Lan Linxue's eccentric and unpredictable personality was common knowledge among the court officials, but it was the first time that she had attempted to arrest Yangzhou's richest man so soon after arriving in the city.
When Mo Hun saw someone grab Qin Kou'er, he immediately tried to stand up, but Kou'er stopped him with a look.
Immediately, a group of people escorted Qin Kou'er to Lan Linxue.
Lan Linxue raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at Qin Kou'er, who was kneeling on the ground with her head bowed, and lazily opened her mouth: "Do you know that you have committed a capital crime?"
"Your Highness, I am unaware!" Qin Kou'er remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic.
Lan Linxue, however, widened her eyes. She stood up abruptly, hobbled over to Qin Kou'er, and stomped her foot forcefully on the carriage floor. "Dare to wear the same color clothes as the imperial family? That's a capital offense! Today, I'm wearing golden boots, how dare you wear a golden gauze dress?"
Qin Kou'er raised her head, looked at Lan Linxue, and smiled slightly. "Your Highness, I am but a young lady of humble birth. Although I am familiar with the rules of the household, I am largely ignorant of the laws of the Imperial Family. As the saying goes, ignorance is no excuse. Moreover, even though the colors are the same, Your Highness tramples on them while I wear them. The difference between a sparrow and a swan is immediately apparent. How could Your Highness possibly hold such a grudge against me? It's like asking, where would a woman possibly argue with a hero?"
pretty!
Even the most seasoned veteran of the officialdom had to admit that Qin Kou'er's words were truly brilliant. She didn't utter a single compliment, yet every word was exquisite and insightful.
Lan Linxue stared at Qin Kou'er and slowly smiled. Helped down from the car, she half-squatted beside Qin Kou'er and whispered in her ear, "With such a sweet tongue, I thought you'd bite people!"
For some reason, Lan Linxue's sudden approach made Qin Kou'er blush inexplicably. If she hadn't been so self-controlled, she might have actually blushed with shyness.
After Lan Linxue finished speaking, she immediately stood up, smiled, pointed at Jiang Ming kneeling behind her, and said loudly, "Jiang Ming, the water in Yangzhou really does nurture the finest and most beautiful people. You've done a good job as an official!"
Jiang Ming quickly kowtowed again, "It's all thanks to the Crown Prince's auspicious omen. The Pavilion Master Qin of Qin Tian Pavilion is indeed a first-rank figure in Yangzhou. The person the Crown Prince specifically requested to see is right in front of you!"
"Oh? So you're Qin Kou'er!" Lan Linxue suddenly leaned to the side, looking Qin Kou'er up and down as if she were a stranger. "I heard you're the richest man in Yangzhou? Or, the richest man in Jiangnan?"
As she spoke, Lan Linxue turned to look at the old eunuch over there.
The eunuch quickly approached with a smile, bowed, and replied, "Your Highness, he is the richest man in Yangzhou!"
“Yes, yes, the richest man in Yangzhou?” Lan Linxue nodded, then looked down at Qin Kou’er. “Yangzhou has always been the richest city in the world, but you are the richest of the rich! Tell me, how much money do you actually have?”
Qin Kou'er bowed first, then smiled and said, "In this world, every inch of land is precious to the Emperor, and every wisp of wind and cloud belongs to the Crown Prince. We people are just taking advantage of the good times and the Emperor's generous gifts to earn a few extra taels of hard-earned money. We can't possibly be the richest people. It's just that our colleagues are too kind!"
Lan Linxue nodded in satisfaction and pointed at Qin Kou'er, saying, "Good! You're right! Since it's the kindness of my colleagues, I can't have too high expectations, lest the Emperor find out and say I'm disturbing the people."
Today, I'll lower myself and experience the life of ordinary people for once. I'll be staying at Qin Kou'er's residence in Yangzhou. This can be considered sharing in the joys of life with the common folk! Gao He, get my list and give it to Qin Kou'er. Tell her to prepare whatever's on it, albeit casually. We're just a humble family; there's no need to be too serious."
After saying that, he glanced at the officials kneeling below and said, "Why aren't you getting up? Kneeling like this makes it seem like I, the Crown Prince, am being harsh on my officials. Do you want the people to gossip about me?!"
Immediately, Jiang Ming and his men stood up and stood respectfully on both sides with their heads bowed, serving this difficult ancestor.
Qin Kou'er did not get up. According to the rules, she could not get up before the Crown Prince finished speaking.
The chief eunuch of the Crown Prince's residence, Gao He, hurried over, took a thick scroll from the tray held by a palace servant, and presented it to Qin Kou'er with his usual forced smile: "Miss Qin, receive the order!"
Qin Kou'er quickly lowered her head and bent down to receive it with both hands, then slowly opened it.
Good heavens! Qin Kou'er almost fainted after just one glance. The scroll was full of Lan Linxue's needs and arrangements for food, clothing, and daily necessities. It even clearly stated that the jade trim inlaid on the toilet should be made of Hetian warm jade, emerald green; if it were white, the Crown Prince would find it too dazzling.
Qin Kou'er unconsciously looked up at Lan Linxue.
Lan Linxue was also looking at her, smiling kindly and sweetly.
"This humble woman obeys! I will do my utmost to fulfill the Crown Prince's request!"
Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Lan Linxue was immediately pleased. She waved to Qin Kou'er, "Get up! I've always appreciated people who are good at speaking and handling things!"
Qin Kou'er thanked him and stood up.
After watching Qin Kou'er get her done, Lan Linxue turned around to get down to business.
"Jiang Ming!"
"Your subject is here!" Jiang Ming quickly stepped forward and stood bowed before Lan Linxue.
Lan Linxue stared at the respectful middle-aged man in front of her, a cold smile playing on her lips. While adjusting her cuffs, she casually lowered her head and asked, "Was Yangzhou not peaceful last night?"
Jiang Ming's heart skipped a beat.
Fires raged across Yangzhou last night. Not only was Qin Kou'er's place ransacked, but the head of Salt Commissioner Shi Mengjian was even found inside a burning house. I was at a loss for what to do when this ancestor came in and immediately asked about it?
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