"We never expected such a good thing in this world. That person called us aside alone and told us that after Wang Sheng came out of 'Welcome Guests Inn', we should call him over and let him drink the wine that person had prepared beforehand, saying it was good for health. We didn't think much about it at that time and just did as that person said. But not long after Wang Sheng drank the wine, he suddenly foamed at the mouth and fell to the ground dead."
"Yeah, yeah. This matter has nothing to do with us. After Wang Sheng fell to the ground, that person showed up again. He gave us some silver and told us not to say anything about this, or he would kill us. We were so scared at that time that we didn't dare to go home. We could only go to the gambling house again..."
Mei Qingxue knew that someone was trying to frame her 'Welcome Guests Inn'. She thought these people probably didn't know who the mastermind behind this was. She'd better wait for An Ying to come back and then send him to investigate.
"Both the officials and the common people have heard it. This matter is clearly someone's attempt to frame our 'Welcome Guests Inn'. Now that the truth has come to light, I believe everyone has a judgment in their hearts."
"Come on, arrest these scoundrels and throw them into prison." After saying that, the leading officer stepped forward and saluted Mei Qingxue with a martial salute.
"Don't worry, young master. We will surely severely punish these lawbreakers and won't let your restaurant be damaged."
"Then I really thank you, officer. Yu Yi, see the officer out for me." Yu Yi, who was called, quickly stepped forward and secretly stuffed a bag of silver in his arms. Since Mei Qingxue opened the restaurant, he had been helping here. Some of the little beggars who followed him, after some training, were scattered in different shops as clerks. Those who could read would become accountants after being taught by a special person for a period of time.
But there were still a large number of beggars who continued to be beggars. The purpose was to help Mei Qingxue collect more useful information conveniently.
Mei Qingxue had built a big courtyard for them before, so that they had food to eat and a place to live, and would no longer live a wandering life without a fixed abode. Mei Qingxue also asked them to recruit other beggars under her banner to expand the source of information. It could also be regarded as helping these people in a disguised way. So everyone was very respectful to her and regarded her as the benefactor who saved them from distress.
After those people were taken away, Mei Qingxue decided to close the restaurant for one day and reopen it tomorrow. After such a thing happened, it was estimated that no one would come here for dinner for the time being. Anyone would feel a bit uncomfortable just thinking that there had been a dead person in the restaurant.
Although the matter had been clarified, the business of 'Welcome Guests Inn' would still be affected to some extent. It seemed that she had to think about how to get those customers back. Just having excellent dishes might not be enough to attract people.
Sitting down in the private room before, Mei Qingxue had long lost the good mood she had when she came out.
"Brother Luo is still upset about what just happened?" Du Gu Qing naturally noticed the change in Mei Qingxue's mood. But for such a thing, no one would feel good after encountering it.
"Hehe, it's lonely at the top. Such things have happened before. I just didn't expect those people to play such a joke with human lives..." It was a pity that an innocent life had been used like this.
"Brother Luo doesn't need to think too much. The lives of those people are as light as ants to those people. They naturally won't care." For those powerful merchants or nobles, the lives of common people and servants could be easily despised. This kind of thing where innocent people were used was almost the most common thing he saw in the palace, so he didn't have much feeling in his heart.
"Alas, that's exactly why I feel so emotional. In this world, everyone is made of flesh and blood. Why should we divide people into different classes?" Even in the modern era that advocated equality for all, there were still many unequal things. Not to mention this era with a hierarchical system. Was she just too prone to overthinking?
"Brother Luo is really kind-hearted. But in my opinion, you'd better think about how to get the lost customers back. Otherwise, if the customers of 'Welcome Guests Inn' decrease, won't it just fulfill those people's wishes?"
Mei Qingxue was slightly surprised. Sure enough, the Jade-faced Young Master understood her! She was just considering this matter!
"I'm afraid you're not in the mood to let me taste those new dishes today. Coincidentally, I still have some things to do. I'll take my leave today."
"Okay. Another day, I'll host a banquet to apologize to Brother Yu."
After seeing Du Gu Qing off, Mei Qingxue called Yu Yi over.
"Does the young master have any orders?"
Mei Qingxue's face turned a bit solemn. She knew that although those people had been arrested by the government, they might be released after the storm of this matter passed. She could feel that the opponent who wanted to deal with her this time might have a very complicated background. Since they could casually use human lives as a bet, although those people didn't care about these people's lives, this was under the feet of the Son of Heaven. If the mastermind behind this didn't have a certain amount of power, they wouldn't be so blatant.
"You should let them observe carefully near the prison during this period. If there's any movement, tell me immediately."
"Yes, I understand, young master."
