CHAPTER 26: Price Increases
"Huh?" Bingwen was stunned by Xia Chu's words.
Lu Mingxi had feared that if he took the official route, the disaster relief silver would be siphoned off layer by layer. By the time it truly reached Jiangcheng, there might be little left. So, he found an escort from the Anfeng Dart Bureau and switched to the waterway. After the official silver went missing, Lu Mingxi knew he was finished. He was quite principled and never said a word about Anfeng Dart Bureau, likely hoping they would remain uninvolved and avoid being implicated.
"Then why didn’t Anfeng Dart Bureau come forward to clarify things?" Bingwen couldn’t help asking, feeling sorry for Lu Mingxi’s current state, now knowing he was a decent official.
"It would be useless, and the implications would be too great. As a dart bureau, they hold no authority to argue. They've already done their best—they’re even willing to spend 500,000 taels just to protect Lu Mingxi’s entire family. Do you know who really took the silver?"
"If the dart bureau aren’t the pirates, then who is?" Bingwen asked.
Xia Chu sighed, looked at Bingwen, and said, "It was Jiangzhou’s navy in disguise."
In her past life, the truth behind the missing silver came to light three years later—after Zhu Chenlin had long held power over official silver. Yin Zhi had reported it to Xiao Yanjun, but it was suppressed. Zhu Chenlin was a man supported by Prime Minister Du Hanfei, and Xiao Yanjun didn’t want to create a public rift. He sold it as a favor, which became a future weakness. When Xiao Yanjun later got drunk and confided in Xia Chu, he told her the full story.
Xia Chu felt that life was truly cyclical. In this lifetime, it was her turn to tell it.
Bingwen was shocked as he listened to her. He had known Zhu Chenlin was Du Hanfei’s man but hadn’t realized Zhu was so bold.
"Was Du Hanfei involved in all this?" Bingwen asked, a bit agitated.
"He must’ve known—and pocketed the money." Xia Chu saw Bingwen’s eyes light up and patted his hand. "But dragging him down through this incident alone won’t do much. Don’t worry, his fate shouldn’t be this light. No matter what, I’ll see him buried with your family."
Bingwen’s eyes flickered between bright and dark. After hearing Xia Chu’s words, a new light flickered in them again, before eventually calming.
"Yes, I was too hasty," Bingwen said, taking a sip of tea and apologizing.
Seeing he had calmed, Xia Chu continued, "Go ask Qiu Zhiting for one million taels, plus Lu Mingxi’s token."
"I doubt they can come up with one million taels..." Bingwen said, unable to hide his concern for Lu Mingxi’s fate, and finding it odd that Xia Chu didn’t seem like someone who would hit a man when he was down.
"It’s fine if they can’t. The remaining 500,000 taels can be converted into 20% of their annual profit from the dart bureau." Xia Chu saw Bingwen hesitate, so she raised her hand and gestured for him to listen.
"500,000 taels in silver notes, 20% of annual profits, the dart bureau’s seal, and Lu Mingxi’s token. With that, I’ll help overturn the case. And I’ll have Lu Mingxi seated as Governor of Jiangzhou." Xia Chu smiled, leaned in toward Bingwen, and said, "Ask them—doesn’t 20% annual profit buy the dart bureau a future reputation? Doesn’t it also buy a great favor from Lu Mingxi, Governor of Jiangzhou? This deal is more than worth it."
Bingwen, who had just calmed down, felt himself startled again. He thought if he stayed around Xia Chu any longer, he’d become numb to shock.
He nodded meekly.
Seeing him nod, Xia Chu didn’t delay any further. She stood up and took her leave.
Outside the house, she signaled Su Qian’an, who was waiting outside. The two flew back to the Marquis Mansion.
Upon returning to Yunqi Courtyard, Xia Chu told Su Qian’an to rest while she walked to a hidden corner and called Bian Ding.
Bian Ding descended, ready to kneel, but recalling her earlier instruction, he instead made a hand gesture and said, "Young Master."
Xia Chu didn’t waste time. "Find someone to go to Jiangcheng and bring a navy soldier named Cai Wenyong to the capital. Also, there’s a bronze mirror on my aunt’s dressing cabinet in the eighth room. There’s a letter hidden behind that mirror. Be sure to find it and send it to me first."
