Chapter 320: Chapter 276: He Accused You of Fishing for Fame and Compliments
Xu Yin arrived at the Zhe Family gate and could still see the courtyard brightly lit through the crack in the door.
From the side, a person came from afar and called out "Master," then bowed and reported: "The fighting has stopped, and the opposing people have retreated!"
"Did you see where they went?"
"They headed towards the Pei Mansion!"
"Did you see Pei Zhan?"
"He didn’t show himself. In the midst of the fight, they revealed a flaw, someone’s face mask fell off, and after quickly conferring, they all hurriedly retreated!"
Xu Yin took a deep breath and looked at the tightly shut door: "Are the Pei family and Zhe Yu already colluding?"
The guard thought for a moment, shook his head, and said: "It doesn’t seem like it. Although those people were ambushed at Zhe Yu’s, it seems that no one in the Zhe Family was aware of their presence.
"Earlier when our people were ambushed, the opposing side was all dressed in night clothes with face masks on, and several Zhe Family servants were so frightened that they scattered everywhere. Zhe Yu also ran out of the room with a cane after hearing the commotion, he hasn’t recovered from his illness, he shouldn’t have been able to come out."
Xu Yin’s brows furrowed tightly.
Lian Rong also became pensive: "If there was prior collusion, the Zhe Family shouldn’t have been so panicked. Moreover, Pei Zhan’s people are not easy to deal with. If Zhe Yu knew, they wouldn’t have let the face mask fall and expose such a flaw to others.
"Most importantly, Zhe Yu holds no value to Pei Zhan, they aren’t lurking here for the people from Prince Rong’s Mansion, nor for you, master. They’re merely waiting for an opportunity, and there’s no need for Zhe Yu to be aware of their identity."
In other words, Pei Zhan had no need to let Zhe Yu know about this.
Xu Yin’s brows furrowed even more tightly, and he said in a deep voice: "Go knock on the door!"
The guard turned to knock on the door, and the Zhe Family steward quickly appeared at the entrance, his face full of shock as he bowed: "Assistant Minister!..."
Xu Yin lifted his foot to enter, glancing at the state of the courtyard, only to see overturned flower pots and broken tiles everywhere, an obvious mess with clear signs of fighting.
The steward caught up: "I didn’t know the Assistant Minister was visiting so late at night..."
Xu Yin gave him a look: "Where’s your General?"
The steward hastily pointed to the main house: "The General was quite startled just now and has retreated inside to rest! Sir, how did you know..."
Xu Yin stepped forward: "I’ll go pay him a visit."
With that, he walked towards Zhe Yu’s courtyard.
Zhe Yu was sitting at the bedside, only a few servants were in the room, some lighting the lamps, others sweeping the floor, or tidying the bedding.
Upon hearing the commotion at the door, Zhe Yu looked up, his face also showing surprise: "Why are you here?!"
Xu Yin walked to the bedside, gestured with his hand, and the guard behind him stepped forward to drive out the present servants.
"What do you want this time?"
Zhe Yu sat up.
Xu Yin stepped half a step forward: "I heard there was another incident at your residence tonight. With things so unsettled, I naturally came to check on you."
Zhe Yu’s face was taut: "No need for your concern!"
Xu Yin smirked slightly and sat down: "Your tone in responding this time is much tougher, is someone backing you now?"
Zhe Yu sneered: "To you, the Zhe Family is like a market, entering and leaving as you please. How could I have anyone behind me?"
"Trying to play games with me?" Xu Yin raised an eyebrow, "The traces of fighting outside in the courtyard, where did those people come from?"
Zhe Yu said: "How would I know!"
Xu Yin sneered: "Last time I asked you who found a doctor for you, you also played dumb with me. Zhe Yu, why is it that you never pay attention when you should, but always have mind games when you shouldn’t?"
Zhe Yu looked at him: "Your words are quite baffling. I have been bedridden for almost a month now. I can’t manage household affairs, how could I know who’s fighting in my courtyard?
"If I could manage these things, Xu Yin, do you think you would still have the chance to come and go freely in my house?"
Xu Yin squinted: "You really don’t know?"
Zhe Yu looked back at him, with resentment: "I truly didn’t know, but with you pursuing me relentlessly like this, I can guess that the party fighting must be your people, isn’t it?!
"Last time you pressured me for the identity of the masked person to no avail, of course, you wouldn’t give up, so you must have intruded again to force me!
"Who would have thought that someone else would also be lurking in the shadows tonight!"
Xu Yin took a deep breath, raised his head: "Do you know who they are now?"
Zhe Yu pressed his lips in silence.
Xu Yin sneered as he glanced around the room, speaking slowly: "Your residence has been heavily guarded for some time, something you couldn’t have done.
"Don’t avoid my questions anymore, claiming you know nothing. I already have a clue who they are. But if you don’t speak the truth, I’ll make sure you can’t escape the consequences!"