Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 225 Exposing His True Colors (10,000 words, please subscribe)
Her background is actually quite simple. She wasn't born mute, but rather her voice was damaged by a serious illness when she was young, and she has been unable to speak since then.

Adding to her poverty, she also had a younger brother who was bedridden and needed money for medicine. With no other choice, she sold herself to become a tea server at Guanyunlou.

Her inability to speak became her advantage in this place, but only she knew the bitterness and hardship she endured.

She had to endure the unbridled gazes of the guests, deal with the malicious harassment, and constantly be on edge, afraid of offending some important person and losing this hard-won job.

“I…I want to save enough money to treat my brother’s illness, and then leave this place.”

When she wrote those words, her eyes were filled with longing for the future.

Chen Ye looked at the words on the paper and sighed inwardly. Another pitiful person who had been toyed with by fate.

Then, without saying anything to comfort her, he simply took out a hundred-tael silver note from his pocket and pushed it in front of Xiaoya.

"Are these enough?"

Xiaoya was completely stunned.

She stared wide-eyed at the silver note in disbelief, then looked at Chen Ye.

One hundred taels!

She could work hard here for a year and still not save this much money.

Why...why did he give me money?

What is his purpose?

There's no such thing as a free lunch...

Her inner thoughts were filled with vigilance and unease.

Chen Ye smiled and said, "Don't overthink it. This is just payment for this cup of tea. Your skills are worth the price."

After a pause, Chen Ye added another sentence.

"I just don't want such a wonderful tea ceremony to be ruined by the bitterness in my heart."

These words were like a warm current, instantly touching the softest part of Xiaoya's heart.

Looking into Chen Ye's sincere eyes, all her wariness and doubt vanished.

She knew that this man was not giving her charity or trying to buy her off, but rather showing her respect and recognition.

Xiaoya's tears flowed again, but this time it wasn't because of feeling wronged, but because of being moved.

She bowed deeply to Chen Ye, then picked up a pen and wrote two words heavily on the paper.

"Thank you."

"It was nothing, no need to be so polite," Chen Ye said.

He knew that he had completely broken down this woman's defenses, and now it was time to get down to business.

"Miss Xiaoya, you often serve Lord Sun and the others. Do you know what they talk about every time they come?" Chen Ye asked this question seemingly casually.

Xiaoya's body stiffened for a moment.

Because prying into the conversations of guests is a taboo at Guanyunlou.

But looking into Chen Ye's gentle gaze and recalling his earlier act of kindness, the scales in her heart began to sway violently.

Chen Ye didn't urge him, but just waited quietly.

He could sense that Xiaoya was going through a fierce internal struggle.

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she picked up a pen and began to write quickly on the paper.

“I don’t know what important things they are talking about. I only know that they are very careful. Every time they come, they check the private room inside and out, even behind the vases.”

"And they were speaking very softly, as if they were talking about some unspeakable secret."

As Xiaoya wrote, she recalled the scene, a hint of fear showing in her eyes.

"Do they always come to play chess?" Chen Ye continued to ask.

Xiaoya shook her head. "No."

"They only set up the chessboard at the beginning, but they put the pieces away after a few moves."

"Then they would take out small slips of paper from their pockets and pass them around to each other, and after reading them, they would immediately burn them with candlelight."

Burn the note?

Chen Ye narrowed his eyes; these guys were more cautious than he had imagined.

Did you even read what was written on the note?

Xiaoya shook her head again, her face showing apology.

“They were too far away to see clearly, but…” She hesitated for a moment, then wrote, “Once I was very close to them and I think I heard a few words.”

"What word?" Chen Ye immediately asked.

"It seems to be about the Holy Sect's envoy and things like immortality."

Holy Ancestor!

It's the Holy Sect again!

Chen Ye's heart sank.

"Aside from these, is there anything else unusual?"

Xiaoya tilted her head, trying hard to remember, when suddenly her eyes lit up and she quickly wrote: "That's right, there's someone who's very strange!"

"What a strange method?"

“He is not an official of the imperial court,” Xiaoya wrote. “Lord Sun and the others were all wearing official robes, but that person was wearing a black robe and a mask, so his face could not be seen.”

"Moreover, Lord Sun and the others seem to be very respectful to that person, even... somewhat afraid of him."

A man in a black robe and mask!
The image of the hoarse, androgynous mysterious person Bai Jie had described immediately came to mind in Chen Ye's mind.

Does that person come every time?

