Chapter 190 Where is there any place for them, mother and son, to stand?
At this moment, the disciple sent by the clan chief to inquire quickly returned to report, dejectedly:
"Chieftain, elders, those distinguished guests are no longer at the tofu pudding stall. We haven't seen what the girl looks like; there are too many people, and we can't find her."
The clan chief was so excited that his beard trembled. He suddenly looked at Lu Heng.
"Such a highly skilled person, how could you just let her go?! Why didn't you try your best to keep her? Even if you couldn't keep her, you should have at least asked for her name and address so that we could come and seek her guidance!"
The other elders also realized what was happening, feeling both annoyed and anxious, and all their eyes were fixed on Lu Heng.
"Lu Heng, oh Lu Heng! You really are... you're really senile!"
"This is an opportunity for my Lu family's skills to advance further! Such a tremendous opportunity, and you just let it slip away!"
Lu Heng, an old man over sixty, was scolded but dared not retaliate.
"I...I was stunned at the time. That girl had an extraordinary air about her, and her companions were all from wealthy and noble families. I...I didn't dare to be presumptuous...I just wanted to take back the Twenty-Four Pillars immediately...I didn't consider anything else..."
Upon receiving the twenty-four pillars of the Luban lock, he was completely stunned and only wanted to rush back to report; he couldn't care less about anything else.
The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
The hall was immediately filled with an atmosphere of frustration and regret.
The clan chief stroked the twenty-four-pillar Luban lock, his eyes filled with mixed emotions, including the joy of obtaining a treasure and the deep regret of missing out on a good teacher.
Finally, he gave a deep order, "Search! Use all available connections to search the capital thoroughly! Pay attention to any young women who have recently appeared and are skilled in mechanical arts! Such a talented person could not possibly be unknown!"
His gaze was fixed intently on the Luban lock: "This lock is the key to the Lu family's further advancement! And we must find the person who forged this key!"
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When we came out of the bustling temple fair, the sun was already setting.
After playing all day, everyone was quite hungry.
This is the time of year when crabs are at their fattest and most delicious.
The group then went to a famous drunken crab restaurant in Beijing.
The restaurant waiter clearly recognized Cheng Jiaojiao and Zhao Jingxing, and respectfully led them to a private room by the window on the second floor.
Outside the window is the shimmering lake, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, creating a breathtaking scene.
It's a pity that the guard just reported that Cheng Fang was summoned to the palace, otherwise he could have eaten crabs with them.
Before long, the waiter brought out several steaming hot steamers. As soon as the lid was lifted, a rich and fresh aroma instantly filled the entire private room.
Large, plump crabs, their color a vibrant orange-red, lay quietly in the steamer basket, their shells glistening with oil, looking incredibly tempting.
"Wow! It smells so good!" Xiao Yi couldn't help but sniff, looking on longingly.
The waiter skillfully served a matching dish of ginger and vinegar, small crab-eating tools, and warm water infused with chrysanthemum petals for washing hands.
Cheng Jiaojiao was a seasoned crab eater. She picked up a crab first, skillfully cracked open the shell, and the golden crab roe was instantly revealed. She dipped it in ginger vinegar, put it in her mouth, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
"Wow! So fresh! The crabs are even fatter this year than last year! Sister Jiang, you should try some!"
Jiang Ling also picked one up, helped Xiao Yi break open the crab shell, removed the crab heart and gills, picked out the crab roe, and put it in Xiao Yi's bowl:
"Be careful, it's hot. Eat slowly."
"Thank you, sister!" Xiaoyi said sweetly, and couldn't wait to enjoy it.
Xiao Ran imitated Jiang Ling, slowly breaking open the crab. Although her movements were a little clumsy, she ate it with great relish.
Zhao Jingxing picked up a set of tools from his side with elegant and skillful movements.
He gently placed a disassembled crab shell, piled high with crab meat, next to Jiang Ling:
"Miss Jiang, please have some."
Jiang Ling calmly expressed her gratitude.
Savoring the rich, creamy flavor of the crabapple, its exquisite sweetness melts in your mouth. Paired with a touch of spicy ginger vinegar, it's truly an unparalleled pleasure. I can't help but nod in approval:
"It truly lives up to its reputation."
Seeing that Jiang Ling liked it, Zhao Jingxing's smile deepened.
As dusk settles outside the window and the city lights begin to illuminate the lake, the scene is quite picturesque.
The capital city was bathed in the glow of strings of candles at night.
Zhao Jingxing escorted Jiang Ling and Cheng Jiaojiao home, and then returned to the Zhao residence himself.
In the main courtyard, Madam Zhan and Zhao Wuzhou listened to the steward's report that the eldest son had returned.
After hearing this, Zhao Wuzhou waved his hand, signaling him to step back.
I put down the book I was reading, rubbed my eyes, and prepared to go to bed.
As Zhan helped Zhao Wuzhou undress, her sinister eyes blended into the darkness.
She took Zhao Wuzhou's coat in her hand, but instead of hanging it up immediately, she carefully considered her words:
"Master, I heard that Jingxing spent the whole day out with the two young ladies. Isn't he in charge of the disaster relief efforts? How could he leave his post without permission?"
Zhao Wuzhou paused, glanced at her, and said in a slightly somber tone, "You sent someone to follow him again?"
Madam Zhan quickly explained, "It's a misunderstanding, sir! When did I send anyone to follow him? Jingxing spent the whole day sightseeing in the capital with two young ladies, visiting temple fairs and eating crabs. Many people saw it. Several shopkeepers who know us well are afraid things will escalate, so they privately asked me to give him a heads-up and prevent Jingxing from doing anything that would tarnish the family's reputation. But last time, sir, you told me not to interfere in Jingxing's affairs. I'm in a dilemma, so I came to ask you for your advice."
Zhao Wuzhou looked her over again before speaking:
"Why should a woman concern herself with so much! Jingxing is carrying out His Highness the Crown Prince's secret mission. Jingxing holds an official position, so everything he does naturally has its reasons."
Although he didn't know why the Crown Prince's secret mission was to play with a girl, since His Highness had given such an order, as a subject, he could only obey.
Because it was a secret mission, he didn't ask too many questions.
Madam Zhan's eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly as she pressed on, "...Since this is His Highness the Crown Prince's mission, then, sir, what should I say if anyone asks again?"
"Go back? There's no need for others to know about this! Keep your managers in check, don't talk nonsense, and don't pry into this!"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhan's eyes turned as cold as a thousand-year-old ice.
Since Zhao Jingxing returned from escorting military supplies last time, His Highness the Crown Prince has increasingly valued him, even assigning him secret missions.
Zhao Jingxing is currently in charge of the disaster relief efforts, and once those matters are resolved next spring, he will undoubtedly receive another reward.
Now, seeing that the master's attitude towards him is getting better day by day, he even waited for him to return home before going to bed tonight.
A year ago, Zhao Jingxing didn't receive this kind of treatment.
Now, the master only has eyes for Zhao Jingxing and is increasingly neglecting her legitimate son, Zhao Jingtao.
He was increasingly distrustful of his wife.
If this continues, where will the mother and son find a place to stand in the Zhao family mansion?
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