The shop was filled with the smell of stale grains mixed with some unknown spices. The waiter was busy wiping the counter when he saw the shopkeeper leading two customers in. He quickly put on a big smile and went to greet them, but his eyes inadvertently glanced at Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, with a hint of scrutiny in his gaze.
"What can I do for you, esteemed guests? Would you like to take a look at our premium grains?" The waiter bowed, his smile as broad as the towering piles of grain in the shop, but his eyes darted around, glancing at the shopkeeper every now and then, as if waiting for instructions.
Xiao Yichen gently waved his folding fan and said seemingly leisurely, "Waiter, I've heard that your grain shop has a wide variety of grains. May I ask you, where is your rice produced? In this year of famine, can the quality still be guaranteed?"
The waiter's eyes flickered slightly, but he quickly regained his enthusiastic demeanor, though his speech unconsciously quickened: "Sir, rest assured, our rice is all transported from the fertile lands of Jiangnan, the land of fish and rice. The soil and water there are so rich that the rice grains are plump, soft, and incredibly fragrant. I can guarantee the quality—it's absolutely top-notch." As he spoke, he patted the sack of rice beside him, trying to add to his persuasiveness.
Lin Wan'er frowned slightly and said softly, "Although Jiangnan is a land of fish and rice, it is currently suffering from famine. The journey is long and transportation is difficult. How come your family's rice can still be produced continuously? Do you have some special method?" As she spoke, she stared intently into the waiter's eyes, trying to find a clue.
The waiter's smile froze for a moment, his eyes darting away. He scratched his head and said, "Madam, this... you don't know this. Our shop stockpiled a lot of goods before the famine, and we also have partnerships with some large merchants, so we were able to supply enough grain. Hehe, I'm just a errand boy, I don't know the specifics." His voice trailed off, and he increasingly avoided meeting Lin Wan'er's gaze.
Xiao Yichen's lips curled up slightly, and he said with a half-smile, "Oh? Is that so? Then why are the prices of grain in your shop so much higher than other shops? Is there something special about it?" As he spoke, he slowly paced around, seemingly casually, but actually observing the layout of the shop and the surrounding activity.
The waiter's face turned somewhat embarrassed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He licked his lips and said, "Sir, during this famine, food is precious, and our transportation costs are high. Moreover, the food in our shop is carefully selected and processed, making it of better quality than other places, so the price is naturally higher. Look at this rice; it's shiny and the grains are uniform, unlike ordinary grains." As he spoke, he gestured with his hand over the rice, trying to distract Xiao Yichen.
Lin Wan'er persisted, taking a step closer and speaking softly, "Waiter, don't try to lie to us. My husband and I genuinely want to buy grain, but how can we trust you with your evasiveness? If you tell the truth, we might be able to buy more." Her eyes held a gentle warmth, yet also an undeniable firmness.
A flicker of hesitation crossed the waiter's eyes. He glanced furtively at the shopkeeper, who nodded slightly, before he cautiously began, "Madam, to be honest, there's another reason why the grain is so expensive... it's because our shop has put a lot of effort into storing and preserving it. As you know, in years of famine, grain is prone to dampness and mold. We use a special spice to repel insects and prevent moisture, and this spice isn't cheap." He lowered his voice as if afraid of being overheard.
Xiao Yichen's heart skipped a beat; he keenly sensed the flaw in the waiter's words. He stopped pacing and looked directly into the waiter's eyes, saying, "Waiter, there's a contradiction in what you're saying. You previously said the grain was stockpiled before the famine, but now you say you've put a lot of effort into its storage and preservation. Grain that's been stored for so long, no matter how well preserved, can't possibly be better than fresh grain, right?"
The waiter's face turned deathly pale instantly. His lips trembled slightly, and his eyes were filled with panic. He stammered, "This... this sir, I don't really know either. I just heard the manager say that. The specifics... the specifics, I really don't know." He unconsciously took a few steps back, as if trying to escape Xiao Yichen's questioning.
