Chapter 54
Mao, Mai Ni Mai Ni
"Oh, I almost forgot about the important matter!"
Upon hearing this, Chang Le slapped his forehead and immediately sat up straight.
She looked left and right, had Lu Qin close the shop door, and chased away a group of servants before solemnly recounting the whole story.
A few days ago, Consort Yi's use of drugs to win the Emperor's favor was exposed. The Emperor was furious and imprisoned her. He ordered a thorough investigation and found that the matter had been handled by the county magistrate. Soon after, someone took the opportunity to accuse the county magistrate of flattering important officials and accepting bribes in private.
The county magistrate was recommended by the governor, and the matter then implicated the governor, spiraling out of control. The emperor then ordered her father to conduct a thorough investigation.
“My father planned to investigate the case by starting with the county magistrate, so he came to the city. I secretly followed the carriage and slipped out, but my father discovered me halfway there.”
"My father insisted on sending me back to the mansion, but I refused. So I made a bet with him that I would find the clues before him, so I was determined to prove myself to him."
As Chang Le spoke, he clenched his fist, revealing a resolute look, as if he were about to go into battle. Lu Qin couldn't help but chuckle and looked up to exchange a glance with Hao Jingshi.
This young princess doesn't seem reliable either. What clues could she possibly find? The fact that the Prince of Pingfan agreed to let her come along must be because he truly dotes on her and wants to let her get some fresh air outside the palace.
Hao Jingshi probably thought the same thing, and teased, "Since the princess is investigating a case, how did it end up on Xuande Street? Could it be that this case is related to eating, drinking, and having fun?"
Chang Le understood his meaning and guiltily slammed her hand on the table to defend herself, "This princess was just passing by! If I hadn't seen a group of people blocking this clothing shop and causing trouble, this princess wouldn't have stopped here!"
Hao Jingshi put his hands on Lu Qin's shoulders and said, "Then Princess, please go and investigate the case quickly, don't delay the time."
"You petty fellow, so defensive. I, the princess, would never really steal your wife!" Chang Le glared at him from across the table. "I just saved you, and you're not even going to help me? What do you mean by making sarcastic remarks and trying to drive me away?"
"How could my wife and I dare to interfere in matters of the court? Even if we wanted to help, we couldn't," Hao Jingshi said innocently. "If the princess wants to use our territory to investigate a case, she should pay more. Otherwise, I won't be able to do this business, and I'll be accused of disrespecting the princess, which would be a huge loss."
After hearing this, Chang Le rolled her eyes at him again.
"Do you think I, a princess, am just sitting here doing nothing? This case involves the governor and the county magistrate, and Zhang Gui just happens to be the magistrate's son. Of course, I have to keep a close eye on things here; maybe I'll find some evidence?"
"I've heard all along that someone once boasted that he would rid the people of a scourge, deal with Zhang Gui, and clean up the bad practices in Xuande Street. If you help me investigate the case, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone? When the criminal is caught, you'll have done a great service too."
Realizing that Chang Le wasn't just trying to take advantage of the situation but genuinely wanted their help, Hao Jingshi stopped joking and began to carefully consider his words of refusal.
The night before he moved to the capital, his father had a long talk with him, teaching him how to manage a household and instructing him to remember his identity and not to associate too much with the local officials and dignitaries, lest he be the subject of rumors spread by those with ulterior motives.
Although his father did not explicitly tell him the reason, he knew a little about it. His grandfather resigned from his official post to dispel the emperor's suspicions and protect the Hao family. Now that he was the new head of the Hao family and had a say, how could he dare to have too close a relationship with the princess?
Investigating the case is indeed a great achievement, but today the princess is publicizing his family background, which may attract the attention of those with ulterior motives. He must be vigilant.
"Hey." Chang Le, unaware of Hao Jingshi's thoughts, assumed he was just putting on an act and wentaded him, "What do you mean by staying silent? Are you just talking big and bragging to everyone?"
Hao Jingshi was still lost in thought when he suddenly heard a "hello" and didn't react for a moment.
Noticing that his fingers had been idly stroking her shoulder, Lu Qin understood that he had some concerns and immediately spoke to ease the tension.
“Princess, we are newcomers to the capital and unfamiliar with the city, so we are truly unable to help you. However, I do know someone who can provide you with the clues and evidence you seek.”
As Lu Qin spoke, she raised her hand and patted Hao Jingshi's hand, then looked up and said, "Isn't that right, husband?"
“Yes.” Meeting the bright eyes of his beloved, Hao Jingshi suddenly realized and immediately replied, “He can definitely help you.”
"Who is it?" Chang Le looked at the couple exchanging glances as if they were giving each other secret signals, completely bewildered.
...
Lu Qin knew that Chang Le was a simple-minded person and that she could not let her be alone with Qian Yuming, so she decided to accompany her.
She asked Hao Jingshi to stay at the clothing shop to greet customers, but Hao Jingshi insisted on going with her. Lu Qin thought about his unusual behavior a few days ago and agreed, since it would be good for him to protect the princess.
In order to avoid revealing their identities and to allay Qian Yuming's suspicions, Lu Qin decided to dress as men with Chang Le, pretending to be merchants from out of town, and then find an opportunity to get close to them, hoping to arrange for Zhang Gui to meet them through Qian Yuming.
Chang Le waved her hand, saying she didn't have a regional accent. Lu Qin thought for a moment, then gave her the identity of a mute younger brother, telling her to just stay silent and leave the rest to her.
