Chapter 20: Guanwuyuan Wen Yuchen wakes up late "I can't let the prefect down..."
The next day, we visited Wuyuan.
"ah!"
Wen Yu tumbled out of bed, her mind agitated and sweaty. She dreamed of a fish-headed spirit arguing with her, saying that she was clearly a spirit like it, yet she was so obsessed with her own appetite that she didn't care whether the fish-headed spirit lived or died, and was actually eating its flesh alive...
She was scolded to the point of being utterly bloody and running away...
Wen Yu breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a dream! Not everything could be intelligent. The sashimi yesterday was already on the plate when she saw it. It wasn't her work. If anyone was to blame, they should go to the chef!
Wen Yu comforted herself like this, trying to calm herself down. As expected, she had never eaten meat before, and even after eating it just once, she had a nightmare.
Wen Yu watched the light and shadow by the window—a shadow crept into the room through the crack, a golden light spreading across the floor. She leaped off the bed. It was already noon! Why was she waking up just now?
Wen Yu couldn't find the dress she wore yesterday. She searched for a long time but couldn't find it. She hurriedly searched the closet for the dress that Uncle Song had bought yesterday, picked one at random and put it on.
After a simple wash, Wen Yu rushed out like an arrow, but bumped into someone just as she was about to reach the door.
"Ouch--"
Wen Yu took a few steps back to steady himself and looked carefully.
"Wash the inkstone?" He was followed by two maids, holding in their hands the clothes that Wen Yu wore yesterday.
"Mrs. Wenyu! Are you okay?" Xiyan rubbed the bump on his head and hurriedly asked Wenyu.
"It's okay, it's okay! What time is it now? Yesterday, Song Linsheng promised to let me go to the government office with him. Where is he?" Wen Yu held the bun on her head with one hand and asked questions like a machine gun.
"It's already 9 o'clock, Madam Wenyu. The young master went to the government office to settle down last night..." The young master kept him last night, saying that Madam Wenyu needed someone to take care of her this morning, but he himself did not stay in the mansion.
Xi Yan was troubled by these strange behaviors all night long, and it was not until dawn that he realized that the young master probably left on purpose for the sake of Madam Wen Yu's reputation.
"She left last night?" Wen Yu's eyes widened in disbelief. She had no memory of it at all...
"Why didn't you call me?"
Xiyan asked the two maids to bring in the washed clothes first. After the two maids disappeared into the inner room, he replied to Wenyu.
"Call you? How do I call you?" Xi Yan couldn't hide his smile.
"Last night, Madam Wenyu got drunk and vomited all over herself, talking nonsense non-stop. She pulled the young master aside and apologized profusely... We tossed and turned for half the night, and it was hard to finally settle her down..."
Wen Yu's mind went blank. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall this.
Xiyan knew that being drunk wasn't a big deal, nor was talking nonsense. What was difficult was having someone help him remember. Seeing Wenyu's expression, which was three parts dull and seven parts distressed, Xiyan stopped teasing. This was a guest invited into the mansion by the young master. Xiyan bowed and asked, "Madam Wenyu, will you come with me for breakfast?"
Wen Yu waved his hand and said, "No, no, I'm going to the government office to find Song Linsheng!" Wen Yu avoided washing the inkstone and went out of the house.
After taking a few steps, Wen Yu stopped, turned around and called Xi Yan: "I don't know the way either! Xi Yan, come with me!"
Indeed, Xiyan had originally stayed behind to take care of Madam Wenyu's meals. Since she didn't want to eat and wanted to go to the government office, Xiyan should lead the way.
Xiyan responded and hurried to Wenyu's front to lead the way. As they walked, he did not forget to reply to Wenyu: "The maids are here to take care of your daily life. I personally selected them because they are nimble and smart. If you have anything to do, please send them to do it."
Wen Yu agreed hastily, wanting only to rush to the government office. When he walked out of the gate of Song's house, he saw the carriage prepared earlier for washing the inkstone waiting in front of the door.
Xiyan had intended to set up the stool and then help Wenyu into the carriage, but before he could remove it, Wenyu dodged and swiftly climbed onto the carriage. Xiyan, amazed at her agility, hurriedly drove off to the government office.
Jiangyang government office.
"I am indeed responsible for failing to supervise the blockage and overgrowth of vines in the Yuan River..." The first person to speak was Jia Ren, the Deputy Magistrate, who was currently answering from the hall. Mu Tong stood on the other side, silent.
Song Linsheng sent someone to call him over early this morning to check on the civil affairs of Jiangyang Prefecture. Song Linsheng did not directly ask about the commotion in the East Market yesterday, nor did he mention Chen Mian's name.
He wanted to start by checking the records. Once they were sorted out, the flaws and omissions would become apparent, and there would be no need to question Jia Ren. Moreover, the world was still uncertain, so no conclusions could be drawn.
The more Song Linsheng read the record, the more his brows furrowed.
The Yuanshui River is not only blocked by algae and vines, but also suspected of being artificially filled and illegally expanded. If dredging is not carried out, it will become a serious hidden danger once the summer flood season arrives.
Song Linsheng glanced at Jia Ren inexplicably, feeling somewhat puzzled. To say that Jiangyang Prefecture had a deep-seated problem was not entirely true. What he had seen and heard since entering the city, the prosperous scenes along the way, were undeniable.
What's more, these facts and speculations are all recorded and available for reference.
But if it is said that everything was aboveboard and there was no secret behind it, then why did Jia Ren arrest people in the street and openly clash with the people?
It's really hard to understand...
"Sir Song..." Jia Ren's voice rang out, and Song Linsheng looked in the direction of the voice.