Seeing the waiter's expression, Lin Wan'er became even more certain that there was something wrong with the grain shop. She turned to look at Xiao Yichen, a hint of worry in her eyes. Xiao Yichen nodded slightly, signaling her not to act rashly.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside the shop. The waiter, as if grasping at a straw, hurriedly said, "Sir, it seems there's something going on outside. I'll go check it out first. Please wait here for a moment." Without waiting for Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's response, he rushed out.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er exchanged a glance, knowing this was a rare opportunity. Xiao Yichen said in a low voice, "Wan'er, let's look around. This waiter is definitely hiding something from us. Maybe there are crucial clues hidden in this shop."
Lin Wan'er nodded slightly, and the two began to quietly explore the shop. They walked around the piles of grain, carefully observing their surroundings. Suddenly, Lin Wan'er noticed a small door behind the counter, half-open, with a faint light shining through.
She gently tugged at Xiao Yichen's sleeve, gesturing for him to look at the small door. Xiao Yichen's heart stirred, and the two slowly walked towards the door. As they reached the doorway, they heard soft voices coming from inside.
"Those two seem to have noticed something, what should we do?" a voice whispered.
"Don't act rashly yet. Let's see what they're up to. If they've really discovered something, then..." another voice said, a hint of ruthlessness in it.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were startled. They knew they were getting closer and closer to the truth, but at the same time, they were in an even more dangerous situation. They didn't know what was behind the door, nor what action the people in the grain store would take against them.
Just as they hesitated, footsteps suddenly came from behind them. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er turned around and saw the waiter leading several waiters over, their eyes filled with hostility.
"Gentlemen, what are you doing? This is a warehouse area, and unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter." The waiter's previous panic subsided, and his tone became firm.
Xiao Yichen smiled slightly and calmly said, "Waiter, we just heard some noises inside and thought some fresh grain had arrived, so we came to check. Could it be that your shop has some kind of secret?"
The waiter sneered, "Sir, don't make false accusations. This is a legitimate grain store, what secrets could we possibly have? If you two aren't going to buy any grain, please leave and don't cause trouble here."
Lin Wan'er was somewhat indignant. She said, "Waiter, what kind of attitude is this? We are customers and have the right to know the condition of the grain we want to buy. Your previous statements were full of inconsistencies, and now you won't let us check it. Isn't this just a guilty conscience?"
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er stood warily inside Mu's Grain Shop, surrounded by mountains of grain sacks, the air thick with the scent of grain and a faint, almost imperceptible stench of decay. The shop was dimly lit, with a few oil lamps flickering weakly in the corners, casting dappled shadows on the walls and floor.
Lin Wan'er keenly sensed several gazes that felt like thorns in her back, but when she turned to look, she only saw busy shop assistants moving among the grain sacks. Those gazes seemed like ghosts hidden in the darkness, fleeting and elusive. She leaned slightly closer to Xiao Yichen and whispered, "Yichen, something's not right in this shop. It seems like there are eyes watching us from the shadows."
Xiao Yichen nodded slightly, his folding fan seemingly swaying casually, but actually ready to be used as a weapon at any moment. His gaze slowly swept across the shop, where he saw a shop assistant standing behind a grain pile in the distance, seemingly sorting grain, but his eyes kept inadvertently drifting towards them. There was also a waiter behind the counter, ostensibly wiping an abacus, but his lowered eyes revealed an unusual tension and vigilance.
"Let's not act rashly yet, let's see what tricks they're up to," Xiao Yichen said in a low voice.
They strolled casually through the store, approaching a shelf displaying various whole grains. Lin Wan'er reached out and picked up a handful of millet, seemingly checking its quality, but actually using this action to observe her surroundings. Just then, she heard a soft footstep behind her, so light that it would have been almost unnoticed had the store not been exceptionally quiet.
