Chapter 19.2

—— Although it was not a big deal to spend the night there, he was now a person whose real identity got exposed. If he were to stay overnight in the name of the original owner, it would be torturous just thinking about it.

The two men got up after him, saluted and sent him away.

It was not until the servants flanked Jiang Suizhou out of the courtyard yard that the two sat down again at the table.

Gu Changyun gently burst out laughing.

“He found out,” he said.

Xu Du gave him a disapproving look, “I warned you earlier not to tease him.”

Gu Changyun brushed him off.

“I just didn’t expect that he could be so perceptive,” he said. “But look, he didn’t get angry either, did he?”

Xu Du glanced at him. “Not necessarily,” he replied.

Gu Changyun laughed a few more times.

“Whatever,” he said. “I just want to see what this smart and soft-hearted new master will do next.”

——

Jiang Suizhou returned to Anyin Hall, but did not go back to the bedroom. Instead, he took advantage of the still early time to head to the study.

In addition to letters, there was plenty of other information the original owner stored in the study that could be examined. However, because it was extremely hidden and large in quantity, Jiang Suizhou had not thoroughly checked the information in the original owner’s study until now.

Now, he had a suspicion in his mind and wanted to try to find out something from the information stored in the study.

This search lasted two hours, until about midnight.

He found an account book that the original owner had placed deep within his desk.

The account book was nothing special, but Jiang Suizhou found that the amount of expenditure on the account was very large. Each time, an account was issued on the 15th of the month, and the money was handed over to Xu Du by the original owner himself.

In addition to this, there was an expense in the book that fluctuated slightly each month, but the amount was insignificant.

The original owner shouldn’t have kept records of such paltry sums. But since it was recorded in the book, the use of the money must be very important.

The date of the monthly disbursement was also the 15th.

Jiang Suizhou formulated a plan in his heart.

He brooded over it for a long time until Meng Qianshan came knocking on the door. He was here to remind Jiang Suizhou of the late hour and that he had to go attend the Grand Court Assemble the next day. Only then did Jiang Suizhou put the account book away and return to his bedroom.

By then, it was already deep into the night, and most of the servants had gone to bed early, leaving only a few on night watch.

Meng Qianshan opened the door of his room for him. When Jiang Suizhou stepped in, he found Huo Wujiu sitting under the lamp and reading a book.

He was frowning. One of his hands supported his forehead as he read through lines again and again. It appeared that he didn’t quite understand the content of the book, and he seemed irritable.

Hearing the sound at the door, Huo Wujiu raised his eyes and saw Jiang Suizhou taking off his cloak while walking indoors.

He shot a faint, obscure gaze which stopped on Jiang Suizhou.

…Why is he back?

Jiang Suizhou tossed his cloak to Meng Qianshan’s hand. When he turned his head, he saw Huo Wujiu sitting there holding a book in one hand, as if he didn’t see him.

Jiang Suizhou’s heart inexplicably relaxed a bit.

Even if he was an idler in the Ministry of Rites, he still must guard against all his colleagues and always act like King Jing; when he returned to his residence, his two sharp-eyed aides were enough for him to deal with.

On the contrary, this Huo Wujiu, who was always indifferent to him, seldom spoke to him, and did not even give him a look, made him feel relaxed.

Under this atmosphere, a vague feeling of “returning home” even sprouted deep within Jiang Suizhou.

This thought made Jiang Suizhou give a self-depreciating sigh.

How much did he suffer that he actually found Huo Wujiu’s face lovely?

Hearing him sigh, Meng Qianshan only thought he was tired and hurriedly supported him, guiding him to the back room to wash up.

When the two figures disappeared behind the screen, Huo Wujiu, whose gaze was fixed on the book, slowly raised his eyes and looked up.

…Must be difficult for him.

This morning, he heard Meng Qianshan say that “he went to Madam Gu’s place for you” and thought that the eunuch was muddled. But looking at how late at night it was, yet King Jing still rushed back, Huo Wujiu also felt that something was not quite right.

This man just purely wished to please him. Now, even his earlier concubines lost his favor, and he eagerly rushed back to sleep on the couch…

Huo Wujiu frowned, and his finger slowly tapped on the wheelchair.

Could it really be because of him?

He has never liked to owe others, whether materially or emotionally. Therefore, he especially hated it when others wishfully gave him something he didn’t need. He never appreciated it.

For example, King Jing.

Huo Wujiu withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes again, and looked at the book in his hand again.

This book was written by a great scholar of the Jing Dynasty. It was full of benevolence and morality, and the speech was long-winded. Huo Wujiu was already annoyed from reading the book, and King Jing’s sudden return should have turned his mood for the worse.

But upon reading this book again, Huo Wujiu’s brow inexplicably wrinkled up.

It seemed that this trite and fatuous great scholar had suddenly become less repulsive.

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