Chapter 70
Su Jingfeng didn't want to answer and quietly changed the subject: "The most important thing at this moment is the truth behind the death of the county magistrate of Pengze County, Jiujiang Prefecture."
The emperor pondered for a moment, then said to Su Jingfeng seriously, "I want to hand this matter over to you and Lin Aiqing. What do you think, Su Aiqing?"
"This is inappropriate." Yu Hang and Su Jingfeng said in unison.
The emperor said meaningfully: "Oh? Why is it inappropriate?"
Yu Hang was the first to speak: "The sudden death of the county magistrate is enough to prove that Jiujiang Prefecture is not peaceful at this time. It is too dangerous for the two of them to go alone."
Su Jingfeng was not to be outdone: "Inspector Yu is right. Lord Lin... doesn't know martial arts. I'm afraid I can't protect the two of us."
"Don't worry, my dear ministers. I have certainly considered this matter. After all, I have gone through so much trouble to invite Miss Lin to the capital. How can I let her risk her life alone?"
The emperor laughed twice, then pointed at Yu Hang and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you again this time, my dear Yu."
Everyone understood that the emperor wanted Yu Hang to accompany him to Pengze County, Jiujiang Prefecture. Su Jingfeng opened his mouth to continue speaking but was interrupted by the emperor, "After Su Aiqing and Yu Aiqing leave, I will have to trouble Shen Aiqing with many matters in the capital."
Shen Ling: "It is my honor to share your majesty's worries, especially at this critical moment."
"I heard that the Prime Minister will host a banquet for you in three days. How about you leave after the banquet?"
The three of them said in unison: "I have no objection."
"It is getting late today, so we will discuss the details another day. Lord Yu, please stay. I have something important to discuss with you. Lord Su and Lord Shen, please go to bed early."
Su Jingfeng and Shen Ling bowed and left. Soon, only the emperor and Yu Hang were left in the room. The two grew up together and when no one was around, they didn't seem like a king and his subject, but more like friends.
"There's no one around, so you can tell me what you really think."
The emperor spoke first, but Yu Hang did not respond immediately. He frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "How dare the Prime Minister be so arrogant? I..."
"Hey! What did I tell you!"
Yu Hang was suddenly interrupted. He was stunned for a moment, then he understood what the emperor meant. "I think this might be a trap set by the prime minister."
"So why did he do that?"
"Killing the county magistrate may be to cover up his own crimes, just like County Magistrate Zhao did, but why would he make it public?"
The two looked at each other and understood something. Then the emperor spoke, but did not continue the topic, "Let's put these aside for now, why don't you talk about your story."
Yu Hang was puzzled: "My business?"
"Wu County Magistrate sent me a message. You must not hide it." The emperor stood up and sat down on the empty seat beside Yu Hang, patting his shoulder. "At that time in Nanru, you sent me a message to tell me what happened. It was three pages in total. You used one and a half pages to praise Miss Lin Xing. I wanted to ask her to come to the capital, but you said she didn't want to, and asked me to buy a restaurant for her."
"this…"
"Don't try to deny it. I still have the letter. Don't force me to read it out on the spot."
"Miss Lin is talented and kind. If she can become an accountant, we won't have to worry about the Prime Minister tampering with the accounts."
"I don't believe it? Is this the only reason?"
"nature."
"I don't believe it." The emperor stood up and walked back and forth in front of Yu Hang, and began to recount their past. "You, me and Brother Wu have been classmates for more than ten years. Apart from business matters, you never talk much to us. I thought you were not talkative, but now it seems that it may not be the case."
"Brother Wu's letter said that you and him talked for many years but didn't talk as much as you and Miss Lin Xing in three days. How do you explain that?"
Yu Hang remained silent: "..."
"Can't explain? Then let me ask you again, Brother Wu said that during those few days in Quyang, you followed Miss Lin Xing every day except for your official business. Is this true?"
"you…"
"Are you going to ask me how I know that? It's none of your business. Just tell me whether it is true or not."
"Yes, but that's because I was worried about Lin Xing's safety. The county magistrate was watching her closely, and if she wasn't careful, she would be killed."
"Pretend." The emperor stopped and returned to his seat, drinking the tea in front of him, "We don't know you yet, if you don't care, how could you be like this? Why don't you protect Deputy Inspector Shen, he doesn't know martial arts either."
You don't understand me at all. Yu Hang only said this in his heart, but did not speak out loud. In the eyes of the emperor, Yu Hang just couldn't answer. He continued: "Why don't I grant you two a marriage to prevent any trouble, but you can decide when to hold the ceremony."
"No, she doesn't know about this yet."
Seeing Yu Hang say this, the emperor slammed the table in anxiety, "You were not such a coward before, what's wrong with you now?"
Yu Hang didn't want to talk anymore, so he stood up and left. When he reached the door, he left a message, "I heard that during the court session today, the Minister of Rites proposed that you participate in the selection. You should worry more about yourself."
"How dare you talk to me like that? Are you trying to make trouble?" It happened that the door was not completely closed at this moment, and this sentence fell into Yu Hang's ears word for word. He unconsciously curled up a smile.
It was too late, so the three of them stayed in the palace. After all, they had to go to court the next day. They were already waiting in Zhonghe Hall at 5 a.m. the next day. Lin Xing in Yu Mansion also woke up very early and opened the door before 7 a.m.
"Sister Xiao Xing, why did you wake up so early?" When the door opened, Yun Duo happened to pass by and asked in surprise.
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!" A burst of rooster's crowing answered Yun Duo's doubts.
"These dead chickens, I will go to Uncle Wu to explain this matter immediately. Sister Xiao Xing, do you want to sleep for a while? It's still some time before breakfast."
Lin Xing yawned and refused, "No, since you're up, don't sleep anymore."