Meeting Song Linsheng's gaze, Jia Ren felt uneasy. This prefect, Song, was only in his twenties, very young, while Jia Ren had been an official for over twenty years, even longer than Song Linsheng himself.
He had seen all kinds of storms over the years, but inexplicably, he felt depressed and breathless under Song Linsheng's gaze.
"Please speak, sir."
"I--" Jia Ren was about to speak, but was interrupted.
"Sir Song! Sir Song!" Wen Yu trotted across the threshold and arrived at the front of the hall. She walked past Jia Ren and Mu Tong and stopped next to Song Linsheng.
Is it him?
Wen Yu looked closely and saw that it was the little adult who had rescued her and Chen Mian yesterday. His back was straight, standing like a tree, and he was nodding to her in the hall.
Wen Yu was a little surprised, but the one who was even more surprised was probably Lord Jia.
Jia Ren's eyes wandered between Wen Yu and Song Linsheng, revealing his unconcealed scrutiny. Isn't this the girl who saw him arresting Chen Mian yesterday?
No wonder she was so eloquent and confident yesterday, and she was not flustered at all when she spoke. It turned out that she was Lord Song's person... Jia Ren was thinking in his mind, guessing her relationship with Song Linsheng.
"This...could it be Mrs. Song?" Jia Ren asked tentatively.
Song Linsheng raised his eyebrows slightly, Madam Song?
"Mrs. Song" remained expressionless, staring directly at Jia Ren, with her hands behind her back waving repeatedly so that Song Linsheng could see.
"This is my honored guest—Wenyu." Song Linsheng introduced them to each other. "These two are Master Jia Ren and Mu Tong."
"So your name is Wenyu." Mu Tong smiled and nodded, greeting Wenyu, who also smiled back.
This made Lord Jia, who was standing by, feel awkward, and no one spoke for a while. Jia Ren broke the silence.
"I have investigated and discovered that the blockage of the Yuan River was caused by the incompetence of Chen Mian, the clerk in the government office, who failed to fulfill his supervisory duties. He has been taken into custody and is awaiting sentencing!"
Song Linsheng flipped through the booklet, remembering Mu's introduction yesterday. While it was true that Chen Mian was a clerk in the palace, he belonged to the Silifang, responsible for sacrificial ceremonies and rituals. Even if the palace was short-staffed and some people were multitasking, Chen Mian shouldn't be in charge of water conservancy projects...
"Did he plead guilty?" Song Linsheng asked.
"He has—"
"No." Mu Jingli interrupted Jia Tongzhi and saluted Song Linsheng, adding, "Chen Mian has not confessed his guilt. This matter is still under investigation."
Wen Yu nodded inwardly as she listened to his reply. She couldn't believe that Chen Mian, who had resisted so much, would confess so easily. Wasn't he very concerned about his wife at home? He definitely wouldn't do that.
"This matter will be put on hold for the time being. I will personally review it. Lord Jia, there is no need to bother following up. Please withdraw."
Upon hearing this, Jia Ren wanted to say something, but finally stopped and just bowed and took his leave. Mu Tong followed him and was about to leave.
"Mr. Mu, please stay for a moment." It was Song Linsheng calling him.
Mu Tong turned around and stopped without being servile or arrogant. "What are your orders, sir?"
Song Linsheng put down the scrolls and books in his hands, stood up and motioned Wen Yu to follow him.
Wen Yu followed him, puzzled, and stood beside Mu Tong. He only heard him say, "This Mu, the experienced one, is in charge of the office documents, including the household registration. I will entrust him with the task of finding your brother."
"Who are you looking for, sir? This lady's brother?" Mu Tong asked.
"That's right. Madam Wen Yu's brother is called Wen Song. She came to the city to seek refuge, but couldn't find him anywhere." Song Linsheng explained, "We wanted to see if Brother Wen was still living in Jiangyang Mansion."
Wen Yu nodded, "Yes, yes, please, Master Mu!"
"Wen Song..." Mu Tong repeated the name, and then promised: "Don't worry! Leave this matter to me. I will check it carefully."
Check carefully...? He checked carefully but couldn't find anything. Wen Yu muttered to herself.
"Thank you, Mu Ji." Song Linsheng thanked Mu Tong on behalf of Wen Yu, and Wen Yu also followed suit.
"Thank you!"
Mu Tong stopped being polite and turned to go out. When he was about to step out of the door, he turned back and added: "By the way! My lord and my lady, don't forget the Shangsi Banquet. I will welcome you at Jiangyang Restaurant!" He laughed loudly and went out.
Song Linsheng responded with an affirmative smile, then turned and walked towards the table, with Wen Yu following closely behind him. "How was it? Did I act well just now?"
"Hmm?" Song Linsheng made a puzzled sound.
"Just now! Me! I was so calm!" In order not to lose face in front of Jia Ren, she kept a tense expression!
Song Linsheng reacted, shook his head helplessly and laughed: "It's quite intimidating!"
Of course, Wen Yu was recognized and filled with confidence. "This is the government office. I can't embarrass the prefect!" She shook her head, quite satisfied with her performance.
Song Linsheng led Wen Yu to sit down, and he stood aside.
"I went to that famous shop last night, but I didn't see the cosmetic box you mentioned." Song Linsheng was sorting books.
"I thought it was because of the thick fog that I couldn't see clearly. So I went again early this morning, but still found nothing. Maybe someone else picked it up."
"Hmm..." Wen Yu pondered. If she had known she would have put it away yesterday, she wouldn't have been unable to find it...
Song Linsheng spread out the book and said to Wen Yu, "Come and see..."
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