Chapter 56: What's the secret behind this? Let's try...
Lord Jia rambled on and on, pointing out all the disadvantages of the matter, which seemed like his usual impatience.
Mu Tong saw it all, heard it all, but remained unmoved. Lord Jia's usual behavior was to stay indoors even on the third day of the lunar calendar. Today, having some free time, he came to the street to see what Lord Jia was up to.
Seeing Mu Tong's lack of reaction, Lord Jia coughed lightly and turned the situation around. After all, he had been immersed in officialdom for many years, and even if he was slow-witted, he could still sense something was amiss in Mu Tong's reaction.
"Master Mu, let me tell you, Magistrate Song has just arrived in Jiangyang. This is a prime opportunity to show your abilities." Master Jia's tone slowed down, his anxiety diminishing. "Of course, I know Master Mu isn't taking on this job to curry favor with his superiors. Think about it, the patrol I mentioned is truly for the safety of the people."
As the saying goes, Jiang Taigong fishes - those who are willing will take the bait.
Mu Tong had already made up his mind. He pretended to refuse, but in reality, it was just a polite gesture between colleagues. In reality, no matter what Lord Jia said, he was prepared to agree to it.
"Well, for the sake of our neighbors, I'll go," Mu Tong replied, then added, "Don't forget to treat me to a meal."
"Last time I asked you whether mandarin fish is better steamed or pickled, you haven't answered yet. You've embarrassed me in front of Lord Song!"
Mu Tong flicked his sleeves lightly, brushing off the non-existent dust.
Just take a bite and you'll know what's going on.
He turned around and wanted to go back home, leaving only one sentence to Master Jia: "Then I will arrange some people when I get back home and then pack up and set off."
He had always been free and easy, never bringing servants or attendants with him when he went out or came in, so now he had to make a detour and go back home.
"Lord Mu--" Lord Jia's voice was faster than Mu Tong's footsteps. Before he could get close, Lord Jia stopped him.
"I've already sent Yangsheng to check on all the yamen runners on duty who live close to home. They're probably waiting at the city gate right now."
"Master Mu, please go quickly! Otherwise, you will lose time. The earlier you go, the sooner you can return."
As he spoke, he pushed Mu Tong out of the alley. Before Mu Tong could react, he bumped face to face with a horse face as he turned the corner.
The tall horse had reddish-brown mane all over its body, a long face, and thick nostrils that kept emitting hot air, which covered Mu Tong's face.
I'm sure it's a real horse face.
Mu Tong was stunned for a moment, then raised his sleeve to cover his face and glanced at Lord Jia in confusion. Lord Jia really never fights a battle without preparation.
"This is the horse I rode when I came here. Please lend it to Master Mu!"
As he spoke, Lord Jia untied the horse's reins and stuffed them into Mu Tong's hands...
…
"So this is Lord Jia's horse?"
Wen Yu still stroked the horse's long neck with one hand, feeling the slight roughness of the smooth, shiny mane against her hand, and the throbbing pulse of the protruding veins under its neck. On the way into the city, she had become accustomed to the bumpy feeling of the horse's gallop, and now that she was in the bustling city, her pace was surprisingly steadier.
After listening to Lord Mu's story, he couldn't help but ask.
Since the official was arranged by Lord Jia, and the horse was lent to Lord Mu by Lord Jia, it would not be difficult to connect it with the horse ridden by Wen Yu and Song Linsheng.
What's more, this horse is strong and upright but not thin, with full muscles but not fat. It is obvious that it is not something that an ordinary official can drive.
She hadn't thought much about it before, thinking it was Lord Mu's horse. Now, it makes sense if it was Lord Jia's.
In the face of Wen Yu's puzzled gaze, Mu Tong just nodded slightly to show his agreement.
"It is indeed Lord Jia's horse. Yes—it is the same horse that Madam Wen rides..."
"Hey!" Wen Yu exclaimed softly.
She didn't know if the road in the city was too hard, causing the horse to feel uncomfortable. She had just felt that the road was smoother after entering the city, but she was shaken a little.
Wen Yu leaned back uncontrollably, and the back of her plump and soft head hit Song Linsheng's thin and straight shoulders.
"Song Linsheng! Are you okay?"
She quickly turned around and saw Song Linsheng's tightly clenched lips and sharp jaw.
Seeing her turn around, Song Linsheng slowly shook his head to indicate that he was fine.
Wen Yu was preoccupied with Lord Jia's affairs, so she didn't dwell on Song Linsheng's message. She quickly turned around and spoke to Lord Mu.
But what she couldn't see was that the moment she turned her head back, the corners of Song Linsheng's lips rose slightly uncontrollably, showing his current joy.
He thought again of Sister Shen Chuo's lion cat named Xiao Feilian. As long as he stroked the back of its neck along its fur, it would stretch comfortably and then gently wag its furry tail in satisfaction.
Song Linsheng felt that at this moment he was the lion cat that Xiao Fei was practicing.
The smile on his lips quickly disappeared, or at least he thought he had concealed it well.
Just because Wen Yu couldn’t see it, didn’t mean others couldn’t see it.
All the movements on Song Linsheng's side fell into the eyes of Mu Tong who was standing aside. He remained calm on the surface and continued to talk to Madam Wen, but he was even happier in his heart.
