Yuzhou (IV)
Qu Linghan stared at the fat, big-eared man in front of her, suppressing her discomfort.
"I've taken a liking to your wife. I'm hosting a banquet at my residence tonight; bring her along, otherwise..."
Cui Hongju placed his hand on the center of Bai Hui's neck and smiled threateningly.
Bai Hui uttered a single word without any expression.
"good."
…
"good?"
After Cui Hongju left, Liu Ziju's face scrunched up in a frown.
"Brother Zhaoming, what are you doing? Are we afraid of him?"
Bai Hui ignored him. She turned around and stopped Qu Linghan, who was about to drink water to calm his nerves.
"Don't drink it, the wine is poisoned."
Qu Linghan's face paled. "Ah, this... Cui Hongju poisoned me?"
"No, there are others behind Cui Hongju."
Who is it?
Bai Hui pushed the teacup towards Liu Ziju.
Qu Linghan understood and a smile appeared on his lips.
The struggle for the crown prince position has always been like this.
"Are you really going today?"
Liu Ziju was somewhat helpless.
"Of course, we not only have to go, but we have to go in style."
After the three finished their meal, they boarded a carriage bound for the Cui residence.
Liu Zi asked in a low voice.
…
"If we go to the Cui residence now, will we be doomed?"
No.
"listen to me…"
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Ziju waved his hand.
"No, no, Brother Zhaoming, I really can't do this. My mother never taught me."
Qu Linghan couldn't hold back any longer.
The image of Liu Ziju's final fate came to mind.
"Liu Ziju, this is the simplest one. If you're not even willing to do this, think about your future!"
She rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.
"Those who know you might think you're unwilling to take matters into your own hands, but those who don't might think you have no brains at all!"
"Sister Linghan, please don't say that about me."
Liu Ziju had a pitiful expression on his face.
Qu Linghan suppressed her anger.
"sorry."
She added a few more words that struck a nerve with Liu Ziju.
"Right now, it's just that the state you govern has been set up, and if you don't step in and properly deter them, what will you do in the future?"
You will eventually grow up.
If this can help you escape the trajectory of history books, then it's a good thing.
After speaking, Liu Ziju fell silent.
"I'm scared."
"Don't be afraid."
…
After some debate, Liu Ziju finally agreed.
It was approaching evening.
Qu Linghan and the other two boarded the carriage arranged by Cui Hongju.
After traveling for about half an hour, the carriage approached the Cui residence.
The snow-covered signboard could not conceal its extravagant atmosphere.
Two pillars, carved with exquisite landscapes, support the top of the gate, while elegantly dressed maids walk in the courtyard.
Unlike outside the street, the three of them immediately felt warmth upon arriving at the entrance of the Cui residence.
Precious pine wood burned brightly in the brazier in the courtyard.
They can be seen everywhere.
"Honored guest, please follow me."
As soon as Qu Linghan and the other two got off the carriage, a maid came to lead them.
“Ziju”.
Bai Huiyu glanced past Liu Ziju.
"Don't be afraid."
So Qu Linghan deliberately went over and tried to get close to the maid.
"Oh, what kind of child do you like?"
"Our master..."
After turning several corners and passing countless houses, Liu Ziju successfully escaped the maid's sight and carefully moved through the Cui family's residence.
"Accountant, accountant."
He muttered to himself, telling himself not to panic.
"Can I find it?"
“I believe in him, he will definitely find it.”
At this moment, Qu Linghan and Bai Hui were sitting in the living room arranged by Cui Hongju.
Antique and elegant, it can be summed up in one word: "luxurious".
"My little beauty, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for so long."
The laughter, tinged with the smell of alcohol, carried a greedy tone.
Qu Linghan's scalp went numb.
A pair of dark, fat hands were about to reach for Qu Linghan's neck.
"Don't touch her."
Bai Hui was, after all, a military general who had distinguished himself in battle, and the aura he exuded made people dare not disobey him.
