Chapter 25: Night Walk Unless Adults Can Keep Me Safe
"Is it delicious?" Luo Yunchu pretended to be very happy.
Lu Tingwan smiled sweetly, "It's delicious. Thank you, Master Luo, for the crispy chicken."
Luo Yunchu looked at her lovingly, almost as if he were infatuated.
The evening breeze blew against the window lattice. Lu Tingwan didn't pay attention to his unusual gaze and was immersed in the delicious food. A cool breeze blew in from outside the house. She picked up a book and pressed the papers on the desk.
Only after she had eaten and drunk her fill did she have the mind to talk to Luo Yunchu.
He asked casually, "Luo Yunchu, I asked you about the house rental business earlier, but you didn't want me to get involved. I heard the court has been investigating very strictly recently. Are you involved?"
"Worried about me?" Luo Yunchu's face remained expressionless.
"Didn't you say you'd wait for me?" Lu Tingwan propped up her chin and looked at him. "If someone wants to commit to me for life, I have to know if it's worth it."
Luo Yunchu chuckled secretly, "If I'm involved, it won't implicate you. Can you rest assured?"
"I'm worried about you." Lu Tingwan said hurriedly.
"You're worried about me," he said, dragging out the last syllable. "That's different if you put it that way."
"The houses I sell naturally comply with Dalan's laws. I don't engage in speculative business. I prefer to be prudent. Otherwise, if I put myself in trouble for a few dollars, wouldn't that be a huge loss?"
"Yan Li said yes or no?"
Lu Tingwan pondered the truth in his words and said, "Of course."
"Then what are you worried about?"
"The doctor in charge of the Ministry of Revenue is your cousin," Lu Tingwan asked, "is he helping you with this business?"
Luo Yunchu chuckled and said frankly, "This relationship can indeed help me gain a foothold in Changqing Street and Fenglin Lane, but we have no business dealings, bribery of officials, money transfers, or secret collusion. Is this what you want to ask?"
Lu Tingwan didn't hide it anymore, "Yes."
"What do you want to know?"
"yes."
"No."
"I believe you."
The two of them had no more extra time to spare, and she believed what Luo Yunchu said. Perhaps he really did not have any secret dealings with others or bribe officials.
After the hour of midnight, Luo Yunchu returned to Changqing Street. Lu Tingwan still had one last bill to settle, so he waited for half an incense stick before blowing out the candle and returning home.
The figure that had been waiting for an opportunity in the dark jumped into the window like a gust of wind and walked skillfully towards her desk.
Lu Tingwan was already used to it and asked calmly, "Master Han is really patient. You've been waiting for so long, your legs must be numb, right?"
She spoke with a firm tone today. Cheng Xianzhi placed his sword on the desk, but Lu Tingwan still swallowed unconsciously.
"Shopkeeper Jiang's thoughts have become more and more meticulous."
"I never thought that Lord Han had the hobby of eavesdropping on other people's romantic activities." Lu Tingwan retorted.
Cheng Xianzhi dropped his joking tone and said, "I'm not interested in listening to your obscure words. It's just that Manager Jiang hasn't seen me for a few days, and I thought you didn't want to cooperate anymore."
"I have just asked you everything you wished to know. Didn't you hear it all?"
"I've asked and heard the question, but I can't say for sure whether it's true or not," Cheng Xianzhi said, leaning against the desk with his arms folded across his chest. "Shopkeeper Jiang seems smart and insightful, but I don't think she's just an ordinary woman who can't escape her sweet talk."
"What do you mean, sir?" Lu Tingwan said displeasedly, "Don't you believe Luo Yunchu's words?"
"I don't believe it."
"I have done everything I can. If you don't believe me, there is nothing I can do. You can investigate it yourself, but we are in the same boat, and it is time for me to dock. I'm sorry I can't keep you company." Lu Tingwan wanted to get away and didn't want to be involved in his case anymore.
Cheng Xianzhi seemed to be clinging to her, leaning over and pressing her, "If you want to get on the boat, then get on the boat. If you want to go ashore, then go ashore."
