Ci Jinzhi

Chapter 232 Helping

Liu Zhou suddenly came back to his senses: "Did your distinguished guest call me?"

The bookkeeper holding the new book smiled and said, "You little boy, why do you seem to have lost your soul?"

"Alas!" Liu Zhou sighed heavily, "Nothing. What did the distinguished guest just ask?"

 “I asked when the fourth volume of “Journey to the West” will be released.”

“I don’t know. We all follow the boss’s arrangements when releasing new books.”

Hearing Liu Zhou mention "the boss", the calligrapher suddenly became mysterious. He glanced around and asked in a low voice: "Xiaoer, are those rumors true?"

 “What rumors?” Liu Zhou looked confused.

“You mean that Miss Kou has locked up Mr. Songling and is not allowed to go out until he can write “Journey to the West”?”

Liu Zhou was furious: "These rumors are bullshit! Our bookstore already has the complete manuscript of "Journey to the West". How could our boss lock up Mr. Songling!"

“Ah, so those rumors are false?” At some point, a large group of people gathered around him.

The young man looked very angry: "I don't know who is talking nonsense and enjoying himself talking nonsense, but it hurts our boss!"

 Hearing the gossip, more people gathered around.

 “What’s wrong with your boss?”

 “Yeah, what’s wrong with Miss Kou?”

Liu Zhou had a sullen face and said nothing. Shitou wiped away his tears with his hands: "Because of these rumors, our boss was taken away by Jin Linwei yesterday!"

“Hiss—” the crowd gasped one after another.

There are already a lot of people queuing up to buy new books, and there is a trend of more and more people queuing up. The new gossip that Miss Kou, the owner of Qingsong Bookstore, was taken away because of outrageous rumors spread as soon as it came out.

 The Imperial College is close to the bookstore and was the first to spread the news.

Duan Yunlang ran to Qingsong Bookstore in one breath and grabbed Liu Zhou's wrist: "My cousin was really captured by Jinlin Guards?"

Liu Zhou nodded with tears in his eyes.

 “Isn’t it okay for Mr. He to have a good relationship with his cousin?” Duan Yunlang was puzzled.

He has always suspected that the poor boy coveted his cousin. Is it a misunderstanding?

“It is said that Mr. He is out of Beijing on errands, and now other adults are making the decision.”

"I see."

Duan Yunlang turned around and ran out, but was caught by Meng Fei who was chasing him: "Where are you going?"

 “Go to my uncle.”

Hearing Duan Yunlang say that he wanted to find Duan Shaoqing, Meng Fei's eyes flashed with sarcasm: "I advise you not to go to waste. That is the North Town Fusi of Jinlin Guards. Can Shaoqing Taipusi talk to him?"

The lack of words can be classified as a status issue, but Duan Shaoqing obviously has a character problem, and it is too much to be sincere towards his niece.

 “What should we do?” Duan Yunlang was worried.

Meng Fei thought for a while: "I'll go talk to my grandfather."

Meng Fei's grandfather, Meng Jijiu, was a real big shot in Duan Yunlang's eyes.

 In fact, the rank of the imperial wine-offering official is not high, but this position is noble and important. Those selected to hold this position are valued and trusted by the emperor.

 “Brother Meng, please.” Duan Yunlang raised his hand to Meng Fei.

Meng Fei sighed: "I can only say give it a try, don't have too high expectations. Jinlinwei is different from other government offices, and you won't necessarily give face to anyone."

“Then thank you Brother Meng for your help.”

 “Brothers, you’re welcome.” Meng Fei waved his hand and left. Looking at the back of his friend walking forward quickly, Duan Yunlang suddenly felt uncomfortable.

 The eldest brother is well-known in the apricot list. Now he is no longer studying in the Imperial College. He must have known that something happened to cousin Qing when he returned home. But it seems... there doesn't seem to be anything going on at home.

 Brother Duan Yunlang was shaken by this word for the first time.

