The frail counselor you said, you fight against three heroes alone?

Gan Mei hopes that the Buddha can hear her voice, bless her child to recover soon, and bless Xi Yu to return safely.

The curl of incense seemed to carry their hopes and drift away into the distance.

On the other side, Xi Yu was pacing outside the grove.

Suddenly, Xiyu heard footsteps coming from afar. His heart moved, and he immediately stopped and listened quietly.

The footsteps were getting closer and closer, and he could feel a tense atmosphere approaching.

After a while, two soldiers ran towards Xi Yu quickly, their faces full of anxiety and excitement, their eyes revealing eager desire.

Xi Yu looked at them, and a surge of anticipation surged in his heart. He knew that there must be important news.

"Your Majesty! Finally there is news!" the soldiers shouted as they ran.

Xi Yu raised his hand slightly, signaling them not to worry. His face showed a calm look, and his eyes revealed wisdom and calmness.

The two soldiers ran up to Xi Yu panting and stopped.

They were bent over, breathing heavily, their faces covered in sweat.

After a while, one of the soldiers raised his head and looked at Xi Yu with awe in his eyes.

Two soldiers stood in front of Xi Yu, their breathing still unsteady, their expressions tense and anxious.

One of the soldiers continued, "Prime Minister, Shen Bin admitted that he had lost a lot of money before. He was at his wit's end when one day a masked man found him. Shen Bin was full of doubts at the time and didn't know what this man's purpose was. But the masked man actually paid off his debt. Shen Bin was shocked. Before he could recover, the man made a request, asking Shen Bin to find his mother Zhu Lianxiang and asking Zhu Lianxiang to do something. He also warned Shen Bin that if he couldn't do it, he would take his life."

After the soldier finished speaking, he looked at Xi Yu anxiously, waiting for his reaction.

Xi Yu curled up the corner of his mouth in a sneer, his eyes revealing wisdom and insight.

He thought to himself, this is just as I expected.

The soldier continued, "Originally, Shen Bin planned to go to the Prime Minister's Mansion to look for his mother, but Zhu Lianxiang happened to take leave to go back to her hometown that day, so the mother and son met at her hometown. Shen Bin took out a packet of medicine and told Zhu Lianxiang to put it in the young master's food when she returned to the Prime Minister's Mansion."

When Zhu Lianxiang heard this, her face was instantly filled with astonishment. She opened her eyes wide, unable to believe her ears.

After a moment, she reacted and anger instantly surged in her heart.

Zhu Lianxiang raised her hand and slapped Shen Bin hard.

"You rebellious son! How dare you do such a cruel thing? The young master has no grudge against you, why do you want to harm him like this?"

Zhu Lianxiang was shaking with anger, and her voice was filled with anger and pain.

Shen Bin turned his head away due to the slap, and his face showed pain and regret.

But soon, he gritted his teeth again.

"Mom, I have no choice! The masked man said that if I don't do as he says, he will kill me. I don't want to die, Mom!" Shen Bin said crying.

Shen Bin then told the relevant situation.

Zhu Lianxiang felt angry and sad when she saw her son's appearance.

She knew her son was in dire straits, but she could never do such a heinous thing.

"Even if you die, you can't do such a bad thing. If you really do this, our whole family will be doomed." Zhu Lianxiang said sternly.

Shen Bin collapsed on the ground, holding his head in despair.

He knew he had made a big mistake, but at this point he didn't know what to do.

Zhu Lianxiang's face turned red with anger, and she glared at Shen Bin with anger burning in her eyes.

"Why did you have to go gambling? Look at you now, you've gambled away all your money! Do you know how hard it is for me to work in the Prime Minister's Mansion? I have to pay you every month to clean up your mess!"

Her voice trembled with anger, and she pointed at Shen Bin, feeling heartbroken.

Shen Bin's face was full of regret. He fell to his knees with tears welling up in his eyes.

"Mom, I know I was wrong. From now on I will never gamble again. But this time, if I don't do as I'm told, I will really die. Mom, please save me!"

