Chapter 309 Sun Zhi (I)
Li Mo looked at her and said, "Madam, you shouldn't say this to me. The Chief Secretary needs to agree."
Yao Rong looked away. "Those who achieve great things don't dwell on trivial matters. The Chief Secretary is obsessed with romantic affairs all day long, which makes me doubt whether he can accomplish anything."
"What do you mean by dwelling on romantic interests all day long?" Li Mo asked in return. "The Chief Secretary kept Huan Lingxian because she was still useful. After all, she is the granddaughter of the Duke of Nanjun. Now is the time to recruit soldiers and trade, and with Huan Lingxian here, she can help him bribe the Huan family's old subordinates. Why is Huan Lingxian as useless as you say?"
"Is that so? Then how does Princess Lu of Yuzhang explain this? Back in Linhai, Wang Zhi attacked Lu at Wuxiang Temple, and you pretended to ignore it, but then the Grand Historian ordered you to protect Lu. Without Lu, Wang Huan and the others could have easily joined forces and taken Jingzhou. What do you think?"
Li Mo naturally agreed, but she would not tell Yao Rong.
"I still say the same thing, Madam, you should tell this to the Chief Secretary."
"That's why I came to see you today," Yao Rong said. "The Chief Secretary has changed his mind. You can deal with the Lu family."
Li Mo was quite surprised: "I thought he wasn't someone who would change his mind easily."
"The situation is stronger than people. The current situation does not allow for the selfishness of the Chief Secretary. However, it would be great if you could touch her."
"That's right." Li Mo said expressionlessly, "After all, I'm now her defeated opponent."
Yao Rong was surprised: "Sir, have you admitted defeat?"
Li Mo said calmly: "If I lose, I lose. There's no reason not to admit it."
"That's rare," Yao Rong smiled. "Then, sir, do you know how to deal with her?"
"I haven't figured out a solution yet." Li Mo said, "It seems like Madam has an idea?"
"Not mine, actually. Huan Lingxian said she met Wang Xuanji, Wang Han's niece, when she was in the capital. It's said the Empress Dowager had already arranged for this woman to marry Sima Jun."
"Yes, that's true." Li Mo said, "It was Lady Huan who asked me to arrange the meeting between the two."
"In that case, sir, do you know what the two of them said?"
"I have no interest in the discussions between women."
"That's the master's fault," Yao Rong shook her head. "Women can accomplish things, too. You almost missed a great opportunity by not paying attention."
"When?"
"Huan Lingxian told Wang Xuanji that the Lu family and Sima Jun have an illicit relationship, and that Wang Xuanji is deeply in love with Sima Jun and is determined to win him over. Sir, what do you think Wang Xuanji will do after hearing this news?"
Li Mo remained noncommittal: "How could a descendant of a prominent family believe such rumors?"
"That's because you don't understand women, sir." Yao Rong covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "Sir, don't underestimate a woman's jealousy; it's more deadly than a sword. This Wang Xuanji could clearly be a help to you, sir. It all depends on whether you're willing to put in the effort to cultivate her."
After she finished speaking, she stood up and said, "It's getting late, I should go now."
When they reached the door, she suddenly said, "Oh, I almost forgot. Did you find a job for someone named Sun Zhi earlier?"
Li Mo was stunned at first, then he remembered.
It was during the time in Ruoye Mountain when Sun Zhi visited him. He had almost forgotten about this incident.
"That's right," he said. "Did the lady see him?"
"Well, I was passing through Guangzhou a while ago to discuss a business deal. The people in Guangzhou said that Sun Zhi was honest at first, but then he went to Cangwu on business, and after returning, something seemed off. He didn't have any ambition to make progress, and only wanted to return to Jiankang. However, he lacked the money for the trip, so he couldn't leave for the time being. The people in Guangzhou didn't want to support an idler and were eager for him to leave. When they heard that I was going to Beijing, they asked me to bring him back and return him to you, sir."
"Oh? He returned to Jiankang?"
"He's back. For some reason, he brought a madman with him," Yao Rong said. "That madman wasn't even at peace on the boat. He'd jump into the river if he wasn't paying attention, and he was mumbling to himself, but I don't know what he was saying."
"What do you mean he doesn't know what to say? He has no tongue?"
"No, it's just that Sun Zhi has blocked his mouth, so he can't say anything. Sun Zhi said he thinks he's too noisy, but I think that madman probably knows something."
"Madam, do you know the identity of that madman?"
"I don't know. I asked, but Sun Zhi was vague, which made me think that lunatic was unusual." Yao Rong smiled. "Later, Sun Zhi probably couldn't stand it anymore, so when he passed through Yuzhou, he placed the lunatic in a village outside Yuzhou City. After that, I had some free time to chat with him, but he was cautious and didn't say anything. But I could tell he had a secret."
"What secret?" Li Mo asked.
"I don't know yet. After arriving in the capital, he sneaked away without saying goodbye. Fortunately, I was prepared and had someone follow him from a distance. He didn't return to the Sun Mansion after that, but stayed at the Tongfu Inn in the West Market. Then, he bribed a waiter to send a visiting card to the Yuzhang Prince's Mansion, acting very mysteriously. I wonder if he knew my master's secret and was planning to sell it to the Yuzhang Prince's Mansion?"
Li Mo couldn't help but frown: "When did that happen?"
"Soon, this morning."
Li Mo's face changed.
"Look how scared you are, sir," Yao Rong covered her mouth and chuckled. "Don't be afraid, sir. If that Sun Zhi dares to do something bad, I have a trick up my sleeve. That madman is in my hands now. Do you want him?"
——
Sima Jun was sitting in the waterside pavilion of Tang Garden. Through the gauze curtain, he saw Yin Wen leading Sun Zhi over.
The matter at hand came to an end, and Sima Jun promised Sun Wei that he would concentrate on recuperating and he was not joking.
He had handed over most of the matters to Deng Lian, who did everything himself and only asked for his opinion when he was undecided.
After a few days of leisure, Deng Lian handed over a visiting card.
Sima Jun was stunned when he saw the words "Sun Zhi" on the visiting card.
Deng Lian said, "Young Master Sun said he discovered a secret about the princess and wanted to tell the prince in person."
Sima Jun was puzzled and asked, "Did he say anything else?"
"I never said that."
Sima Jun was unaware of the connection between Sun Wei and Sun Zhi, which led to Sun Wei targeting Sun Zhi in every way. However, Sima Jun intuitively believed in Sun Wei, and Sun Zhi should not be underestimated.
Of course I have to meet this person.
While he was thinking, Sun Zhi had already arrived outside the door, and Yin Wen came in to convey the message.
"Has Sun Qiao informed him?" Sima Jun asked.
Deng Lian replied, "I understand. I sent someone to tell Master Sun that a distinguished guest has arrived at Tang Garden today, so he doesn't need to come."
"Where's Lu Xian?"
"In the Bird Garden. My lady has been so engrossed in bird-watching lately that she won't be coming to the waterside pavilion."
Sima Juan frowned: "Hasn't she been clamoring to leave recently?"
Speaking of which, Deng Lian was also a little bit unbelievable.
He said, "I have asked Steward Feng again and again, and Steward Feng said that the lady is very happy in Tang Garden and has never asked about her leaving."
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