Proud Feather

Chapter 133 Acquaintance
Chu Ling went to the Xiaoqiao Tavern.

Several days later, she finally went to keep that appointment.

As soon as she entered, the room was warm and cozy. She took off her cloak and handed it to Qingcha, then sat down by the stove.

Having endured the cold for so many years in Uehara, she still prefers warmth.

"Has the princess finished her business?" Xiao Yu groped her way out.

Chu Ling said lazily, "How could it possibly be finished? If it were really finished, I wouldn't be sitting here."

Xiao Yu was clearly taken aback for a moment, and asked, "What does the princess mean by that? Does it mean you won't leave the palace again, or...?"

Chu Ling curled the corners of her lips: "Guess!"

Xiao Yu smiled slowly: "The princess is in a good mood today." She can even joke with him.

Chu Ling drank two glasses of wine by herself and asked, "Did you send a message to Xiao Zhen?"

“…” Xiao Yu replied, “It has been sent.”

"How did he say?"

Xiao Yu coughed and said, "He hasn't made up his mind yet."

Chu Ling nodded: "It's such a big deal, it's always good to think it over."

She paused for a moment, then smiled as she held up her wine glass: "I also suggest you wait a few months before making a decision, so you don't regret it later."

“Princess…” Xiao Yu thought to herself, why is she speaking like she’s talking in riddles today?

"By the way, what did you want to talk to me about?" Chu Ling asked.

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "It's all fine now. I originally wanted to remind the princess that she might have to move palaces."

"Oh." Chu Ling's heart skipped a beat, and she asked directly, "Do you want to come with me?"

Xiao Yu was stunned: "W-what?"

“I need a strategist,” Chu Ling said, looking at him. “If you’re willing to stay, you can name your terms.”

Xiao Yu chuckled: "Princess, you're too generous. Aren't you afraid I'll ask for an exorbitant amount?"

"You deserve it." Chu Ling said without hesitation.

"..." Xiao Yu pondered these three words repeatedly, and slowly said, "I'm afraid that won't work. Our Xiao clan members, as long as they can wield swords and spears, can only die on the battlefield."

Chu Ling had only asked casually, so he didn't answer.

As the two were talking, Qingcha came in from outside and whispered, "Princess..."

"what's up?"

Seeing that she didn't mind, Qingcha said, "There's been progress on Lord Jiang's side. Please go and take a look."

Chu Ling's eyes lit up. If Jiang Shijun dared to invite him over, then there must be a result.

She stood up briskly: "I have to go now."

Xiao Yu nodded: "Please, Princess."

He couldn't see the person opposite him, only hear her light footsteps. Soon, the clatter of horses' hooves and the rolling of carriages outside faded into the distance.

Gongsun Hong sat down opposite him: "The princess has gone to so much trouble to come all this way, is that all you're going to say, young master?"

Xiao Yu didn't answer, and fumbled to pour herself some tea.

Gongsun Hong was exasperated: "You clearly wanted to go just now, why didn't you tell the princess?"

Xiao Yu finally answered: "This is her secret, how can I let outsiders know?"

"Young master, how will you know whether you are an outsider or an insider if you don't tell me?"

"..." Xiao Yu was speechless. She put down her teacup and sighed, "Sir, do you really want me to marry the princess?"

Gongsun Hong frankly stated, "I hope so."

Xiao Yu reasoned, "At this stage, marrying Princess Shang is not good for us. Not only is she walking on thin ice, but it will also arouse the suspicion of our uncle, making things even more difficult."

Gongsun Hong said, "But it will benefit you, young master." Xiao Yu was stunned, not understanding what he meant.

The servant came over to clear the tea and interrupted, "Oh, young master, what Mr. Gongsun means is that you really like the princess!"

"Huh?" Xiao Yu said unhappily, "Don't talk nonsense!"

"How can this be nonsense?" the servant exclaimed anxiously. "Young Master clearly cares about it a lot!"

“What I care about is…” Xiao Yu paused, giving up on explaining, and said slowly, “Whether you like it or not, it’s inappropriate to talk about these things now. Haven’t you noticed? The princess is probably doing something big.”

This time, it was Gongsun Hong's turn to be completely bewildered: "Young Master, what do you mean...?"

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "We'll know soon enough."
-
After the carriage left, Chu Ling turned into a side alley.

With Qingcha protecting her, the two turned east and west, and soon disappeared from sight.

Before long, a car drove out of a nearby house, slowly drove across the street in the night, and finally entered a shop in the south of the city.

"Princess." Jiang Shijun rushed forward, his face beaming with undisguised excitement. "We've caught the person, someone we never imagined."

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow. Judging from this, they knew each other?

"Please come in." Jiang Shijun led her into the private room.

Upon seeing her, the three guards in the room hurriedly bowed, their words stammering, "Your humble servants greet Your Highness..."

"Rise." Chu Ling looked at the person who was bound tightly. "Did you capture him? You didn't alert anyone else, did you?"

"No." The young man in charge finally calmed down. "Princess, rest assured, we were very efficient and didn't disturb anyone. The boss is here with us too, so he will keep a close eye on things and won't cause you any trouble."

Seeing that he spoke fluently, Chu Ling nodded approvingly: "Well done."

The young man exclaimed with delight, "Thank you for the compliment, Princess!"

Jiang Shijun squatted down, turned the man's face towards him, and asked, "Princess, do you recognize him?"

Chu Ling frowned: "...You look familiar."

Jiang Shijun then took out several portraits from his pocket and handed them over.

Chu Ling took one look and suddenly realized why he was so excited.

This person is clearly a fugitive from Wenxianju who was in contact with the manager!

He was disguised; according to the descriptions of the staff at Wenxianju, the portraits drawn varied, so they were only about 50% similar.

But that's enough. This isn't a trial. As long as we can figure out who he is, that's fine!

This person was crucial in the previous case. The abbot of Dahuai Temple contacted him, and the manager of Wenxianju also received him. The medicinal herbs and spices that Jinghui had were handed over to him.

In other words, he was the key figure connecting Dahuai Temple and Prince Xin's Mansion!
Chu Ling never expected that the information revealed by Minister Lin before his death would lead to such a crucial clue, giving her hope.

"Can you wake him up?" Chu Ling asked.

“Yes!” The young man nodded quickly and took out a porcelain bottle. “He has been drugged by my lowly incense. Here is the antidote, which will wake him up immediately.”

Chu Ling nodded: "Then let's start the interrogation as soon as possible!"

"Yes."

She had just sat down behind the screen when the young man uncorked the bottle and waved it under her nose. Soon, a groan was heard, and she slowly woke up.

The man opened his eyes, and when he realized his situation, he was about to jump up.

The young man's eyes flashed with malice, and he gripped the man's throat with his hand, forcing him back down.

"Don't bother! You've taken the muscle relaxant, you can't escape!"

Only then did the man realize that he was completely powerless and could only lie limply on the ground.

"Who...who are you..." he asked with difficulty.

“That’s the question we should be asking,” Jiang Shijun interjected, waving the portrait in front of him. “Sir, is this you?”

(End of this chapter)