I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 349 Honest Man

The Du family mansion was large, and had a full complement of stewards, maids, servants, and guards.

After receiving the news yesterday, Master Du ordered the main courtyard to be vacated so that he could move into the guest courtyard. He also instructed the steward to personally lead a team to clean and tidy up the place, and to replace all the furniture with new ones, so that the distinguished guest would be comfortable.

After entering the house, Lü Fei put down his luggage and then led his men to inspect the house's security. Based on experience, they made some adjustments, patched up some obvious loopholes, and increased the number of patrol shifts.

The guards in the main courtyard were all replaced by guards brought from the capital, and the defense was so tight that not even a mosquito could get in.

In the front hall, after the maid served tea and withdrew, Zhou Yuande brought in Master Du, who had been waiting for a long time, to pay his respects.

"Du Qian, a secret envoy of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, pays his respects to Young Master." Du Qian knelt respectfully and kowtowed three times to Xiao Jingfan. His hands trembled with excitement at the thought of Xiao Jingfan's true identity.

"Get up and answer." Xiao Jingfan raised his eyelids and glanced at him. "How's your investigation into the matters mentioned in the letter going?"

Du Qian stood up, head bowed, and said, "I have investigated thoroughly. Prefect Jiang of Xiancheng is indeed bedridden with an illness, and doctors visit him every two days. According to those doctors, Prefect Jiang's illness is progressing rapidly and will not be cured in less than a year and a half."

Xiao Jingfan asked, "What specific illness?"

Du Qian said, "It is said that the cold air entered the body and damaged the lungs and internal organs, and also caused some symptoms in the spleen and stomach. It cannot be rushed and can only be treated slowly."

Xiao Jingfan tapped the armrest of his chair thoughtfully and asked, "Who's handling the affairs of the government office?"

“Nowadays, all the affairs of the government office are managed by a clerk surnamed Liu,” Du Qian said. “This clerk Liu is Lord Jiang’s confidant.”

Xiao Jingfan paused in his tapping: "There's only one clerk in the government office?"

Du Qian shook his head: "There was originally another advisor, Master Qin, but he was suddenly dismissed half a year ago. It is said that he violated Lord Jiang's taboo."

What a coincidence?

Xiao Jingfan's eyes flickered slightly as he asked, "Where is this person now?"

“Not far, he lives in the suburbs,” Du Qian said. “This Master Qin is a local of Xiancheng. The day after he was dismissed, he bought a large house in the suburbs and a lot of maids and servants. The house is also decorated very beautifully.”

At this point, he added, "It's a pity his wife wasn't lucky; she died right after the house was bought. Master Qin asked someone to arrange a marriage for him and took a second wife, as well as two concubines. A few days ago, when I went out of town on business, I saw him enjoying a spring outing with his beauties. He was living a very carefree and happy life."

The tone of her voice sounded rather envious.

Xiao Jingfan glanced at him and asked, "You have quite a relationship with this Master Qin?"

"I've treated him to a few drinks," Du Qian said truthfully. "This Master Qin is easy to talk to, and it's cheap for him to get information."

Being easygoing is hardly a compliment.

Xiao Jingfan stroked the Bodhi beads on his wrist and asked, "Aside from his loose tongue, what do you think of this Master Qin as a person?"

Du Qian replied, "He is of good character, has real talent and learning, and is an honest man."

Upon hearing this, Feng Jing, who had been listening to the commotion, chimed in: "An honest man who just lost his wife immediately remarried and even took a concubine?"

Du Qian's smile froze. Meeting Xiao Jingfan's gaze, he stammered, "To be honest, young master, I also feel that this matter is a bit strange."

"How so?" Xiao Jingfan asked as he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

In the past, the tea served to him, regardless of its taste, was always served at the perfect temperature.

But this cup of tea seemed to have been steeped for too long; it had not only lost its flavor, but the water temperature was also wrong.

Xiao Jingfan immediately frowned and slammed the teacup down on the table.

