Not long after noon, Hongze Lake was shrouded in dark clouds. In the wind and rain, waves lapped against the shore. In the gray curtain of rain, the big ship carrying the birthday program and the few ships surrounding it were faintly visible on the shore.
At the same time, Xuyi was also immersed in a leaden curtain of rain. The rain was not too heavy, but since it had been continuously raining since last night, it did not feel like it was summer. Due to the continuous rain for nearly a day, the streets of the county had also been filled with muddy water, making it extremely dirty. However, for the people who lived here, they had already adapted to this kind of environment, so it was not that unbearable.
When the carriage drove out of the dock, Ning Yi was lifting the curtain and looking outside. Lunch time had passed, and their current destination was to go to the West Court to relax. There were also carriages moving in front and behind them, and the one at the back should be Zhuo Yunfeng. Because in his own carriage, Zhou Pei was dressed clumsily as a man. She seemed to be a little careful, but she could not help but desperately talk to him.
Ning Yi did not feel that there was too much need to hide this matter from Zhou Pei. After all, the girl in front of him was completely trustworthy, and his own status was not high enough. When doing things, he could use the tiger's skin as a flag. It was also a good thing to have a little princess on his side. However, when Zhou Pei woke up, it was already close to noon. After some information came back, he met up with Wenren Bu 'Er, the Qi brothers, and even Su Wenyu and the others who worked with him to discuss the development of the matter.
Under such circumstances, Zhou Pei followed by his side, and from some of the conversation fragments, she found some clues. She knew that Ning Yi had planned to go to the West Court in the afternoon, so she simply went to dress up as a man and followed him all the way up. Seeing that Ning Yi was currently unoccupied, she chose to speak and asked about the doubts in her heart.
"… This matter has already been arranged? I don't know how you guys convinced that Deputy General Chen, and also, the things I said in the morning, you guys have already predicted, right? What kind of people are the kidnappers? Are they really planning to kidnap the birthday program? "
She was originally as obedient as a quiet secretary, but now she finally burst out with questions. Ning Yi smiled as he looked at Zhuo Yunfeng's carriage.
"We don't know what happened exactly, but we've done everything we can. For the past two days, I've been discussing with Wenren and the others. If someone really wants to attack the fleet, what's the most likely way to do it? We sorted out a few directions. As you said this morning, the acrobats, singers, and waiters of the restaurants that were recruited into the docks are a mix of good and bad people. They are most likely to be taken advantage of. We did a … relatively systematic investigation to train our people. In the end, we really did find a few suspicious people … "
The girl with the ridiculous scholar hat looked at him and nodded vigorously. She listened with great interest to this kind of intrigue. "So, someone is really interested in the birthday program?"
Ning Yi shook his head. "Someone is monitoring the situation on the ship, but it doesn't mean that they are definitely targeting the birthday program. Maybe it's more convenient for the kidnappers to get ransom, or maybe they have a grudge against some heartless second generation. Even if there is no birthday program on the ship, with so many people going north, there are a lot of other treasures. It's always good to be able to do it. We came up with some ideas, such as letting the docks catch fire and everyone quickly get off the ship. Then, they will think of a way to rob the ship, or they will think of a way to cheat a ship. No matter what, someone has to find out the bottom line. However, if there is really such a person among them, when we tell Deputy General Chen, he will also be afraid. In the end, he will have to cooperate with us … and if he is willing to cooperate with us, this matter will be easy. "
"So, this matter is only confirmed a little bit?" Zhou Pei thought about it and was a little disappointed.
Ning Yi said with a smile, "It's not that easy to be sure. Even if we follow the clues and find the melon, it's not something that can be done in a day or two. However, we have done what we should do to show weakness to the enemy and offer Buddha with borrowed flowers. Next, it's time to see if there are any results. It's best that no one jumps into this pit. If someone does, then everyone is unlucky … "
Something like someone targeting the birthday program or the fleet may be quite interesting in the eyes of the young princess, but for Ning Yi, it was something that he didn't want to complicate. Zhou Pei originally wondered if he went to West Court to look for clues about the kidnapping. After asking a few more questions, she found out that her teacher really didn't care much about this matter and went there to relax. She thought about it for a while and felt that her teacher was really a person who did great things.
Ning Yi had done his best in this matter. There was no need to keep thinking about what should be left in the back of his mind. Instead, it would delay the proper business. Even at this time, in his opinion, the possibility of something happening to the official ship was not high.
However, dozens of miles away, on Hongze Lake under the curtain of rain, a fierce encounter was already in progress.
*****
As for the situation of the battle on Hongze Lake, Ning Yi didn't know until around 5 pm that day. Before that, he had already arrived at West Court. Although it had been raining and the small county was filled with sewage, as one of the best brothels in Xuyi, the environment here seemed to be not much worse than that of Jiangning or Hangzhou.
