Chapter 67 It Turns Out It Was a Date with a Beauty
This calm demeanor stems from the belief that the information she brings must be insignificant gossip.
Jiang Zhi didn't say anything, but lifted her skirt and sat down opposite him, looking at the pastries placed on top.
“Salty shortbread, crispy leaf pastry, plum blossom soup cake… these are not my favorite foods,” Jiang Zhi said with a look of disgust. “Please remember my preferences next time, Lord Yan, and don’t try to fob me off with these cheap snacks.”
Yan Wenhong's face was grim.
Ordering her some snacks is already quite generous; why make him remember her preferences?
Who does she think she is?
"Miss Jiang, have you forgotten the feud between us?" He chuckled coldly. "If you don't get the information I want, forget the snacks, there's something even better waiting for you. Miss Jiang, would you like to try?"
This was a case of being enraged and resorting to direct threats.
Jiang Zhixiu frowned. "My information is extremely important to Lord Yan, but unfortunately he doesn't seem to care. Oh well, I can sell this information to someone else."
After saying that, Jiang Zhi got up and was about to leave.
Yan Wenhong slammed his hand on the table, his voice forced out from his throat, "Does Miss Jiang think I'm just playing around with you for no reason?"
“Lord Yan!” Jiang Zhi showed no fear whatsoever, her cold, deep eyes staring directly at him without flinching, her aura even stronger than his. “Please get this straight, who was it that started this condescending and disdainful attitude? If you want to cooperate, please first correct your attitude, otherwise I have nothing to say!”
Even if he had to reluctantly cooperate with Yan Wenhong, he couldn't possibly put on airs or give her a hard time.
Yan Wenhong never expected to be retorted to the face of a woman who was powerless to even kill a chicken. His face turned extremely ugly, and he almost wanted to draw his sword and kill her.
But I forced myself to endure it.
A true man doesn't concern himself with trifles. If this woman's information is truly useful, enduring some humiliation is no big deal. If she dares to play tricks on him, he can deal with her himself later.
Thinking about this, Yan Wenhong calmed down.
He poured tea and apologized sincerely, saying, "I was disrespectful to Miss Jiang just now, please forgive me."
He then summoned his servants outside the door and had them bring out even more exquisite and valuable pastries.
Jiang Zhi's expression softened slightly. She took the tea he offered as an apology, drank a sip, and then sat back down.
"My news will certainly not disappoint Lord Yan."
After everyone had left, she spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Lord Yan had better send Song Jianyuan out of the capital within three days, or it will be too late."
Yan Wenhong was startled.
How could she know Song Jianyuan? And how could she know that Song Jianyuan was the Third Prince's man?
He squinted, looking her up and down.
She looks like an ordinary woman, so how does she know so much?
No matter how much Lu Yuan was tempted by her beauty, he would not tell her such a confidential matter.
How can I trust you?
Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Lord Yan, you can try sending him away. If nothing happens after three days, I will accept the punishment. If everything is as I say, I hope you will not forget our agreement."
This Song Jianyuan was the Vice Minister of Revenue, who usually helped the Third Prince amass wealth and win people's hearts.
In his previous life, just three days later, Lu Yuan, who had been keeping an eye on him with the Embroidered Uniform Guard for a long time, suddenly carried out an arrest and imprisoned Song Jianyuan in the imperial prison.
At that time, the matter caused a great uproar. Song Jianyuan died suddenly of a heart attack just one day after being imprisoned.
Originally worried about being exposed, the Zhongqin Earl's Mansion was now free of worries. In fact, because of Song Jianyuan's death, the Third Prince, along with Song Jianyuan's widow and only son, cried and pleaded for justice in the court, bringing the matter to the emperor's attention. They submitted a memorial impeaching Lu Yuan for abusing his power and harming court officials, and pleaded with the emperor to severely punish Lu Yuan.
Although the emperor trusted Lu Yuan, he was also annoyed by the ministers in the court and could only temporarily suspend Lu from his post as commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It was a long time before he withdrew his order.
This is a perfect opportunity for me to use this matter to gain Yan Wenhong's trust.
Yan Wenhong considered it carefully.
He originally thought that even if Jiang Zhi could get some insignificant information, it would only be something trivial.
He was caught off guard by such a bombshell announcement, which nearly left him completely disoriented.
So Lu Yuan had been keeping an eye on Song Jianyuan all along?
Was this his own decision, or the Emperor's will?
"That's all I have to say. Now it all depends on whether Lu Yuan makes a move in three days." Jiang Zhi didn't urge him. She just picked up the golden rose pastry in front of her, took a bite, and smiled with satisfaction.
"Everyone says that the golden rose pastry from Shuyulou is incredibly valuable and a unique delicacy in the capital. Now it seems it truly is extraordinary. Lord Yan has gone to great lengths."
Yan Wenhong's face was as if covered with a thin layer of ice; he was stunned and couldn't recover for a long time after being hit by Jiang Zhi's news.
Just as he was in a state of utter confusion, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the private room.
"I heard that Lord Yan is here today, so I came to pay my respects. Why don't you make way?" A faint voice came from behind.
The men at the door tried to stop him, saying, "Lord Yan is on official business and cannot receive guests. Please leave."
"Who do I think I am? I'm just here to ask Lord Yan for a cup of tea, don't be so stingy—"
Before he could finish speaking, the door to the private room was pushed open forcefully, and his men couldn't stop him at all.
"Let me see what brings Lord Yan to be so busy." A familiar voice came from behind Jiang Zhi.
Although surprised, Jiang Zhi knew who it was without even turning around.
Yan Wenhong's face darkened further upon seeing the intruder, his eyes flashing like icy blades. "Young Master Xie, what brings you here uninvited?"
His voice sounded like it was being squeezed out from between his teeth, with a hint of gritted teeth.
Xie Qi was passing by Shuyu Tower when he heard that Yan Wenhong was there. Remembering what Yan Wenkang had done to Jiang Zhi, he couldn't help but want to come up and mock him.
Unexpectedly, upon entering, he found a beautiful young woman sitting opposite Yan Wenhong.
This surprised him greatly.
"What official business? So Lord Yan has a date with a beauty. No wonder you wouldn't let anyone in," he raised an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling. "I'm so sorry to bother you."
He apologized, but his gaze remained fixed on the pastries on the table.
“Golden Rose Pastry, Spring Snow Fragrance Dumplings, and Honey-Floated Crispy Flower Pastry…” Xie Qi exclaimed in amazement, “Lord Yan is truly willing to spend money.”
Although Yan Wenhong is usually ruthless and cold-blooded, he is a man who does not get close to women. Now, he is so generous in order to please the beauty.
This made him very curious about which young lady could win over someone like Yan Wenhong.
However, no matter how much he hated Yan Wenhong, he would not go up directly to look at the young lady's face covered by her veil.
This is not the behavior of a gentleman.
"If Young Master Xie has nothing else to say, please leave." Yan Wenhong's jawline was taut, and his lips were pressed into a straight line.
He must never let Xie Qi know about his collaboration with Jiang Zhi.
Xie Qi and he already had a grudge against each other, and if Xie Qi found out, he would definitely try every means to sabotage their cooperation.
Jiang Zhi is now extremely useful to the Third Prince.
We can't let Xie Qi ruin everything.
Xie Qi was even more intrigued by his bluntness. "Lord Yan, won't you introduce him? I swear on my honor that I will never reveal this to anyone."
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