yu Niang looked up as instructed, revealing a delicate face with sparkling eyes; she was a beauty in the making.

"You danced well."

"You flatter me, sir. I have been learning dance since I was a child, but I only know a little bit." Yu Niang's voice was so gentle and charming that it made one's heart flutter.

"Hmm, dance another one for me to see." Jiang Jin'an said, playing with the jade thumb ring again.

Yu Niang responded and walked to the center of the room, where she began to dance gracefully.

Her figure was light and graceful, her dance was beautiful, every movement was just right, her skirt fluttered, she was like a fairy, a feast for the eyes.

After the dance ended, Yu Niang stopped, slightly out of breath, her chest heaving, which added to her alluring charm.

"Not bad, reward."

Lin Yu took out a silver ingot from his pocket and placed it on the table.

Upon seeing this, Yu Niang's face showed a hint of disappointment, but she quickly concealed it.

This amount of silver is far too little.

"Thank you for your generous gift, sir." She thanked him sweetly, but her voice was no longer as charming as before.

"Let's go to the side room."

Yu Niang said nothing more and silently withdrew.

"Young master, what do you mean by this? This prefect is clearly trying to curry favor with you, why don't you refuse?"

Jiang Jin'an countered, "Why should I turn away a beauty who comes to my door?"

Lin Yu was puzzled. "But you're not the kind of person who's attracted to beautiful women."

"Who says I'm not?"

"You mean..." Lin Yu seemed to understand something.

Zhao Yan is cunning and treacherous; to bring him down, we must make him lower his guard.

He likes to test people, so let him see if he's really a pleasure-seeker.

He likes giving gifts, so let him give as many as he wants!