She remarried a cold-faced, powerful man, and the scumbag regretted it and cried his heart out.

Chapter 61 Feigning Injury

Cheng Wenhao lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, revealing a desolate scene within Yangzhou City.

Most of the shops on both sides of the street were closed to customers. The once bustling market was now deserted, with few pedestrians hurrying by, their faces filled with undisguised panic.

Soldiers patrolled back and forth, their spears reflecting a cold, hard light in the sunlight, adding to the grim atmosphere.

Cheng Wenhao's brows furrowed involuntarily, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

He came to Yangzhou with the caravan this time under the pretext of learning how to manage the family business, and he had been begging his father for a long time.

His father had high expectations for him as this was his first experience, and repeatedly told him before he left to be diligent and attentive, and not to let the Cheng family down.

He had hoped to at least make a business deal before returning home, but the scene before him was completely different from the bustling city of Yangzhou he had imagined.

"What's going on here?"

Cheng Wenhao jumped off the carriage and casually stopped a passerby to ask.

The man was a little angry at being stopped like that, but when he looked up, he saw that the young master in front of him was dressed in luxurious clothes and had a caravan following behind him, so he must be rich and noble.

He quickly changed his expression and said with a forced smile, "Young master, are you new to the city? If you don't have anything urgent, you'd better leave quickly, or you won't be able to get out!"

"Why can't we get out? What happened?"

“Young master, you may not know this,” the man leaned closer and lowered his voice, “A few days ago, the Commandant from the capital was assassinated in the government office and was seriously injured. Prefect Zhao Yan fled to avoid punishment and his whereabouts are now unknown. It’s all over the city that Zhao Yan was corrupt and lawless, and when his crimes were exposed, he resorted to this desperate measure of only taking in money and not giving it out.”

"The captain was assassinated?"

Cheng Wenhao was startled, and Jiang Jin'an's image immediately flashed into his mind.

His biggest worry along the way was that something would happen to Jiang Jin'an, and now his words have come true.

If something really happens, how will he explain it to Shen Jingshu when he goes back?

Cheng Wenhao grabbed his collar and asked urgently, "Is there any news about him?"

The passerby was startled. "I... I've only heard about it. I really don't know the specifics."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Wenhao grew even more anxious, wishing he could fly to Jiang Jin'an's side immediately.

Just as he was about to ask again, he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves approaching from afar. A group of soldiers rode up, and the leader, dressed in black tight-fitting clothes with a long sword at his waist, was none other than Lin Yu.

However, he was disguised at the moment, and his face was covered with dirt. If I hadn't known him well, I probably wouldn't have been able to recognize him.

Cheng Wenhao released the man and stepped directly to the middle of the road.

The horse was reined in, and when Lin Yu saw him, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He rolled his eyes, dismounted, walked to Cheng Wenhao's carriage, and said loudly, "Young Master has arrived! This guy has some problems, so I'll trouble you to come with me."

Cheng Wenhao's heart skipped a beat. He coughed lightly and said in a pretentious tone, "What a hassle! I should have known better than to make this trip!"

He instructed his steward to lead them to the inn first, then mounted his horse and followed Lin Yu.

After winding through several quiet alleys, Lin Yu led Cheng Wenhao to an inconspicuous house.

The courtyard gate was tightly closed, and there was nothing unusual about it.

Lin Yu stepped forward and gently knocked on the courtyard gate, three long knocks followed by two short ones, the rhythm distinct.

A moment later, the courtyard gate creaked open, revealing a crack. Lin Yu led Cheng Wenhao inside and quickly closed the gate again.

The courtyard was simply furnished, and the rooms were dilapidated, a stark contrast to his usual life of luxury.

Cheng Wenhao wondered, was this Jiang Jin'an's hiding place?

Lin Yu led Cheng Wenhao into the main room, where the room was dimly lit. A figure was sitting at the table, flipping through the files in his hands by the dim candlelight.

Hearing the noise, the person looked up, and it was Jiang Jin'an, who looked completely normal.

"Jiang Jin'an!"

Cheng Wenhao was initially taken aback, then quickly stepped forward and looked him up and down. "Are you alright? There are rumors outside..."

"A plan to lure the enemy." Jiang Jin'an said succinctly, putting down the dossier in his hand and gesturing for Cheng Wenhao to sit down and talk.

