Chapter 382: Are We Being Watched Again?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The four people remained motionless, sitting in the pavilion all along. Observing from a distance, Young Master Rong left quietly when there were no unusual circumstances.

An hour later, the banquet began, and the emperor and his three companions were invited to the front.

The main hall of the Rong family, also the square of the imperial palace, was filled with stalls, emitting the fragrance of fine wines and delicious dishes.

Regardless of the aspect, everything was exquisite!

The head of the Rong family, Young Master Rong’s father, finally saw the person who brought the ice.

He didn’t recognize him; perhaps he was merely a traveler passing by, a capable businessman at most.

If they could avoid offending them, they would. Making friends was fine, but everything would cool down once they left.

Therefore, he did not come over to entertain them. The emperor’s group was arranged at a table with strangers, nodding to each other.

Looking at the dishes on the table, the emperor thought the food was even better than what he ate in the palace. In the eyes of the Rong family, is this not their splendid day in the golden autumn, the season of harvest?

It was extravagant. This table alone would cost no less than a thousand taels of silver.

Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi didn’t think much about it; they ate when served. The husband and wife were not reserved, enjoying the meal.

Surprisingly, the taste was excellent. It had been a while since they had enjoyed seafood like this.

Soon, a large plate of raw salmon was brought up with some crushed ice on top. It seemed they had gone all out with their gifts.

The guests screamed when they saw the ice and salmon.

“Wow, ice! The Rong family is generous. With the fish frozen like this, it must be delicious. Come, let’s try it.”

Qiao Mai took a bottle and poured a pill into the hands of each of the four.

“These are raw. To avoid any stomach issues, take one of these before eating.

Despite being raw, the taste of this fish is excellent. Just don’t overeat.”

“In-law knows a lot.”

They all picked up a chopstick and tasted it. Before they could reach for a second bite, the plate was empty. The empress blinked at Qiao Mai. “In-law, shall we prepare a plate to taste when we return?”

“No problem, my dear. I’ll fulfill your request!”

The onlookers at the same table sneered at them. This fish is from the deep sea, and could they get the ice?

If they knew that someone among them had brought out the ice, they might not be so dismissive.

After the meal, as some people left, they quietly departed as well.

Instead of staying at the inn, they rode in a sightseeing carriage, continuing their tour. Sitting in the carriage and drinking iced beverages was much more enjoyable than being at the Rong family.

“A mere branch is so grand. They should be wealthier than Magistrate Wu.”

“He is not the magistrate of Luzhou. Otherwise, the banquet would be even grander. They might even turn gold into dishes.”

The empress’s complexion didn’t look good. Qiao Mai spotted a shop on the roadside. “Dong Zhao, Dracaena, stop!”

The carriage stopped, and they turned their heads. “Tobacco shop?”

“Want to go in and taste the flavor of strong tobacco?”

The others shook their heads like drummers. “A tobacco shop right on both sides of the street publicly?”

“From yesterday until now, I’ve counted. There are no fewer than ten shops.

You can imagine how many people are using this drug.”

The emperor clenched his fists tightly. “The capital doesn’t have this, right?”

“It must be underground. Officials protect each other, and businessmen collaborate. With intertwined interests, when one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer. If the businessmen and officials in Luzhou form a network, it will be a problem.”

“Then it must be eradicated. Otherwise, the entire Ming Dynasty will be harmed by this drug. Losing a city is not a problem for me, but losing all the cities is.”

“Yeah, you decide. If there’s anything my husband and I can do, let us know.”

“Rest assured. I will not be polite with you.”

That night, the Golden Dragon Guards investigated the situation in Luzhou, and the emperor stayed up late arranging and organizing.

The empress was deeply worried. Despite her seemingly relaxed demeanor, the Rong family was a branch of her maternal family—a connection by blood.

If the Rong family had done something harmful to the people, it would bring shame to her as the empress.

The emperor still trusted her. “I won’t implicate the whole Rong family. Whoever is responsible will be punished. If it involves the main family in the capital, I won’t spare a single one, but I won’t involve the innocent.” “Your leniency towards the Rong family is appreciated, Your Majesty.”

“Hopefully, the Rong family in the capital is not involved. The complexity of Luzhou is more sinister than Liangzhou. If we mishandle this, it will be a scene of carnage.”

“So many people?”

“Yes, it confirms what my in-law said: officials protect each other, and businessmen collaborate. For the sake of making more money, they are willing to engage in such activities.”

“Your Majesty, are you going to take action?”

“Not yet. The garrison outside the city is likely bribed by them. I need to mobilize the soldiers first, take down the garrison outside the city, and then investigate all the officials and businessmen.”

The emperor sighed and lay down next to the empress.

The next day, several stalls appeared outside the guest inn. Watching from upstairs, Qiao Mai found it amusing. “Husband, we are being watched again.”

“How do you know?”

“Look below. Those vendors selling things seem to be yelling and hawking, but their eyes occasionally glance towards the inn.”

“They want to probe our background?”

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have brought those ice blocks. We’ve attracted a group of flies.

“Concerning the dismissal of Magistrate Wu, our trip with the emperor has always been kept secret. They know the emperor is heading south, but they don’t know the route.”

“Anyone with a brain is always vigilant. It seems I need to take action.” “Ignore them. Let’s wait until the emperor pleads with you.”

The couple chatted, and the emperor and empress came in with a tired look.

“You two are enjoying leisure so early.”

“Did you just wake up?”

“Yeah, I arranged for the Golden Dragon Guards to come last night.’

The emperor tapped the table with his fingers, and Qiao Mai placed a cold drink before him.

“The most important thing is to get the accounts of the tobacco shop. People like them usually keep two accounts—one public and one hidden.”

“Yeah, the Golden Dragon Guards have gone, and I also asked them to investigate the Five Young Masters of Luzhou and their family business. Anyone with a reputation here won’t be spared.”

“Are we going out again?”

“Not anymore. I’m not in the mood. It’s so hot; even taking a breath is uncomfortable. I don’t know how they live here.”

“They get used to it.”

The emperor looked at Qiao Mai with a complex gaze. “In-law, when this case is resolved, I hope you’ll take action and destroy all the poppy plants here.”

“No problem. Leave it to me.”

At that moment, a guard entered with a letter, holding it with both hands. He knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

The guard respectfully handed the letter to the emperor, who opened it and burst into laughter. He quickly passed the letter to Qiao Mai, bypassing the empress.

“In-law, take a look. You’re about to become a grandmother.”

Qiao Mai looked at the letter with a smiling face. “Finally, something good has happened. Congratulations to both of you; you’re about to become grandparents.”

“Haha, thank you!”

The empress took the letter and read it, momentarily forgetting the unpleasantness with the Rong family. “It’s only a month. We need to be more careful.’

“As long as the Crown Prince doesn’t take concubines and there’s no competition for favor, Ling’er won’t have any accidents.”

“Haha, with a mother-in-law like you, he can only have Ling’er as his only wife for the rest of his life.

“Problems will come with many women in the harem. Dirty tricks emerge endlessly. I’m sure that behind the scenes, the emperor’s offspring have been plotted against many times. The Crown Prince is just one example.”

“We can’t help it. Women will be arranged to enter the palace to continue the royal bloodline.”

“Do you know what this is called?”

“What?”

“A playboy! “

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