Chapter 69

Su Mi’s cold illness was not severe, and the medicine was administered promptly, so she quickly began to improve.

However, complete recovery would still take some time.

Since the case of the salt transport official in Qingzhou was mentioned by Zhu Jingyu, Qin Yan only stayed in the mansion for two more days. Seeing that Su Mi was fine, he hurriedly rode to Qingzhou.

Inside the inner chamber, a warm fragrance wafted from the incense burner. Su Mi leaned on the embroidery table, feeling drowsy. She let out a yawn.

Su Mi flipped through several books and scrolls, but her mind was elsewhere. Counting the days, the supervisor had been gone for half a month. Why hadn’t he returned yet?

Chun Mei lifted the door curtain from outside, holding a bowl of tea-colored medicine in her hand. The strong, bitter scent of the medicine immediately overwhelmed the fragrance of the incense in the room.

Approaching Su Mi, Chun Mei noticed her lifeless eyes as she propped up her chin and knew that she was thinking about the Lord.

Chun Mei smiled and said, “Miss, the Lord might be back tomorrow. Take advantage of the moment and drink this bowl.”

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Ekvbswv aykpkdt bla blye, Fw Yk pdkqqle vbl pnldv yde jdlo kv oyp xleknkdl. Fbl oyhle bla byde yde pyke, “Ubwd Ylk, R’x yzalyeu qkdl.”

“Mbkp kp vbl Nsae’p kdpvawnvksd. Rv’p y vsdkn. Zsw pbswze eakdj kv. Rq usw esd’v, vbl ulyazu pkzhla yzzsoydnl qsa vbl plahydvp okzz cl tsdl.”

Ekvb y nbwnjzl, Ubwd Ylk vlyple Fw Yk, obs bye vs alzwnvydvzu vyjl y pkr.

“Ju vbl oyu, Ubwd Ylk, R oydv vs pzllr qsa y obkzl.”

Ubwd Ylk vssj cynj vbl xleknkdl csoz yde alrzkle, “Zlp, Ykpp. R okzz qlvnb vbl pyzvoyvla qsa uswa tyatzl.”

Vywpkdt qsa y xsxldv, pbl blpkvyvle yde ypjle, “Jwv Ykpp, obu byhl usw clld ps easopu zyvlzu? Zsw oldv vs cle lyazu zypv dktbv, yde kv bypd’v clld zsdt pkdnl usw osjl wr, ulv usw’al yzalyeu pzllru ytykd.”

“R esd’v jdso lkvbla. Rv’p rascyczu clnywpl sq vbl kzzdlpp.”

Ubwd Ylk ynjdsozletle kv yde oldv vs xyjl ralryayvksdp. Tsolhla, y vbswtbv pweeldzu qzypble vbaswtb Fw Yk’p xkde. Uswze kv cl vbyv pbl oyp raltdydv?

Apart from feeling drowsy, now that she thought about it, she had been craving sour food.

Su Mi’s drowsiness suddenly disappeared, and her brows furrowed involuntarily. She had only recently come to accept Qin Yan’s identity while he was away, so she had just remembered this matter now.

If it were her own pregnancy, she would naturally be delighted. But if it were true, wouldn’t others find out about the Lord’s identity?

***

Qingzhou was not far from the capital city, relative to the other thirteen provinces. Even if one rode a fast horse from the capital city, it would still take about two days to reach the main city of Qingzhou.

Qingzhou was backed by mountains but lacked water and had limited farmland. As a result, most elderly people, women, and children remained at home, while young and strong men went out to earn money before returning to make a living. Over time, Qingzhou’s annual taxes ranked among the top in the thirteen provinces, and the local official vacancies naturally became lucrative positions.

Originally, the case of private salt smuggling was concealed amid this prosperity and was not easily discovered. However, since Lu Wenguang of the Ministry of Revenue was demoted last year, the newly appointed Minister of Revenue began reviewing the archives from previous years, exposing many hidden traces.

Even under the supervision of the Salt Administration, despite multiple changes in the positions of salt transport officials, the illicit salt trade continued to thrive.

