TNIBFT -Chapter 334 Framing

The sky was pitch-black, dotted with stars.

The north wind carried snowflakes that penetrated every gap, chilling Zhu Zhongyi, who hunched his shoulders against the cold. He glanced around warily—no one was in the courtyard. Zhu Zhongyi furrowed his brows slightly; the young man’s eyes were sharp and bright, his expression full of concern.

Miao Changqing had clearly been here just now!

Where had he gone?

Zhu Zhongyi always felt that Miao Changqing harbored ill intentions, but his father firmly trusted him. His father often said, “Among the Old General’s troops, there isn’t a single coward!”

He’d better keep his doubts to himself.

Just as Zhu Zhongyi was about to leave, he heard faint footsteps behind him. He quickly slipped behind a building for cover.

In the darkness, Miao Changqing glanced around slyly. Seeing no one nearby, he nodded toward the pitch-black area and whispered, “Keep it hidden!”

“Yes!”

Then came the sound of someone climbing over a wall.

A cold smile curled on Miao Changqing’s lips. Through the gate, he saw the house brightly lit, and inside, Zhu Heyi and others were drunk, slumped over the table. Miao Changqing pretended to stagger and muttered indistinctly, “Come… have another drink, another cup!”

“Brother Zhu?”

“Brother Fang? Wake up!”

Zhu Heyi and Fang Shenghu were already snoring thunderously, completely passed out. Miao Changqing smirked and found a comfortable spot to sleep.

Tomorrow morning, a show awaited.

Elsewhere.

Zhu Zhongyi followed Miao Changqing’s men out of the government office, trailing them all the way to Zhuque Street.

Are they going to a hotpot restaurant?

The streets were deserted at this late hour; even the night guards had rested. In the cold wind, the man hunched his shoulders, constantly glancing back—he felt someone was following him.

He suddenly stopped and turned around.

The street behind him was empty—nothing at all.

Zhao Qian exhaled, patting his chest. Just as he turned to continue walking, a tall figure stood under the faint moonlight—a man eight feet tall, exuding a deadly aura, staring straight at him. Zhao Qian took a few steps back in fright. “Y-you… who are you?”

“Scared you, didn’t I? Do you know who I am?”

Zhu Zhongyi lifted his head slightly; in the moonlight, the scar on his face looked savage. His tone was icy. “Hand over the item.”

“Wh-what item?”

Zhao Qian’s eyes darted around. One hand pressed to his chest, the other reached for the sword at his waist.

“The item Miao Changqing gave you.”

Zhu Zhongyi wasted no words. His eyes were icy, full of murderous intent. Gripping his sword, he stepped toward Zhao Qian. He had observed this man closely: Zhao Qian kept both hands on his chest the entire way—definitely something important. “What did Miao Changqing make you do?

Was it to kill Ye Tian in the middle of the night?

Or to poison someone in the middle of the night?

“If you don’t speak, I’ll kill you now!”

Zhu Zhongyi charged forward, every strike deadly. Though Zhao Qian was equally strong, Zhu Zhongyi’s reckless fighting style instilled fear.

“Clang!” A sword slashed, Zhao Qian’s topknot loosened, and he fell to the ground. Just as he tried to flee, Zhu Zhongyi thrust his sword through Zhao Qian’s back. Staring in disbelief at the gleaming blade in his chest, blood trickled from Zhao Qian’s mouth. In pain, he looked at Zhu Zhongyi. “I… I am General Miao’s man… you… dare to kill—”

Before he could finish, Zhao Qian collapsed, dead with eyes wide open.

Zhu Zhongyi stepped forward and quickly retrieved the items Zhao Qian had hidden at his chest.

What is this?

Frowning, Zhu Zhongyi examined the yellowed parchment and numerous letters. What were these for?

Letters between Da Zhou and Da Liang?

Zhu Zhongyi’s heart leapt. The image of Qin Fengyi flashed in his mind. Panic rose—It must be Miao Changqing. He’s plotting against Miss Qin!

No!

He had to inform Miss Qin and let her prepare.

Zhu Zhongyi re-sheathed his sword, ignoring Zhao Qian lying on the ground, and sprinted toward the hotpot restaurant.

At this moment, his mind raced with countless thoughts.

If Ye Tian falsely accused Miss Qin, and the couple fell out, could I have a chance?

No!

Zhu Zhongyi shook his head. How could he harbor such despicable thoughts? Ye Tian had been so kind to him—he could never think such things. And Miss Qin… how could he stand by while someone threw dirt on her?

He ran all the way to the hotpot restaurant, but the front door was tightly shut.

After knocking for a long time, Old Yang yawned and opened the door.

“Where’s Miss Qin?”

Zhu Zhongyi asked urgently, leaving Old Yang confused. “Miss Qin?”

“Eh, where are you going?”

