“Are you really interested in Yu Die?”

“That goes without saying. Tell me more. How much does it cost just to listen to Yu Die sing a single song?”

Xiaowu deliberately pulled his purse from his chest and waved it in front of the brawny man to make his act more believable.

The brawny man swallowed his saliva when he saw Xiaowu’s bulging purse. “That’s cheap. It only costs one tael of silver to listen to her sing.”

A tael of silver to listen to her sing? How could that be considered cheap?

“What about that guy? Does he spend the night with her or just listen to her sing when he comes?”

“That is one odd man. He visits every few days at around this time.” Now that he realized Xiaowu had money, his attitude towards Xiaowu became better and he sounded a little ingratiating as he spoke.

“He always pays to spend the night with Yu Die, but leaves after chatting and listening to Yu Die sing a song.”

The brawny man reached his head up and looked at the sky before he said to Xiaowu, “Look at the time. He ought to be coming out soon.”

“Why don’t you wait at the door since we are about to open for business?”

The brawny man was probably thinking he had found a potential rich client for Piao Xiang Brothel, so he didn’t see it coming when Xiaowu suddenly turned to run the moment he finished his sentence.

“Huh? Aren’t you going to wait for Yu Die?”

The brawny man refused to give up and kept shouting behind Xiaowu hoping he would come back.

“I will come some other time!”

Xiaowu’s unrestrained voice left the brawny man angry. He finally realized Xiaowu was messing with him.

“Damn you! Just you wait. The next time I see you, I am going to break your legs!”

Xiaowu ignored his threats as he ran back to Prince Jing’s residence to report his investigation to Chu Yunshen.

At Prince Jing’s residence.

Chu Yunshen was sitting at his desk going through the old archives in his room trying to find clues.

Cheng Xiaoxiao had taken a rather long nap and woke up to realize half the day had gone by unknowingly.

Sigh. She was leading such a decadent life.

However, she inexplicably adored it.

Cheng Xiaoxiao opened her eyes groggily to see Chu Yunshen standing in front of the desk. For a moment, she thought he hadn’t moved a muscle all day and seemed like a monk meditating deeply.

The case was tricky.

Cheng Xiaoxiao wanted to see how Chu Yunshen was doing with the case and find out if he had any trouble.

She walked over decisively.

Sadly, Wan Xia came in and caught her red-handed before Cheng Xiaoxiao even made it in front of Chu Yunshen.

“Are you up?”

Wan Xia placed a cup of tea in front of Chu Yunshen naturally. Chu Yunshen took a sip without even looking before putting the teacup down on the desk.

The two of them did not speak at all, but Cheng Xiaoxiao suddenly felt they seemed to be a surprisingly good match.

A sour sensation rose in her heart and it seemed to be jealousy.

Cheng Xiaoxiao shook her head hard in an attempt to toss these thoughts behind her.

Wan Xia deftly carried the lion cat into her arms as Cheng Xiaoxiao shook her head. She rubbed the lion cat’s furry little head indulgently.

Wan Xia was clearly here to take care of Cheng Xiaoxiao and she wasn’t interested in Chu Yunshen either.

Cheng Xiaoxiao felt so pleased by Wan Xia’s stroking that she gurgled with satisfaction.

The jealousy in Cheng Xiaoxiao’s heart quickly dissipated. Cheng Xiaoxiao kept going close towards Wan Xia.

Xiaowu came home after having a long night and seemed a little out of place from the warm atmosphere in the room.

The moment Xiaowu came over, Wan Xia knew they were bound to talk about work, so she knowingly left Chu Yunshen’s room and even thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

She did not bring Cheng Xiaoxiao out, so she lay on the bed and yawned lazily.

Ever since she started recuperating, she became even lazier.

Xiaowu wasted no time and promptly told Chu Yunshen about the outcome of his investigation today, “Master, I followed those burial workers today. Although they make very little money, they are big spenders and like to frequent gambling dens and brothels.”

Chu Yunshen had spent the day looking at the archives Xiaowu had brought him. The more he studied them, the more solemn he became. Now that he had heard Xiaowu’s report, his expression suddenly relaxed a little.

“Also, I found out last night that they were carrying out some kind of secret activity at the unmarked burial gravesite. I suspected them of making some extra income, but I am not sure how they are doing it yet.”

The moment Xiaowu finished his sentence, he looked at Chu Yunshen and discovered a profound look on his face. It was impossible for him to see what Chu Yunshen was thinking.

He hurriedly added, “I will definitely keep following up on this.”

Xiaowu moved carelessly, so he inadvertently tugged the wounds on his arm. He was in so much pain that he couldn’t help wincing out loud.

Cheng Xiaoxiao inhaled deeply just thinking about the pain he was in.

Just watching it made her tingle with pain.

Cheng Xiaoxiao heard Chu Yunshen telling Mu Bai to send Xiaowu some medicine for his injuries and learned Xiaowu had gotten hurt.

Now that Xiaowu was doing his best to prove his worth despite his injuries, she couldn’t help finding him adorable.

Chu Yunshen watched as Xiaowu winced in pain from pulling his injuries. The frown on Chu Yunshen’s face suddenly disappeared as he said intriguingly to Xiaowu, “You saved the guy and made a newfound friend. How would he feel if his savior had a lot of gambling debts?”

Xiaowu went stunned for a second and did not understand what Chu Yunshen was driving at.

