Chapter 152

Jin Ling, Xue family mansion.

Xue Baochai was sitting on an embroidery stool, embroidering a pattern of three-colored peonies and butterflies.

She wore a rose-red satin-faced jacket with a front opening, tied with a golden acacia double-flower belt, and a pink embroidered pleated skirt on her lower body.

She leaned down slightly, her jade fingers picked lightly, and the colored thread shuttled back and forth on the embroidery silk. Her waist was thin, her skin was crystal clear, and she was fragrant.

"Ying'er, are the gifts prepared outside the day before yesterday for Brother Cong of the Jia family ready?"

"They were sent in the morning, and the Mistress has already seen them. Everyone felt they were quite good, so they let the steward send them to Xinglong Fang, and also brought the Mistress's invitation, saying they wanted to invite Young Master Cong to the house for a banquet."

"The Mistress said that although the matter last time was handled by asking the Second Master of the Rongguo Prefecture for help, Young Master Cong's letter to the Prefect also saved the Eldest Master from several days of suffering. This favor must be remembered, and she also said she wanted the Eldest Master to toast Young Master Cong."

"This is the right reason. The Eldest Master usually mixes outside and makes friends with wine and meat. He should get closer to these progressive brothers in his own family, so that he can get some benefits of being close to vermilion."

"Miss, I didn't see him when Young Master Cong visited the mansion that day, but the maids and old women in the mansion were spreading the word, saying that they had never seen such a standard young master. Is he really that handsome?"

Among the Jin Ling garrison with more than 10,000 troops, although there were other military officers with ranks higher than his, as the battalion commander of the Water Supervision Department in charge of Jin Ling's waterways and sea trade.

Zou Huaiyi, the battalion commander of the Water Supervision Department, is exactly forty years old this year. He has been in the Jin Ling garrison for twenty years, from a small flag to a battalion commander, and is an old man in the Jin Ling garrison.

"Seen him. According to the Master's instructions, I sent that pair of top-quality mutton-fat jade ruyi in the name of his wife's birthday, and he accepted the gift."

"According to them, it was Prince Ning's subordinate Yang Hongbin who personally led Prince Ning's personal guards to guard the prison, and no idlers were allowed to get close."

He has served as the battalion commander of the Water Supervision Department for many years and has high prestige in the Water Supervision Department.

Xue Baochai's face turned red, and she blamed: "Little girl, don't be shameless, just ask about these things."

Zou Huaiyi looked puzzled: "Prince Ning came to Jin Ling to supervise the Longtan Port case, why did he start catching the remnants of the Hidden Sect?"

"The subordinate asked about the Ying Tian Prefecture prison, and he hesitated for a long time before saying that Prince Ning accidentally caught an important figure of the Hidden Sect, so he would strictly guard the yamen prison."

A battalion commander walked quickly into Zou Huaiyi's large tent.

"Brother Cong's good looks are secondary. His progress in reading and outstanding talent are what are truly remarkable."

Zou Huaiyi asked the battalion commander: "Did you see Jia Yuancun?"

Baochai heard this and stopped the needlework in her hand, showing some disappointment on her face.

Jin Ling, Water Supervision Department camp.

"Reporting to the Battalion Commander, our people used many methods, but they couldn't find out who was being held in the yamen prison."

Zou Huaiyi looked disappointed: "Probably because he knew he was going to return without success and couldn't explain to the court, he happened to catch a remnant of the Hidden Sect, so he treated it as a rare commodity and guarded it strictly, so he could hand it over to the court."

Ying'er saw her young lady's blushing face and secretly laughed, saying: "What's this? I'm just curious. When the Mistress invites him, I'll go and take a look quietly."

……

Let the Mistress and Miss know that the gift has been sent, but that Young Master Cong is not at home. I heard from the mansion that Young Master Cong is busy with official business and hasn't returned to the mansion for several days. There is no definite news about when he will return.

In terms of actual power, he is only second to the Regional Military Commissioner Du Hengxin.

The battalion commander said: "The subordinate guesses it should be caught by chance. The Longtan Port case is clean, what else can Prince Ning find out?"

At this time, a maid came to pass the message, saying that the steward had just returned from the Jia residence in Xinglong Fang.

Zou Huaiyi heard this and felt that it made sense. In short, it's fine if it's not related to him, but he was still uneasy in his heart.

He added: "Be careful and there will be no big mistakes. You send people to watch the yamen prison and Prince Ning's temporary residence. If you find any wind or grass, report it immediately."

"Also, how is the situation at the Great Mercy Temple construction site? Did those ronin reveal any flaws? Are they safe and sound? I'm a bit worried about Liu Hai, that guy is a thorn."

