Chun Di was naturally puzzled. Although she knew that Song He'er and Zhang Xiu'e had made a lot of money these days, she couldn't believe that she could take out a thousand guan to open a restaurant!
"He'er, although I'm young, I'm still your elder. Can you tell me the truth? Where did you get so much money?"
Seeing her serious expression, Song He'er couldn't help but chuckle, "Anyway, it wasn't stolen or robbed! Fourth Aunt can rest assured!"
"You always keep me in suspense when you talk. Did you make all of this money?"
"Of course! Oh, please don't ask so many questions. We've already gotten through such tough times before, and things have been going smoothly for us all, haven't they? So there's no need to worry about this little problem!"
With that, Song He'er pulled Chun Di and jumped onto the carriage.
When they returned to the Lotus Garden, Jiang Huaifu was already dressed and looked like he was about to go out.
Seeing that he looked unwell, Song He'er stepped forward to stop him, saying, "Your body hasn't recovered yet, so it's best not to wander around."
Jiang Huaifu wore a white robe and a jade hair crown, exuding an aura of righteousness, as if the spirited prince of Xizhou had returned.
"I've got news about Aqing and Alu; I need to go see for myself."
"Then I'll go with you!"
"No, it's too dangerous in the capital. You should stay home."
Song He'er knew that Jiang Huaifu didn't want her to take the lead in anything, but the situation was different now. In the past, Jiang Huaifu would take care of things for her when she had problems, but now that he was in trouble and injured, how could she let him act alone?
"No, I'm always worried about you going by yourself."
Seeing that the two seemed to have something to say, Chun Di didn't linger there and turned around to go back to her room.
Seeing Song He'er's insistence, Jiang Huaifu could only sigh and reply indifferently, "This isn't a trip for fun, and the capital isn't as good as Jiangning. There are patrol officers everywhere. It might not be a good thing for you to go!"
"Then I want to come along too!"
Jiang Huaifu looked at Song He'er's determined little eyes and couldn't help but smile. "If you want to go, then go change your clothes, put your hair up, and comb it into a bun."
Song He'er was a little puzzled as to why she had to change her clothes before going to the capital. Was it because she was afraid that her clothes were too shabby?
"Why... I think this plain robe looks quite nice on me! It's simple, elegant, and not at all garish!"
Jiang Huaifu smiled and handed a jade pendant from his waist to Song He'er. "For your safety, you cannot reveal your true identity. You can only call yourself my wife. This is the only way to ensure your safety. This is something I've worn since I was a child, a family heirloom. I'm giving it to you to wear."
My wife?
Song He'er was a little stunned, her face turning bright red with embarrassment.
"Then I can call her your sister to outsiders, why do you have to say she's your wife?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaifu's face turned cold. "If you don't want to, then stay at home!"
"No! Fine! It's just a title! Wife it is!"
After saying that, Song He'er turned around and ran into the inner room to change her clothes.
After a while, a pretty young woman in a yellow dress came out of the house.
Song He'er walked up to Jiang Huaifu, turned around, and asked softly, "This... is it okay?"
"Hmm." Jiang Huaifu nodded, picked up the flute on the table, and walked out...
Jiangning is far from the imperial city of Jindu; even by ordinary carriage, it would take half a day to travel there.
After Song He'er finalized the restaurant arrangements, she finally had time to accompany Jiang Huaifu to Jindu for a visit.
"You've been working tirelessly day and night; perhaps you've already found a suitable place?"
Song He'er lowered the carriage curtain, turned her head and replied, "Yes, the deposit has already been paid, and that family will move out in three days."
Jiang Huaifu's expression was very serious. "Where?"
"Hmm... It's very close to the polo field. You know, there used to be a very large polo field in Jiangning, but it's been abandoned for the past few years. However, the place is still big. There's also a teahouse in front of it, which I rented. I'll ask someone to find some connections to rent the polo field behind it as well."
Jiang Huaifu nodded. "Hmm, it is a good place, but do you have any shortage of money?"
"No."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaifu remained silent. He knew Song He'er well; she had plenty of money and there was no need for him to worry.
The most pressing issue right now is how to reach an agreement with the local liquor merchants to allow her, an outsider, to do business here.
"There are quite a few people in Jindu too!" Song He'er sighed as she looked out the window.
"This is the imperial city, where the powerful and wealthy live. Don't be fooled by the quiet streets; anyone you pick out is a member of the imperial family. You must speak softly."
"I know what I'm doing, I don't need you to remind me."
Jiang Huaifu remained silent for a moment, then turned his head away and stopped speaking.
The carriage arrived at an inn in Jindu. Jiang Huaifu hurriedly paid the money and then sent the driver to a secluded place to wait, to contact him again if necessary.
Upon entering the inn, a handsome waiter came out to greet us.
"Would you like to stay at the inn, gentlemen?"
"A superior room."
"Alright, this way please!"
One room?
Song He'er gasped. Could it be that the two of them were going to sleep together tonight?
The waiter led the man to Room Number One in the Heavenly Division, then asked Jiang Huaifu if he needed dinner before closing the door and leaving...
"The two of us... will live here?"
Jiang Huaifu put down his bundle, looked up, and glanced at Song He'er. "Otherwise what?"
"How would I know?"
"Don't worry, I'm a gentleman and I wouldn't take advantage of someone in distress."
Song He'er knew he was joking, but even so, she still felt a little awkward being in the same room with him.
"What are you going to do tonight? Are you going to the patrol camp to gather information on your own?"
"You don't need to worry about what I do. You just need to stay quietly in the inn!"
"..."
Song He'er didn't say anything, and obediently sat aside waiting for it to get dark.
After the waiter brought in dinner, he never came back. There weren't as many people in the inn as in Jiangning, and the streets were very quiet, with patrolmen occasionally coming to search the streets.
Jiang Huaifu changed his clothes, quietly opened the window, and tried to leave from the back of the inn.
"Don't open the door if there's any noise outside. Wait for me to come back. If there's any emergency, go to the courtyard on East Street and find the driver. Ask him to take you back to Jiangning!"
Upon hearing this, Song He'er's heart skipped a beat.
She paused, then stepped forward. "What do you mean? Are you in danger?"
"You just need to listen to me, don't worry about anything else."
Hey! You!
………
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