Page 34

County Magistrate Cao knew the tide had turned. Tears and snot streamed down his face. "This subordinate truly did not know! I beg Your Highness to investigate clearly!"

As for who the mastermind was, Qin Ke already had his suspicions, though he held no evidence. Seeing that County Magistrate Cao did not seem to be lying, he feared the mastermind was hidden deeply indeed.

With that thought, he said no more and merely ordered that the man be kept under close guard.

Mengshan County's magistrate fell from power overnight, leaving the county yamen officials all silent as cicadas in winter.

The rain continued until dawn, and by its momentum, it seemed it would not end even after an entire day.

As agreed, Qin Ke and the other two rode to Rong Residence.

Rong Xi knew nothing of their arrival. He was in the kitchen preparing ingredients.

When the Liu Clan grandmother and grandson saw their old acquaintances arrive, they warmly received them, leading them into the main hall and serving tea and snacks.

Qin Ke and Chen Chuangu had stayed here for roughly half a month and were already familiar with the place. Liang Siwen, however, looked around curiously and inwardly sighed at the old, worn-down house.

When he had met Rong Xi yesterday, the man had looked noticeably thinner than before and no longer as plump and sturdy. His life must have been exceedingly difficult.

He himself had not been injured, yet Rong Xi had been sent away to a remote wasteland. The more he thought about it, the more guilty he felt.

Just as he frowned in deep thought, Rong Xi walked out from the kitchen.

Liang Siwen looked up. The Rong Clan's Eldest Brother wore a smile, his eyes bright and clear. Behind him, the rain hung like a curtain, framing his figure. He seemed strikingly poised, graceful and fine of bearing.

Compared with Rong Lian, he was no worse.

The thought startled him sharply. How could he be so bewitched? Rong Lian was Shengjing's celebrated talent, handsome and refined, with the bearing of pine and bamboo, praised beyond count. How could Rong Xi possibly compare with him?

He hurriedly lowered his head and dared not look again.

"Lord Chen, Brother Chen, Young Lord Liang." Rong Xi greeted them one by one.

The three returned his greeting.

Holding his cup, Qin Ke said casually, "The circumstances before forced me to conceal my name. I hope Young Lord Rong will not blame me."

Before Rong Xi could respond, a smile spread from the corners of his eyes, and his voice softened. "My name is Qin Ke, courtesy name Sizhi."

No one in Great Wei was unfamiliar with the name Qin Ke.

Rong Xi did not know whether he ought to bow and address him as "Prince," when he heard him continue, "You and I are friends. I am a few years older, so you may simply call me brother."

Chen Chuangu and Liang Siwen were both repeatedly astonished.

They had never seen Prince Qin treat anyone with such warmth and kindness. Chen Chuangu liked Rong Xi as well, but when it came from Qin Ke, it was simply strange.

Rong Xi went with the flow and smiled. "Brother Sizhi."

With honored guests at his door, he naturally had to prepare the meal with all his heart. By the hour of shen, the table was fully set, bowls and dishes laid out in rows.

Steamed sea bass, chicken stewed with mushrooms, shrimp tofu, stir-fried bean sprouts, braised eggplant in sauce, paired with soft, fragrant white rice—it was practically a feast for immortals.

Liang Siwen sighed as he ate. This was far more delicious than Gourmet Pavilion's dishes! No wonder Father had had such a poor appetite yesterday—it was because of Eldest Brother Rong's cooking.

The guests nearly swept through the food like a whirlwind through clouds, emptying every dish, yet still feeling unsatisfied.

Seeing this, Rong Xi felt quite content.

After the meal, Qin Ke and the other two prepared to leave. Chen Chuangu grasped Rong Xi's wrist, his eyes brimming with tears. "Who knows when we will meet again next time?"

As he spoke, Liu Zishi approached carrying a box.

The wooden box was exquisitely made, and one glance showed that it had come from Feng Shan's hand.

"A small token of my regard." Rong Xi explained with a smile. "This is white sugar."

"White sugar?" Liang Siwen was the most curious of them all and hurriedly opened it. Several rows of white sugar were arranged inside, each wrapped in paper.

He peeled back the wrapping and indeed saw white sugar, crystalline and translucent!

"I have never seen white sugar before. Where did you get it?" Liang Siwen asked in delighted surprise.

Not even Shengjing had it.

Qin Ke and Chen Chuangu exchanged a glance, both understanding what the other was thinking.

White sugar was rare and must be incomparably valuable. Since Eldest Brother Rong could give away so much, he surely had some connection to white sugar.

The Rong Clan's Eldest Brother was becoming ever more unfathomable.

"Many thanks for Eldest Brother's generous gift." Qin Ke accepted it openly.

Then he asked, "I saw a newly made stone mill in the courtyard. What is it used for?"

There were still traces of soybean slurry on the millstone. Qin Ke's eyes were sharp, and he had noticed them long ago.

Logically, tofu was a new thing. Tofu shops had yet to appear among the common people, and hardly anyone knew how to make it. Yet Rong Residence possessed a stone mill specifically used to grind soybeans.

It was so obvious that Qin Ke could not possibly fail to guess.

Hearing this, Rong Xi smiled candidly and replied, "To be frank, Xi loves studying food. I obtained the method for making tofu from a strange book. With nothing to do, I tried it myself, and fortunately, it succeeded."

His tone was calm, without the slightest hint of awkwardness or nervousness. He did not appear to be fabricating anything.

"A strange book? What strange book?" Liang Siwen asked whenever he had a question.

Hu and Jiang had heard mention of the strange book but had never asked. Qin and Chen had not pressed the matter either. Only young Liang, pure-minded and straightforward, had stumped Rong Xi.

Rong Xi froze for a moment before answering apologetically, "Too much time has passed. Xi has already forgotten."

Qin Ke suddenly chuckled. "After receiving Eldest Brother's hospitality today, I fear that once I return to the capital, all food will taste bland. Does Eldest Brother have plans to return to the capital?"

The tall man stood beneath the eaves, and the dim gray curtain of rain only accentuated his dragon-like bearing and phoenix-like grace. His eyes were deep and tranquil, as though they could peer through the gates of one's heart.

A chill crept up Rong Xi's back, and his heart tightened slightly.

Prince Qin, known as "Yama," could never be as gentle and refined as he appeared. He had passed through the smoke of war and slain countless enemies; his thoughts ran deep. This man was even more unfathomable than Rong Xi had imagined.

"Compared with Shengjing's splendor, Xi prefers the scenery of fields and gardens."

Those were his sincere feelings. For now, he truly had no intention of returning to the capital.

"Each person has his own aspirations." Qin Ke gave him a long look. "Eldest Brother, no need to see us off. Farewell."

The three departed through the rain. Beneath the eaves, Rong Xi watched them for a long while.

"Young Master, the wind is cold. Shall we return inside?" Seeing him frown in thought, Liu Zishi asked softly.

"Yes."

If he had guessed correctly, Qin Ke should already know that all these matters were connected to him. Still, he had never intended to hide them too carefully. Whether Qin Ke knew or not did not matter; so long as he did not violate Great Wei's laws, he had nothing to fear.

Inside the carriage, Liang Siwen held the box of sugar and asked Qin Ke, "Father, may I try some?"

Qin Ke's expression was faintly indifferent as he nodded. He did not care for sweets, so this white sugar naturally belonged to Liang Siwen.