Night had fallen, and the bustling streets of Qingzhou City were filled with the continuous noise of the most famous tavern in town.

Despite the cold weather, carriages and horses still lined up outside the tavern, and customers came and went like clouds.

On the first floor, artists performed music, playing the flute and zither. Every seat was occupied, and the occasional bursts of laughter could be heard even from the nearby shops.

Private rooms were located on the second floor. In one of the best rooms, the atmosphere was lively as guests exchanged toasts and clinked their cups.

Qin Yan sat in the main seat facing east, lightly swirling a wine cup in his hand without drinking.

His gaze casually swept over the people at the table, a smile playing on his lips. Ling’an stood behind him, holding a heavy red wooden box.

After the atmosphere had livened up, Qingzhou’s salt transport official, Jiang Youcai, naturally turned his attention to Qin Yan and said with flattery, “Lord Qin, why didn’t you inform me earlier of your arrival in Qingzhou? I would have made better preparations.”

Apart from Qin Yan, Jiang Youcai held the highest position, and when he spoke, everyone at the table smiled and agreed.

Qin Yan’s smile remained on his face. “Didn’t Mr. Jiang come to welcome me today? Besides, this gift is to my liking.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Youcai felt at ease. It seemed that a box of gold had some effect. Since Qin Yan accepted his gold, he had the confidence to say things that only ‘insiders’ would say.

“Actually, Chief, although my hands are not clean, I have nothing to do with the private salt trade. Two salt transport officials have already been implicated in the private salt case. How could I dare to get involved in such a high-profile situation?” Jiang Youcai raised his glass and drank it in one gulp. “Chief, don’t you agree?”

Qin Yan smiled upon hearing this but didn’t respond. Instead, he glanced at Shen Ting, who was quietly sitting beside Jiang Youcai. “Mr. Shen, what do you think?”

Jiang Youcai nudged Shen Ting with his elbow. It seemed that Shen Ting was lost in thought but snapped back to reality and respectfully said, “Mr. Jiang is indeed very dedicated to salt affairs. I also believe that Mr. Jiang is not a person involved in corruption and bribery.”

Tsk, the people present didn’t like hearing such words. What did he mean by corruption and bribery? Who among them was clean? They couldn’t even praise properly. No wonder this Vice Transport Officer, Shen Ting, had been stuck in his position for so many years without promotion.

Jiang Youcai also had a disdainful look at this Vice Transport Officer. However, he was diligent in his work and could be considered a useful person. Otherwise, Jiang Youcai wouldn’t have brought him along. He was afraid of displeasing Qin Yan, so he quickly added, “Chief, I trust Mr. Shen’s judgment.”

“The chief has keen insight and will surely help me clear my name. If there is anything I can assist the chief with, please feel free to ask.”

“Mr. Jiang is indeed wise.”

“Chief, someone like you using my humble abilities is truly a stroke of luck for me!”

Ling’an stood behind Qin Yan, listening to such excessive flattery for the first time. His eyebrows twitched slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.

As the banquet progressed, Jiang Youcai felt that although the chief seemed in good spirits, something was missing. He whispered to his servant, and soon several elegantly dressed, beautiful women entered the room. They were dressed lightly, despite the cold weather of early winter.

Their delicate appearance evoked a natural sense of protectiveness in men, apart from Qin Yan. Everyone’s gaze seemed to be glued to them, unable to look away.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please allow us to pay our respects.” Their synchronized voices were as melodious as orioles in the valley, crisp and pleasant to the ears.

Jiang Youcai looked at them with satisfaction and turned to Qin Yan with a smile. “Chief, although the women in Qingzhou may not be as charming as those in Jiangnan, they have their own unique charm. These waitresses in the tavern are quite exceptional.”

Caught up in his enthusiasm, Qin Yan simply nodded without showing any extra emotions as his gaze swept over them.

Jiang Youcai had investigated before and knew that although Qin Yan was an eunuch, he had a favored wife from a merchant family. So it was not like he had no interest in women. Why did he now seem completely uninterested?

