Chapter 1552: Two Main Purposes

  "Please go ahead," Shu Yu said.

  The middle-aged scholar raised two fingers. "Their journey mainly has two purposes. One is to find the master of Dongqing Temple, and the other..."

  He looked at Shu Yu, "It's for Young Master Meng."

  Shu Yu pursed her lips, her expression tense. "Please tell me more specifically."

  The middle-aged scholar no longer beat around the bush. "The main purpose is to find the leader of Dongqing Temple. In fact, the Xiao family has never given up searching for the master, not only in Dong'an Prefecture, but anywhere they hear news about the Dongqing Temple, they will send people to investigate."

  "Why?" Shu Yu furrowed her brows and asked. However, as soon as she asked, she instantly understood.

  What kind of person the leader of Dongqing Temple was, ordinary commoners might not have a clear concept, but as a member of the royal family, she knew it very well.

  The late emperor valued her, and even the current emperor, before ascending the throne, specially sent Meng Yunzheng to search for the leader here.

  Now, the Xiao family had not given up yet. They were even willing to cooperate with the Second Prince and were still contemplating that position. It wasn't strange that they continued to search for the leader of Dongqing Temple.

  Sure enough, the middle-aged scholar continued, "The Xiao family learned about the late emperor's secret search for the leader before ascending the throne. They suspect that the current emperor's accession to the throne might be related to this, so..."

  Shu Yu felt that the Xiao family and the Third Prince were panicking and resorting to desperate measures. Her master indeed had the ability to do physiognomy and fortune-telling, but this matter involved the fate of the country. To rely on her was really overestimating her abilities, wasn't it?

  Shu Yu shook her head, "It seems that Hao Dingshan will probably stay in Dong'an Prefecture for a long time until he finds my master."

  The middle-aged scholar nodded, "Also, about Young Master Meng, they are keeping an eye on him to find out what he has been up to lately, any movements. But this should be just an incidental matter, they haven't invested much energy in Young Master Meng."

  Shu Yu knew about this. Meng Yunzheng's current identity was probably only slightly more concerning to the Second Prince.

  The Xiao family didn't care much about a scholar who only had the title but didn't have much influence, always staying in a small county, unable to have a significant impact on the situation.

  Otherwise, Hao Dingshan wouldn't have personally gone to Jiangyuan County and used such means to keep an eye on him.

  "They didn't bring many people this time, right?" Shu Yu asked.

  The middle-aged scholar replied, "Not many, just three in total."

  Shu Yu understood why Hao Dingshan had personally gone to Jiang Yuan County then.

  "By the way, the person who caused a disturbance at Dongqing Temple today was actually someone from Dong'an Prefecture. He is helping the Xiao family, obviously one of their people. This is good for us as well, as it helps us get rid of an eyesore."

  Shu Yu smiled, "It seems that this trip was quite fruitful for you. Did Prefect Magistrate Fei know about this?"

  The middle-aged scholar nodded, "I have already sent someone to report this to master Fei. Lu Xiangjun, now that you know the purpose of Hao Ding Shan's visit, do you have any ideas?"

  "I don't have any for the moment. Since half of his purpose is aimed at Ah Yun, I'll return to the county in the afternoon and discuss with him," Shu Yu replied.

  "Alright, if you and Young Master Meng need any help, just let me know." He stood up, "I still have matters at the government office, so I'll take my leave."

  Shu Yu stood up to see him off. "Thank you for your hard work, sir. Have a safe journey."

  The middle-aged scholar nodded in acknowledgment and quietly left Lu Ji's shop through the back door.

  Shu Yu let out a sigh of relief and called for Ying Xi. "Let's go, we'll head back."

  After informing Wei Ronghua and leaving everything to him, she took Ying Xi and returned to the county.

 Chapter 1551: There's a Result

  In the mountains, apart from wild goods, even people are scarce.

  Of course, An Le Tian had good looks and great strength. He was skilled in hunting.

  With his conditions, finding a wife wouldn't be a problem.

  But what about the future? If they had children, would they all have to grow up like him, knowing nothing? When something happened at home, they would have to come down from the mountains to this unfamiliar town, experiencing the same bullying he went through and gradually growing up. Would there be enough time for that?

  So after burying his father in the mountains, An Le Tian returned to the city to continue looking for odd jobs.

  However, doing odd jobs like this couldn't earn as much as hunting. But other aspects of life in the mountains couldn't compare to life in the city.

  Today, he was outside the city delivering goods. On his way back to the city, he heard about this shop hiring workers. Afraid of missing the opportunity, he hurried over without even changing his clothes and shoes.

  An Le Tian was somewhat worried that Shu Yu wouldn't find him suitable.

  However, he wasn't overly concerned. After all, he was just trying his luck. If he wasn't hired, he would find other things to do. He wouldn't starve to death anyway.

  After hearing about An Le Tian's experiences, Ren Yiping couldn't help but marvel.

  He was such a perfect fit—experienced, with goals, and strong. Besides, he was a good person to get along with. If it weren't for the difficult-to-investigate background, he would be the best candidate.

  Thinking about this, Ren Yiping sighed again. Well, he couldn't make the decision. In any case, An Le Tian would come for the formal job recruitment day after tomorrow. He would leave the choice to Master Wei.

  After eating half of the roast duck, Ren Yiping put away the rest and cleaned up before going to bed.

  The next day was another bustling day. Shu Yu woke up early and went out. When she arrived at the shop, it was already open, and Wei Ronghua was there. Ren Yiping had set up the table, and even the applicants were waiting at the door.

  Seeing Shu Yu, Wei Ronghua stood up and gave her a summary of yesterday's situation.

  In just one day, there were already fifty to sixty applicants. Today, there would likely be even more.

  And that was with the restrictions of age and gender from the selected candidates' postings. If there were no restrictions, then anyone and everyone would want to try their luck.

  Shu Yu listened while looking at the paper in his hand. The paper contained information on An Le Tian's background. It seemed that Ren Yiping had reported his origin to Wei Ronghua.

  "Alright, you continue with your work."

  Shu Yu went out to have breakfast and bought some things nearby before returning to the shop early.

  She was waiting for the intelligence from the middle-aged scholar. He had said he would have results by the afternoon, but who knew if it might come earlier?

  It turned out to be a stroke of luck. Around noon, the middle-aged scholar returned. He was back earlier than he had estimated, indicating that things had probably gone smoothly.

  He entered the yard from the back door. Shu Yu asked Ying Xi to wait at the entrance, and she talked to the middle-aged scholar alone in the room.

  "Sir, have you found out the result? Please tell me."

  She poured him a cup of tea and sat across from him, asking anxiously.

