"I thought Madam cared about him and would only be happy, how would she blame you."

Guo Hao straightened his back even more and nodded: "That’s right."

Inside the side hall, the main doors and windows were tightly closed, only three people were inside the room.

Although Ye Zhi lived a carefree life, with ample food and play, enjoying her days as a distinguished lady in the Capital, she still cared very much about the Little Traitor, so she chose Guo Hao as her informant to occasionally report Little Traitor’s daily outings.

Recently, her husband spent much less time with her.

Her husband, as the hotly pursued Prime Minister Shen in the Capital City, was desired by countless women.

After all, she’s just an ordinary woman; it’s only natural to worry that her husband might have a change of heart.

Ye Zhi smiled gently: "Guo Hao, you’ve done very well." She gave Ming Yan a glance, and Ming Yan, understanding the cue, took out a packet of silver from her bosom, and stepped forward to give it to him.

After the man accepted the silver,

Ye Zhi smiled and spoke again: "This is a small token of gratitude. You’ve worked hard. In the coming days, pay particular attention to the Prime Minister’s whereabouts. Report immediately if there’s anything unusual. With me backing you, no one will harm a single hair on your head."

Guo Hao scratched his head, blushing, and replied awkwardly: "Okay."

He was now on the same side as Madam.

When Madam smiled, she looked as if she were a celestial beauty, truly beautiful.

He recalled that back in the Bronze City, he used to chase after Madam to hit her...

...

The days passed uneventfully for a few more days. Shen Chen used the excuse of having a case to handle and hadn’t stayed in the mansion for several days, claiming to be staying at the Imperial Clan Court.

However, Ye Zhi received a report from Guo Hao indicating that in the evening, Shen Chen left the Capital with Qin Yin and only returned the next morning.

October 23rd: While dealing with a case, the Prime Minister stared blankly at the jasmine flowers brought back from outside the Capital for a quarter of an hour.

24th: A subordinate boldly advised him on Madam’s behalf, suggesting the Prime Minister consider returning home, rather than staying at the Imperial Clan Court, which earned them a sharp look.

25th: After court, the Prime Minister went and bought a box of rouge.

26th: There’s still no sign of the Prime Minister returning to stay at the Shen Mansion.

...

Ye Zhi stared at the envelopes written in small seal script and started to daydream. How could such a thing happen, when she and Shen Chen had only been married for just over half a year!

Ming Yan, reading the situation, noticed that the young lady’s expression was a bit unpleasant and immediately comforted: "Miss, perhaps there’s some misunderstanding. The Master loves you so much, surely he wouldn’t do something like keeping a mistress outside the Capital."

Keeping a mistress in a golden house! These words struck Ye Zhi’s heart like a spell.

Yes, it’s typical for men to fancy the new and grow tired of the old, isn’t it?

Why be surprised.

Ye Zhi’s eyes turned cold, and she said in a deep voice: "I will have Guo Hao investigate where outside the Capital. I want to see who this vixen is."

She elegantly finished writing her letter, confiding in it to let him investigate freely, assuring him that if anything went wrong, she would take responsibility. She then handed it to a maid to send it to Guo Hao.

Previously, it was mostly surveillance; this time, it was an active search into Shen Chen’s whereabouts.

Soon, she received a reply: Ten miles southeast of the Capital, at Nianyun Mountain Villa.

After knowing the address, Ye Zhi did not go directly but instead went to the Imperial Clan Court in the evening.

In a clean, elegant study filled with books, on the large pear-wood desk stood various wolf hair brushes, along with valuable inkstones, writings, a brush-holder with brush-washers...

Ye Zhi looked eastwards and then westwards browsing the study, casually asking: "Xiao Chen, how is your case going at the Imperial Clan Court?"