Although Danzhou City and the old capital were large cities of similar scale, Danzhou City's geographical location allowed it to avoid being trampled by iron hooves during the war between the two countries. Unlike the old capital, which had been baptized by the flames of war, famine, and earthquake, Danzhou City had always retained its former appearance.
At this time, the streets of Danzhou City were as bustling as those of the capital. Walking through the bluestone paved alleys, all one could see were whitewashed walls, black tiles, and tall eaves. Even the hawkers' voices were filled with the charm of a hometown. It was as if life had suddenly become less rushed here, and even the people had become elegant.
Qin Yining held onto Pang Xiao's arm, vividly imitating a beautiful concubine trying to curry favor with her master. She acted coquettishly all the way, using her soft body to rub against him intentionally or unintentionally. As she walked, her silk cloak fluttered gently, and her fragrance wafted in the air.
She was born with such an appearance, and she had deliberately dressed up. She even purposely acted flirtatiously to attract attention. The pedestrians and hawkers on the street all stopped to stare at the outstanding couple with their mouths agape. Even the women couldn't help but take a few more glances.
"Young Master, I've taken a fancy to that pair of prawn whisker bracelets."
"If you give me a whiff, not to mention a pair of prawn whisker bracelets, I'll even give you a whole set of ruby noodles, hmm?"
"You're so bad."
The beauty said "bad," but she still snuggled up to the richly dressed rich young master.
Everyone was speechless. There were also some women who spat at Qin Yining's back. There was also an unmarried woman wearing a veil hat who stopped and looked in Pang Xiao's direction. However, after seeing his crude and vulgar behavior, no matter how handsome he was, he would still be annoying if he wasn't likable.
The two of them brought their two maidservants and Huzi through the city ostentatiously. Qin Yining bought a lot of rouge and hair ornaments, as well as many new rulers. She even bought small tigers, rattles, and exquisite pinwheels for children.
"Let's take the ruler back home to tailor clothes for our family. We can't miss out on gifts for the children." After lunch, the group of people had already arrived at the lakeside of Biqing Lake. They boarded the two-story pleasure boat that they had just bought.
Qin Yining rubbed his sore calves and said, "Let's rest on the pleasure boat in the afternoon. I think the scenery here is very good. There are singers on the other pleasure boats as well. It's not bad to listen to them."
"How fresh is that? Do we need to listen to other people's songs? We invited them ourselves, but they only arrived in the afternoon, "Pang Xiao said with a smile." Since we're here to show off, how can we lack these extravagant things? "
Qin Yining found a comfortable angle on the chaise lounge and sighed comfortably. "Flaunting my wealth is tiring. I'm not afraid of going out, but I still have to act outside. It's too tiring. So it's true that every trade has its own master. Those who specialize in swindling people don't have it easy either. "
"Of course. Nothing is easy in this world," Pang Xiao dragged a small stool and sat beside Qin Yining. His large hands massaged her legs and feet.
Qin Yining turned over and lay on his side. "Hey, have you arranged for people to scout out the situation in the city? What are the Lu family's plans for this place? Danzhou is a big city after all, and it hasn't been baptized by the flames of war. I suspect that the Lu family has a hand in most of the businesses here. "
"I've already arranged for people to scout." Pang Xiao said in a low voice as he massaged Qin Yining. "While we're waiting for news, let's do our best to show off. It's best if everyone in Danzhou City knows that a rich young master has come to Danzhou, and that he's the kind who loves to show off."
"Okay." Qin Yining's eyes sparkled. His expression was eager to give it a try.
"It seems that you enjoy playing the role of a concubine?"
Qin Yining only looked at Pang Xiao with a gentle smile. Pang Xiao's heart thumped.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Qin Yining shook his head and said softly, "I don't enjoy playing the role of a concubine. It's just that the two of us rarely have the chance to be together like this. I feel that it's very interesting to go out with you and watch you spend money like this. "
Pang Xiao's heart almost melted.
He understood that Sister Yi liked to be with him. Whether it was pretending to be a concubine or something else, as long as she was with him, she liked it very much.
How could she be so soft and obedient?
"Good Sister Yi, you're the best." Pang Xiao didn't care about anything else and hugged Qin Yining in his arms like he was hugging a child.
Bing Tang and Ji Yun, who were waiting on the side, blushed. They tactfully retreated and dismissed all the guards on this floor.
The two of them chatted and laughed in the room for the entire afternoon. They really cherished the opportunity in front of them. It was as if they had specially gone out to play. They didn't want to waste this good time.
In the next few days, Qin Yining and Pang Xiao continued to play in Danzhou City and a few famous scenic spots around it. Danzhou was near the water. The two of them mostly went by pleasure boat. They saw the lake and the mountains along the way. The breeze brushed past their faces. What entered their eyes was the vast expanse of scenery. It was as if even the depression in their hearts had dissipated.
Soon, the Spies arranged by Pang Xiao brought back the information they had found.
