Chapter 384

Besides, the fact that he, this imperial inspector, had come over without a word made him rather uneasy inside.

Now that it was stated outright, Zhang Xueceng would actually feel a good deal more at ease.

Sure enough, upon hearing Su Qiao's words, Zhang Xueceng's taut nerves relaxed a little.

But out of habit he tried to read his superior's mind, and instinctively asked, "Oh, I see. Then may I ask what this subordinate official can do?"

"There's nothing much to prepare. This official is traveling with his family, and as it happens his hometown is right here in the Su-Hang area. This rare trip south on duty, I plan to steal a little leisure from business and visit my old home along the way. Why doesn't Mr. Zhang just help arrange a carriage?"

"That's a small matter, leave it to this subordinate to handle. I'll have two maids arranged to attend to my lord's family, and a few guards besides…"

Before he could finish, Ma Kui cut him off cleanly from the side.

"Mr. Zhang need not arrange guards. We've already notified the Embroidered Uniform Guard; Mr. Su's protection can be left to our Embroidered Uniform Guard. Besides, Mr. Su can directly mobilize troops from the vicinity, so Mr. Zhang need not worry about safety."

Ma Kui's tone and attitude were very curt, which left Zhang Xueceng's face a bit stiff.

Wasn't this plainly a sign they didn't trust him!

But he had no way to speak up, for the Embroidered Uniform Guard's guards really were far stronger than whatever he could arrange.

"Heh heh, this subordinate was overthinking. If Mr. Su runs into any trouble on Suzhou's turf, just give this subordinate a word, and this subordinate will see to it properly."

Zhang Xueceng said to Su Qiao with a dry laugh.

Su Qiao did not brush off his face either, and agreed with a smile straightaway.

After a bit of small talk, Su Qiao sent him on his way.

Don't be fooled by Su Qiao's beaming smile at Zhang Xueceng just now—he actually couldn't stand the sight of him.

Too sycophantic, crooked in mind!

It's just that on this trip Su Qiao was helping Sun Chuanting solve the problems of the guard posts and the Shipping Office.

He had no time to set the bureaucracy straight; that was something to be left to Zhu Youjian to handle.

Otherwise, Su Qiao would absolutely be the first to strip Zhang Xueceng of his post.

Though he wasn't the fat, chubby sort, he did look like a good-for-nothing.

……

Zhang Xueceng returned to his residence, and at last breathed a temporary sigh of relief.

"Phew, looks like this imperial inspector is still pretty easy to fool ｀ 々."

With his concubine Biyun attending him, Zhang Xueceng changed his clothes; the back of his original outfit was already soaked through with cold sweat.

"Master, is the imperial inspector easy to talk to?"

This concubine was one he was fond of—young, alluring, and understanding of a man's heart.

Usually Zhang Xueceng doted on her greatly. "Yes, I had thought he wouldn't be easy to talk to, but unexpectedly he's quite affable. And from what he said, he's bringing his family to look around Suzhou Prefecture. Tch… you really can't compare people to people!"

Biyun poured Zhang Xueceng a cup of tea and considerately kneaded his aching shoulders. "Why does Master say so? Aren't you the envy of others for serving as Prefect of Suzhou?"

In fairness, Biyun wasn't wrong.

As Prefect of Suzhou, Zhang Xueceng could be said to be a high official of a region, a frontier grand minister.

On top of that, Suzhou Prefecture was the very essence of the Jiangzhe region, extremely prosperous.

It was simply a fat post!

Zhang Xueceng was the envy of many.

But today, seeing the young Su Qiao, he suddenly felt his own position wasn't quite so sweet.

He was already over forty, more than ten years older than Su Qiao, and yet he was only an official of Fourth Rank, Senior Grade.

In ordinary days, even when meeting the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the like, he still had to be very cautious.

And on the other hand?

Today he saw Su Qiao, who looked barely past twenty—young in age, high in standing, already the imperial inspector personally appointed by Your Majesty, with power enough to kill.

He could also mobilize troops from the vicinity at will, with the Embroidered Uniform Guard providing close protection throughout.

Comparing the two, it really was: compare people and people ought to die, compare goods and goods ought to be thrown out!

