The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 902 - 880: Clues

Chapter 902: Chapter 880: Clues

After explaining how to organize the account books and seeing that they had all gotten the hang of it, County Magistrate Tang and County Magistrate Yang picked up a pot of tea and sat down by the window, pushing it open to look at the courtyard outside.

The courtyard was lit with lanterns, their dim red light casting a warm glow over the area.

Zhou SiLang was playing cards with Wantian, Mingli, and Daji in the courtyard, with not another servant in sight.

County Magistrate Tang let out a relaxed sigh, "Your place is really better, here we can talk without worrying about a third person overhearing."

"Isn’t it safe at home with your wife managing the inner house so strictly?"

County Magistrate Tang shook his head and sighed, "Huayang County is not like Luojiang County, I’ve been feeling a bit strange lately, perhaps it’s because of the case I am investigating. This year, the Prince of Yizhou’s residence has hosted seven spring banquets, all were poet gatherings calling poets from all over Shu. Lord Zhang was almost always invited to attend."

Yang Heshu sat up a bit, asking, "Were these not held at the prince’s residence?"

County Magistrate Tang shook his head, "No, there were no families involved, they called it a poet gathering, but it looked more like a talent selection banquet, where everyone recited poetry and discussed philosophy. You know Lord Zhang likes his intellectual discussions; I attended twice, and their talks were quite engaging."

Yang Heshu fell silent for a moment, then after a long pause said, "This time when I return to the capital, His Majesty," he lowered his voice, "His Majesty and the Crown Prince’s relationship has become increasingly tense. My father mentioned that His Majesty even spoke of deposing the Crown Prince during a court meeting."

County Magistrate Tang, holding his head in exasperation, asked, "Does the Crown Prince still have no children?"

Yang Heshu shook his head.

The two fell silent, wondering if the recent frequent actions of the Prince of Yizhou were also for this reason?

County Magistrate Tang turned to look at the three children engrossed in their work and said, "Let’s have them sort out the accounts, then we’ll make our own copies to keep. Send the originals back to the capital."

Yang Heshu asked, "To whom?"

After pausing to think, County Magistrate Tang finally said, "To my father."

Yang Heshu nodded, "I have met Lord Wei; he will not ignore this matter if it proves to be true. But my father..."

County Magistrate Tang knew that Lord Yang was always slippery, probably reluctant to get involved in this messy situation. He chuckled and patted his shoulder, "Don’t worry, if you are in the midst, how can Uncle Lord Yang stay out of it?"

Yang Heshu was the only legitimate son at home, and the most outstanding one at that; Lord Yang wouldn’t dare to risk him.

County Magistrate Tang thought about this and smiled, Yang Heshu gave him a sidelong glance, knocked his hand away and said, "When are you going to send your sister-in-law and nephew away? You can’t possibly leave them in Yizhou City."

County Magistrate Tang rubbed his temples, "I need to find an unobtrusive excuse."

Although he was only a minor county magistrate, his distinguished family background meant that any affair in Yizhou City would involve his family, so if his family suddenly left, it would indeed arouse suspicion unless there was a justifiable excuse.

County Magistrate Yang thought for a moment and said, "How about I have Ms. Cui invite your sister-in-law and nephew to stay at our place for a while, then you receive a letter from the capital to call them back?"

County Magistrate Tang replied, "To attend to illness? But my father is well."

His stepmother was too young, not needing any attendance due to illness.

County Magistrate Yang gave a gentle cough and asked, "What about your mother-in-law?"

County Magistrate Tang thought about it seriously, feeling it wasn’t great, but nonetheless nodded, "I’ll go back and discuss it with her."

The two whispered about how to continue their investigation on the case. They had obtained the materials from twelve years ago, but what about twelve years later?

From the account books they had just reviewed, the Prince of Yizhou had been maintaining quite a few private soldiers twelve years ago, starting to mine and forge weapons in secret. After all these years, how many did he have now, where were those soldiers, and where were the weapons?

