Chapter 056 It is also possible that... it is beyond one's control

The tense atmosphere dissipated, Chu Li changed his temperament, and Ji Lingchuan no longer had to run away. He sat down comfortably and toasted with Lord Qian.

Qian Qitai stood up and poured wine for them: "The Prime Minister and General Ji have come all the way to Lucheng, which is a blessing for the people of Lucheng. The rainy season will come in a month or so. I have to tell you that I am very worried about this."

He sighed and said, "I have the will but not the ability. At most I can only donate some valuables, which won't be of much use."

He An: "Master Qian is indeed a loyal minister of Dongzhao State. I have heard about Master Qian's generous fundraising. I will report it to the emperor when I return to Beijing."

Qian Qitai waved his hands when he heard this: "No, no, Prime Minister, you must not do that. I have been cared for by the Emperor for half my life, and I should do my best for the Kingdom of Dongzhao. Moreover, Lucheng is my hometown. How can I stand idly by when my hometown is in trouble?"

Ji Lingchuan joked: "Master Qian has resigned for so long, how come he is still so smooth, like an old loach that has become smart."

After saying this, Qian Qitai became a little embarrassed, Chu Li couldn't help laughing, and his cousin Feng Yi whispered to remind him: "Li'er, don't be rude."

Chu Li nodded obediently.

He An shook his head: "He is just a rough soldier in the army. Sir Qian, please ignore him."

Qian Qitai was magnanimous: "It's just a joke, it's nothing serious."

Qian Qitai appeared calm on the surface, but he had actually begun to worry in his heart. In recent years, the dikes in the disaster-stricken areas of Lucheng had mostly been repaired by the Second Prince's cronies, including some officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works.

Although he was not familiar with the drawings from the Ministry of Works, he knew a thing or two about construction materials. It was obvious why dams kept failing.

He had known that the court would investigate, but he had not expected that the person who came would be He'an, the youngest prime minister in the history of Dongzhao State. Despite his young age, he was swift and decisive in his actions. It was said that since he came to power, several officials above the third rank had been killed by him.

Qian Qiqin was also helpless. Once they arrived in Lucheng, he, the former Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, had to show up, otherwise, he was afraid of arousing suspicion.

Soon, the servant brought a pot of wine, which Qian Qitai had specially prepared for the Prime Minister's wife. "I saw that Madam He didn't drink much, so I guess she doesn't like strong liquor. This is the famous apricot blossom wine from Lucheng. It's slightly sweet and smooth in the mouth. Madam He, please try it."

Ruan Qinghuan picked up the wine cup with both hands and took the wine from Mr. Qian: "Thank you for your help, Mr. Qian."

She doesn't drink, not because alcohol is strong, but because she has to take care of her children when she goes home.

At the banquet, the top leaders Chu Li and Feng Yi were very casual. Chu Li picked up food for Feng Yi from time to time, and Feng Yi did not stop her, but just smiled indulgently.

This harmonious and warm scene seemed a bit glaring to Ji Lingchuan. Even though they were cousins, wasn't it a bit too much? Didn't they know how to avoid suspicion?

After chatting for a while, He An suddenly changed the topic: "I heard that the Qian and Wu families are going to get married. Is this true?"

Mr. Qian's expression froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered: "We are still negotiating, and we haven't made the final decision yet."

Ruan Qinghuan observed Lord Qian. Although his expression remained calm, he could still see a hint of displeasure on his face. It was obvious that he did not want to talk about this topic.

Is it because he doesn't want to mention the relationship between the Qian and Wu families, or is it because he simply doesn't want to talk to He Anti?

"Who said I'm going to marry into the Wu family? I'm not going to." Qian Yunxi ran out at some point and happened to hear them talking about their marriage. Her heart was full of joy and expectation, but when she saw He'an's indifference, she suddenly felt endless loss and her words became a little excited.

Qian Qitai was a little angry, but he couldn't lose his temper because there were outsiders present.