"Why are you holding me captive, sir? I'm just an ordinary citizen doing my job. I've never done anything against my conscience to harm others. You've helped me seek justice for the flower farmers. I'm deeply grateful..."
"It's fair for the flower farmers," Cheng Xianzhi interrupted her. "As long as the Chamber of Commerce doesn't do anything, those flower farmers who supply you with flowers and make your rouge will be trapped in the control of the merchants. If your shop, Manager Jiang, ever goes out of business, you can just sell it and use the money to start something else. But those flower farmers have made their living from growing flowers for generations. Where can they go?"
Cheng Xianzhi is investigating the mastermind behind the Chamber of Commerce, so he won't easily go to the Chamber of Commerce to arrest people. Without sufficient evidence, he will only alert the enemy, but the giant python behind the scenes has already been alarmed.
This was the reason why Cheng Xianzhi came to see her today.
"You, what else do you want me to do? I've done everything I can..."
"Come with me to the Chamber of Commerce compound."
Cheng Xianzhi wanted her to go with him, and to do a secret night visit. Lu Tingwan had never done such a thing before. This was the job of their imperial guards, so how could she help?
She decisively refused: "No."
"Think about it before you reply." Cheng Xianzhi stroked the scabbard on the desk.
She glanced at his movements from the corner of her eye, and her previous toughness disappeared, "Oh, go away..."
Cheng Xianzhi sneered, he was quite sensible.
Lu Tingwan cursed inwardly, thinking that he was so unlucky to have met this plague god.
She reluctantly picked up the desk and left Zhichunli with Cheng Xianzhi.
The deep alley leads to the West City Chamber of Commerce compound. Occasionally, a few crows fly over the eaves and land on dead trees.
Lu Tingwan shrank her neck. The streets were already deserted at this hour. Cheng Xianzhi walked in front, and Lu Tingwan followed closely behind. She wanted to walk side by side, but because of the narrow alley, she did not dare to show her fear too much.
She was not afraid of ghosts and gods, but she didn't know what Cheng Xianzhi was doing. If he was discovered and a fight broke out, and there was no one to support him, Cheng Xianzhi could escape with his strong body, but what about her?
The weak woman, who was not even able to tie a chicken, was destined to be used as a target by him. Suddenly, the footsteps behind him stopped sounding. Cheng Xianzhi turned around and saw that Lu Tingwan was motionless.
Ni looked at her: "Why don't you leave?"
"If a fight breaks out, you won't abandon me, right?" Lu Tingwan spoke cautiously.
The dark night obscured the coldness of his silhouette, and his voice pierced through with strength, "Do you think I'm stupid? Go through the main gate openly?"
"Going through the back door also carries the risk of being discovered. First, I don't know martial arts, and second, I don't have any Qinggong skills. Whether it's attacking or defending, I have no advantage. If I were discovered, how would I protect myself?" Lu Tingwan said, "Unless you can keep me safe."
"I don't want to lose my life here so soon. Besides, why do you have to take me with you?"
Cheng Xianzhi looked up at the moon, estimating the time. He knew there was no time to lose, so he said succinctly, "First, I won't abandon you. Second, I have my reasons for taking you with me. Third, if you don't go, you'll only lose your life. You can reconsider your decision, but I don't have much time for you to consider."
"how?"
Lu Tingwan's face turned pale. This evil star was really ruthless. Seeing that he was not easy to negotiate with, she changed her face and said, "I didn't say I won't go. As long as the adults don't abandon me, it's fine."
She took a step forward consciously. Cheng Xianzhi asked her to go ahead. Lu Tingwan felt very weak. In the silence, she could only find something to talk about. "The flowers in Zhichunli have been bought up these past few days. Is it possible that you, sir, have secretly contacted some nobleman in Kyoto for me to be so generous?"
"Isn't this exactly what you want?" Cheng Xianzhi said coldly.
"Is it to my liking?" Lu Tingwan thought for a moment, and it turned out that this man had a change of heart and spoke for her in front of Cheng Xianzhi, so that the living devil ordered flowers to please Gongsun Xue.
"really."
"As expected what?"