She subtly nudged Xiao Yichen with her elbow. Xiao Yichen understood, and the two slowly turned around. They saw a waiter dressed in coarse linen clothes carrying a tray of teaware.
"Esteemed guests, you must be tired after watching for so long. Why don't you have some tea and rest?" The waiter had a humble smile on his face, but the smile seemed somewhat stiff.
Xiao Yichen smiled and accepted the teacup, saying, "Thank you, sir. Your shop is so busy, yet you're still so attentive." As he spoke, he kept glancing at the waiter's expression out of the corner of his eye.
The waiter bowed slightly and said, "Of course, if you have any questions about the grain, please feel free to ask me." After saying that, he withdrew.
Lin Wan'er looked at the teacup in her hand and said softly, "It's best not to drink this tea." She placed the teacup on the table beside her, and Xiao Yichen followed suit.
Just then, a commotion came from outside the shop. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er went to the door and looked out. They saw a group of people gathered in front of another grain shop, seemingly arguing with the shop owner.
"Why has the price of grain gone up again? Don't you have any conscience?" An old man angrily waved his cane.
"We have no choice. The purchase price is high, so naturally we have to sell it for a higher price," the grain store owner explained helplessly.
Xiao Yichen frowned and said to Lin Wan'er, "It seems that the food crisis is getting more and more serious, but Mu Ji Grain Store is still playing an unknown role in it."
They turned back into the shop, only to find that the shopkeeper, who had been behind the counter, was gone. Xiao Yichen's heart tightened; he knew that a greater undercurrent was about to surge within the shop.
"Wan'er, be careful," Xiao Yichen whispered a reminder.
They walked in the direction the shopkeeper had disappeared. As they passed through a narrow passageway, Lin Wan'er suddenly stopped. She felt a faint breeze blowing from above. Looking up, she saw a small vent in the ceiling, and the wooden grille of the vent seemed to have been moved.
"Yichen, there might be someone watching us from above," Lin Wan'er said, pointing to the ventilation duct.
Xiao Yichen looked up, then pulled Lin Wan'er away from the corridor and quickly made their way to a more open space. At that moment, they heard a low voice coming from behind a closed door.
"Those two have been probing inside the store. Could they have already discovered our secret?" a voice said.
"Don't panic. If they really find out, take care of them. We can't let them ruin our plans," another voice said coldly.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er exchanged a glance. They knew they were in an extremely dangerous situation. But instead of backing down, they decided to take the initiative.
Xiao Yichen walked to the door, knocked gently, and said, "Manager, are you inside? We have some matters concerning grain that we would like to discuss with you."
The room fell silent immediately. After a moment, the innkeeper's voice came: "Please come in, both of you."
Xiao Yichen pushed open the door and saw the shopkeeper sitting behind a table, with some account books and documents in front of him. The shopkeeper still had a smile on his face, but that smile made people feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.
"Gentlemen, what business do you have to discuss?" the innkeeper asked.
Xiao Yichen looked directly into the shopkeeper's eyes and said, "Shopkeeper, we just heard some strange noises. It seems there's some unspeakable secret in this shop. Can you explain it to us?"
The shopkeeper's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "Sir, what do you mean? This is a legitimate grain shop, what secrets could we possibly have? Don't believe the rumors."
Lin Wan'er stepped forward and said, "Shopkeeper, stop pretending. We've already discovered many suspicious things. If you confess now, you might get a lighter sentence."
The shopkeeper sneered, "Honest punishment? Who do you think you are? In my Muji Grain Shop, you won't be allowed to run wild."
After he finished speaking, the shopkeeper suddenly slammed his hand on the table, and several burly men wielding weapons rushed out from all around the room, surrounding Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er.
Xiao Yichen shielded Lin Wan'er behind him and slowly drew the soft sword from his waist, which gleamed coldly in the dim light.
"Shopkeeper, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to kill me to silence me?" Xiao Yichen said coldly.
The shopkeeper stood up and said, "You know too much. Today is your death day. Attack!"
