Chapter 146 Commission
The largest local administrative unit in the Great Xiao Dynasty was the state, which was further divided into counties and townships. However, each state had developed and underdeveloped areas, so generally speaking, the richest and most prosperous county was the center of the state. Although it was officially a county, it was rarely called that by historical custom.
For example, Nanhua City now.
Originally, it was the center of Dingzhou. Now, as the new capital, it is a separate city and is not under the jurisdiction of Dingzhou. Instead, the political power radiates outwards from Nanhua.
The other counties are counties in the general sense.
The place where Fu Mingyi and his group stopped was called Xi County, a decent county town with nothing particularly special about it. It wasn't famous in Dingzhou, let alone in the whole of Nanxiao.
Xiao Qing couldn't understand why Fu Mingyi had chosen this place as the first stop.
Although there were only the two of them when they got off the car, Xiao Qing didn't believe for a second that there really were only the two of them.
Fu Mingyi led her into a teahouse. The teahouse was small and didn't have a proper name or signboard; it was as ordinary as could be.
Xiao Qing felt that it seemed somewhat familiar.
I feel like I've seen this style of teahouse somewhere before.
Are you in Nanhua?
The innkeeper was lazily sleeping behind the counter, his snoring so loudly it could be heard at the door. There were no waiters to serve them; they went upstairs on their own, casually entered a private tea room, and then closed the door.
A tea room with its door open is always empty.
"From now on, shall we address each other as brothers?"
Xiao Qing was still pondering the strangeness of the teahouse, so she nodded unconsciously.
Things are naturally different when you're away from home.
"You don't have a given name yet. Would you like to choose one?"
Xiao Qing finally realized why it felt familiar.
Wasn't it in a teahouse like this when Li Qinghe relayed Fu Mingyi's message?
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Just as she had a sudden inspiration and was about to ask Fu Mingyi a question, there was a knock on the door.
She glanced over instinctively and heard Fu Mingyi tap the table three times with his fingers of different lengths. A moment later, as if in response, three taps of different rhythms sounded from the door. Then Fu Mingyi got up to open the door.
The door opened just wide enough for one person to pass through, and a person slipped in from the outside—it was Li Qinghe.
When Li Qinghe saw Fu Mingyi by the door, he paused for a moment, then became secretly on guard.
He narrowed his eyes slightly as he sized up Fu Mingyi. After a short while, he chuckled and said, "When did you acquire such skills? I almost let you fool me."
Then he looked at Xiao Qing. Although he couldn't see any flaws, he deduced from common sense that Xiao Qing was also disguised, just like Fu Mingyi.
Xiao Qing felt pleased to see his probing gaze.
If there was anything she found useful and interesting in the past three years, it would definitely be what Mr. Wu taught her. Among these, the art of disguise was her favorite.
This is simply an upgraded version of the combination of makeup artistry and craftsmanship, a true art of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Even Li Qinghe couldn't tell the difference for a moment, which made her feel that her skills were indeed superb.
Ha ha.
Fu Mingyi closed the door and came back, gesturing for Li Qinghe to sit down as well.
Seeing that Fu Mingyi neither introduced them nor greeted them, Li Qinghe didn't ask any further questions. He simply asked as he sat down, "What brings you to me in such a hurry?"
"Is it an urgent matter, or a troublesome one?"
Li Qinghe became interested.
Tell me about it.
"I need to go to Yingzhou."
Li Qinghe raised an eyebrow. If he wanted to go, he could go on his own. Why was he being looked for?
"Feng County".
Li Qinghe's expression changed somewhat.
What are you going there for?
"work."
"He's gone all the way to Feng County to handle some business. Are all the Grand Tutors this idle?"
Li Qinghe smiled and said, "Besides, you don't need to go through me to get to Feng County, right?"
Fu Mingyi nodded, "I don't need to go through you to get there, but I hope you will come with me."
Li Qinghe narrowed his eyes, "Does this count as a commission?"
Fu Mingyi nodded.
"What exactly is it?"
"Investigating some things."
"What is it?"
"Feng Zhengmin."
Li Qinghe smiled.
"Going to Feng County to investigate Feng Zhengmin? I think you want to investigate Zhao Ziyuan."
Fu Mingyi smiled as well. "You know quite a lot."
"Not too much, not too little. But here's a suggestion: consider it a return gift for your business support. You won't find what you're looking for in Feng County."
"That's my business."
Li Qinghe raised an eyebrow. "Alright, since it's your request, I'll take it. We always have clear prices. Just tell me what kind of assistance you need, and I'll let you know whether it works or not."
After finishing their business, he turned his gaze to Xiao Qing, who was sitting silently to the side.
"Who is this?" He was still curious and couldn't help but ask.
"My brother-in-law's name is Qing."
"What sunshine?"
"The sky is clear and there is no rain."
Li Qinghe nodded, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Li Qinghe."
Xiao Qing returned the greeting, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
They agreed to meet in Feng County, and Li Qinghe went to make preparations.
Fu Mingyi fetched the tea set and poured water for Xiao Qing, his expression indifferent, as if he were thinking about something.
Xiao Qingxin thought to herself, "Fu Mingyi really doesn't just go out casually. It turns out it's about Feng Zhengmin and Zhao Ziyuan."
But isn't there already an imperial censor investigating this matter? Is he still worried?
It's possible that the censor was someone the prime minister worked for.
Xiao Qing took a sip of tea and asked curiously, "You're not the only one who can investigate Zheng Min, so why did you have to make this trip?"
Fu Mingyi smiled.
This is a trivial matter that certainly doesn't require his personal involvement to investigate. And what he needs to investigate is certainly not just this small thing.
Moreover, he also wanted to seize this opportunity...
His gaze was fixed on her, but he suddenly changed the subject.
"What are your thoughts on the matter of choosing a courtesy name?"
Xiao Qing shook her head. "It's just a name. We don't have the custom of giving names where we're from. So I don't have any particular thoughts about it."
Fu Mingyi nodded, "This trip has been unkind to Your Majesty, as my brother-in-law..."
Xiao Qing waved her hand, "I know. From now on, I'll call you Fu Qing. I'll also call you brother along the way. You can do whatever you want. I promise I won't act on my own or interfere with your work."
Workaholic!
Fu Mingyi smiled and said, "Although Xi County is not a large place and its resources are not as abundant as those in Nanhua, it has a long history and the people are simple and honest. Would you like to take a look around, Qingdi?"
Xiao felt uncomfortable with the way he addressed her. "I think it would be better to use a given name. You are now my elder brother and my teacher, so why don't you give me one?"
Fu Mingyi's eyes deepened, and after a long while, he asked, "Do you have any favorite words to use?"
Xiao Qing said, "I haven't thought about it, but whatever you choose, brother, must be good. Let's listen to your opinion."
She leaned forward, rested her chin on her hand, tilted her head slightly, and stared intently at him, looking on with great anticipation.
Fu Mingyi pondered for a moment, "The sunny side means the sky is bright and there is no rain or cloud."
He looked into her clear, bright eyes, untouched by worldly dust, and his heart stirred. "Let's call her Qingran."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
