Sister Lin Uncovers a Secret, Jia Yucun Pays a Night Visit to the Government Office

For two days in a row, Sun Shaozong accompanied Jia Lian, busying himself outside and really helping him shoulder a lot of trivial matters. Moreover, he was extremely skilled in receiving people and handling affairs, even more so than Jia Lian himself. He didn't seem like a young martial artist of nineteen at all.

After this, Jia Lian's evaluation of him naturally rose several notches, and his attitude changed from the warmth of meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land to the genuine intimacy of making friends—although both attitudes contained the word 'warm,' they were truly worlds apart.

Precisely because of this, the loose ends that were originally expected to take five or six days to deal with were all cleared up by noon on the third day.

So Jia Lian pulled Sun Shaozong to drink a 'fatigue-relieving wine,' and taking advantage of his tipsiness, announced his decision to return to the capital early the next morning.

Although everyone in the mansion had been prepared for this, they still couldn't avoid a flurry of activity—Sun Shaozong, however, stole a moment of leisure and led Ruan Rong out for a stroll.

Ruan Rong originally wanted to take Sister Lin out with them, so that her exceptionally intelligent foster sister could see the character and appearance of her sweetheart, lest she make wild guesses all day long.

But although Daiyu was not bound by worldly etiquette, she was, after all, in mourning and had not yet reached the hundredth day. How could she show her face in public wearing mourning clothes?

She had no choice but to reluctantly decline, saying that it would not be too late to see 'Brother Sun' when boarding the boat tomorrow.

It is said that Sun Shaozong took Ruan Rong out of the official residence, chatting and laughing all the way, completely disregarding the gazes of others.

The two first strolled around Slender West Lake, then went to Daming Temple to pay respects to the Buddha. Seeing that Ruan Rong was a little tired, they found a small shop selling Spiced Dried Tofu by the river, sat by the window, and chatted aimlessly while enjoying the local snacks.

Although Ruan Rong had the heroic spirit unique to Qianxiang women, she still maintained the demeanor of a lady from a respectable family when eating, not showing her teeth while eating and chewing carefully. In Sun Shaozong's eyes, this was particularly charming.

He couldn't help but wonder when he could coax those Cherry Lips to open slightly and speak freely, since he had already tricked her into holding his hand that day.

Just as he was thinking wildly, he saw Ruan Rong poking at the Spiced Dried Tofu in the dish with her chopsticks, her face looking hesitant, and a hint of worry between her brows.

Seeing this, Sun Shaozong's dirty thoughts vanished instantly. He reached out and took her soft hand, asking with concern, "What's wrong? Are you a little homesick?"

Ruan Rong first shook her head, then bit her Cherry Lips, but nodded again. After a long while, she stammered, "Brother Sun, those assassins back then, were they really... all from Zhen Country?"

Sun Shaozong's heart tightened when he heard this. He knew that the focus of her words was on the word 'really' that she had swallowed back halfway—obviously, she had doubts about the origin of those assassins!

However, along the way, the two had recalled the events of that time several times, and Ruan Rong had not shown any suspicion. Now, she suddenly pointed out this detail, which was really strange.

Sun Shaozong pondered for a moment and had some guesses in his mind, but he was not sure. So he gently rubbed the palm of Ruan Rong's hand and said with a smile, "We are going to be together for the rest of our lives. What kind of private words can't be said? Why do you have to be so hesitant and secretive?"

Ruan Rong was the type who couldn't hide anything in her heart. Stirred by these words, she hurriedly confessed everything: "Last night, I was chatting with Sister Lin. Daiyu saw that there was no one around, and suddenly pulled me aside and said: She had carefully pondered for two days and felt that the actions of those assassins were quite strange, as if they were deliberately framing Zhen Country. Maybe... maybe it was a scheme set up by our Qian Xiang Country, in order to get Da Zhou to support Qian Xiang's annexation of Zhen Country!"

Tsk~

As expected, Lin Daiyu had seen through the flaws!

Recently, Ruan Rong had been staying in the back residence, and had not seen anyone other than Daiyu and her servants—but considering Daiyu's age, it was really unbelievable.