  "Yes, we have found out the main reason for Hao Dingshan visit to Dong'an Prefecture." The middle-aged scholar had two cups of water, and he was still panting slightly, probably in a hurry to get back. However, his demeanor seemed a bit relaxed, which slightly reassured Shu Yu.

  Chapter 700: The Father of the Girl Found a Son-in-Law (1)

The two official messengers were indeed here to bring good news. After dismounting and bowing to the county Princess Mo Yan first, they then saluted Mo Qingze, addressing him as "Mo Scholar," and respectfully handed him the congratulatory letter.

Mo Qingze opened the letter with an indifferent expression. Upon seeing the ranking listed, a flicker of obscurity appeared in his eyes.

Mo Yan, not noticing her father's strange demeanor, hurried over to see. She immediately saw her father's name at the top, followed by the examination result—101st place in the provincial exams!

The autumn examinations are held every three years, with usually the top 200 out of thousands of scholars in the capital being selected as "juren" (graduates). Being in the 101st position is neither too good nor too bad; however, this ranking does not provide an advantage in the following spring exams.

The spring exams are open to all juren from the entire Great Chu, which has 15 provinces, each selecting more than 200. To be a juren, one must be quite capable. Except for a few who may not feel confident and choose to wait another three years for the spring exams, there will still be 2,500 juren competing for 103 spots as "jinshi" (scholars). The competition will be intense.

Mo Yan couldn’t judge her father’s performance compared to other scholars, so she couldn’t tell if his result was typical or not. However, making it into the top 200 out of 3,000 scholars was already a significant achievement, fulfilling her father's wish.

As for the spring exams, even if he doesn’t succeed next year, he can try again in three years. It’s not too critical.

Mo Yan politely invited the two messengers inside to rest and offered them some refreshments before they left. The messengers, fearful of seeming greedy, declined, saying they had to deliver good news to other households. Mo Yan didn’t insist but gave each messenger a red envelope.

The messengers were overjoyed, and when they opened the envelopes halfway, finding five taels of silver inside, their smiles widened. They thought the new county Princess was indeed generous, and even if they didn’t get extra rewards from other households, this errand was worth it.

Soon, Mo’s home was bustling with visitors coming to offer congratulations. Some families, eager to send their children to school, even brought them along to bask in the newly minted juren’s good fortune, hoping it might bring some of the luck to their own children.

By evening, the house finally quieted down after a lively afternoon. Mo Yan decided to celebrate with her family that night and prepared several of her signature dishes.

When the dishes were ready, Mo Yan handed over the task of cooking the rice to Li Xiu, then went to the study to discuss the banquet with Mo Qingze.

Upon hearing his eldest daughter’s suggestion, Mo Qingze agreed without much hesitation, smiling faintly, “Earlier, when you were granted the title of county Princess, I had planned to hold a banquet once the fuss died down. But since you were worried about attracting unwanted attention, we didn’t have it. Now that we have these two happy events together, it won’t seem excessive, and it will save the villagers from having to give two gifts.”

Mo Qingze did not realize that his daughter was unwilling to celebrate grandly because she felt the title of county Princess was obtained through scheming, and she was already feeling uncomfortable about not returning it. Celebrating with a banquet was the last thing on her mind!

This time, Mo Yan didn’t refuse. She nodded and said enthusiastically, “Yes, let’s do it as you say. We’ll celebrate both events together! We’ll have a buffet-style banquet. Anyone from the village who wants to come for the feast is welcome. We’re not short of provisions!”

(The End of this Chapter)

  Chapter 699: Slapping Mo Qingze's Face at High School (4)

Being struck and reprimanded in front of servants, the Lin family’s eldest son was furious. However, facing Lin Taishi's rage and his cane, he dared not show any dissatisfaction. He impatiently waved his hand, dismissing the annoying steward, and, once the old servant of Lin Taishi had left, he couldn't help but complain to Lin Taishi, “Father, it's bad enough that people have always looked down on our Lin family. Now, even a lowly girl dares to climb over us and act arrogantly. You might endure this, but I cannot!”

Lin Taishi, hearing this, struck his eldest son again with his cane, his face filled with disappointment. “If you know she is the Emperor’s tool to deal with our Lin family, you should keep your distance and avoid provoking her!”

The eldest son, stubbornly retorting, said, “I was just trying to send her some gifts as a courtesy. I had no intention of causing trouble. It’s that girl who was too arrogant, throwing the gifts and people out. She was the one who slapped the Lin family in the face. Why should I not retaliate?”

Lin Taishi, seeing his son’s lack of repentance, became even more disappointed. He coldly said, “Have you forgotten what you did to that girl not long ago? Remember, she is an appointed County Princess  3by the Emperor, has saved the Crown Prince’s life, is closely connected with the Yan family, and has the admiration of the Xiao family. Do you really think she is just a naive country girl? Did you not realize that the Lin family and Aye were behind the recent incidents?”

The eldest son’s face changed dramatically, and he was about to retort but found he had no words. The bandits sent out did not return, and even the spies sent to investigate disappeared. Even he, despite his ignorance, could see the problem.

Lin Taishi sighed heavily, his wrinkles deepening. “I advised you against rash actions, but you listened to Aye and moved against Marquis Hejia. Now, those people are probably in the Crown Prince’s hands. The Crown Prince has not made a move yet, but he is likely preparing for something bigger. Instead of reflecting on your actions, you are causing more trouble. Do you really think the Emperor and the Crown Prince will not act against the Lin family?”

Hearing this, the eldest son’s eyes turned as he recalled another matter. With a burning gaze, he asked, “Father, what is the Emperor’s weakness that you hold? If you tell me, I can use it to protect the Lin family in case of any mishap.”

The eldest son’s reckless behavior was fueled by his knowledge that his father held leverage over Emperor Huian. Otherwise, he and Lin Guifei would never have dared to conspire to poison Empress Chunyi. However, Lin Taishi had never revealed what this leverage was, which only made the eldest son more eager to know, having asked multiple times.

Lin Taishi’s face darkened, and he sternly said, “This matter is something I will take to my grave. Do not waste your time on it! Also, do not take any more actions against Marquis Hejia. Otherwise, I will have no qualms about disowning you and driving you out of the family!”

With that, Lin Taishi ignored his eldest son’s reaction, called in the old servant waiting at the door, and slowly walked out of the main courtyard.

The eldest son watched his father’s aging back, his eyes flashing with uncertainty and calculation.

Unbeknownst to him, Lin Taishi’s refusal to disclose the leverage was actually for his sake. Given the eldest son’s impulsive nature, if he knew the leverage, he might cause irreparable damage to the family. This was the last thing Lin Taishi wanted.