In a place like a brothel, if one only wanted to satisfy one's desires, some middle-level places could basically meet all the requirements. Further up the ladder, there were trades that were both refined and popular. Poems, songs, and spiritual pleasures were ten times or even a hundred times more expensive than ordinary places. It was like how not many people who went to the Heavenly World simply to find prostitutes to vent. Although it was a thousand years away from the future, as long as one had money, as long as one had it, as long as one had money, as long as one could do and think of enjoyment, there would still be no shortage.
West Court was such a place. The backer behind it was the Xuyi County Magistrate. In the past, it received all kinds of travelers and important people. Only this place could be considered a real place. Top Courtesan Ji Lianhong's singing and dancing skills were good. It was said that in Huai 'an, she would be ranked among the top beauties. However, in the past few days, the level of receiving guests seemed to be a little lacking.
In the final analysis, this time, the people on the boat were either the second generation of officials or the third generation of the emperor. No matter how good Ji Lianhong was, she could only receive one or two people at most. During the day, they would chat and have fun, and at night, they would have to use all their skills to make the other party feel comfortable. She would not be able to keep the atmosphere under control with so many people and keep everyone from going crazy.
Fortunately, this time, when Li Shishi came here, she passed by West Court, and the County Magistrate begged for help. After the news that Li Shishi was here was released, everyone's attention was finally diverted. In the capital, she was able to socialize with many high officials, nobles, and scholars. Moreover, she was a famous courtesan. Many people came to play, so they all pretended to be romantic scholars who were meeting friends, so that they wouldn't cause trouble.
"… I thought you should be very busy, but I didn't expect you to be so free."
The rain poured down, and the water formed a curtain between the eaves outside, almost drowning half of the courtyard. The room was exquisitely decorated, with wooden shelves, antiques, bonsai, screens, bead chains, and seemingly expensive musical instruments. On one side of the room, there was an incense burner, and the faint smoke was enchanting. Ning Yi drank the tea that was brought over, looked at the decoration in the room, and said casually.
"Brother Ning happened to be going north, and Shishi is also on the way. How can I not come to see her first? As for the other things, it's not urgent."
Opposite him was the capital's top courtesan, Li Shishi, who was making tea. After not seeing her for a year, her temperament had become more and more attractive. At this time, she was wearing a dress like a white lotus, her long hair draped over her shoulders, and her head ornament was dark red. Her every movement was pleasing and perfect. She said with a smile, "When I returned to Jiangning last year, I thought when Brother Ning could go to Bianjing, and I must do my best as a host. When I returned, I often talked to Brother Yu, Chen Sifeng, and Brother Chen. This time, we finally made the trip, and maybe we can go north together. That's great. "
Li Shishi had always had a good relationship with her childhood friends, and Yu Ho-chung and Chen Sifeng might not miss Ning Yi, but she still spoke with sincerity. Ning Yi nodded with a smile, "We won't be staying in the capital for too long, but if there's a chance, we must get together."
As the two talked, Zhou Pei, who was sitting at the side and sipping tea, looked around with interest, "Master and Miss Li knew each other before?"
Ning Yi knocked her head, "Attendant, don't interrupt."
"Oh."
Zhou Pei shrank her head and answered. Li Shishi on the other side was very friendly, and said with a smile, "I knew Brother Ning when I was young." Zhou Pei nodded, "Oh, I see."
When they came over, Ning Yi introduced Zhou Pei as an unruly attendant, and Zhou Pei found it quite interesting, so she didn't refute. But in the eyes of people like Li Shishi, her clumsy dress naturally didn't play any role. After a while, Zhou Pei got up and went to the second floor to wander, but in fact, she wanted to see who had come to the other courtyards. When there were only the two of them in the room, Li Shishi smiled, "Looks like a girl with a very high status. Brother Ning brought her to this place, is it okay?"
"One of my students ran away from home, but it's not a big problem."
Li Shishi smiled for a while, poured a cup of tea for Ning Yi, and asked softly, "Brother Ning, why did you come to the capital this time?"
"There are some things." Ning Yi nodded with a smile, "After dealing with it, I will probably go to Shandong."
"Ah? It's not peaceful there … "Li Shishi whispered, but Ning Yi just echoed," Yes. "He didn't say anything more. In fact, Li Shishi was quite interested in what he was going to do in the capital, because most people had to go through all kinds of channels to do what they wanted to do in the capital, and she would most likely be able to help, and she would be happy to help. But since Ning Yi was a tight-lipped person, she didn't ask anymore. She was a little annoyed, but also a little appreciative. If people like Yu Ho-chung or Chen Sifeng were in front of her, they most likely wouldn't be able to hide anything. But sometimes, she also felt that men who couldn't hide their words might not be able to do great things.