"Yes." Bian Ding accepted the order and disappeared again...
The next morning, Xia Chu first went to Su Courtyard and asked the maid to bring the four treasures of the study, then dismissed everyone else.
Su Qianle looked at her in confusion.
"I’ll speak, you write," Xia Chu said while grinding ink.
Qianle nodded and carefully copied down a plea, word by word.
Xia Chu dried the ink and nodded with satisfaction. "Good job."
Su Qianle smiled brightly. "It’s good to be of help to the Young Master. If there’s anything else, just tell me."
Xia Chu nodded and left.
In the evening, Su Qian’an returned home and came to Xia Chu with a new fold from Bingwen. Inside was a silver ticket for 100,000 taels and confirmation that Anfeng Dart Bureau had accepted the conditions. The 100,000 was a deposit, accompanied by the bureau’s seal and Lu Mingxi’s token. The remaining 400,000 silver notes and the contract for two parts of the annual profit would be presented once the matter was complete.
Xia Chu glanced at the seal and the token, which was a moon-shaped wooden pendant with engraved characters on the back.
She thought to herself that anything of value in that prison had long been confiscated. This pendant must’ve been overlooked for being worthless wood. That was likely why Lu Mingxi was able to keep it as a token.
She burned the fold, then put away the seal and pendant. She handed the silver ticket and the written plea to Su Qian’an.
"In the future, just deliver the token. Let Bingwen collect the silver notes himself. If I need it, I’ll ask him. As for this plea, have Qiu Zhiting make a copy and burn the original. Then, let Qiu Zhiting bring the copy to Dali Temple along with the evidence. Also, prepare the handwritten contract where Lu Mingxi requested Anfeng Dart Bureau to escort the silver—but don’t hand it in yet. Wait for my order."
Su Qian’an accepted the task and left to carry it out. Xia Chu, in turn, left the house to go find Marquis Xia.
CHAPTER 27: Arrest
Entering the study, Marquis Xia was playing against himself. Seeing Xia Chu coming in, he said, "You disappeared for these past two days and ran off, and now you've come to me—there must be something."
Xia Chu sat down opposite Marquis Xia, nodded, and said, "Is there a spy from our mansion in Grand Tutor Wu's mansion?"
Marquis Xia withdrew his hand from the chess piece and asked, "What do you want to do?"
"No, it's not a big deal, just a little guy. I need him to report something to Mr. Wu tomorrow."
"What's the matter?"
"His son, Wu Yuren, is being sued."
Marquis Xia frowned, confused.
Xia Chu sorted out her wording, then said, "Here's what happened. I want to send Mr. Wu to Dali Temple tomorrow afternoon. Think about it, how can this Grand Tutor end up at Dali Temple? I’m planning to find someone to make a report tomorrow. Afternoon, someone will go to Dali Temple to accuse Wu Yuren of whatever reason—bullying women, maliciously harming others, etc. Then, that person inside Wu’s household will spread word to Mr. Wu and tell him to go to Dali Temple."
"And after he goes?"
"After he arrives, he finds out it’s a misunderstanding—someone else acted in the name of his son. Mr. Wu has always cherished his reputation, so he won’t make a scene in Dali Temple."
"Then why are you going in such a big circle?" Marquis Xia listened for a long time and didn’t find the matter difficult—why all this fuss?
"You’ll find out tomorrow." Xia Chu rested her cheeks on her hands and looked at Marquis Xia with a bright expression.
"Well, I’d like to see what you can pull off tomorrow."
"Don’t forget to pass the message on time, at the third watch." Xia Chu offered one last reminder as she walked away.
"Got it," Marquis Xia replied to her departing back.
On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, something big happened in the capital. Hu Yingmao, Secretary of Dali Temple, and Grand Tutor Wu personally went to the Prime Minister's Mansion and arrested Zhu Chenlin, the Governor of Jiangzhou. The officers and soldiers of Dali Temple lined up in two rows and escorted Zhu Chenlin to prison.
It had been a long time since an incident of leading troops to arrest someone occurred in the capital—especially someone like Prime Minister Du Cheng’s protégé and a second-rank official. The people were in an uproar, and there was much discussion.
In the Mo King’s mansion, Xu Wenlan rushed into the study, grabbed the teacup from Xiao Mubai’s hand, and drank it all.