Had he already given up the idea of rebelling, or was he quietly waiting for the right moment?

These must be investigated.

By the time they discussed all these matters, the bell signaling the third watch had already sounded outside, and Zhou SiLang and his companions had moved from the courtyard to the side room, sitting by the threshold around the stove, guarding it and beginning to feel sleepy.

In the main courtyard, Ms. Cui hadn’t gone to bed either but was waiting for Yang Heshu.

Hongxue handed the lamp she was carrying to a servant and came in whispering, "The light in the study is still on, Young Master Bai and Miss Man haven’t come out yet, it seems they are still busy, Lady, why don’t you rest first?"

Ms. Cui was curious, "What are they busy with?"

Hongxue shook her head, "But I found out that Young Master Shan is now a second-grade student at the government school, and they were called back by the Lord to handle official duties. It should be official business."

Ms. Cui, who understood some governmental affairs, shook her head, "It’s not the time for conscription, nor is there any sudden incident, why would they need to call a few students back to help?"

"However, I don’t think the Lord will come back tonight, he might just rest in the study. Lady, you should rest first, get up early tomorrow, go over and see, or quietly ask Miss Man."

Ms. Cui could only nod.

Shortly after the third bell sounded outside, County Magistrate Yang looked at the three who were now yawning, and said aloud, "Let’s stop here for tonight, we’ll continue tomorrow morning."

Manbao didn’t insist, put down the pen, and stood up, looking at the items laid out on the table, he asked, "What about these items?"

"Just leave them here," Yang Heshu, who was a stickler for cleanliness, had people he absolutely trusted, especially those serving near the study, so he said, "We have Wantian and Mingli watching over them, no need to worry."

County Magistrate Tang then invited Yang Heshu, "Shall we talk by candlelight through the night?"

Yang Heshu nodded, "Yes, I just happen to have some matters to discuss with you."

What needed to be discussed was the most secretive affair, not suitable to speak of in front of the three children.

Manbao and Bai Shan Bai Erlang bade farewell.

Zhou SiLang, yawning, followed behind Daji. Seeing Daji showing no signs of tiredness, he couldn’t help but mutter, "How do you manage not to feel sleepy?"

Daji smiled and remained silent.

Returning to their guest quarters, Manbao went to her own room, with Bai Shan closely following. Seeing this, Bai Erlang also squeezed in, and Zhou SiLang, who was about to turn back to his room to sleep, immediately followed suit and squeezed in too, watching Bai Shan and Bai Erlang with a guarded expression, "Why aren’t you sleeping at this late hour, why are you running to my sister’s room?"

Bai Erlang then looked at Bai Shan, "Why aren’t you sleeping this late, what secrets are you telling her?"

Bai Shan: ...

He thought for a moment, then turned to leave.

But Bai Erlang grabbed him and said, "Got nothing to say, huh? I have something to say. I heard everything about County Magistrate Yang and others talking just now, so there’s actually so much going on here, it turns out the Prince of Yizhou isn’t just embezzling the funds for the river project, he is also plotting a rebellion, why were you hiding this from me?"

Manbao, curious, asked him, "Aren’t you afraid?"

Bai Erlang looked baffled, "What should I be afraid of, I’m not the one rebelling."

He stared at them and demanded, "Speak, what else are you hiding from me?"

Since the biggest secret, the rebellion, had been revealed, it seemed there was no longer anything particularly necessary to hide from him, Manbao said, "Nothing much, just one thing, I am not my father and mother’s biological daughter..."

Bai Erlang’s face turned shocked, then he suddenly stared at Bai Shan and exclaimed, "No way, you two are siblings? Aren’t you two supposed to be engaged?"

Beside them, Zhou SiLang jumped up and asked, "Who’s getting engaged, who’s getting engaged? Speak clearly, Young Master Shan, have you been talking behind my back with Manbao?"