Chu Yunshen added unhurriedly, “Also, they happen to have the knowledge of how to make a quick buck.”

Xiaowu finally realized what Chu Yunshen meant. He replied Chu Yunshen excitedly, “He would naturally help me since I saved him.”

“Master, do you mean if I put on an act in front of them and convince them I am just like them, it would lower their guard against me?”

Cheng Xiaoxiao saw the look of excitement on Xiaowu’s face. He was so hopelessly stupid that she didn’t want anything to do with him.

Since Xiaowu felt he had realized what Chu Yunshen was suggesting, he spoke candidly, “The moment they lower their guard against me, I can take the opportunity to get closer to them and squeeze the truth out of them.”

She had to admit Xiaowu was spot on with his analysis and it sounded like something Chu Yunshen would have done.

It was the most efficient way for Xiaowu to gain their trust without raising any suspicion.

Cheng Xiaoxiao simply found this plan somewhat familiar. She pondered as she looked at the silly-looking Xiaowu.

She could not help jumping when she finally realized what it was!

Chu Yunshen’s ploy for Xiaowu to inflict some injuries in order to gain the enemies’ trust came from the 36 strategems!

She watched as Chu Yunshen nodded and agreed with Xiaowu’s plans. Cheng Xiaoxiao and Xiaowu were spot on about his strategy.

The moment Chu Yunshen gave his stamp of approval, Xiaowu felt exhilarated. He proceeded to leave and discuss the matter with Tingzhu and Nongying to come up with a concrete plan.

Cheng Xiaoxiao closed her eyes lazily and wanted to take a short nap.

She could faintly hear Chu Yunshen telling Xiaowu softly, “Be careful.”

Be careful?

Was Chu Yunshen showing concern for his subordinate?

The sun must be rising from the West today.

Cheng Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes as she stretched languidly before she yawned and fell into a deep sleep.

At midnight, Xiaowu went to Uncle Gen’s compound and waited for the other burial workers before heading to the unmarked burial site.

However, Uncle Gen didn’t come along this time.

Wang Er’s face remained stern as Li Erfa kept talking nonstop while Ming Zi quietly walked at the end.

The rest of them didn’t feel like talking. From the looks of it, they were probably angry with the lousy attitude they got from Wang Er and the others last night.

Tonight, no one got into any arguments. Even if any of the burial workers spoke, they did it in hushed tones.

It was better this way since everyone would just quietly go about their jobs.

After they were done working, Xiaowu assumed Wang Er and the others would make the burial workers leave the unmarked burial site again. They unexpectedly left with the rest of the crew.

Had Xiaowu blown his cover last night?

Impossible. He definitely hid himself well yesterday.

Even though Wang Er interrogated Xiaowu, Xiaowu answered everything calmly.

Xiaowu noticed Wang Er and the other’s nonchalance and reckoned they weren’t going to do anything today.

From the looks of it, they only did it at selected times.

Xiaowu was even more determined to execute his plan.

Also, the sooner the better.

After coming back to the city, Xiaowu waved goodbye and parted ways with Wang Er and the others. He made a detour before heading back to Prince Jing’s residence, just like he did last night.

Even though the residence was quiet, it felt slightly different from the silence outside. Xiaowu happily fell into a deep sleep before long.

The next day, he went to Tingzhu and Nongying and made arrangements for them to attack him at Tonghua Street.

Even though Xiaowu and the others did not have much time to execute their plans, they were well prepared.

Xiaowu shared his analysis of Wang Er and the others with them. He wanted to gain their trust with one single move. After he had won their trust, it would be easier for him to crack the case.

Xiaowu leisurely walked over to an alley near Wang Er’s place in the evening in disguise with his square face and down-to-earth features.

Just as he expected, he could hear Li Erfa’s angry voice nearby.

“I have lost again today! I have been on such a long streak of bad luck recently!”

Before long, Xiaowu could hear Wang Er’s voice as well. “I have been out of luck too. Let’s go somewhere else to gamble tomorrow and see if our luck will change.”

“Sure thing! I can’t bear losing all the time! No matter how much money I have, it isn’t enough to gamble with!” said Li Erfa in agreement the moment he heard Wang Er’s suggestion.

He continued sadly, “I really wish we could make more money somehow, but Uncle Gen keeps taking such a big cut.”

It was the second time he brought up Uncle Gen.

From the looks of it, Uncle Gen was in on it as well.

Although Xiaowu wanted to go on listening, he was afraid they might leave.

He could clearly hear their footsteps. Other than Wang Er and Li Erfa, a third person was present.

It was probably Ming Zi.

They were always together.

Xiaowu gave the signal and Tingzhu, Nongying and the other secret guards hiding nearby jumped out.

They were all in disguise, so it was impossible to see who they were.

Xiaowu glanced at Nongying. Nongying instantly cleared his throat knowingly and shouted angrily, “Get him!”

The secret guards punched Xiaowu as they apologized softly, “Sorry, Xiaowu!”

Xiaowu squatted on the ground and covered his head while he got beaten up badly.

He screamed as he got beaten up, “OWWW! You’re killing me! Please spare me!”

Xiaowu made a huge commotion, but there was no one else in the alley, so it was particularly quiet.

Xiaowu’s screaming quickly attracted their attention and they came running out to see Xiaowu in disguise and getting beaten up by some brawny men.