"Then I'll go urge the kitchen to hurry up."
"No, I'm still..." Before Lin Xing could finish her words, she ran away, "I'm not hungry."
"That's just how she is, don't mind it." Yun Zhi appeared beside her at some point.
Frightened by the sudden appearance of Yun Zhi, Lin Xing's hand holding the door suddenly tightened, and after a while she said, "I don't mind, it's good this way, very energetic, isn't it?"
"Um."
It was such a good conversation that Lin Xing couldn't continue and could only smile foolishly, "Have you eaten yet?"
"No."
"Oh, when did you wake up?"
"The end of the Yin hour."
"It's so early."
"Not early."
"Hahaha, really? I think it's quite early." Yun Duo, where are you? Come back soon.
As expected, Yun Duo came back with the food while the two were chatting awkwardly. Lin Xing happily went to help immediately, but Yun Duo refused, "Xiao Xing, just leave it alone and let us do it."
"Yes." Yun Zhi said and reached out to take the plate. This time Yun Duo did not refuse.
The two of them helped to set the table and stepped aside. "Sister Xiao Xing, we will leave first. You can eat slowly. Remember to call me when you are done."
Lin Xing grabbed Yun Duo who was about to run away and pushed her onto the stool. "I see there's a lot of food here, why don't we eat together?"
She ignored Yun Duo's refusal and stuffed the chopsticks into her hand. "If you dare to leave, I will be angry."
After confirming that Yun Duo would not leave, she turned around and tried to pull Yun Zhi. She followed the same steps, not a single word different. The two did not leave, but they did not pick up their chopsticks either. Lin Xing had no choice but to pick up the dishes first, and then Yun Duo and Yun Zhi started to eat.
Everyone had no appetite after waking up, and soon they all put down their chopsticks. Yun Duo and Yun Zhi didn't eat much either. No, Yun Zhi hadn't finished eating yet. Lin Xing noticed Yun Zhi out of the corner of her eye and hurriedly picked up the chopsticks again. She glanced at Yun Zhi from time to time, and only felt relieved when she was sure that Yun Zhi had put down his chopsticks.
"Yun Duo, what fun places are there on Chang'an Avenue?"
Yun Duo wrinkled her face, and it looked like she was thinking, but soon she relaxed. "I don't know where the fun places are, but there is a store that sells delicious candied haws. I buy some whenever I go out."
"Okay, do you have anything to do later? If not, let's go together."
When Yun Duo heard that they could eat candied haws, she jumped up and hugged Lin Xing and cheered, "Great! I haven't eaten it for a long time. I want to eat it today, too."
With the candied haws as bait, Yun Duo quickly packed up her things. When she came to her senses, the three of them had already left the house. Looking at the sparse crowds on the street, Lin Xing asked anxiously, "Yun Duo, is the candied haws stall open at this time?"
Yun Duo said firmly: "Once it is out, Grandpa Chen will start selling it very early."
"Grandpa Chen?"
"Sister Xiao Xing just arrived so you may not know, but Grandpa Chen has been selling candied haws on Chang'an Street for fifty years, and everyone who has eaten it says it's delicious." Maybe it's really delicious. Just thinking about Yun Duo makes me drool.
The road became more and more familiar. After a while, Lin Xing actually saw the sign of "Huangliang Yimeng". She pulled Yun Duo and asked, "Grandpa Chen is selling candied haws in front of the restaurant?"
"Yes." Yun Duo looked around, "But it's really strange, why is Grandpa Chen not here today?"
Lin Xing also helped to look for it. She found that there were fewer vendors here than yesterday evening. The three of them walked forward while searching, and suddenly Yun Duo shouted.
"In front, I see."
The three of them trotted to Grandpa Chen's stall. No wonder Yunduo loved to eat them. The candied haws were all made from hawthorns, and each one was rosy and plump, with a shiny sugar coating. The most important thing was that Grandpa had a head full of white hair, and he looked very reliable.
"Grandpa Chen, I want three strings of candied haws."
"Okay, Yun Duo hasn't been here for a long time, so Grandpa will pick out a few big ones for you."
"Grandpa Chen, I haven't been here for just a few days. It's not as long as you said. But why did you change the place? I remember you were selling in front of the restaurant before?"
Grandpa Chen handed the candied haws to Yun Duo and said, "Some people from the government came yesterday afternoon and said that there were too many vendors and it was affecting the carriages. Then they drove everyone away and didn't allow them to sell together. People come to see it every day."
Yun Duo was surprised, "Could it be that the horse and the stall collided?"
"If there was, wouldn't we know about it?"
Yun Duo nodded and wanted to pay, but Lin Xing got there first. Yun Duo couldn't say much in front of Grandpa Chen, so she just said sweetly, "Grandpa Chen, we're leaving first."
"Okay, more clouds please."
Not long after walking out, Yun Duo began to "question the culprit," "Sister Xiao Xing, why are you like this?"
"You're younger than me, I can't let you spend money."
"But... this is my treat for you."
Lin Xing held her with her free hand, "It's okay, you can treat me to a meal next time you have a chance, you see Yun Zhi doesn't mind."
Yun Duo didn't even look at Yun Zhi, "Humph, she is just heartless."
For a period of time afterwards, Yun Duo took them to try all the snacks on Chang'an Street. They snatched food along the way, but failed to successfully place an order, and they stamped their feet in anger.
Just as the three of them were chatting and laughing on the side of the road, a man came up and said, "Master Lin, Master and Master Shen have returned from the palace, and they specially asked me to come and ask you to go back to discuss something."
"Okay, I'll go back now."
For fear of delaying the matter, Lin Xing jogged all the way. When passing by Grandpa Chen's stall, Yun Duo wanted to buy another string, but seeing the anxious people, she gritted her teeth and gave up.
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