"If you didn't look carefully, you wouldn't know. Half of the businesses here, big or small, are owned by the Lu family. There's also a large Lu family mansion here. It seems to be a side branch close to the main family. Master Lu is the uncle of the current head of the Lu family.
"There's also another piece of information. The local county magistrate has a close relationship with the Lu family. The county magistrate's daughter-in-law is a daughter of the Lu family."
Qin Yining and Pang Xiao looked at each other when they heard this.
"So, the Lu family has basically become the sole authority here. Whether it's the imperial court or the business world, the Lu family has their own connections?"
"Exactly." The Spies said, "Therefore, it's almost impossible to find out who's in charge of the Lu family and Guangtong. First of all, the Lu family has people in charge in all aspects. It's impossible to know who they'll arrange. Also, with the Lu family's ability, they might not even care about Guangtong at all. "
Pang Xiao nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work." He let his subordinate rest.
Qin Yining was wearing a lined jacket. He tilted his head and looked at the river outside the Ru Yi window. He said leisurely, "This situation is not far from what I expected. Not to mention a small Guangtong, even if the Qiu family really showed up, people who haven't been to Jianchuan personally wouldn't know what kind of colossus the Qiu family is. Why would they pay attention to this' small business' of selling officials and titles?"
Even if it was a big deal, it would become normal if it was done frequently and not caught.
Qin Yining couldn't help but think of Lu Heng.
When she returned to the capital, Lu Heng had specially come to visit her. She understood his feelings for her. He probably also understood her rejection of him. Therefore, Lu Heng never appeared again.
Qin Yining couldn't help but wonder if Lu Heng knew that the Lu family was doing this kind of business.
But when he thought about it, if Lu Heng didn't do anything, how could he influence the court's personnel? Therefore, Lu Heng should know about this.
"Now I know what the Lu family is relying on to make money. This kind of business is very profitable for the Lu family. "Pang Xiao sat down next to Qin Yining. He took a candied fruit from the table and fed it to her.
Qin Yining opened her mouth and ate it. A bump appeared on her cheek. She blinked and signaled for Pang Xiao to continue.
Pang Xiao couldn't help but touch her cheek. He said with a smile, "Think about it. The most important thing to be an official is to have connections in the court. That's why there are small groups in the court. It's normal for people of the same faction to support and use each other.
"This time, the Qiu family bought an official. Even if they chose one of their own to be an official, after a long time, this person will gradually become part of the Lu family's faction. This is inevitable.
"By selling this official position, the Lu family will not only make a lot of money, but also establish their own connections in the court. This is a good business that kills two birds with one stone. This is the only time they do this. After a long time, there will be more people in the court and more money in their hands. It's no wonder that the Lu family has become such a huge entity. "
Qin Yining nodded. "That's the reason. In my opinion, people are too greedy for money. They can use any method. But if this goes on for a long time, it'll be difficult for them to not cause trouble. "
"Yes. If you want to gain both fame and fortune, you have to pay a lot and take a lot of risks."
Qin Yining looked at the river outside the boat and said, "We've been here for so many days, but we still don't have a clue. It's less than a month before the two families make the deal. Will we be too late?"
Pang Xiao stroked Qin Yining's loose hair and said with a smile, "If we observe carefully, we'll be able to find a breakthrough. In the worst case, even if they succeed in making the deal, we still have other methods."
Qin Yining thought for a moment and smiled in relief. "You're right. I'm too nervous."
"Don't be nervous. Just think of it as a vacation. Business is secondary. "
If Teacher Xu and Teacher Xie heard this, wouldn't they be very angry?
However, Qin Yining was influenced by Pang Xiao's carefree attitude and was no longer as nervous.
Another day passed. There was still no clue as to who the Lu family was going to be in charge of this deal.
But something big happened in Danzhou City that everyone knew about.
Lu Zheng, the eldest young master of the Lu family in Danzhou City, sold the fiancée of his follower, who grew up with him and was as close as a brother, to Cuixiang Pavilion. This "fiancée" who was sold was also a first-class servant girl in the Lu family. No one knew what she had done wrong.
Cuixiang Pavilion's name was enough to know what kind of place it was.
Normally, a large family like the Lu family would find a slave trader to deal with a servant who had done something wrong. They would never sell a servant girl to a brothel like this. Moreover, this servant girl who was sold was the fiancée of the eldest young master's closest follower.
Qin Yining sat next to Pang Xiao on the second floor of the teahouse by the window. He could still hear people discussing this matter in low voices.
Pang Xiao whispered to Huzi behind him, "This is interesting. Go investigate what kind of servant girl was sold and how close the eldest young master's follower was. "
"Yes." Huzi answered and quickly went downstairs.
Qin Yining smiled and said, "If this matter is handled well, we can still make use of it."
"Yes. It wasn't easy to find a breakthrough like this."
Huzi went to investigate quickly. By the time Qin Yining and Pang Xiao returned to the pleasure boat, Huzi had already returned.
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