novelSusiti Chapter 644: Secret Tunnel?
Chapter 644: Secret Tunnel?
Qin Yuan was shocked: "Sir, are you saying that Treasure Bead has gotten mixed up with those bandits?"
Mr. Songshan nodded: "They were seen calling each other brother, many people have witnessed it. If something happens, how can the Five Cities Military Department and the Capital Governor Mansion not find out that the Seventh Miss has had interactions with them?"
If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t matter, but even the Crown Prince and others want to create trouble for the Marquis Mansion.
With the intention to frame, something will surely be stirred up.
Qin Yuan sighed, countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.
Mr. Songshan continued: "They also went to Li Xingshou’s place, and possibly even met the Emperor."
"...This, this... what’s this all about?"
Mr. Songshan added, "The Seventh Miss went there with your brother."
Qin Yuan sighed, "Please elaborate, Sir."
After listening to Mr. Songshan, Qin Yuan hurriedly sent someone to summon Gu Baoshu, and soon a little maid returned saying, "The Seventh Miss did not return to her courtyard today."
Qin Yuan was a bit anxious and sent someone to ask Gu Shiba if he knew about Gu Baoshu’s whereabouts.
At this time, Gu Baoshu happened to return to the mansion through the side door. After learning that her third sister-in-law was looking for her, she immediately hurried to Wutong Garden, and upon entering, said, "Third Sister-in-law, what’s the matter that you are seeking me so urgently?"
She was still wearing the clothes for playing ball, having been out running around all day, yet she showed no sign of fatigue, full of spirit.
Qin Yuan asked, somewhat displeased, "Tell me properly, after playing ball, what did you go out to do?"
Gu Baoshu chuckled, "I went to find Brother Heng for some errands, and along the way, went to Lin Jun’s family to chat idly for a while. After finishing the task, I just came back."
Mr. Songshan asked, "What exactly were the errands the Seventh Miss did?"
Seeing Qin Yuan’s anxious face, Gu Baoshu did not hide it any further, she sat down and chugged some tea, and said, "After hearing Mr. Songshan, I thought those two people seemed a bit peculiar, moreover they made an appointment to come out to play ball again tomorrow. But I have to go for a sacrificial offering after the ball game, not having time to accompany, so I went to find someone to play ball together and help look after them, let them help keep an eye on these two people’s movements."
The sister-in-law was not without foresight, Qin Yuan’s tightly furrowed eyebrows relaxed slightly, and said, "It’s good that you have precautions in mind. Sir is worried that you’ve gotten involved with them, if they do something troublesome, and someone intentionally frames our two families, it will be troublesome."
Gu Baoshu glanced at Mr. Songshan, and asked curiously, "When I went to find you today, Sir, you were not like this, is there any new discovery?"
Mr. Songshan nodded: "Yes, after you left, I commanded Feiyun Pavilion to investigate, discovering these two people are probably leaders of Black Wind Village.
I am somewhat worried that their visit to Li Xingshou was not merely for pleasure, furthermore today they coincided with the presence of the Holy Emperor. If things get stirred up afterward, will the Marquis Mansion and Qin Family have a good outcome?"
Gu Baoshu looked shocked, "The Holy Emperor? Could it be that the noble person meeting with Li Xingshou is indeed the Emperor himself?"
Mr. Songshan nodded.
Gu Baoshu took a long breath.
The people of Black Wind Village are labeled rebels by the court, rebels and the Emperor took a liking to the same courtesan.
That is truly...
"But... I still can’t believe it, how could the Emperor travel without guards, I rode around on horseback, not discovering anything."
Mr. Songshan chuckled, "You are still young, much you do not know yet. Money Street is not far from the Imperial Palace, it doesn’t sound good for the Emperor to openly patronize a courtesan. If a tunnel is dug, then no one would know, even if rumors spread, they are merely just rumors, and the Imperial Censorate would not dare to seriously impeach."
Qin Yuan seemed thoughtful.
In Hangzhou Prefecture, there is a three-story tall building named Pan Building, built by a salt merchant from Yangzhou who was enamored with the West Lake’s scenery; the building, three stories high, consists of five towers: east, west, south, north, and middle. Inside, Hangzhou’s famous courtesan Fan Yi plays the zither.
Fan Yi daily enters through a flying corridor from her residence in Xiu Garden, admirers wishing to glimpse her beauty and hear elegant music can only bid for seats in the side towers.
Legend has it Fan Yi’s feet have never touched the ground; before settling down, she resided in Xiu Garden and entertained guests in Pan Building, selling her artistry.
Many came in admiration, thus her value increased.
When Lin Ziqi patrolled Hangzhou, he tried various methods to get close, later saying that the famed courtesan was just that.
She repeatedly asked and found out that the Hangzhou Prefect presented Fan Yi in favor of Lin Ziqi; every private meeting was accessed through a tunnel from the government office’s backyard to Xiu Garden.
The claim of ice clean and jade pure was contrived to elevate status, deceiving those wealthy yet fond of feigned elegance.
Money Street being close to the Imperial Palace makes tunneling convenient for private meetings between two, but frequent crossing by the river means unavoidable wet feet, likely becoming a well-known secret.
Qin Yuan frowned and said, "If it truly is a tunnel, it could be trouble. Li Xingshou seemed quite fond of Brother Ximen upon their meeting; this person intentionally approached..."
Lust and intrigue have caused many a death in history.
Li Xingshou indeed is seasoned in amorous adventures, yet even mortals harbor emotions.
She and the Emperor are closely associated, common folks struggle to impress, yet today toward Brother Ximen, her demeanor suggests the heart of a maiden has stirred.
This woman is embroiled in feelings, making future fortune or calamity uncertain.
One falls into love, the other plots a scheme, results presage before beginning.
Gu Baoshu also gasped.
Mr. Songshan said: "The Seventh Miss thinks she might achieve great merit, yet those people wish to trap both our families in a web. Whether an attempt to assassinate the Emperor succeeds or fails, it is enough to gain fame in the Jianghu forever."
At this moment, the bright moon hung high outside the window, a chilling presence enveloped everyone inside, truly it seems mid-autumn is nearing.
Even the mournful songs of autumn insects grew bleaker, as if aware that days are numbered.
The room fell into silence, after a while Qin Yuan said, "It is best to inform the Marquis about this."
Mr. Songshan and Gu Baoshu naturally had no objections, Qin Yuan immediately instructed Gu Shiba to send a message requesting Marquis Gu to return swiftly to discuss urgent matters.
Mr. Songshan bid farewell: "I will return for now, we will talk once the Marquis returns, news arrives daily from morning to night, one must stay vigilant."
Gu Baoshu also stood up: "I shall go back to change clothes and eat; when Third Brother returns, Third Sister-in-law can send word to summon me."
After seeing both off, Qin Yuan lowered her head in deep thought for a moment, then rose and went to the study.
The Marquis’ journey from the Great Camp requires one or two hours; she must contemplate thoroughly.
...
Outside the city, in the Great Camp.
Marquis Gu sat in the tent, reviewing the document sent by the Counselor, which recorded the recent activities of officials responsible for the Capital Inspection.
"King Jin indeed is restless," Marquis Gu snorted coldly, "Recruiting allies privately behind the Crown Prince’s back..."
The guarding soldier outside loudly announced: "General Jin requests an audience."
"Let him in," Marquis Gu put away the document, placing it beside him, and looked up at the heavy steps of General Jin, asking, "What’s the matter?"