“No.” Xiaoya shook her head. “He has only come twice, but each time he came, the atmosphere in the private room was particularly oppressive.”

Chen Ye connected these clues in his mind.

Sun Demao and his group of censors regularly held secret meetings at Guanyun Tower to discuss not state affairs, but their dealings with the Demonic Sect.

That man in the black robe and mask must be the liaison sent by the Demonic Sect to make contact with them.

What they were discussing was likely how to place people in the imperial court and how to seek benefits for the Demonic Sect.

The death of Li Chengfeng and the impeachment of Chen Wan'er are likely both linked to this group of people.

"Miss Xiaoya, thank you very much today," Chen Ye said. "The information you provided is very important to me."

As he spoke, he pushed the hundred-tael silver note back in front of Xiaoya.

"You must accept this, and then get your brother treated as soon as possible and leave this place of trouble."

Xiaoya looked at the banknotes, and tears streamed down her face again.

She did not refuse, because she knew that this might be her and her brother's only hope.

So she bowed deeply to Chen Ye again, then picked up her pen and wrote her last sentence.

"Young master, please be careful."

Chen Ye felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at the words.

"I understand. You should also take good care of yourself. If you encounter any trouble, you can come to the Chen residence in the west of the city to find me."

He did not reveal his full name, but simply saying "Chen Mansion" was enough.

Xiaoya nodded emphatically, keeping those words firmly in mind. Then she tidied up the tea set, bowed to Chen Ye, and quietly left the private room.

Chen Ye watched her departing figure, picked up the slightly cooled tea and drank it all in one gulp. Then he got up, straightened his clothes, and left Guanyun Tower.

Back in the carriage, Hou En and Qian Yi were waiting anxiously.

"Brother Chen, how did it go? What did you find out?" Hou En asked impatiently.

Chen Ye didn't speak, but simply handed them the few sheets of paper that Xiao Ya had written in the private room.

The two huddled together, watching with bated breath.

After reading it, Hou En slammed his fist against the carriage wall. "These corrupt officials actually colluded with the Demonic Sect!"

"Sun Demao, that hypocrite, always puts on a respectable act, full of benevolence and morality, but I never expected him to be doing such traitorous things behind the scenes!" Qian Yi was also so angry that his face turned pale.

"Now is not the time to be angry." Chen Ye's voice was calm. As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the carriage.

Immediately afterward, a young nobleman dressed in the attire of the Drunken Cloud Society reined in his horse and reported through the carriage window: "Brother Chen! There's news!"

Chen Ye lifted the carriage curtain.

"explain."

"Our people just sent word that Sun Demao arrived at Cui Liu Lane in an inconspicuous blue cloth sedan chair!"

Green Willow Lane!
Bai Jie's residence!
Hou En and Qian Yi exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes.

Chen Ye's heart stirred slightly, because he had already told Bai Jie to try her best to extract information about Sun Demao, so the next step... depended on her abilities.
-
Cui Liu Lane, Bai Jie's small courtyard.

The atmosphere inside the room was somewhat oppressive.

Sun Demao sat in the main seat, holding a teacup and slowly sipping his tea.

He wasn't wearing his official robes today, just an ordinary brocade robe, but the air of authority he had long held in a high position was impossible to conceal.

Bai Jie stood to the side, head down, hands twisting the hem of her clothes, her body trembling slightly.

"What? Haven't seen me for a few days? You can't even speak to me properly now?" Sun Demao put down his teacup, his voice indifferent.

"No...no." Bai Jie's voice was barely audible. "Jie'er...Jie'er is just too happy."

"Happy?" Sun Demao sneered. "You look like you've seen a ghost to me."

He stood up, walked up to Bai Jie, and lifted her chin with his withered fingers.

"Let me see if my little beauty has lost weight again?"

Bai Jie was forced to raise her head and meet Sun Demao's murky, lustful eyes, and her stomach churned.

She then forced a smile that looked worse than crying, suppressing her nausea.

"Master is joking. Jie'er eats and drinks well every day, how could she be losing weight?"

Chen Ye's instructions kept echoing in her mind.

You must not reveal any flaws; you must feign compliance and extract information.

Therefore, Bai Jie took a deep breath, suppressed the fear and disgust in her heart, and tried to soften her gaze.

“Master, you must be tired from your journey.” She reached out to help Sun Demao undress. “Jie’er will help you rest.”

Sun Demao enjoyed her docile demeanor, letting her loosen his belt. Then, his gaze roamed freely over Bai Jie's body, as if he were appraising a piece of merchandise.