Unfortunately, with such a reckless and incapable son, Lin Taishi’s good intentions might end up wasted.

---

Mo Yan, having slapped the Lin family’s face, was prepared for retaliation. However, after several days, nothing happened, and the household remained calm.

Despite this, Mo Yan did not let her guard down. Each night, she let the five beasts out, and even during the day, two beasts took turns guarding the house.

As October 20 approached, the day of the Autumn Examination results, people awaited the announcement. If one passed the exam, officials would come to deliver the good news. Since it took days for all the results to be delivered, some families would go to the government office early to find out their results.

Mo Yan also wanted to go to the office but was stopped by Mo Qingze, who remained calm, playing chess and reading, showing no sign of worry about the results.

The calmest in the family was Mo Qingze, while the others were restless, running to the door repeatedly, straining their necks to see, only to return disappointed. By noon, when no news had come, Mo Yan could no longer stay still and decided to go to the city to check, fearing a sleepless night for the whole family.

Just as Mo Yan was ready to leave with Dahuzao, Li Yan rushed in excitedly, shouting, “The messenger has arrived! The messenger has arrived…”

Mo Yan was thrilled. Listening carefully, she heard the sound of a gong outside the yard. She patted Dahuzao and told it to go back, then went out to find two messengers on horseback approaching the Mo residence.

Others, hearing the commotion, also ran to the door to wait. Xin’er, at the back, excitedly pulled her helpless father, urging, “Dad, hurry up, walk faster!”

The two messengers soon reached the Mo family’s doorstep. The loud sound of the gong drew the attention of the villagers, who guessed it was a celebratory announcement and were delighted for the Mo family.

 Chapter 1550: Profound Benefits

  Seeing him looking bitter, Shu Yu couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's the matter?"

  "It's a pity. Although he did a lot of work to raise money for his father's treatment and has some experience, his background is unclear. I suspect it might not be good to keep him here."

  "Why do you say that?"

  Ren Yiping explained, "Master Wei said that in business, apart from having good merchandise, we also need to be wary of rivals sabotaging us. People with unclear backgrounds, who can't be easily inquired about, are likely to be deliberately planted by others."

  Shu Yu raised an eyebrow, "It seems that you've learned quite a bit from Master Wei in the short time you've spent with him."

  Ren Yiping touched his head and grinned, "Master Wei is indeed great. I was a bit worried at first, after all, you personally invited him here, so he must be impressive. I was afraid he would be difficult to talk to and demanding. But when he came to the shop for the first time yesterday afternoon, I was especially nervous."

  However, Wei Ronghua turned out to be much more amiable than he had imagined. He was skilled but easygoing.

  When Wei Ronghua arrived, he first cautiously showed the token given by Shu Yu and the shop's key to confirm his identity. Then, without asking about the shop's situation, he chatted about their families, saying that he also had a daughter who was around the same age as Ren Yiping's sister. They could play together in the future.

  Wei Ronghua also mentioned that he wouldn't be living in the shop; he would entrust the backyard of the shop to Ren Yiping to take care of.

  Ren Yiping gradually relaxed and, being quite eloquent himself, quickly became familiar with Wei Ronghua. Whenever he spoke, Wei Ronghua would listen quietly, giving Ren Yiping a sense of similarity to Shu Yu.

  In the morning during the registration of new workers, Wei Ronghua taught Ren Yiping some precautions while working.

  Although it had only been a day and a half, Ren Yiping felt that he had gained profound benefits from the experience.

  Shu Yu smiled, "That's good. Shopkeeper Wei is experienced; you can learn a lot from him, which will benefit you."

  Ren Yiping nodded firmly, "Mm."

  He felt particularly fortunate that he chose to work in the city. Although the shopkeeper in the county was also good, his style of work was completely different from Wei Ronghua. It was like... one was suited for defending the city, and the other for expanding territory.

  After chatting with Ren Yiping for a while, Shu Yu went back to her room to wash up. She was exhausted from running around all day and went to bed early.

  Ren Yiping, on the other hand, sat in his room, eating the roast duck purchased by Shu Yu, and reviewing the knowledge taught by the Wei Ronghua. He analyzed An Le Tian's situation.

  An Le Tian said he had done labor work, carried heavy loads, and worked as an assistant, serving tea and water. He came from the mountains and knew nothing at first. He had encountered obstacles everywhere, being bullied and deceived, going through despair and suffering.

  But fortunately, the young men from his village were tenacious and not afraid of hardship. While taking care of his seriously ill father, An Le Tian worked and earned money. At night, he even eavesdropped on the poor scholar living next door, wanting to learn more skills.

  After his father's illness couldn't be cured and he passed away, An Le Tian had no other relatives in the mountains, so he decided to stay in the city.

  After experiencing the world, he realized that staying hidden in the mountains was not a long-term solution.

 Chapter 1549: That Person is Named An Le Tian

  Entering the shop with pen and paper, Ren Yiping turned around and called out to the young man at the door, "Come in."

  The man took his eyes off Shu Yu's figure and hesitated at the entrance. He carefully walked in and asked in a low voice, "Is the young lady earlier the owner of the shop?"

  "Yes."

  The man immediately covered his face, "With my appearance just now, have I left a bad impression on her? Will she refuse to hire me because of that?"

  Ren Yiping chuckled; this person seemed to be quite anxious. So many people had come to apply, each with their unique characteristics. A simple hole in his shoes was nothing to worry about.

  He spread out the paper, dipped the pen in ink, and said, "You don't need to worry; our boss doesn't judge people by their appearance. As long as you have the ability, she will hire you."

  Moreover, hiring people was entirely handled by Wei Ronghua, the store's shopkeeper. Shu Yu didn't involve herself much in the recruitment process.

  Ren Yiping didn't say much more, just asking, "Name?"

  "An Le Tian."

  "Age?"

  "Eighteen."

  Ren Yiping had recently learned to write, so his handwriting was still a bit shaky, but he carefully recorded the information according to the format given by Wei Ronghua.

  Meanwhile, Shu Yu met with Xiao Shi again.

  She explained the situation in general, but she couldn't be sure whether Hao Dingshan came to Dongqing Temple to find the master or if he had some doubts about Xiao Shi. It wasn't appropriate for Xiao Shi to return to the temple now. In fact, she might not be able to show up at the temple for some time. No one knew when Hao Dingshan would leave, and if he would leave someone to watch over after he left.

  Fortunately, Xiao Shi had packed her belongings before leaving, taking everything she needed with her.

  Shu Yu told her to rest in the inn for a few nights and then find a quiet house in the city to settle down.

  After discussing the matter, Shu Yu didn't stay longer and returned to the shop with Ying Xi.

