Chapter 368 - Chapter 368: Cat and Mouse
Chapter 368: Cat and Mouse
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Jinghong!” Chu Qingzhi looked at Tang Jinghong, her eyes shining like stars, dazzling and beautiful.
Tang Jinghong’s lips couldn’t help but curl up, he quickly stepped forward, gently embracing Chu Qingzhi, as if holding a precious treasure, his eyes sparkling, his voice gentle as water, “Qingzhi!”
Chu Qingzhi’s arms encircled Tang Jinghong’s waist, her face against his chest, “Jinghong, I miss you.”
Her voice was full of coquetry, something she would never do before, but in front of the person she liked, she unconsciously did so.
Tang Jinghong’s heart pounded. He said softly, “Qingzhi, 1 miss you too.”
Chu Qingzhi’s lips curved into a smile, “How have you been during this time?”
Tang Jinghong smiled and asked, “Do you want to hear the truth?”
Chu Qingzhi looked up at Tang Jinghong. “Of course I want to hear the truth.”
Tang Jinghong coughed lightly, using an adjective to describe life in the capital, “Unbearable.”
Chu Qingzhi teased, “You’re a general, life should be comfortable, right?”
Tang Jinghong answered seriously, “In theory, yes. But when I returned, I got involved in a case related to the Minister of War. It seemed simple, but it was actually quite tricky. You see, as a military officer, investigating a case is not only unfamiliar to me but also 1 also have to face pressure from various sides, especially from those old ministers who can’t wait to find fault with me.”
In short, difficulties were plenty, and pleasing matters were few.
Chu Qingzhi smiled. “My Jinghong is awesome, so you were assigned more tasks.”
“My Jinghong” made Tang Jinghong feel an indescribable joy. He couldn’t help but kiss Chu Qingzhi’s forehead. “I’ll do my best.”
“Yes.” Chu Qingzhi changed the topic. “By the way, has there been any progress in helping Si Yingzong?”
Tang Jinghong frowned slightly, “His superior was executed, but there are no leads about this nephew. I also asked an already retired old constable to help me find it, but there’s still no progress.”
Chu Qingzhi patted Tang Jinghong’s back, comforting, “Don’t worry. It’s only a matter of time.”
Tang Jinghong hugged Chu Qingzhi tightly. “I know.”
Suddenly, Chu Qingzhi’s tone became urgent, “Jinghong, did something burn?”
He was still cooking. Tang Jinghong quickly let go of Chu Qingzhi and walked towards the kitchen stove. “It’s the braised rabbit 1 made for you.”
Chu Qingzhi stood there looking at Tang Jinghong, a handsome general wearing an apron, cooking for her. The scene was simple but made her feel sweet.
She approached and gently hugged Tang Jinghong from behind, “Jinghong, thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Cooking was an ordinary thing, but for someone with Jinghong’s status, in an era where gentlemen were often far from the kitchen, he was willing to cook. Perhaps only Jinghong would do this.
“I didn’t do anything for you,” Tang Jinghong said gently. “On the other hand, you’re a girl. Yet, you traveled all the way here. It’s been hard on you.”
“It’s not hard.” Chu Qingzhi pressed her face against Tang Jinghong’s back. “By the way, Jinghong, let me tell you about the map.”
Tang Jinghong nodded. “Okay, tell me. I’ll listen.”
Chu Qingzhi told Tang Jinghong about Madam Xin and Consort Xin in detail.
After Tang Jinghong heard this, he paused and said, “This Lu Ziming is a character…”
Although Lu Ziming was the son of a servant of the Xin family, he was chosen by the head of the Xin family as his son’s study companion because of his intelligence. No servant had ever been better than their young master, but Lu Ziming was an exception.
Reading books led to ambition, and he wanted to be free from servitude, but the head of the Xin family, thinking he could control him, was unwilling to change his status as a servant, believing it would keep him under control.
Little did he know how capable Lu Ziming could be.
When Lu Ziming decided to leave the Xin family and sought refuge with the Lord of the eastern border, it caused quite a stir in the capital.
The Lord of the eastern border took a fancy to a brothel girl and liked her very much. However, the brothel girl made a request. She wanted to stay in the palace.
The palace was a place where only the imperial consorts could live. This matter troubled the Lord of the eastern border for a while. It was not until Lu Ziming recommended that he could build a palace without violating the rules that the matter was resolved.
The lord of the eastern border gave Lu Ziming three months to build a palace.
He was so clever that he actually built the palace of the Daling Dynasty’s enemy country. Using the enemy country’s palace to accommodate a brothel girl. From the late emperor to the commoners, everyone approved of his doing.
He was the first person to build a palace among the people. Not only did he not get punished, but he was also praised.
Impressed, Prince Dongling promoted him, changed his status from a servant to a subordinate. He became an important figure, managing all affairs in the mansion of the Lord of the eastern border.
Chu Qingzhi raised a question, “If Lu Ziming is a subordinate of the Lord of the eastern border, why does he need the map? Could it be that the Lord of the eastern border also has ulterior motives?”
Tang Jinghong shook his head slowly, reluctant to draw conclusions without evidence, “I don’t know if he has ulterior motives, but 1 know people will change.”
Chu Qingzhi nodded. “True.”
Tang Jinghong said, “Qingzhi, let’s eat first. After eating, we’ll look for the map. Once we find the map, Lu Ziming’s plan will fall flat.”
“Okay.” Chu Qingzhi didn’t say more, helping to set the table for dinner.
Tang Jinghong prepared many delicious dishes for Chu Qingzhi. As they ate, Chu Qingzhi forgot her troubles, and Jinghong’s principle was not to talk about serious matters until the meal was over.
Tang Jinghong saw Chu Qingzhi relaxing and smiled. He continuously picked up food for her, taking care of her.
After finishing their meal, the night had already fallen.
Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong changed into night clothes and flew out of the courtyard, starting to search for the map.
As they started their actions, others also began to move. Tonight, Tiannan Temple was quite lively.
Tiannan Temple was big, with hundreds of halls. Searching for a map within such a large area was undoubtedly difficult.
As soon as they stepped out, they saw a dark figure flash by. The two quickly chased after.
The other party also noticed Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong, and upon seeing the two catching up, immediately hid. In the darkness, the cat-and-mouse game began.
But how can a mouse hide from a cat?
In the end, the man in black was blocked by Tang Jinghong and Chu Qingzhi in a corridor.
The man in black didn’t accept his fate. He glanced at Chu Qingzhi and then at Tang Jinghong, thinking that it should be easier to attack Chu Qingzhi..
Drawing his long sword, he leaped forward, launching an attack towards Chu Qingzhi.
Chu Qingzhi slightly leaned to the side, lightly tapping the tip of the sword with her fingers. The man in black instantly felt a numbness throughout his body, falling to his knees with no resistance left.
Tang Jinghong asked sternly, “Who sent you?”