kingnovel Chapter 907 Little Fish Returns
Chapter 907 Little Fish Returns
Qingxian is not far from the capital. The next morning, after a hearty meal, they sent people to set off, and by evening they had brought Zhong Zheng back.
After spending more than a month in Qingxian County, Zhong Zheng became more silent and composed, gradually shedding his youthful naiveté.
Seeing him enter, Xiao Hu quickly went up to him, pulled him over and looked him up and down, "Sigh, you've lost weight again. This business trip must have been tough. Come on in!"
Zhong Zheng paused for a moment before saying, "It's alright, not tiring at all!"
Just then, Zhang Ping'an returned from his shift. Hearing this, he smiled and casually replied, "Young people need to gain more experience. As long as it's not too strenuous, that's fine. The court has many affairs to attend to right now, and this is precisely the time when it needs your help."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Zheng tightened his grip on his small bundle before lowering his head and replying softly, "Yes!"
Zhang Ping'an noticed this, glanced at his nephew again as he walked, and then went inside. "Come in quickly, it doesn't look good to stand at the door."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hu quickly smiled and pulled the person inside, saying, "Look at me, I forgot. Come in, come in."
Zhong Zheng's return did not cause much of a stir in the household. People were used to it as many of them went out on business throughout the year.
After dinner, he came in to ask for instructions: "Master, Zhong Zheng is back now. What's the next step?"
Zhang Ping'an put down his book, clasped his hands together, leaned back in his chair, and pondered, "Well, Young Master should arrive the day after tomorrow. After Young Master returns, I will take Young Master, Master, and Madam to Daxiangguo Temple to offer incense. We will also bring Zhong Zheng along. Then, you should go to Sanqing Nunnery half a day in advance to inform Abbess Miaozhen of this news and lead her to Daxiangguo Temple. I will make my own arrangements then."
"Yes, I understand," the boy said, feeling more at ease after eating. He then asked, "Should we still send someone to keep an eye on Zhong Zheng for the next two days?"
"Keep an eye on him!" Zhang Ping'an chuckled in a low voice. "This kid is playing dumb with us right now. Sigh, if Pengpeng had half of his sharpness and talent, he could have done quite well in officialdom. What a pity!"
He expressed deep regret.
Having eaten his fill, he felt awkward responding, so after confirming that everything was alright, he cupped his hands in greeting and withdrew.
The court was calm and peaceful today, with nothing happening.
I haven't heard of any high-ranking officials or special individuals going missing.
All government affairs were carried out in an orderly manner.
Zhang Ping'an was already 60% certain that the person imprisoned in the secret room of Yuantong's meditation room at Daxiangguo Temple was the Second Prince, who had already been executed by the Imperial Clan Court.
Besides, he couldn't think of anyone else who could make YTO Express take him so seriously and be so cautious.
But there was one thing he couldn't understand: if Yuantong didn't want the Second Prince to show his face again and affect him, then the nominal Second Prince was already dead in the Imperial Clan Court.
All he had to do was secretly execute and bury the person.
Why keep someone alive while locking them in a sealed room?
On the other hand, if you wanted him to live, you should have sent him far away and made him live in anonymity.
The logic here doesn't make sense, so Zhang Ping'an concluded that there must be something he doesn't know, and that this matter is very important.
Two more days passed in a flash, and it was time for Little Fish to return.
The day Little Fish returned was a rare beautiful day; the sky was clear and the sun was warm.
Madam Xu wore a dark purple silk robe, with a white fox fur scarf tinged with gray around her neck, and her hair adorned with emerald green hairpins, exuding an air of wealth and nobility.
At this moment, he was in the courtyard directing the servants to wash, scrub, and air out the quilts, while instructing them to go out to the alley entrance to inquire.
"Didn't we agree to be back today? It's already noon, why haven't we arrived yet? I'm so worried!"
"Oh dear, Grandma, don't worry. Uncle Tiger has already gone out with some people to pick us up. He'll be here soon, he'll be here soon. You're making my eyes dizzy from all this pacing."
After Pengpeng finished speaking, he helped Xu Shi to sit down to the side, and they lay down on the recliner next to Zhang Lao Er to bask in the sun.
The chair was padded with thick wolf skin, so it wasn't cold at all.
Lying in a chair and basking in the sun in the yard on a winter's day is truly a pleasure.
Zhang Lao Er also chimed in, "Old woman, just sit down and relax. Xiao Hu has already gone and will be back in a bit. What's the rush?"
"Hey, you old man, you talk like you're not in a hurry," Xu said irritably.
“You old woman, you just can’t keep your temper in check,” Zhang Lao Er said slowly, without arguing.
Pengpeng smiled as he watched; his grandparents were just like two children.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a servant rushed in, beaming with joy, to report: "Master, Madam, the young master... he's back! The young master is back!"
"What? You're back? Help me up quickly!" Madam Xu hurriedly got up.
Zhang Lao Er hurriedly followed suit.
"Grandpa and Grandma, slow down," Pengpeng followed and helped them up, afraid that they might fall.
You should know that many elderly people are this beautiful even in winter.
As soon as the group reached the front yard, they saw Xiaoyuer standing not far away, accompanied by her own servants and several strangers, introducing something to the guests.
Little Fish turned his head and saw them. He stepped forward and bowed deeply with a face full of guilt, saying, "Grandfather, Grandmother, your grandson is back. Your grandson is unfilial and has caused you much worry these past few days."
"Don't talk nonsense about filial piety. It's good that you're back safely. You've suffered for more than a month, haven't you?" Xu was very happy. She touched her grandson's face and was so excited that she was almost incoherent. She held Xiaoyu'er's hand and wouldn't let go.
"It's always good to stay at home, but difficult to go out even for a day. You've lost a lot of weight this time. I've made you your favorite longan chicken soup on the stove. Drink more of it later." Zhang Lao Er's concern was relatively calm and reserved.
Xiao Yu'er felt a warmth in his heart, but also a little embarrassed. He then smiled indulgently, took Xu's arm, and introduced them to the accompanying guests: "Uncle Li, Uncle Wen, Brother Li, Brother Wen, these are my grandparents. My father hasn't finished his shift yet. I'll introduce him to you when he gets home this evening. Since you've just arrived in the capital, please have a meal at my humble abode and rest a bit. After you finish eating, I'll have a servant take you to an inn. With my connections, the inn won't dare to overcharge you."
The group thanked them repeatedly.
Xiao Yu'er then introduced them to Zhang Lao Er and Xu Shi: "Grandfather, Grandmother, this time when your grandson comes back, he is accompanied by two friends. They are both candidates who came from western Hunan to the capital to take the imperial examinations. One is surnamed Li, and the other is surnamed Wen. This is Brother Li, and this is Brother Wen. This is Uncle Li, and this is Uncle Wen. The rest of them are their servants."
"Old Master Zhang, Old Madam Zhang, we apologize for disturbing you," the group said politely.
Zhang Lao Er and Xu Shi were still immersed in the joy of seeing their grandson and didn't pay much attention to the guests at first.
It was only after the introductions and greetings that they discovered there was someone they hadn't expected there—a person with a huge red birthmark mixed with blue on their face that was impossible to ignore.
Although as skin darkens and wrinkles increase with age, birthmarks may not look as frightening as they used to, but they are still easily recognizable.
Thinking of this, the two immediately became uneasy. Zhang Lao Er was alright, remaining calm, but Xu Shi lowered her voice immediately, even feeling somewhat dizzy.
"Grandma, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Little Fish quickly noticed and helped her up.
He then instructed his servants to fetch a doctor.