If this were in the palace, the maid serving tea would have been punished. Seeing his displeasure, Du Qian immediately scolded the maid and told her to brew a fresh cup of tea.

The maid was so frightened that her face turned pale. She hurriedly ran to make tea, forgetting to even clear the teacup from the table.

Zhou Yuande sighed softly. The outside world was nothing like the palace; the rules were far different.

He stepped forward, removed the tea, and carried it out, preparing to brew a cup himself.

Unexpectedly, just as they stepped out of the front hall, they saw Chu Liuzheng, Chen Xing, and Si Yue coming from the other end of the corridor.

Chu Liuzheng, dressed in a green robe, walked at the front, carrying a tray with a white teacup on it. Siyue and Chenxing followed half a step behind, each carrying snacks and fruit.

Zhou Yuande smiled immediately. "Miss Liu Zheng is indeed good at handling things. No wonder His Majesty likes her."

As they drew closer, Chu Liuzheng smiled and asked, "Where are you going?"

"I was just about to make some tea, and you've come at the perfect time, miss. Hurry up and take it in." Zhou Yuande pointed to the teacup he was holding, his lips curling downwards in obvious disdain.

[Tsk, I knew the tyrant would be picky.]

Chu Liuzheng carried the tea inside.

[This guy could tolerate it at the inn, but now that he's on his own turf, he's bound to act however he wants. Luckily, the kitchen was well-stocked, so preparing the food didn't take much effort.]

"Young Master, please have some tea." She bent down and placed the teacup beside Xiao Jingfan.

Xiao Jingfan picked up the teacup, and as soon as he lifted the lid, he smelled the familiar aroma of tea. He took a sip, and both the taste and the temperature were just right, perfectly to his liking.

His furrowed brow relaxed, and the pent-up frustration in his heart subsided considerably.

Chu Liuzheng saw that he seemed satisfied and was about to leave when Xiao Jingfan gestured with his chin towards her and said gently, "Sit down and listen."

"Yes." Chu Liuzheng curtsied and sat down in the chair next to Feng Jing.

Feng Jing was handing snacks to Chen Xing and Si Yue who were standing behind her. When she saw her coming over, she handed her a piece as well.

Xiao Jingfan placed the teacup on the table beside him and gestured to Du Qian, "You can continue."

Du Qian then continued, "Everyone in Xiancheng knows that Master Qin and his wife were childhood sweethearts who grew up together. They had a very deep affection for each other, and they had two children. Their life was quite happy."

"His first wife died young. Normally, Master Qin should have been saddened for a while and mourned his first wife. But unexpectedly, he hired a matchmaker and arranged to marry a second wife before his first wife's funeral was even held."

"Less than half a month after his new wife entered the household, he took two more concubines. At the instigation of the concubines, he even sent his two dutiful children to their maternal grandparents' home. They haven't been brought back yet. He really seems like a completely different person."

Du Qian's tone was somewhat sentimental, as if he felt sorry for Master Qin's first wife.

While munching on a snack, Chu Liuzheng asked Feng Jing in a low voice, "Who is Master Qin? Why is Young Master asking about his marriage and concubines?"

Feng Jing had been listening in the background the whole time, and when she asked, he repeated what Du Qian had said earlier.

Chen Xing leaned closer: "You married a second wife right after your first wife died. Aren't you afraid of bringing her back to life and dragging her to lie in the coffin with you?"

“Absolutely.” Feng Jingshen agreed, taking a bite of the chewy pastry, and chimed in, “It’s practically smearing the reputation of honest people like us.”

Chu Liuzheng and the other two stared at him together. "You think someone like you is an honest person?"
Feng Jing: ?
Do you have some misunderstanding about me?
Is there anyone in this world more honest than me?
Siyue brushed the glutinous rice flour off her hands and whispered, "Perhaps there's something she can't say about it."

Chu Liuzheng disagreed: "What unspeakable secret could have made him remarry and take two more beautiful concubines?"

Feng Jing and Chen Xing echoed in unison, "Exactly!"