It's not that I'm questioning her skills or abilities, but our own people have been investigating for several days without any results, so how did she suddenly find out? How did she do it?
"Yes, I just received the news. I was originally planning to inform the Prince and Lord Ye after I got the evidence," Hong Xiaoduo said with a smile.
Mu Rongjing twirled the teacup in his hand, paused for a moment, and said, "I don't mean to question you, I just want to ask, are you so sure that what you found is the truth?"
Upon hearing this, Lan Zechen curled his lip, thinking to himself, "This is what you call not questioning? If this isn't questioning, then what is? It's a complete contradiction!"
He thought this, but didn't speak, wanting to hear how Hong Xiaoduo would respond to the young master.
“Yes, it was Pavilion Master Lan’s people who helped with the investigation. The young master is often out traveling, so he should know that the main business of Duobao Pavilion isn’t actually selling rare and exotic treasures, right? What they found must be absolutely reliable. They wouldn’t have sent the information over if they weren’t 100% sure. They wouldn’t ruin their reputation built up over many years.” After Hong Xiaoduo finished speaking, she looked at Pavilion Master Lan beside her. Clearly, her words had pleased the other party greatly, as evidenced by the smile and smugness on his face!
The Treasure Pavilion? Mu Rongjing was taken aback, then realized that he had forgotten about this.
Although he had never bought any information from Duobaoge, he had heard of its reputation many years ago.
“I’ve known for a long time that Duobao Pavilion mainly deals in buying and selling information, but I never expected you to buy information from them,” Mu Rongjing said truthfully.
At this moment, Lan Zechen spoke up, "Young Master Mu, you're wrong. It wasn't Xiao Duo who bought information from me; I voluntarily investigated for her. Between me and Xiao Duo, we're not in a seller-buyer relationship now. We're friends, family. What's this talk of buying or selling, right, Xiao Duo?"
After he finished speaking, he looked at Xiaoduo, a little afraid that she would say that he wasn't a friend, which would be embarrassing for him!
Hong Xiaoduo gave him a meaningful smile and then said, "Sect Leader Lan is right. I am friends with the Sect Leader. He helped me investigate the disaster relief grain without spending any money. It was free of charge."
The phrase "free of charge" carries a slightly stronger tone.
Upon hearing this, Lan Zechen thought, "Oh no, this rare and precious thing has flown away."
But then I thought about it again. She was willing to give me face and didn't undermine me. Whether she really considered me a friend or not, at least this Prince Mu definitely believed me, and that was enough.
Lan Zechen didn't understand either. He had no past grudges or recent conflicts with this Prince Mu from the capital. They had never interacted before, so there was no contradiction or unpleasantness between them. So where did this damn competitive spirit of his suddenly come from?
However, he was too lazy to think about the reasons. In short, his relationship with Xiaoduo was no worse than her relationship with Prince Mu!
"Lord Lan is righteous and kind. Once the truth of this case comes to light, not only will Lord Ye thank you, but I, the young master, will also thank you," Mu Rongjing said, cupping his fists to Lan Zechen.
He was very unhappy, though. It was just that there were so many spies from your Duobao Pavilion. What made him even angrier was that he wished his own people had found out the truth about the disaster relief grain case in Jiaozhou City!
He was ordered to handle this case, but it turned out that someone who took shortcuts had solved it, which was a disgrace to him.
Most importantly, the case has been solved, and Miss Hong is about to leave this place. From now on, we will go our separate ways. Although we have met several times by chance, it is uncertain when or how long it will be before we meet again.
I've finally realized how I feel about her, but I haven't found the right opportunity to tell her yet!
The banquet was held at a restaurant that Lan Zechen had found and booked, with two tables inside.
Mu Rongjing's three attendants, Lan Zechen's three attendants, and Tian Shu and Tian Ji sat at the same table.
Mu Rongjing and Fan Wu, along with Lan Zechen, Hong Xiaoduo, Quan Jinghuai, Fei Yan, Yu Heng, Tian Quan, and Yao Guang, sat at one table.
Jin Gui and the secret guard were a little confused. In a situation like this, their master shouldn't have allowed the two of them to sit at the table. It would have been more reasonable for Guard Liu to sit at the table.
Moreover, the two of them were certain that their master had not originally intended for them to come in. It was only after their master and the others entered the restaurant that Liu, the guard, went out to call them.
Especially the secret guards, whose task is to secretly follow and protect their master. They must not show themselves or be exposed unless their master is in danger.
But tonight, it was his master who summoned him. Could it be that tonight's banquet is a trap? Is his master in danger?
The two guards, Anwei and Jin Gui, never expected that the reason they had the opportunity to sit at the table today was for only one simple reason: their leader, seeing that Prince Mu had brought three attendants into the private room, invited them to sit down and eat together.
Therefore, their leader felt that he could not afford to be outdone.
If it weren't for the fact that she knew Fan Wu and Hong Xiaoduo were like siblings, and that they were truly family, then Pavilion Master Lan would have brought out another bodyguard to make up the numbers.
Since Hong Xiaoduo was hosting the dinner, she was too lazy to order. She told the waiter to order all the restaurant's signature dishes, and to mix and match high-end dishes from everything that flies in the sky, swims in the sea, or comes from the water to make up eighteen dishes per table.
The wine was the famous Wuliangye liquor of the area. The children and Feiyan drank pear juice made from pressed pears, while Hong Xiaoduo herself drank sweet mead.
They arrived early, before most of the other diners had been served, so the food came out quickly.
Although they still prefer the dishes made by Tianxuan, Tianquan and the others no longer miss Chef Tianxuan as they did a few days ago when they ate each dish. As long as they don't eat Tianji's cooking, everything seems to be a delicacy!
During the meal, Mu Rongjing was unusually quiet because he seemed preoccupied.
Fan Wu, who also knew that Hong Xiaoduo would be leaving in a few days, was reluctant to part with her, but he knew that they would definitely meet again. Therefore, he was not the most heartbroken person.
Fan Wu, Quan Jinghuai, and Lan Zechen chatted for a while while eating.
After a few drinks, the Pavilion Master looked at Murong Jing, who had barely spoken a word so far, and asked, "Young Master, is something on your mind tonight? Why are you so quiet? Is it something personal or official?"
As for personal matters, I cannot pry into them, nor can I offer any assistance. But regarding official matters, if there is anything my Treasure Pavilion can do to help, Your Highness, please feel free to ask. Even just for Xiao Duo's sake, I will help you...
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