North Juxian Square was located in the northern part of the capital, near Chong 'an Gate in the northern part of the city. If they went any further, they would be out of the city. This area was not densely populated, but there were a few large families living here.
The "Yong Kang Alley" that Master Zhong led Qin Yining to was a secluded area near Chong 'an Gate. There were no large residences in the area, only some ordinary people. Deep in the alley, there was a large black door. Outside the door, there were two idlers squatting on the ground and chatting idly.
When the carriage passed by, the sound of the carriage's wheels alerted the two large men. They turned around to look, scaring Qin Yining so much that he quickly closed the gap between the curtains.
"What vigilant people."
"That's right. The people I arranged were smart and didn't get discovered. These two men must be the ones guarding the alley. " Master Zhong pointed to a few places outside, "The people strolling around here are most likely their people. Although this residence looks small, it's a second-year residence. It can easily house a hundred or eighty people. "
Qin Yining nodded, "This place is indeed strange. Is this the only exit? Are there any other exits? "
"Master, I ordered people to investigate. This residence only has two entrances. There is also a dog hole on the side street. There is no other exit."
"Mm."
Qin Yining nodded slightly. As they spoke, the carriage had already passed through this place. The carriage driver hesitated and slowed down, not knowing if he should turn around.
Qin Yining said, "Don't look back. Go straight ahead. Take a few more detours and go to the back of the residence to take a look."
Hearing this, the coachman nodded and continued forward.
The idlers guarding the alley and the men on both sides of the road noticed the carriage. When they saw that the carriage had gone far away, they let down their guard and thought that they were just passersby.
Qin Yining frowned and fell into deep thought.
This place was indeed unusual. Based on the stature of the guards and Master Zhong's investigation, it was clear that the residence was inhabited by Tatan people.
However, this was the capital after all, right under the Emperor's nose. In addition, the capital's defenses were tight. How could no one have discovered that the Tatan were entrenched here?
What's more, the Northern City Command Department of the Warden Office of the Five Cities was in the Northern City Juxian Square, and the Water Dragon Bureau of the Northern City was also here. These two were official government offices of the imperial court. If the Tatan Spies really lived here, would they choose a place that was close to the Northern City Command Department and the Water Dragon Bureau? Wouldn't that be exposing himself?
However, Qin Yining saw that the people in the house were indeed Tatan people.
The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he felt.
At this time, the carriage had already made a long detour and returned to the back door of the house.
The back wall of this house was obviously higher than the houses on both sides. Sure enough, there was a back door, but unlike the front door, there wasn't a man guarding it. Perhaps they were following the example of the neighbors, but there wasn't anyone guarding the back door. If they had sent someone to guard the door, it would be obvious that they were hiding something.
"This house looks like an ordinary house, but the defenses are as tight as an iron bucket. It's impossible to investigate." Master Zhong sighed and said, "I originally wanted to send someone to investigate, but I was afraid of alerting the enemy. It's not good to expose ourselves before we succeed."
Qin Yining nodded and said, "Indeed, it's impossible to forcefully investigate this place. Think about it, this house is so close to the government office. The Warden Office of the Five Cities is responsible for patrolling the city every day. How could they not know? If they knew and still allowed it, then there must be a deeper meaning. "
Master Zhong was a smart person. Before Qin Yining said half a sentence, he understood and his expression became serious.
"If that's the case, it's really not easy to investigate directly."
Qin Yining nodded.
For a moment, Qin Yining wanted to give up on investigating this matter.
In any case, the Tatan had assassinated the Emperor. The Emperor would naturally send elites to investigate.
But with the clues in hand, if he didn't continue to investigate, it was hard to guarantee that there wouldn't be more trouble in the future.
The Tatan could assassinate Duchess Ding, her, and her father. Things wouldn't be so simple. Moreover, these people were still hiding in the capital and hadn't left. It meant that they had other missions. It was hard to guarantee that it wouldn't be the next assassination against her family.
Thinking of this, Qin Yining gave up on the idea of retreating.
Looking up, he happened to see a group of patrolling people from the Warden Office of the Five Cities passing by. Qin Yining recognized the leader. It was Xu Mao, the commander of the East City of the Five Cities' Warden Office.
Although Qin Yining wondered why Xu Mao would bring people to patrol the North City, he didn't think too much about it. Instead, he took the opportunity to stop the carriage, lifted the curtain, and gave a few instructions to Bing Tang.
Bing Tang immediately understood and jumped down from the shaft of the carriage to go to Xu Mao.
Master Zhong didn't understand and looked at Qin Yining questioningly.
Qin Yining carefully observed Xu Mao's reaction.
Not long after, Xu Mao followed Bing Tang to the front of the carriage.
Qin Yining didn't act arrogantly. He lifted the curtain and nodded to Xu Mao. "Lord Xu, long time no see."
"So it's Miss Qin." Xu Mao's attitude towards Qin Yining was much more respectful than before. It was clear that Qin Huaiyuan's status was high after he was awarded the Marquis title for facilitating the peace talks.
Qin Yining smiled and said, "Lord Xu, I'm sorry to have offended you so abruptly."
"Don't mention it. If Miss Qin has any orders, please don't hesitate to tell me."