He gasped and said, "Did you know Zhu Chenlin was arrested?"
Xiao Mubai nodded. He had already sent Han Sa to investigate, but he hadn’t returned yet.
"You know what happened?"
Xiao Mubai frowned slightly.
"Could it be because of the disaster relief funds?"
"You already know this, huh? I came here to inform you, and now I’m tired." Xu Wenlan groaned.
"I’m just guessing. Tell me," Xiao Mubai raised an eyebrow.
"You guessed that?" Xu Wenlan looked at Xiao Mubai discontentedly.
Xiao Mubai glanced at him. Xu Wenlan retracted his gaze, sat down, and said, "This afternoon, at the Shen hour, Dali Temple received a pleading from the dart bureau in Jiangzhou. The writing was brilliant, impressive."
"Get to the point." Xiao Mubai’s gaze grew two degrees colder.
"This is the point. The pleading detailed how Zhu Chenlin had long been exploiting the people, accepting bribes, and disregarding lives. Most importantly, the disaster relief silver was robbed by sailors he disguised as pirates from Jiangzhou."
"Guanyin Temple has been found?"
"Yes. The pleading described in detail that the silver was buried beneath a deserted Guanyin Temple, a hundred miles north of the city, and private soldiers disguised as farmers were guarding the surrounding area. Master Hu led troops to arrest those ‘farmers’ who bore seals on their bodies, and they dug up two million taels of silver beneath the Buddha statue."
"Hu Yingmao is majestic." Xiao Mubai snorted.
"He didn’t dare do it on his own. Even after finding the silver, he still went to inform Prime Minister Du Cheng, wanting to send Zhu Chenlin over for questioning."
"Was he reprimanded by Grand Tutor Wu?"
"You know everything." Xu Wenlan sounded a bit frustrated.
"It’s not hard to guess. Although they received the pleading, found the silver, and arrested the private soldiers, they could still be handled internally. But Zhu Chenlin is Du Hanfei’s protégé and a second-rank official. If they swept the matter away in a day and called it a setup, it would appear to be a frame-up. Hu Yingmao is just a third-grade Dali Temple official—he still wants to keep his head."
Xu Wenlan was listening intently, and when he saw Xiao Mubai pause, he hurriedly refilled his tea cup.
Xiao Mubai took a sip, then continued, "But Grand Tutor Wu is different. He was the emperor’s companion from youth. Besides their bond, his rank matches Du Hanfei’s. He also prides himself on being clean and upright—he detests corruption and nepotism. Naturally, he scolded Hu Yingmao."
Xu Wenlan nodded.
"Fortunately, he happened to be at Dali Temple today. Otherwise, this matter might’ve been buried. Now, with Grand Tutor Wu escorting Hu Yingmao to the Prime Minister's Mansion to arrest someone in front of the emperor—it can’t be suppressed."
"How did Grand Tutor Wu just happen to be in Dali Temple? Coincidence?"
"I heard it was. Someone accused his son of molesting a woman. He went to Dali Temple and found it was a misunderstanding—someone impersonated his son. Just as he was about to leave, the Dart Bureau came to sue Zhu Chenlin for embezzling disaster relief funds and framing Governor Lu Mingxi of Jiangcheng. He heard it and stayed to watch."
"Coincidence, right?" Xiao Mubai smiled playfully.
Xu Wenlan asked in surprise, "Don’t tell me you’re suspicious... No way, who could stage something so elaborate?"
Xiao Mubai looked at Xu Wenlan’s confused expression, then muttered, "Yes, who’s so generous?"
After calming down, Xu Wenlan looked at Xiao Mubai, whose eyes were deep in thought, and asked, "Mubai, do you think Zhu Chenlin will be convicted?"
"If this is all there is, probably not. Zhu Chenlin will deny guilt, and Du Hanfei could easily find someone to take the fall."
"Then wasn’t all this for nothing?" Xu Wenlan pouted.
"Unless there’s evidence—ironclad evidence."
"Will there be?"
"There will be. I want to see just how capable this person is—what kind of evidence they can produce."
Xu Wenlan saw the determined look in Xiao Mubai’s usually indifferent eyes. For some reason, he felt a surge of excitement, curious about how the case would unfold.