Cheng Wenhao let out a long breath, patted his chest, and plopped down. "You fucking scared me to death. I almost thought Shen Jingshu was really going to be a widow."

Jiang Jin'an lowered his eyes and remained silent.

His decision this time was indeed dangerous. If it weren't for the tacit understanding cultivated by the Commandery over many years, it would have been hard to say who would have won.

Lin Yu, however, was not pleased with what he was hearing. "How can you talk like that? Our future wife is very lucky!"

Cheng Wenhao rolled his eyes, too lazy to bother with him. "What exactly is going on?"

"It's a long story."

Jiang Jin'an looked at Lin Yu, who then briefly explained the reason for the "faked injury" to Cheng Wenhao: "...If you don't risk your life, young master, it will be difficult to wipe them all out in one fell swoop."

Cheng Wenhao looked at Jiang Jin'an, hesitating to speak.

"Why are you in Yangzhou?" Jiang Jin'an asked.

“I came to Yangzhou to handle some business matters, and I was worried about you, so I thought I'd drop by to see you,” Cheng Wenhao replied. “Before I left, Shen Jingshu asked me to give you a message.”

"what did she say?"

She told you to be careful in everything you do.

Jiang Jin'an nodded.

After talking for a while, Cheng Wenhao learned that Qiao Xin had died that day, and Zhao Yan had abandoned his wife and children and escaped directly through the tunnel. Jiang Jin'an had sent people to lock the city gates before attending the banquet, so Zhao Yan must still be inside Yangzhou City.

"Wouldn't your 'feigned injury' move alert the enemy?" Cheng Wenhao asked with some concern.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Jiang Jin'an said calmly. "Only when they think I'm on the verge of death will they reveal their true colors."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Wenhao was filled with admiration for Jiang Jin'an's courage and strategy.

Although he didn't follow the right path, he was still quite intelligent, but he still felt inferior to Jiang Jin'an.

Jiang Jin'an continued, "Zhao Yan is just a pawn; the real mastermind is the person behind him."

"So what do you plan to do?"

"Let's wait and see what happens, and wait for the right opportunity. Now that Zhao Yan has escaped, we need to find another way."

Cheng Wenhao thought for a moment, then slammed his hand on the table and said with great enthusiasm, "I'll act as a merchant caravan and help you gather information."

Jiang Jin'an glanced at him, her gaze sending chills down his spine. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Lin Yu curled his lip, thinking, "Young Master Cheng is really cunning. He's just waiting for Young Master Cheng to speak up himself."

Sure enough, Jiang Jin'an smiled and said, "You used your identity as a merchant to spread rumors in the city that the Commandant had died from his injuries."

Cheng Wenhao disagreed, "How can you do that! Wouldn't that be..."

“There’s no need to be shy,” Jiang Jin’an interrupted Cheng Wenhao. “In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken.”

After a moment of silence, Cheng Wenhao spoke up: "There's something else. I saw Xie Wanqing secretly meeting with someone on Xiushui Street, but I don't know who that person is. And she seems to know that you'll be in trouble in Yangzhou."

Cheng Wenhao's fists clenched involuntarily. "How dare she curse you like that!"

"It's alright. They're just clowns, nothing to fear." Jiang Jin'an waved his hand, then took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Cheng Wenhao. "I have a letter here. If you return to the capital before me, please give it to Jing Shu for me."

Cheng Wenhao took the letter and carefully put it away.

After discussing some details, Jiang Jin'an asked Lin Yu to escort Cheng Wenhao back to the inn.

Before leaving, Jiang Jin'an kept looking at Cheng Wenhao with a complicated expression.

Cheng Wenhao found his expression rather amusing. "Jiang Jin'an, if you have anything else to say, just say it. Otherwise, I'm leaving."

"How is Jing Shu doing lately?"

The question that had been hidden in my heart for so long was finally asked.

Cheng Wenhao was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, "Want to know?"

He shook his head and circled around Jiang Jin'an, raising an eyebrow and smiling, "If you want to know, go back to the capital and find her yourself!"

Lin Yu couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Under Jiang Jin'an's murderous gaze, the two hurriedly ran outside.

After running out the door, Cheng Wenhao suddenly poked his head back in.

"Your betrothal gifts were so extravagant, they were earth-shattering! She accepted them and is beaming with joy!"