Chapter 384 - 384: Five Copper Coins
Rong Dayuan inwardly sighed that Tang Jinghong was difficult to deal with, “General Tang, saying it like this isn’t fun. We are both serving the Emperor. No matter how we do it, as long as the case is solved, it’s fine.”
Tang Jinghong spoke slowly, a sense of oppression gradually spreading, “From the tone of Lord Rong, it seems like as long as you take him away, the case will definitely be solved. I really want to know, Lord Rong, what exactly do you know?”
Rong Dayuan cursed Tang Jinghong in his heart as sly, continually leading him into a trap. However, he maintained a calm tone on the surface, “I don’t know anything. Taking him away is just to prevent you from doing something harmful.”
“Us doing something harmful?” Tang Jinghong hinted, “Lord Rong seems a bit impatient.”
Rong Dayuan felt a chill, like a bucket of cold water poured over him.
He softened his attitude and was a little embarrassed. “General Tang, you’ve misunderstood me.”
Tang Jinghong’s eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. He didn’t know what Lord Rong was scheming, but it was definitely not good, “Lord Rong, if you want to take him away, come back in twenty days.”
Unable to gain an advantage, Rong Dayuan could only step back. Although he felt annoyed, his expression softened, “General Tang, I hope everything goes smoothly for you.”
Tang Jinghong smiled, “As long as Lord Rong doesn’t cause trouble, everything will go smoothly on my side.”
His implication was clear: as long as Lord Rong didn’t secretly interfere, he would definitely solve the case.
Rong Dayuan didn’t want to waste breath on Tang Jinghong, “Farewell.”
After Lord Rong left, Ren Buqing asked, “General Tang, what play was Lord Rong performing?”
Tang Jinghong withdrew his gaze, looking at Ren Buqing, “He probably learned about the clue we found from somewhere and deliberately came to test us.”
Ren Buqing frowned, “Only people from our Ministry of Justice know about this clue. How did he find out?”
“You are still too young.” Tang Jinghong patted Ren Buqing’s shoulder meaningfully. He then walked away.
Ren Buqing shouted, “General Tang, where are you going?”
Tang Jinghong replied, “To find someone!”
In the Chu Village.
At the entrance of the brewery, Yuan Hongjun handed a box to Chu Qingzhi, his expression bright, “Master, I’ve found the Mangnolia officinalis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Fritillaria cirrhosa.”
Chu Qingzhi wiped her hands and took the box, opening it to reveal the medicinal herbs she needed. The quality was excellent, and after nurturing them with spiritual energy, they could be used.
Chu Qingzhi closed the box and praised, “The medicinal herbs are excellent. You’ve worked hard.”
Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang didn’t mind. Helping their Master was the main thing, and they didn’t care if it was hard or not.
Yuan Hongjun pointed to the brewery and asked with concern, “Master, is the beer ready?”
“It has entered the next step.” Chu Qingzhi led the two towards the village; there was nothing more to do here.
On the way back, they met Chu Qingning, “Fifth sister, Are these mulberry leaves enough?”
Chu Qingzhi took the basket from Chu Qingning, examined it, and said, “It’s almost enough. Let’s go.”
Chu Qingning turned her head and glanced at Jiang Zhaoyong, who was helping with the work in the field. Helplessly, she followed them home.
Passing by the old house, they encountered Mrs. Xu, who specifically came out to wait for Chu Qingning, “Miss Qingning, how much is the consultation fee?”
Because of the marriage proposal incident caused by Matchmaker Xu, when Mrs. Xu saw Chu Qingning, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
Chu Qingning looked at Chu Qingzhi.
The people in Xu Village were not wealthy. Chu Qingzhi said, “Five copper coins.”
Five copper coins were affordable, and Mrs. Xu immediately took out the money, “Thank you for saving my son, I’m very grateful.”
Chu Qingning said, “Aunt Xu, go back and take care of Xu Jizhou.”
Mrs. Xu repeatedly thanked them, “Alright, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Chu Qingzhi and the others continued towards home.
Grandpa Chu and the others were currently harvesting peanuts in the fields…
The peanuts were dry, and many of them were empty shells. They were poorly developed. Grandpa Chu and Grandma Chu sighed repeatedly
They had planted peanuts in an acre of land. In previous years, they could harvest two hundred kilos, but this year, even twenty kilos were unlikely.
Jiang Zhaoyong rolled up his sleeves and helped with the peanut harvest. With his help, they would probably finish today.
Elders always liked industrious youngsters. Seeing Jiang Zhaoyong so diligent, the elders liked him very much.
Grandma Chu, sitting on a stool, deshelling peanuts, saw Jiang Zhaoyong walking over with peanut seedlings. She asked, “Zhaoyong, where is your family from?”
Jiang Zhaoyong secretly thought that it would be good for the Chu family members to understand him earlier, making it easier for him to integrate into the family later, “Grandma, my family is from Jiang Village in Yugan County.”
Yugan County was also under the jurisdiction of the capital, just like Shuiyun County.
However, Yugan County was to the east of the capital, while Shuiyun County was to the south. It took three hours to travel from Shuiyun County to Yugan County.
Grandma Chu tossed two peanuts into the basket and asked, “And who is in your family?”
“I have an elder brother, a sister-in-law, a nephew, a niece, and my parents and grandparents are no longer around.”
Jiang Zhaoyong said these words with a hint of sadness as he recalled the hardships he had endured.
“When I was three years old, my parents passed away, and my elder brother raised me.”
Oh, this background is too pitiful. Grandma Chu couldn’t help feeling sorry. “In the future, you can come here whenever you want. Grandma will cook delicious food for you.”
Grandma Chu, he’s plotting for your granddaughter!
Jiang Zhaoyong smiled sincerely. The Chu family was truly his ideal home warm, harmonious, industrious, and joyful. “Thank you, Grandma.”
Could this be considered gaining the approval of the family’s elders?
He secretly rejoiced.
“You’re welcome, you’re welcome…”
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the sky had completely darkened, and one by one, everyone returned home. Soon, there was no one outside.
Tonight’s night sky was very dark and quiet. Only a few scattered stars adorned the black canvas, emitting a suppressed atmosphere. Even the insects seemed to have stopped chirping.
Chu Qingzhi and his group of six, cloaked in the night, arrived at the county city, splitting into two groups…
Chu Qingzhi, Chu Qingning, Yuan Hongjun, and Bao Linjiang went to replicate poppies.
Chu Xujin and Ge Lihua, along with a group of constables, went to the Tao mansion to set the trap. After planning for so many days, the success or failure depended on tonight.
The sky was oppressively dark, and the air grew heavy. Even the sparse stars retreated into the black curtain, making the surroundings even darker and more unsettling.
Yuan Hongjun pushed open the door of the small house and entered the room. “Master, all the medicinal herbs have been processed as you instructed.”
Chu Qingzhi swept her eyes across the room, very satisfied. “After the matter, everyone will be rewarded.”
“Master, what kind of reward?” Bao Linjiang asked excitedly.
“You’ll know when the time comes.” Chu Qingzhi teased..