PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 48.1

An Ruochen slowly walked down the stairs, looking around as she went. Indeed, she didn’t see anyone that appeared concerned about her actions. When she came down the stairs, she heard the waiter greeting the guests in the hall: “Young Master Min, why are you back? Did you leave something behind?”

“I was supposed to bring roasted duck back but forgot to buy it.” That Young Master Min answered.

The waiter laughed and courteously asked Young master Min to wait. Then, he went to ask the kitchen to make one in a hurry.

An Ruochen glanced at Young Master Min, then left the Zhaofu Restaurant.

Young Master Min did not look at her at all, and after she left, he pursed the corners of his mouth, not sure what An Ruochen meant by running in for a turn and then leaving. Who was she looking for?

Young Master Min disliked the feeling of being unable to figure out what was happening. It made him uneasy. If only he could get An Ruofang in his hands, she would be a great bargaining chip. Unfortunately, a thousand dollars can’t buy prior knowledge.

An Ruochen hired a carriage and rushed back to the Purple Cloud House. She needed to see the General to report it immediately.

The bell. She found the bell.

Zhao Jiahua told her about this.

Not in Feng’an County, not in the Pin Xiang Brothel, but the bell of the Zhaofu Restaurant.

An Ruochen entered the Big Long’s courtyard, running. Once inside, she was somewhat dumbfounded. It was full of people. Two teams of guards were lined up, seemingly just there to receive orders. An Ruochen looked inside the room. Two guards were packing the bag for Big Long while Chief Secretary, Li Mingyu, was talking to him.

Having noticed An Ruochen peeking into the room, Li Mingyu asked, “What is the matter with Steward An?”

An Ruochen steadied her breathing, hid her impatience, walked in, and saluted calmly, “Is the General about to leave? I came to see if anything is missing.”

Li Mingyu frowned and said, “Why doesn’t Steward An wait until I finish reporting to the General?”

An Ruochen hurriedly gave a salute and withdrew.

Li Mingyu was in charge of all the official correspondence between the military and the county magistrate, as well as patrol arrangements, military affairs, and so on, so he had little contact with An Ruochen, the steward, in his usual business. He was concerned about the rules and was unhappy with An Ruochen, who has somehow gotten herself into the Purple Cloud House. He usually preferred to deal with Steward Fang. Typically, when the case record files were delivered, Li Mingyu was the one to receive them. He also managed the military report order book. He thought Jiang Song’s investigation about traitors today concerned him, so he seized the opportunity to discuss it with Big Long.

An Ruochen stood a little farther outside the door to avoid suspicion. She could not hear the sound of their discussion but could still see them.

Li Mingyu’s expression was extremely solemn, and he kept talking sullenly. Big Long listened carefully, occasionally raising his head, and looking at An Ruochen.

That look appeased her. An Ruochen watched and waited, suddenly neither anxious nor panicking.

There were traitors in the Purple Cloud House. There were traitors in the army. This traitor risked his identity to kill the scout who went to Feng’an County. As a result, Xie Gang had to go there himself, to personally see the mission through. The spy was not trying to stop them from checking out the Pin Xiang Brothel. On the contrary, they wanted Xie Gang to go there personally!

Move the tiger away from the mountain!

Because they knew the General was leaving as well. They wanted to prevent them from discovering the secret in Zhonglan City. They did want to achieve a delay, only not a delay in getting to Feng’an County, but a delay in getting back to Zhonglan City. By then, the clues would be gone.

An Ruochen’s heart pounded. No wonder she couldn’t see Zhao Jiahua.

[I am the clue. Remember every word I said.]

Big Long suddenly lifted his head to look at her again. An Ruochen smiled at him as if nothing was wrong. Li Mingyu looked toward her abruptly, and An Ruochen sent him a similar smile.

They must act, or it will be too late when Lord Xie or General Long return. The General said that she was a girl with ideas. The General praised her. Now, she really did have an idea. Finally, Big Long finished discussing the matters with Li Mingyu and beckoned for her to approach. An Ruochen walked in. Li Mingyu caught a falling scroll of paperwork but did not leave, and the two guards in Big Long’s room were still there.

“What’s the matter?” Big Long asked her.

“Nothing. I just wanted to ask if you need anything before the departure.”

Big Long looked at her, and she smiled earnestly.

“There is no shortage of things.” Big Long said. He didn’t go on as if giving her a chance to speak.

“Then I wish the General a safe journey.” An Ruochen said, “I will listen to the General’s instructions. I will investigate Zhao Jiahua’s case when Lord Xie returns and never act without permission.”

Big Long looked at her again and nodded, “That’s good.”

An Ruochen contemplated for a moment and added, “I wonder where the General is going? Should you bring some books to entertain and relieve your boredom?”

When these words came out, all the men in the room looked at her strangely. The army was tedious, and they were all men stationed in camp. Many soldiers secretly brought some spring books to relieve boredom and quietly passed them around. The officers often turned a blind eye, and even more, the soldiers would give some new books to please them.

Everyone in the military knew these things, but An Ruochen didn’t. She found herself suddenly being stared at by everyone and wondering what was wrong. Big Long replied, “There are military books in the camp.”

The guards quickly turned their heads and got very busy as if they had not heard anyone speak. Li Mingyu frowned, sending his reprimand by glancing at An Ruochen again.

An Ruochen was puzzled. Oh, whatever that was. First, let’s get down to business: “The other Generals’ deeds and other books may also be studied and read.”

Big Long raised his eyebrows: “Oh. Understood.” 

When he saw Li Mingyu intend to glare at An Ruochen again, he couldn’t hold back and argued for her: “What Steward An mentioned are all serious books.”

An Ruochen nodded vigorously. Yes, although there was flattery, it was indeed a serious book. Wait, their reaction just now! Do you guys usually read improper books? An Ruochen suspiciously looked around. Li Mingyu suddenly was more than willing to go out at this time, and the guards surprisingly became even busier.