Chapter 96 I Miss Jiang Ling
"Peace," Qin Zhao tried one last time.
"That shop's opening is entirely dependent on chance. My brother has sent people there many times, but they've never found it open. Even if I take you there, it's very likely we'll make a wasted trip. The journey is bumpy, so why bother?"
"I'm not afraid of making a wasted trip!" Princess Taiping immediately exclaimed.
"I'll go as long as there's even the slightest hope! I'd be willing to make ten trips for nothing! Brother Crown Prince, please say yes!"
She really didn't want to see their smug faces anymore!
As she spoke, she began shaking Qin Zhao's arm violently again, as if she wouldn't give up until he agreed.
Qin Zhao was so bothered by her that he couldn't even handle his official duties.
Looking into his sister's big, longing, and stubborn eyes, he knew that she would never leave if he didn't agree today.
And perhaps... it would be good to take her along to try her luck?
Princess Chaoyang and Pei Xiaoxiao met on their first visit; perhaps girls are more likely to have good luck?
"Fine, fine," Qin Zhao finally relented, letting out a long sigh.
"Go back first, let your brother arrange a time. In a couple of days, if official business is a little easier, I'll call Cheng Fang, and we'll take you there together. But let's make it clear beforehand, if the door isn't open, you're not allowed to cry or make a fuss!"
"Really?!" Princess Taiping instantly burst into laughter through her tears, her eyes shining with astonishing brightness.
"Thank you, Crown Prince! You're the best! I promise I won't cry or make a fuss!"
She was so happy she almost jumped for joy, and fearing Qin Zhao might change his mind, she quickly said, "Then it's settled! I'll go back and wait for news! Brother Crown Prince, please make the arrangements quickly! Otherwise, I'll bother you again!"
After saying that, she skipped away like a happy little bird, completely forgetting her previous pitiful and aggrieved look.
Watching his younger sister's cheerful figure disappear into the distance, Qin Zhao shook his head helplessly and instructed Jiang Yi, who was standing at the door:
"Go and send a letter to the Cheng family, saying that I will be free in a couple of days and would like to invite them to go out of the city together to take care of some business."
He paused, then lowered his voice, "Let him... be prepared in advance."
Jiang Yi hesitated for a moment, "But Your Highness, the Mid-Autumn Festival is in two days, and the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is waiting for Your Highness."
Mid-Autumn Festival banquet?
Qin Zhao was startled.
I've been so busy lately that I completely forgot about the Mid-Autumn Festival.
I wonder if Miss Jiang will be open on the Mid-Autumn Festival?
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The capital city.
A side courtyard of the Zhao family mansion.
The afternoon sun shone through the sparse branches and leaves. Zhao Jingxing was wiping his sword in the courtyard when he suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from outside the door.
"Zhao Jingxing! Zhao Jingxing! Come out quickly, I've brought you something good!"
Looking up, he saw the butler leading Cheng Fang toward his courtyard.
Cheng Fang, dressed in a brocade blue casual suit and carrying a red plastic bag, stepped into the courtyard with a grin.
Zhao Jingxing was somewhat surprised. "Cheng Fang? What brings you here?"
"Of course I came to see you. I also brought you some things." Cheng Fang put the bag on the stone table and sat down without any hesitation.
Seeing this, the butler wisely withdrew.
Zhao Jingxing's gaze fell on the bag. He was very familiar with the contents inside; they were snacks from Jixiang Grocery Store.
He had heard that Cheng Fang's sister had taken several noble ladies to the general store a few days ago, and that Cheng Fang was there to pick them up. Sure enough, he also saw Jiang Ling.
"It's kind of you to still remember me and share some of the good food with me." Zhao Jingxing smiled slightly and, without being polite, reached out and opened the bag.
Before him came the familiar packaging, containing some of the food he had eaten before, and some he had never seen before.
Cheng Fang looked a little embarrassed. "Cough, you're overthinking it. The things I bought aren't enough for our family. Jiang Ling specifically asked me to bring these to you. Luckily, I hid them, otherwise my greedy younger siblings would have eaten them all long ago."
Zhao Jing paused. Jiang Ling's always calm face, occasionally tinged with a smile, seemed to reappear before his eyes.
"Thank you for your trouble. And thank you for your concern, Miss Jiang." His tone was calm, but a subtle gentleness still shone through.
"Miss Jiang specifically asked about you, asking how you are doing since returning to the capital."
Zhao Jingxing sighed softly, "It really has been too long."
It wasn't that he didn't want to go, but there were just too many people following him.
The two had grown up in the same circle of powerful and wealthy people in the capital, but due to their different statuses—one being the beloved legitimate son of a marquis and the other an unpopular illegitimate son—they had never been close friends in the past.
It wasn't until that year, when they escorted military supplies together, walking side by side through the wind and sand of the border and the dangers along the way, that they truly became familiar with each other and developed a life-or-death bond.
The two were fundamentally incompatible; Cheng Fang was impulsive and unrestrained, while Zhao Jingxing was steady and reliable. However, Zhao Jingxing held a higher official rank and constantly exerted control over him.
Because their work styles clashed, the two argued frequently.
It wasn't until that time, when a group of thieves robbed the grain in the middle of the night while they were escorting military supplies, that Zhao Jingxing risked his life to save Cheng Fang, taking a knife for him. Only then did the two reconcile and become close friends.
After chatting for a while, Cheng Fang brought up the main reason he had come to see him.
"Have you been busy with that missing girl case that's causing such panic lately? I heard His Majesty has asked you to assist the Prefect of the Capital in the investigation?"
"Hmm." Zhao Jingxing's expression turned somewhat serious.
"This case is quite difficult. Seven people have gone missing, all of whom disappeared at night without a trace, leaving almost no clues at the scene. The Prefect of the Capital is under immense pressure."
"Don't hesitate to ask if you need my help. This capital city isn't that big, but it's not that small either, and I know quite a few people. It'll be easier to get information that way."
"Thank you very much for your generous assistance, Prince Cheng."
Zhao Jingxing pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "There is a lead we're currently verifying. An eyewitness saw one of the suspects in Ping'an County. If the information is accurate, I'll go there myself tomorrow."
Is the news reliable?
"It's pretty much a done deal. We've been searching in the capital for several days without any concrete leads, so it's likely that the suspect has already received word and escaped from the capital."
"But tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and your family..." Cheng Fang stopped mid-sentence, remembering Zhao Jingxing's situation at home.
Zhao Jingxing's face remained expressionless as he simply said, "It's alright. Whether I'm here or not, it's all the same in this family. The reunion dinner... it won't make a difference if I'm not there."
His tone was calm and even, but it made Cheng feel very uncomfortable.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, while other families were enjoying reunions, he preferred to travel to other places to investigate cases.
He patted Zhao Jingxing on the shoulder and said, "I wish you success on this trip and that you solve the case soon."
For Zhao Jingxing, the best way out of his current situation was to strive for merit and be promoted a few ranks.
Zhao Jingxing stared at the bag of snacks on the table, his gaze seemingly drifting away, and his voice softened and deepened:
"In comparison... I do miss Miss Jiang Ling a bit. I wonder if I'll have the chance to see her again tomorrow, the Mid-Autumn Festival."
If I could spend time with her in that bright and peculiar general store, even just quietly drinking a cup of tea, it would feel more like a real Mid-Autumn Festival than facing those hypocritical formalities and undercurrents of competition in this cold mansion in the capital.
Once this thought arises, it quietly entwines the heart like a vine.
Zhao Jingxing thought that spending the Mid-Autumn Festival with Jiang Ling would be a good choice.
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