Zhenguan: I, Dou Fengjie, will not be the first cuckold.

After a satisfying meal, Hegan Chengji and Zhang Shizheng found a hotel and stayed there for two days.

Back at the Eastern Palace, Hegan Chengji casually cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, I found Zhang Xuansu's residence and was about to end his life with a single blow when I suddenly thought, 'Would the death of the Junior Chamberlain implicate the Eastern Palace?'"

Zhang Shizheng's eyes were full of sincerity: "Therefore, the two of us dared not act on our own and returned to consult His Highness's opinion first."

Exhausted, Li Chengqian waved his hand. It was just a moment of anger; did he really intend to kill Zhang Xuansu, the Junior Chamberlain?

If Zhang Xuansu really died, it would cause a sensation in the court and among the people.

Besides, wasn't the purpose of hiring two itinerant thugs just to make it easier to shirk responsibility?

As a result, these two clowns pushed the responsibility back onto them.

How could they be so knowledgeable about Cuju (ancient Chinese football) when none of them held official positions?

So, you can't expect Li Chengqian to say thank you.

Hegan Chengji added, "Your Highness, we are assassins; fighting is not our forte."

This statement blocked Li Chengqian's path to having them beat up Zhang Xuansu.

Speaking human language to human beings and ghost language to ghosts, having a belly full of tricks but a face full of sincerity—these are the basic qualities of someone who travels the world.

Li Chengqian could only watch helplessly as Hegan Chengji and the other man left, a burning anger raging in his chest.

"Tell the Crown Prince's inner court to beat up Zhang Xuansu!"

-----------------

Inside the Longzhengfang residence.

Dou Fengjie ate Shi Ao Bing (a type of flatbread) while listening to Tang Shanzhan boast about the latest news he had gathered.

"These two江湖 (jianghu) thugs, though they look fierce, have never been in a fight, let alone killed anyone."

Tang Shanzhan smiled and gave his comments on He Ganchengji and Zhang Shizheng.

"That's normal. If they were really desperados, the Crown Prince's Ten Guards would never have let them into the palace."

Dou Fengjie responded.

Do you really think the Crown Prince's left and right gate guards are not responsible?

When commoners entered the Eastern Palace, they were responsible for checking them.

"My lord, we still have plenty of ingredients and fruit wine, so why haven't we started making perfume?"

Tangshan Zhan was filled with regret.

The sense of fulfillment I felt during those days was unprecedented.

Dou Fengjie smiled but offered no explanation.

This cedar perfume could only fetch a good price if it was used by Empress Zhangsun and became sought after by other noblewomen and young ladies.

If they were released now, they would just blend into the crowd, which would be pointless.

Dou happy adopted a managerial tone: "What's the rush? When the time is right, mass production will naturally follow."

"My lord, Ah Lu has been slacking off these past few days; he's not putting in the effort for breeding anymore."

The donkey drooped its ears and brayed a few times, as if to say that even male donkeys have a few days each month when they want to rest.

Donkeys also have rights; let's speak up for donkeys!

Dou Fengjie patted A-Lu's neck: "Let A-Lu be. The family doesn't rely on A-Lu to earn those little beans and chicken eggs."

"By the way, make sure there's enough salt by the trough, and enough coarse and fine fodder. Don't let Ah Lu and his family go hungry."

Ah Lu brayed a few times triumphantly, and the two female donkeys responded in kind.

Tangshan Zhan consulted an experienced veterinarian who determined that both female donkeys were pregnant and would be unable to perform heavy work for at least a year.

Fortunately, there wasn't much in Dou Fengjie's area where donkeys needed to exert themselves, so he just kept them.

Tang Shanzhan chuckled and pulled out a fish basket containing a dozen or so small fish and shrimp, barely thicker than chopsticks: "My lord, these little trinkets are quite delicious when deep-fried."

Donkey peeked out, but Dou Fengjie pushed it away, saying, "Go away, you're a herbivore, what are you looking at fish and shrimp for!"