Jiang Youcai continued, “If the chief likes, they can all accompany the chief for a few drinks.”

The waitresses, rarely encountering such a handsome man like Qin Yan, couldn’t help but secretly anticipate; after all, few would openly refuse in such a situation.

But…

“I’m not interested.”

After Qin Yan spoke, he saw Jiang Youcai still stunned and not reacting. He raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Mr. Jiang, do I need to say it twice?”

Although Qin Yan said this with a smile, Jiang Youcai inexplicably broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly responded, “Yes, my apologies for not considering it properly.”

Jiang Youcai furrowed his brow and waved his hand, allowing the waitresses, who had just arrived and hadn’t warmed up yet, to enter and reluctantly leave.

Fortunately, Jiang Youcai had a thick skin. He quickly covered up the momentary displeasure with his own ramblings, and the atmosphere became lively once again.

Shen Ting was among them but remained his usual dull self, occasionally echoing Jiang Youcai’s words.

No one paid him much attention, except for the occasional passing glance from Qin Yan.

…

As the banquet neared its end, suddenly heavy footsteps could be heard outside the door. Before long, the door was forcefully pushed open, and Liu Zhisong, the Imperial Salt Inspector, entered with a stern expression, glaring at everyone in the room.

Jiang Youcai, who was sitting closest to the door, stood up and faced Liu Zhisong. His expression immediately turned sour. “Liu Zhisong, what do you mean by barging in like this?”

“There’s no particular meaning.” Liu Zhisong stood at the doorway without entering, only sneering. “While the country’s finances suffer from private salt smuggling, you all live carefree.”

Qin Yan glanced at him, casually resting his arm on the chair’s armrest, and smiled calmly. Tonight was indeed lively.

He remembered the person who reported Jiang Youcai—wasn’t it Liu Zhisong, the Imperial Salt Inspector of Qingzhou?

Jiang Youcai snorted at the stern-faced figure at the door. “The court has sent an official here, and I am hosting him. Everything we use here is provided by the government and can be reported. We haven’t committed any crimes. Your intrusion doesn’t befit your title as an imperial salt inspector.”

Liu Zhisong held the rank of Sanpin as an Imperial Salt Inspector, the same rank as his position as Salt Transport Commissioner. Why should he pay attention to Liu Zhisong, let alone the fact that Liu Zhisong had even submitted a memorial accusing him?

“This is not a private residence, so why can’t I come in?” Liu Zhisong looked towards Qin Yan, implying something. “I just came to see what the court-appointed official has been doing for the past half month. If you want to drink and revel, the Heavenly Capital Prefecture is much better than this place.”

Ling’an’s face turned cold, and his sword was about to be drawn from his waist.

Qin Yan spoke slowly: “Lord Liu, you may not know that investigating the private salt issue in Qingzhou is quite challenging. I have been investigating for half a month, but unfortunately, there hasn’t been much progress.”

Ling’an looked at Qin Yan, knowing that the chief had already gathered evidence of Jiang Youcai’s corruption a few days ago. Why did he speak like this? However,he only followed Qin Yan’s orders and didn’t concern himself with other matters.

Liu Zhisong frowned, wanting to say more, but the usually absent-minded Shen Ting suddenly whispered something to Jiang Youcai.

Jiang Youcai nodded and looked back at Liu Zhisong. “Lord Liu, the chief, has his own way of doing things. This is also why an Imperial Salt Inspector can come to supervise.”

“I kindly ask Lord Liu to leave first and not make a mockery of Qingzhou in the eyes of the court.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhisong looked at Qin Yan, as well as the man behind him exuding a murderous aura, and reluctantly left with a resentful comment, “Truly unbearable to look at!” before slamming the door behind him.

As soon as Liu Zhisong left, Jiang Youcai immediately regained his composure. Originally, they were about to conclude the banquet, but now that their plans had been disrupted, they had to navigate through it, as they couldn’t leave Qin Yan with a disappointed impression in the end…

On the way back, Ling’an walked behind Qin Yan.

“Investigate Shen Ting.”

“Yes, master.”