Chapter 541: I Can Help You Find It' [Thank you! Thank you again!]

"Mm-mm!"

Xu Zaijing nodded and continued walking forward.

"Hey! Zaijing, what do you mean by that expression! I didn't mean anything else, listen to me!"

Amidst Gu Tingye's voice,

The group walked out of the courtyard together.

Evening,

In the somewhat dark sky,

Lanterns had already been hung on the carriages they were riding in. After bidding farewell to each other at the Sheng family's main gate, they each returned home.

Time flew,

And it was a few days later.

The date had reached the middle of the twelfth lunar month,

And with the Spring Festival drawing ever closer,

The festive atmosphere in Bianjing grew stronger.

In the sunny spots of the city, the snowflakes that had fallen on the night Xu Zaijing and the others returned to the capital had mostly melted by now.

At the beginning of the Wei hour (after two o'clock in the afternoon)

Under the clear blue sky, the sunlight was bright.

Jiying Lane,

Outside the Sheng family's main gate,

Peddlers and commoners occasionally walked on the street, breathing out white mist.

To the side of the main gate, in a sunny and sheltered spot, the managing servant of the Sheng family's gatehouse was wearing earmuffs and basking in the sun.

Seeing familiar people on the street, the managing servant would even tuck his hands into his sleeves and greet them.

Inside the Sheng family's main gate,

In the schoolroom,

The clay pot on the small charcoal stove was puffing out white mist.

Scholar Zhuang sat in front of the screen,

Speaking while stroking his beard with one hand and holding a book with the other.

And Xu Zaijing, Changbo, Gu Tingye, and the others were writing something on the paper in front of them with smiles on their faces.

"Good, let's use these topics!"

Scholar Zhuang said in a deep voice.

"Ah?"

Changfeng, sitting at the very back, stopped smiling and asked in confusion: "Scholar, why is the schoolwork after the holiday this year..."

"Changfeng!"

Gu Tingye, sitting in front of Xu Zaijing, hurriedly turned his head and gave Changfeng a look.

Being able to have less schoolwork after the holiday was a blessing they couldn't even ask for!

Changfeng also reacted and quickly covered his mouth.

Scholar Zhuang in front didn't mind, put down the book in his hand, changed to a folding fan, and said:

"Nowadays, you aren't children anymore!"

"Speaking of this schoolwork, it can be finished by doing one topic every three days! Doing one piece with heart is more useful than muddling through three pieces in a rush!"

"Yes, Scholar!" The group bowed and said.

"Mm!" Scholar Zhuang nodded, stood up from behind the desk, and said: "Alright, dismissed!"

"Thank you for your teachings, Scholar!"

"Good, good, good!"

Scholar Zhuang said, put on his earmuffs nimbly, threw on his cloak, and walked out of the schoolroom.

As soon as the Scholar left, the schoolroom instantly became noisy, interspersed with the strange howls of Gu Tingye and Changfeng.

After some liveliness,

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing behind him and said: "Fifth Young Master, it's still early after school today, why don't we find a restaurant to have a drink?"

Listening to Gu Tingye's words, Changfeng, behind Qi Heng, widened his eyes and looked around, clearly very interested: "Gu Pei Erge, Fifth Brother Xu, where are we going? Fanlou or Pan Lou? Hehe!"

Qi Heng, in front of Changfeng, turned around from his left side, glanced at Minglan, who was lowering her head and tidying up things with Xiaotao, and said:

"Why don't we go to Yang Lou west of Huihefang!"

"I heard from Mother that two days ago, Imperial Consort Rong presented several new dishes from Yang Lou, and His Majesty and the Empress felt they were quite good after tasting them!"

Gu Tingye's eyes lit up on the side: "West of Huihefang? Isn't that not far from Guangfufang! Just right, we can also stop by to see that residence of Zaijing's!"

