Chapter 38
The Qi and Wen families exchanged betrothal gifts, and the marriage between Wen Si Niangzi and Qi family lad was officially settled. The two families discussed it and decided that the eighth day of next month would be an auspicious day.
Suitable for marriage.
With the marriage arranged, the relationship between the Wen and Qi families became even closer.
Master Qi, who also served as the deputy military commander of Anyang Prefecture, sat with Wen Tao in the side hall of the government office, both exuding a gloomy aura as if a storm was brewing.
The persistent silence in the side hall fermented within the tranquil space, swelling throughout the entire room, making it hard to breathe.
Just then, someone hurried in from outside the side hall, bowed to Wen Tao and Qi Pingzhi, and said, "My lords, I have already led men to check, and apart from a footprint on the ground, we found nothing else..."
The guard finished speaking tremblingly, when suddenly a loud "bang!" was heard.
A fine Jian kiln porcelain cup was smashed on the ground, and scalding hot tea soup spilled all over the floor, mixed with sharp, broken porcelain shards, steaming hot.
The guards dared not look too long and obediently kept their heads down.
After smashing the porcelain cup, Wen Tao was furious and shouted, "Who dares to break into the government office in the dead of night to steal?!"
There was nothing particularly valuable inside the government office, not even as wealthy as their private residences. Even the most desperate commoners would not dare to openly offend the officials!
Qi Pingzhi's eyes flickered slightly, as if he had thought of something. He waved away the guard who had just come to report and lowered his voice: "At this critical juncture, could it be that someone has leaked the news?"
Wen Tao glanced at him, a fierce glint in his eyes. "You mean... someone has already traced us back to us?"
Qi Pingzhi took a sip of tea. He wasn't sure, but it was pretty close.
The two men's expressions darkened. After a long while, Wen Tao finally sat down, swaying slightly, and asked in a deep voice, "Who is it?"
As the prefect of Anyang, he would naturally be aware of any important figures visiting Anyang. Even if the important figures were traveling incognito, with his connections and influence in the court, it was impossible for him to remain completely unaware.
The items in the secret compartment of the hall were gone, and dozens of silver needles were stuck into the wooden pillar opposite. Apart from the footprint, there were no other clues.
Qi Pingzhi pondered for a while, and suddenly the words of his subordinates flashed through his mind. He hesitated and said, "I heard that a relative from Jinzhou recently visited your household?"
Wen Tao suddenly raised his head, and in an instant, he recalled the few times he had met Song Yuanzhuo.
That man was gentle and refined, yet at times possessed the uprightness and sharpness of a scholar, such as the cold sharpness he displayed when he tried his best to protect Wen Shu upon their first meeting.
After returning home, he was obedient and compliant, treated the servants with courtesy, and was filial and respectful to his elders. The old lady was very fond of this grand-nephew and privately instructed him many times to take good care of him.
However...
He had only been there a short time when the official correspondence was stolen. Once those things fell into the hands of his political enemies, Wen Tao knew without a doubt what his fate would be.
"I understand. I have my own way of finding out if it is him." Wen Tao squinted at the door directly in front of him and said coldly, "During this period, the government offices should strengthen their defenses and we must not let the enemy take advantage of the situation again."
...
Cui Pei casually arranged for Zhu Zijin to be a merchant, finally allowing him to legitimately come to the Wen residence.
But as the saying goes, a tall tree catches the wind, so the fewer people hiding in the Wen family, the better. Cui Pei had to go to great lengths to persuade Pei Lingjun to let the young master stay and to guarantee that nothing would go wrong.
Cui Pei led Zhu Zijin in through the back gate of the Wen residence, avoiding the servants along the way, but unexpectedly bumped into Wen Shu at a corner.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
