Chapter 89 Coincidence Could it be... a guilty conscience?
In the second year of Yuanxi, on the day of Gui Chou in the twelfth month.
In the mountain stream, all the leaves had fallen, and the air was filled with a damp chill, biting and biting.
Halfway up the mountain, a hazy, bluish-gray mist lingered, blurring the sky and earth.
Beside the earthen slope stood several pine and cypress trees, still verdant, which shielded Shi Wan from the chill that rushed in. After the tomb sweeping was finished, she packed her things and went down the mountain with Caiyue.
On the surface, this visit was for learning purposes, but in reality, Shi Wan was not just making an excuse. She actually had this in mind. To make the business last, she needed to innovate and always be humble.
I happened to be out and about, so I took a trip to a few nearby, more prosperous villages and towns. It was partly for sightseeing and relaxation, but also to check out the medicinal herb market, observe how other restaurants operate, and make some preparations for the future. It's always good to be prepared.
As the saying goes, one is born in hardship and dies in comfort. Shi Wan dared not relax. For the next ten days or so, she and Cai Yue stayed at the inn. During the day, they wandered around the market and pharmacies to investigate. In the afternoon and evening, they also sat idly in teahouses and taverns.
People from all over the country gathered here, and the traveling merchants whispered among themselves, always hearing some fresh news.
Before dusk, Shiwan and Caiyue went their separate ways for a stroll. As soon as she sat down in the teahouse, she heard several people at the next table whispering among themselves.
"I heard that... the current emperor has personally visited Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and there have been constant small actions happening everywhere in the past two days."
Shi Wan's mind went blank for a moment, and she unconsciously picked up her teacup and took two small sips.
The conversation continued beside her. Her thoughts were in disarray, and she only caught a vague outline of what was being said. It was said that Jiang Xu's trip south was to investigate a person, Pei Sheng, the former Minister of Personnel. The evidence was that since last month, the Pei family's collateral branches had been subjected to various pretexts by the court, resulting in their demotion or exile. The once-powerful family was now weak and ineffective, and its members had scattered when the tree fell.
But... it's not that easy.
If Jiang Xu wanted to stabilize the political situation in Jiangzhe, he couldn't easily touch Pei Sheng. He would have to find a pretext. As for what that pretext was, Shi Wan didn't want to know.
Hearing news about Jiang Xu now, she even felt as if she had lived through another world.
The faint marks on her ankles still remain. When she was first reborn, she would feel uncomfortable there every night before going to sleep. The fine pain would often wake her up in the middle of the night, and at one point, she could hardly distinguish between reality and dreams.
Coming to her senses, she almost subconsciously looked around. After a moment, making sure no one was paying attention to her, a stranger from out of town, her tense body slowly relaxed a little.
The Jiangnan region is vast and densely populated. Jiang Xu, now the emperor, would naturally visit important prefectures and cities. The villages and towns she is visiting are far from being such places; they are remote and desolate. If she had important business to attend to, she would certainly not come to these places.
However, it's always better to be cautious.
Shi Wan listened intently for a while, and saw that although the surroundings were no different from usual, there were quite a few people discussing the Emperor's personal visit to Jiangzhe. Seeing this, Shi Wan gave up her intention to wander around for the next few days, and hurriedly paid for her lodging. Then she took Caiyue and set off on her way home.
On the return journey, it was already the Xin-You month of December. Sure enough, there were more carriages and people on the official road, and the atmosphere was subtly different from usual. There were even people dressed in very elegant clothes.
By the time they returned to Fuji Village, it was already the 12th month of the lunar calendar.
Both of them felt a pang of sympathy. As soon as they settled in, Caiyue asked, "Wan'er, are the rumors circulating outside true?"
"Is it really... His Majesty who has come to Jiangzhe?"
Shi Wan sat down on the soft stool as well, and seeing Cai Yue's worried expression, she couldn't help but sigh, "A sudden gust of wind may not be without reason."
"Even if it's just a rumor, it's enough to show that the current situation is quite tense. Although we are in the countryside, we still have to be extremely careful."
After thinking for a moment, Shi Wan looked up at her and said, "The New Year is just over half a month away. Why not take advantage of the situation and close down a few days earlier?" She continued, "Firstly, we can avoid the storm, and secondly, we can have a peaceful New Year's Eve and prepare some things."
Seeing Caiyue nod after a few moments of contemplation, Shiwan's unease subsided somewhat.
"Then... let's set it for the end of December. We'll close down after we finish up business these next few days."
I only ask for...
In times of turmoil, one can find peace in a secluded corner.
May you be safe and sound.
......
*
The news of the Emperor's southward journey to Jiangsu and Zhejiang was like a bucket of cold water poured into a boiling oil pan; officials everywhere were instantly thrown into an uproar. Regardless of rank, those who heard the news had their own thoughts; some were uneasy, while others were eager to make a big splash.
Among them, the most excited person was none other than Wang Sihu.
He had previously inquired through informants and assumed that the person was a close confidant of the current emperor, from the same clan, hence the shared surname. Who would have thought that it was actually the emperor himself who had come!
For a moment, Wang Sihou was both surprised and delighted. He subconsciously recalled the details of the banquet, and it seemed that... His Majesty had a very good impression of a soup.
As he thought about it, he realized what he had said to his trusted colleagues that day, and suddenly, a few beads of cold sweat began to spread down his back.