He clutched the corner of Zhu Lianxiang's clothes tightly, his eyes full of fear and pleading.

Zhu Lianxiang felt conflicted after hearing what her son said.

Naturally, she didn't want her son to die, but if she agreed to this, it would be a capital crime.

Her face turned pale and her eyes were full of conflict and pain.

"No, this is absolutely not possible. We can't do such a heinous thing. Once we are discovered, our whole family will be finished."

When Shen Bin saw his mother refuse, he became even more flustered.

"Mom, the masked man said that this drug only causes problems for children, but not for adults, so there is no way to investigate. Mom, please help me, I really don't want to die."

Zhu Lianxiang's heart was shaken. She looked at her son's pitiful appearance and felt filled with pity.

She knew that once she agreed, she would be embarking on a dangerous path, but she couldn't bear to watch her son die.

After a fierce ideological struggle, she finally sighed helplessly.

"Forget it, forget it. I'll promise you this time. But you must remember that this is the last time. You must never make the same mistake again."

When Shen Bin heard his mother agreed, a hint of joy appeared on his face and he kowtowed to express his gratitude.

"Thank you, Mom. I will remember this and never do it again."

Xi Yu slowly walked to the grove. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, and his hands behind his back seemed to be in control of everything.

His face was as cold as ice, and his eyes revealed majesty and coldness.

Seeing Shen Bin trembling with fear, Xi Yu felt no sympathy in his heart.

He knew clearly that Shen Bin's current fate was all his own fault.

In Xi Yu's heart, what Shen Bin did was unforgivable and he must pay the price for his mistakes.

Xi Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Shen Bin coldly. "Do you admit your guilt?"

His voice was low and powerful, hitting Shen Bin's heart like a sledgehammer.

Shen Bin raised his head tremblingly, his eyes filled with fear and regret.

His face was as pale as paper, and his lips kept trembling. "Prime Minister, spare me. I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have been deceived by that masked man and done such a wrong thing." Shen Bin's voice was trembling and crying.

Xi Yu snorted coldly, a trace of disgust flashed in his eyes. "You want to kill someone for your own selfish reasons. Have you ever thought about the consequences?" Xi Yu's tone was full of anger and disappointment.

Shen Bin lowered his head, not daring to look into Xi Yu's eyes. His heart was filled with guilt and self-blame, and he knew that his actions had caused great harm to others.

"Prime Minister, I really know I was wrong. I will never dare to do it again. Please spare my life." Shen Bin begged bitterly, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Xi Yu looked at Shen Bin's pitiful appearance, without any hesitation in his heart.

He knew that he couldn't be soft-hearted towards such a person. "You have committed such a heinous crime, which is unforgivable. But considering that you took the initiative to confess, I can give you a chance. Tell me the identity and purpose of the masked man, and perhaps I can consider giving you a lighter sentence." Xi Yu's eyes revealed a hint of expectation.

After hearing Xi Yu's words, Shen Bin felt a glimmer of hope.

He tried hard to recall every detail of his encounter with the masked man, trying to find some clues.

"Prime Minister, I really don't know the identity of the masked man. He has been covering his face, so I can't recognize him at all. But his purpose seems to be to target the Prime Minister's Mansion, but I don't know what it is specifically."

"Take him back and keep him under strict watch." Xi Yu waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to take Shen Bin away.

The soldiers immediately stepped forward and dragged Shen Bin up.

Suddenly, Xi Yu's eyes were filled with bloodshot, and anger overwhelmed him like a surging tide.

He could no longer control his emotions and rushed towards Shen Bin like a madman.

"You beast!" Xi Yu roared and punched Shen Bin hard in the face.

Shen Bin was knocked to the ground by the sudden attack.

Xi Yu completely ignored his own identity, at this moment there was only endless anger in his heart.

"You actually attacked a child. Do you have any humanity at all?" He cursed and kicked Shen Bin hard.

Xi Yu's face flushed red, veins popped out on his forehead. His eyes burned with anger, as if he wanted to burn Shen Bin to ashes.

The soldiers around were stunned. They had never seen the prime minister so out of control.

