Chapter 69 Celebration
Just as the feud between the Marquis of Xiping and the Earl of Yongqing was being hotly discussed by people, the officials who had gone to the southeast to investigate Yuan Chenghai returned to the capital.
The investigation revealed that Yuan Chenghai had been framed by a villain.
Yuan Chenghai hadn't taken the investigation seriously to begin with, but now that the matter was settled, he felt much more at ease and burst into laughter upon receiving the news.
Some people who were close to Yuan Chenghai clamored to hold a banquet to celebrate his removal of his stigma, and many more who had been observing from the sidelines also came to join in.
"I've heard that the Yongqing Marquis's residence has been quite lively lately. Go and send an invitation to the Yongqing Marquis as well," Yuan Chenghai instructed.
The capital is much more lively than the south, with one new thing after another. Several women from the Yongqing Earl's family actually sued the Xiping Marquis's family in court and won.
He heard that the little girl who was harmed was rescued by Qiu Liu, and the way she was rescued was hard for him to believe. He would definitely ask Yongqing Bo about it when he saw him.
The banquet was scheduled for the evening at Fengweilou Restaurant, and Yuan Chenghai went home first to change his clothes.
He was used to the soft fragrance of jade and warm embraces. There were two understanding beauties and one thorny flower in the Yuan residence. He visited three courtyards in turn, and the incense burners in each place emitted fragrant mist all day long, leaving his clothes with a faint fragrance.
"Is Master going out?" Hui Niang straightened Yuan Chenghai's collar.
"Yes, we'll have drinks tonight."
Hui Niang had been with Yuan Chenghai for many years, and she could tell at a glance that he was in a good mood: "Is there some happy news?"
Yuan Chenghai laughed loudly: "Hahaha, it doesn't count. The troublemakers from the south tarnished my reputation and caused a lot of misunderstandings among the people in the capital. Now the people who went to investigate have returned."
"Congratulations, sir. Please wait a moment." Hui Niang brought over a small incense burner and tucked it into Yuan Chenghai's wide sleeve.
"What's going on?" Yuan Chenghai asked, puzzled.
Hui Niang smiled and said, "Let it smother for a while longer, so that when the master waves his sleeve, it will be filled with a subtle fragrance."
"Nonsense," Yuan Chenghai remarked, but did not refuse.
People in Beijing have a particular fondness for incense; there's nothing wrong with having a bit of refinement.
As the fragrance wafted through his sleeves, Yuan Chenghai closed his eyes and said, "Speaking of which, Miss Qiu Liu is indeed quite skilled at making incense."
"Yes," Hui Niang replied perfunctorily, not wanting to discuss the topic any further.
He's still thinking about Qiu Liu, he's truly incorrigible.
"Have you almost used up the incense that Miss Qiu gave you?"
"It can still be used for quite a while."
Yuan Chenghai glanced at Hui Niang with displeasure.
Why are you suddenly acting so immature? I should have gone to Li Niang's place.
After a while, Hui Niang took out the small incense burner: "It's ready."
Yuan Chenghai raised his sleeve to smell it, and chuckled: "Indeed, it's quite good. You are truly intelligent and kind-hearted, Huiniang."
Hui Niang escorted Yuan Chenghai to the courtyard gate: "Master, don't drink too much, come back soon."
"I know, stop nagging." Yuan Chenghai said without turning his head and strode away.
Hui Niang stared blankly at Yuan Chenghai's retreating figure, lost in thought.
She was also forcibly taken by this man. She cried, made a scene, and hated him, but in the end, she couldn't withstand the erosion of time and the helplessness of reality. She entrusted the stability of her future to this man.
She only hoped that when she grew old and her beauty faded, he would remember their past affection and allow her to spend her later years in peace.
Hui Niang returned to the house, took out the hidden dressing case, and counted the gold and silver she had accumulated over the years over and over again until she calmed down before putting it back in its original place.
Fengweilou is located in a bustling area, and its neatly dressed waiters stand at the door to greet customers.
"A private room? We're really sorry, our two largest private rooms upstairs have already been booked."
The visitor asked in surprise, "Those two large private rooms are usually not booked out at the same time, are they?"
"It's a gathering of adults to celebrate Lord Yuan's exoneration," the waiter explained.
The steward of the Yuan residence had specifically instructed that if anyone asked, they should spread the word about this matter.
"I see." Upon hearing this, the man turned and left. After he left, he whispered to his companion, "So Lord Yuan was indeed alright."
"Need I say more? They're the local tyrants of the Southeast, they practically rule the land—"
"Shh, stop talking, or someone will overhear."
"Hey, you peddler, you almost bumped into me! How do you walk?" The man who was chatting quietly with Yuan Chenghai stopped and glared at the young peddler as he passed by.
The young peddler hurriedly apologized: "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I just lost my balance on the load."
Seeing that he was remorseful and had a good attitude, the man waved his hand and walked away with his companion.
The young peddler looked up at the impressive signboard of Fengweilou, carried his goods through the streets and alleys, and put down his load to drink tea and rest when he passed a tea stall.
Just then, there was no one at the stall. Tao Da walked over with a teapot, pouring tea as he asked, "Something wrong?"
The young peddler was none other than Chen San.
Chen San finished his tea in one gulp and said through gritted teeth, "I passed by a restaurant and overheard people walking out talking about how the officials the court sent to the southeast to investigate Yuan Shikai had returned, saying that Yuan Shikai was framed!"
The rough porcelain bowl he slammed on the table made a loud thud, and Tao Da frowned and reminded him, "Be gentle."
Chen San looked up at Yuan Da: "How come this scoundrel is getting away with it? It's true what they say, officials protect each other—"
Tao interrupted him: "I already knew this, there's no use getting angry about it now."
Chen San wiped his mouth forcefully, as if he had just drunk strong liquor instead of coarse tea: "That scoundrel is going to Fengwei Restaurant for drinks tonight, so why don't we—"
"Shut up!" Tao Da's face remained calm, but his tone was unusually fierce. "Don't be reckless, wait for Brother Que's news before acting!"
"Brother Ke Que has been silent for a long time. Who knows if something happened to him or if he just doesn't want to continue?"
Tao Da poured tea into the empty bowl in front of Chen San: "You brain-dead idiot, if we could succeed, would we be the only four left alive? Let me tell you, if you dare to mess things up, I'll twist your head off and use it as a chamber pot!"
Chen San looked sullen after being scolded: "I was just saying."
I felt the opportunity was too good to pass up and couldn't resist the temptation, but I also knew that the chances of success were slim, so I came to ask the boss what he thought.
"Just saying?" Tao asked, still uneasy.
Chen San picked up his teacup: "When have I ever acted on my own? If you don't want me to do it, then I won't. Let me see just how capable Brother Que is. Are you telling me we'll have to wait until the monkey month or the horse month?"
"I think Brother Que is reliable. He won't keep us waiting too long. I bet you." Tao Da said this because he was afraid that Chen San might act impulsively.
"Okay, what's the bet?"
"If I win, you should kowtow to Brother Que to express your gratitude."
Chen San gulped down another bowl of tea, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "What if I win?"
Tao Da looked at Chen San deeply and said calmly, "You win. Let's die together."
If Yuan Shikai doesn't die, how can they face living?
"Damn it!" Chen San slammed his fist on the table, put down a few copper coins, and left.
Dusk fell quickly, and the area in front of Fengwei Restaurant was bustling with activity as people dressed in brocade robes strolled in.
The young peddler who was passing by watched Yuan Chenghai being escorted into the restaurant, then he lifted his load and strode past.
"Needles and thread, wooden combs and hair ties—"
(End of this chapter)
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