"Reporting to Your Lordship and Young Miss, this lowly one went to Wangji Tower in the morning to deliver the money. After that, I kept an eye on the area nearby and saw Miss Yu, who has been living in the estate recently, come out from the back door in a sedan chair. She went to the south of the city and entered a small courtyard on a street called Huixing Street. She stayed for a short while before leaving. This lowly one watched Miss Yu leave and asked this lowly one to report back."
Ji Huaishan and Ji Xingxuan sat in the tea room in the front courtyard, listening to the reports of the servants they had sent out that morning. Ji Xingxuan thought for a moment, then asked, "Did you see her interacting with anyone else, or did she take anything?"
"I didn't see anyone else. The door of the small courtyard was also locked. Oh, that's right, she seemed to be carrying a food box. It was there when she went in, but it was gone when she came out.
Ji Xingxuan's eyes flashed and she turned to Ji Huaishan and said, "Grandfather, this matter is strange. I did see Yu Shu and the Daozi in the portrait when I was at the Strange Cloud Temple in the south of the city. I can't be wrong. Moreover, I asked someone to inquire about her neighbors. When Yu Shu lived on Huixing Street, there were four people living under the same roof. After Xia Jiangmin left, there were three more. Not counting the two siblings, the remaining one must be the Daozi that the emperor is looking for."
Waving his hand to dismiss the servant, Ji Huaishan frowned, "From the information I learned from the Celestial Commissioner, the Daozi doesn't seem to know his identity, so he entered the capital and didn't return. That lass probably doesn't know who he is, so she hasn't returned until now. This is her good luck. She can always make friends with a few noble people."
Ji Xingxuan lowered her eyelids and gently rubbed a copper coin with her fingers. She said, "She is indeed quite fated with noble people. First, it was Daozi Qing Zheng, then the eldest son of the Xue family, and now she is friends with the Daozi. Who would have thought that a concubine in the third uncle's branch would have such good luck? She is malicious to our Ji family, so we can't recruit her. Instead, she becomes a thorn in our side."
Ji Huaishan narrowed his eyes and a cold expression flashed across his face. His white beard trembled and he slowly said, "Today, the Celestial Commissioner just posted a notice, but it hasn't spread in a few places in the north of the city. Presumably, she still doesn't know. Finding the Daozi is a meritorious deed. If that girl takes advantage of him, then our Ji family won't have anything to do with it. Looking at the situation, this Daozi has a close friendship with her. If he really returns to the imperial court, she will have one more person to rely on. No matter what, this is not appropriate. Xingxuan, in your opinion, what should we do about this matter? "
Ji Xingxuan pondered with rapt attention. A moment later, she raised her head and said, "We still can't determine where the Daozi is right now. If we rashly go looking for him, we may end up making a fool of ourselves by trying to be clever and end up becoming enemies with the Daozi. In grandson's opinion, rather than chasing after the merit, it is better to seize the first opportunity. Yu Shu doesn't know that I have seen the Daozi, so she is defenseless. Even if she sees the notice, she won't be able to report it. Grandfather will hurry over to the Celestial Commissioner and report to the Junior Supervisor. There is no need to mention the Daozi's whereabouts. As long as we mention Yu Shu's name and make people think that she is hiding the Daozi, the Junior Supervisor will naturally send people to arrest her. Regardless of whether she confesses the Daozi's whereabouts or not, she will be accused of having ulterior motives. Grandfather, you also said that the Daozi is a member of the imperial family. This time, he suddenly returned to the capital. There is no telling how many secrets are hidden. The imperial family is also very suspicious. Even if she has a mouth, she won't be able to explain herself. How can she find the Daozi's meritorious deed? On the contrary, grandfather will be in a good position in front of the Junior Supervisor. "
Ji Huaishan's face suddenly brightened. When he smiled, more than ten wrinkles appeared on his eyes. "Rather than chasing after the merit, it is better to seize the first opportunity. Xuan 'er's plan is very clever."