But they could also understand Xi Yu's anger. After all, Shen Bin's behavior was really outrageous.

"Prime Minister, spare my life. I know I was wrong. I really know I was wrong." Shen Bin cried and begged for mercy, but Xi Yu's anger did not diminish at all. After a long time, Xi Yu gradually calmed down.

At the binding time, Xi Yu walked into the Prime Minister's Mansion with a serious expression and went straight to Gan Mei's room.

The moment Gan Mei saw Xi Yu, she felt as if she had found someone to rely on.

Tears welled up in her eyes instantly and she quickly threw herself into Xiyu's arms.

She hugged Xiyu tightly, feeling his warmth and strength.

"Husband, you are back. How is the investigation going?"

Xi Yu patted Gan Mei's back gently, then slowly pushed her out of his arms.

He looked into Gan Mei's eyes and said seriously, "I have investigated it thoroughly. This matter is related to Zhu Lianxiang's son Shen Bin. He was threatened by a masked man and forced the cook Zhu Lianxiang to attack the young master."

After hearing this, Gan Mei was very angry.

Her face turned red, and her eyes were filled with anger. "So it really has something to do with the cook Zhu Lianxiang! How could they be so cruel? How could they have the heart to do this?"

Xi Yu held Gan Mei's hand and tried to calm her down.

"Don't be angry. I will definitely punish them severely."

Xi Yu left Gan Mei's room with a gloomy face and walked towards the woodshed with big strides.

His heart was filled with anger and determination, and he was determined to make Shen Bin and Zhu Lianxiang pay for what they had done.

Arriving at the woodshed, Xi Yu looked at Shen Bin who was imprisoned inside, with a cold look in his eyes.

He ordered his men to stuff Shen Bin's mouth to prevent him from making any sound.

Then, he waited quietly for Zhu Lianxiang to arrive.

After a while, Zhu Lianxiang was brought over to the door.

There was a deep fear on her face and her steps were trembling.

As she walked, she wondered, could it be that the Prime Minister had discovered something? Why did he summon her?

Zhu Lianxiang's heart tightened when she saw Xi Yu's cold eyes.

She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look Xi Yu in the eye.

"Zhu Lianxiang, do you know why I summoned you?" Xi Yu's voice was low and powerful, full of majesty.

Zhu Lianxiang's body trembled slightly, and she replied with a trembling voice: "Prime Minister, I know it's for the young master's sake. But I have always been working hard for the Prime Minister's Mansion and have never done anything wrong."

Xi Yu snorted coldly, his eyes revealing a hint of disgust. "You still dare to say that you have never done anything wrong?"

Zhu Lianxiang's face turned pale in an instant, and her eyes revealed panic and anxiety.

"Prime Minister, I really have done nothing wrong."

Xi Yu's eyes became colder and colder. He shook his head slightly and said, "I was going to give you a chance, but you didn't cherish it."

Xiyu waved his hand, signaling Zhu Lianxiang to go into the woodshed. Zhu Lianxiang's steps were heavy and slow.

When she walked into the woodshed and saw her son Shen Bin imprisoned there, she was shocked and felt like she was struck by lightning. She finally understood that the prime minister knew everything.

At this time, the cloth in Shen Bin's mouth was also taken away by the soldiers.

Shen Bin looked at his mother, his eyes filled with guilt and despair.

"Mother, the Prime Minister knows everything now." His voice was low and hoarse.

Zhu Lianxiang was so angry that she was shaking all over. She raised her hand and slapped Shen Bin hard.

"It was all your bad idea, you beast! Why did you do this? You've hurt us all!" Tears flashed in her eyes and her voice was filled with anger and pain.

Shen Bin covered his face with his hands, tears welling up in his eyes.

Xi Yu looked at the mother and son without a trace of pity in his heart.

Zhu Lianxiang's legs went limp and she fell to her knees with a thud.

"Prime Minister, it was all my fault because I was confused for a moment. I know I was wrong, please release my son. I am willing to take all the responsibility, even if it means death, I will have no complaints."

Shen Bin stood aside, just crying silently, not daring to beg for mercy.