"Then I’ll return home now and monitor my father’s reaction. I’ll come back with any updates." Xu Wenlan got up and said goodbye.
After he left, Xiao Mubai summoned Han Hong and instructed him to investigate who exactly accused Zhu Chenlin and who falsely accused Grand Tutor Wu’s son.
Han Hong accepted the task and departed.
Xiao Mubai picked up a chess piece by the window, then gently placed it down. But it didn’t fall... not for a long time.
CHAPTER 28: Dissemination
On the second watch, Xia Chu was about to take Su Qian'an out and bumped into Marquis Xia, who had just returned from the palace, at the door.
Marquis Xia glanced at her and said, "You come with me."
Xia Chu ordered Su Qian'an to go back and wait first, then walked two steps to keep up with Marquis Xia.
Entering the study, Marquis Xia looked at her and said, "You are so generous."
"The words written on the pleadings are true, and Yunyi thinks she has done nothing wrong." Xia Chu straightened her waist and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"With this little thing, Zhu Chenlin can't be convicted."
"I know."
"Do you know and still do this, waiting for Du Hanfei to support him to fight back?" Marquis Xia slapped his palm on the table with a bang.
"Father, don't worry. What I do know is that the official money alone will definitely not be able to defeat him. If you add something else, it may not be..." Xia Chu smiled meaningfully.
Marquis Xia looked at her suspiciously.
"Can you guarantee a hit?"
"Yes." Xia Chu's tone was firm.
"What else can father do for you?"
Marquis Xia knew that he couldn't stop her when he saw her determined expression, so he chose to help her.
"I was just about to go to Aunt Li's and ask her to help me spread some news." Xia Chu saw that Marquis Xia was relieved, and her tone softened.
"What's the news?"
Xia Chu told Marquis Xia the ins and outs of the whole thing, and Marquis Xia was also shocked after hearing it.
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
"So you want to scatter some of Lu Mingxi's words about the market, that he was dedicated to the people but was tragically framed by traitors?" Marquis Xia said in a word.
"Yes, my father is wise." Xia Chu made a move.
"Sensei, give me this horse. Since this matter is true, the emperor has his own decision. Why do you bother to do this?" Marquis Xia frowned.
"Because I want to arouse the anger of the people, and I want to build momentum for Lu Mingxi."
"Momentum? If Zhu Chenlin is sentenced, Lu Mingxi will be reinstated."
"Father, isn't a good official like Lu Mingxi worthy of the position of governor of Jiangzhou?"
Marquis Xia was silent for a long time before he looked at Xia Chu and said, "If what you said is true, and you also can make it known, then I will protect his position."
"Dad, you have found a good official for the emperor. You are talking as if I picked up a bargain." Xia Chu sneered.
You're shrewd, and you benefit just fine. Don’t pretend you don’t know exactly what you’re gaining from all this," Marquis Xia sneered.
"The person who sued Wu Yuren has been properly settled?"
Xia Chu touched her heart and said, "I found the person from the market, and after leaving Dali Temple, I gave him a sum of money to let him out of Beijing."
Xia Chu nodded, "Then I'll go find Aunt Li first?"
"Before this case is over, you should go out less to show off, so as not to attract attention." Marquis Xia stopped her.
"I'm a weak boy who is about to go back to the mountains to recuperate, so why can't I be suspicious?"
Xia Chu put on a sickly look.
"Stop, be cautious. Li Xinlan: I'll find someone to inform you."
Marquis Xia found more and more that his daughter was really witty and clever.
"Then I'll go back and let the guards spread rumours."
"You should be careful with your proportions..." Marquis Xia shouted.
"It's safest to let the guards do it." After Xia Chu finished speaking, she retreated, leaving the marquis in the room to blow his beard and stare at her.
Xia Chu stopped on the way back to Yunqi Courtyard and found a secluded corner to call Bian Ding.
Bian Ding appeared, saluted and asked, "What does the young master command?"
"Has the person sent to Jiangcheng arrived?"
"I just received the news, and they should be there early tomorrow morning."
"People can be escorted slowly, take the handwritten letter and send it back first."
"Yes."
"You gather all the secret guards in the mansion again, and tell them to go to the gathering places of the major beggars and wanderers in the capital to spread the news for me."