"It's just as the rumors in Kyoto say. This Cheng Pushe is deeply in love with Miss Gongsun. He will never waver in his love for her, even if the seas run dry and the rocks crumble." She imitated the tone of Aunt Miao's voice when she told the secret in the teahouse.
"Is that the rumor going around in Kyoto?"
"Yes, isn't Lord Han Cheng Pushe's right-hand man? Have you never heard of this?"
Cheng Xianzhi glanced over her head, coughed a few times as if nothing had happened, and did not answer.
Arriving at the Chamber of Commerce compound, Cheng Xianzhi acted as if he was very familiar with the place. Grabbing Lu Tingwan's hand, he jumped up from the high wall of the West Garden and landed steadily. It was almost in an instant. She felt her body flying in the air for a moment and then found her footing again. It seemed so unreal.
The unfamiliar courtyard before her was eerily quiet. She couldn't help but move closer to the person beside her and lowered her voice: "Sir, it's not good to intrude into someone's yard like this. I, I am a good citizen..."
"I've already gone through, so does it mean it doesn't count if I go out again?" Cheng Xianzhi answered her patiently.
Lu Tingwan was alert, fearing that a guard would suddenly jump out from around and discover the two of them on the spot.
Ultimately, she still couldn't figure out why Cheng Xianzhi had brought her along. Even if he was investigating a case, there was no need to bring an outsider like her along.
Walking along the wall towards the yard, Lu Tingwan felt more and more that something was wrong. Why was the layout of this Chamber of Commerce compound so similar to a mansion? It looked more like a residence.
Lu Tingwan was puzzled. "Why is the layout of this Chamber of Commerce compound similar to that of a residential house?"
Cheng Xianzhi lowered his voice and said, "This is not only the Chamber of Commerce compound, but also Sun Gui's residence."
So that’s the case, but why did the Chamber of Commerce choose Sun’s house as its location?
Seeing that Lu Tingwan was sure to ask more questions, Cheng Xianzhi spoke first, "Sun Gui is the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce. A few years ago, when the Ministry of Industry renovated the buildings west of the city, the Chamber of Commerce building was demolished and rebuilt. Since then, the Chamber of Commerce has been temporarily located in the Sun Mansion. All business dealings with the merchant company must pass through the Sun Mansion."
"But the reconstruction of the west city was completed several years ago?" Lu Tingwan asked puzzledly.
"You know all this?" Cheng Xianzhi asked suddenly.
Lu Tingwan scratched his head and smiled, "I heard about it when I was looking for a shop in Fenglin Lane."
"That's not right," Lu Tingwan wondered again, "Why don't they just move back to the new Chamber of Commerce building after the renovation?"
Cheng Xianzhi said, "That's because the Chamber of Commerce's new building hasn't been approved for use yet, so the leaders of various industries can only come to the Sun Mansion to discuss business."
"Then anyone who leaves the Sun Gui Mansion can make a living by doing business in Kyoto." Lu Tingwan couldn't help but sigh.
"Why do you say that?"
"Anyone who can grasp a glimpse of the information heard here can naturally use this secret to make their own business, or sell half-truths of the information."
"Anything else?" Cheng Xianzhi looked at her with rare approval.
Lu Ting was late, so she didn't want to speculate anymore. The more she said, the more mistakes she would make, and he would inevitably doubt her again.
Cheng Xianzhi noticed her thoughts and had no intention of forcing her.
The two of them walked through the backyard and arrived at the study. Ever since entering the courtyard, Cheng Xianzhi had been able to accurately identify every courtyard in the mansion and perfectly avoid the patrols of the palace guards. It was so smooth.
Lu Tingwan knew that he must have done thorough research beforehand. Thinking of this, her original fear of being discovered and then abandoned by others was completely eliminated.
There was no light in the study, and the door was locked, making it impossible to get in. Before Cheng Xianzhi could even pull out his sleeve needle, Lu Tingwan had already unlocked the door.
Cheng Xianzhi's eyes were filled with surprise, and then he saw Lu Tingwan proudly saying, "When I was a kid, I would sneak into the academy to read at night. It's nothing."
The two of them quietly entered the study. There was a familiar scent of incense in the study, which Lu Tingwan couldn't describe for a while.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
