After Wei Qinglou left with Zhu Jiayu, Hu Yanwang continued to preside over the buying and selling of goods in the council hall.
It wasn't until midnight, when everyone had left and the stars shone brightly in the sky, that the steward returned from outside and knocked on Hu Yanwang's door: "Master, it's me."
King Hu sat up, waved away the beautiful maids who were singing and playing the zither, and the two concubines who were massaging his legs and shoulders. He cleared his throat and said, "Come in."
The butler bowed slightly and looked up, only to see a woman in a peach-red dress embroidered with silver lilies looking at him. Her eyes were full of alluring charm. He quickly lowered his head again and waited for everyone to leave the room before entering.
"Well, has it been investigated?" Hu Yanwang hadn't slept yet, waiting for the steward's report.
He knew that by doing this kind of business, he was putting his head under the guillotine of the law, and if he was not careful, the guillotine would fall.
Therefore, when he vaguely sensed that something was wrong with Wei Qinglou, he dared not be careless at all. He could only close his eyes and get a good night's sleep after the results were in.
"It's all been investigated, sir. There's no problem. That young master Lou comes from a royal merchant family and is their only son," the butler said softly, bowing slightly.
"However, I still have some doubts. His behavior is too high-profile..." The steward looked at Hu Yanwang's hesitant expression and couldn't help but add.
His words dispelled Hu Yanwang's doubts.
Hu Yanwang pursed his lips: "Since he comes from a royal merchant family and is an only son, it's normal for him to be a bit temperamental. It seems he hasn't been disciplined much, which has led to his arrogant and ignorant nature. Fine, let's do business with him this time... As for the future," he pondered for a moment, "let's forget about it."
He wanted to make his business last, so he couldn't rely on this temporary wealth. That young master Lou was not a steady person and would cause trouble sooner or later. If he let slip about their business deal, he would be doomed.
The steward responded and then spoke of Tiancheng: "I just inquired and found out that someone did see him run from the fence to the West Garden. They saw him acting suspiciously and asked him what he was doing, but he wouldn't answer. As for when the young master Lou's mistress went to the West Garden, no one really knows. Perhaps it was just a coincidence when the guards changed shifts... Otherwise, such a big thing wouldn't be known to everyone, and I would have to tell you."
Penglan was where Chuyun and the others lived, separated from the East Courtyard by a garden. It was said that they ran from Penglan to the West Courtyard, but it's also possible that they stole something from the East Courtyard and ran there.
"Well, he's dead now, there's no point in dwelling on this. If that guy surnamed Lou hadn't made a scene, I might have investigated further, but since he did, it means he has nothing to hide, and there must be nothing more to it than this. Take him to the doctor and see what he has to say." King Hu waved his hand, looking exhausted.
The butler carefully agreed and retreated with his head bowed.
Once he left Yichang Garden, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, but the next moment, he was pulled into the shadows by the wall by a force.
He barely managed to stop, looked at the person who had come, and couldn't help but frown deeply, saying with a bitter face, "I've already done as you instructed, what are you doing here looking for me!"
The man, sword in hand, smiled casually and said, "How can you speak like that, steward? We've had some history together, can't I even come to catch up? Since you're so heartless, I might as well go and have a word with Master Hu."
"Of course, why not? You're the ancestor, if you can't do it, who can?" The steward was on the verge of tears. "I wonder what you, sir, wish to reminisce with me about?"
...
East Courtyard.
After being taken back by Wei Qinglou, Zhu Jiayu still couldn't understand why he had acted that way in the council hall. She pestered him for a long time until he finally revealed the truth.
"According to our plan, chaos will ensue at the banquet, and King Hu will definitely take us into custody. If we can lower his guard beforehand, he won't immediately think of me. It just so happens that this happened today, and Shujian previously followed the steward and saw that he was deeply entangled with King Hu's concubine... With the right timing, location, and people, don't you think tonight is an excellent opportunity?"
Zhu Jiayu nodded: "Hu Yanwang is ruthless. If he finds out that his trusted steward and concubine have been having an affair, he will surely make him wish he were dead. Even if the steward is doing it for his own sake, he will definitely agree to what Shujian asked him to do and will not dare to act rashly and bring trouble upon himself."
“Yes, absolutely.” Wei Qinglou said calmly, then suddenly sat up.
Because of their identities, and to avoid arousing suspicion, they have been sleeping in the same bed every night for the past few days.
Although Wei Qinglou had already assured Zhu Jiayu that he wouldn't harm her, she still couldn't help but feel wary when she saw Wei Qinglou get up.
What are you doing?
Wei Qinglou leaned down to look at her, his raven-feather-like long hair falling into the crook of her neck, tickling her inexplicably.
Zhu Jiayu bit her lip, pulled the brocade quilt over her shoulder, and shrank inside, wrapping herself up like a silkworm cocoon.
Wei Qinglou chuckled and pulled her blanket down a bit. "I was thinking of getting up to blow out the lamp, but I wonder what my little wife is thinking, hmm?"
Zhu Jiayu couldn't help but pinch him after being teased by him.
The moment she made her move, she noticed the person next to her catch their breath and tense their waist muscles. She awkwardly withdrew her hand, pretending nothing had happened, and turned her head away, closing her eyes.
"I...I wasn't thinking anything!"
However, it was too late. Almost the instant she finished speaking, Wei Qinglou turned around and covered her delicate body.
He buried his face deep in her neck, his arms tightly encircling her slender waist, holding her with an almost imprisoning force.
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