Upon hearing the plan, Chang Le was eager to try it out and immediately urged Lu Qin to disguise herself.
After the two finished dressing, they came out of the fitting room. Hao Jingshi looked at the two handsome young men in front of him and said, "What about me?"
“You…” Lu Qin glanced at him, picked up her makeup tools, “Just disguise yourself as a guard and follow me, you don’t need to say a word.”
She leaned closer to Hao Jingshi and carefully altered his facial features. Hao Jingshi looked into her eyes, which were so close to his, and couldn't help but hold his breath and stare intently.
When Chang Le couldn't wait to go out and show off to the maid, he leaned forward and touched Lu Qin's nose, saying, "That's not what I meant. I meant that I want Madam to disguise me."
Lu Qin was caught off guard and her hand trembled, casting a shadow on his face.
She flicked his head with her finger: "If you move around again, I'll draw you as an ugly man."
Hao Jingshi wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled his face closer, and gestured for her to continue drawing as if in a contest: "I'm naturally handsome, do you think I'm afraid of you trying to do something bad?"
Lu Qin remained silent, only letting out a soft laugh.
"..." Fifteen minutes later, Hao Jingshi stared into deep thought at his crooked and deformed face reflected in the bronze mirror.
Lu Qin thoughtfully straightened his clothes, then strode out the door, not forgetting to throw him a provocative flying kiss.
Hao Jingshi glanced at himself in the mirror again, trying to find a better look, but the more he looked, the more ashamed he felt, so he simply tore off a section of the gauze curtain to cover his face.
So, the two handsome young men and the masked ugly guard went out onto the street and swaggered into Qian's clothing shop.
The Qian family's clothing shop was deserted and silent, like a block of ice that had not yet melted in early spring, which was quite an eyesore.
Zhang Gui's repeated disruptions did not affect Lu Qin's business. On the contrary, they united the people on the street and made them even more determined to deal with him. They would rather Lu Qin clean up before visiting than step into Qian's clothing shop.
With no business in the clothing shop and no need for so many people, Qian Yuming dismissed the servants and stayed to guard the shop himself.
Lu Qin looked around the doorway but saw no one, so she called out, "Is the boss here?"
"They're here!" Rarely hearing human voices, Qian Yuming's ears were quite sharp, and he immediately jogged over.
Seeing that the two were well-dressed and had a noble air about them, and that they were accompanied by servants, he guessed they were important customers and immediately extended a warm invitation: "Distinguished guests, please come in!"
The group walked forward under his guidance. Lu Qin cleared her throat and said in a low voice, "Brother, we're from out of town. Your clothes look pretty good. Want to buy a couple?"
"..." When Chang Le and Hao Jingshi heard this strange tune, they almost couldn't help but laugh. One pinched his thigh, and the other tightened his veil.
Qian Yuming was also taken aback. "What do you mean, sir?"
Lu Qin gestured, pointing to the clothes and then to herself: "Clothes, I'll buy them, I'll buy a whole bunch!"
Hearing her pretentious tone, Hao Jingshi simply bit his veil to cover his mouth, while Chang Le couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. Seeing Qian Yuming looking at her, she immediately had a bright idea and stuck out her tongue to pretend to be a fool.
"Oh, my brother, he's got a problem. He's become mentally challenged and mute. Please bear with him." Lu Qin understood and immediately said with a worried expression, "I brought him out for treatment and to buy some clothes. He's my only brother, sigh..."
Qian Yuming was skeptical, but when he saw Chang Le picking her nose again, he believed her completely and even comforted Lu Qin a few times.
Lu Qin secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Just keep bringing out as much as you can, bring up all the good stuff, the more the better, more, more, more."
Qian Yuming craned his neck to listen to Lu Qin's words, trying to understand as he went. Although he couldn't understand English, he grasped the meaning and became even more certain that these people were important guests. He quickly nodded and introduced them to her.
"Look at this dress, the color is so beautiful and vibrant, it really suits your temperament. This one, the style is very traditional, it was passed down from our ancestors, every household in our area has one, and there's this one too..."
"Okay, okay." Lu Qin nodded repeatedly at the boring clothes.
The so-called "bright colors" are even more dazzling than the floral print of Northeast China's big floral jackets. The so-called "passed down from our ancestors" are just old-fashioned styles from several years ago, which every household has, but the style has become ubiquitous.
He really dares to brag.
For the next quarter of an hour, Qian Yuming spoke eloquently, but Lu Qin was too lazy to listen anymore. She generously said that she would buy everything. This action impressed Qian Yuming, who immediately became sworn brothers with them.
Taking this opportunity, Lu Qin fabricated a story that she had many connections and could buy a batch of goods from him to sell in other places. Qian Yuming was overjoyed to hear this and generously offered to treat him to drinks.
At this point, Lu Qin changed the subject, saying that it would be difficult to transport so many goods out, as they might be intercepted. She added that she didn't have any friends in the area and asked him to try to find some connections.
"No problem, no problem. I have some connections with the magistrate's son; we'll ask him for help," Qian Yuming replied quickly. "Tomorrow at Shenshi (3-5 PM), I'll be hosting a banquet at a restaurant, inviting you all to drink and discuss matters together. What do you say?"
Lu Qin shook her head and said, "Very good, very good, okay, okay, then Brother Qian, see you tomorrow."
After saying that, he winked smugly at the two who were trying not to laugh.
It's done! Everything is ready, just waiting for tomorrow!
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