“The master has already gone to bed!”

Zhu Zhongyi ignored him and rushed to the back yard. He knew where Qin Fengyi’s room was. Summoning courage, he approached, only to have Nanfeng appear from the shadows, pressing a cold sword to his neck. “Step back!”

“I’ll give you one chance!”

Nanfeng’s expression was calm, eyes fixed on Zhu Zhongyi.

Frozen in place, Zhu Zhongyi stammered, “I… I have something important for Miss Qin.”

“Is that so?”

“Something important! First, tell me, and I’ll report it to my master!” Nanfeng cut him off without courtesy.

Zhu Zhongyi glanced at the carved wooden window and reluctantly handed the letters to Nanfeng. “It’s Miao Changqing. He seems to be targeting Miss Qin. Please… inform her first thing in the morning.”

“Understood.”

Nanfeng took the letters calmly, standing motionless at the door.

Zhu Zhongyi looked once at the dark window, bowed his head, and left.

All his urgency, all his worry, seemed so unnecessary. Did someone like Miss Qin really need his help?

He clenched his hands, giving a self-mocking smile.

The next morning.

The main hall was filled with steam. Duan Yingying and others had made wontons early, filling the air with the rich aroma of meat.

“The flavor is amazing, and the soup is delicious!”

“By the way, Duan Qingshan should be able to return to Sifang City today, right?”

Someone asked, and all eyes turned to Ye Tian. He paused mid-sip. “Almost. Then Xiao Jiang can notify Doctor Qiu to come by tonight.”

“Got it!”

Xiao Jiang looked up at Ye Tian with his big, bright eyes. Then he blew on a wonton in his spoon and handed it to Qin Fengyi, sweetly saying, “Mom, here, it’s cooled down. Really, it’s not hot!”

Qin Fengyi smiled warmly.

Seeing his older siblings silently glance at him, Xiao Jiang wasn’t upset. His master had taught him: Mom was his own mother, so he must be gentle with his siblings!

“You little flatterer!”

“Uncle Old Yang also needs some cooled wontons, hey…” Everyone laughed, the hall filled with joyful chatter.

Miao Changqing sat in a corner, sipping soup and glancing around nervously.

That dog Zhao Qian… what happened?

Had he been discovered?

No matter, he had another move. A cold smile curled on Miao Changqing’s lips.

“City Lord!”

“City Lord!”

Suddenly, someone shouted from outside the gate. Ye Tian looked up and saw a young soldier dismounting from his horse, stumbling into the hall and shouting loudly, “City Lord! Someone at the government office is beating the drum, saying… saying it’s for… for the late General to seek justice…”

Everyone froze.

Expressions varied among the people. Fang Shenghu immediately stood up and asked, “The late General?”

“You mean Ye Zhengyang, the late General Ye?” Fang Shenghu looked at Ye Tian suspiciously.

The kneeling soldier stammered for a long moment: “Yes… it’s… it’s indeed your father, City Lord—General Ye Zhengyang.”

“What?”

“Who exactly is it?”

“After all these years, someone is bringing this up now?”

In the hall, everyone whispered among themselves. Particularly Zhu Heyu, Liao Fanjun, and the others, who had been loyal all their lives and had long wanted to clear General Ye Zhengyang’s name. Hearing his name now made them the most excited.

“Where is this person?”

“Is he a subordinate of the late General?”

“If the matter is thoroughly investigated and made public, the late General would finally be vindicated!”

“Yes, indeed!”

Everyone spoke in agreement. Zhu Heyu was the first to kneel before Ye Tian, clasping his fists and saying loudly, “Young Master, there is absolutely something suspicious about the late General’s death. We beg you to seek justice for him and bring this person forward for questioning!”

“Young Master, the late General died wronged. This matter must be investigated thoroughly!”

The Ye family guards also knelt before Ye Tian one after another.

In the corner, Miao Changqing smiled coldly.

As expected, the thing these fools cared about most was Ye Zhengyang’s reputation!

“Rise.”

Ye Tian felt something was off, but seeing Zhu Heyu and the others kneeling before him, genuinely seeking justice for his father, he looked up at Old Yang. “Old Yang, escort the man here.”

“Understood!”

Old Yang went to the government office without asking further questions.

Qin Fengyi looked toward Nanfeng.

Nanfeng furrowed his brows. This was definitely not simple—he had a feeling it was a plot aimed at their master.

The hall fell silent.

Everyone was lost in thought, no one spoke.

Miao Changqing smiled as he appraised Qin Fengyi. This Da Zhou woman was extraordinary; if Ye Tian died, he could present her to the emperor and might even gain a reward.

As for Ye Tian’s three children, he would hand them over to Princess Leyang. She would be delighted and have anything she wanted.

