Sheng Xiyan looked at him blankly.

She thought he had already left Beijing, but she didn't expect that he was still in Qingming Tea House, and was sitting by the window drinking tea. How could he be so careless? Was he afraid that others wouldn't find him? !

Hmm.

Some people's minds are really hard to guess.

Sheng Xiyan: “…”

The corners of her mouth curled up unconsciously. If she was so free, there must be no danger.

"Let's go. I remember the shop is just ahead."

Sheng Xiyan was in a very good mood, her brows were relaxed, and she did not hide her joy at all.

Watching her go away, Chu Yuanchen lowered the bamboo curtain.

He wasn't really that careless, he just happened to see her down there, and he could see her again before leaving the capital. It seemed that his bad luck was over.

Chu Yuanchen drank a sip of hot tea and ate snacks in a very good mood.

The people next door were talking about poetry and lyrics, and their conversation could be heard clearly in this teahouse.

After he finished his cup of tea, the door of the tea room opened and Xiao Shuo walked in from outside. He was wearing a green brocade robe and a white jade belt around his waist. Although his attire was simple, he exuded an elegance that was untainted by dust.

He glanced at Chu Yuanchen, who was sitting awkwardly and almost leaning on the coffee table, and sat down opposite him without changing his expression.

There was a gentle smile on Xiao Shuo's lips, and his eyes were calm and bright. He looked exactly like the ruthless and merciless director of the East Factory who made the entire court dare not speak out.

"Brother." Chu Yuanchen sat up lazily and poured him a cup of tea.

He turned the copper tube on the wall, and the sound that had just been clearly heard from next door disappeared immediately. In the tea room, there was only the faint sound of tea being brewed.

Xiao Shuo took a sip of hot tea and asked, "Is that Princess Yongan next door?" He heard Yongan's voice when he just came in.

Chu Yuanchen nodded slightly, "It's Yong'an and King Zhao, and they brought a few other people with them."

Qingming Tea House is quite famous in Beijing. Scholars and students often come here to discuss and debate, citing classics and talking about state affairs.

Chu Yuanchen was originally drinking tea here waiting for Xiao Shuo, and he inadvertently noticed that the people coming from next door were Yongan and King Zhao, and what they said was quite interesting, so he listened to a few more sentences.

Chu Yuanchen took a piece of peach blossom cake, handed the snack plate to Xiao Shuo, and said with a smile: "This young man that Yongan has taken a fancy to is quite extraordinary."

Princess Yong'an was the eldest daughter of the late emperor. She had been favored by the late emperor since his time. She had changed three husbands and had countless concubines. In the past two years, she had especially liked those handsome and gentle young men. This was no secret in the capital.

What Chu Yuanchen wanted to say was of course not who Yongan had taken a fancy to, but rather: "King Zhao just agreed to take this son of the Wang family to visit the Imperial Army Camp outside the capital."

Speaking of this, Chu Yuanchen's mouth curled up in a sarcastic arc.

He finished the peach blossom pastry in his hand in just a few bites and complained, "The ones bought from Zhou's shop are still the best." His little girl has good taste in snacks.

Xiao Shuo lowered his eyes and stroked the dark patterns on the teacup with his fingers. The surface of the tea soup rippled slightly, forming circles.

He seems calm and composed, but he is also as strong as a deep abyss and a mountain, and remains unfazed by flattery and humiliation.

Chu Yuanchen patted the cake crumbs on his hands and said, "The original words of Mr. Wang were, 'I heard about the great victory in the northern border recently. I was so excited that I wanted to compose a poem, but I always felt that it lacked some artistic conception. It would be great if I could see the mighty warriors of Darong with my own eyes.'"

He leaned back on the armchair and continued, "After he said that, Yong'an agreed. But this is a strategic military camp, and a princess like Yong'an cannot enter. So she set her sights on Prince Zhao. Prince Zhao knew his limits and did not agree at first, but later he could not stand Yong'an's nonsense and pestering."

Chu Yuanchen spread his hands and said with a smile: "So, King Zhao agreed."

By the time Chu Yuanchen and Xiao Shuo arrived, they had already heard quite a big show.

Xiao Shuo said slowly, "The emperor allowed Prince Zhao to join the Five Army Camp last month."

"That's right." Chu Yuanchen snapped his fingers. "However, it doesn't seem like King Zhao wants to go for his sister, but for the little beauty he brought with him. King Zhao originally refused no matter what he said, but the little beauty said it would be nice if she could go and take a look. She said, 'The Northern Frontier Army was able to defeat Northern Yan and made great achievements in expanding the territory. I wonder if the Darong Imperial Guards can do even better.'"

"Perhaps King Zhao wanted to show the little beauty that the Darong Imperial Guards were better than the Northern Frontier Army, so he agreed to take her to see it. He also took Yong'an and the groom along."

The important military camp was like a child's play in front of Prince Zhao and his sister.

Xiao Shuo clapped his hands twice, and soon the owner of the teahouse knocked on the door and came in.

Xiao Shuo asked, and the other party replied respectfully: "The one that Prince Zhao brought is the third daughter of the Zhao Mansion, whose name is Zhao Yuanrou. The Queen Mother has arranged her marriage to the son of the Yongning Marquis. In addition to several young men who have become famous in the capital recently, there are also the county lady of the Kangjun Prince's Mansion and the princess of the Yuqin Prince's Mansion. There are nine people in total."