"Ah, you wouldn't understand!" Zhang Xueceng sighed and did not go into detail with Biyun.

Just then his advisor reported from outside, "Master!"

"What is it, come in!"

Upon receiving permission, the advisor carefully entered the courtyard.

"Master, as you instructed, the carriage has been specially modified, and the maids and matrons have also been sent over. The other party accepted."

Zhang Xueceng nodded in satisfaction at the news. "Good. Just don't stir up any trouble. As long as we send him off happily, it'll be easy."

"Rest assured, Master. They were all carefully chosen, absolutely no slip-ups!"

"Mm!"

……

After resting one day at the relay station, early the next morning the modified carriage was sent over.

Liu Rushi was revisiting old haunts and happened to plan to go out for a stroll.

Su Qiao was also curious about the Suzhou of later ages, so they went out sightseeing together.

The modified carriage came in handy; the cabin was made rather spacious, with a Persian carpet laid inside, and a small table, pillows, and the like arranged within.

It was roomy enough for two or three people to lie down and sleep inside directly.

Not having met Sun Chuanting yet, Su Qiao naturally had no intention of getting down to business, and first accompanied Liu Rushi on her sightseeing.

Liu Rushi had lived here for several years and knew the place like the back of her hand, taking Su Qiao to eat snacks and visit quite a few scenic spots.

Returning to the relay station at night, after two consecutive days, one could say they had a very satisfying time.

"Master, we've pretty much seen all of Suzhoucheng—when are we going to Jin Ling?"

At night, in the relay station room, Liu Rushi snuggled in Su Qiao's arms and asked.

GLOSSARY:

【Su Qiao, Zhu Youjian, Jin Ling, Ma Kui, Sun Chuanting, Zhang Xueceng, Zhang Da, Prefect, Embroidered Uniform Guard, Your Majesty, Master, my lord, Mr., Suzhoucheng, Liu Rushi, Biyun, Fourth Rank Senior Grade】

Su Qiao glanced down at her.

With a "slap," he smacked her perky buttocks.

"Why call me Master? Don't you know to call me Young Master?" Su Qiao said viciously.

"No!" Liu Rushi quickly hid under the quilt.

Su Qiao stopped dwelling on it and asked, "Do you want to go to Jin Ling?"

"Yes, this concubine wishes to stroll along the Qinhuaihe and meet some old friends," Liu Rushi said tentatively.

What old friends? Su Qiao secretly rolled his eyes; not only do men love to show off, women do too.

Wasn't Liu Rushi going to the Qinhuaihe just to show off in front of her former friends and make them envy her life?

However, seeing Liu Rushi so enthusiastic, Su Qiao did not object.

"Fine then, let's pack up tomorrow and head straight to Jin Ling."

"Great, Young Master!"

After Su Qiao agreed, Liu Rushi was extremely happy.

This directly caused Su Qiao to wake up late the next morning.

After packing and sending someone to inform Zhang Xueceng, Su Qiao, Liu Rushi, and their entourage set off on the official road to Jin Ling.

239, I'll break your legs!

"Ah, I heard earlier that the great Liu went to Jingcheng and didn't return; it seems she was ransomed and married off."

"Yes, yes, Little Six specifically asked around; the other party seems to be named Su Qiao, not someone from the official circles."

Several prodigal sons slapped their foreheads, looked at Su Qiao and Liu Rushi, and quickly remembered something.

The look in their eyes toward Su Qiao changed, becoming one of scrutiny and contempt.

Someone with no status at all, just a bit of money, dares to stand before us and speak so confidently.

Where does the confidence come from?

Exactly!

In the minds of these prodigal sons, Su Qiao was just someone with money; otherwise, look, ransoming Liu Rushi wasn't cheap, and Su Qiao has quite a few servants around him.

Without money, he definitely couldn't afford to support them!

They even mistook Ma Kui and the other Embroidered Uniform Guards for servants hired by Su Qiao.

"Great Liu, you are truly disappointing. I originally thought you were different, but you are just a vulgar whore. You just fell for this pretty boy because he has money? If I had known this, surely a crowd would have ransomed you!"

Lin Heng spoke out of turn, his eyes revealing contempt, making Liu Rushi pale with anger as she glared at him.

"Young Master Lin, speak carefully!"