"Please rest assured, Master. I sent someone to see it a few days ago, and everything is normal. Huang You'an is agile and does things properly. It's been a month, and there hasn't been the slightest flaw."

"In two days, you send someone to see it again to ensure everything is safe."

The battalion commander replied: "The subordinate understands. The brothers below are all willing to die for the Battalion Commander, and these small things will definitely be handled properly."

Zou Huaiyi's face relaxed, and he asked: "Where are the wife and Min'er now?"

"One of the brothers who escorted them came back at noon to report that the wife and Miss set off before dawn and will arrive in Jin Ling at the hour of the dog, just in time for the Master's birthday banquet."

Zou Huaiyi then laughed: "Good, the day after tomorrow is my birthday banquet. You bring the brothers over early and have fun together."

……

Ziyun Pavilion on Chengxian Street in Jin Ling is an old brand that the Jin Ling Xue family has operated for decades, specializing in high-end clothing and footwear.

At this moment, two gorgeously decorated carriages were parked at the entrance of Ziyun Pavilion, and several garrison soldiers were guarding beside the carriages.

Zou Min'er had taken a fancy to a jade-plate leather belt in Ziyun Pavilion last time, and today she was ready to come and buy it as a birthday gift for her father's fortieth birthday.

She looked around the shop and found what she wanted. Fortunately, it hadn't been bought by anyone else. She was about to open her mouth to let the shop assistant take the goods.

Suddenly, she heard a clear voice beside her: "Shop assistant, give me that jade belt."

Zou Min'er was stunned. Isn't this the one she took a fancy to?

She looked back and couldn't help but jump in her heart. It was a teenager, with a peerless demeanor and an unusually handsome appearance, but a bit dusty, as if he had come from afar.

The shop assistant laughed: "This young master really has a good eye. This tiger-pattern jade-plate leather belt uses twelve pieces of top-quality Hetian white jade, with delicate carving. It is a top-quality product in the shop."

"Matching a person like you, young master, is really the most appropriate."

A timid voice beside her asked: "Shop assistant, are there any more jade belts like this in the shop?"

"Miss, there is only one such jade belt. It's a coincidence that this young master took a fancy to it first."

Although Zou Min'er's father is a powerful figure in Jin Ling City, she doesn't have the arrogance of an official's daughter. Naturally, she wouldn't force this young man from another town to give up the jade belt, so she could only give up, feeling a bit regretful in her heart.

"I don't necessarily have to buy it. Since this young lady likes it, let it be for you."

Zou Min'er was stunned and saw the young man hand the jade belt to her with a smile.

Their eyes met, and the young man's eyes were clear and bright, deep like autumn pools, which seemed to be able to fix people's souls.

She was a bit stunned and took the jade belt. Before she could think of what to say, the young man had already turned and left gracefully.

On the side of the street opposite Ziyun Pavilion, a sturdy young man in his twenties squatted on the side of the road. Seeing the young man coming, he greeted him.

"Young Master Jia, I just went around to the back and asked the tailor in the shop. Those two carriages are from Zou Huaiyi's mansion. The woman and young lady who entered the shop are Zou Huaiyi's wife and daughter."

"It is said that tomorrow is Zou Huaiyi's fortieth birthday. His wife and daughter are here to pick up the birthday robe they ordered, and by the way, buy some birthday gifts."

At dawn, Jia Cong arrived outside Jin Ling City with 800 salt soldiers. He asked Commandant Zheng Yong to camp in a hidden place outside the city first, so as not to startle the snake by mobilizing a large number of salt soldiers into the city.

He himself took this salt soldier platoon leader named Liu Xiaoyong and more than 20 other salt soldiers, changed into casual clothes and entered the city, preparing to report to Prince Ning's temporary residence first, and then discuss countermeasures.

Jia Cong had just entered the city not long ago when he saw the carriages guarded by Water Supervision Department soldiers on the side of the road. He kept it in mind, went into the shop to explore the reality himself, and asked Liu Xiaoyong to inquire nearby.

I didn't expect things to be such a coincidence. It was Zou Huaiyi's wife and daughter who went out, and he also found out about Zou Huaiyi's fortieth birthday.

Liu Xiaoyong saw this Young Master Jia staring at the entrance of Ziyun Pavilion. At this time, a woman and a young lady came out of the shop, and the young lady looked really handsome.

Looking at the Young Master Jia beside him again, his eyes were fixed, as if he was staring straight.

He asked cleverly: "Young Master Jia, is it because that young lady is good-looking that you are moved?"

Jia Cong frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm thinking about how to go to Zou Huaiyi's birthday banquet tomorrow."

(End of chapter)