Ji Xingxuan sighed softly and squeezed the copper coins in her sleeves. Her expression was indifferent. "It is not that I have the intention to scheme against her. In reality, she and our Ji family are not on good terms. We cannot let her be."
When Ji Huaishan heard her talking to herself, he only glanced at her for a moment before calling for the steward to prepare a carriage. He also ordered people to keep an eye on Yu Shu's movements and report to him at any time. He then hurried over to the Celestial Commissioner's residence.
Zhao Hui's residence was in the east of the city. In order to save time, the two sedan bearers chose a small path along the way to Zhao Hui's house.
Yu Shu's back was aching as she got off the sedan chair. She took out a piece of silver and asked someone to wait at the door. She then went forward to knock on the door.
The person who answered the door was Shen Ma, who was collecting blankets in the front yard. When she saw that it was Yu Shu, she quickly let her in.
As soon as Yu Shu entered the door, she asked, "Shen Ma, is my godfather at home right now?"
Shen Ma replied, "Master went out this morning and hasn't returned yet. Madam and Young Master are in the back yard. They were talking about you during lunch. They said that they would come yesterday, but you didn't. They must be happy to see you now. Come in quickly."
Yu Shu's main purpose was to find He Fangzhi to ask about Jing Chen's amnesia. When she heard that he wasn't at home, she wanted to go inside and greet Zhao Hui before going to find He Fangzhi.
When she arrived at the back yard, Shen Ma lifted the curtain. When Yu Shu entered, she saw that the room was warmly lit. The window was open, and Zhao Hui was sitting on a short couch with her legs curled up. There was an embroidery basket on her knees, and she was holding baby toys in her hands. There was a smile at the corner of her mouth. Yu Xiaoxiu was lying on a short table by her feet, seriously writing. The little maid, Yun Dou, was raising a needle and threading it. The scene was calm and peaceful, and it touched a corner of her heart called home.
"Mother, Xiaoxiu." Yu Shu called out, her voice unconsciously becoming gentle.
Zhao Hui raised her head and saw Yu Shu standing at the door. She hurriedly put down the little shoes and socks in her hands and waved at her with a smile. "Why are you back now? Come and sit."
"Sister!" Yu Xiaoxiu put down the brush and moved in front of Yu Shu. He reached out and pulled her. "Yesterday, I waited for you until evening, but you didn't come to pick me up. Later, someone came and said that you had something to do. What's the matter?"
"Oh, Mother's body wasn't feeling well yesterday. I didn't come because I saw that she wasn't feeling well." Yu Shu casually found an excuse. She touched Yu Xiaoxiu's head and stood at the door without moving. She said to Zhao Hui, "Last night, I caught a cold and have some symptoms. I don't want my illness to spread to you, so I won't go in. Where's Father? I have some matters to discuss with him."
"Your godfather didn't come back from the medical center." Zhao Hui frowned and said worriedly, "How did you catch a cold? You didn't take care of your body, and your voice is so hoarse. Where else is she feeling unwell? Yun Dou, take out a cloak and put it on for her. "
"It's not a big deal. My throat just hurts. I'll go find godfather later, and he can take a look at me."
Yu Shu obediently took the cloak from the maid and put it on. She said that she was going to leave. Zhao Hui didn't stop her and asked Yu Xiaoxiu to send her to the door.
The siblings stood under the eaves and talked, "Xiaoxiu, you have to go to school at the Academy tomorrow. I may not be able to leave these two days. If I'm free tomorrow, I'll pick you up in the morning and we'll meet Academician Song together. If not, you can go by yourself first, okay?"
Yu Xiaoxiu nodded sensibly and told her to take care of her body. He looked at her reluctantly as she got into the sedan chair and left.
He went back to his room and wrote a few more words. Then he heard Mother Shen come in to report that "Young Master Cao" had come to look for him. It was inconvenient for Zhao Hui to receive guests, so she asked Yu Xiaoxiu to go to the front to see what was going on.