  The shop was already closed, and Ren Yiping was boiling water in the kitchen. Seeing Shu Yu return, he stood up and said, "Boss, you're back? The hot water is ready; shall I bring it over?"

  Shu Yu waved her hand, "No need, we'll handle it ourselves. Here's a roast duck for you. You've worked hard today."

  She placed a paper bag she was holding on the stove. Ren Yiping sniffed the aroma and grinned, "Thank you, Boss. Is this the roast duck from the Pan family's shop? Every time I pass by their shop, I smell the delicious aroma, but it's a bit expensive, so I haven't been able to afford it. Thanks to you today, I finally get to taste it."

  Ren Yiping had a way with words and could make even a simple roast duck sound poetic.

  Shu Yu smiled as she watched him take out a plate and transfer the roast duck onto it, "Boss, you eat."

  "No, we just had dinner and are still full." Shu Yu poured herself a glass of water and casually asked, "Did the person who came in the evening finish the registration?"

  Ren Yiping nodded, "Yes, the registration is complete. His name is An Le Tian. He's actually a nice person, and I felt comfortable talking to him. Plus, he looks quite handsome after washing his face."

  Shu Yu smiled, "You seem to have a good impression of him."

  "Yeah, he's quite nice. His family lives far from the county, up in the mountains. Two years ago, his father fell seriously ill, so he brought him down to get treatment. After his father passed away, he stayed here and never left. What a pity..."

 Chapter 1548: I Have My Own Ways

  Since Hao Dingshan used to work around the Xiao family's patriarch, there might be people who recognized him even in a distant place like Dong'an Prefecture. Therefore, he couldn't appear openly and draw attention by causing trouble at the temple.

  After taking a quick glance at the man sitting there, Shu Yu looked at the two people standing behind him.

  After inspecting both sides, she confirmed that the man on the right matched the description Xiao Shi gave of Hao Dingshan. So, he should be Hao Dingshan.

  With this confirmation, Shu Yu got down from the stool and left the kitchen.

  Shortly after she left, a refined middle-aged scholar came towards her. He nodded at her in acknowledgment.

  Shu Yu took a turn and went to talk to him in private.

  This middle-aged scholar was one of the people sent by Magistrate Fei. He had been nearby while Shu Yu was talking to Sister Qiu earlier and gathered some information about what happened during the day.

  Now that they met, they exchanged information.

  Their information matched to some extent, but Shu Yu's information was more accurate as she heard it directly from Sister Qiu.

  The middle-aged scholar asked her, "Lu Xiangjun, do you want to know if this Hao Dingshan really came to Dongqing Temple to find the temple's master, or if he's using it as an excuse for another purpose?"

  Shu Yu nodded, "Yes."

  "It's easy. Leave it to me. I'll investigate, and by tomorrow afternoon, I'll give you an answer."

  Shu Yu looked at him in surprise, "How will you investigate?"

  The middle-aged scholar smiled, "I have my own ways."

  Shu Yu thought for a moment but didn't ask further. This man was Magistrate Fei's capable assistant, a strategist by his side.

  Among the people chosen by Magistrate Fei, the others were skilled guards, while this man, without martial arts abilities, was known for his quick wit.

  "Alright then, I'll trouble you, sir."

  The middle-aged scholar smiled and bowed, "Lu Xiangjun, take care."

  Shu Yu bid farewell to Sister Qiu and left the temple with Ying Xi, as if she was only there for a temporary visit.

  By the time they returned to the county, it was already late. The people at the shop had already dispersed, and only Ren Yiping was still there, sweeping at the door.

  Shu Yu was about to greet him when she saw a somewhat disheveled young man running towards Ren Yiping, gasping for breath.

  "Excuse me, is the shop hiring assistants?"

  Ren Yiping raised his head, "Are you here to apply?"

  The man swallowed hard and nodded vigorously, "Yes, I heard from someone and rushed over immediately. Did I miss it? Have you already closed?"

  Ren Yiping observed him and chuckled, "Today's business is over, but we'll be accepting registrations for two more days. You don't need to be in such a hurry; you look like you ran here with your shoes all torn up."

  Embarrassed, the man lowered his head and looked at his shoes with exposed toes.

  "Sorry, I thought I was too late."

  "It's alright. Since you're here, I'll register you now. Rest tomorrow, and we'll start hiring the day after tomorrow."

  Ren Yiping put down the broom and was about to enter the shop.

  As he turned his head, he saw Shu Yu and quickly walked up to her, "Boss."

  Shu Yu waved her hand, "You can carry on with your work. Ying Xi and I are going out for dinner and will be back later."

  There were rooms available here, so Shu Yu and Ying Xi planned to stay here for the night.

  Ren Yiping nodded in understanding and watched the two leave before returning to the shop.

 Chapter 698: Slapping Mo Qingze's Face at High School (3)

Mo Yan was puzzled and decided to deal with the gift sender before looking for Dani. To her surprise, the person delivering the gift was a steward from the Lin family.

Upon seeing Mo Yan, the steward from the Lin family greeted her with an arrogant bow, “This one pays respects to County Princess!”

Mo Yan's expression remained unchanged as she said flatly, “This County Princess does not accept gifts from the Lin family. Go back where you came from!” There was no need for pretense with the Lin family, and she was certain that they would prefer the confrontation.

The steward’s face darkened, and he said menacingly, “Does County Princess look down on the Lin family? I advise you not to be too arrogant, or you might not know how you’ll end up!”

Mo Yan scoffed coldly, “This County Princess does not know how she will end up, but if you dare to speak out of turn again, I will make sure you find out how you will end up!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the five beasts charged forward menacingly, glaring at the Lin family steward as if ready to pounce and bite off his neck at any moment.

The steward was horrified and stumbled back, accidentally bumping into a chair and falling to the ground. He was too frightened to stand up.

Seeing the steward’s pathetic state, Mo Yan’s face showed a hint of mockery. She had no interest in wasting more time with him and ordered the five beasts to throw both him and the gifts out.

Under the watchful eyes of the five beasts, the steward dared not say another word. With the help of two similarly terrified servants, he scrambled into the carriage. The three of them hastily left Mo’s residence, leaving the discarded gifts behind, which were eagerly picked up by passing villagers.

In the study, Han Zhiyun, who was playing chess with Mo Qingze, frowned when he heard the news. “Do you have a conflict with the Lin family?”

Mo Qingze hesitated with his move and replied vaguely, “There have been some issues.”

Han Zhiyun, seeing that his friend did not want to discuss it further, chose not to press the matter. Instead, he advised cautiously, “In recent years, the Lin family has become increasingly unscrupulous, secretly engaging in harmful activities. Be careful.”