As soon as this was said,

Changfeng and Qi Heng nodded repeatedly and looked at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing smiled: "That residence has already been rented out, so we can't just go in as we please now!"

"Which family rented it?"

Gu Tingye asked in confusion.

"It's said to be an official from Cangzhou, who entrusted Lady Chai to rent it."

"Two days ago, they even sent someone to ask me if the scope of the renovation could be larger!"

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, Gu Tingye continued: "Zaijing, since it's going to be renovated, it naturally means no one has moved in yet! Why don't we tell Lady Chai and stop by to take a look?"

Changfeng nodded repeatedly: "Gu Pei Erge is right!"

Xu Zaijing pondered for a moment: "If Lady Chai agrees, then we'll go see the courtyard while it's still bright. If there's any inconvenience, we'll go to Yang Lou, which won't delay anything!"

"Right!" Qi Heng said.

Xu Zaijing looked at Gu Tingye, then raised his chin toward the front: "Changbo, I'll leave him to you!"

Chai family,

Huixue Courtyard,

In the study,

Chai Zhengzheng, who was looking at a blueprint in the sunlight, put down the blueprint in her hand and said with a look of surprise: "What did you say?"

"Miss, the Lady said that the Sheng family schoolroom is on break today, and in a while, the Xu family's Fifth Young Master and his classmates will be going to see the residence in Guangfufang."

"Oh!"

Nodding, Chai Zhengzheng looked around, preparing the clothes she would wear out.

"Miss Yun Mu, you..."

"Miss, the Lady also said that it was Qingyun, the personal servant of the Xu family's Fifth Young Master, who came to report it, saying that the young masters who were going were following right behind Qingyun! After getting permission, they are likely already almost at the residence by now!"

"It's not very appropriate for us to go to Guangfufang at this time."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a lack of interest and sat back in her chair. Just as she was about to continue looking at the blueprint, Miss Yun Mu said:

"But, the Lady said she wanted to taste the new delicacies from Yang Lou. If you have time, you could go to Yang Lou on the Lady's behalf!"

"Mm?"

Chai Zhengzheng looked at Miss Yun Mu in confusion.

"Go to Yang Lou for delicacies?... Can't anyone go?"

Looking at Miss Yun Mu's appearance,

Chai Zhengzheng's eyes turned,

"Teng!"

After standing up from the chair again, Chai Zhengzheng walked lightly toward the dressing room.

Before long,

Miss Yun Mu's voice came from inside the dressing room: "Miss, if you dress like this, it might be dark by the time you get to Yang Lou!"

"Mm, just do it as quickly as possible!"

"Can't let Mother wait too long!"

"Yes, Miss!"

As she spoke, Chai Zhengzheng's personal maids Fuyi and Ziteng hurriedly walked over to help.

Looking at the maid's face with curved eyes reflected in the extremely smooth bronze mirror, Chai Zhengzheng tried hard to straighten her face and said:

"No laughing!"

The three maids pursed their lips and looked at each other: "Yes, Miss!"

The sun set,

The light was dim.

In front of the main gate of the very spacious Yang Lou restaurant,

The tea and wine doctors were busy welcoming and sending off guests,

And several carriages were slowly driving over from the east.

Looking at the luxurious carriage in the lead with a wooden plaque hanging with the character 'Qi',

A servant woman in front of a tall, low-key carriage with exquisite materials and deep colors whispered two words against the carriage wall.

Ten-odd breaths later,

When the Qi family's carriage arrived at the entrance,

The curtain of the tall carriage was lifted, and Ziteng stepped out.

Ziteng looked at Qi Heng, who was also getting out of the carriage in front, walked a few steps, bowed, and said: "Greetings, Young Xiao Xiao Gongye!"

Qi Heng, stepping on the carriage stool, looked at the maid beside the carriage, his eyes turned, and he recognized her, smiling: "You are the maid by Cousin Chai's side! Why are you here?"

