Chapter 80: Volume 1, Chapter 80: I Just Love Talking to Smart People

This kind of passive waiting was not Rong Luoge's nature. Last time, when Di Yue Nu sent people to ambush and kill her, that debt had not yet been settled.

She thought for a moment, then looked at the two men, He Huai and Jing Chu, and asked, "Is there any connection between Di Yue Nu and Liu Yuniang?"

"After Di Yue Nu moved there, Liu Yuniang did visit her once, but I could not discover what they discussed."

Rong Luoge was not surprised. After all, given the two women's status, the people serving them were surely their most trusted, making them difficult to buy off.

"Here is what you do…" Rong Luoge softly gave them a few instructions.

He Huai and Jing Chu's expressions stiffened. The two exchanged a glance, then nodded gravely. "Rest assured, Good Lady, we will get it done."

"Go ahead." Rong Luoge waved her hand happily.

After the two left, Jing Chu finally said with something of a toothache, "The Eldest Miss's trick is really rather underhanded."

"As long as it works." He Huai's expression turned slightly cold. "Last time that Di Yue Nu even sent people after the Miss, did you forget?"

"That's true, I haven't. I just don't understand." Jing Chu clicked his tongue a couple of times. All because of one Prince Qi, just how much trouble had been stirred up.

The two returned to Xi Cheng and went their separate ways. He Huai arranged manpower to prepare for action, while Jing Chu went through the streets and alleys, his head seen but his tail never.

By the next day, the street where Di Yue Nu lived suddenly had many beggars appear, each one in tattered, filthy clothes, looking thoroughly pitiful.

Not only that, but many peddlers carrying loads of food also set up shop there to hawk their wares. The originally quiet alley became lively all at once, and people hidden among the crowd kept a close watch on Di Yue Nu's residence.

Rong Luoge received He Huai's message by noon: someone was driving away the beggars and the peddling commoners. She gave a light smile.

Just as she had guessed.

Di Yue Nu's willingness to go to Xi Cheng was surely to make contact with the Qiongchuan merchant caravan. Now that the place where she lived had suddenly become so bustling with people coming and going, it would not be easy to do anything in private.

Wasn't she thinking of striking in secret without anyone knowing?

Then of course she could not let her have her way.

She was waiting for Jing Chu's news. What Jing Chu had to do was more troublesome and would take a few days.

Rong Luoge took up her brush to write a reply to He Huai: driving them off was easy enough to handle. Once the government authorities arrived, they would run; when the authorities left, they would simply have these people come back.

It wasn't as if the government authorities could keep people stationed to guard the street where Di Yue Nu lived, could they?

That was impossible.

This was called: when the enemy rests, we harass; when the enemy pursues, we run. In any case, she had money. As long as the compensation was sufficient, these peddlers and beggars would certainly be willing.

Although Rong Luoge had not yet clashed with the people of the Qiongchuan merchant caravan, just from seeing them associate with Di Yue Nu, she knew they were definitely not on the same path.

Since they had made a move against her, they should not blame her for being discourteous.

She had thought she would need to wait a few more days, but unexpectedly, good news came on the third day.

The government authorities had surrounded the Qiongchuan merchant caravan on the grounds that the caravan was selling contraband goods.

Although it might not drive the Qiongchuan merchant caravan out of the capital, this matter would still be enough to give them headaches for quite some time.

"I spent heavily to buy off a servant in the caravan. This person was originally not from Qiongchuan; it was only after his mother remarried and moved there that he grew up in that area." Jing Chu looked at the Eldest Miss and replied, "This person seems unremarkable, but he is a gambler. I watched him at the gambling den a few times before I finally got hold of his weakness."

Rong Luoge nodded. "You've worked hard. This was well done. Has this person been exposed?"

"He's very sharp, no." Jing Chu said, "This kid got a taste of the sweet reward and said to come find him again if there were any more good deals like this in the future."

Rong Luoge: …

"Did you find out anything about the caravan?"

"A little, but this kid isn't a core member of the caravan, so he doesn't know much. However, there was one thing: he said that before the caravan entered the capital this time, they unloaded a batch of goods outside the city."

Rong Luoge perked up at once. "How much was in a batch?"

"Roughly several dozen cartloads."

"That much?" Rong Luoge's eyes gleamed. The Qiongchuan region was abundant in medicinal herbs and refined iron. Medicinal herbs would not be overly restricted in the capital, so they certainly had no need to unload goods first before entering. What could it be that they couldn't bring into the capital?

One couldn't say for certain it was refined iron, but it was definitely something the government authorities forbade.

"Do you know where?"

"This kid only heard about the matter. He said the caravan that unloaded the goods was traveling a different route from theirs, so he didn't know where the goods were unloaded." Jing Chu said, "Eldest Miss, do you want me to investigate?"

"Investigate we certainly must, but the risk is not small. Don't make a move yet. Wait until I have discussed it with His Highness." Rong Luoge said thoughtfully.

Jing Chu paused, then nodded. "Alright, then I shall await the Eldest Miss's instructions."

"Go back and keep pumping him for information. Don't worry about spending money. Make sure you keep a close eye on him." Rong Luoge sensed that if this matter needed a breakthrough, this person might truly give her a surprise.

"Rest assured, Eldest Miss. Aside from him, we are also testing whether others can be approached. If there is good news, I will come report to the Eldest Miss."

Rong Luoge nodded and watched Jing Chu leave.

After Jing Chu left, Rong Luoge sat by the window and carefully organized the results from this time, writing several clues on paper and analyzing them one by one.

The people implicated by these clues were basically all on Consort Ming's side: Liu Yuniang on Consort Ming's side, Di Yue Nu from the Zhen Guo Gong Fu, and also a recently very low-profile Rong Dai…

What Rong Luoge could not yet confirm was whether Consort Ming had Liu Yuniang approach Di Yue Nu for the sake of that seal—it was still hard to say. If it was not the seal, then what did Consort Ming want?

What was it that Consort Ming absolutely had to obtain from Di Yue Nu?

This was the crucial point.

Just as she was thinking, she heard faint footsteps approaching. She looked up and saw Han Xinglan walk in, wearing a casual robe—he must have changed clothes in the front hall.

She turned her head to check the time. It was already six in the evening, so she stood up and asked Han Xinglan, "Has Your Highness eaten yet?"

"Not yet. I just came back from outside. What have you been busy with?" Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge and asked with a smile. "They said you've been sitting in the study the entire afternoon."

Rong Luoge picked up her graffiti-like masterpiece to show him. Han Xinglan took it and glanced at it, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. The handwriting was truly free-spirited enough.

After he scanned it carefully, his expression gradually turned serious. He looked at Rong Luoge and said, "You've obtained some kind of news?"

Rong Luoge recounted Jing Chu's report, and then told him about the tasks she had previously assigned them.

Han Xinglan: …

He simply hadn't expected it.

"This method isn't bad."

"I also think, although it's a bit shameless, but when dealing with people like them, what morality is there to speak of?" Rong Luoge followed Han Xinglan out; upon reaching the small flower hall, a wave of food aroma hit her nose, and only then did she feel her stomach growl.

"You show me, is it that you want me to help you do something?" Han Xinglan did not realize that Rong Luoge was merely showing him.

Rong Luoge gave a faint smile; talking to smart people is just reassuring.