"This is not a place for talking."
Zeng Anmin fell silent for a moment, then said, "Let's find somewhere quiet and have a proper talk."
Lou Yingqi's expression was grave as well. He first glanced in Bai Ziqing's direction.
Bai Ziqing was also looking over at them.
Old acquaintances in the Imperial Court, the two nodded to each other. Then Lou Yingqi said to Bai Ziqing:
"Lord Bai, please come with me."
"Mm."
Sensing the grave look in Zeng Anmin's eyes, Bai Ziqing's expression also turned solemn.
Only after their group followed Lou Yingqi's carriage away did the shopkeepers finally emerge, trembling with fear.
"That young man just now... Governor Sir personally came to receive him?"
"Just who was he?"
"I don't know, but he looked somewhat familiar."
"Give it a rest. Who doesn't look familiar to you? You people from the Jin Taiping Merchant Guild are sly as ghosts when doing business."
"Don't interrupt me, I remember now! Two years ago, I saw that man behind Lord Shen Jun! He... he seemed to be Young Lord Zeng!"
"Young Lord Zeng?! The son of Venerable Zeng in the capital?!"
"That's him!"
"Hiss—"
"Old Liu really is something. He nearly arrested Young Lord Zeng as a Jiang Kingdom spy."
"Impressive, impressive..."
"Er... stop mocking me already... I even had to compensate him with a pair of top-grade jade bracelets..."
"Nothing was happening at court? Your appointment as Governor of Fengqi Road—was my father pushing things along behind the scenes?"
A flash of astonishment crossed Zeng Anmin's eyes.
He looked up at Lou Yingqi, confusion filling his heart. "What is my father thinking?"
Lou Yingqi gave a bitter smile.
"This old man has two guesses."
"The first is because of Li Jian's death."
"He rebelled against the Imperial Court and intended