It was no secret that Wang He participated in the Imperial Academy selection; the news spread quickly.
Although many people didn't care, this matter still left a lingering unease in Jiang Bai's heart.
She did not tell Zhao Xile about Zhao Ping'an and Wang Xuan. Zhao Xile only needed to prepare for the selection of female scholars for the Imperial Academy and did not need to think about anything else.
Jiang Bai had been observing the Wang family's attitude, but Wang He hadn't made any moves recently, and there hadn't been anything unusual in the capital's medicinal cuisine market.
Even the group that had been causing trouble for the Zhao family's medicinal cuisine shop didn't come back.
It was unusually quiet and calm.
Jiang Bai returned home early that day, so he spent some time practicing calligraphy with Zhao Xile before instructing the kitchen to prepare a meal.
However, just as the sun set, Zhao Yi sent someone back to tell her that he wouldn't be coming home for dinner that night.
"Not coming back? Where is the master now?" Jiang Bai asked.
"Madam, the master is currently at Chunyue Tower, saying he's discussing business with a man named Wang Chao."
Jiang Bai turned around, "Doing business with the Dynasty?!"
"That's right."
"I understand. You can go back now. Keep a close eye on the master and tell him I'll come to pick him up later."
"Yes." The servant withdrew, but Jiang Bai was somewhat puzzled.
She knew what Zhao Yi seemed to be up to lately, but she didn't interfere in his business often. She usually just looked after her own shop, since she was already too busy to manage her own affairs.
She was still worried, so after having dinner with Zhao Xile, she stayed for a while, and when the moon began to set, she headed towards Chunyue Tower.
Chunyuelou was the most bustling restaurant in the capital.
Built on a waterside pavilion, the men and women who came and went were dressed in gold-embroidered robes or veils of gauze. At night, the water was filled with thousands of bright lights, like a city that never sleeps.
Women and men drink and chat happily, and many business deals are made there.
Jiang Bai was led by a servant through five or six corridors, the pungent smell of rouge making her feel somewhat nauseous.
At this moment, in the southeast corner of the wing, Zhao Yi and Wang Chao were drinking.
He had already sent people to find out the truth these days. Although Wang He and Wang Chao were related by blood, they were indeed very distant relatives. As an official, Wang Chao naturally looked down on merchants like Wang He.
It was only because Wang He's flattery and money were needed that they opened a back door for him; the collusion between officials and merchants was ultimately for the sake of profit.
Therefore, Wang He was privately very unhappy with the dynasty, thinking that he was great just because he had become a high-ranking official.
Wang He was unaware that Wang Xuan's affairs were related to the Zhao family.
Sure enough, after drinking a few glasses of wine, he started hurling insults.
"Brother Zhao! We hit it off immediately. I look down on all those people in the capital. You know that my Wang family's medicinal cuisine business dominates the capital. As long as your Zhao family follows my Wang He, I guarantee you will have a foothold in the capital!"
"Come on, drink!" Wang He, somewhat tipsy, stood up and sat down next to Zhao Yi: "To be honest, the Imperial Censor Wang of the current court is a relative of mine, and our family business..."
Wang He's eyes were glazed over, and he reeked of alcohol, which displeased Zhao Yi. Zhao Yi smiled, but his eyes were cold as he listened to Wang He while pouring him more wine: "I understand! I understand!"
"Hahaha, Brother Zhao is a smart man!" Wang He clapped his hands, and the dancers filed in one after another. The scantily clad women sat down beside him and massaged his back and legs.
"This is Linglong, the top courtesan of Chunyue Pavilion, and that Rouge is also quite good." She beckoned to Rouge, "Come, serve Young Master Zhao!"
"Rouge obeys." The woman swayed her hips and reached out to cover Zhao Yi's shoulder.
Zhao Yi frowned slightly, subtly avoiding the attack, causing her hand to miss its mark.
Just as he was about to get up, a knock sounded at the door: "Master Wang, Madam Zhao has arrived."
"The lady has arrived?!" Wang He's interest was piqued, and he dismissed Rouge. "Quickly! Quickly invite the lady up!"
"I've heard that my brother's wife is a formidable businesswoman; I'd better get to know her."
Zhao Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but also found it amusing. Bai'er had arrived just in time; otherwise, if word got out, Bai'er would probably be heartbroken.
"Madam!" Zhao Yi looked at Jiang Bai with a bright smile, as if to tell Jiang Bai that she had arrived just in time.
Jiang Bai suppressed a laugh and walked to Zhao Yi's side: "You didn't invite me when you were drinking with Boss Wang?"
"It's my fault, it's my fault."
When Wang He saw Jiang Bai, his eyes were glued to Jiang Bai, unable to move.
Jiang Bai stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Boss Wang."
Wang He then came to his senses, "Come, come, sit down!"
"Brother Zhao is so lucky to have such a beautiful and capable wife!" Wang He has always been a womanizer.
He was tired of the women in the brothel, and seeing Jiang Bai made him feel like his blood was being stained.
Zhao Yi's expression was somewhat cold. Jiang Bai shook his head at him, then smiled and said, "Mr. Wang, you flatter me."
"Hey, what are you saying? If I were Brother Zhao, would I still go out with a wife like that?"
Jiang Bai smiled insincerely; this man was truly shameless. However, the more Wang Heyue was like this, the easier he was to manipulate.
The weaknesses are too obvious.
"I've heard that Mr. Wang's business in medicinal cuisine is thriving in the capital. My family is truly fortunate to have you as an acquaintance with him."
"I told Brother Zhao, following me, Wang He, was the right choice!"
Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow slightly: "Then, I'll have to trouble you, Boss Wang."
Wang He was given alcohol by Zhao Yi and then by Jiang Bai. The alcohol became stronger and stronger, and he started to talk nonsense more and more.
Only Zhao Yi knew that there must have been something inside, otherwise Wang He wouldn't have gone mad so quickly.
He stood up unsteadily and said to the two men, "My family's business still relies on Wang Chao to some extent, but Wang Chao is a scoundrel. He takes advantage of his position as an imperial censor and has done countless bad things in secret!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow.
"That's for sure. This man's crimes are too numerous to mention."
Jiang Bai pulled Zhao Yi to his feet: "Boss Wang, we have some things to attend to at home, so we'll head back first."
"Okay! Okay!" Wang He looked at Jiang Bai smiling at him, his heart melted, and he agreed.
Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi watched as they left Chun Yue Lou from the backyard. Zhao Yi was somewhat puzzled: "Are we leaving so soon?"
"Don't give anyone any leverage against you. Don't worry, the rest is up to Wang He."
Jiang Bai smiled slightly: "My medicine is one of a kind in the world."
Sure enough, not long after, Chun Yue Lou was thrown into chaos.
Under the bright moonlight, a carriage slowly drove towards the Zhao residence.
The lights in the Zhao residence were extinguished after only two hours, leaving a peaceful silence, while the Chun Yue Tower remained brightly lit until dawn.
Rumors began to circulate widely, like a tiger being spread by three people.
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