“I have been punished by His Majesty to guard the city gate here. I also know about the matter of you sending grain to the Northwest. Thank you for your help.”
"Didn't we already say we won't say thank you? Besides, I'm the one who's dragging you down."
It's simply not right for a dignified and powerful general to be guarding the city gate here.
"How can it be considered a burden? I did it all willingly."
By this time, all the people who had been waiting in line at the city gate for inspection had already entered the city, and Fang Zhu no longer had time to continue talking to Fang Qing.
Are you coming to stay at Zhao Shi'an's place?
That should be the case.
"Let's go into the city first. I'll come find you when I have time."
Fang Qing said goodbye to Fang Zhu and then went into the city.
Zhao Shi'an's residence was far from the palace gate, but close to the city gate. After entering the city, the carriage turned into an alley and stopped after passing a few houses.
This was a small house, and Seventeen led Fang Qing inside.
"This is where the master lives. The master has instructed that you will live in the main room from now on."
Zhao Shi'an gave her the big house.
Seventeen helped her move her things down.
As for the guards brought by Fang Qing, they could only stay at post stations or inns.
Fang Qing had been traveling by carriage for two days and now wanted to lie down and rest for a while. She fell asleep soon after lying down in the house.
I don't know how long I slept, but I was woken up by the sound of people talking outside while I was half asleep.
After getting up and tidying up, I noticed that it was getting quite dark outside.
Once I stepped into the outer room, I could hear the voices outside more clearly.
It was Zhao Shi'an and Fang Dashu.
Fang Qing had previously written to Zhao Shi'an to ask about Fang Dashu, so she knew that Fang Dashu lived next door to Zhao Shi'an.
"With the testimony of the magistrate of Yan County, Qin Zhiyu's crime is now irrefutable. In addition, with the punishment of the Third Prince and the Imperial Concubine, the situation in the court has changed drastically. No one can protect Qin Zhiyu. It is said that Qin Zhiyu requested to see Gao Wancheng, but Gao Wancheng has ignored him."
The Third Prince has been expelled from the palace by the Emperor, who is currently furious. The Crown Prince has been handling state affairs lately, and people in the court believe that Gao Wancheng is only concerned with avoiding trouble by not getting involved with the Qin family's affairs.
But Zhao Shi'an knew that Gao Wancheng was busy with other things.
"Everyone's been saying lately that the Emperor's illness is related to the Third Prince. I wonder if this is true?"
Fang Dashu looked at Zhao Shi'an.
The two of them were sitting in wicker chairs in the small courtyard.
"Why are you asking me? Do you think I know the answer?"
Fang Dashu chuckled.
"You don't know? There are rumors going around that the reason the Crown Prince is so popular with the Emperor is because of you."
Zhao Shi'an said casually, "You actually believe that kind of thing?"
"Why wouldn't I believe you? I've even heard that the legislative matter His Highness the Crown Prince is currently busy with was your idea."
Zhao Shi'an did not deny it, and Fang Dashu glanced at him again.
"Could it really be you? You actually have such a kind heart?"
It wasn't that he was prejudiced against Zhao Shi'an; it was that after spending time with Zhao Shi'an, he personally experienced Zhao Shi'an's indifference.
In his mind, someone like Zhao Shi'an was incapable of doing such good deeds for the people.
Zhao Shi'an chuckled, and just as he was about to say something, he caught a glimpse of Fang Qing coming out of the house out of the corner of his eye.
"woke up?"
He suddenly looked gently at the person behind him and spoke. Fang Dashu turned around and saw Fang Qing.
Fang Qing greeted Fang Dashu first.
They've known each other since childhood, and even though they haven't seen each other for so long, they became familiar with each other again after just a few words.
While she was talking to Fang Dashu, Zhao Shi'an gave her the rattan chair, then sat on the small stool next to her and listened quietly to her.
In the end, Fang Dashu got hungry and suggested they go out to eat.
All three of them were afraid of trouble, so they ate dinner at a nearby restaurant.
If Zhao Shi'an hadn't suggested going home, Fang Dashu probably would have kept talking to Fang Qing for who knows how long.
The two families lived next door to each other. Fang Dashu went home first, and Zhao Shi'an and Fang Qing then headed home.
"Brother Big Tree is getting more and more talkative."
You never have to worry about awkward silences when chatting with him; there's always so much to talk about.
"The more you say, the more mistakes you make. This is a major taboo in officialdom. He'll learn his lesson after a couple of lessons."
Fang Qing thought about the ending that originally belonged to Fang Dashu.
Fang Dashu is still doing well.
"Brother, how are you? Is there anything going wrong in your official career?"
She had overheard Fang Dashu and Zhao Shi'an's conversation in the courtyard.
But she couldn't help but worry.
"What could possibly be wrong with a lowly compiler in the Hanlin Academy like me? Don't listen to their nonsense. I'm not even qualified to go to the imperial court, so how could I possibly be involved in those kinds of things?"
Other minor officials like Zhao Shi'an have no access to matters of the court, but Zhao Shi'an can; in his previous life, he was such a powerful figure.
Fang Qing didn't say anything.
Just be careful in everything.
They had already reached the door while they were talking.
As Fang Qing stepped over the threshold, Zhao Shi'an reached out to help her, then naturally took her hand.
Fang Qing paused for a moment, then followed Zhao Shi'an into the house.
Neither of them spoke, but their hands, clasped together beneath their sleeves, tightened.
Fang Qing felt she had a lot to say to Zhao Shi'an, but as soon as she entered the house, Seventeen came over and told Zhao Shi'an that they had guests.
"who?"
"The mighty general".
Zhao Shi'an raised his eyebrows, then looked at Fang Qing.
Fang Zhu hadn't visited him during all the time he'd been in the capital, but she came as soon as Fang Qing arrived.
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