Qin Yining said, "Just now, I was passing by this place with my servant and accidentally dropped a gold bracelet inlaid with jade. The jade on the bracelet is of high quality and is worth a lot of money. I saw a tall man pick it up with my own eyes. My servant called out to him, but he ran like he was flying and entered this house with my bracelet."
Qin Yining pointed to the courtyard where the Tatan people lived. "So, I would like to trouble you to help me find the bracelet."
When Xu Mao heard that Qin Yining was asking him to help her find the bracelet, he felt a wave of disdain in his heart. As expected of a woman, she only knew about trivial matters.
However, when he heard that the bracelet had been picked up by a man and that man had entered this house, his expression became serious.
After thinking about it, Xu Mao smiled and said, "Miss Qin losing a bracelet is not a big deal. If you really like the bracelet, I'll buy one for you as compensation. However, this lowly official cannot search that residence. Not to mention Miss's one-sided statement, even if there is other evidence, this lowly official does not have the right to search. "
When Qin Yining heard this, she said arrogantly, "But I clearly saw someone in that house pick up my bracelet. That bracelet is very valuable. Is Lord Xu still not willing to help me? "
Xu Mao became impatient. "It's not that I don't want to help, but Cao Guo Zhang personally told me that the people living here are all important people and cannot be easily touched. I advise Miss Qin to behave."
When Qin Yining heard Cao Guo Zhang's name, her heart skipped a beat. The arrogance on her face was replaced by fear. She said embarrassedly, "Forget it. It's just a gold bracelet. It's not a big deal."
When Xu Mao saw that Qin Yining was tactful and did not make a fuss about her gold bracelet, he breathed a sigh of relief. He cupped his hands and continued to patrol.
Qin Yining lowered the carriage's curtain and urged the others to leave quickly. They returned directly to Cloud Treading Inn.
Master Zhong and Qin Yining sat down in the main room. Qin Yining ordered Ji Yun and Bing Tang to stand guard outside. They could not allow anyone to come close and eavesdrop on their conversation.
When only the two of them were left in the room, Master Zhong asked worriedly, "Boss, do you still want to continue investigating?"
"Yes. Since these people have tried to assassinate us twice, it's hard to guarantee that there won't be a third or fourth time. How can I leave such a hidden danger behind? "
Master Zhong nodded and said in agreement, "However, it's not easy to get rid of them. It's impossible to investigate them even if we want to."
Qin Yining also felt that it was difficult.
If they captured one person for interrogation, it wouldn't be difficult to capture that person. However, they didn't know if that person would commit suicide to prevent them from being interrogated. The consequences of alerting the enemy were not small. It would affect their future plans.
What if he told his father about this?
After all, his father was an official in the imperial court. There were many things that he couldn't do by himself. Moreover, if Qin Huaiyuan found out about this matter, the most likely thing he would do would be to report it directly to the Emperor and have the Emperor investigate. This place was also under the care of Cao Guozhang. The relationship was very complicated. It was unknown how the incapable emperor would deal with it. Without any evidence, his father might even be bitten back.
He would definitely tell his father, but that would only happen after he had solid evidence that these people were Tatan Spies. Otherwise, it would only be suspicion. It wouldn't be convincing. It would also make people suspect that his father was stirring up trouble.
Thinking of this, Qin Yining's expression became serious.
After thinking for a moment, Qin Yining suddenly asked, "Master Zhong, do we have people in the Water Dragon Bureau?"
The Water Dragon Bureau was linked to the Military Department of the Five Cities. It was responsible for fighting fires in the city.
Master Zhong seemed to understand something. His eyes lit up as he looked at Qin Yining, "There is indeed a brother who collects night incense in the Water Dragon Bureau."
Qin Yining was surprised when he heard this. Then, he laughed, "Collecting night incense is good. The Zhao Yun Bureau is really full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. They have a wide network. How about this, I'll have to trouble Master Zhong to find this brother and prepare three hundred taels of silver. After this matter is done, he won't need to collect night incense anymore. He can take the money and retire. "
Master Zhong nodded, "What arrangements does Boss have?"
Qin Yining then asked Manager Zhong to come closer and whispered the plan to him.
Master Zhong nodded repeatedly as he listened. Finally, he said with emotion, "It's true that the voice of a young phoenix is clearer than that of an old phoenix. Boss is indeed the daughter of the 'Wise Pan An'. In terms of scheming, this old man admires you."
Qin Yining blushed from the praise. He said, "Head Shopkeeper, please don't say that. Everything I do depends on your help. It is my fortune that you are willing to help."
"What are you saying? If it weren't for Boss, who knows what would happen to my entire family. This old man will naturally listen to Boss's orders. Young Lady, please don't worry. Just wait for a good show. "
"Then I'll have to trouble Master Zhong to make arrangements. When the time comes, I'm afraid I won't be able to be there. I'll have to trouble Master Zhong to do everything according to my instructions."
Master Zhong smiled and replied, "Boss, please don't worry. This old man is very familiar with this kind of matter. "
Qin Yining nodded and returned to the fu, relieved.
In the following two days, there was no news from the outside. The Sun Clan's health gradually improved.
Two days later, just as he woke up in the morning, Master Zhong sent a letter asking Qin Yining to check the accounts.
Qin Yining hurriedly returned to the Sun Clan. He brought Bing Tang, Song Lan, and Ji Yun to Master Zhong's home.
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