Chapter 39 Help
"Okay, I'll be back soon. You need to take a rest in a few days, so I'll leave some food for you. My nephew from the countryside brought some farm dishes, come and try them with me."
Yu Huatang thought that she was a little tired these days, so she would wait until night to eat on her day off and sleep all day.
"Then save some dinner for me."
When Grandma Xu found out, she said a few more words that her yard needed to be cleaned up, and then went back.
Yu Huatang was fine, and went back to his room to read a notebook.
Not long after, there was a knock on the door. At this time, there was usually no one else there, just him.
She opened the door and sure enough, Zhao Yan was standing in front of it.
"Sir, is there something wrong?"
Seeing that she had no intention of inviting him in, he was a little disappointed and said, "I encountered a difficult matter at the government office today. I'm not familiar with the people here, so I wanted to ask you about it."
He continued, "It's about Jiang's timber. I heard he's the nephew of the governor of Fuzhou."
Yu Huatang opened the door and came out, saying, "This Jiang's Timber has been here since I was very young. Besides that, there's also a summer resort. I used to hear adults say that it was built by an official specifically to entertain high-ranking officials. But I don't know who it was."
Zhao Yan listened carefully and said, "Okay, I understand."
"But there's one more thing I need to trouble you with. Whenever I go out, I'm followed by people who might want to know something, but even what they say might not be true. I'd like you to pay close attention to what they say in the Lantern Master's Hall. If you have anything about subordinate officials, bridges, or timber, please let me know."
Yu Huatang chuckled and agreed, "That's no problem. I'll come back to see you when I have any news."
At this point, Zhao Yan couldn't find any more topics to talk to her about. "Then you should get more rest."
He turned around and took a few steps. Just as Yu Huatang was closing the door, he couldn't help but ask again, "It's your turn to rest soon. Baili won't be here this time. If you need any medicine that day, I'll buy it for you."
Then he explained, "I thought that even if we didn't have the previous relationship, as neighbors, these small favors shouldn't be a big deal."
Yu Huatang smiled and said, "There's still a prescription left from last time. I'll just ask Granny Xu to help make it."
"I see that Grandma Xu is old, so why not let An Fu come? He has nothing to do all day anyway, so let him do it," he said.
She was surprised, but also felt that there was some truth to it. After all, Grandma Xu was old, and she might not be able to handle cooking for her and boiling medicine at the same time.
"...Well, thank you, sir." After saying that, he went back to the house to get the medicine and handed it over. "I usually drink it at night. Thank you for your hard work."
"It's not hard." He took it with a smile.
At this point, I was really speechless. "...Then I'll go back. You should get some rest."
"Okay, take care, sir." Yu Huatang turned around and went back to his room and closed the door.
When the door was closed and all the lights in the house were on, Zhao Yan stopped in the yard and looked for a long time. Finally, Anfu came out to remind him that it was already midnight, so he went back.
The next day, Zhao Yan heard Anfu come over and say, "Miss Yu came in at noon today and said that Jiang's Timbers recently received a government order to build a cross-water bridge in Fengze. The government had already reported the funds before you came, and now it has been approved."
"good."
I came to see him at noon, not knowing whether he had eaten yet. He asked, "Have you seen Miss Yu have lunch?"
Anfu said, "I don't think so. She came here running and then went back. Usually, the meals in the Dengshi Hall are served at certain times. If she goes back and forth, I'm afraid there won't be any food left."
Zhao Yan felt a little regretful that he had practiced Tai Chi with Yan Quan and the others at noon today. When these subordinates heard that he wanted to investigate the Jiang family, they either pretended to be deaf and dumb or refused to confess. He had to interrogate them one by one before they could reveal some information.
"Next time if Miss Yu comes, tell her not to leave and wait for me to come out."
An Fu understood, "Okay, next time I'll go and inform you first."
Not long after finishing his shift the next day, Anfu came running over and said happily, "Master, Miss Yu is outside."
Zhao Yan straightened his clothes and followed him out.
Yu Huatang was standing next to the stone lion waiting for him.
He stepped forward and asked, "Have you eaten yet? Why don't you come in and talk?"
She shook her head. "No, let's talk about it here."
"Today, Lord Yan's wife suddenly asked me to help make a koi carp lantern. It was nothing special at first, but then, Hua paid the full amount in one lump sum and asked me to go to her house to make it. I found it a bit strange."
Zhao Yan nodded. "Master Yan is not someone who likes exquisite things. Hua Shi spent so much money on this, I'm afraid it's a gift for someone else."
After thinking for a while, he said, "I see. This lamp must be given to someone related to the Fuzhou governor."
After listening to this, Yu Huatang asked, "Do you want me to go and find out for you, sir? I happen to be going to sir Yan's house tomorrow."
Zhao Yan shook his head. "No, asking will only arouse suspicion. Just pretend you don't know and listen to their conversation. I can roughly guess what they're up to."
"Then listen to the adults."
Seeing that she was about to leave, Zhao Yan immediately winked at Anfu.
An Fu Rao raised his head and hurriedly called out, "Miss Yu... have you eaten yet? I cooked a lot of dishes today, and you can't finish them all. It would be a pity to waste them. Why don't you eat with us, Miss Yu?"
After saying that, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's late now. We happen to be going the same way. I'll take you home after dinner." Zhao Yan also said.
"No, I have something to do today. I'm leaving now."
Yu Huatang smiled and thanked him, then turned and left.
After taking a few steps, he felt someone following him from behind. Zhao Yan took a few quick steps and said, "It's so late. It's not safe for you to go alone. Why don't you let Anfu go with you?"
Or I'll go with you.
Yu Huatang shook his head. "Nothing serious. A few veteran craftsmen were having a gathering at the harbor today, and I just wanted to go and listen."
Zhao Yan knew there was no turning back on this matter. "Okay, go early and come back early."
…………
By the time Yu Huatang finished recording the key points spoken by several veteran craftsmen, it was already late at night.
She was walking slowly on the road alone, with people walking in groups of three or four rushing home, which made her seem a little leisurely.
It was very dark tonight, and by the time she walked from Pingzhi Lane to Huaihua Lane, it was already a little scary.
It was quiet all around.
She encouraged herself and walked lightly, thinking that she would reach the government office after walking this road.
The government office is spacious and has bright lights at night, so there is nothing to be afraid of.
She walked hurriedly, her breathing becoming rapid. As she walked, she vaguely saw a figure behind her in her peripheral vision.
Her heart was pounding like thunder, and she clutched the corners of her clothes in front of her with both hands. As she passed a darker road, fear overwhelmed her, and she finally couldn't help but run in terror.
The figure behind him also ran.
She panicked, and just as she turned the corner, another figure suddenly appeared. The figure was very slender, and a pair of hands reached out to her. She was so scared that she wanted to interrupt.
But she was taken into the man's arms, "Huatang, it's me, don't be afraid."
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