"Oh, you have made four trips in vain and still haven't stepped into the government office gate." Pei Wenfeng was slightly stunned.
"Ah, that's right."
Wei Xu couldn't help but complain, annoyed. "We just got back from the government office. We woke up early with high hopes, but ended up returning empty-handed. Oh, we happened to run into a chief clerk today and took the opportunity to ask around. We've gotten some good results, unlike our previous trips where we were met with nothing but rejection."
Jiang Yushu sighed with emotion and jokingly said, "The Yongzhou government office is so heavily guarded that even a fly outside wouldn't be able to get in, let alone people."
"Hahahaha" Cuimei and several trusted servants laughed out loud.
Wei Xu was young and full of energy, and it was hard to hide his anger. "I really don't know what's going on in this government office. Although the military storage warehouse officials are of low rank, they are at least appointed by the court. Even if Ji Zhifu is out, even if the other state officials are too busy to receive them, they should at least let them in for a cup of tea. It's not right to turn people away every time."
Pei Wenfeng couldn't help but laugh. He took a sip of tea and slowly said, "Master Wei, you may not know that the city-wide martial law was actually Pei's idea. It was a last resort and was not targeted at anyone in particular. I apologize for any disrespect."
"Oh, this, this is what you meant." Wei Xu was stunned at first, and then embarrassed, because he had revealed a complaining tone when he was complaining just now.
Pei Wenfeng nodded.
"Well, since that's what you want, there must be a reason." Wei Xu was not completely ignorant of the ways of the world. He made up for it awkwardly, saying, "Anyway, we don't have a deadline. It's okay to wait a few days. It's okay."
Then, no one spoke, and there was an inexplicable silence.
Jiang Yushu tried to smooth things over and asked softly, "With such strict security, is there still a remnant of the enemy lurking in the city?"
When the others heard this, they were all shocked, looked at each other, and whispered nervously, "No way!"
"Didn't they say they had killed hundreds of thousands of enemies? There are still some left."
"Perhaps they hid during the raid and couldn't escape, so they became scoundrels who come out during the day and hide at night."
Pei Wenfeng raised his hand to stop the discussion and briefly explained, "There are indeed a group of rogues lurking within Yongzhou, active and active during the day and hiding at night. However, they are not remnants of the enemy, but prisoners held in various prisons before the fall of Yongzhou."
"Prisoner" Jiang Yushu was stunned.
Pei Wenfeng felt a headache whenever he talked about it. He sighed and said helplessly, "When Yongzhou was captured by the Northern Qi, everything was in chaos. Some of the prisoners originally held in the prison were brutally massacred by the enemy soldiers, while others bribed the jailers or were rescued by relatives and friends in the chaos and escaped. Because the files and documents of the prefecture and county government offices were almost completely destroyed, and the officials who handled the case were either dead or fled, it was impossible to investigate the successors."
Jiang Yushu asked solemnly, "So, the number of fugitives currently at large is unknown."
Pei Wenfeng worked day and night since taking office, his eyes turning dark blue. He answered tiredly, "We are trying to find out the exact number of fugitives."
"The prisoners who were under martial law throughout the city managed to escape. Do they dare to come back and show themselves? Wouldn't that be like walking into a trap?" Cuimei asked doubtfully.
Pei Wenfeng closed his eyes, kneaded his brows, and whispered, "Some of them have consciences and have returned to their hometowns to search for lost relatives. Others, hoping to take advantage of the situation, have returned to Yongzhou to cause chaos, most of whom have evil intentions, such as targeting the ancestral homes and shops of local gentry. Therefore, we have no choice but to impose martial law until the investigation is complete to prevent the fugitives from harming the innocent."
Jiang Yushu nodded in sudden realization, "I see."
"No wonder." Wei Xu suddenly realized and said repeatedly, "In this case, we should be careful and vigilant, as we should."
The next moment
Du Feiyan excitedly walked quickly to the door of the inn, but gradually slowed down her pace, thinking nervously that she had heard that he came from a scholarly family in Jiangnan and was gentle and elegant, so he must like dignified and reserved girls.