"Why are you here? Didn't I say I only wanted the little beauty inside?"
Cui Hongju's voice carried a hint of anger.
"Sir, please calm down. I apologize for coming uninvited."
"I have come with my wife, firstly to serve Your Highness, and secondly..."
"Two what?"
"I heard that the official has recently made a fortune."
Bai Hui deliberately emphasized the word "horizontal".
Cui Hongju was indeed enraged.
"What windfall! You don't want to live anymore!"
Bai Hui made no further move. Cui Hongju grabbed Qu Linghan's hand and tried to leave, but Bai Hui punched him to the ground.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted inside the courtyard.
"Grab him! Grab him! Don't let him get away!"
Cui Hongju struggled to his feet and grabbed Bai Hui's collar.
"Who exactly are you?"
"release."
With an unquestionable tone, Bai Hui slowly put on the mask.
"Now."
"Now you know who I am, right?"
Bai Hui's voice was flippant, like a sharp knife, each word etched into Cui Hongju's heart.
He was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground.
"Lord...Lord Marquis."
Bai Hui seized the opportunity to grab Qu Linghan's hand.
"Quick, let's go!"
Qu Linghan was pulled along by Bai Hui, following behind him. The two of them ran swiftly, like swimming dragons.
The wind blew his long, white hair, and his black robe made him look spirited and dashing in the moonlight.
Long time no see...
Like a nineteen-year-old boy.
"Liu Ziju, over here!"
Qu Linghan saw Liu Ziju running around in Cui Hongju's mansion.
"Come quick!"
The maids and servants behind them were still chasing.
Qu Linghan and Liu Ziju had already been dragged to the wall by Bai Hui.
"W-are we going to fly now?"
Qu Linghan was so scared that he even stammered when he spoke.
"ah!!!"
"If you shout any louder, the sky will burst open."
For once, Bai Hui smiled at Qu Linghan.
Of course, it wasn't a sneer, since sneers are all too common.
"You smiled! Bai Hui!"
"No."
A blush crept onto his pale face, appearing somewhat incongruous with his slender eyes.
Yet...it's also kind of cute.
"Bai Hui, your smile is so cute!"
"Don't talk nonsense."
…
"Hey, I haven't gone up yet, you two hurry up and give me a hand."
"Oh right, hurry up. Help Liu Ziju out."
"I'm finally up here!"
"Quick, where are they! Chase after them!"
The joy lasted only a second before the people behind them caught up again.
"Let's go! To the inn. The coachman will meet us there."
The three of them ran out of afterimages, as if they had transformed into flying fairies from a cultivation novel.
…
"Phew, we're finally here. I'm exhausted."
After running for an unknown amount of time, Liu Ziju was covered in sweat and panting heavily.
He took out his account book and fanned himself.
But Qu Linghan snatched it away.
"This is?"
"Evidence of embezzlement by Cui Hongju, Liu Keli, and Li Yadong."
How did you know?
"Zhao Shizhong's father once worked as an accountant in Cui Hongju's household. He was involved in Cui Hongju's embezzlement and money laundering ledgers."
"Then how do you know this is it?"
"Last night, while you were asleep, I secretly sneaked into the Cui residence."
"Last night? Then why didn't you bring the ledger last night?"
"In order to alert the enemy."
Liu Ziju and Qu Linghan suddenly couldn't understand.
"To alert the enemy?"
"Use Choi Hong-ju to see if the people behind him will protect him."
"If we protect him, we'll catch him by the tail. If we don't, we won't suffer any losses..."
"Hmm."
It seemed they had stepped into a pothole, and the carriage veered uncontrollably to the right.
Qu Linghan, who was sitting on the left side of the carriage, also uncontrollably leaned towards Bai Hui opposite him...
She suddenly fell into Bai Hui's arms, his chin resting on her forehead.
The fluffy baby hair made my skin white and a little itchy.
The bristles on his chin stung her a little.
Before either of them could react, the crisp sandalwood scent enveloped them, and their breaths seemed to mingle.
