Prime Minister

Chapter 200, Page 199: [Cat and Mouse]

The 20th year of Taihe, the eighth day of the first month.

The city of Yangzhou was immersed in a festive and peaceful atmosphere. The festive spirit had not yet dissipated when the much-anticipated Yingyuan Banquet was about to begin.

Before dawn, the dew was still heavy.

A long convoy of delivery trucks had quietly formed in the side alley of the film garden. Fresh and juicy seasonal vegetables and fruits, whole pigs and half sheep that had just been slaughtered and processed, bamboo charcoal and firewood piled up like small mountains, wooden boxes full of crystal-clear cups, plates and bowls, etc., were unloaded from more than a dozen ordinary blue cloth mule carts by teams of burly servants.

Two patrol officers, leading more than ten soldiers with swords at their waists, meticulously checked the number of vehicles and counted the goods according to the delivery slips pre-issued by the government. Hidden among them were two seemingly ordinary secret agents from the Jing'an Division, whose gazes casually swept across the faces of each servant carrying the goods, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones.

Among the crowd, a hunched-over middle-aged man, responsible for carrying large bundles of fresh vegetables, appeared clumsy and slow, yet he clearly saw the strength of the soldiers around the side gate. Taking advantage of the moment he bent down to carry the vegetables, he very discreetly flicked the hem of his clothes at a yawning coachman not far away.

The coachman didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he had only been shaken by the morning breeze.

On the other side, a bright red carpet had been laid out at the main entrance of the film garden, and the yamen runners, under the command of headman Zhou Kun, were carrying out the final mobilization and arrangements in an orderly manner.

Zhou Kun himself stood at the foot of the main gate, holding a roster verified by the Jing'an Division. He stared sternly at the hundred or so servants who had assembled before him and said loudly, "Listen carefully, all of you! Today, you will each perform your duties in the garden. Keep your eyes and hands in check. No one is allowed to huddle together, whisper, or look around curiously! If anyone misbehaves, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The servants remained silent, orderly receiving their waist tokens and passing in front of Zhou Kun one by one. He then checked the list against the real faces before allowing them to enter the garden. They were then led away by the pre-arranged stewards, with each group accompanied by government officials.

A young servant of medium build and ordinary appearance, seemingly keeping his head down and following step by step, was actually observing the layout of the garden's paths and comparing them with the map of the Shadow Garden that he had learned in advance.

He glanced at the few government officials standing not far away and smiled coldly to himself.

The Jing'an Division is indeed formidable, managing to find so many loopholes that kept many of Liu Erye's men out. However, they cannot be foolproof. If there are even two or three oversights, today's Yingyuan official banquet will bring a huge surprise.

Like him.

Those government officials were no match for him; he was confident that he could take them down in a single encounter if he launched a sneak attack.

The young servants slowed their pace and followed the others to their assigned work areas.

Meanwhile, on the main road leading from the film studio to the east-west main street in the city.

Cheng Dong, the patrol inspector, personally led a team of over a hundred soldiers dressed in bright uniforms and with serious expressions to set up three checkpoints and began to systematically guide the onlookers and prevent unrelated personnel from getting too close.

"Dear fellow villagers, to prevent remnants of salt smugglers from infiltrating and causing trouble, Yingyuan will not be receiving guests today. This is an order from Prefect Tan and Director Xue, and we ask for your understanding!"

The loud-voiced soldiers announced back and forth that, following Cheng Dong's instructions, they were very kind and friendly to the people. In addition, by mentioning Xue Huai's name, they immediately won the understanding of the onlookers. The soldiers and the people got along very well, which was a rare sight in the past.

The people were so understanding not only because Xue Huai had investigated and punished many corrupt officials and evil powerful families, but also because his new policies were genuinely changing the lives of everyone in Yangzhou. Although it was not yet a qualitative leap, it was an undeniable fact that life was becoming more and more promising. Therefore, the people naturally understood and supported his decisions.

On a street corner, a popular wonton stall was surrounded by pedestrians whose way was blocked.

The stall owner was a chubby man with a greasy face and a friendly smile. As he deftly made wontons, he shouted loudly into the distance, "Our wontons are delicious and inexpensive. Sir, would you like a bowl to warm yourself up?"

The soldiers from the patrol office naturally dared not slack off. The stall owner, always smiling, subtly exchanged glances with several men who approached. The men looked towards the shadow garden and, echoing the soldiers' announcement, said, "That's right, what's so interesting up ahead? The officials are just doing this for our own good! We can just wait to see the lanterns this afternoon!"

Generally speaking, although it was a pity that they could not personally witness the grand feast at the Yingyuan Garden, the people had no resentment. With the help and encouragement of some well-meaning individuals, the atmosphere was very harmonious, and most people did not leave, waiting for the lantern festival to begin after the noon banquet.

Starting at 2:45 AM, invited local gentry and merchants began to arrive at the film studio.

They first needed to pass through three checkpoints of the patrol office, and then Zhou Kun, along with the government officials, would check their name cards and attendants before they could enter the garden.

The procedures were indeed somewhat cumbersome, and there were clear regulations on the number of attendants each person could bring to the banquet. Under normal circumstances, they would naturally feel offended, but at this moment they were all smiling.

For these gentry and merchants, being able to enter the Yingyuan Garden today was a symbol of status. In the future, as long as they talked about it in the Lianghuai business community, it would likely attract a lot of envy. Not to mention that the government had made it clear that because there were still many remnants of the salt case who had not been caught, this move was to prevent thieves from sneaking into the garden and causing trouble. This was for the safety of everyone.