As soon as Yu Xiaoxiu arrived at the front yard, he saw Xue Rui standing in the living room with his hands behind his back, pacing back and forth. His embroidered clothes and jade crown were out of place in this simple room.
"Brother Xue, why are you here?"
Xue Rui turned around and looked at Yu Xiaoxiu, asking, "Did your sister come here just now?"
"Yes, she came and then left."
Xue Rui asked, "Did she say where she went?"
Yu Xiaoxiu answered honestly, "Oh, she said she went to the medical center to see Uncle He. She's not feeling well."
After finding out where Yu Shu went and the location of the medical center, Xue Rui said goodbye to Yu Xiaoxiu and left in a hurry.
In the morning, he saw the notice in the north of the city and recognized that the person in the portrait was Jing Chen. He first went back to the mansion to see Xue Lingnan and asked about the situation. He didn't rest for long before he went back to Wang Ji Lou to find Yu Shu. He wanted to discuss Jing Chen with her, but he didn't expect to come back empty-handed.
He thought she went back to the Ji family, so he went to the Right Magistrate's Mansion and ordered the servants to ask around. Yu Shu didn't come back and finally found this place.
Originally, Xue Rui wouldn't be in such a hurry to find her. However, before the New Year, Jing Chen suddenly disappeared and Yu Shu went out to find him in the snow. When she was unconscious in bed, he heard from Zhao Hui that Jing Chen was murdered and lost his memory.
In this way, the matter became serious. Jing Chen was the descendant of Yun Hua Yi and the princess. He was a member of the imperial family and was the Daozi that the emperor ordered to find. If something happened to him, it would inevitably involve Yu Shu.
Moreover, there were many people who had seen Jing Chen. It was hard to guarantee that no one in the know would see the Celestial Commissioner's notice and think of him. From there, they could trace it back to Yu Shu.
It would be fine if she could find the Daozi, but if Yu Shu didn't know the whereabouts of Jing Chen, then she would be in trouble. Separated by Qianyuan Avenue, the news of the Daozi entering the world had not spread to the south of the city. When Yu Shu found He Fangzhi in Huairen Medical Hall, Doctor He was busy setting the bones of a patient who had broken his leg. The small consultation room was crowded with people who wanted to watch the show, and the sound of the family members crying could be heard.
Huairen Medical Hall also opened yesterday. Because it happened to be the opening day of Wangji Building, Yu Shu couldn't be there. However, on the fourteenth day, she had already congratulated He Fangzhi and sent two pots of asparagus asparagus as a congratulatory gift. They were placed in the medical hall to match the feng shui. She saw them the moment she entered the door.
He Fangzhi couldn't leave for a while, so Yu Shu could only wait outside. The shopkeeper recognized her and knew that she was the boss's daughter, so he hurriedly let her sit inside the counter. Taking advantage of the chaos, he poured her a cup of tea and asked her to sit and wait.
Who knew that she would wait for more than half an hour. The sun set and the people who were watching the show dispersed. He Fangzhi wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and walked out of the inner hall, panting.
Seeing that he was so tired, Yu Shu quickly got up, handed him a cup of tea, and gave him a seat.
After He Fangzhi recovered, he waved at her, "What's wrong with you? You don't look well. Is it a cold or a fever? Come here and let me have a look."
Yu Shu leaned against the counter, stretched out her wrist to him, and asked, "Godfather, can I ask you something?"
He Fangzhi put his fingers on her pulse, closed his eyes and said, "What?"
Yu Shu was about to ask him about the prescription Jing Chen took last time when she suddenly heard a commotion in front of the medical hall. She turned her head and saw that several horses stopped outside the door. Seven or eight officials in jujube clothes with machetes on their waists dismounted and rushed in aggressively. The leader was a middle-aged man with a pair of thick eyebrows. Next to him was a servant wearing a cloth hat. The two stood in front of the door and said, "Is it here?"
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