Ziteng smiled: "Returning to Young Xiao Xiao Gongye, today the Lady wanted to eat the delicacies of Yang Lou, so this servant accompanied our Miss here to bring a portion back!"

"Oh? Is Cousin here too?" Qi Heng said, looking at the Chai family carriage.

Seeing the carriage window curtain being pulled open and Chai Zhengzheng's face appearing at the window, Qi Heng hurriedly bowed and cupped his hands: "Cousin!"

Chai Zhengzheng nodded in greeting and said: "Heng'er, what is this?"

As she spoke, she looked at the several carriages behind that were letting people out.

Just after one glance,

Chai Zhengzheng saw Xu Zaijing's gaze looking back.

This caught Chai Zhengzheng off guard. After being stunned by instinct, she wanted to lower her head and look elsewhere.

But before Chai Zhengzheng could make a move, she saw Xu Zaijing's face reveal a smile, and he smiled at her.

Qi Heng, standing not far away, gestured to Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and the others, and said to Chai Zhengzheng: "Cousin, I and several classmates have come to Yang Lou today to taste the dishes that have become famous over the past two days!"

"Oh!" Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a smile: "Go ahead! Have fun! Once the delicacies are ready, I'll be going back too!"

"Yes, Cousin!"

Qi Heng bowed and cupped his hands, then turned to look at Xu Zaijing and the others who were walking over while talking.

Whether it was Gu Tingye or Zaihang, they had all seen Chai Zhengzheng at celebrations or grand banquets.

Meeting now, most just nodded in greeting before entering Yang Lou.

Changbo and Changfeng, although not very familiar, also followed by bowing and making a gesture of respect.

Entering Yang Lou, Changfeng, who was following Xu Zaijing and the others, looked back at the door several times.

Looking at the carriage where the curtain was still lifted, and thinking of Chai Zhengzheng's face, Changfeng sighed from the heart: "This Chai family sister truly has a refined temperament."

Hearing this,

Gu Tingye, on the side, nodded repeatedly: "That goes without saying! Come to think of it, my family and my maternal grandfather's family are luxurious enough! But, I heard from my sister before that my maternal grandfather's family and the Chai family simply can't compare...!"

"How could a daughter raised in such an extremely wealthy family not have a refined temperament?"

Changfeng said in surprise: "Gu Pei Erge, your family... can't compare? What you're saying is too exaggerated, right?"

Looking at Changfeng, who was speaking, Gu Tingye patted Qi Heng on the shoulder: "Yuanruo, you tell Changfeng if I'm exaggerating."

Qi Heng smiled slightly: "Changfeng, Second Uncle Gu is not exaggerating, he is telling the truth!"

Hearing this, Changfeng looked back again.

Although he only saw the cotton curtain at the main gate, Changfeng still sighed: "Heavens! I don't know who will be lucky enough to marry such a noble lady in the future!"

Qi Heng looked at Xu Zaijing without showing any emotion and didn't say much!

At this time,

"Whoa! I rarely come to Yang Lou, I didn't expect it to be as magnificent as Fanlou or Pan Lou!"

Changfeng, with his lively personality, looked around and said again.

The group walked toward the private room upstairs.

At the top of the stairs,

Xu Zaijing stayed behind, looked at Qingcao who was following, and said:

"Remember last time when Brother Qingyun and I came to Yang Lou, there were a few dishes in this building that Sister Seeing Hua Qing likes to eat. Ask Qingyun which ones they are, then pick a few more, and pack them to take back later."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Qingcao smiled and bowed.

Entering the private room,

After ordering, Gu Tingye, Changfeng, and the others, who hadn't relaxed for many days, started playing leaf cards.

Xu Zaijing and Changbo stood on the corridor outside the private room.

At this time,

The sun had just set,

The sky was still a pale cyan,

The sky was only slightly dark,

And looking down from a high position, one could still see the faces of the commoners on the road.

