The elite cavalry battalion.
The last two guards on duty in the guardhouse finished their duties, and only then did the men Jiang Zhenlin had sent out return.
"Commander Jiang, we've found it."
Jiang Zhenlin perked up, put his legs off the table, and said, "Speak."
"Many villagers in Shuiyuan Town know about this. The schoolteacher's surname is Ruan. He was originally a medicinal herb merchant. He was injured and settled in the village. To make a living, he opened a study and taught the children to read and write, and he didn't charge them any money."
“The villagers often give him food, and they all say that he is a very kind person.”
"Miss Lin is also one of his students."
The Imperial Guard glanced at Jiang Zhenlin's expression and continued, "Miss Lin has a great talent. She learned to write very quickly, and later she was even able to write letters for the aunt next door."
Jiang Zhenlin found it hard to believe that Lin Qingwan could write and even write letters for others.
She's so stupid, she must have been deceived by a man who promised her some shady benefits to teach her more.
Jiang Zhenlin gripped the armrest of his chair tightly, his eyes devoid of warmth. "Where is that guy surnamed Ruan now?"
"He left the town a year ago, and I heard he started a new business as a medicine dealer. We'll have to wait and see where he is."
"Investigate for me!"
Once he finds out, he'll skin that Ruan guy alive! He dares to bully the Jiang family's daughter? He's asking for death!
Frustrated at not finding anyone, Jiang Zhenlin turned and cursed Lin Qingwan inwardly as a brainless idiot.
Gao Peng invited several familiar young masters and noblemen to drink. He had a dancer wear a blue dress. Her snow-white skin paired with the cloisonné moon-blue skirt made her look less seductive and worldly, and more like a fresh and delicate young lady, which won her a lot of praise.
"Why does this outfit look familiar, young master?" Jiang Zhenlin looked at it again and again, but he just couldn't remember where he had seen it before.
Gao Peng rested his chin on his hand, staring longingly at the geisha's retreating figure, his expression one of yearning and despair. Even the wine tasted bland to him. "It's still not quite there," he muttered.
"The beauty was just sitting on a bench in the vast crowd, and I was immediately drawn to her cool and aloof beauty. What a pity, it was just one glance!"
"I've lost a lot of weight because I've been thinking about her so much in the past two weeks."
Jiang Zhenlin sneered, "You're being suppressed by the Minister and your elder brother, all talk and no action, always lusting after women. Can't you be a little more dignified?"
Gao Peng glanced at him sideways, "This time it's different. I swear she's my wife, and if I never see her again in this lifetime, I will never marry!"
Jiang Zhenlin's lips twitched. "Then you should shave your head and become a monk now."
"Can't you wish me well for once!" he sighed, taking out several bamboo dragonflies from his sleeve pocket. "I heard from Caibao that you wanted these. Here, three of them, big, medium, and small, a family of dragonflies."
Are you satisfied?
Gao Peng suppressed a laugh, mocking him for being such a grown man and still playing this kind of game.
Jiang Zhenlin shook his head, still fuming from the alcohol, "When did I...?"
Damn, he remembered!
Jiang Zhenlin's emotions were spreading like an invisible storm. He crushed the three bamboo dragonflies into powder between his fingers. Gao Peng, oblivious to his bulging cheeks, felt sorry for the bamboo dragonflies. "What are you doing! Why did you do that..."
Jiang Zhenlin suddenly stood up, his face as dark as the clouds before a storm. He rushed to the dancer and kicked her to the ground. "Get off! Who gave you permission to wear these clothes!"
Gao Peng staggered to his feet, "Ah Lin, who upset you again! Why did you kick my dancer? You have such a bad temper..."
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Zhenlin grabbed his collar and said, "I told you to stop thinking about her!"
"You're ignoring what I said!"
Gao Peng frowned. "She's not your woman, why are you in such a hurry! Besides, how do you know the beauty won't like me?"
"shut up!"
Jiang Zhenlin somehow imagined an indescribable scene between Lin Qingwan and the schoolteacher, and anger rose in his heart. He raised his fist to hit someone, but fortunately Caibao stopped him in time.
Gao Peng calmed down, but still wouldn't let it go, emboldened by the alcohol. "You got those clothes dirty. I had a hard time finding the exact same ones. You have to pay me back."
The crowd quickly stopped the two, and Caibao struggled to shove Jiang Zhenlin into the car. "Young Master! The Prime Minister has probably returned to his residence by now. Let's hurry back, or the Prime Minister will be displeased."
Jiang Zhenlin persisted, "Get me out of here!"
Caibao told the coachman to leave quickly, and then turned back to apologize to Gao Peng on behalf of his master.
Gao Peng was initially distressed about the clothes, but when he heard Cai Bao say that the beauty he had been longing for was actually Jiang Zhenlin's second sister, whom he had brought back from the Bodhisattva Temple, he was so shocked that he forgot to breathe.
Finally, Gao Peng's servant pinched his philtrum to bring him back to his senses.
Gao Peng sobered up considerably, and his first reaction was to agree with what Prince Jing had said: "How could such a beautiful woman not receive a good word from him!"
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhenlin cursed and swore all the way in the carriage. When he got out, he kicked the horse stool, and the coachman didn't dare to say a word.
"It's all because she's so immature and flirts with everyone."
Jiang Zhenlin blamed all the crimes on Lin Qingwan, and he seemed determined to create a mess with every step he took.
Caibao was in a real bind. "Young Master, the steward said the Prime Minister is still in his study handling official business. Please keep your voice down."
Jiang Zhenlin then shut up and went around to the southwest corner to return to the courtyard.
"Auntie, this fox fur coat is wonderful. Did the master reward you with it?"
Granny Lai felt guilty. "Of course! Serving the master well is nothing compared to this reward."
Lai Pozi's nephew had no suspicions.
Granny Lai added, "This was a gift from Prince Jing to Miss Qingwan. He probably knew that Miss Yanwan had the same thing, so he bestowed it upon her."
"Take it back and put it away carefully, so the two young ladies don't see it, to avoid trouble."
"knew."
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