As time went on, more and more guests came to the film studio.

When the doctors from Jimintang appeared, the onlookers were immediately excited, and some even bowed in the street. This scene was witnessed by the officials.

Then a small oil truck with a blue curtain slowly drove up to the side gate of the film garden.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Xu Zhiwei dressed in an elegant and clean moon-white jacket and skirt. Her cold and aloof face appeared somewhat otherworldly under the sunlight.

She did not wear a veil today, clearly because this official banquet was of great significance. If she still refused to show her true face, it would inevitably cause controversy.

However, the moment she appeared, the air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment.

Whether it was the sentries on guard duty, the seemingly ordinary constables, or even the government officials who came to greet them after receiving the news, they all involuntarily lost their composure for a moment when they saw Xu Zhiwei's face.

The name of the goddess doctor had already spread throughout the city, and everyone was naturally curious as to why Xu Zhiwei always wore a veil. There were all sorts of rumors circulating, and now they suddenly realized that if ordinary patients saw her face, they would probably lose all interest in seeing a doctor.

After a moment, Wang Gui, the clerk of the government office, calmed himself down and stepped forward with a smile, saying, "The presence of Physician Xu is an honor to Yingyuan! This way, please!" Xu Zhiwei nodded slightly, his demeanor dignified.

She voluntarily handed over the apricot-yellow medicine box she carried with her to the constables for inspection, and her cooperative attitude surprised Wang Gui and the others.

After everything was settled, Xu Zhiwei and several people from Jimintang stepped into the Yingyuan Garden and went to a beautifully decorated living room to have tea and rest.

Before long, a maid entered the hall and went straight to Xu Zhiwei, bowing and saying, "Mr. Xu, my young lady invites you in. Would you mind if we moved in for a chat?"

Xu Zhiwei calmly looked at Yun'er, then turned to Li Cong and the others to give them some instructions, before saying to Yun'er, "Please lead the way."

Yun'er then led Xu Zhiwei to an elegant pavilion not far away.

"Sister Xu!"

Shen Qingluan's enthusiastic voice came over.

Xu Zhiwei twitched the corners of her mouth, revealing a faint smile.

The elegant pavilion overlooks the water, and several plum trees outside the window are in full bloom, their clear fragrance permeating the air on the slightly chilly breeze.

"Sister Xu, please have a seat."

Shen Qingluan personally poured tea for Xu Zhiwei and said with a smile, "After the snow, the sun shines brightly, and the plum blossoms are cold in the water. Sister's elegant and aloof appearance is even more beautiful than the plum blossoms in the snow. When you show your true face today, you will surely amaze everyone."

Xu Zhiwei picked up the teacup to warm her hands, her cool gaze sweeping over Shen Qingluan's face, and said frankly, "Sister is joking again. Today's grand gathering is full of celebrities, why would they pay attention to a quack doctor like me?"

When Shen Qingluan heard her teasing her, she felt a little strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She just felt that Xu Zhiwei seemed a little different today.

"what happened?"

Xu Zhiwei asked curiously.

Shen Qingluan shook her head slightly, then changed the subject, asking, "Did you bring your medicine chest today, sister?"

"I brought it, but it's not really necessary; it's just a habit."

Xu Zhiwei's eyes flickered slightly, and she said softly, "Shadow Garden is heavily guarded today, practically immune to all poisons, so why would we need medicine?"

Shen Qingluan gazed at Xu Zhiwei, then suddenly chuckled softly, a hint of girlish cunning in her voice, yet unable to conceal her heaviness: "Sister, you are mistaken. People only think that Yingyuan is full of distinguished guests and officials today, so it is naturally impregnable. But I often hear my father sigh that the calmer things are in the world, the more turbulent the undercurrents are."

Xu Zhiwei's fingers tightened slightly as she held the teacup.

The warmth emanated from the cup, yet she felt a chill creeping up her fingertips.

Shen Qingluan seemed to be hinting, but not explicitly. If she reacted too strongly, it would seem like she was trying to cover something up, so she pretended to be puzzled and said, "Really? Could it be that someone is coming to cause trouble today?"

"I do not know either."

Shen Qingluan took a sip of tea and sighed, "If there really are thieves, they are most likely the ones who escaped the net in the Lianghuai Salt Case. Sister Xu, why are there always such unreasonable people in this world? Although Brother Xue did not show any mercy, in the end, it was because they preyed on the people first, and they deserved their fate."

Xu Zhiwei secretly harbored resentment.

Xue Huai's attitude is still unclear, but the girl in front of him has clearly begun to have doubts about some things.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhiwei nodded and said, "Sister, don't worry. Lord Xue is a man of integrity, and no petty person can harm him."

"Ok!"

Shen Qingluan nodded emphatically, and the two then changed the subject to talk about some private matters between young women.

At the end of the 9-11 PM, Yun'er went inside to announce that all the guests had arrived and the grand banquet was about to begin, and asked them to go immediately.

Shen Qingluan smiled and said, "Sister Xu, shall we go over there?"

Xu Zhiwei responded and stood up to walk hand in hand with Shen Qingluan.

Her face remained aloof, but her right hand, hidden in her sleeve, unconsciously clenched tightly, as if she held someone's fate in her grasp.

Shen Qingluan walked lightly, not deliberately looking at Xu Zhiwei beside her, but silently thinking to herself, "Sister Xu, I hope you are not a bad person, otherwise... I cannot forgive you."

(End of this chapter)