"Come here and talk to me."

Bai Jie obediently walked over and sat down next to him, deliberately keeping a little distance from him.

Sun Demao pulled her into his arms, his thin arms gripping her so tightly they hurt.

"What are you hiding from?" He leaned close to Bai Jie's ear, his breath carrying a rotten smell. "Do you think I, your master, would eat you?"

"I wouldn't dare," Bai Jie's voice trembled.

"Hmph." Sun Demao's hands began to wander, roaming over her body through her clothes.

Bai Jie's body stiffened instantly, her mind going blank. Humiliation, anger, fear, and other emotions intertwined, almost threatening to engulf her.

But Chen Ye's gentle yet firm face reappeared in her mind.

"Trust him, he is your only hope."

This thought sustained her and prevented her from pushing Sun Demao away.

She closed her eyes, letting Sun Demao do whatever he wanted to her.

Sun Demao was very satisfied with her compliance, and his smile widened.

"That's a good girl." He pinched Bai Jie's cheek. "I love it when you're obedient."

Bai Jie fought back her tears, trying her best to make her voice sound full of admiration.

"Everything Jie'er has is given to her by the master, so naturally she must listen to the master."

"Haha, well said!" Sun Demao laughed heartily, seemingly in a very good mood.

Bai Jie felt the time was right, so she tentatively spoke up.

"My lord, you seem to be in a very good mood today? Is there some joyous occasion in the court?"

Sun Demao's laughter stopped abruptly, and he gave her a wary look.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."

Bai Jie's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head.

"It was Jie'er who was too talkative."

Looking at her frightened expression, Sun Demao realized that he was just overthinking things.

What could a woman confined to the inner quarters of the palace possibly know about important court affairs?

He patted Bai Jie on the back, his tone softening.

"It's nothing major, just that the memorial impeaching the Chen family has been submitted."

"The Chen family?" Bai Jie feigned confusion.

“It’s that newly promoted Zhaowu Captain of the Xuanjing Division, Chen Ye.” Sun Demao’s tone was tinged with disdain. “A mere child, relying on his sister’s favor in the palace, dares to act arrogantly and domineeringly in the Xuanjing Division.”

"This time, we'll make sure he and his sister suffer the consequences."

"Master is truly amazing." Bai Jie seized the opportunity to say in an admiring tone, "Although Jie'er doesn't understand the affairs of the court, she knows that the officials of the Censorate are all upright and unyielding figures."

"With so many adults obeying your orders, you must be their pillar of support, sir."

Sun Demao was very pleased with this flattery.

He puffed out his chest, a smug look on his face.

"That's for sure," he said proudly. "In the Censorate, if I say one thing, no one dares to say another."

"Those censors are nothing more than the pen in my hand; they have to write about whomever I tell them to write about."

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Bai Jie's eyes as she continued to flatter, "Master, you are truly a master strategist, capable of winning battles from afar."

"But... Jie'er is a little worried." She changed the subject, a worried look on her face.

"worry about what?"

"The Chen siblings are, after all, favorites of the Empress. If you treat them like this, what if..."

"What if what?" Sun Demao scoffed. "A woman's view!"

"Do you think I'm fighting alone?" He lowered his voice, a strange light gleaming in his eyes. "I have powerful figures backing me up, figures you can't even imagine."

"As long as the Chen family is brought down, my future will be limitless!"

Bai Jie's heart skipped a beat.

Big man?
Is he the envoy of that Holy Sect?

She wanted to ask more questions, but she was afraid of arousing Sun Demao's suspicion.

So he could only keep this question to himself and continue to wear an admiring smile on his face.

"I see, then Jie'er can rest assured."

Looking at her innocent and naive appearance, Sun Demao completely let down his guard.

He felt that discussing his great achievements in front of a woman who only understood love was a kind of enjoyment.

So he began to boast endlessly about his methods in the court and the influence of his like-minded people.

Bai Jie listened attentively, memorizing every word.

She knew that these seemingly boastful words contained the key clues to bringing down Sun Demao.

As night deepened, Sun Demao finally had his fill of fun, and then, satisfied, put on his clothes and prepared to leave.

Before leaving, he took out a silver note from his pocket and threw it on the table.

“These are a reward for you,” he said in a condescending tone. “Serve me well, and you’ll be rewarded accordingly.”

"Thank you for your generous gift, sir."

Sun Demao didn't look at her again and pushed open the door to leave.

Bai Jie didn't get up from the ground until the small blue sedan chair disappeared at the alley entrance.