"Miss, young master, are you alright?"
The driver stopped the car and asked.
"Ah, it's nothing."
Qu Linghan quickly broke free from Bai Hui's embrace, and the two inadvertently became intimate.
"Um, I'm sorry."
Bai Hui coughed awkwardly, trying to hide his inner turmoil.
He didn't look at her out of the corner of his eye.
Three more days passed, and the snow on the road was melting.
As the saying goes, "It's not cold when it snows, but it's cold when the snow melts."
On the first night of her journey home, Qu Linghan felt a deep empathy; she was shivering with cold.
Bai Hui draped his cloak over her shoulders.
Aside from that, the two did not exchange any further words.
From Yuzhou to Guishu City, there were significantly fewer refugees than when they arrived.
I wonder if the displaced people in the capital have found a place to live.
When they arrived at Guishu City, it was still early.
Bai Hui then instructed the coachman to take Qu Linghan to the entrance of the Bai residence.
He and Liu Ziju still needed to return to the palace to report the news.
After saying goodbye, Qu Linghan strode into the courtyard.
Jing'er immediately ran towards Qu Linghan.
"Miss, I've missed you so much these past ten days while you were gone!"
Qu Linghan gently rubbed Jing'er's face.
"I miss you as well."
Have you been eating properly these days?
"My lady, please don't worry about me. What about you? You're going to Yuzhou, such a far and remote place. How are you going?"
Upon hearing this, Qu Linghan immediately perked up.
He pulled Jing'er into Bai Hui's study and vividly recounted the tragic journey the three of them had taken, the refugees they had rescued, and the most thrilling "escape from Cuikou" incident.
"And then, miss, how did you shake them off?"
"Let's fly then." Qu Linghan flicked her hair.
It made Jing'er laugh uncontrollably.
"By the way, Jing'er."
"Have you been supervising the construction of the shop these days?"
Qu Linghan tapped his head; he had left in too much of a hurry.
I forgot to tell Jing'er to keep an eye on things.
"Of course I do, I go to see it every day."
Upon hearing Jing'er's answer, Qu Linghan's eyes lit up as if they had been sprinkled with stars.
She patted Jing'er on the shoulder and gave her a thumbs up.
"You're amazing!"
"Then I'll take a nap first, and we'll go check out the shop together this afternoon."
"Alright, Madam. I'll go to the shop and wait for you then."
"Hmm...okay. Take care on your journey."
After Jing'er left, Qu Linghan started to catch up on sleep, trying to wash away the fatigue from traveling these past few days.
About four hours later, the sun began to set in the west, and the temperature was just right.
Qu Linghan arrived at the clothing store.
"Miss, you've arrived!"
"Hmm, let's see how the design is here!"
The shop that Qu Linghan chose has three floors.
The first floor was designed by Qu Linghan as a fabric display area. Looking east from the entrance, there are counters, a city-owned display area, and shelves. Looking west, there is a silk display area, screens, and a fitting area.
The second floor is the custom-made area. Going up from the first floor, there are two large floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of Xuan Shu City at night. To the west are workbenches and material cabinets where clothes can be cut. To the east is the ready-made clothing area, where customers can choose their desired styles and have them cut by Qu Linghan.
The third floor, with a storage area smaller than the first two floors, served as Qu Linghan's warehouse for storing fabrics.
Qu Linghan and Jing'er walked to the first-floor exhibition area. She was thinking about whether to find suppliers or purchase raw materials to be self-sufficient.
There was a knock at the door, and Jing'er opened it as she approached.
A strange man stood at the door, holding a notebook with utmost respect.
"May I ask who you are?"
“My lady, this is the city registration that was just completed. The Marquis asked me to give it to you, so I rushed over here without stopping.”
Qu Linghan was as radiant as a spring flower as she received the city registration certificate from his hands.
"Thank you, thank you!"
Jing'er greeted the person.
He left shortly afterward.
There was another knock at the door…
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