The shopkeeper explained the names and origins of these people one by one, including the native places of those disciples, and then retreated.

Xiao Shuo raised the corner of his mouth and said with a smile: "This Zhao Yuanrou can be regarded as the matchmaker between you and Miss Shengda."

"That's right!" Chu Yuanchen patted his teacup and said in a very good mood, "If there is a chance, this prince will give her and Prince Zhao a 'big gift' to thank them for the matchmaking."

After laughing, he added, "They agreed to go after the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Xiao Shuo nodded, and the two of them exchanged glances, showing a tacit understanding that did not require any further words.

Afterwards, Xiao Shuo took out a letter from his arms. The envelope was yellowed and had been there for many years.

Xiao Shuo pushed the letter in front of Chu Yuanchen: "This was just found in the mansion of the Earl of Jian'an."

The Jian'an Marquis' Mansion had enjoyed unlimited honors and favors since the time of the previous emperor and through two dynasties. It was not easy to bring him down, and it took a lot of effort from both Xiao Shuo and Chu Yuanchen, and Chu Yuanchen almost lost his life.

Chu Yuanchen opened the letter and saw the red seal on the letter paper. His peach blossom eyes showed a hint of mockery. He put the envelope in his arms and said, "I'm leaving tonight."

He picked up the teacup and took a big sip, looking a little lazy and careless: "I will probably return to Beijing next month after I leave. Please help me take care of her in Beijing." He emphasized, "The same goes for Miss Shengda."

Since he is not in the capital, I am afraid that some people will take the opportunity to find Sheng Xiyan.

Xiao Shuo smiled and replied, "I understand."

He didn't promise anything, but this gentle voice, like the fragrance of tea, has a soothing power.

Chu Yuanchen replaced wine with tea and was about to drink it all in one gulp when he heard hurried footsteps in the corridor, followed by someone entering the tea room next door. Chu Yuanchen rang the copper pipe and heard a voice immediately: "Your Highness Prince Zhao, Your Highness Princess Chang, the Marquis Jian'an's mansion has just been raided by the Eastern Factory."

"What?!" King Zhao's voice was both shocked and angry, "How dare Xiao Shuo..."

Chu Yuanchen's usually careless peach blossom eyes suddenly flashed with murderous intent, and his eyes were cold.

Xiao Shuo raised his fingers and tapped the tea table lightly a few times. When he looked over, he handed the tea to him with a smile, so that he could calm down.

There was a continuous sound of tables and chairs colliding next door, and Yongan shouted, "Brother, where are you going?"

"Look for my brother!" Prince Zhao said angrily, "How can the Great Rong Dynasty allow an eunuch to cover up everything with one hand!..."

The world is changing.

The news of the confiscated house of the Marquis of Jian'an spread throughout the court in a very short time. First, the Marquis of Loyalty's house, then the Marquis of Jian'an's house. In just eight months, two noble houses were confiscated. The entire family of the Marquis of Loyalty was killed, so what would happen to the Marquis of Jian'an's house?

Many people were terrified and everyone felt insecure.

For a moment, the capital seemed to have become much quieter, with a kind of tranquility before a storm.

On the tenth day of the eighth month, the sun was shining brightly. The wife of Marquis Yongning arrived at the Sheng Mansion at the hour of 9 as promised. Nanny Sun was waiting at the ceremonial gate in person and led her into the main courtyard.

The wife of the Marquis of Yongning first apologized for what happened last time, and then explained: "I had already gone out that day, but something important happened in the mansion, so I hurried back. I hope my lady will forgive me."

It was very difficult for the wife of the Marquis of Yongning to say this. She came from a prominent family, and after marrying into the Zhou family, she became the Crown Prince's wife, and soon the Marquis' wife. She had never spoken to anyone in such a humble manner before.

But she couldn't help it.

Just as Liu said, after Sheng Xiyan married into the Zhenbei Palace, it would be difficult for her to fulfill her wish.

The wife of Marquis Yongning could not help but feel heartbroken when she thought of the suffering her son had endured this time.

He was the son of a marquisate, honored with gold and jade, and I had never been willing to say a harsh word to him. But this time, he was beaten with a full twenty sticks, and his back was torn and bruised. It was a horrible sight, and the pain made me unable to sleep day and night.

If I had gotten that thing earlier, how could my son have suffered such a huge loss? !

Thinking that he was still lying in bed and had lost a lot of weight, Lady Yongning wanted to suffer for him. So even though Liu had blatantly humiliated her, she still came here with a shameless face and a humble attitude.

Liu felt relaxed all over. She picked up the teacup and took a sip slowly, smiling and saying, "Madam Hou is a very busy person."

The elegant and noble wife of the Marquis of Yongning looked a little embarrassed. She was holding back her anger and said, "Madam Sheng, let's be frank and not beat around the bush. Please state your conditions."

Liu's heart was pounding. She gave a look and all the servants, except Nanny Sun, retreated with their heads lowered.

Liu swallowed her saliva and asked, "I wonder what the Marquis wants?"