Pu Yunshan was taken aback, his gaze passing over the window and landing on the bookstore across the street.
The little girl from my memory hasn't appeared clearly in my mind for many years.
Back then, my father ran a small bookstore next to the Xie Clan's house. He also used the name Xiaoshanzi to study and fly kites with Xie Wanqing.
"Oh, Wanqing, we studied together when we were little. I thought she had gone to the capital with her father, or had married an ordinary scholar."
Unexpectedly, she became the Madam Wang Yi.
Zhao Wuxu picked up his teacup to hide the smugness in his eyes, but still expressed his regret for Xie Wanqing.
"If Brother Pu has any prior relationship with Madam Xie, he should try to meet her. She is intelligent and well-mannered, yet she is trapped in the inner quarters by a cruel and incompetent prince; it is truly lamentable."
"If she's truly unhappy, she'll make her own choices; it's not up to outsiders to decide for her."
Pu Yunshan finally took a sip of tea, his tone calm, but the folding fan that had been lying on the table was now in his hand.
Zhao Wuxu knew the time was right and didn't bring up his childhood memories again.
" Prince Yi has taken in over a hundred bandits from Bluestone Ridge, and now he has also gained temporary control over Jiannan Circuit."
If he is allowed to continue running the business, the former members of the Liu Clan will inevitably fall into his hands sooner or later.
Brother Pu came down the mountain to investigate the Liu Clan's past; we must get there before him."
Pu Yunshan gently turned his teacup, his gaze falling on the floating leaves on the surface of the tea. After a brief moment of thought, he had already devised a way to get close to Prince Yi's Residence.
The Fireworks Summoning Edict involves a sixteen-year-old debt that her father has kept hidden; a direct visit would only make Gu Moran wary.
Since Xie Wanqing was in charge of the bookstore, he could submit articles under the guise of a down-on-his-luck scholar, and then use childhood relics to evoke her memories, gradually infiltrating the Prince's mansion from the bookstore.
He didn't intend to reveal his identity from the start. If the Prince Yi's Residence was truly as corrupt and filthy as Zhao Wuxu had described...
Xie Wanqing naturally needed someone to take her away.
If Zhao Wuxu's words were exaggerated, he could use this to see through Gu Moran's true intentions.
"I will conceal my identity and enter Brocade Literature Bookshop under the guise of a traveling scholar. Miss Xie and I have a past; as long as I can get her to recognize the childhood keepsake, it won't be difficult to gain her trust."
I'll decide how to deal with Gu Moran after I find out what the Prince's Mansion is doing.
Brother Pu is wise!
Pu Yunshan unfolded his folding fan, the surface of which was painted with only half a bamboo branch. He tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, his expression already showing the composure of someone in control of the situation.
"I originally only wanted to conduct a low-key investigation and did not want to get involved in the power struggle among the princes, but if this Prince Yi really as you say, then he is not qualified to occupy the former troops of the Liu Clan."
They have no right to use the people of Jiannan to amass troops and wealth for themselves.
Zhao Wuxu was just waiting for these words, so he quickly picked up the teapot and refilled his teacup.
"Brother Pu, you possess great talent, but because you have been hiding in a Daoist temple for many years, the world is unaware of your abilities."
Gu Moran was only able to feign the virtue of a wise prince in Yi Prefecture by relying on his status as a prince and the efforts of his wives.
As long as Brother Pu is willing to take action, his methods won't last long.
Brother Pu, if we two brothers work together, we're guaranteed to win this round!
Pu Yunshan closed his folding fan, tapping the fan ribs against his palm, a hint of arrogance appearing in his eyes.
"A hidden dragon lies dormant in the abyss; it need not reveal its claws to the sick fish on the shore. But since it has touched something it shouldn't have, I will show it whose chessboard Yi Prefecture truly is."
Zhao Wuxu felt a surge of emotion upon hearing this, and images of Gu Moran being stripped of her old soldiers, the bookstore, and the support of the ladies flashed through his mind.
He raised his teacup and offered tea to Pu Yunshan in lieu of wine.
"With Brother Pu's words of reassurance, I am at ease. The Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's Office will also secretly assist you. If you need travel permits, calling cards, or information about bookstores, just let me know."
Pu Yunshan nodded, but did not fully believe his promise.