Mo Qingze nodded in silence, appreciating his friend’s concern. His intention to enjoy a friendly game of chess with Han Zhiyun was now forgotten.

Meanwhile, the steward rushed back to the Lin family, skipping even a sip of water, and stormed into the main courtyard to see the head of the Lin family—the eldest son of Lin Taishi, father of Lin Guifei, and the nominal head of the Lin family.

The eldest son, over fifty, was of average intelligence but had a penchant for scheming. Under his father Lin Taishi’s control, he had behaved decently. However, as Lin Taishi’s health declined, his actions became increasingly outrageous, including a notorious incident where he and his eldest daughter, Lin Guifei, conspired to harm Empress Chunyi, nearly leading to the Lin family's downfall.

Upon hearing the steward’s embellished account of the incident at Mo’s residence, the eldest son of the Lin family smashed a teacup in anger, roaring, “A mere lowly girl, just a pawn manipulated by others, dares to humiliate my Lin family so? Do they think the Lin family has no one left?”

“Master, please calm down!” The steward, terrified, immediately knelt on the ground but didn’t forget to incite further anger, “That girl has become so arrogant just after receiving the title of County Princess. You must find a way to deal with her, or it will tarnish the Lin family’s reputation and encourage others to challenge us!”

The eldest son’s anger only grew, and he smashed another teacup, cursing vehemently. Just as he was about to start planning revenge against the Mo family, Lin Taishi, with his head full of white hair and supported by an old servant, walked in.

Without a word, Lin Taishi raised his cane and struck his eldest son heavily. His wrinkled face was filled with disappointment. “Had I known you were such a failure and would bring trouble to the family, I should have strangled you when you were born!”

(End of Chapter) 

  Chapter 697: Slapping Mo Qingze's Face at High School (2)

The morning passed in a flurry of accepting congratulatory gifts. Mo Yan looked at the gifts that had filled two storage rooms and couldn’t help but marvel. Clearly, she had underestimated the impact of the title of "County Princesses."

“These are just ordinary items; they only impress unsophisticated country bumpkins like you!” Yan Junyu appeared beside Mo Yan, his alluring face marred by irritating words.

Mo Yan rolled her eyes and chose to ignore him, knowing that responding would only encourage him.

Seeing that Mo Yan ignored him, Yan Junyu grew bored. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, “I’m sorry!”

Mo Yan was taken aback, clearly not expecting such an arrogant person to apologize. Seeing his serious expression, she smiled and said, “It’s not your fault. If I hadn’t produced high-yield rice, nothing would have happened! Besides, being awarded the title of  County Princess is an honor. Isn’t that great? You’ve done all the work, and I’m the one reaping the benefits. It’s actually me who should feel embarrassed.”

Hearing Mo Yan’s words, Yan Junyu felt even more uncomfortable. He would rather she complained about him than feign enjoyment, pretending to like something she didn’t. This made the distance between them feel even greater, and he disliked this feeling.

Mo Yan couldn’t guess Yan Junyu’s thoughts. Seeing him still looking serious, she assumed he was still feeling guilty and comforted him, “It really isn’t your fault. Don’t worry about it. Otherwise, we’ll all feel uncomfortable.”

If the rice had still been in the fields, and if it weren’t for him secretly watching over it, someone might have already targeted it. There wouldn’t have been a bumper harvest. Moreover, he had helped her a lot, and she had intended to repay him with the high-yield rice, which had now been destroyed. She should be the one feeling guilty.

Seeing Mo Yan’s expression of guilt, Yan Junyu, who had been misunderstood, intended to explain but ultimately gave up. It was better for her to have some sense of guilt than none at all.

Yan Junyu, waving his jade fan, said without courtesy, “If you really feel sorry, then be nicer to me in the future. At least send some more vegetables, wine, and also those chickens. Since I’ve tasted the chickens you raised, I can’t eat the ones bought from elsewhere.”

Mo Yan cheerfully agreed, “I’ll have Xiao Hua deliver them to you from now on. It’s always thinking about you!”

As she spoke, Xiao Hua trotted over, rubbed against Mo Yan’s leg, and then ran to Yan Junyu’s feet, deliberately raising its neck to show off the green gemstone beast token it was wearing, its eyes full of pride as if to say, “Look, I’m a prestigious beast now!”

Yan Junyu immediately tapped Xiao Hua’s head with his fan. As Xiao Hua growled angrily, Yan Junyu’s beautiful lips curled into a faint smile as he said, “So ugly!”

Xiaohua was instantly enraged and collapsed to the ground in defeat!

……

After lunch, Yan Junyu made a quick tour of the construction site before heading back to the city. As he stepped out of the Mo family’s gate, he happened to run into Dani, who had returned from the market looking for Mo Yan. He had some recollection of Dani and knew she was close to Mo Yan. He gave her a slight smile as a greeting.

Little did he know that this charming smile had a profound effect!

Dani’s mind went blank, as if it wasn’t her own. She clutched her racing heart, dazedly savoring the mesmerizing smile.

When she came to her senses, the air was filled only with the lingering fragrance of cold plums……

The Han family planned to stay at the Mo house for a few days. After Mo Yan and Li Xiu finished their meal, they began tidying up the house. Hearing that Dani needed to see her, Mo Yan was about to look for her when Li Yan, who had just left, returned, saying someone had come to deliver a congratulatory gift and needed her to go out in person. 

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1547: Is It Related to Her Again?

  Sister Qiu sighed, "They do have such thoughts, and it is indeed related to you."

  Shu Yu widened her eyes, "How is it related to me? I rarely come to Dongqing Temple."

  "Yes, but you helped Master Miao move the Eternal Lamp to the position of the Ancestor's grave."

  Shu Yu, "...Huh?"

  Sister Qiu explained, "You know that moving the Eternal Lamp to the Ancestor's grave is a significant matter. Without the permission of the temple's master, we can't make that decision. But master Miao managed to do it. To show his respect, Master Miao specially held a grand ritual that attracted many people to come and see."

  As a result, many others had the same idea and came to discuss it with Sister Qiu.

  Of course, Sister Qiu couldn't make an exception, so she told them that it was approved by the temple's master. If they wanted to move the Eternal Lamp, they needed the master's consent.

  In Dongqing Temple, most of the devotees wouldn't dare to be unruly, so they eventually gave up.

  "I don't know what Master Miao said to him, but he insists that the temple's master has returned. I told him the master left a letter, but he didn't believe it."

  Shu Yu thought, "So, before coming to Dongqing Temple, Hao Dingshan went to see Master Miao?"

  However, Shu Yu was sure that Master Miao didn't mention anything about her in their conversation. They had an agreement not to reveal the details of their transaction to strangers, especially with the one-year deadline approaching. Master Miao didn't want to complicate matters before transferring the house in the black market.