"Fifth Young Master, how do you think Scholar's schoolwork should be done? Is it a bit too little?"

Changbo asked.

Xu Zaijing breathed in the cold winter wind, shook his head, and said: "Changbo, we should naturally do the schoolwork according to what the Scholar said, striving for perfection!"

"If you think it's too little, Changbo, you can do this one topic a few more times!"

Changbo's eyes lit up: "Hiss! Fifth Young Master, that makes sense!"

"Hahaha!" Xu Zaijing smiled and continued to look at the street downstairs.

Yang Lou stood facing the street,

Xu Zaijing and the others' private room was in the due east direction facing the street. Walking straight north downstairs led to the Anyuan Gate of the inner city.

Those entering the inner city of Bianjing from the northeast mostly took this road.

On the street downstairs,

Hearing Xu Zaijing's laughter from Yang Lou beside the street,

The curtain of one of the carriages was lifted,

Someone looked up at the building,

And happened to bump into Xu Zaijing's gaze sweeping over.

Looking at Xu Zaijing's surprised expression,

The man in the carriage nodded slightly in greeting.

Upstairs,

Changbo looked at Xu Zaijing's expression and said: "Fifth Young Master, what is it?"

As he spoke, Changbo also looked downstairs, but besides passersby and carriages, he saw nothing.

Xu Zaijing smiled and said: "I seem to have seen an acquaintance."

"Oh!"

"Pei Erge, Zaijing, come in, the dishes are being served!"

Changfeng said to the two at the door.

When Xu Zaijing and the others were drinking,

Southwest of the Imperial City,

Imperial City Division Prison,

Perhaps because the walls around the prison were extremely thick and could keep out the cold,

And there were fire basins and torches burning inside, with underground heating in the important cells,

So, walking in from the cold outdoors, one actually felt quite a bit of warmth inside the prison.

Hearing footsteps, the Imperial City Division jailer who was warming himself by the fire basin turned his head.

After seeing who it was, the jailer immediately stood up, a smile appeared on his face, and he bowed and cupped his hands: "Chief! Lord Gao!"

When calling them, the jailer also curiously looked behind Zhao Meifeng, where there was a stranger standing side by side with Gao Yunqing, covering their face.

"Where is the Northern Liao spy sent by the Xu family's Fifth Young Master and the others?"

"Chief, she is in cell Earth-2!"

"Take me there! Send the confession over later as well!"

"Yes! Chief!"

Afterward, amidst the sounds of unlocking, opening doors, closing doors, and locking up, the group of three led by Zhao Meifeng walked toward the depths of the prison.

Soon, the three stopped in front of a cell.

A jailer brought over a table, chairs, and candles.

After Zhao Meifeng sat down, he said to the jailer: "No one is allowed to stay within fifty paces of this place."

"Yes, Chief!"

When Zhao Meifeng was speaking,

In the clean and tidy cell,

The Northern Liao spy captured by Xu Zaijing and the others, who had a beautiful face and a seductive physique, was curled up with her legs, trying hard to hide herself in the darkness of the corner of the wall.

Amidst the sound of flipping pages,

Zhao Meifeng's voice slowly drifted over: "You say you know the details of the plot to harm the Imperial heir many years ago?"

"Yes..."

A voice like a mosquito drifted over.

"Judging by your age, how could you know about things from so long ago? Don't tell me you're making it up to save your life!"

After Zhao Meifeng finished speaking,

The Northern Liao spy's feet twitched, as if she had thought of something terrifying.

"Not making it up... many years ago, can the ashes of the rebels found by your Imperial City Division still be found?"

The Northern Liao spy continued to say in a low voice.

"The ashes of those who committed heinous crimes were long ago thrown into dung pits and stinking ditches, how could they still be found?!"

"I, I can... help you find one..."

Hearing this,

Zhao Meifeng's brows furrowed, and he looked at Zhao Taifeng, who had been hiding his figure beside him.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 542 =====