PDLP Chapter 168 It seems that my brother is forcing me to make a move
Chapter 168 It seems that my brother is forcing me to make a move
King Yong took back the tool he used to tease the thrush and pondered for a moment.
"Oh? Guo Yian was actually released?" Isn't the emperor afraid that Guo Yian will let the tiger go back to the mountain, and then contact some old members of the Guo family to rebel again?
"Yes, I heard that Guo Zhong took all the blame on himself, and Guo Yian was only charged with dereliction of duty. He has been demoted to an ordinary Jinwu Guard and exiled to the Western Suburbs Camp. He is not allowed to leave without permission."
King Yong walked slowly back and forth in the garden, as if thinking about something.
After a long while, he stopped and looked up at the sky above his head.
"It seems that my royal brother wants to force me to make a move."
Anyone could see that the emperor spared Guo Yian's life in order to lure him into attacking Guo Yian, and then catch him in the trap.
Guo Yian knew about Prince Yong's previous collusion with the Guo family to resell military equipment and illegally mine iron ore. If he didn't kill him, there was no guarantee that Guo Yian would reveal the secret one day.
But now Guo Yian has been arranged to the western suburbs camp, and it will not be so easy for Prince Yong to send people to take action again.
"Your Highness, do you want me to contact the spies in the Western Suburbs Camp and take action against Guo Yian in secret?" Lin Ji suggested from the side.
"No!"
King Yong stretched out his hand to stop Lin Ji from speaking.
"If you take action at this time, you will most likely fall into the trap of my royal brother. Let's have someone secretly watch him and see if Guo Yian will make any moves himself." King Yong ordered Lin Ji.
"Yes!" Lin Ji accepted the order.
In the blink of an eye, three days have passed, and the annual Qiqiao Festival is about to arrive.
In order to celebrate the first festival after Prime Minister Qiu and Qiu Shaoheng returned to Beijing, the Qiu family naturally put in a lot of effort. Not only was the entire Prime Minister's Mansion renovated inside and out, the flowers, plants and trees were also trimmed very neatly, and the pillars and corridors were hung with paper-cuts and lanterns that symbolized the festive atmosphere.
In the evening, Qiu Ning and Yue Ya walked on the street, thinking about giving their families some gifts.
Soon, the master and servant came to a stall selling clay figurines. Qiu Ning was admiring the stall owner's unique skill in making clay figurines. At this time, he was suddenly called by Yueya, who pointed to a stall in front and motioned Qiu Ning to look over there.
Qiu Ning followed Crescent Moon's gaze and saw a veiled woman not far away. In one hand, she held a large string of sachets, and in the other, she held a large string of beautifully embroidered fans, handkerchiefs, and the like. There were about seven or eight kinds of embroidery, all of which looked brightly colored and exquisite.
It is quite common to see people selling small gadgets on the streets during festivals like this, and it is nothing special.
As she and Yueya walked along, they met many people selling flowers and various kinds of food.
What surprised Qiu Ning was that she had seen this woman before. She was Ji Ruyun, whom she had seen from afar at the birthday party of Lady Chengguo.
She was probably a little restrained and didn't shout like other peddlers. She just stood there with things hanging on her body, and only said a few words from time to time when customers came to choose.
Qiu Ning was also a little surprised for a moment.
Logically speaking, Ji Ruyun is the eldest daughter of the Ji Bohou Mansion. How could she have fallen to the point where she had to rely on selling these little things to make money?
There are so many people coming and going on the street. Even if she wears a veil, what should she do if she meets a gangster or a playboy?
Qiu Ning couldn't help but frown.
"Miss, how can the eldest daughter of the Ji family show up in public to sell things? Should we tell the eldest young master?" Yueya asked from the side.
Qiu Ning thought about it and did not go forward immediately. Instead, he found a place at the back and secretly observed Ji Ruyun's every move.
She wanted to see whether Ji Ruyun was really selling embroidery to make money or was just trying to attract attention here.
As a young lady, she didn't believe that Ji Ruyun didn't realize how inappropriate it was to do business in public like this.
Putting aside other things, everyone in the capital now knows that she is about to become the young lady of the prime minister's mansion. If she is seen by acquaintances, wouldn't her eldest brother's reputation be affected as well?
With doubts, Qiu Ning observed from the side for a long time, and found that Ji Ruyun seemed to be just selling things and did not do anything special.
Is it really that she is overthinking it?
Is Ji Ruyun really just short of money?
Maybe because there were so many people during the festival, in just half an hour, she had almost sold out all the things she had with her.
Qiu Ning also adjusted her skirt and walked towards Ji Ruyun, pretending to pick something.
"Miss, I see that you have fair skin and a good temperament. This tasseled sachet will really complement your temperament."
Ji Ruyun didn't know Qiu Ning and thought she was a customer who came to buy something. She reached out and picked out a light green tasseled sachet from a pair of colorful sachets.
Qiu Ning took it and looked at it carefully. She had to say that Ji Ruyun had a good taste. The color and workmanship of this sachet were very suitable for her outfit today.
Qiu Ning nodded and asked her casually:
"Yes, I see that this sachet and fan all seem to be made by the same person. Did you make all of these?" Qiu Ning pointed at some of the remaining items on Ji Ruyun's body and asked.
Ji Ruyun smiled and said, "Miss, you have good taste. Yes, these things are all made by me. If you like them, you can give one or two to your relatives, friends or elders at home. If you buy three sachets, I can also give you some lanyards. They are all woven by me."
Qiu Ning couldn't help but look up at Ji Ruyun and asked:
"Does the girl often come here to sell things alone?"
When Ji Ruyun heard this, she raised her head and looked at Qiu Ning in a daze.
Qiu Ning quickly added, "Don't misunderstand me, young lady. I just think these things are embroidered beautifully. I was wondering if I wanted to buy from you again in the future, would I still come here?"
When Ji Ruyun heard this, she temporarily dispelled her doubts and replied, "I come here on the first and fifteenth day of every month. If you like, you can come here on the first and fifteenth day of every month next time."
"Oh? Can I see you here on the first and fifteenth of every month from now on?" Qiu Ning raised his head and stared at Ji Ruyun without blinking, not missing any expression on her face.
If that was the case, Qiu Ning almost started to doubt whether Ji Ruyun had no intention of marrying into the Prime Minister's Mansion at all.
Her wedding with her elder brother is scheduled for next month. If what she said is true, doesn't it mean that after getting married, she will have to go out to the streets to sell things every month?
Just as Qiu Ning was staring at Ji Ruyun, he saw her red lips slightly open under the veil and she said something unexpected.