The burly men, brandishing their weapons, charged towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er. Xiao Yichen flashed into the crowd like lightning, his soft sword dancing in his hand, each strike repelling the enemy. Lin Wan'er was not to be outdone; she used her lightness skill to weave freely through the crowd, her dagger constantly stabbing at the enemy's vitals.
But the enemy outnumbered them, and they gradually became overwhelmed. While fending off the enemy's attacks, Xiao Yichen searched for an opportunity to break through. He saw a window on one side of the room, outside of which was a narrow alley.
"Wan'er, move towards the window!" Xiao Yichen shouted.
Lin Wan'er understood and rushed towards the window. Xiao Yichen fought hard to hold off the enemy's pursuit, buying her time. When Lin Wan'er reached the window, she pushed it open forcefully and was about to jump out when suddenly a hand reached in from outside and grabbed her wrist.
Lin Wan'er was startled. She looked up and saw a masked person standing outside the window.
"Trying to run? Not so easy!" the man said coldly.
Seeing this, Xiao Yichen rushed over and thrust his sword into the man's arm. The man, in pain, released Lin Wan'er's wrist. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er seized the opportunity to jump out of the window and land in the alley.
They ran frantically down the alley, the shouts of the people from Mu's Grain Store echoing behind them. They knew they had escaped for the time being, but the secrets of Mu's Grain Store were far from being revealed, and they would face an even more dangerous pursuit.
After a thrilling ordeal at Mu's Grain Shop, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er managed to escape. They found a secluded place to rest, but their suspicions about the grain shop lingered and grew stronger.
"Yichen, today at the grain store, I had a feeling that someone was manipulating everything behind the shopkeeper. The waiter's evasive words and the various undercurrents in the store were definitely not accidental." Lin Wan'er frowned, her eyes full of worry.
Xiao Yichen nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Wan'er is absolutely right. Although the shopkeeper seems calm, some of his decisions and reactions are as if he is following someone else's orders. We must find out the mastermind behind this, otherwise the food crisis in the capital will only get worse."
To uncover the truth, Xiao Yichen dispatched his trusted confidants to secretly investigate the background and personnel dealings of Mu's Grain Store. Meanwhile, he and Lin Wan'er disguised themselves and traveled throughout the capital, hoping to obtain useful clues from ordinary people or other merchants.
A few days later, the trusted confidant returned, bringing important news. It turned out that the mastermind behind Mu's Grain Store was very likely a mysterious figure named Murong Xuan. Although Murong Xuan was not particularly famous in the capital, he had intricate connections with some high-ranking officials and nobles.
"Murong Xuan? Who is this person? I've been in the capital for many years, yet I know very little about him." Xiao Yichen muttered to himself, his doubts growing stronger.
Lin Wan'er pondered for a moment and said, "I have heard some rumors about him. It is said that he comes from a declining noble family. Although the family was once glorious, it gradually declined. He seems to have been trying to revive the family's prestige, but his methods are quite mysterious and unpredictable."
Xiao Yichen frowned deeply: "Could it be that he is taking advantage of this food crisis to seek personal gain and achieve his goals? But how exactly is he manipulating all of this? And which forces is he colluding with?"
To gain a deeper understanding of Murong Xuan, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er decided to start their investigation with his residence. Under the cover of night, they quietly sneaked into one of Murong Xuan's manors on the outskirts of the capital. The manor was heavily guarded, surrounded by high walls, with patrolling servants moving about.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er used their lightness skills to evade the patrols and sneak into the manor. They cautiously explored the manor and discovered a room that appeared to be a study. Inside, candlelight flickered, and faint voices could be heard coming from within.
The two approached the window and peered through the crack. Inside, they saw a man in a magnificent brocade robe sitting at a desk, conversing in hushed tones with a man in official robes. The man had a stern face and deep, intelligent eyes, revealing a cunning and wisdom; he was presumably Murong Xuan.