"Also, tomorrow you ask the chef to list all the signature dishes in our restaurant. Then send someone to buy fifty dan of rice and three good carriages." Just now she had thought of a way to make people forget about today's incident. It seemed that she could only try to divert everyone's attention with other things.
"Buy rice and carriages?" Yu Yi was confused. He couldn't figure out why Mei Qingxue wanted to buy these things. But despite his confusion, he now trusted any decision of Mei Qingxue very much.
"En. You go and buy these things first. I'll tell you the details later." She had never tried this method before, and she didn't know what the effect would be exactly. But according to her experience in her previous life, it shouldn't be too bad.
"Yes, I'll go and handle it right away."
After Yu Yi left, Mei Qingxue thought for a while. She felt that she still had to talk to An Ying about this matter. This kind of underhanded thing still had to be solved by him. And who had sent the officers and soldiers today? Could it be the people of the Jade-faced Young Master?
On the other side, after Du Gu Qing left, he returned to the Prince Liu's Mansion.
"Your Highness, just now someone passed on a message saying that Concubine Qin wanted to see you and asked you to enter the palace."
Du Gu Qing took off the jade mask on his face. His face looked a bit pale. A wisp of black hair gently slid across his smooth cheek, making his face look even more bloodless. His lips, which should have been bright red, were only a very faint pink. His whole face looked sickly.
"Mother Concubine must want to see me because of the last incident. Forget it, forget it. Prepare the carriage and enter the palace."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Find out who the mastermind behind the just - happened incident is." He wouldn't let anyone hurt her, no matter who that person was.
"In my opinion, there might be a powerful backer behind this." Han Chao said in a low voice. Because when he went to those government officials, he had to show the identity token indicating that he was from the Prince Liu's Mansion before those officials had to send people. This proved that this matter was definitely premeditated, and even the government officials had been greeted.
Hearing this, a flash of light appeared in Du Gu Qing's eyes. He naturally understood what Han Chao meant. "No matter who it is, we must clear the obstacles for her."
Han Chao was secretly shocked. He didn't expect that Prince Liu's attitude towards that woman would be so firm. "Yes, I understand, Your Highness."
The carriage of Prince Liu would hang small flags indicating his identity on the edge. The body of the carriage wasn't very big, but the inside was all padded with wool cushions. There was also a small table, on which a censer was burning, filling the whole carriage with a faint exotic fragrance.
Du Gu Qing got into the carriage. The censer was removed and replaced with a pot of top - grade pre - rain Longjing tea. There were also several plates of delicate snacks beside the tea.
The carriage was slowly driving in the direction of the palace. Du Gu Qing gently closed his black eyes that seemed to be able to contain all things in the world and meditated quietly.
In the Qinlan Palace of the palace, Concubine Qin, dressed in a gorgeous palace dress, was reclining on a soft couch. The purple incense burner was curling out green smoke. Concubine Qin, who was already in her thirties, showed no trace of years on her delicate face. Under a pair of moth - like eyebrows were a pair of deep black eyes just like Du Gu Qing's. She had a charming oval face and a cherry - like mouth that was red without makeup and painted with red nail polish. One of her fair and delicate hands was gently playing with a potted plant in front of her.
"Your Highness Concubine Qin, Prince Liu is here." Just as Concubine Qin was about to close her eyes, the palace maid reported in a low voice at the door.
"Er, let him in." Her voice was soft and delicate, as pleasant as the gurgling stream.
Du Gu Qing walked into the Qinlan Palace with somewhat unsteady steps. "Your son pays respects to Mother Concubine."
"Get up quickly. Your health is not good. Sit down quickly." Hearing Du Gu Qing's voice, Concubine Qin sat up straight. When she saw Du Gu Qing's pale face, a deep pain flashed across her eyes.
"Thank you, Mother Concubine."
"All of you go down." Concubine Qin dismissed all the palace maids. Only she and Du Gu Qing were left in the main palace.
"Do you know why Mother Concubine asked you to come today?"
"Your son doesn't know."
"You child, you like to play dumb with me the most. How can I not know what you're thinking? After all, you're a piece of flesh that fell from my body." Concubine Qin gave Du Gu Qing, who was pretending to be dead with his head down, a somewhat reproachful look. This son really made her worry a lot.
"You're going to marry your principal concubine in two months. But look at you now. You don't seem to care at all. This is a marriage bestowed by your father. Whether you're satisfied or not, you can't refuse. Your health is not good. We won't covet that position. Mother Concubine only hopes that you can live a peaceful life. Then Mother Concubine won't have anything to worry about."
She knew that Du Gu Qing's health was not good, so she never dared to hope that he would become the emperor in the future. She tried her best to win the emperor's favor in order to make better plans for his future. He posed no threat to those princes who wanted to compete for the throne. No matter which prince became the emperor in the future, it wouldn't affect him. This was the result she wanted to strive for.