  Wei Ronghua was an exception because Master Miao introduced him.

 Master Miao wouldn't reveal their relationship, so they must have made something up. Most likely... they fabricated a story full of sincerity and moved the temple's master emotionally. After all, the temple's master had shut down Qinlou Chu Pavilion and could only stay in a small county near the border, doing small businesses. This was the most straightforward and convincing expression of sincerity. It seemed very persuasive.

  Thinking about how this matter was somewhat related to her, Shu Yu felt somewhat guilty.

  She quickly changed the topic, "Sister Qiu, did those people say why they want to find the master?"

  "They only claimed that it's a matter of life and death and that they need to meet the temple's master."

  Shu Yu rolled her eyes. "A matter of life and death? They are trying to use this moral blackmail?"

  She told Sister Qiu, "I'll go take a look at that person."

  When she said 'take a look,' of course, she didn't mean to go openly. She was very familiar with the canteen and knew that there was a window in the nearby kitchen. It was high and allowed a clear view of the situation in the canteen.

  She climbed up using a stool and looked inside. There were quite a few people in the canteen even though it was still early. Many devotees came to Dongqing Temple to have meals and would leave before nightfall.

  Among the people sitting in the corner, there was one who hadn't eaten or drunk anything. He stood out from the others and drew more attention.

  Shu Yu glanced at him and realized that he didn't match the description of Hao Dingshan given by Xiao Shi.

  This man was most likely pushed to the forefront by Hao Dingshan to mislead others.

 Chapter 1546: Turns Out He's Here to Find the Master of Dongqing Temple

  Prefect Magistrate Fei didn't doubt Shu Yu's words. He knew that the man might still be at Dongqing Temple, so he sent a few trusted subordinates to follow Shu Yu out of the city, just in case.

  In fact, Shu Yu wasn't sure if Hao Dingshan was still at the temple. From the moment Xiao Shi noticed him until she left the mountain and came to the city's inn, and then to the government office, some time had passed.

  By the time she returned to the temple, it was already noon.

  However, if Hao Dingshan truly intended to find someone at Dongqing Temple, he might stay for a long time. What if he was still there?

  Regardless, Shu Yu decided to go up the mountain with Ying Xi.

  As for the people Prefect Magistrate Fei left with her, they disguised themselves as ordinary people like peasants or scholars and dispersed.

  At Dongqing Temple, there weren't many people left inside. Devotees usually came in the morning.

  Shu Yu first sought out Sister Qiu and the first thing Sister Qiu said upon seeing her was, "You're here? Your friend came down the mountain in the morning to find you."

  Xiao Shi had left and naturally left a message for the temple. Otherwise, they would have worried and searched for her when they couldn't find her.

  Shu Yu nodded, "I've seen her."

  Sister Qiu was relieved to hear that and then asked, "Why did you come at this hour?"

  Shu Yu walked with her to a secluded place and said, "Sister Qiu, I heard that there was some trouble this morning?"

  Sister Qiu wore a troubled expression, "Yes, they insisted on seeing the temple's master."

  "See the Master?"

  Sister Qiu sighed, "Yes, we told them that the Master has been away for two years and hasn't returned. But they didn't believe us and secretly searched for him while we were distracted. They even went to the backyard where your friend was staying. Luckily, she left early; otherwise, there would have been a confrontation."

  Shu Yu breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Xiao Shi acted decisively in the morning.

  It seemed that she understood the people from the Xiao family well. Indeed, Hao Dingshan would attempt to sneak into the backyard to find someone.

  "But how come they weren't caught when they sneaked into the backyard?"

  Sister Qiu shook her head, furrowing her brows, "That man deliberately engaged us in a conversation up front while his men secretly went to look for your friend at the backyard. By the time we went back, they were gone. They left only footprints in the backyard and even knocked some soil off the wall. That's when we realized."

  Since they didn't see it happen, there was no evidence it was them, so they couldn't catch them.

  "But the junior sister and the others quickly returned to the backyard. So, when that man estimated that he had sneaked into the backyard, he probably didn't search it thoroughly and left soon after. He's still not giving up, insisting that the Master must be here in the temple, and he hasn't left yet."

  Shu Yu was taken aback, "Is he still here now?"

  "Yes, he's sitting over there by the canteen."

  Shu Yu found it strange, "The Master has been away from the temple for two years. Not to mention Dong'an Prefecture, even those who know a little about Dongqing Temple would be aware of it. So how can they still insist the Master is here?"

  Could it be that they're using finding her Master as an excuse and they're actually here for Xiao Shi?

  As Shu Yu was speculating, she raised her head to inquire further, but to her surprise, Sister Qiu was looking at her with a complex expression.

  Shu Yu touched her own face, "What's wrong?"

 Chapter 696: Slapping Mo Qingze's Face at High School (1)

Understanding why snow ball was reluctant to speak, Mo Yan tickled the spirit tool fiercely until it was too exhausted to laugh or cry. Only then did she release it, feeling a bit of sympathy for its plight. Nonetheless, she agreed with snow ball’s approach. Relying on external help for everything without improving oneself would create a strong dependency, something she didn’t want to become.

However, given the complexity of the issue, snow ball did reveal some crucial information. It indirectly confirmed the accuracy of her and Xiao Ruiyuan’s previous speculations. The Lin family’s leverage was indeed related to Emperor Huian’s fight for the throne, which made addressing this issue from that angle much easier.

From snow ball, Mo Yan learned that while the other members of the Lin family were not very impressive, Lin Taishi, the veteran mentor of three emperors, was still quite wise. However, his direct descendants were underwhelming—a useless legitimate son and a similarly mediocre illegitimate son.

Having devoted himself to the royal family for many years, Lin Taishi neglected the upbringing of his descendants. As he grew older, he found himself increasingly powerless to guide and discipline them. Thus, he turned a blind eye to their misdeeds. When his legitimate son and granddaughter conspired to kill Empress Chunyi, he used this leverage to threaten Emperor Huian, hoping to protect them.

Mo Yan speculated that Lin Taishi probably hoped Prince Heng would ascend to the throne, allowing the Lin family to avoid annihilation. However, he likely did not anticipate the emergence of someone like her, causing Prince Heng to be severely injured and unable to claim the throne, shattering the Lin family’s last hope. Such a heavy blow must have been unbearable for the Lin family, and they probably harbored intense hatred towards her, the “culprit.”

