The shadowy figure returned to the Residence of the Princess of Pacifying the State and presented himself before Lin Ji.
Shortly afterwards, Lin Ji appeared in the Wutong Residence. "Your Highness, we've tracked down Miss Chu's whereabouts," he reported.
"Speak," the princess replied.
"Miss Chu had Mr. Xu, the top scholar, taken to a civilian residence just two streets away from the princess's mansion. She might have been there before as well."
It was probably because Chu Yu wasn't alone at that time that her whereabouts had been revealed.
Meng Chun frowned and thought for a moment. "Your maid remembers that Miss Chu once told the son - in - law that a friend of hers had come to Luoyang and had no place to stay. She wanted to buy a mansion for this friend, and it seems to be near the princess's mansion."
"Really?"
So it turned out that the mansion where Xu Linchuan was staying was actually bought with the princess's silver.
Jiang Ning'an pondered for a moment. "Since the silver came from the princess's mansion, whose name is on the title deeds of the land and the house?"
"Your maid will go and check right away."
Meng Chun went to the treasury.
The treasury steward, upon hearing her request, quickly retrieved the title deed she was asking for.
Meng Chun took a look and saw Jiang Ning'an's seal clearly on it.
She returned to the Wutong Residence and showed the title deed to Jiang Ning'an.
A faint smile played on Jiang Ning'an's lips. "Find several real - estate brokers. The princess has a mansion to rent out."
She didn't care about this mansion, but just thinking about Xu Linchuan living in the mansion she had bought and the rude words he had said to her made her feel sick.
Meng Chun smiled and nodded. "In your maid's opinion, we don't need to set the rent too high. It can be seen as doing a good deed."
"You've thought it through. Let's do it like this."
Land in the capital was extremely valuable. If the mansion was handed over to real - estate brokers and the price was a bit lower, there would surely be people scrambling for it.
Jiang Ning'an didn't care how much the rent would be or who would rent it, as long as it wasn't Xu Linchuan.
The matter was entrusted to Lin Ji's men. When Jiang Ning'an had some free time, she suddenly remembered something.
In her dream, Chu Yu wasn't just accompanied by Xu Linchuan.
The other person seemed to be the son of a high - ranking court official, whose status was much higher than Xu Linchuan's. That was why Xu Linchuan had felt so threatened and had been so concerned about Chu Yu's affairs, even resorting to any means to achieve his goals.
To put it bluntly, he was jealous.
Xu Linchuan had once complained in front of her that this Mr. Fu, who already had a wife, was not a decent person.
Jiang Ning'an said, "Lin Ji, among the high - ranking court officials, is there any family with the surname Fu whose son is already married?"
Lin Ji frowned and thought for a moment. "The Director of the Imperial College has the surname Fu. His son, Fu Qingya, got married two years ago. It is said that they were childhood sweethearts and have a deep affection for each other."
Childhood sweethearts with a deep affection?
This Fu Qingya didn't seem like the kind of person who would have an affair with Chu Yu.
"Is there anyone else?"
"There are also some collateral branches of the Fu family serving in the court, but they are not high - ranking officials."
Excluding the others, the impossible might be possible.
Jiang Ning'an immediately said, "Send someone to check on Fu Qingya and see if he has any contact with Chu Yu."
"Yes."
---
Lin Ji's men were efficient. The mansion was in a prime location and the rent was cheap, so it was extremely popular. Just in one afternoon, the door was almost knocked down.
Coincidentally, Chu Yu happened to be there. Together with Xu Linchuan, they were caught off - guard. They had to look for a new place to live, move their things, and deal with the real - estate agents. It was a complete mess.
"Brother Linchuan, the princess is determined to drive you out now. But you don't even have a place to stay. How about I go and find—"
"No need," Xu Linchuan interrupted Chu Yu firmly for the first time.
Seeing Chu Yu stunned, Xu Linchuan softened his tone. "No need. I have my own way."
After saying that, Xu Linchuan got up and walked into the side room.
Watching his figure, Chu Yu could only sigh.
She knew exactly how capable Xu Linchuan was.
After all, if it weren't for her, Xu Linchuan would have starved to death somewhere long ago.
What could he do?
Most likely, he was just being stubborn.
Chu Yu knew that men had their pride. Although she didn't show it on her face, she was actually thinking about going to the Hidden Bamboo Studio after leaving.
But Xu Linchuan soon came out, holding a square, gold - decorated box in his hand. No one knew what was inside, but just looking at the box, one could tell that the contents were not ordinary.
"Yuer, wait for me. I'll be back soon."
"…Okay."
---
No one knew where Xu Linchuan had gone with the box. Anyway, when he came back, he had thousands of taels of silver notes on him.
Chu Yu's eyes widened in surprise. "Brother Linchuan, where did you get these?"
Xu Linchuan pursed his lips. Meeting Chu Yu's gaze, he confessed, "Jiang Ning'an sent me a lot of things before. I pawned one of them."
Previously, Jiang Ning'an had chased after him, sending all kinds of precious items like flowing water.
Those items were extremely valuable. Needless to say, there were the Four Treasures of the Study, and there were also many rare ancient paintings and manuscripts. He didn't want those things to be wasted, so he had kept them properly.
Unexpectedly, they had come in handy today.
Chu Yu nodded blankly.
"Yuer, I'm going to start moving my things now. It will be messy later. Why don't you go back first," Xu Linchuan said. "I don't want you to get hurt and make me worried."
Hearing his words, a warm current slowly flowed through Chu Yu's heart.
"Okay. Then remember to tell me when you find a new place to live."
"Of course."
Chu Yu then got up and left.
When she reached the door, Chu Yu suddenly stopped.
She turned around and looked straight at Xu Linchuan. "Oh, Brother Linchuan, I came here today to tell you that my mother wrote me a letter."
"What's up?"
"My mother thinks that I've come to the capital to cause trouble for my father. She said that she'll give me another ten days. If I can't gain a foothold in the princess's mansion, she'll ask me to go back. She has already found a match for me." Chu Yu sighed.
Xu Linchuan's eyebrows twitched.
This wouldn't do!
He and Chu Yu had finally reunited in the capital. How could Chu Yu's mother...
This was too much!
Xu Linchuan was dissatisfied with Chu Yu's mother, but due to her status, he didn't say anything more. He just said, "Yuer, I won't let you go."
There were still ten days left.
The time was enough.
Within ten days, he would surely win over Jiang Ning'an, move into the Residence of the Princess of Pacifying the State, and then help Chu Yu gain a foothold!
Seeing his determined attitude, tears welled up in Chu Yu's eyes. "Brother Linchuan, I can only rely on you. You...won't find me annoying, will you?"
Chu Yu was naturally gentle and could always arouse people's protective instincts. Now, with teary eyes, she looked even more pitiful.
"Of course not!" Xu Linchuan replied without hesitation.
He wished that Chu Yu would only rely on him!
But that young master from the Fu family had a much better family background than him, and his concern for Chu Yu was no less than his own.
He still had a long way to go if he wanted to surpass the young master from the Fu family.
However, if he could win over Jiang Ning'an, everything would be different.