Xi Yu was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "The crime you committed is unforgivable. I can't let you go just because of your plea. However, if you can provide some clues about the masked man, perhaps I can consider giving you a lighter sentence."

Zhu Lianxiang quickly looked at Shen Bin, her voice trembling: "Bin'er, please explain quickly, you must know something else."

Shen Bin's face was filled with fear and helplessness. He shook his head repeatedly and said in a hoarse voice, "Mom, I have told you everything I know. I really don't know who that masked man is."

In order to make Xi Yu believe him, Shen Bin raised one hand and swore solemnly: "Prime Minister, if I lie, I will be struck by lightning. I really don't know the identity of the masked man. When he came to me, I was also confused. I only know that he is terrible, and his methods force me to obey his orders."

Xi Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Shen Bin and Zhu Lianxiang.

His heart was filled with doubts. Who was this masked man? Why did he target the Prime Minister's Mansion? What was his purpose?
"Take them away and keep them under strict supervision. If they are found to have concealed anything or cheated in any way, they will be severely punished." Xi Yu's voice was cold and stern.

The soldiers immediately stepped forward and took Shen Bin and Zhu Lianxiang away.

Zhu Lianxiang and Shen Bin were escorted by the soldiers to a dark and damp place.

She was pushed into a room and the door slammed shut, leaving her alone in the dim space.

The room was filled with a damp and musty smell, and water droplets slowly slid down the walls, as if telling the story of the desolation of this place.

Zhu Lianxiang leaned weakly against the wall, her eyes blurred by tears.

She regretted her original decision and why she agreed to her son's ridiculous request. Now she has not only harmed herself but also her son.

Shen Bin was also locked in another room.

At the same time, many of the maids in Ganmei's room were released.

The girls who were released were all covered in scars, and some even walked unsteadily.

There was still traces of fear and pain on their faces, and it was obvious that they had been beaten a lot during the interrogation.

Xi Yu looked at these poor girls and felt a little bit sorry for them.

He ordered them to go back to their rooms to rest, and asked the maid currently serving Gan Mei to deliver the message.

The messenger came to the room where the maids rested, cleared her throat and said, "The Prime Minister has ordered that you should not complain. Interrogation is necessary, and you will inevitably suffer. But don't worry, the Prime Minister will compensate you in the future."

After hearing this, the maids still felt aggrieved, but they also knew that they had to obey orders in the Prime Minister's Mansion.

They supported each other, with tears in their eyes, and silently prayed that the storm would pass as soon as possible, and looked forward to the compensation promised by the Prime Minister to arrive soon.

Xi Yu stood there, brows furrowed, feeling a sudden pain in his head.

He thought that after learning about Shen Bin and Zhu Lianxiang, he would be able to follow the clues to find the mysterious masked man, but now it seems that the investigation is as difficult as looking for a needle in a haystack.

His mind kept recalling the scene when Shen Bin was interrogated. That guy was unable to provide any valuable clues except fear and regret.

Xi Yu couldn't help feeling frustrated. He knew very well that the existence of this masked man was a huge threat to the Prime Minister's Mansion, but he didn't know where to start.

He understood that the more it was at a time like this, the more he should not panic.

Song Shuwen hadn't come back yet, which forced him to think of the worst. Could something have really happened?
Various possible scenarios kept running through his mind.

If Song Shuwen was kidnapped, would someone pass on the message and ask for money?
But what if he was murdered?

As soon as this thought came to mind, Xi Yu's heart sank suddenly.

He didn't dare to imagine what the consequences would be if Song Shuwen really met with an accident.

He remembered a saying that no news is the best news. But he also knew that this was a way of comforting himself.

Xi Yu decided to send more people to find Song Shuwen's whereabouts.

He ordered his men to inquire about the news in various places in the city, and also issued a reward to the surrounding towns and villages, hoping that someone could provide clues.

He believed that as long as he didn't give up, he would be able to find Song Shuwen.

He hoped that all this was unnecessary.

He would rather believe that Song Shuwen had not met with any accident and was just collecting herbs. (End of this chapter)