Given that the Lin family had previously shown interest in harming her, Mo Yan didn’t believe they were unaware or uninvolved. Although the Lin family had managed to bide their time and seek opportunities to deal with her slowly, her recent appointment as Marquis of the County was like rubbing salt into their wounds. Even if Lin Taishi could endure it, his descendants might be plotting against her, aiming to eliminate her in one fell swoop.

The next morning, Yan Junyu personally arrived with a full cart of congratulatory gifts. Before the gifts could be unloaded, news of his visit reached the nobility in the capital, and those who had no direct connection to the Mo family sent their own congratulatory gifts as well.

Carriage after carriage formed a long line at the Mo family’s doorstep, causing another sensation in the village. Villagers, forgetting about breakfast, flocked to watch the commotion.

Mo Qingze, now sober, looked at the carts of gifts and didn’t know whether to accept them or return them. Eventually, reassured by Yan Junyu’s casual remark that these gifts were merely ceremonial and didn’t need to be recorded or reciprocated, he reluctantly accepted them.

As the gifts were moved into the Mo household, more carriages continued to arrive. The villagers, initially amazed, became numb, mentally calculating the value of the gifts and how long they could sustain their own needs. After a bit of calculation, they found it impossible to determine the total value.

Before long, gifts from the Liu and Han families also arrived. Master Liu was busy with teaching and couldn’t come in person, so Madam Liu and Liu Tinglan were also delayed. Their gifts were sent by the carriage driver.

Han Zhiyun, having participated in the autumn imperial examinations and preparing for next year’s spring examinations, had recently completed some pressing matters. With rare free time, he brought his family along with congratulatory gifts to visit the Mo family.

  Chapter 695: Expanding Speculations (4)

Mo Yan was pleased with Wu Shi’s idea, but knew that implementing it wouldn’t be easy. She said, “The idea is feasible, but you need reliable people to help. Otherwise, with just you and Big Sister Da Ni’er, handling three stalls will be too much.”

Running a food stall isn’t difficult, but making the food delicious is another matter. Many stalls imitate the recipes, but their taste doesn’t compare. The quality of ingredients plays a role, but so do the sauce, seasonings, and cooking techniques.

Wu Shi was thrilled that Mo Yan agreed, but she couldn’t think of suitable candidates at the moment and asked for Mo Yan’s opinion.

Mo Yan considered it carefully and decided not to look for someone from the village. While the business was good, it was a small-scale operation, and hiring someone would only mean paying wages, not sharing profits.

If someone from the village was hired and disputes arose over money, relationships could become strained, and there would be complications. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that such a person wouldn’t take the skills learned and start their own business.

The best option was to hire someone from outside. However, Wu Shi’s younger children were too young to help, and Mo Yan’s family was too busy to spare anyone. Thus, the person had to be recruited from elsewhere.

Seeing their difficulty in finding a suitable candidate, Li Xiu couldn’t help but suggest, “Why not buy a person from a slave trader? As long as you hold their deed, they can’t rebel.”

“Buy a person?” Mo Yan was taken aback. She still thought of human trafficking as illegal, so the idea hadn’t occurred to her.

Now, hearing Li Xiu’s suggestion, she found it reasonable and quickly asked snow ball in the space, “In my previous life, human trafficking was illegal and involved karma. Is it the same here?”

snow ball’s voice soon echoed in her mind: “It depends. If you buy someone to save them, it would be considered merit rather than karma.”

Mo Yan was relieved to hear that and told the still-hesitant Wu Shi, “Then let’s go ahead and buy someone. It’s much easier than finding someone.”

Wu Shi, seeing Mo Yan’s agreement, naturally didn’t oppose and took on the task of purchasing someone herself, insisting that Mo Yan not spend any money.

Wu Shi could still afford to support one more person, so Mo Yan didn’t insist. She only reminded Wu Shi to ensure that the person they bought was willing to sell themselves, to avoid affecting the Wu family’s good fortune.

Wu Shi agreed readily.

---

During dinner, Mo Qingze still hadn’t woken up, so Mo Yan fed him a bowl of diluted spiritual spring water. She asked Li Xiu to keep the food warm and then went to the storeroom to retrieve the five beast tokens granted by the emperor. She brought them to her room and entered the space with the five beasts.

The five beast tokens were made of pure gold, each the size of an adult’s palm, with a small hole at the top for threading. Below the hole was a gemstone, each of a different color. The front had a raised “Imperial” character, indicating that the tokens were imperial gifts. The rest of the token was decorated with cloud patterns. Overall, the tokens were exquisitely crafted.

Mo Yan spent half an hour making five colored strings that matched the gemstones and attached the tokens to the five beasts.

Xiao Hua, being silver-white, was suited to the fresh green gemstone token; Da Bai, with darker fur on his neck, wore the bright red gemstone token; Mao Tuan, with black and yellow fur, looked striking with the blue gemstone token; Huang Jin, being entirely golden, matched the black gemstone token well. The remaining purple gemstone token was given to Chi Mang.

With the tokens, the five beasts could now move freely among people even if Mo Yan wasn’t around.

They were a bit unaccustomed to the new golden adornments. Xiao Hua, in particular, seemed displeased and scratched at the token. Mo Yan thought it might not like it and was about to remove it, intending to put it back on only when necessary.

However, Xiao Hua dashed to the spiritual spring, howling at its reflection in the water with an air of vanity, provoking several exasperated looks from the others!

The five beasts frolicked in the space while Mo Yan read through the handwritten notes from physician Du, familiarizing herself with the medicinal properties of the herbs. She also discussed the Lin family issue with snow ball, determined to understand the enmity between Emperor Hui’an and the Lin family.

Mo Yan expected snow ball to quickly provide answers, but surprisingly, it remained tight-lipped, only telling Mo Yan to explore on her own.

Frustrated, Mo Yan grabbed snow ball and relentlessly tickled it, “Why won’t you say anything? If you don’t tell me, I won’t stop!”

“Don’t… ah… Bad Yan Yan, you’re so mean… haha… stop, stop, I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you!” snow ball, shaking with a mix of laughter and tears, finally begged for mercy.

Mo Yan showed no signs of softening, intensifying her tickling, “So, are you going to tell me or not?”

“No, no, ah, woo woo… hahahaha… stop, stop, I’ll tell you!” snow ball, its eyes spinning from the tickling, finally gave in to its master’s “tyranny.”

Facing such a ruthless owner, even a spirit tool couldn’t take it! 

 Chapter 1545: Hao Dingshan's Identity in the Xiao Family

  Shu Yu's mind was in chaos. What exactly was Hao Dingshan here for?

  On one hand, he was inquiring about Meng Yunzheng, and on the other hand, he went to Dongqing Temple to find someone.

  Could it be that he was really looking for Xiao Shi, and he knew that she was hidden by them, so he had set his eyes on Meng Yunzheng?

