Zhu Jiayu then stopped crying and started laughing.
While the two were talking, Lüzheng finally returned with tea and snacks.
Wei Qinglou replied, "I won't stay here any longer; I have many matters to attend to at the yamen."
In this case, Hu Yanwang was not the most crucial figure. Although he acted as an intermediary, connecting buyers and sellers and providing them with convenience, it was the sellers who actually did the work.
Only they know where those lost girls and children were sold.
There were also buyers. Hu Yanwang only did business with the wealthy and powerful, but Wei Qinglou apprehended all those buyers from the mountains and imprisoned them. These days, their families have practically worn down the threshold of the Dali Temple.
And all of these are things he has to handle: how to track down the whereabouts of the trafficked girls and children and bring them back safely to reunite with their families; how to withstand the pressure from the powerful figures involved and bring the situation under control...
He was actually so busy that he couldn't get away, but he was thinking about Zhu Jiayu, so he thought it would be better to come and see her.
Zhu Jiayu indeed asked reproachfully, "Then why did you come?"
"I always have to come and see you. I can only feel at ease if you're doing well."
Zhu Jiayu sighed: "Don't worry too much about me."
Wei Qinglou was so angry that he laughed: "Zhu Shi Jiayu, you really have no idea how you feel when you're not the one talking."
—If it were him who was in trouble, it would be fine, but now it's her who's in trouble, how can he not be worried?
Zhu Jiayu opened his mouth, but after a long while, he still couldn't utter a single word.
"Zhu's Jia Fish".
"Um?"
Wei Qinglou stood up, leaned down and looked at her: "When are you going to explain things clearly to Uncle Zhu?"
"Explain what?" Zhu Jiayu asked, puzzled.
Wei Qinglou raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Let me explain, I have never coveted your jade hairpin business."
"I'm after you."
Zhu Jiayu: ...
She reached out and nudged Wei Qinglou: "If there's nothing else, you should leave now."
Wei Qinglou took her hand, squeezed it, and said seriously, "Don't think this is unimportant. If Uncle Zhu finds out we're together one day, he'll think I'm a kept man, and that misunderstanding will be deep."
Zhu Jiayu was speechless for a moment.
"Alright, you should go to the yamen now," she said helplessly.
...
Not long after he left, Jiang Shaoxing arrived.
Jiang Shaoxing arrived a little later, about a short while after Wei Qinglou left the alley, he entered the alley from the other side.
After handing over his visiting card to the steward and receiving Zhu Congjian's permission, Jiang Shaoxing followed the steward into the courtyard.
Zhu Congjian asked in bewilderment, "What day is it today? Why are so many people coming to my residence?"
Although he had never met this young man surnamed Jiang, he looked quite good and probably had a good personality.
Jiang Shaoxing took his words to heart and turned to the steward: "Before me, who else has visited my sister?"
The butler said kindly, "He is a young master surnamed Wei."
Jiang Shaoxing nodded, and then he knew that the person who had arrived before him must have been Wei Qinglou.
He remained silent, followed the steward into the pavilion, went to Zhu Jiayu, and bowed deeply to her: "Sister, it's been several days since we last met."
Zhu Jiayu nodded and smiled, "Come and sit down. It's been several days since we last met. Did you come to see me because you need something?"
Jiang Shaoxing's eyes darkened slightly as he looked earnestly at Zhu Jiayu: "Even if there's nothing wrong, can't you come to see your sister?"
"How could that be?" Zhu Jiayu asked in surprise. "Whether you have something to say or not, I always welcome you."
She pushed the plate of pastries in front of her toward Jiang Shaoxing: "Try these pastries."
Jiang Shaoxing readily picked up a piece, took a small sip, and after a while, he smiled and said, "The snack is still warm."
"However, it seems that Lord Wei left without using a single piece; he left in a rather hasty manner."
He put down the pastries and said sincerely, "I suppose it's because Lord Wei is so busy with official duties. Unlike me, I'm idle all day long. I heard that you've returned home, so I made a special trip to see you. I hope you won't find me a bother?"
"You knew I'd been away these past few days?" Zhu Jiayu didn't answer him, but asked instead.
“Yes…” Jiang Shaoxing looked at her, secretly annoyed that he almost let it slip. He tried to make amends, “I had some questions about the articles that I wanted to ask you, so I made a special trip to visit you a few days ago. Uncle Zhu said that you had gone on a long trip, so I was keeping an eye on when you would return home.”
Song Baopu, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, once praised Zhu Jiayu in public for his insightful views on politics and his excellent writing skills, so his words are indeed valid.
Zhu Jiayu believed him as expected: "So, did you bring the article with you today?"
Jiang Shaoxing secretly let out a breath.
The truth is, he was also on Chung Wo Street that night.
Seeing that Zhu Jiayu was alone, he wanted to go to her, but he was afraid that she had made an appointment with Wei Qinglou and might cause him trouble. So he followed her for a long time.
The market was bustling with the sounds of flower vendors, and the lights illuminated the dark night like day. She walked among the flowers and lanterns, her skirt swaying in the breeze. Occasionally, she would turn her head, revealing a beautiful and radiant profile. The light shone into her eyes, and her image lingered in his heart.
He thought that just being able to watch her like this was good enough.
Then he watched as she was tricked by a little girl, how she was drugged and taken to a carriage. He also saw members of the Lin family following her.
He then realized that her being alone here and risking her life was all part of a scheme she had orchestrated.
He dared not easily disrupt her plans. Even though he was worried, he abandoned his idea of rescuing her and turned back to his residence.
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