Chapter 76: Not an Elopement, Just an Official Assignment?

No matter how remorseful or miserable he felt at night, the next day, Dongfang Yan still had to compose himself and honestly go to court.

He was still thinking about going to the Profound Mirror Bureau after court to find a couple of guards and ask about the situation.

After court, Dongfang Yan was summoned by Qi Zhaodi again.

Qi Zhaodi glanced at him coldly: "I heard you were making a scene all night?"

Dongfang Yan did not expect the matter to reach His Majesty so quickly, so he hurriedly said: "Just a small matter, I dared not disturb the Imperial Uncle."

Qi Zhaodi got straight to the point: "I know you are looking for Deputy Envoy Lin. She and Xie Shouzheng have been sent by me to carry out a mission. They will return naturally once the matter is finished, no need to worry."

"They went to carry out a mission?" Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yan felt an inexplicable joy in his heart: So, it wasn't an elopement, just an official assignment? That makes sense; with Xie Shouzheng's lowly background and lack of refinement, how could Lin Qingyue possibly take a fancy to him?

But then he thought again, a man and a woman alone, leaving the capital in private—even if it were for an official assignment, it would still be damaging to one's reputation if word got out.

"Imperial Uncle, why didn't you tell your nephew about this beforehand? Furthermore, with so many people in the Profound Mirror Bureau, why send your nephew's wife out on an official assignment alone?"

"The capable do more work. As for why I didn't inform you—this matter was decided several days ago, yet your wife did not inform you; shouldn't you reflect on that?"

As Qi Zhaodi spoke, his anger flared up, and he scolded: "Don't think I don't know about the sordid business between you and that second young lady of the Lin Family! Eating from the bowl while looking at the pot is one thing, but at least find someone with a clean background who is worthy of you. Look at what kind of thing you've found! You've brought shame upon the face of the Imperial family!"

This was the first time Dongfang Yan had been pointed at and scolded like this by Qi Zhaodi; he hurriedly knelt down: "This subject knows his mistake. Imperial Uncle, please calm your anger; do not ruin your health because of this subject."

After scolding him a few times, Qi Zhaodi waved his hand and said: "Go back and reflect. Aside from attending court every day, you are grounded for the rest of the time to contemplate your mistakes! If you cause trouble again, get back to your fief!"

He was actually being grounded? It was clear that the Emperor was truly enraged.

Dongfang Yan's heart trembled; he dared not argue further and kowtowed to thank him for his grace.

Before exiting, he couldn't help but ask cautiously: "Imperial Uncle, where has Qingyue gone? When will she return?"

Qi Zhaodi glanced at him and only said: "If all goes well, she will return in a month."

If things did not go well, it was possible she would never return. Thinking of this, Qi Zhaodi felt worried, but he dared not show the slightest bit of it on his face, lest Dongfang Yan see through the clues.

Dongfang Yan really wanted to ask where exactly Lin Qingyue had gone, but since Qi Zhaodi did not specify the first time he asked, he naturally would not ask a second time.

Thus, he retreated in low spirits to return home and reflect behind closed doors, waiting for his wife to come home.

Lin Qingyue and her party of three had been traveling for seven days; by the time they reached Fengnian County, they were exhausted and in urgent need of rest.

Because they were out on a secret mission, they feared exposing their tracks. Therefore, they had not stayed at post stations along the way, choosing instead to stay at inns.

The past few days had gone smoothly.

But today was a bit strange; Fengnian was clearly a small county, yet business at the inns was surprisingly good, and after asking at several, they were all full.

It wasn't until they were directed by a passerby to the most high-end inn in the county, "Xilai Kezhan," that they found rooms.

Originally, the three of them wanted to open three rooms, but Xilai Kezhan only had two rooms left.

Lin Qingyue couldn't help but ask: "Is business at the inns in your county always this good?"

The waiter said: "Fengnian County is located at a transportation hub, and merchants traveling north and south all stay here. Actually, business wasn't this good in the past; many travelers chose to sleep in the open at night to save money. But recently..."

He glanced at the sky, which had turned completely dark outside the gate, and lowered his voice: "In the last month or so, there have been many disappearance cases in the county. At first, it was some homeless beggars who went missing, then later travelers sleeping in the open went missing. Counting it all up, there are probably dozens of missing people! It was reported to the yamen, but they haven't been found to this day!"

"The whole county is in a state of panic; no one dares to walk at night, let alone sleep in the open. That's why business for us innkeepers has gotten much better. If you had come any later, you would only be able to sleep on the floor in the lobby."

Upon hearing this, Xie Shouzheng immediately perked up: "There's such a sinister thing going on? What are the bailiffs in the county doing?"

The waiter whispered: "Ordinary bailiffs can't solve this matter. I heard that a man-eating monster has appeared, and recently the prefecture even sent people from the Profound Mirror Bureau to keep watch. Who knows if they can find the missing people—hey, guests, what would you like to eat? Sit down and order!"

Xie Shouzheng was already so hungry he was famished, so he put the previous matter aside for a moment and found a seat: "Waiter, what good wine and food do you have?"

One of the main reasons he liked to follow the Crown Prince was that the Crown Prince was generous and never skimped on his food and drink.

Therefore, in front of the Crown Prince, Magistrate Xie acted as if he had found his provider, full of bravado.

The waiter came over attentively and handed over the menu: "Our shop's signature dish is stewed chicken with mushrooms, which is currently simmering on the stove. Shall I bring a portion for you?"

"Stewed chicken with mushrooms is not bad..."

Xie Shouzheng suddenly widened his eyes, pointed at the menu, and shouted, "What? A portion of stewed chicken with mushrooms actually costs 500 wen! The market price for a live chicken is only 30 wen, and even after being cooked, each one sells for at most 100 wen. In ordinary restaurants, 50-wen ones are everywhere. Are you trying to fleece customers by selling it so expensively?"

The waiter hurriedly explained: "The 500-wen chicken soup in our shop uses carefully free-range small hens, which are completely different from the ones that cost a few dozen wen at the market!"

Xie Shouzheng snorted: "How is it different? Is your chicken raised on gold?"

The waiter introduced with pride: "The chickens used in our shop are raised free-range in orchards from a young age, pecking at wild fruits, catching insects, and eating grass during the day. When thirsty, they drink mountain spring dew; when tired, they rest on soft grass and pine branches. When dusk falls and the flock returns to the coop, there are even special performers who play small tunes to accompany their sleep. Only after being raised for 300 days like this can they be eaten."

Xie Shouzheng was surprised to hear this: "There is actually such a method of raising them? Raising them like you're serving a master is indeed expensive. But... is there any need for this?"

"Naturally there is a need!" The waiter patted his chest to guarantee, "You will know once you eat it, guest. The chicken meat is fresh, tender, and sweet, rich in fat, and supplemented with mushrooms to enhance the fragrance; the two complement each other perfectly. Once you taste it, guest, I guarantee you won't forget it!"

"But 500 wen for one is still a bit expensive..." He said, quietly giving a look to Dongfang Qi.

Dongfang Qi said generously: "Let's have a portion to try—give the menu to the young lady, don't just order for yourself."

When out and about, it was naturally inappropriate to use their previous titles, so Lin Qingyue and Dongfang Qi claimed to be siblings visiting relatives. And Xie Shouzheng was their steward.

Lin Qingyue waved her hand and ordered a few more dishes she liked. Since there was a financier paying, there was no need to be polite.

From this point of view, Dongfang Qi was still more useful as a person than as a cat.