Daqian Night Emperor

Chapter 77 Mr. Nie’s Promise
After hearing Zhao Nishang's doubts, Zhao Qi'an did not seem surprised.

He had already known about this, and said, "The man who died on the streets of Dongcheng yesterday was a close confidant of Lu Huaishen, the governor of Dongyang County in Jingzhou, and was the governor of Dongyang County."

Zhao Nishang was surprised and asked, "Foster father, do you know? Could it be that you also arranged this Wei Shi?"

Zhao Qi'an shook his head.

Since he has already arranged the staff, why should he go to the extra mile to arrange another person to deliver the letter to the capital?

He had sent someone to find out the other party's identity yesterday.

A hint of doubt flashed across Zhao Nishang's eyes. Wasn't this arranged by her adoptive father?

She suddenly seemed to understand something, and said with emotion: "It seems that there are also good officials in Jingzhou who are not corrupt. I am willing to risk my life to send this news to the capital."

Zhao Qi'an chuckled and did not comment.

When he sent Xiao Wei to Jingzhou to gather information, he knew very well how strict Jingzhou's defense was.

Is it possible for a ninth-rank military officer to evade pursuit by the soldiers of Jingzhou Prefecture and escape all the way to Kyoto City?

Who is behind him... and who is directing him?

"Lu Huaishen..."

Zhao Qian'an whispered the name in his heart, and news about Lu Huaishen flashed quickly through his mind.

This man was the governor of Dongyang County and also the benefactor of the Wei Shi.

He was a top-ranked Jinshi in the 12th year of the Tianwu reign. Since taking office, he has been serving as an official outside the capital. He has served in Yuzhou and Xuzhou successively, and has slowly climbed up from a county lieutenant to his current position as the prefect of Dongyang County in Jingzhou.

His official career was not smooth, and his reputation was neither good nor bad. He was not qualified to serve as an official in Beijing. He never made any major mistakes in his life, nor did he do any major deeds.

Being a county magistrate is the end of my career.

This was originally an inconspicuous minor official sent to a remote place during the Daqian Dynasty. Even the bigwigs in the capital might not have noticed the existence of such a person.

But there was one big thing about Lu Huaishen that everyone in Kyoto knew about him - he had a very beautiful daughter.

And this woman is none other than His Majesty's favorite concubine, Concubine Zhen.

In other words, Lu Huaishen is Yuzhen's grandfather.

In terms of identity, Zhao Qi'an also has to call him "grandfather".

It is precisely because of this relationship that Zhao Qi'an is so familiar with Lu Huaishen's information.

Before this, he just knew there was such a person, but he didn't pay much attention to Lu Huaishen.

After all, Lu Huaishen is now seventy-six years old. His eyesight is blurry and his ears are deaf. He is neither a wise minister with the talent to govern the country nor a corrupt official who levies heavy taxes. Apart from being an official-obsessed person who is reluctant to leave his post at such an old age, there is really nothing noteworthy about him.

But now Jingzhou is occupied by the Salvation Cult, and Yu Zhen is colluding with the Cult...

This old man came into Zhao Qi'an's sight at this time. He was an official of Jingzhou, and happened to be a trusted confidant of his who arrived in Beijing to deliver the letter just one day earlier than the small flag officer he arranged...

It was hard for Zhao Qi'an not to notice this.

It was also difficult for Zhao Qi'an not to think too much.

"The imperial court has intervened in the affairs of Jingzhou, and the person in charge of this matter is General Ling Fang of the Patrol Astronomical Observatory. Ling Fang is no mediocre person..."

"Let's wait and see."

Zhao Qi'an finally decided to wait and see.

……

Return to the courtyard.

After Zhao Qian'an took a bath and changed his clothes, a servant soon brought him a set of gorgeous clothes.

The ugly slave helped him change his clothes, and said, "Master, you still have clothes like this? This cloth, tut tut, how much does it cost per foot..."

As the saying goes, "Clothes make the man, and saddles make the horse", Chounu thinks that what Zhongyuan said is absolutely right.

