Bian Ziming personally went to Xu Yi’s residence.

Xu Yi lived in a small, rented courtyard, and he lived there alone.

The house was spotless, and not a single useful clue could be found.

Unwilling to give up, Bian Ziming questioned the next-door neighbors, but their answers were all consistent.

"Xu Yi seemed like a good person. He smiled at everyone and was very polite."

"You’re asking where his hometown is? How would I know? I wasn’t close with him."

Indeed.

Everyone said they weren’t close with Xu Yi.

No one knew where his hometown was, nor did they know if he had any family.

The investigation yielded nothing.

Bian Ziming left in disappointment.

He had thought he knew the soldiers under his command like the back of his hand. He never expected the Tiger Roar Camp to be hiding someone of unknown origin.

More importantly, that man used to hang around him openly, yet he had never harbored the slightest suspicion.

This inevitably made him feel a sense of defeat.

Even so, Bian Ziming still had to report the results of the investigation to Prince Zhao.

Bian Ziming remembered that He Zhiyuan was Princess Consort Zhao’s cousin. Prince Zhao had previously instructed him to look after He Zhiyuan and ensure he wasn’t bullied by the crafty veterans in the barracks.

Presumably, He Zhiyuan carried some weight with Prince Zhao.

So, Bian Ziming went to the He Family’s residence and asked for He Zhiyuan.

He Zhiyuan was very respectful toward this superior who usually took good care of him.

"A happy and healthy New Year to you, General. What are your orders?"

Bian Ziming said with a broad smile, "I’m going to pay a New Year’s visit to Prince Zhao. Why don’t you come along? It’s a good chance for you to pay your respects to the Prince and Princess Consort as well."

He Zhiyuan was actually a little intimidated by Prince Zhao.

But his direct superior had spoken, and what he said made sense. He really should go pay his respects to Prince Zhao and his wife for the New Year.

He could only bite the bullet and agree.

"Alright."

Inside the Prince Zhao Mansion, Li Ji had just had his wound redressed. Hearing that Bian Ziming and He Zhiyuan had arrived, he subconsciously glanced at Hua Manman.

Hua Manman was baffled by his stare.

Li Ji: "What is your cousin doing here?"

Hua Manman was even more dumbfounded. ’How would I know?’

Li Ji said to Gao Shan outside the door.

"Have them wait in the tea room."

"Yes."

Hua Manman handed the sash to Prince Zhao and asked, "General Bian is here to see you at this hour. It must be about Xu Yi, right?"

Li Ji tied the sash. "Probably."

He finished dressing and went to the tea room.

Bian Ziming presented the New Year’s gift he had carefully prepared.

"I wish Your Highness a New Year of health and prosperity, and may everything go smoothly for you."

He Zhiyuan also stepped forward to offer his greetings, respectfully presenting his own New Year’s gift.

Gao Shan came forward to accept the gifts.

Li Ji took a sip of tea, his gaze sweeping over He Zhiyuan.

’Tsk, he’s so dark and brawny. Like a black bear.’

’How could Manman possibly be interested in a black bear like that?’

He Zhiyuan felt his scalp tighten under the intense stare. He subconsciously lowered his head, avoiding the Prince’s gaze.

Seeing this, Li Ji grew even more contemptuous.

’Not only is he ugly, he’s a coward, too.’

’There’s no way Manman could ever be interested in him.’

Li Ji withdrew his gaze and asked leisurely.

"How is the investigation into Xu Yi coming along?"

Bian Ziming replied with a grimace, "We found nothing. That kid must have expected this day would come. He cleaned out his place in advance, not leaving a single clue behind."

Li Ji was not at all surprised by this outcome.

From the way Xu Yi deliberately kept his distance from everyone in the Tiger Roar Camp, it was clear he was an extremely cautious man who wouldn’t easily let anyone get a hold on him.

If not for Li Ji’s special Mind Reading Technique, even he might not have noticed anything unusual about Xu Yi.

Li Ji still remembered that when Xu Yi faced danger, he had cried out in his mind, ’General, save me!’

The first person Li Ji thought of who Xu Yi would call "General" was Bian Ziming.

However, at the time, Bian Ziming had arrived on the scene with Chen Wangbei, followed by a large crowd. Bian Ziming had a very solid alibi, so he could be ruled out as a suspect.

Li Ji had already gone through the names of all the military generals at court, but none of them seemed to be a match.

This lead could only be set aside for now.

Li Ji put down his teacup and took a Hidden Weapon from his sleeve.

Bian Ziming’s eyes widened slightly.

"Isn’t that the Hidden Weapon that wounded you last night?"

Li Ji placed the Hidden Weapon on the table. "Go and investigate which blacksmiths in the city forge this kind of Hidden Weapon. If you can’t find anything at the blacksmiths, check the black market."

Bian Ziming picked up the Hidden Weapon and examined it carefully.

It was a very ordinary iron dart, with no markings on it.

Any blacksmith could forge this kind of dart.

’It’ll probably be hard to find any clues from this.’

But Prince Zhao had already given the order. No matter how difficult the task, he had to brace himself and do it.

Bian Ziming carefully put away the Hidden Weapon. "I will get on it right away."

Seeing that the Prince had no further orders, Bian Ziming rose to take his leave.

He Zhiyuan hurriedly stood up as well, following General Bian out.

As they passed through the courtyard, they saw Princess Consort Zhao walking toward them.

When He Zhiyuan saw her, his eyes lit up slightly.

Today, Hua Manman was wearing a light pink jacket and skirt set, handmade by her mother’s family. It was paired with a short, moon-white vest, and around her neck was a fluffy, white fox-fur scarf.

She wore no overly expensive jewelry, only a few red plum blossoms adorning her chignon.

She looked fresh and lovely, very endearing.

This was precisely the type of girl He Zhiyuan liked.

’It’s just a pity she’s already married.’

He could only suppress all the improper thoughts in his heart, dutifully lowering his head, not daring to look any longer.

Hua Manman stopped in front of them and asked with a smile.

"Are you leaving already?"

Bian Ziming cupped his fists respectfully. "Princess Consort, we’ve just received the Prince’s orders and must be on our way."

Hua Manman: "It must be difficult, having to run around on New Year’s Day. Thank you for your trouble."

Bian Ziming: "You’re too kind, Princess Consort. This is all part of our duty."

Hua Manman looked at He Zhiyuan.

"Happy New Year, Cousin."

He Zhiyuan hadn’t expected her to greet him first. Feeling both surprised and flattered, he hastily replied.

"Happy New Year, Princess Consort."

Hua Manman smiled. "You still have business to attend to, so I won’t keep you any longer."

She left as Bian Ziming and He Zhiyuan watched her go.

As they walked out, Bian Ziming teased He Zhiyuan.

"Your cousin married Prince Zhao. This is a great blessing for your He Family. When you make it big in the future, don’t forget about me, alright?"

He Zhiyuan smiled and said he wouldn’t, but his heart was filled with bitterness.

’I’d rather not have this blessing if it means my cousin has to marry someone else.’

Hua Manman entered the tea room just in time to hear Prince Zhao speaking to Jinxiu.

"Those gifts He Zhiyuan just delivered—don’t put them in the storeroom. Take them all and do whatever you want with them. Just don’t let the Princess Consort see them."

Hua Manman: "..."