"Miss Kou was taken away by the Jinlin Guards?" After hearing what Meng Fei said, Meng Jijiu's expression changed slightly, he got up and walked out.

“Grandpa, where are you going?” Meng Fei asked, complaining about why everyone always liked to leave at the drop of a hat.

Meng Jijiu looked at his grandson in surprise: "Come and tell your grandfather, don't you just want him to speak to Miss Kou? Of course he will go to the palace."

Jinlinwei was the emperor’s eyes and ears, and even officials who wanted to be friends with him did not dare to expose it openly, for fear of being labeled as prying into secrets. If Meng Jijiu went directly to Jinlin Guard, he might cause gossip.

Meng Fei was stunned: "Is it too hasty to go to the palace to meet the saint now? Don't you think about it carefully?"

Jinlinwei works for the emperor, especially things that the emperor does not want the officials to know. Wouldn't it make the emperor angry if he casually ran up to the emperor and said this and that about the errands of the Jinlin Guard Office?

Meng Jijiu glared at his grandson: "It's you who came to see me, and it's you who asked me to be careful. Are you itchy?"

Meng Fei sneered.

 He was actually conflicted in his mind, because he knew that this was causing trouble for his grandfather. But his friendship with his classmates and his admiration for Miss Kou took over, making him unable to sit idly by.

 “Go and study!” After shouting at his grandson, Meng Jijiu went to the imperial city.

Emperor Xingyuan heard a report from his chamberlain that Meng offered wine and asked for an audience. He couldn't figure out what it was about, so he quickly called the person in.

 “I have met your Majesty.”

"What's the matter with Meng Jijiu?" Emperor Xingyuan had feelings for this old civil servant who had followed him since the war. Even if he was in a bad mood these days, he could be said to be kind and cheerful at this time.

Meng Jijiu has already prepared a good speech along the way: "There is a bookstore near the Imperial College, named Qingsong Bookstore—"

“I know that the owner of Qingsong Bookstore is Miss Kou.” Speaking of Miss Kou, Emperor Xingyuan’s expression softened a bit.

“Is this Miss Kou what I want to say?”

"how?"

“Recently there is a rumor that Miss Kou has put Mr. Songling under house arrest..."

Emperor Xingyuan shook his head: "That's nonsense."

Of course, he would not reveal in front of Meng Jijiu that he already knew about this rumor.

"I also think it is nonsense. But I heard that Jinlin Guard took Miss Kou away yesterday and has not released her yet. Now the people are talking about it."

Emperor Xingyuan frowned subconsciously.

After he asked Xiao Lengshi to temporarily take charge of Fusi in Beizhen, he actually knew that Jinlin Guards would find Miss Kou. In his heart, he was also hoping that if he changed his investigation, he could find out new clues about Mr. Song Ling.

 But everyone knows what caused the trouble?

Emperor Xingyuan had some doubts about Xiao Lengshi's ability, but he would not replace him immediately. He said calmly: "Rumors among the people are like the surface of a lake. When the wind blows, there will be waves. Some need to be paid attention to, and some are better ignored."

Meng Jijiu understood Emperor Xingyuan’s attitude: It seems that Miss Kou will not be able to get out of Jinlin Guard for the time being.

“Meng Jijiu and Miss Kou know each other?”

“I’ve met several times. I admire Miss Kou’s donation of money for disaster relief. I heard that Jinlin Guard took away Miss Kou because of rumors in the public. He was afraid that she, a little girl, would suffer physical pain, and was also worried that the public’s comments would affect the reputation of the court...”

Emperor Xingyuan heard what Meng Jijiu said and told Sun Yan: "Go to Fusi, Beizhen, and ask them not to be rude to Miss Kou. After you have inquired clearly, send Miss Kou back."

Sun Yan took the oral instructions and left the palace.

 At this time, in Fusi, Beizhen, Xiao Lengshi was getting angry.

 (End of this chapter)