Chapter 81 Asking to see Su Cheng by name
"Wang Lin?"
Pang Shan's expression changed, and he slowly sat down beside the bed, "What is he doing here..."
The masked man shook his head in fear and whispered, "I don't know what he's thinking. The accompanying steward only said he came to visit you, sir."
"Could he have found out something?" Pang Shan's heart sank and he looked up at his confidant.
Wang Lin is considered a veteran official in the court. Born as a top scholar, he has served as an official for twenty years, rising step by step. Yet, this year he took the initiative to come to Ganping to be a small county magistrate. Perhaps someone is behind the scenes fanning the flames.
It was still unclear whose side Wang Lin was on. If he knew what he had done, and he lost his temper for his beloved daughter, it would be really difficult to deal with him...
"Absolutely impossible!" The masked man shook his head repeatedly, his tone firm. "Sir, Cheng Yi and Old Wu were very thorough. They changed their attire long before the operation and were not wearing anything that could be linked to us. Even if Wang Lin were to investigate, he would never find us!"
"If that's the case, what is he doing here?" Pang Shan was unsure. After thinking for a moment, he stood up and walked out. "Old man, I'll go meet him right away."
-
Hall
Wang Lin opened the lid of the cup and gently blew on the tea leaves floating on the water, but he was just pretending and didn't drink a single drop.
He didn't dare to eat Pang Gou's stuff.
"Oh, Lord Wang, what a rare guest you are!"
Seeing the stranger, Pang Shan's originally straight spine bent instantly, and his voice became shrill, "What brings you here?"
"Eunuch Pang." Wang Lin raised his lips, met his eyes, and nodded slightly to show politeness. "I have always been busy with official duties. I knew that Eunuch Pang had come to Ganping a long time ago, but I never found the time to meet him. I am sorry for being rude."
"How could such a thing happen? Lord Wang thinks highly of our family and remembers us in his heart, which is a great honor for him." Pang Shan always said what he meant to everyone and never took it seriously. "Lord Wang, is there something important that brought you here at this hour?"
Wang Lin smiled, but if you covered his mouth, you would find that there was no smile in his eyes. "I've only just taken over Gan Ping and have been very busy. I only learned yesterday that my subordinate rejected your father-in-law's kindness. So, I came to apologize with some good wine."
"Oh, why are you so upset, sir?" Pang Shan was flattered and tried to refuse. "I don't have anything important to do. I just arrived and wanted to invite you to go boating and enjoy the spring together. You are really embarrassing me by doing this."
Pang Shan's eyes flashed with caution, and he smiled and said, "I never heard that Lord Wang liked to drink when I was in the capital before."
"My wife is very strict at home, but she'll let me have a couple of drinks when she's happy." Wang Lin said indifferently, glancing at Manager Chen beside him. "Old Chen, quickly bring over the peach blossom wine."
"Peach Blossom Wine?" Pang Shan's smile faded a little, and he glanced at the wine pot in Lao Chen's hand imperceptibly. "This name is quite novel. We have never heard of it before."
"There's a new business in town. They say they have a brewing recipe from the capital. I've tried it, and it's sweet, not intoxicating or heady." Wang Lin's smile deepened, and his voice deepened. "I've brought some fine wine and delicious food. Would you be so kind as to have a drink?"
The two men fought back and forth without making a sound. Pang Shan could hardly keep the smile on his face. With the arrow on the string, he had no choice but to speak and accept. "Lord Wang, it's such a kind gesture. Why should I be shy?"
A few plates of meat dishes were placed on the table, and the glasses were filled with fine wine. The two men sat opposite each other, and the atmosphere was stagnant for a moment.
"Thank you, Lord Wang, for your kindness. I'll drink this cup." Pang Shan's shrill voice echoed in the yard. After drinking a glass of wine, he picked up the wine pot and gently swept his fingertips across the bulge at the bottom of the pot. A hint of darkness flashed in his eyes.
Wang Lin smiled and raised his glass, "Eunuch Pang has been serving the Queen Mother in Shouqing Palace. We haven't been close friends for all these years, but we're lucky enough to be together today, so we must have a good drink."
After finishing a pot of wine, Pang Shan was only concerned with dealing with Wang Lin, but ignored the fact that the manager named Chen had disappeared long ago.
-
Xie Family of Xinghua Village
"Are you saying, sister-in-law, that there's another secret at the bottom of this pot?" Yan Ci's expression was a little serious, his eyes falling on the wine pot in her hand.
"Yes, I discovered it by chance last night." Su Cheng turned the wine jug upside down, passing by the uneven patterns on the bottom. "The patterns on the bottom of each wine jug are different. If you look closely, you will find that these patterns can be combined to form words."
"For example, the word under this pot means city, the city of town." Su Cheng lowered his eyes, his face serious, "Perhaps, someone used this to pass on information."
"Can this convey a message?" Du Heng couldn't hide his shock. He picked up the wine jug and examined it for a long time. "Indeed, I can tell it's the character Jia. But who would use this method to pass on a message in such a small town?"
Yan Ci sat quietly for a long while before speaking. "Don't make this public. I will send someone to investigate thoroughly."
"Ah Cheng! Ah Cheng!"
Aunt Liu's voice suddenly sounded outside the courtyard gate. Su Cheng walked quickly to open the door, but saw many women from the same village standing outside the courtyard.
"Aunt?" Su Cheng looked at them, surprise flashing across her face, "What are you doing..."
Seeing her, Aunt Liu hurried forward, grabbed her hand, and said in a panic, "Ah Cheng, have you offended anyone recently?"
"What...Auntie, what are you talking about?" Su Cheng looked confused and didn't understand what she meant.
Aunt Liu had a bitter face, and couldn't help sighing when she thought of those troubles. "The village was robbed by bandits, so my fellow villagers and I decided to do some embroidery to supplement our income. We worked day and night, but only managed to embroider a little over forty handkerchiefs. When we sent them to town, we asked several shops, but they all said they didn't accept anything from Xinghua Village."
Su Cheng was even more confused and asked with a frown, "What does this have to do with me?"
Aunt Liu shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I asked around, putting on a smile, and finally found out the reason. Those shops all received letters from their superiors. Seven or eight villages won't accept anything from Xinghua Village, even if it's embroidered. Unless... unless Ah Cheng, you go to the Zhendong Pawn Shop and meet their boss, then everything will turn around."
Aunt Liu held her hand, beads of sweat still on her forehead. She had worked hard all day and didn't even have a sip of water.
"Ah Cheng, who is this big boss? Why does he have to see you?"
"That's right, he wants to see our Ah Cheng by name."
"Is he some important person? At worst, we won't sell those things! Hurry and hide them for Ah Cheng."
The village women chatted with each other, without a trace of dissatisfaction on their faces. Instead, they were all concerned and nervous about Su Cheng.
"Zhendong Pawn Shop... the boss?" Du Heng stood aside with his hands on his hips, a puzzled look on his face. "Ah Cheng, when did you get involved with the people at the pawn shop?"
Su Cheng suddenly thought of someone, his expression instantly becoming extremely ugly, and he muttered, "It's Zhao Hu..."
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