My grandfather usually dresses very simply, but he is also very elegant and handsome.

But the outfit he wore today exuded a certain elegance, and every move he made seemed so imposing.

As the ugly slave looked at Zhao Qi'an, he felt his heart beating faster. Touching the delicate brocade, he couldn't help thinking:

"If I were to strip off this outfit and sell it, given the material, even if I took it to the most unscrupulous pawnshop, I should get... ten taels of silver, right?"

Zhao Qi'an slapped her restless hand away and looked at her suspiciously. He always felt that the look of this ugly maid was a little rude.

Like a wolf seeing meat, and like a dog seeing...

"The kitchen has prepared dinner, go get it." After Zhao Qian'an dressed, he told the ugly slave, "There is also a medicine soup, which Nichang is protecting, so you can bring it as well."

When the ugly slave heard this, he wondered, "Master, are you confused? Didn't His Majesty invite you to dinner tonight? Why are you eating at home?"

Zhao Qi'an smiled and shook his head: "The emperor's banquet is not really a place to eat."

Chou Nu didn't understand and was even a little puzzled.

In her hometown, if you invite guests to dinner and the guests are not full, it is extremely rude and the host family will be criticized by other people in the village.

In the Central Plains, how come the emperor doesn’t let people eat enough when he invites them to dinner?

Although he didn't quite understand, the ugly slave said "Oh" and went downstairs to do it.

Zhao Qi'an sat at the table and waited for a while.

After a while, the ugly slave came back, carrying a heavy food box.

When the dishes in the food box were brought to the table one by one, the last layer was a bowl of smelly medicinal soup.

The ugly slave picked up the medicine soup and his whole face wrinkled.

It wasn't that she disliked the smell of the medicine soup, but it was strange. Just by sniffing the odor, she felt that all the strength in her body was stagnant. If she smelled it for a long time, she would feel listless.

There's something wrong with this medicine soup.

But Zhao Qian'an seemed unaware of it. He picked up the medicine and drank it all, then put the bowl down.

The ugly slave took the empty bowl away and couldn't help asking, "Master, what kind of medicine is this?"

"I don't know the name of the medicine, but the effect of the medicine can make a warrior's physique like that of an ordinary person in a short period of time, and others can't tell at all."

Zhao Qi'an rarely explained.

In fact, he was not afraid that His Majesty or the five marquises around him would discover his clues.

Because he tried, and neither of them could find it.

But if the Imperial Master was present at the dinner tonight, and she happened to be carrying that secret treasure, the “Armillary Sphere”…

Although the probability is small, it is not impossible.

Zhao Qi'an thought it was better to be careful.

……

After having a few simple bites at home.

Zhao Qi'an felt a little full, so he put down his chopsticks and prepared to go out.

As for the table of dishes that were barely touched...

Zhao Qi'an was not worried about the waste, after all, the ugly slave had been eyeing it covetously for a long time.

She's not that big for nothing, she eats as much as seven or eight normal young men.

That’s it, and I’m only 70% full.

After leaving the mansion, the deaf-mute old servant had already harnessed the carriage and had been waiting outside the mansion gate for a long time.

Before Zhao Qi'an got on the car, he looked up and saw the deaf-mute old servant sitting at the front of the car. There was no trace of laziness on his face as usual. His eyes were solemn and his face was full of sternness.

He was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "Mr. Nie, there's no need to be so nervous. It hasn't come to that point yet."

He came to the carriage, took a step forward and walked into the carriage.

When he was about to enter the carriage, he pinched the curtain with his fingers, as if he remembered something, turned around and said jokingly: "If that day really comes, Mr. Nie must remember to protect me."

The deaf-mute old servant glanced at him and made a gesture.

That means "cannot be protected".

Zhao Qi'an just revealed a bitter smile, but he saw the deaf-mute old servant with a serious face, making a series of gestures solemnly.

That means——

“But I will die first”

Zhao Qi'an's pupils froze for a moment, then he smiled and lowered the curtain.

Then, a soft voice sounded in the carriage:
"Let's go and meet the Emperor."

(End of this chapter)