And this Sifang City, a godforsaken place? He preferred the prosperity of the capital. Once he became a fourth-rank general, he would enjoy unmatched prestige.

Everything would soon fall into place.

Miao Changqing’s eyes darkened, full of impatience.

“City Lord!”

Miao Changqing cupped his hands and spoke.

Ye Tian ignored him. Miao Changqing wasn’t embarrassed and continued with a smile: “City Lord, the late General was killed by the treacherous emperor at the time because he leaked the military campaign deployment map of Daliang.”

The crowd fell silent.

At the mention of the past, every Ye family guard was filled with indignation.

The late General wrapped himself in his war cloak at death. Why would he leak the deployment map? As commander, he would have been the first to suffer if the army lost. Moreover, the General loved his country and people—he would never do such a thing!

“In fact, I suspected back then… could the deployment map have been stolen?”

Miao Changqing continued.

Zhu Heyu said, “It was absolutely stolen. The late General would never, ever do this!”

“Back then, we searched the entire army but found no suspicious person. Who could enter the camp and have a motive?” Liao Fanjun asked, confused.

Everyone fell silent again.

After a moment…

“Master!”

“Master, the man has been brought back!” Old Yang dismounted, pulling the man off the horse. Everyone turned to look and saw a weathered man with a wary gaze glancing at the crowd.

“Bring him in!” Old Yang shoved him forward. The man stumbled and prostrated himself at Ye Tian’s feet.

Ye Tian looked down.

The man at his feet looked tearful, shivering as he spoke, “I… I am Li Shan, formerly a soldier under General Ye Zhengyang. This time… this time I want to… I want to…”

Li Shan’s expression was tense.

Zhu Heyu, Fang Shenghu, and the others craned their necks, waiting for him to continue.

Li Shan turned and saw Qin Fengyi sitting nearby, and his reaction turned extreme. He shouted and flailed, “I don’t know anything! I don’t know anything! I won’t say a word! Please, let me go!”

He tried to crawl toward the door.

Everyone looked at Qin Fengyi in surprise, but her expression remained unchanged—she knew he was putting on a show.

Ye Tian said, “If you don’t want to speak, I won’t force you. Old Yang, take him away and handle it.”

Ye Tian roughly knew what this man wanted to say. Although his intelligence was limited, having watched plenty of melodramatic dramas in his past life, he had seen this kind of scene before.

“No!”

Miao Changqing immediately became anxious. He stood and looked at Old Yang: “Wait! He was fine just a moment ago. Why is he like this now?”

“Li Shan, speak! No matter what, this general will stand for you!”

Saying this in front of Ye Tian felt inappropriate to the others.

Miao Changqing then turned to Ye Tian: “Young Master, as long as the late General can be vindicated, I, Miao Changqing, am willing to do anything!” He looked loyal, ready to die for the cause.

No one found it improper.

Qin Fengyi remained calm.

Li Shan trembled on his knees, staring at Qin Fengyi, hesitating to speak: “I… I was a low-ranking soldier attending to the General’s daily needs. At that time, a woman came looking for the Young Master. When the General learned of her relationship with the Young Master, he was furious at first, but then he found out she was pregnant. The General even met with her once.”

“The next day, the General’s deployment map was stolen. At the time, I could see clearly… even if she had burned to ashes, I would recognize her…”

“All these years, every night I dream of the General asking me why I didn’t help him!”

“He was wronged. I’ve been living under an alias in Sifang City all these years, and only now… only now…”

Zhu Heyu asked, “Who was this woman?”

“Pregnant? And connected to the Young Master?”

Zhu Zhongyi immediately looked at Qin Fengyi.

Everyone’s eyes focused on Qin Fengyi. The hall fell silent. Ye Tian looked at Sun Wuji, who was busy eating, and said, “Senior Sun, please take the three children to the backyard.”

“What a nuisance!”

Sun Wuji grumbled, setting down his bowl and chopsticks. “Come on, kids. Grandpa will take you to catch sparrows.”

Ye Yunting’s face showed worry.

Ye Shuangxue blinked her big eyes and looked at the kneeling Li Shan: “I think you’re probably lying. Kids wouldn’t believe you!”

“You’ll pay for this!”

The tomboyish girl spat out a harsh warning and followed her master.

Xiao Jiang anxiously glanced at Qin Fengyi: “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll protect you!”

Qin Fengyi’s gaze softened, looking at her youngest son, feeling her heart melt. She nodded, “No need to worry.”

Once the three children left, Miao Changqing smugly glanced at Qin Fengyi, then looked at Li Shan on the ground: “Now you can speak. Who is this woman?”

“She is…”

Li Shan looked up, meeting Qin Fengyi’s cold gaze. Sweat dripped from his forehead. Shivering, he raised a trembling hand and pointed at Qin Fengyi: “It’s her… it’s her!”

“She is that Da Zhou woman!”