lcionline Chapter 234 "Visiting"
Chapter 234 "Visiting"
Zheng Luoqi made it clear that he came to ask for lodging, not to cause trouble. Wasn't this a clear indication that Cao Yan didn't welcome him?
Cao Yan dared not be negligent and quickly said, "Lord Zheng, what are you saying? It is a great honor for my Cao family to have you visit my residence. How could I possibly mind?"
Having served as an official for so long, Cao Yan naturally understood the ways of officialdom and knew what he should and shouldn't do.
Since the other party had already spoken, he naturally couldn't be ungrateful, could he? Whether Zheng Luoqi was genuinely asking for lodging or just pretending, he dared not refuse.
“In that case, I will trouble Lord Cao!” Zheng Luoqi smiled slightly and stood up.
Cao Yan quickly bowed to greet Zheng Luoqi and invited her to the living room for a meal.
After Zheng Luoqi sat down, he followed suit.
"Lord Cao, this tea is cold. Please get a fresh pot!" Zheng Luoqi said indifferently.
"Okay, I'll go soak right away!" Cao Yan said quickly.
"Hmm!" Zheng Luoqi hummed softly, then lowered her head and said nothing more.
Seeing Zheng Luoqi's appearance, Cao Yan's anxiety and unease intensified. He secretly pondered how to deal with Zheng Luoqi.
He knew that Zheng Luoqi was ruthless and extremely cautious; he would never have come without solid evidence. He had probably already uncovered quite a bit by the time he arrived in Yangzhou.
What should he do? If his dirty deeds were discovered, he would be doomed! Cao Yan was well aware of this, so he had to find a way to protect his official career.
As Cao Yan was pondering how to deal with Zheng Luoqi, a maidservant entered carrying a plate of exquisite pastries. She respectfully placed the pastries on the table and then left the living room.
Seeing the neatly arranged pastries in front of him, and recalling the fleeting hesitation on the maid's face when she brought the pastries into the living room, Cao Yan immediately realized what was going on, and a sinister smile appeared on his face.
He picked up a piece of pastry from the table and handed it to Zheng Luoqi, saying ingratiatingly, "Lord Zheng, you've been working so hard for so long, you must be hungry! Have a piece of pastry to fill your stomach!"
Zheng Luoqi glanced casually at the exquisite pastries on the table, her eyes cold, showing no intention of reaching out to touch them.
Zheng Luoqi raised her head slightly, staring directly at Cao Yan in front of her, and asked, "Lord Cao! How are those matters being handled?"
Zheng Luoqi's words startled Cao Yan so much that he almost fell off his chair.
After scrambling to regain his footing, Cao Yan's forehead was already covered in a fine layer of sweat. He forced a smile, trying to appear composed, and stammered, "Don't worry, Lord Zheng, everything is normal!"
Upon hearing Cao Yan's reply, Zheng Luoqi simply nodded and said softly, "In that case, very well. I have been overworked lately and am quite tired now, so I will go and rest first!"
"As for these pastries..." Zheng Luoqi looked at the pastries, paused for a moment, and said, "I don't like sweets, so let's save them for Lord Cao!"
After saying that, Zheng Luoqi got up and left, leaving Cao Yan sitting there alone, still feeling uneasy.
Seeing Zheng Luoqi turn and leave, Cao Yan quickly stood up and ordered the servants to clean out a courtyard for Zheng Luoqi to rest in.
夜晚
Inside the study of the Cao family mansion, Cao Yan was pacing anxiously, his brows furrowed.
Just then, a soft but urgent knock broke the tense atmosphere inside the room: "Master, it's me!"
Upon hearing the voice, Cao Yan was overjoyed. He recognized the voice as that of his steward and rushed forward, quickly opening the door to welcome the person in and gently closing it behind him.
As soon as the door was closed, Cao Yan grabbed the butler's sleeve impatiently and asked anxiously, "Tell me quickly, what's the situation? Have you found out what their purpose is?"
The steward bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "Please rest assured, sir. The Crown Prince of Huainan is about to get married, and Lord Zheng is concerned about this matter. He has come here specifically to find a rare item as a congratulatory gift for the Crown Prince!"
"Really?" Cao Yan's eyes widened in surprise.
“Absolutely true!” the steward said decisively. “My lord, you don’t need to worry too much. Lord Zheng only brought a team of guards and a few servants with him on this trip. There’s nothing to fear.”
After hearing the steward's explanation, Cao Yan felt much more at ease.
However, he always felt that Zheng Luoqi's visit to the Cao residence was not simply to ask for lodging. He had a vague premonition that Zheng Luoqi's visit to the Cao residence was definitely related to him.
He felt a little flustered because he wasn't sure if Zheng Luoqi was really there for him, or if she was there to investigate him.
"Master? Master..."
Seeing Cao Yan deep in thought, the steward beside him couldn't help but call out twice.
"Oh, I'm fine!" Cao Yan snapped out of his daze and managed a weak smile.
"I'm still a little worried. Is there any way to get him back to the capital as soon as possible? Or to get him..." Cao Yan frowned, muttering to himself as he unconsciously rubbed his chin, his eyes flickering.
Suddenly, as if he had thought of an extremely sinister and vicious idea, a chilling and ruthless smile appeared on Cao Yan's face.
The butler, standing to the side, witnessed this scene and couldn't help but tremble, inwardly groaning. He knew all too well that once his master got serious, the consequences would be unimaginable.
So the steward cautiously advised, "Master, this is absolutely not allowed! What if the Prime Minister finds out the truth and investigates?"
Having already made up his mind to act, Cao Yan was no longer listening to any advice. A slight smirk played on his lips as he coldly snorted, "Hmph! What's there to be afraid of? As long as he doesn't die within my Yangzhou borders, that's enough! We'll wait until he embarks on his journey back to the capital before we strike again..."
"If he hadn't come for the gold and iron mines, it would have been fine, but judging from today's events, he probably already knows about Bai Ding. Prime Minister, you are far away, so we can strike first!"
The steward was now fully aware that if he continued to obstruct Cao Yan, he would not only fail to change Cao Yan's decision, but might also anger his ruthless master.
Left with no other choice, he could only nod obsequiously and agree, "I understand, I will follow your orders, sir. But... I hope you will be careful in your actions and not leave any evidence against me."
At this moment, Zheng Luoqi was lying quietly on the bed in the other courtyard. Although his body had relaxed, his thoughts were still churning and he had not yet fully fallen asleep.
Just then, a dark figure, like a ghost, silently leaped into the room through the window. The figure quickly knelt and bowed, whispering, "Master!"