"All the Dark Guards?" Bian Ding was a little surprised.
"Well, you have to be careful not to let people find out who you are. Leave the money and explain it clearly, and evacuate immediately."
"What's the news?"
Xia Chu motioned for Bian Ding's ear to come over, and after whispering for a while, Bian Ding received the order and disappeared.
Xia Chu, humming a little song, slowly walked back to Yunqi Courtyard. Su Qian'an had been waiting at the door, and when he saw her coming back, he greeted her.
"Go back and rest, there's nothing to do with us."
"Huh?" Su Qian'an opened his mouth wide.
Xia Chu tiptoed and patted Su Qian'an on the shoulder.
"Go to bed early, get up tomorrow and watch the play..."
CHAPTER 29: The City Knows
In the Prime Minister's Mansion on the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, Du Hanfei, who had just left the court, was furious in the study.
Yesterday, Grand Tutor Wu actually brought Dali Siqing to his Prime Minister's Mansion to arrest people, and he entered the palace overnight to reason in front of the emperor. But after all, the official silver was dug up. Those farmers still had Zhu Chenlin's private messages on them, and it was inevitable that they would be detained, but fortunately, they could still be saved.
He was already making some connections, and he had arranged for someone to question this matter in the morning court. He planned to find someone to take the blame in a day or two, and the matter of replacing Zhu Chenlin would come to an end.
As a result, on the way back to his home after leaving the court, he could hear the people talking about it. There were even some homeless children singing ballads: "Zhu Chenlin, the governor of Jiangzhou, corrupted the law and harmed Governor Yin. The honest officials were unjustly sent to prison, and there is no reason for traitors to run rampant. How tragic!"
Although it was well known that Zhu Chenlin was arrested yesterday, he pressed it fast enough and blocked the news. The people should only know that he was in prison, but not the reason why. Overnight, the whole city knew!
With a "snap," another piece of blue and white porcelain was smashed.
"Find out—have you found out who spread the news?" Prime Minister Du asked his confidant, Mingyi.
Mingyi knelt on the ground, the blue and white porcelain broken at his feet, and replied stubbornly, "Xiangye, I really can't find it. We've asked around the capital, and the only useful news is that there was a masked man in black who left silver and taught that song before disappearing. No features, no appearance to identify. He only said one line. Subordinate truly doesn't know where to start."
"Father, don't be embarrassed. He really can't find," Du Kun, the eldest son of Prime Minister Du Cheng, spoke out and persuaded.
Mingyi glanced at Du Kun gratefully.
"Then, according to the eldest brother, what should we do now?" Du Ming, the second son of Prime Minister Du Cheng, sneered.
Du Kun glanced at Du Ming, then turned to Prime Minister Du Cheng and said, "The most important thing now is to get Zhu Chenlin out."
Prime Minister Du nodded and said to Du Kun, "I will leave this matter to you. Arrange for someone to go to Dali Temple in the evening to confess his guilt."
"Yes." Du Kun said goodbye and went out to run errands.
Du Ming walked up to Prime Minister Du Cheng and asked, "Dad, this matter is not going to be investigated?"
"Check, why wouldn't I check? Go and check for me who delivered the petition," Prime Minister Du Cheng said angrily.
"Yes."
Du Ming's neck shrank, and he also retreated.
"Smack." There was a cracking sound in the study. The entire Prime Minister's Mansion was shrouded in gloom, and the people were also cautious and frightened.
In the imperial study, the emperor asked Eunuch Li beside him while flipping through the memorials: "I heard that the people of the capital are quite concerned about Zhu Chenlin's case?"
"Yes. There's a little more talking."
"Where did the news come from?"
"This, maybe it was too ostentatious when Dali Siqing arrested people yesterday."
"What do you think about this?"
Eunuch Li glanced at the emperor's expression and said, "The emperor has his own decision in this matter."
The emperor snorted coldly and scolded, "Old fox."
Eunuch Li smiled and said, "The old slave will make a new pot of tea for the emperor."
Eunuch Li, who came out of the imperial study, was surrounded by the concubines and princes of various palaces. Everyone wanted to know the emperor's attitude to decide which side their master should support.
A silver ingot was stuffed into Eunuch Li's arms, buthe was not confused at this critical moment. Now that he was caught in the middle of Zhu Chenlin's matter, he didn't dare to collect any cash.