Magnolia is magnolia. Even if it is depressed for a moment and loses its spirit a little, it is still worthy of being a flower that braves the cold. It is truly white, elegant, and pitiful to behold.
"It was Lord Jia who asked you to come out for patrol..." Wen Yu repeated what he was thinking and confirmed it with Lord Mu.
"That's right." Mu Tong also gave an affirmative answer. He smiled deeply and deliberately joked with Wen Yu and Song Linsheng.
"However, what Lord Jia said is true."
"I was merely out of town on patrol, and I only happened to save Madam Wen and Lord Song. Yet, I have earned Lord Song's praise for my diligence in public service, setting an example!"
“This trip is really worth it!”
Mu Tong had a warm smile on his face and spoke slowly and steadily. Although his jokes were a bit exaggerated, they sounded sincere when they came out of his mouth.
Song Linsheng remained calm and just watched Mu Jingli perform a one-man show in silence.
"I must return home and copy these eight characters, make a plaque, and hang it in my study! I must always bear in mind Lord Song's comments, which will make me work even harder."
"But which master's calligraphy should I copy?"
Mu Tong's solo performance didn't last long, because Wen Yu soon joined the show.
Although we still need to sort out the facts, most of the clues have already surfaced. This matter was not directed and acted by Lord Mu himself, but Lord Jia was the "pusher" hidden behind the scenes.
Then Lord Mu naturally has nothing to do with this matter.
Wen Yu relaxed even more and started chatting with Lord Mu.
"In my opinion, why do we need a master? Our Master Song's calligraphy is also a masterpiece!"
Wen Yu had been suppressing his thoughts for a whole day and his body was exhausted for half a night. Finally, after confirming that Lord Mu had nothing to do with the matter, he completely relaxed.
She is made of wood, not stone. Moreover, she has only been in the Temple of Spring for a short time and is just an ordinary elf who will feel tired and sleepy.
Although her body was heavy, her heart was light, and she was still in the mood to joke with Mu Tong.
"What's more, since it is Mr. Song's sharp review, it is naturally best to match Mr. Song's personal writing—"
Wen Yu changed the subject and threw the question to Song Linsheng, who had remained silent.
"Master Song, do you think it is or is not?"
A suspicious blush appeared on Song Linsheng's face, and his breathing slowed down. He lowered his eyes to look into Wen Yu's lively eyes, as if all the stars that had not appeared tonight had fallen into Madam Wen Yu's eyes.
He turned his head awkwardly, coughed lightly, and said, "We're at Guan'an Lane..."
Wen Yu then remembered. She turned around and saw that the horse had stopped at some point. She and her group had arrived at the entrance of Guan'an Lane. Going deeper into the lane where there were few lights, they reached the Song residence.
They are home.
Wen Yu was shocked by her idea and hurriedly corrected herself in her heart: We are at Song Linsheng's house.
The strange thought in her mind flashed through her mind, and she stopped teasing Song Linsheng. Instead, she quickly jumped off the horse, lifted her skirt and rushed into the box.
"Hey! Madam Wen!"
"Madam Wenyu!"
Song Linsheng and Mu Tong shouted at the same time. They stood high and looked far away, and saw the dark shadow flashing in the box early in the morning. However, before they could warn her, Wen Yu, feeling guilty, ran out on her own.
When Wen Yu got hit on the head, the result was obvious.
When her eyes regained clarity, she saw that the person who came was none other than the "hollow head" -
"Washing the inkstone?"
"What are you doing? You don't even light a lamp!"
But Xiyan turned a deaf ear to her complaints. He just wiped his messed clothes twice and asked, "Madam Wen? Why is it you? Madam Wen, are you okay?"
As he spoke, he saw Song Linsheng standing in the dim light at the entrance of the alley. His face was immediately filled with joy, and without waiting for Wen Yu to answer, Xiyan rushed straight towards Song Linsheng.
"Master! Are you okay? Master!"
"Master! I was afraid that running around with servants would attract too much attention, so I came out alone to look for you!"
"Master! You made me look so hard! Wuuuuuu..."
Wen Yu turned around and saw Xiyan standing with his head down beside the man-sized horse, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.
Is it easy to find? I searched all day and finally found the alley entrance.
Song Linsheng also looked a little embarrassed. This was always the case with inkstone washing, jumping back and forth between being careful and prudent and being careless.
If Mu Jingli hadn't come to his rescue today, he and Madam Wenyu would have been waiting to wash the inkstone. They really didn't know how long they would have had to wait...
But now that Mu Jingli and the other yamen runners are still here, it is indeed inappropriate to wash the inkstone like this.
Song Linsheng dismounted and said a few words to Xiyan to comfort him.
"It's alright, Madam Wenyu and I are back safe and sound... We'll talk about everything when we get back home..."
As he said that, he took Xiyan and Mu Jingli to say goodbye and chased after Wen Yu.
As Song Linsheng walked, his figure gradually disappeared from the light at the alley entrance and sank into the darkness. Before he was completely trapped, he was suddenly stopped by Mu Tong behind him.
"Lord Song—"
Song Linsheng looked back at the voice and said, "Mu Jingli? If it's for the inscription..."
"Does Lord Song like magnolia flowers?"
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