Qian Yunxi thought that she might never see him again in this life. When she learned that the person coming to Lucheng this time was He An, she was so excited that she couldn't sleep all night.

Now I finally see it, but...

He'an was still the same as before, his eyes were calm without a trace of emotion.

Lord Qian was so angry that his face turned red. Just as he was about to scold her, he heard Madam He speak first: "There are no outsiders here today. Miss Qian is here, so please sit down with us."

Qian Yunxi bit her lip and hesitated, but still walked forward and sat next to her father.

They maintained their dignity at the table, but each had their own concerns. Perhaps when Qian Qitai resigned, he did not expect that even if he left the capital, he still could not escape the control of the Second Prince.

After returning to the villa from Qian's house, the little boy was playing in the yard. When he saw Ruan Qinghuan coming back, he stretched out his two little arms and rushed towards her. Ruan Qinghuan picked him up and held him high in her arms: "Baby, did you miss me?"

The little guy obediently put his face against hers and said in a baby voice, "Yes."

Xia Lian said distressedly, "After the young lady left, the little guy cried for a long time. It took a while to coax him down. His pitiful look was really heartbreaking."

Ruan Qinghuan knew that the child was shy and would always feel insecure in a completely unfamiliar environment without any relatives.

As soon as He'an and Ji Lingchuan came back, they went into the main hall. Chu Li and Feng Yi stayed in the yard to accompany Ruan Qinghuan. It was not until the door of the main hall was closed that Chu Li squatted down like a deflated ball, his face full of disappointment.

Feng Yi was older and had been doing business for many years. He could see the intention of his cousin's actions today and advised, "Li'er, this kind of thing cannot be forced."

Chu Li couldn't bear to hear this. His nose felt a little sour and he looked at Ruan Qinghuan for help.

Ruan Qinghuan glanced towards the room and said, "I think Ji Lingchuan has been paying more attention to you today than usual. Didn't you notice it?"

Chu Li said gloomily, "He must have thought that I gave up, and he was secretly happy."

Feng Yi also felt sorry for his cousin: "If you don't want to give up, I still have to stay for a few days, so I will help you again."

"Can you do it?" Chu Li had no confidence. There was a man beside her, but Ji Lingchuan didn't even ask a single question.

Inside the main hall, Ji Lingchuan told He An all the news reported by the spies: "The resettlement of people on Wangyue Mountain has already begun. The people of Lucheng have spontaneously built a number of simple houses. I have transferred some tents from the army to specifically accommodate the elderly, the weak, and the women."

He An nodded and said, "Put aside all other matters for now and evacuate the people downstream first. Also, order County Magistrate Bao to arrange for officials to be responsible for the order and safety of Wangyue Mountain."

Ji Lingchuan said "hmm": "Do you think there is something wrong with Mr. Qian?"

"It's hard to say. Although he has retired and returned to his hometown, the Second Prince has set his sights on Lucheng. I'm afraid he will not be able to stay out of it."

Ji Lingchuan thought the same as him: "Qian Qitai actually wants to marry his daughter to Wu Quan. This is beyond my expectation."

He'an raised his eyes and waited for Ji Lingchuan to continue.

Ji Lingchuan had already figured out everything about Lu Cheng: "The Wu family is known as a family of good deeds, but there are so many dirty things inside. Wu Quan is better, he is just greedy for money, but Wu Cheng is simply a pervert. I heard that he secretly robbed his brother's wife, and in the end the woman hanged herself."

He shrugged his shoulders and said, "That is to say, there is no mistress in the main house of the Wu family. This is also the reason why Wu Quan wanted to marry Miss Qian. But I never expected that Master Qian would agree to let his daughter marry as a successor."

"This is not surprising. If we carefully investigate the transportation and purchasing channels for building dams, we may find the answer."

Ji Lingchuan frowned: "Do you suspect that Lord Qian and the Wu family are secretly colluding?"

"It may not be the Wu family, nor may it be collusion. It may also be... that they are forced to do so."