He pushed away the silver, took a few steps back, and said to everyone: "The sacred heart is unpredictable, and the old slave doesn't know. Everyone, please return." With that, he turned and walked away.
In the Yufu Palace, Concubine Li said to Xiao Yanjun: "Jun'er, I think this matter is also thunderous and rainy. Prime Minister Du Cheng has been an official for many years, has many protégés, and has a huge influence. Zhu Chenlin's kind of thing will end with a scapegoat. I think you should say something good for him in front of the emperor and sell favours."
"Mother, this matter has already caused a stir among the people." Xiao Yanjun didn't want to have a bad reputation at this time by speaking for Prime Minister Du Cheng.
"After all, it's just the commoners. Can they bring down Prime Minister Du Cheng? Since they can't, at this time, we should support him, and he will remember this favour."
Xiao Yanjun thought about it. As long as Zhu Chenlin was acquitted in the end, naturally, the rumours would die down. The public opinion of the people would ultimately be determined by the outcome. As soon as he thought of this, he replied, "Yes, son understands."
Concubine Li nodded with satisfaction.
In the Yongning Palace, Xiao Zimu was holding a letter in his hand. It said that Zhu Chenlin's matter could be linked with Grand Tutor Wu. The handwriting was wild and rough.
If it weren't for the fact that this letter was given to him by Marquis Xia, he really wouldn't have believed it came from Xia Chu.
He rubbed it in his hand repeatedly, and after a moment, he finally took it and burned it.
CHAPTER 30: Mystery
At this time, in the Mo Wang Mansion, Xu Wenlan was sitting on the round stone bench in the courtyard with his eyes closed, shaking his head and singing the market ballad that everyone in the capital knew.
"Xu Wenlan."
Xiao Mubai sat on a chair three feet away from him, reading by candlelight.
"Huh?"
Xu Wenlan opened his eyes and looked at Xiao Mubai. Seeing him dressed in an inky robe, the moonlight shrouded him, the light of the candle flame occasionally danced, and the shadow hit his astonishing brow.
"Can't you hear the sound of water until now?" Xiao Mubai frowned slightly and asked coldly.
"The sound of water? What is the sound of water? Where is the sound of water?" Xu Wenlan looked around and asked puzzledly.
"The water in your head." Xiao Mubai replied with a little disgust.
"Huh?" Xu Wenlan chewed the meaning and reacted after a while. He jumped up and pointed at him and said, "Xiao Mubai! You! Scolded! Me!"
Xiao Mubai finally looked at him and said with sarcasm in his eyes, "The reaction is quite fast."
"It's so boring to be friends with you." Xu Wenlan muttered.
Xiao Mubai glanced at the courtyard door and motioned for him to walk slowly and not send it off.
Xu Wenlan twisted his neck and said stiffly, "I am your brother, how can you be like this ?"
Xiao Mubai put down the book and teased, "It turns out that you are an illegitimate son of my father? Call me brother then."
"Ahh!" Xu Wenlan spat at him and said, "You know I didn't mean that."
Xiao Mubai looked at him and didn't say anything.
Xu Wenlan was deflated when he saw his tepid appearance and simply diverted the topic.
"Today's capital, inside and outside the palace, can be described as two scenes."
"All the officials in the palace are on Du Hanfei's side, and the people outside the palace are on Lu Mingxi's side." Xiao Mubai finally became a person and didn't continue to let Xu Wenlan's words fall to the ground.
Xu Wenlan was moved in his heart. They were finally able to communicate normally and then asked, "What do you think of the ballad that was sang?"
Xiao Mubai held his forehead and said after a while, "The words are a little rough, but fortunately, they are easy to understand and easy to pass on by word of mouth."
"Have you found out who is behind it?"
Xiao Mubai frowned and shook his head.
"Do you have a candidate in mind?"
Xiao Mubai filtered some people in his mind and felt that it was unlikely.
After Han Sa came back last night, he reported that Zhu Chenlin was accused by the well-known Anfeng Dart Bureau in Jiangzhou. This person is a branch master in the Dart Bureau, surnamed Qiu, Mingzhiting, and his background is fine and clean.