Wang Sihou immediately disregarded everything else, dismissed his attendants, and paced around the room alone. Only after a moment did he belatedly realize what was happening.
Now, the prefectures and counties of Jiangzhe are all aware of His Majesty's arrival, making it extremely difficult to make an appearance. It would be better to take advantage of the soup served at the banquet that day, where His Majesty, though not saying much, certainly praised him and even rewarded him with silver.
Why not seize such an opportunity, make amends for past mistakes, and strike first?
Thinking of this, Wang Sihou immediately summoned his trusted aide and whispered, "Go and come back quickly, find out where the owner of that soup shop is now?"
"But I will borrow my official title to invite him for a chat."
That night, Wang Sihou had a rare good night's sleep. The next day, his confidant reported that the other party had just closed down yesterday, saying that they wanted to focus on preparing for the New Year.
study.
"Really?" Upon hearing this, Wang Sihou frowned deeply, as if he had been doused with cold water. He felt extremely frustrated. How could it be such a coincidence?! This was a golden opportunity, a perfect chance to save face and clear his name...
His Majesty has been on the throne for two years, and his whereabouts are unpredictable. Moreover, I have heard that his tastes are always peculiar. It is rare to encounter such praise. Even if it is a test... well, well!
After a moment's hesitation, Wang Sihou was unwilling to give up. He switched to someone more quick-witted and carefully instructed, "Change into ordinary clothes and go to find him in private. Just say that a distinguished guest has come to the prefect's residence because of his reputation."
"Also, offer a few more words of flattery. Remember to tell the shopkeeper that this opportunity is once in a lifetime, an unparalleled honor! If you do well, you'll be rich for generations!" After saying this, he added with a touch of sadness, "But remember, no matter what they ask, do not mention His Majesty's southern tour, and even more so, do not mention His Majesty's identity, lest it cause unnecessary trouble and disturb the people, which would not be good."
Upon hearing this, the servant immediately set off and knocked on the door of Shi Wan's family that very night.
At the end of December, the temperature was extremely low, and the atmosphere was bleak and desolate.
Just after 7 PM, Shi Wan and Cai Yue were getting ready to sleep. They had just finished refilling the charcoal brazier and were getting onto the bed when they heard a knock at the door. They exchanged a glance and had no choice but to change their clothes to go and greet the doorman.
Shi Wan was cautious and let Cai Yue lag behind two steps before she stepped forward alone. After listening to the explanation, Shi Wan lowered her eyes and lied without changing her expression, "It's really unfortunate. It's been cold lately, and my wife caught a chill. She's had a high fever for the past two days, and perhaps she caught it. My child and I are also feeling unwell."
His tone was calm and unhurried, accompanied by masterful acting skills, which could be described as appealing to both emotion and reason: "These things all need someone to take care of them, and the shop has already closed down, so it is really difficult for me to agree. I hope you will understand... Please find someone more capable!"
Seeing that his words were sincere and his expression did not seem fake, and remembering the special instructions given by Prefect Wang before his departure, the few people sent to persuade him could only exchange a few pleasantries and take their leave, quickly returning to report.
After everyone left, Shi Wan concealed the apology on her face, her lips pressed tightly together, showing no other expression.
Distinguished guest? She didn't know who it was, but... at this juncture, for government officials to visit twice was definitely not a "good thing."
Could it be...?
At night, a winter rain drizzled down. Meanwhile, Shi Wan was making guesses, unaware that Jiang Xu had sent people to watch Wang Si Hu's every move. Her two conversations with him had been recorded and sent to the old man's desk.
Inside the residence, a somber atmosphere prevailed. On the table lay a newly delivered secret report, detailing Pei Sheng's movements over the past two years and some suspicious individuals.
Jiang Xu casually flipped through the book, getting some ink on his fingers, and was about to make annotations.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and a trusted aide bowed respectfully, whispering, "Your Majesty, Prefect Wang has indeed taken action, but..."
"Recently, he sent people to Fuji Village twice to ask the person who cooked the soup at the banquet that day to come, but... both times, the shopkeeper politely declined."
Such incidents have been frequent lately, nothing more than the usual sycophantic behavior of local officials. Jiang Xu had already anticipated this when his whereabouts were announced.
Without lifting his eyelids, he picked up his pen and slowly circled the names on the register. A few drops of dark ink bleed onto the paper. After a moment, a man's voice, half-smiling and half-mocking, came from the head of the table, "A polite refusal?"
"You declined twice, and I still couldn't catch a glimpse of your true face. It's too much of a coincidence." His tone was ambiguous, and the atmosphere fell silent for a moment. After a while, Jiang Xu put down his vermilion brush, leaned back in his chair, and unconsciously looked at the continuous rain outside the window.
A series of inexplicable coincidences, especially in such a tense and unsettling time, such "unfortunate coincidences"...
Is it truly bad luck, or is it intentional avoidance?
Jiang Xu leans towards the latter.
But if that's the case, why insist on avoiding it?
Could it be... that he has a guilty conscience?
Jiang Xu said calmly, "Investigate."
"Find two clever people to investigate carefully."
If it's a misunderstanding, then it's just a minor incident to be on the safe side.
If it were something else...
Then don't blame him for being heartless.
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The author says: "One is born in hardship and dies in comfort." This is a quote from Mencius.
Male lead: Don't blame me for being heartless.
The author is sentimental! Very sentimental!!
(P.S.: The male and female leads are expected to meet in the next chapter~ [Sprinkling flowers])
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