Tang Chen looked at the team behind him and quickly moved aside: "Okay, okay, no problem. You go ahead and do your work, I'll come back tomorrow!"
After the matters reported today were basically dealt with, it was getting dark. The bamboo leaves and snow beads outside the house were singing in unison, and no one knew what they were talking about.
After pulling out the letter from the bottom shelf, Zhong Qin stood up and stretched her muscles. She picked up the oil-paper umbrella beside the table and blew out the candle. "I, the gatekeeper, had no idea the imperial guards had entered the valley. It seems the monkeys can't sit still now that the tigers are gone. Alas, I was born to be toilsome. I'm sure I won't have a rest tonight."
The next day, after Tang Chen finished lunch, he waited until Xihe fell asleep before he ran to find Zhong Qin. This time, there was no long queue of people working in his study as there was yesterday.
Tang Chen looked at the empty study and subconsciously asked, "Zhong Qin, are you free now?"
Zhong Qin, who was writing furiously at her desk, looked up when she saw Tang Chen coming, revealing her professional smile and said, "Please wait a moment, young lady."
"Okay!"
After Zhong Qin sealed the letter and handed it to the messenger, she slowly stood up and stretched her numb legs. Tang Chen had already prepared some melon seeds and brewed some hot tea, waiting for him to have some free time to tell her about those unknown past events.
Zhong Qin, after going around in circles, still hadn't explained the origins of those imperial guards. As for the lady, he did explain a lot in a way that Tang Chen could understand.
According to Zhong Qin, this lady was the previous owner of Qingliang Valley. From this, she deduced: "...this lady is Yan Zhou's mother?"
Zhong Qin said, "That's right. Qingliang Valley was originally the Madam's residence. After Madam passed away, it was all handed over to the Master to manage."
The inheritance of the family is commonplace. No wonder the uncle said he was the newcomer. Even the mother of the previous Valley Master didn't know him, so he must be the newcomer.
Besides, Tang Chen recalled something that had troubled her for a long time. "I heard that the terrain of Qingliang Valley is unique and difficult to find without proper methods. Is that true? Why do I feel like I can just walk along the official road to get there? It doesn't seem that unique. Also, if that's true, how could the merchants and immigrants who come to Qingliang Valley find its exact location?"
Zhong Qin smiled. The literal meaning of Qingliang Valley and the meaning of Qingliang Valley are the same place, but they are also different places. "The place where Qingliang Valley connects to the outside world is indeed easier to find, and there are signs on the road. However, those who are interested in finding the treasures buried in the peaks within Qingliang Valley are actually looking for them."
Zhong Qin's words didn't surprise Tang Chen. Normally, it would be strange if there weren't treasures hidden in a forest like this, with its picturesque scenery, outstanding people, and wealthy families. "Treasure? That's amazing! Can I go dig for it tomorrow?"
Zhong Qin said, "Of course."
Tang Chen adjusted his nonexistent glasses with his hand and continued to reason, "Then did the emperor also take a fancy to this treasure?"
Zhong Qin didn't know how Tang Chen had gotten to the emperor, but she was right: "...Yes. Madam once single-handedly donated tens of thousands of dollars to support military expenses during a national crisis. Afterward, everyone thought Madam had given everything, but unexpectedly, after the war, Madam also funded the construction and improvement of schools, clinics, and post stations across the country."
The vast and unfathomable wealth of Qingliang Valley would surely tempt any emperor, perhaps even intimidated. Wang Yanzhou's mother, presumably, was a heroine etched in history: "...The Yan family's affairs must have had a profound impact on the court. Yan Chongmao is a great general protecting the nation, and he possesses a wealth of confidential intelligence. If he sells it to Nanyue, the southern border will be in jeopardy."
Zhong Qin nodded in agreement, "That's exactly what's going on. Although the Lin family's heir is temporarily guarding Nanyue, if we're not fully prepared, the consequences of something happening will be unpredictable."
After thinking for a moment, Tang Chen asked again, "...So, is Wang Yanzhou really that 'legend'?"
Zhong Qin did not directly answer her question, but smiled and said, "Whatever the young lady thinks the master is, that's who the master is."
Hearing this, Tang Chen couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Zhong Qin is very good at talking." Just as he said, as long as she identified Wang Yanzhou, then whatever kind of person she thought Wang Yanzhou was, he would be that kind of person, whether he was the legendary prince or a businessman, wasn't he still him?
Zhong Qin checked the time. They had been chatting for an hour or so. Although no one came to report on their work today, he couldn't sit idle. "Okay, let's stop here for today. Yesterday, some monkeys were jumping around. I have to go check on them later to see if they've settled down."
Tang Chen was stunned and blurted out: "Does Monkey want to take a hot spring bath?"
Zhong Qin replied with a forced smile, "Maybe."
On New Year's Eve, Wang Yanzhou had not sent a single letter back since he left Qingliang Valley. When Qinghe received the letter, she was a little surprised. Although she wanted to open it and see what was written inside, she held back.
"Yanzhou, there's a letter from Qingliang Valley. It seems to be from Achen."
Wang Yanzhou hesitated after writing the letter. Then, looking at the private seal on the envelope that he rarely used, he suddenly realized something. When he hurriedly opened the envelope, he saw only two big words written on it: "Liar."
Wang Yanzhou was stunned at first, then he raised his head and covered his face with his hands and laughed. Qinghe saw his abnormal behavior and became even more curious. He snatched the letter from his hand and wanted to find out what was going on. "What's wrong?"
Qinghe was initially puzzled by the two large characters on the letter, but it took a moment for him to react. Tang Chen knew Wang Yanzhou's identity and probably understood why he didn't write to him as agreed. At first glance, this looked like an accusation, but in reality, it was a greeting.
After Qinghe returned the letter to Wang Yanzhou, he squinted his eyes and joked, "I told you she's not bad. See, the word liar perfectly expresses her feelings at the moment. And your private seal, do you think she found it, or did Zhong Qin let her find it?"
After Wang Yanzhou carefully put the letter away, he said, "She never asked me, and I never told her."
Qinghe said: "What she meant was that no matter who this liar is, if she thinks he is a liar, then he is a liar."
"I know."
Qinghe couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief: "This letter arrived just in time. I shouldn't be so worried now."
"Um."
"Well, it's almost time. I'll go get your brother. We should set off."
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