After receiving Shen Shi's orders, Gu Yuanbai also received portraits of the Qiang Kingdom's envoys.
The fifth prince, with his broad shoulders and thick waist, stood out even among the tall and strong Qiang people.
The seventh prince was a surprise to him; he appeared to be a refined and cultured scholar.
Apart from eye color, they are no different from people from the Central Plains.
After carefully memorizing the facial features of all the envoys, Gu Yuanbai wandered around the capital.
Looking at the prosperous and peaceful imperial city, he suddenly had a premonition that a storm was brewing.
Was it really just a matter of the Fifth Prince assigning him tasks?
But if he had ulterior motives, he was just a guard with neither money nor power.
What could the prince possibly have to covet?
Just then, someone tapped him on the shoulder: "Excuse me, how do I get to Qingfeng Inn?"
The person asking for directions asked in broken Chinese.
This man was broad-shouldered and burly; he was clearly not Han Chinese, Gu Yuanbai thought to himself.
"Go straight and then turn right. It's under the second willow tree by the river."
"Thank you." The person who asked for directions gave him a few copper coins.
Originally, it was just a chance encounter, but as Gu Yuanbai watched this person's departing figure, a strange intuition arose in his heart.
What did we miss? Apart from his rugged appearance, there was nothing particularly special about the person we just met.
No! With his rugged appearance, isn't he the envoy from the Qiang Kingdom in the portrait?
Gu Yuanbai immediately followed, and the envoy turned around quickly upon hearing his hurried footsteps.
Amidst Gu Yuanbai's pounding heartbeat, the Qiang envoy asked in a friendly manner, "Are you also going to Qingfeng Inn?"
"Yes, I live there too. It's on my way, so I'll take you there!" Gu Yuanbai said, making up a lie without batting an eye.
"That would be wonderful! I'll treat you to drinks when we get there," the Qiang envoy said warmly, embracing Gu Yuanbai like a little chick.
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, the men hiding in the alley exclaimed happily, "Now we can relax! We don't have to bother!"
"Haha, let's go for a drink!"
"Let's go! I've heard that the wines in the Central Plains are exceptional. Brothers, let's feast to our hearts' content today!"
Without exception, all the people speaking used broken Chinese.
On the way, Gu Yuanbai had already exchanged names with this man. The rugged-looking man said his name was Batum.
Since this Batum was just a minor follower, his name was not in the information Gu Yuan had taken for free.
So he didn't know if "Batum" was his real name.
"Judging from your appearance, you must be from out of town, buddy?" the two chatted over drinks.
The outgoing Batum has already become buddies with Gu Yuanbai.
He slammed his hand on the table and said, "Of course! I'm here to do something big!"
The noise was so loud that people at other tables turned to look.
However, Gu Yuanbai, feeling he had caught a big fish, didn't care about any of that.
"What's the big deal?" Gu Yuanbai asked quickly, taking advantage of Batum's momentary lapse in attention.
Noticing the gazes of everyone, Batum realized he had misspoke and stammered incoherently to Gu Yuanbai, "N-nothing...nothing..."
Seeing that he didn't want to talk about it, Gu Yuanbai didn't press him.
Now that there's a breakthrough, given Batum's personality, getting him to talk shouldn't be a problem.
"Let's drink until we're both drunk!" Gu Yuanbai raised his glass to Batum and said, "I'll drink mine, you can drink as you like!"
"Brother, you're a straightforward man!" Batum said, and then downed his drink in one gulp.
"Hahaha..." The two's cheerful laughter echoed throughout the entire Qingfeng Inn.
After leaving the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence, Shen Shi changed his route and went to the Prime Minister's residence.
Since Shen Shi's ruthless refusal of Prime Minister Lin's request to take Gu Yuanbai away, he has not set foot in the Prime Minister's residence again.
Shen Shi's visit this time was not only to see Lin Yu'er, but also to apologize.
After all, Prime Minister Lin was not only his future father-in-law, but also a good official who served the country and its people.
Shen Shi brought gifts to the Prime Minister's residence, but did not summon Prime Minister Lin.
It's understandable that Prime Minister Lin was angry.
"Your Highness, the Prime Minister has recently caught a heatstroke and is unable to come to greet us. Please forgive him!" The eldest brother of the Lin family explained as he arrived at the main hall to greet the guests.
It's the height of summer now, and without air conditioning, people can only endure the heat, so it's perfectly normal to catch heatstroke.
If it weren't for Empress Wang's ice, Chen Shi, who always feared the summer heat, might not have escaped this fate either.
When did this happen? Are you feeling better?
Even though it wasn't a serious illness, Prime Minister Lin didn't look very healthy, and Shen Shi still couldn't help but get excited.
"It happened the day before yesterday. The doctor prescribed medicine, but my father is getting old and hasn't recovered yet," Brother Lin reported carefully.
Upon hearing this, he realized it was indeed the case. "I would like to trouble Brother Lin to lead the way, as I wish to visit my uncle," Shen Shi said with a sigh.
Thinking that summer heat was not a contagious disease, Brother Lin readily agreed and led Shen Shi to Prime Minister Lin's room.
Looking at Prime Minister Lin, who was half-lying on the bed, Shen Shi thought of that loyal minister in his previous life who, despite disliking him, was still willing to speak up for Shen Yu.
If we're talking about people worthy of respect in this world, Shen Shi thinks that Prime Minister Lin is a typical example of this era.
Loyal to the emperor and patriotic, unyielding to the death – these eight words encapsulated his life.
"Uncle, how are you feeling?" Shen Shi pressed down on Prime Minister Lin's shoulder as he stood up and asked with concern.
"Thank you for your concern, Fifth Prince. I'm getting old and useless; even a minor illness requires me to stay in bed for several days!" Prime Minister Lin sighed.
Upon hearing Prime Minister Lin's words, Shen Shi shook his head in disapproval, "Uncle is in his prime. In my opinion, he can still serve the country and the people for several more decades!"
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