After coming to the capital, he had been living in the Angui Inn, and he would go to the cell head every other day to make Lu Mingxi's life a little better. He usually had nothing to do with others, only one point—he had been to Wentian Pavilion and met Bingwen Gongzi.
Then, this Bingwen Gongzi rejected him and started a business with Qiu Zhiting.
Come to think of it, this Bingwen Gongzi suddenly appeared in the capital a few years ago. Inexplicably, rumours spread in the capital. He had sent someone to investigate carefully but found that this person had no source to be found, and there was no record of entering or leaving the city gate.
The son of Bingwen seemed to have fallen from the sky, and the moment he came, it was already a legend. The people of the capital all respect him as a gongzi, thinking that there is no news he doesn't know, only money you can't afford. Or maybe he's willing to tell you.
Xiao Mubai also had news that he wanted to know. Therefore, he had personally met this Bingwen Gongzi. Although his hopes were not high, the final reply of Bingwen still made him lose hope.
It's like you've been in the dark and have lost your thirst for light. Suddenly, a voice appears telling you that you may see the light. You're anxious, but you're looking forward to it. But in the end, he tells you that, unfortunately, you can only stay in the darkness forever with that sense of loss.
"Mu Bai. Mu Bai! Xiao Mubai?" Xu Wenlan's noisy shout sounded in his ears. Xiao Mubai closed his eyes and endured the urge to slap him to death with a palm.
"I can hear you."
"You're obviously in a daze. I just screamed a lot." After Xu Wenlan was aggrieved for a moment, he asked curiously, "Who do you think of?"
"Master Bingwen."
"Ah, is that the Master of the Wentian Pavilion, the recently famous Bingwen?" Xu Wenlan looked like he knew that person.
Xiao Mubai nodded.
"He must have something to do with Lu Mingxi's case. However, there are people behind him."
"And... person? Who else could there be?"
"I checked the background of Gongzi Bingwen. He suddenly appeared in the capital a few years ago. Later, he bought a house and lived alone. Slowly, a few more servants were bought to serve. The servants were ordinary people, and they were clean. If the person behind the scenes is Bingwen Gongzi, then how did he do it alone, and it was known all over the city overnight, and the songs were spread by word of mouth?"
Xu Wenlan nodded frequently, and then asked, "What about the people behind him?"
"How do I know?" Xiao Mubai looked at him as a fool.
"Hey, it's not. How can there be anything you can't find? Why don't I believe it?" Xu Wenlan firmly conveyed his affirmation of Xiao Mubai's ability.
Xiao Mubai frowned.
"Not to mention the person behind him, there is no clue about his origin."
"So weird? What about where he lives, what about Wentian Pavilion? Have you checked it too?"
"The place where he lives is a normal courtyard house. As for Wentian Pavilion, it was an old shop before, but it was later rented by the attendants of the little marquis and changed its name. The second floor was also subleased to Bingwen, and they didn't know each other before."
"Little Marquis? Could the person behind the scenes be the little marquis?"
Xiao Mubai snorted coldly and asked, "How old is the little marquis this year?"
"Thirteen. No, it's fourteen after the New Year," Xu Wenlan replied seriously.
"He has been weak since he was a child, stayed in the mountains for thirteen years, and returned to Beijing for less than two months. Can you have a little brain?" Xiao Mubai scolded Xu Wenlan, but Xia Chu's face appeared more and more clearly in his mind.
The little marquis of Xiahou Mansion has only been down the mountain for two months. Why does he hate Xiao Yanjun, why does he favour Xiao Zimu, and why does he love Xiao Muhong? Xiao Mubai felt that Xia Chu was also a mystery, just like Bingwen, a mystery that could not be solved for the time being. Could these two mysteries come together? It can't be. He dismissed the idea, even felt that he was as ridiculous as Xu Wenlan.
Xu Wenlan was reprimanded, touched his head, and felt that he was still a little bit of this thing.
"Aren't you curious?" Xu Wenlan wanted to encourage him to continue to investigate.
"Curious. So, go and help me find out." Xiao Mubai patted him on the shoulder.
"Hmph. Who are you looking down on? Just watch me check." Xu Wenlan was not to be outdone.
Xiao Mubai gave him a perfunctory look that said, "You could."
Xu Wenlan turned his neck and walked away with a majestic spirit...
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