After chatting for a while and reminiscing about the old days, she found out that Ning Yi had gone to Hangzhou in the past year, and had most likely experienced a dangerous war. Miss Li thought for a while, then frowned and said, "He just came back from Hangzhou, and he still went to Shandong. Over there … Uh, Brother Ning, don't tell me you want to do business related to the war? Those things … are not easy to do, and it's not worth it … "
After all, she was a knowledgeable person, and she had heard about all kinds of news from all kinds of people. Then, she talked about some interesting news about the Shandong area, and inevitably mentioned Liangshan. "I heard that they have a good reputation, saying that they are enforcing justice on behalf of the heavens. Although it might not be true, it seems that they are more likely to deal with corrupt officials. To be honest, when I was in the capital, I was used to seeing those people with power and status do dirty things. Sometimes, I feel that it might not be a bad thing to have such heroes in the world … "
She smiled slightly, then waved her hand. Her words were quite heroic. Ning Yi smiled and nodded in agreement. He heard her say again, "But even so, if you go there, you still have to be careful. In fact, there are many people in the pugilistic world in the capital. You might as well invite one or two to accompany you. Fan Lou also has these connections … "
Li Shishi was sincere and warm, and it was not a pretense. Ning Yi nodded and thanked her. Then, they talked about traveling together. When the matter of the little Marquis was settled, Li Shishi would probably go north with the fleet. As they were talking, maid Chun Mei appeared under the eaves outside the door. Li Shishi got up and walked over. Chun Mei whispered something in her ear, and subconsciously looked at Ning Yi. In the rain, Ning Yi heard her say, "Master Wang has come to visit."
With Li Shishi's reputation, it was not strange that people would come to see her at any time. However, Li Shishi had previously told Chun Mei to politely decline anyone who came, but Chun Mei still came to report. Obviously, the identity of this "Master Wang" was not ordinary. Li Shishi frowned and said softly, "What's the matter with him?"
"Uh … he said that he wants to … ask Miss for advice on music …"
"Why do I want to see him? Yesterday when I was playing the Chinese harp, he sang that song. Ji Lianhong saw that my expression was not right. So insensible … I'll go and refuse. "
The conversation was a little subtle. Although both of them lowered their voices, Ning Yi could hear them clearly. He finished the tea in his cup and stood up, "If there's something else, I won't bother you anymore. You …" Speaking up to this point, he was slightly stunned, as if he thought of something.
Li Shishi turned around and shook her head, "No, Chun Mei just spread the news …" Before she finished, she saw Ning Yi looking at her with a complicated and cautious expression. Then he smiled and asked, "I heard … last night, there was a young master who sang together with Shishi while playing the Chinese harp. Is that true?"
When he asked this, Chun Mei, who was about to go out, also stopped. Li Shishi smiled and frowned, "Brother Ning also heard about it?"
"Ah, a group of people came back in the middle of the night, making a lot of noise …"
"The person outside is quite outstanding. If Brother Ning wants to get to know him, I can introduce you to him. Although he is quite favored by Miss Ji Lianhong. " Li Shi Shi chuckled, "I heard that Young Master Wang is also coming to the Shangjing. He is outstanding and has a way with words. This time, many people on Big Brother Ning's fleet have already made friends with him and invited him to go to the North with them. Presumably, we will have some dealings with each other in the future … Well, Chun Mei, go and invite him in."
Chun Mei was about to nod, but Ning Yi shook his hand, "No, no need. I'm just curious. I heard that Shishi's skills in the Chinese harp are unparalleled, but I didn't expect someone to be able to match it. That … Young Master Wang, does he really sing well? "
"Although most people praise me too much, that Young Master Wang Xian, Young Master Wang … does sing well." Li Shi Shi nodded in a sincere tone and said with a smile, "I will play it for Big Brother Ning when I have time." As she spoke, she waved at Chun Mei, indicating that she didn't need to invite Young Master Wang in. Chun Mei nodded and went out, looking a little sad. At this time, Zhou Pei's voice sounded from the courtyard, "Teacher, teacher …"
She ran all the way here and was quite surprised. When she reached the door, she said excitedly, "They are fighting, they are fighting, they are really fighting …" Li Shishi thought that there was a fight outside because of jealousy, but she heard Zhou Pei say, "At Hongze Lake, there really were water bandits who robbed the birthday party. Thousands of people were tricked, and now they are scattered and running in all directions. Teacher, how did you do that? I … oh, it's that cousin of yours called Su Yanping who sent the message. Uh, where is he … where did he go … "
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