Dignity and reserve have nothing to do with me.
I am the daughter of a escort leader, not a lady from a wealthy family. My personality has changed now, and I can no longer be as dignified and elegant as Mrs. Guo.
If I approach him rashly, will he be annoyed?
She lingered outside the door for a long while, and finally stamped her feet, gritting her teeth and thinking, never mind. Considering my identity, I can only avoid her tactfully; but I don't want to avoid her at all. Meeting her today is a godsend opportunity, and I will definitely regret it if I miss it.
I don't want to look back and regret
Thinking of this, Du Feiyan plucked up her courage and stepped into the inn with brisk steps.
As soon as the guest entered, the waiter immediately smiled, came forward, bowed, and asked enthusiastically, "Excuse me, are you here for a meal or staying overnight? Please take a seat."
Du Feiyan waved her hand and said, "I'm not staying here. What do you have to eat?" Then, without waiting for the waiter to answer, she pretended to turn her head and glanced at Jiang Yushu and her group. She acted surprised and happy, walked closer, and asked with a smile:
"Oh, Madam Guo, Lord Wei," she said, looking at Pei Wenfeng, her voice softening unconsciously, "Lord Pei, why are you here?"
In fact, Jiang Yushu noticed her as soon as she entered the room, but she was far away, halfway across the hall. She smiled and replied, "It's noon, we are going to eat. Why is Miss Du alone?"
"Alas, my brothers are busy every day, busy buying a suitable shop and opening a branch, so they can't take care of me." As she spoke, she sat down naturally and said happily, "I was bored and went out to the street to get some fresh air. I didn't expect to meet you by chance."
Originally there was only one square table. After Pei Wenfeng and his men arrived, they added another table for the constables. Since they couldn't be particular when they were away from home, Cuimei and Zou Gui sat at the end of the main table, which was a bit crowded.
When Du Feiyan arrived, she sat down next to Jiang Yushu, with Pei Wenfeng sitting diagonally opposite her.
Jiang Yushu believed it and said, "Yes, what a coincidence."
In Pei Wenfeng's mind, she was a complete outsider. As soon as an outsider arrived, he stopped talking about official business, sniffed the tea, and told the servant, "We've been sitting here for a long time, why haven't you served the food yet? Go and hurry up and return to the yamen after we finish eating."
"Yes." Cai Chun stood up and ran to urge lunch.
Du Feiyan boldly struck up a conversation, looking past Jiang Yushu who was sandwiched between them, and asked with concern, "It's been a long time since we last met. Master Pei's eyes are bloodshot from all the work. I guess you must be very busy with official duties."
Pei Wenfeng's eyes were deep and dark. He half raised his head while drinking tea, glanced at her, and said "hmm" vaguely. He was exhausted and too lazy to talk to outsiders.
"Will you go back to the yamen to investigate the case later?" Du Feiyan stared intently, her heart beating wildly, marveling at the fair and handsome appearance of the talented man from the south of the Yangtze River, which was completely different from the heroic heroes of the frontier she had been familiar with since childhood.
Pei Wenfeng hummed again.
Du Feiyan racked her brains and asked again, "Yongzhou is deserted and peaceful. There shouldn't be anyone beating drums and complaining about grievances for the time being, right?"
"Once the government office opens, there will be official business." The servants and maids were far away. Pei Wenfeng personally held the pot and poured tea for himself, and then poured some for his cousin next to him.
Du Feiyan hoped that he would pour her a cup and waited with bated breath.
However, Pei Wenfeng did "take it easy", but not for her. The spout of the kettle turned and pointed towards Wei Xu's cup on the other side.
"I'd be so sorry to bother you pouring the tea." Wei Xu hurriedly took the teapot. "I'll do it."
Pei Wenfeng let go. In fact, apart from his cousin, he was too tired to pay attention to anyone else.
