Besides lying down, I also know a little about power struggles

Chapter 58: Doing something shameful
Gao Tiancai was the magistrate of Linshui County. For the sake of his reputation, he only went to Furongyuan once.

This only time was to pay a visit to Prince Jing Feng Yuyang.

He saw the popular woman Qingluan beside Feng Yuyang.

Qingluan is not the top star in Furong Courtyard, but because of her friendship with the people of Wuyue Mountain, she is deeply loved by scholars. She has a proud and aloof personality. She will meet guests if she wants to, and turn them down if she doesn't want to. She will not force anyone to come.

Gao Tiancai saw her yesterday beside Feng Yuyang, and she was still indifferent to the prince. He thought that this woman really had a temper. But when he saw her again tonight, Qingluan actually put on a cold face and looked at the twelfth prince with a rather soft look in her eyes.

Gao Tiancai's eyes rolled around, this was strange, the twelfth prince came back from a banquet and brought back a woman, who was brought back from Prince Jing. It seemed that the relationship between these two brothers was better than he imagined.

Gao Tiancai looked at the side room of the main house, and then looked at Qingluan.

The two women each have their own merits. The one in the room is pretty and charming, with a hint of smile on her face even before she speaks. Although the one outside doesn't like to laugh, her melting iceberg is also quite interesting. No wonder the twelfth prince wanted to bring her back. The journey to the south is long and boring, and there must be someone to accompany him to live up to the youthful vigor.

"County Magistrate Gao, this is a witness." Feng Twelve said.

Gao Tiancai responded with two “ohs” and looked around. Where was the witness?

He didn't find anyone, so he followed Feng Twelve's gaze and his gaze fell on Qingluan.

He was stunned for a moment, then pointed at Qingluan and asked, "Is this a witness?"

Feng Twelve nodded: "She may know the origins of that group of bandits. I will bring her to you, and you can follow her to Furong Courtyard to search for evidence."

Gao Tiancai finally realized that it was not about adding beauty to the family but about protecting a witness.

He cleared his throat, put on the dignity of an official, and examined Qingluan for a few times: "I recognize you. You are Qingluan from Furong Courtyard, right or not?"

"Yes." Qingluan replied.

"You said you know the origin of that group of bandits? Who are they?" Gao Tiancai continued to interrogate.

Qing Luan glanced at Feng Twelve, lowered her eyes and replied, "My Lord, I don't know who they are, but two suspicious people came to Furong Courtyard earlier. I suspect they are related to the bandits."

"Why is it suspicious?" Gao Tiancai asked.

"I can't explain the details," Qingluan said, "the two men came to Furong Courtyard five days ago and rented a yard. They were so generous, but it wasn't to see me."

Gao Tiancai found it funny: "You are such a self-righteous woman. You are not the top star in Furong Courtyard, and you are not the only one in Furong Courtyard. Why do the guests have to see you?"

Qingluan's face was cold and she raised her chin proudly. "Everyone knows that Wuyue Mountain Master is coming to Linshui. In order to see him, the scholars have already emptied out all the inns. As for Furong Courtyard, not a single courtyard was left out. Recently, those who have reserved the courtyards are all his supporters. In order to make friends with Wuyue Mountain Master, everyone wants to see me, but those two people stay in the courtyard every day and don't want anyone to serve them. I don't know why."

Gao Tiancai frowned, thinking that there was some truth in what he said: "If that's the case, why didn't you report it to the police earlier?"

"Furongyuan is a place of prostitution, and we have seen all kinds of guests," Qingluan smiled coldly, "I am a prostitute, and I don't want to cause trouble. Besides, they don't bother me in any way."

"Then why are you willing to say it now?"

Qingluan didn't answer.

She turned to look at Feng Twelve, her eyes showing a hint of intimacy: "Because I heard during the banquet that His Highness was nearly killed by bandits. Since I have some suspicions, I will do my best to help."

Gao Tiancai sighed in his heart, look how beautifully he said this, this was not just a humble contribution, this was clearly just a favor to others.

"In that case, you will follow me to Furong Courtyard." He said, and said to Feng Twelve, "Your Highness, do you want to come with us?"

"No." Feng Twelve refused. "I'll wait for your news at the posthouse."

Gao Tiancai showed a little surprise.

He had heard that the twelfth prince was always the first to lead the troops on the battlefield, so he must be brave and courageous, and would definitely be at the front tonight. However, he was as steady as a rock and did not plan to be there in person. Qingluan's eyes also flashed with some surprise, as if she felt that the performance of this benefactor had disappointed her.

"There is no time to lose. It's time for you to leave." Feng Twelve said.

"Yes, I will arrange it right away."

Although Gao Tiancai's political achievements were mediocre, he had been in Linshui County for many years and was able to mobilize troops very quickly. He soon took Qingluan and a group of yamen runners to Furongyuan.

"Your Highness, there are so many of them, aren't you afraid of alerting the enemy?" Xiaonian asked.

“If those two really committed a crime in the forest, they would not return to Furong Courtyard after seeing us enter the city.” Feng Twelve said.

"That's right. When we meet Magistrate Gao, he will definitely ask him to conduct a thorough search in the city. Since those two people have escaped, how dare they come back?"

"How did the trial go in the county government today?" Feng Twelve asked.

"Those bandits said they didn't recognize those two people, and they had never seen any thunder bombs," Xiaonian said, "They are all bandits from other counties. They heard that Linshui County was holding a literary fair recently and many rich people came, so they wanted to grab some fat sheep."

Feng Twelve groaned: "Looks like he's trying to fish in troubled waters again."

"What?" Xiaonian didn't hear clearly.

Feng Twelve did not explain: "Go and let our people rest. I will call you if there is anything else."

He walked into the corridor alone, passed by the ear room, and saw a faint yellow light shining through the window paper.

He turned around and came to the door of the ear room.

Before I knocked on the door, I saw the door open a narrow crack and a head popped out from inside.

Fang Tong originally wanted to see if the people outside had left, but he was startled when he saw someone standing at the door.

"I was scared to death," she cried softly, "Why didn't you say anything?"

"What are you doing?" Feng Twelve looked at her like she was a thief.

Fang Tong grabbed his wrist and said, "Come in."

Feng Twelve moved his arm and almost pushed the man away. Out of self-defense instinct, he didn't like being touched by strangers, but Fang Tong didn't seem to be a stranger.

He hesitated for only a moment before being pulled in by the other party.

Fang Tong let go of the man after pulling him into the house. She went to the door, looked around, and quickly closed the door, looking even more like a thief.

Feng Twelve heard her bolt the door and frowned slightly: "What's wrong with you?"

It was the first time he saw her being so cautious, as if she was about to do something shameful.

"Shh." Fang Tong raised a finger, reminding him to lower his voice.

She lowered her voice and whispered, "I heard someone asking about you tonight."

Feng Twelve stood in front of her and could see the top of her black hair by slightly lowering his head.

She had asked him for a hairpin before, and tied up her long hair into a high bun at the back of her head, revealing a bit of the jade hairpin's color.

"You went to the stables?" he asked.

(End of this chapter)