"My lord, you can rest assured about the grain matter. I have made all the arrangements. Mu's Grain Store will continue to control the price and supply of grain. The more chaotic the situation in the capital, the more profit we can gain from it," Murong Xuan said softly, a barely perceptible sneer playing on his lips.
The official nodded slightly: "Young Master Murong, you must not make a mistake. This matter is of great importance. If the court finds out, we will both be in deep trouble."
Murong Xuan said confidently, "Don't worry, my lord, I know what I'm doing. I've already bribed some key people, and they will cover for us. Besides, although Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er are investigating this matter, they haven't yet reached the core of the issue."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er suddenly realized what was going on. It turned out that Murong Xuan was indeed manipulating everything behind the scenes, colluding with officials in the court in an attempt to make a fortune during the food crisis. He might even have bigger ambitions, such as disrupting the situation in the capital to gain political benefits.
"This man is cunning and ruthless; we must stop him as soon as possible," Lin Wan'er said softly, her eyes revealing a firm resolve.
Xiao Yichen clenched his fist: "That's right. But we can't act rashly; we need to plan carefully. First, we need to gather all the evidence of his collusion with that official before exposing their conspiracy."
Just as they were about to leave, a nightingale suddenly flew overhead, emitting a sharp cry. Murong Xuan and the officials inside the house immediately became alert.
"Who?!" Murong Xuan shouted, then rushed out with his servants.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were startled, realizing they had been discovered. They quickly used their lightness skills to flee towards the outside of the manor. Murong Xuan and his servants pursued them relentlessly, and shouts of battle erupted throughout the manor.
Using their superior lightness skills, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er gradually increased the distance between themselves and their pursuers. However, Murong Xuan refused to give up; he mounted a fast horse and continued the chase.
"Trying to run? Not so easy!" Murong Xuan roared, brandishing his riding whip and his eyes flashing with ferocity.
During their escape, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er discovered a river blocking their path. The river was swift and the water was icy cold.
"Wan'er, what should we do?" Xiao Yichen asked anxiously.
Lin Wan'er looked around and said, "There's no other way but to swim across."
After saying that, the two jumped into the river and swam towards the opposite bank. Murong Xuan rushed to the riverbank and watched their figures gradually disappear into the distance, gritting his teeth in anger.
"Stay by the river and arrest them as soon as they come ashore!" Murong Xuan ordered.
The servants obeyed and stood ready on the riverbank. Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er struggled to swim in the river, the icy water constantly battering their bodies and draining their strength.
After finally swimming to the other side, the two were completely exhausted. They dragged their weary bodies and hid in a grove of trees.
"Yichen, we must come up with a solution as soon as possible. Murong Xuan has already realized we are investigating him, and he will definitely strengthen his defenses, making it more difficult for us to obtain evidence," Lin Wan'er said breathlessly.
Xiao Yichen nodded: "Okay, let's find a place to rest and recover our strength first. Then we can discuss the next step of our plan."
After resting for a while in the woods, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er began to discuss how to deal with Murong Xuan. They knew that the power behind Murong Xuan was not to be underestimated, and that he was meticulous and cunning, making it no easy task to expose his conspiracy.
“We can start by investigating his business dealings, his cash flow, and his partners. Perhaps we can find some crucial evidence there,” Xiao Yichen said.
Lin Wan'er agreed: "At the same time, we can also contact some righteous people to fight against Murong Xuan together. There is strength in numbers, so our chances of success will be greater."
"Alright, let's do it this way. We'll head back to the capital first and begin the investigation." Xiao Yichen stood up, his eyes rekindling with fighting spirit.
Thus, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er embarked on their journey back to the capital, knowing full well that an even more difficult battle awaited them. Murong Xuan, the schemer lurking in the shadows, also awaited their challenge. How many more schemes and plots did he have yet to unleash? Could Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er successfully expose his schemes and save the capital from its dire straits? Everything remained to be seen.
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