Ah Lu turned around, his rear end facing Dou Fengjie, clearly angry.

Dou happy took the fish basket with a grin, scaling and cleaning the fish while teasing A-Lv: "Good boy, when I eat it, I'll let you smell the aroma."

Ah Lu hung his head, panting heavily, and became even angrier.

"My lord, the wandering knights in the West Market have discovered that my mother, Sangsong, is secretly in contact with Feng Dexia, the Minister of Ceremonies."

Tangshan Zhan dropped a bombshell.

As long as the money is right, a wandering knight can do a great job in many things.

Dou Fengjie always provided ample funding, Tang Shanzhan was proactive in his work, and the wandering knights worked even harder.

After all, besides the hundred-cent reward for a piece of news that gets accepted, you can also enjoy a hearty meal of lamb leg and a few jiao of green ant wine at Guofan's house. Who wouldn't want to make some extra money?

The wandering knight was not surprised to find anything.

There were two officials in charge of the Court of State Ceremonies: Zhao Dekai and Feng Dexia.

Feng Dexia's contact with Niang Sangsong does not mean he will do anything; almost every official of the Court of State Ceremonial has had contact with people from foreign lands.

But whether Nyon Sanson's actions will have any impact is hard to say.

In particular, Feng Dexia, the Honglu Cheng, was fond of boasting and sometimes spoke without thinking.

If you want to be an official, you have to keep your mouth shut. You must never say what you shouldn't say, lest you end up thousands of miles away.

Being an official carries risks; one must be cautious in one's words and actions.

This is also why Dou Fengjie, while serving at the Court of State Ceremonial, rarely interacted with Feng Dexia.

Since Feng Dexia had started having dealings with Niang Sangsong, Dou Fengjie had to be more careful in handling matters related to Tibet, so as not to let the news reach Niang Sangsong's ears.

Dou Shang glanced at Tang Shanzhan and spoke on behalf of Dou Fengjie: "The information is somewhat useful. Stop making a fuss and keep up the good work."

Even though they had become familiar with each other, Tang Shanzhan still felt lingering fear when he saw Dou Shang's face, and nodded obediently upon hearing this.

That's good. I can help my husband now, at least it proves my worth.

There are other Tibetan merchants in the West Market besides Niang Sangsong. Nima, who sells yak, is also one. Who dares to say that Nima is completely without problems?

Tang Shanzhan took a sip of tea, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke: "My lord, many of my wandering knights have become retainers of Yin Xiaotian's mansion."

Ok?

Dou Fengjie looked at Tang Shanzhan carefully: "You are not allowed to go there, and you must not get close."

Even though Yin Hongzhi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, recommended Dou Fengjie to be the Deputy Director of the Imperial Gardens, Dou Fengjie dared not accept the offer.

Similarly, Dou Fengjie did not want his servants to get involved with Yin Hongzhi, as that would lead to a stagnant pool of despair.

The entanglement between the Yin and Li families is so complex that it cannot be calculated without the lives of two generations.

It's laughable that Li Shimin had such inexplicable confidence in this matter, believing that he could resolve the feud by taking his enemy's daughter as his concubine.

Resolving the hatred of one's father's murder is as difficult as ascending to heaven. The best way is to completely eliminate the enemy or banish them to the ends of the earth.

While it's possible for grudges to be forgiven with a smile, these extremely rare examples don't offer much of a model.

While the victor can certainly demonstrate magnanimity, not all losers can let go of their hatred.

Even if Chu has only three households left, it will surely be Chu that destroys Qin.

"I heard that the Little Heavenly Official is recruiting a master archer, I think his name is Zan Junmo, who is exceptionally good at biting arrowheads."

Tang Shanzhan felt much more relaxed, grabbed a handful of snacks, and chatted while eating.

Only those who truly wield a bow and arrow know how risky it is to bite the arrowhead.

Who would take such a risky move unless absolutely necessary?

If your reaction or strength is even slightly lacking, you're dead.

Zan Junmo was exceptionally skilled, but his judgment in choosing apprentices was truly terrible.