  No, it didn't make sense. If that was the case, they should have been keeping an eye on her too, as Meng Yunzheng had never met Xiao Shi before.

  She had a feeling that these two incidents might not be related.

  Seeing Shu Yu remaining silent, Xiao Shi asked softly, "Ah Yu, what's wrong?"

  "Nothing," Shu Yu raised her head, "How about this, Sister-in-law should stay at the inn for now. According to your original plan, seek help from the government office if anything happens. By then, exposure won't be a concern."

  Xiao Shi nodded, "Alright."

  "I'll go to Dongqing Temple later to find out the specific situation, and I'll be back in the evening."

  "Are you going alone? Isn't it dangerous?" Xiao Shi asked with concern.

  Shu Yu thought for a moment, "Indeed, to be safe, I'll need a helper. Before leaving the city, I'll visit the government office first."

  The Prefect was a confidant of the current emperor, and he was well aware of the secret struggles between the emperor and the third prince of the Xiao family. After the emperor dealt with the Shu family, he immediately placed this person in Dong'an Prefecture to maintain control.

  Now, two years had passed, and everything was fine. Even the black market had retreated from Dong'an Prefecture.

  Unexpectedly, people from the Xiao family suddenly appeared, which would definitely trouble the Prefect.

  Although Shu Yu had met the Prefect once, they were not familiar with each other.

  However, when Meng Yunzheng was in the city, he had cooperated with the Prefect before, and both of them knew they were on the same side.

  But during peaceful times, there was no need to establish contact with each other to avoid unnecessary attention.

  Now that the Xiao family's people had shown up, it was time to reconsider this matter.

  Shu Yu asked Xiao Shi, "What is this Hao Dingshan's position in the Xiao family?"

  Xiao Shi replied, "He is one of the subordinates working under my eldest uncle. He has some martial arts skills, but they aren't very impressive. I've met him a few times, but I don't know him well. Based on my father's opinion, this person is good at flattery and fawning over others. At the very least, he can make my eldest uncle happy, so my uncle entrusts many matters to him."

  Shu Yu's lips twitched. Even the old master of the Xiao family could be influenced by flattery.

  But...

  "Since your eldest uncle entrusts him with many tasks, does that mean he's capable?" Shu Yu asked.

  Xiao Shi looked strange, "Not really. He can accomplish some tasks, but for others, he tends to shift the blame to someone else. This person knows his own limits and only takes on things he's confident about. If he's not sure, he'll find a scapegoat to take the fall while he acts as the assistant."

  Shu Yu understood; he was someone who liked to take advantage of situations.

  "I see. I'll be careful," Shu Yu assured Xiao Shi, and after chatting for a while, she prepared to leave.

  Xiao Shi worriedly said, "Ah Yu, take care."

  "Yes, I'll be on my way."

  Shu Yu left the inn with Ying Xi and went back to her shop.

  The shop was still bustling with activity. She informed Wei Ronghua that she had some things to do and then went to the government office to find Prefect Magistrate Fei.

  When Prefect Magistrate Fei heard that the Xiao family's people had come to Dong'an Prefecture, his expression indeed changed.

  Shu Yu didn't mention anything about Xiao Shi's situation. The fewer people who knew she was alive, the better. So she only mentioned what she had accidentally seen.

 Chapter 1544: The Person Mentioned by Kong Zhiyou is the Same One

  When Xiao Shi heard the description of the person, she felt that he might be looking for her.

  Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental? She was afraid that the person would recklessly barge into the backyard, which could lead to trouble for Dongqing Temple.

  Although Dongqing Temple was taking care of her on behalf of Shu Yu, they didn't know her true identity. The nuns at Dongqing Temple were secluded from the secular world, and although the place was crowded, there was still a possibility that someone from the Xiao family could sneak in.

  In her nervousness, Xiao Shi decided to leave the mountain first.

  She had thought about going to Shu Yu for help, but Dongqing Temple was some distance from Jiangyuan County, and she couldn't guarantee a safe journey. After some consideration, she chose to stay in the city.

  Xiao Shi had heard that the Prefect of Dong'an Prefecture was favored by the current emperor and had a close relationship with her husband.

  In the city, if any major issue arose, she could seek help from the Prefect magistrate.

  So she found an inn not far from the government office to stay.

  Once the room was ready, Xiao Shi asked Lu Tong to check the surroundings for anything unusual, so they could be prepared.

  Unexpectedly, as soon as Lu Tong went out, she ran into Shu Yu, who was also out shopping.

  Xiao Shi was extremely uneasy now. "Shu Yu, do you think there's no news from my husband because the Xiao family knows I'm alive, and something has happened in the capital?"

  Shu Yu's fingers tightened. She hadn't expected the Xiao family's people to be in Dong'an Prefecture.

  Something was strange. Besides the black market, what else could be important for them to come here? Did they really know that Xiao Shi was alive?

  No, wait...

  Shu Yu shook her head. "Don't worry too much. You said when you saw that person on the mountain, he ran away immediately. If he was really looking for you, seeing someone suddenly appear on the mountain, even if he couldn't see your face, he should have been suspicious, at least enough to come forward and verify if you were the person he was looking for. So why would he run upon seeing someone?"

  Xiao Shi thought about it and agreed, "True, but he was indeed searching for someone in secret."

  "Maybe he wasn't looking for you specifically. It's possible he was looking for a man?" Shu Yu suggested. "Or perhaps, finding someone was just a cover for his true intentions?"

  Xiao Shi felt a bit relieved hearing this.

  "What should we do now? He's definitely from the Xiao family, and if I return to Dongqing Temple right now, he might recognize me."

  Shu Yu pondered for a moment, "How about this? Describe his appearance to me, and I'll go to Dongqing Temple. It's not a secret that I am a disciple of Dongqing Temple, so occasionally visiting the mountain wouldn't be suspicious."

  Xiao Shi nodded and described the person, "His name is Hao Dingshan, around forty years old, not particularly tall, quite thin. He was dressed like... deliberately disguised as a servant of some household. He has a big nose and short eyebrows. He..."

  Shu Yu's expression became odd as she listened. A big nose, short eyebrows, around forty years old? Why did this description feel so familiar?

  "Wait a minute." Shu Yu raised her hand, "You said this Hao Dingshan, is he about the same height as that guard standing next to you?"

  She pointed at one of the guards next to Xiao Shi.

  Xiao Shi looked over and hesitated, "Yes, he's about the same height. How do you know?"

  Shu Yu rubbed her forehead. So this Hao Dingshan was the same person mentioned by Kong Zhiyou, the mysterious man who plotted with Chen Ji to inquire about Meng Yunzheng's itinerary?