"Calligraphy and paintings?" Liang Wushuang hesitated, "I'm afraid it's a bit inappropriate for me to privately use Cheng Dugong's calligraphy and paintings..."

Liu Miwu chuckled and said, "It's okay. Most of the calligraphy and paintings in Mr. Cheng's study were sent by outsiders to please him. They are all external things. I think Mr. Cheng doesn't care about these things at all. Mr. Cheng may not notice if there is one more or one less."

She picked up the teacup and took a sip. "I am doing this for my sister's sake. It is better than asking Cheng Dugong for money. Besides, isn't my sister in a hurry to save people?"

Liang Wushuang was gradually convinced by her. She went to the study to help Cheng Ying with her writing brush and ink. There were indeed many calligraphy and paintings in the study. She nodded and said, "Sister, what you said makes sense. Wait for me to get the calligraphy and paintings."

Liu Miwu looked at her back as she stood up and left, and narrowed her charming almond-shaped eyes.

-

That night, at the Qin Mansion.

The maid brought hot water into the room. Madam Qin took it, helped Qin Huaiyuan take off his shoes and socks, and squatted down to wash his feet.

Qin Huaiyuan held a deed tax booklet registered by the Ministry of Revenue in his hand and looked at it quietly under the lamp.

Madam Qin wiped Qin Huaiyuan's feet clean, told the maid to take out the foot-washing water, and said, "Master, go to bed early today."

Qin Huaiyuan put the booklet down, raised his head, glanced out the window, and suddenly saw a black shadow flash by.

He frowned, put on his shoes, put on a coat, and hurriedly said, "You rest first, I'll go to the study to take care of some chores." Then he left the room, and the servant outside followed him with a lantern.

After passing through the corridor, Qin Huaiyuan saw that the door of the study was tightly closed. He pushed the door open and walked in. The servant lit the candle. Qin Huaiyuan glanced around and said to the servant, "You go down first."

The servant responded and went out of the house, closing the door.

Qin Huaiyuan walked to the desk, inspected it carefully, and flipped through the documents and books on the desk. Seeing that there were no signs of tampering, he breathed a sigh of relief. However, before he could catch his breath, the candle in the study flickered slightly, and a black shadow jumped down from the beam and stood in the room.

Qin Huaiyuan's face changed, "You..."

"Don't panic, Lord Qin. Lord Cheng sent me here." The masked man in black lowered his voice and said, "Lord Cheng is busy in the palace, so Lord Qin needs to watch over the smelting of the silver."

Qin Huaiyuan looked at the man in black suspiciously, "Are you Mr. Cheng's man? Do you have any proof?"

The man in black took out a jade ring from his bosom and waved it in front of Qin Huaiyuan.

Cheng Ying wore this jade ring on her hand all day, and Qin Huaiyuan's hesitation was slightly reduced. However, Cheng Gong would never send anyone to contact him in this way, so he still did not take it lightly.

"Mr. Cheng has never asked anyone else to handle the silver smelting matter. Why does he suddenly want me to go over there?" Qin Huaiyuan glanced outside the house, intending to call someone in if he found anything wrong.

The man in black said calmly, "Young Marquis Gu has suspected you and is asking His Majesty to agree to the Ministry of Justice to investigate the case together. Lord Cheng is blocking Young Marquis Gu in the palace and he can't get away. The official silver will be melted tonight and there can't be any mistakes. Lord Cheng is worried about handing it over to others. You should go and take care of it and escort the silver to Lord Cheng's house in Yudai Hutong in the outer city."

Qin Huaiyuan's doubts were dispelled, and he just said, "I understand. I'll go there after I change my clothes."

The man in black said with a fierce tone, "Master Qin, please don't dilly-dally, or you'll delay Master Cheng's business."

After he finished speaking, the man in black jumped out of the window and left.

Qin Huaiyuan stared at the empty window, frowned for a while, stood up and left the study.

The night watchman came forward and asked, "Master, are you going to rest?"

Qin Huaiyuan shook his head and said, "Prepare the carriage. I want to go out."

The servant hurried to prepare the car, and Qin Huaiyuan returned to the bedroom. Mrs. Qin had just gone to bed. When she heard the noise, she saw Qin Huaiyuan taking out clothes from the closet and seemed to be going out. She sat up on the bed and asked, "Master, it's so late, where are you going?"

Qin Huaiyuan fastened his collar and said to Madam Qin, "The Ministry of Revenue has something to deal with. Go to sleep and don't wait for me."

After saying that, he walked out of the room.

Qin Huaiyuan, who was about to get on the carriage after leaving the mansion, paused and suddenly said to the servant, "Send someone to the palace to ask the guards on duty whether Young Marquis Gu is in the palace now?"

"Yes." The servant responded and hurriedly called someone to inquire about the matter.

The man in black hiding in the dark couldn't help but curse inwardly when he heard this. He didn't expect Qin Huaiyuan to be so suspicious by nature.

"Wait." Qin Huaiyuan suddenly spoke again.

Qin Huaiyuan lives in a remote area, not in the inner city. Riding a horse is not allowed at the foot of the imperial city. If he drives to the palace and back, it will take an hour. By the time the person who goes to inquire about the news comes back, he will probably miss the opportunity.

Qin Huaiyuan thought for a moment, and then said, "Take my letter to the Annan Marquis's Mansion to ask for an audience with Young Marquis Gu. Make up a random excuse to see if Young Marquis Gu is at the mansion. Whether he is there or not, report back immediately."

"Shall I go on horseback?" The servant was also very perceptive. Seeing that Qin Huaiyuan was anxious to get the news, he hurriedly asked.

Qin Huaiyuan nodded slightly. He was uneasy and did not go back home. He got on the carriage and sat in it, waiting for the servants to get the news and send it back.