C114 – Your Majesty Is Wise
Around noon, an inconspicuous carriage approached the city gate. The driver, an elderly hunchback, presented a silver ingot to the guard as he passed through. He then gestured twice with an “Ah Ah.”
The guard was a mute and accepted the silver, using his spear’s tip to lift the carriage curtain for a quick glance. Seeing a few baskets of vegetables, he allowed them to pass without further scrutiny.
Gratefully, the elderly driver lowered his head, and with a wave of his horsewhip, he guided the carriage out of the city gate.
Shortly after the elderly driver’s departure, a dozen horseback riders arrived at the city gate. Their leader inquired condescendingly, “Lai Xiaosan, did you happen to see two young and attractive women leaving the city this morning?”
Lai Xiaoshan, the gate guard, replied, “Well, well, it’s Brother Kun. You must understand, countless women pass through my city gate daily.”Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
The leading guard provided a rough description of the two women and delivered a kick. “Think carefully. How could you forget such beautiful ladies?”
Lai Xiaoshan grinned and evaded the kick. “Your description is quite vague. Willow-shaped brows, peach blossom eyes, cherry lips—many pretty girls fit that description.”
The head guard sighed and spat on the ground. “We’re here to find someone, not to create a portrait. How will we ever locate them?”
Lai Xiaoshan asked with a sly smile, “Whose girls are you searching for? Surely, you’re not in love with them?”
“Don’t be absurd. How could a mere bodyguard like me have such aspirations?” The leader of the guards scoffed and continued, “Think carefully. After Chenchen, the carriage was occupied solely by women. The driver acted as their attendant.”
Lai Xiaoshan rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, and then shook his head. “It doesn’t add up. There were quite a few people in the carriage, but there were definitely two stunning beauties among them.”
“Really?” The guard leader asked with a furrowed brow.
Lai Xiaoshan chuckled. “Absolutely, without a doubt! Do you doubt my eyesight? If I had such a beauty, I’d never let her slip away.”
The guard held the reins, turned around, and muttered to himself, “I’ve already inquired at all four city gates. It’s impossible for them not to have been spotted. Could they still be within the city?”
“Send one person back to the manor to report this to the Young Master. The rest of you, follow me,” the head guard ordered. The group of guards passed through the city gate and headed towards the direction of Hongji Temple.
The team of horses soon caught up with the carriage that had recently exited the city. The leader briefly glanced at the elderly and unremarkable carriage driver but paid him no further attention.
Inside the Zuo’s Mansion, Zuo Yunwen gazed anxiously at the door while expressing his concern, “Can you please explain why you left our daughter at my sister’s place and returned alone? Wouldn’t it be better if we brought Shuhui back?”
Mrs. Xue responded with a hint of exasperation, “That’s your own sister’s family, not ‘someone else’s family.’ Moreover, if anything happened to our daughter in our own home, you’d be blaming me for bringing her back, wouldn’t you?”
Zuo Yunwen stumbled over his words for a moment, then paced solemnly around the hall, leaving others feeling slightly dizzy.
Zhan Yuanfeng nodded, not harboring high hopes for this endeavor. He understood Lu Zheng’s character quite well.
“I suspect that the Emperor has no intention of seeing him wed a member of the imperial court. The Zuo Family has been in decline for years, and now, they have only one son participating in the Imperial examinations. Even if they were granted another two decades, their prospects for advancement are limited.
Hence, in this humble subject’s view, there is no harm in uniting these two families under the name of Qin Jin. If only the Emperor would issue a direct decree for their marriage, it would be even more advantageous!”
Zhan Yuanfeng remained noncommittal, “Aren’t you concerned that the Zuo Family might use the Wu Steel Manor as a mighty support and surpass the Jiang Family in the future?”
Jiang Che raised an eyebrow, responding with a playful tone, “In that case, Your Majesty, as long as you refrain from recruiting any Zuo Family disciples, Duke Zhen Manor will not gain any assistance.”
He genuinely feared that Zuo Shaoqing might secure a top-three position in the high school exams. If he did, convincing him to join their family would become even more challenging.
“Haha... You’re quite cunning, but I’m curious to see what a Zuo Family son, the one who saved Lu Zheng, is like.”
Jiang Che’s heart raced, and his eyelids twitched. Could it be that the Emperor had also deduced that the person Lu Zheng had his eyes on was Zuo Shaoqing?
He cautiously inquired, “Your Majesty, as a member of the Zuo Family’s concubine, I’ve encountered him before. He is indeed remarkably handsome, and his knowledge in literature is commendable. However, he’s still quite young, and I’m afraid his utility may be limited.”
The Emperor asked, “Did you mention that Young Master Zuo from the Zuo Family is unwell?”
Jiang Che mustered his courage and playfully recounted Zuo Shaoyan’s unfortunate situation. Then, he sighed and added, “Madam Zuo even sacrificed Miss Zuo from the family to care for him.”
The Emperor inquired, “Sacrificed? What do you mean?”
Jiang Che hesitated briefly, then decided to explain how Fifth Princess had harassed Miss Zuo, saying, “This young Miss from the Zuo Family is rather headstrong; she dared to offend Fifth Princess.”
Zhan Yuanfeng didn’t need to think twice to understand Zhan Yunxiang’s actions. His lips curled slightly as he scolded, “After all this talk, you’re here to plead for the Zuo Family.”
Jiang Che respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, your wisdom shines.”
Someone chimed in, “If people didn’t know any better, they might think Vice Minister Jiang has ties to the Zuo Family. Why aren’t you hurrying, Master Lu?”
Jiang Che scratched his nose. Could it be that he was assisting Lu Zheng in retaining this Zuo Family young lady to secure Zuo Shaoqing?
He clarified, “I have a friendship with Zuo Shaoyan, and he’s sent someone to seek assistance. How could I not help him?”
Another voice chimed in, “Oh? This is getting even more peculiar. Wasn’t Miss Zuo rumored to be Master Lu’s lover? Why is the Zuo Family turning to Duke Zhen Manor instead of seeking your aid?”
Jiang Che replied, “Perhaps... they’d rather not have Master Lu find out about this, wouldn’t they?” He subtly hinted at the Zuo Family’s intentions.
Zhan Yuanfeng burst into laughter, showing his understanding of the situation. The status of this Zuo Family young lady was not particularly high to begin with, and if another scandal arose, such as her vanishing without explanation, it would be even more unsightly.