Jiang Yushu glanced at Du Feiyan from the corner of her eye and noticed her eyes dimmed. She understood. She and Wei Xu had originally planned to ask Pei Wenfeng about some official matters, but with outsiders present, they had to chat instead.
When the official came, the innkeepers treated him with great respect and hospitality, and quickly began to serve the dishes. Although there were no delicacies from land and sea, the table was filled with their signature dishes.
Childhood sweethearts, Pei Wenfeng was several years older than Miss Jiang. When they were studying in the capital, his cousin was a teenager, but his cousin was still a naive little girl. Whenever she was wronged, she would go to her cousin to cry and complain. Therefore, taking care of his cousin had long become a habit in his bones.
Pei Wenfeng picked up a piece of food for his cousin and said gently, "We've been busy all day and you must be hungry. Don't be restrained, everyone, eat quickly. After eating, I will take you to the officials' temporary residence. Don't stay in the inn."
Jiang Yushu thanked him and asked, "Is it a bother? If so, we can stay at the inn."
"It's not a big deal. You're officials appointed by the imperial court, and the local authorities should be responsible for receiving you. However, they've been neglecting their duties due to the current situation." Pei Wenfeng explained, "The craftsmen are currently repairing the rear yamen, and Magistrate Ji has instructed us to temporarily choose a private residence. There are plenty of guest rooms, and although they may be simple, they are safe and secure."
Wei Xu said happily, "Then I'll have to trouble Master Pei to arrange it."
The others started eating one after another.
Du Feiyan hesitated, her mind wanting to say goodbye, but her heart seemed possessed, extremely anxious, fearing that the separation would be forever. She decided again that she did not want to look back and regret it.
So, like a possessed person, she threw aside her shame, picked up her chopsticks, and fiddled with the food without any appetite, taking the opportunity to observe quietly, envy and thinking to herself:
He treated his relatives very well, pouring tea and serving food to his cousin without any airs of an official.
When they had been traveling together before, Du Feiyan had often taken the initiative to get close, even dining with them. They seemed to be quite familiar with each other, so Jiang Yushu and the others were not in a position to react. However, Pei Wenfeng was not used to it, and while he acted nonchalant on the surface, he secretly regarded these "outsiders" as "vulgar and unmannered."
After dinner, Cuimei and the servant went upstairs, returned to their room and quickly packed their luggage, then quickly went downstairs with the bag and put the things in the carriage.
Sunny and warm afternoon
Jiang Yushu got in the car, thought for a moment, and reminded, "Miss Du, you're shopping alone. Be careful and go back to your residence quickly to avoid worrying your brother."
"Well, I've had enough shopping today and will go back soon." Du Feiyan faced her, but her eyes glanced at Pei Wenfeng in front of her.
Jiang Yushu saw it, hesitated to speak, and finally said, "Then, let's say goodbye."
"If there's a chance someday, I'll invite Pei and you to go to the East City Restaurant. The roasted whole lamb there is the most authentic, and I think you'll like it." Du Feiyan watched Pei Wenfeng get into the car, feeling melancholy.
Jiang Yushu got into the car, opened the curtain and politely replied, "Really? I'd love to try it if I have the chance."
Then, the constables rode their horses to lead the way, and the carriage moved forward, leaving in a mighty manner.
Du Feiyan stood outside the inn, watching them for a long time, and finally let out a long sigh. Suddenly her heart was beating like a drum, suddenly she was depressed, suddenly she was laughing, suddenly she was sad, her face was hot, and she was full of worries. She slowly returned to her residence.
At the same time, Tuningwei
Guo Honglei had just come off the training ground, his uniform damp with sweat, his face stern. He had been busy training new recruits day and night, and he strode towards the commander's tent with big strides and asked familiarly, "General, what urgent matter do you have for me?"
The personal guard in charge of delivering the message was delighted and could hardly conceal his envy, and replied with a smile, "Happy event!"
Guo Honglei slowed down his pace and asked in surprise, "Happy event?"
"The general is familiar with the local county magistrate. The magistrate admires brave and skilled heroes and wants to marry his daughter to you."
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