Now it seems that this Lin Daiyu deserves to be the protagonist with a halo. At a young age, she has a mind as exquisite as a seven-aperture jade, even more meticulous and alert than the minds of many adults.

I wonder what kind of people Xue Baochai and Jia Baoyu, who are as famous as her, are?

Just as he was feeling emotional, Sun Shaozong suddenly felt a tightening on the back of his hand. It was Ruan Rong who had grabbed it back, her small face tense as she asked nervously, "Sister Lin is just a little girl, and she can see the trickiness in it. The Da Zhou court is full of talents, so they must be even more aware of it. If someone sees through the flaws, won't the two countries start fighting because of this?!"

Sun Shaozong couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

No wonder she was so hesitant just now. She was worried that if the two countries went to war, she would be caught in the middle and be in a dilemma!

He originally wanted to tease her a few more times, but seeing that she was so nervous that even her little hands were turning blue, he couldn't bear to tease her anymore.

So he just reached out and gently pinched her face, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, how easy is it for countries to go to war? Not to mention anything else, Da Zhou now has the Mongol and Mohe eager to make trouble in the north, and the Japanese Pirates and Barbarians raging on the sea borders in the south. They can't spare any time to deal with your Qian Xiang Country."

Ruan Rong still looked a little confused after hearing this, so Sun Shaozong had to break it down and explain it to her in detail, gradually instilling his thoughts into her.

Seeing the smile return to Ruan Rong's face, Sun Shaozong finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had just picked up his teacup to moisten his throat when he heard Ruan Rong giggle, "Brother Sun, your explanation is much more thorough than Sister Lin's—hmph, after I go back, I'll see if that girl dares to look down on people again."

Considering how close she and Lin Daiyu had been these past few days, Daiyu wouldn't look down on her. So, Ruan Rong's slight resentment must be on Sun Shaozong's behalf.

Tsk~

It was probably because Lin Daiyu thought he had also been kept in the dark by the Qianxiang People, so her words revealed some contempt.

The thought that his IQ might have been looked down upon by an eleven or twelve-year-old girl made Sun Shaozong smile wryly, but he didn't bother to argue. He casually flicked the tip of Ruan Rong's nose and laughed, "Alright, is it so glorious to compare me with a little girl's knowledge?"

Ruan Rong thought about it and realized that her lover was a great man who had even alarmed the Da Zhou Emperor, so what was there to compare with a greenhorn girl?

But even though she thought so, she still couldn't help but show off her lover's great wisdom and foolish appearance in front of Daiyu after she returned.

The two of them wandered around Yangzhou City, enjoying all kinds of scenery and tasting various snacks. By the time they had their fill and returned, it was already dark.

After entering the side gate, Ruan Rong excitedly went to find Lin Daiyu to 'argue' with, and Sun Shaozong originally wanted to return to his room. On the way, he caught sight of the brightly lit small living room in the backyard of the official residence, where Jia Lian seemed to be hosting a banquet.

It was so late at night, especially since they had to leave early tomorrow morning, so where did these guests come from?

Curious, he peeked in a few more times, only to be spotted by Xing'er, the servant boy beside Jia Lian. He trotted over from afar with a smile and said, "Isn't this a coincidence? My Second Master Lian was just talking about you, and you've returned so conveniently—please come in!"

In the past few days, Sun Shaozong had become familiar with the servants, so he didn't bother to haggle with him. He pointed his chin at the living room and asked, "Are there any distinguished guests again?"

"They can hardly be called distinguished guests."

Xing'er curled his lips, both disdainful and proud, and said, "That Jia Yucun was originally just a down-and-out fellow, but later he desperately connected with our Jia family, relying on the help of my Second Master and son-in-law, he managed to get a lucrative position as the Jinling Prefect! Who knew that in these few years, he would climb up to Grandfather Wang, and he's about to be promoted to the Shuntian Prefecture Vice Magistrate—so now he's desperately running over, insisting on going to the capital with my Second Master!"