Although Zhao Wuxu is now the adopted son of the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, he bears too many traces of being eager for revenge.
Such a person can be used to ask for directions, but not to be kept around to plan important matters.
The two discussed for another half hour, during Zhao Wuxu handed over the name of the manager of Brocade Literature Bookshop, the bookstore's rules for accepting manuscripts, and the times when Xie Wanqing usually visited.
He even specifically mentioned that Gu Moran rarely personally inspected the bookstore, making it easier for Pu Yunshan to get close.
As noon approached, the two finally finished their discussion and left the teahouse.
Zhao Wuxu followed behind Pu Yunshan, a smile he had suppressed for a long time finally appearing on his face.
So what if Gu Moran six wives supporting him? As long as someone pries open a crack in the relationship with his closest family members...
That seemingly secure Prince Yi's Residence will inevitably fall into chaos sooner or later.
Pu Yunshan returned to the inn, changed out of his usual blue robe, and picked out a deliberately aged long robe.
The collar and cuffs were worn with shallow marks, and the ancient jade at his waist had been tucked into his bosom, leaving only a bamboo book box and the ink bamboo folding fan.
This outfit makes him look like a poor scholar who has been studying abroad for many years, but the fabric comes from a top-notch weaving workshop in Central Shu, and the fine texture can still be seen when the sunlight falls on the lapel.
He was used to wearing nice clothes, so when choosing old clothes, he only cared about the color and didn't realize that the most valuable part was the fabric.
Zhao Wuxu also changed into an inconspicuous gray robe, and darkened his face with medicine. When he followed Pu Yunshan into the South Market, he deliberately avoided two Tailwind Express deliverymen who were delivering goods.
The lantern market had just closed for the New Year, but the main street in the south of the city was cleaner than usual.
Shops on both sides swept the snow in front of their doors into the drainage ditches, and there were no rotten vegetable leaves or animal droppings on the bluestone road.
The vendors selling steamed buns would put the crumbs into bamboo baskets, and even the water carriers knew to avoid the white lines drawn on the ground when passing through the street corner.
As Pu Yunshan observed the situation, he discovered that the tyranny Zhao Wuxu spoke of had not silenced the people.
The vendors continued their calls as usual, and children chased after the yellow vests of the Tailwind Express drivers.
There were only a few women wearing Hongxiu armbands sitting on the street corner basking in the sun, with brooms and pots of hot tea beside them, their gazes on passersby as sharp as those of hawks.
So that's how it is!
" The Prince Yi's Residence is really meddling; they even have to keep an eye on a few vegetable leaves left behind by a street vendor selling pancakes."
Pu Yunshan looked away, his tone still laced with sarcasm.
He preferred to believe that this cleanliness came from severe punishments, because only in this way could the public resentment Zhao Wuxu spoke of be explained.
Zhao Wuxu followed his gaze and saw the women, and immediately slowed down.
He had learned his lesson and was wary of Hongxiu armbands.
"These are all spies planted by Prince Yi. They love to find fault with outsiders. Brother Pu, don't bother with them for now. Once you see Madam Xie and get the evidence of the Prince's crimes, you can deal with them then."
Pu Yunshan used his folding fan to shield himself from the snowmelt falling from the eaves. Seeing a line of more than ten people at the entrance of Mixue Ice City ahead, he found it intriguing and took out a few copper coins from his purse to Zhao Wuxu.
"I'll go buy two cups of tea. I'll look around the neighborhood; since the bookstore is on this street, I need to figure out the surrounding entrances and exits first."
After receiving the money Zhao Wuxu quickly walked towards the shop.
Pu Yunshan walked halfway around the street alone and soon saw a neatly painted white wall. Next to the wall was a small table for people to write riddles, with the ink and brushes left over from last night's fireworks party still on the table.
Right next to the white wall was a newly built public toilet in the south of the city, where several old men were arguing about how many eggs they could win that day.
Pu Yunshan nodded. "Yes, there are many people coming and going here, which is perfect for him to make a name for himself."
After all, he was not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also well-versed in classics and history from a young age, and his calligraphy was personally taught by his father.
Many scholars from the Mount Qingcheng have paid him to write calligraphy. Whenever he leaves an article there, onlookers will invariably ask for his name.
It was only a matter of time before the news reached nearby bookstores.
Pu Yunshan nodded. "That's a brilliant plan!"