Lan Linxue sat comfortably on the ice couch, being carried along. With an enthusiastic expression on her face, she smiled as she looked at the surrounding scenery. When she saw something she liked, she would say a few words to Gao He, such as how the stones in the palace were not as delicate as these.
Only in the occasional glances he turned his head did a deep, inquisitive glint flash in Lan Linxue's eyes as he looked at Qin Kou'er: Why did Qin Kou'er's seemingly luxurious courtyard conceal so many secrets? Did she really want to marry him simply because she coveted power and wealth? She had more money than she could spend in her next life, yet she insisted on taking the most difficult path—the road to imperial power—in this life? How intriguing! His interest was growing ever stronger.
Upon reaching the main hall, a soft couch was laid down. Gao He, with Lan Linxue's hand in his, stepped down.
Walking slowly to the center, Lan Linxue looked up and pointed to the empty space above, saying, "Huh? This hall doesn't even have a plaque?"
Qin Kou'er smiled slightly, bowed, and said, "We are only waiting for the Crown Prince to inscribe a message!"
Lan Linxue immediately burst into laughter, "This Pavilion Master Qin is truly a clever person. No wonder he's so good at business! He knew that as soon as he saw that I, the Crown Prince, was coming, so he cleverly burned the original signboard! Alright, since you're quite sincere, I'll give you a new one!"
After thinking for a moment, Lan Linxue nodded and said, "Alright, your little temple can't accommodate too many true gods, so let's call it Chuyuan Caotang! I am the Crown Prince, and we are destined to meet. Our humble abode can only be called Caotang! Chuyuan Caotang! Not bad!"
Lan Linxue, feeling incredibly talented, walked in with her head held high and chest puffed out. Qin Kou'er, however, lowered her head and curled her lip, "Pah! Someone with this level of skill dares to presumptuously inscribe calligraphy for others."
While inwardly complaining, she still showed surprise on her face and quickly said to Jun Yannuo, "Write it down and change it for me as soon as possible!"
"Yes!" Jun Yannuo replied steadily, bowing his head.
Lan Linxue walked in with an air of nonchalance and sat in the main seat like a master. The maids and servants below quickly brought out tea, fruit, and pastries, placing them in front of Gao He according to etiquette, and he tasted them one by one.
Seeing Qin Kou'er standing respectfully behind her, Lan Linxue immediately waved her hand, "Please sit down, Pavilion Master Qin. We're in your home, there's no need to be so formal!"
"Thank you for offering me a seat, Your Highness!"
After Qin Kou'er finished expressing her gratitude, she sat down on a chair nearby. Immediately, the maids brought out tea.
Lan Linxue picked up the teacup, gently touched it to the glass, and smelled it. "Good, this year's pre-Qingming tea." Then she took a small sip.
Seeing that Lan Linxue had finished her tea, Gao He quickly came over with a smile and said, "Your Highness, your arrival in Yangzhou is a cause for great joy and celebration among the people. The petitions from officials at all levels in Liangjiang have already been submitted, and you..."
"Gao He, you've lived a long life, and now your tongue has grown long too!" Lan Linxue's face immediately turned cold, her charming eyes flashing with a chilling light. "Didn't you see I'm drinking tea? Want to pry? Wait until you figure out why Jiangnan lost a salt commissioner!"
After speaking, Lan Linxue's brows furrowed slightly as she fiddled with the swaying green leaves, her expression completely blank. The surrounding air immediately turned chilling. Even Qin Kou'er felt an overwhelming pressure enveloping everyone.
Just then, a eunuch cautiously walked in and whispered something in Shuanghua's ear.
Shuanghua gently moved her hand, walked up to Lan Linxue, and coldly reported, "Sir, Governor-General Jiang Ming of Liangjiang is waiting outside with his men to request an audience!"
"I won't see you!" Lan Linxue said without thinking, tossing her teacup on the table, standing up, and coldly saying, "I'm tired!"
Qin Kou'er quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Please, Your Highness, move to the bedroom and rest for a while!"
Lan Linxue strode down, passing Qin Kou'er and lazily said, "You'll serve her!"
After saying that, he walked straight outside without waiting for Qin Kou'er's reply.
Qin Kou'er didn't ask any questions, she just followed him closely.
Led to the bedroom door, palace maids and eunuchs had already prepared everything, ready for Lan Linxue to use at any time.
Lan Linxue stood at the door, turned her head and beckoned to Qin Kou'er who was following behind. Qin Kou'er quickly went over and offered her ear.
Lan Linxue only said four words, "bribe Gao He," and then turned and walked inside, never looking at Qin Kou'er again.
Qin Kou'er frowned slightly, but she bowed respectfully without any hesitation, then took three steps back and walked to the back.
Lan Linxue closed the door, clearly preparing to rest. Qin Kou'er made arrangements for the others before asking Gao He to leave.
Qin Kou'er took Jun Yannuo back to her room, and all the way she kept thinking about the four words Lan Linxue had whispered in her ear.
What exactly did Lan Linxue mean? Even if he hadn't said anything, as the Crown Prince's chief steward, she certainly wouldn't have ignored it. It was both a matter of protocol and etiquette, but since he had spoken, it clearly implied something else. A bribe to Gao He? Not a favor, not an attempt to curry favor, but a bribe!
Qin Kou'er smiled slightly; she immediately understood Lan Linxue's meaning.
Mo Hun closed the door before saying to Qin Kou'er in a deep voice, "Jiang Ming and his men are still outside. Master, should we go and check on them?"
"No need!" Qin Kou'er shook her head. "If we show too much enthusiasm now that the Crown Prince is punishing someone, wouldn't that be embarrassing for him? Lan Linxue will take this opportunity to cause trouble for us! Have they found Shi Mengjian's head yet?"
"Found it! News of this got out last night, and the government officials arrived at the courtyard early and sealed it off three times over. Jiang Ming already knew, and he lied to Lan Linxue's face! He's probably a little flustered and doesn't know how to respond!"
Jun Yannuo poured tea for Qin Kou'er while speaking calmly.
Qin Kou'er sneered, "A fourth-rank official appointed as the Salt Commissioner of Jiangnan was beheaded without any explanation. It would be strange if he wasn't panicking! Soon, an imperial envoy will be sent from the capital to thoroughly investigate this matter. Yangzhou is going to be in turmoil. Tell our people to keep a close eye on everything, especially any unfamiliar faces appearing in Yangzhou. Did you see Hu Feifan when you were arranging the men?"
"No! He's not here!" Mo Hun shook his head firmly. "Those black-clad guards who caused us trouble that night haven't shown up either. I've seen all the guards walk, and they're different from those men!"
Qin Kou'er nodded, "Those must all be Lan Linxue's own secret guards! We still need to find Hu Feifan. By the way, Yan Nuo, immediately prepare an elegant courtyard for me, with a good layout and all the necessary supplies. The maids and servants must be the best. Also, send another 300,000 taels of silver!"
Jun Yannuo frowned. "What does the Pavilion Master need these things for?"
“Bribery!” Qin Kou’er said calmly.
"Bribery? To whom?"
"Gao He!"
Seeing that Jun Yannuo still seemed a little confused, Qin Kou'er smiled deeply, her eyes flashing, "If Lan Linxue wants to kill someone, we have to prepare a knife for him!"
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