She rushed to the washbasin stand, buried her head in the cold water, and frantically scrubbed her face.

The cold well water couldn't wash away the humiliation she felt.

She lay on the edge of the basin, dry heaving for a long time, but couldn't vomit anything. Finally, she collapsed to the ground and burst into tears.

The sobs were suppressed and desperate, sounding especially desolate in the quiet night.

The next morning at dawn, Chen Ye ate breakfast, changed into casual clothes, and went out alone.

He did not take a carriage, but walked to Green Willow Lane.

The city of Yunzhou was bustling with activity in the early morning, with vendors hawking their wares and pedestrians hurrying along, bringing life to this ancient city.

Upon arriving at Cui Liu Lane, Bai Jie's courtyard gate was tightly closed.

Chen Ye stepped forward and gently knocked on the door. After a while, the door opened from the inside.

Bai Jie opened the door. She was wearing a plain dress, her hair was casually tied up, her face was pale, her eyes were red and swollen, and she looked extremely haggard.

Upon seeing that it was Chen Ye, she was taken aback at first, then her eyes lit up with surprise.

"Master... Young Master?"

"It's me." Chen Ye nodded. "Is it convenient for us to come inside and talk?"

"Convenient, convenient!" Bai Jie quickly stepped aside to let Chen Ye in.

After closing the courtyard gate, Bai Jie could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her face.

"Young master, you've finally arrived."

"You've worked so hard." Chen Ye felt a pang of pity seeing her like this.

He took a clean handkerchief from his pocket and handed it over.

Bai Jie took the handkerchief, hastily wiped away her tears, and invited Chen Ye into the house.

The smell of alcohol from last night still lingered in the room, causing Chen Ye to frown.

"Please sit down, young master." At this moment, Bai Jie poured Chen Ye a cup of tea.

Chen Ye sat down at the table. "What did Sun Demao say to you last night?"

He got straight to the point, without any beating around the bush.

Bai Jie composed herself and began to tell Chen Ye everything that had happened the previous night.

From Sun Demao boasting about how he controlled the Censorate, to the powerful figures backing him up.

She spoke very carefully, even mimicking Sun Demao's tone and expression perfectly.

Chen Ye listened quietly, and when he heard Sun Demao admit that he was the mastermind behind the memorial impeaching Chen Wan'er, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"What else did he say?"

He also said he would soon be promoted.

"Gaosheng?"

“Hmm.” Bai Jie nodded. “He said that as long as he completes the tasks assigned by his superiors, he can replace Li Chengfeng and take the position of Minister of Rites.”

Minister of Rites!

What a huge appetite!
Not long after Li Chengfeng died, Sun Demao set his sights on this position.

"Did he say exactly what he was told to do?" Chen Ye pressed.

Bai Jie shook her head. "He didn't say, he just said very proudly that only he could handle this."

"Is there anything else besides these?"

Bai Jie tried hard to recall.

"Oh, right!" she suddenly remembered something, "He kept repeating one sentence after he got drunk."

"What?"

“He said the most dangerous place is the safest place,” Bai Jie said, mimicking Sun Demao’s tone. “He also said that no one could have imagined that my roots would be planted in the mud.”

Is the most dangerous place the safest place?
Roots stuck in the mud?

Chen Ye's brows furrowed tightly.

This seemingly drunken rambling could very well be a key clue to Sun Demao's concealment of evidence and wealth.

“Mud…” Chen Ye muttered to himself.

Where in Yunzhou City could one find what could be called "muddy ground"?
Is it a slum? Or some stinking ditch?

The scope is too broad; there's simply no way to begin investigating.

"Young Master, am I really useless?" Bai Jie asked, seeing Chen Ye frown and a look of self-reproach on her face.

“No.” Chen Ye shook his head. “You’ve already done very well.”

“This information is crucial.” He looked at Bai Jie, his tone sincere.

"Miss Bai Jie, we owe you a lot this time."

Bai Jie's eyes reddened again.

"As long as it can help you, young master, it's all worth it for Jie'er to suffer any hardship."

Chen Ye took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and placed them on the table. "Take this money. Sun Demao's case will be closed soon. I will take back your indenture and give you your freedom."

Bai Jie looked at the thick stack of silver notes but didn't take them.

"Young master, I cannot accept your money." She paused, then mustered her courage and looked at Chen Ye.

"I have only one request."

"You said."

"After this is done, can I...can I stay by your side, young master?" Bai Jie's voice was soft, with a hint of pleading.

(End of this chapter)