novelraw Chapter 1283: 1282: Testing the Waters
Chapter 1283: 1282: Testing the Waters
Chapter 1283: Chapter 1282: Testing the Waters
Song Hong nodded, gesturing for the man to sit down: “Mr. Gu, you’ve heard everything inside, is there anything else you’d like to say?”
That Mr. Gu smiled and bowed deeply: “Congratulations, Lord Duke! The princely heir is indeed a budding dragon, so young yet has such foresight, in future, he will surely surpass his predecessors!”
Song Hong was humble in words, but quite satisfied in heart.
“It’s also thanks to him sticking by my side these days without wasting time. He can see through the hidden moves of the Wang and Ruan Families, so I can trust him to go to Chicheng. After two or three years, by then, the Capital City should also have a clear outcome.”
Mr. Gu also happily echoed: “Indeed, as long as the princely heir completes his tasks and returns, he can gain three promotions and the situation in the Imperial Court will become clear with Your Lord behind supporting him. The princely heir has a promising future ahead, perhaps even becoming part of the Cabinet, turning into a Chancellor!”
Song Hong smiled, stroking his beard silently.
After chatting for a while, Mr. Gu took his leave, and Song Wu escorted him to the door.
As they were about to return, Mr. Gu halted and asked Song Wu: “Master Song Wu, say, if the princely heir doesn’t pass the Lord Duke’s test this time, what will happen?”
Song Wu looked at Mr. Gu silently for a moment, “Sir, it seems you’ve forgotten, for our lord, anything useless will be abandoned! It’s better not to ask about things that haven’t happened!”
After saying this, he turned and went back inside.
Mr. Gu shivered slightly, recalling the means and disposition of this employer, he couldn’t help but feel fearful for the princely heir. If he hadn’t said these words in front of the Lord Duke today, things might have turned dire…
Shaking his head, he tightened his clothes and wobbled away.
Song Chongjin naturally didn’t know that after he left, there was still such a segment in the study.
He originally didn’t intend to say those words, yet at that moment, an indescribable feeling emerged, sensing that in the study, not just he and Song Hong were present.
He further sensed something unusual about Song Hong’s demeanor, not matching his usual self.
Given Song Hong’s astuteness, having had the Emperor’s trust for so many years, how could he make such a mistake?
Acting as though he is an exceedingly doting father, losing his wits, willing to risk everything for his son’s future like a befuddled dad.
This was simply too incongruous!
Especially how Song Hong looked at him, calm, composed, full of assessment.
This was definitely not the gaze of a doting father.
In that instant, Song Chongjin realized, this was a test!
Sure enough, after he spoke those words, Song Hong relaxed somewhat, it seemed he passed this test.
If it were some days ago, Song Chongjin might have felt cold-hearted, disheartened.
But now, he merely smiled slightly, indifferent.
Soon he would be leaving the Capital City, leaving the Duke’s Mansion, with Yongzhu, and his mother-in-law, heading to the faraway Chicheng, where his real journey would begin.
Thinking this, Song Chongjin smiled, steadily walked step by step out of Song Hong’s courtyard.
※※※
Due to time constraints, Wang Yongzhu sent Old Granny Zhang away directly by carriage to meet Yang Zongbao.
Yang Zongbao also heard about this matter, though earlier, Song Chongjin hinted him to scale back operations and agents from the Capital City, thus he had a hunch yet remained composed.
This day, he went nowhere, staying at home waiting.
Sure enough, Wang Yongzhu visited, first mentioning Song Chongjin’s deployment decisions, followed by listing tasks Yang Zongbao needed to handle, the two discussed and made a checklist.
Gifts to bring back to family, local specialties from the Capital City and such.
There were also shops and estates within the Capital that needed supervision.
Initially, Wang Yongzhu thought, if Yang Zongbao were genuinely Gu Family’s Third Child, the Gu Family definitely wouldn’t let him leave; she trusted Yang Zongbao, better to leave everything to him.
Unexpectedly, upon this proposal, Yang Zongbao strongly opposed: “You’re going to distant Chicheng, so cold, so unstable; how can I be at ease without going? Whether I am Gu Family’s bloodline is uncertain, even if so, I must go with you!”
At once urging Wang Yongzhu out: “Alright, leave it all to me, hurry back, and pack your things, say your farewells, deal with business matters quickly! You don’t need to worry!”
Wang Yongzhu could only depart.
She glanced at the sky, still before noon, she headed directly to Shopkeeper Zhang’s place, while summoning Ninth Master Lee to also come to Shopkeeper Zhang’s.
Facing each other, the three discussed her returning to Jing County and later going to Chicheng.
Both were already aware, Ninth Master Lee said nothing, yet Zhang Yinbao clapped loudly: “That’s perfect, sister, you go back to Jing County, check out our Tea Mountain, see if there’s anything amiss. You know this year we’re short on our tea supply; the Tea Mountain mustn’t have issues.”
“And sister, about transplanting the tea trees, how’s the trial plantation coming along? If we can achieve fifty percent survival, we’ll gradually plant in nearby hills—”
Nowadays Zhang Yinbao has gained quite a profit from tea, in the Capital City, he is somewhat of a notable figure.
In just one year, he leveraged tea to penetrate the circle he previously only dreamt of in the Capital City.
How could he not be obsessed?
Ninth Master Lee impatiently interrupted him: “Without saying, given her character, she’d definitely inspect upon returning to Jing County. Nevertheless, concerning rouge and powder, on your way to Chicheng—”
Wang Yongzhu quickly responded: “Rest assured, with my master and wife’s support, supply won’t be an issue. I’ll arrange everything properly once I return to Jing County!”
Ninth Master Lee nodded satisfied, then signaled Zhang Yinbao to move aside, before leaning closer, whispering: “My family has a trade route passing through Chicheng, if there are any news or events, use that line for communication. In Chicheng County, there’s a leather shop, the shopkeeper’s last name is Zeng, should you need to request or send messages, find him.”
While speaking, he handed over a small token, engraved with Lee, one side with a small numeral nine.
Wang Yongzhu readily accepted: “Thanks!”
Ninth Master Lee seeing Wang Yongzhu didn’t refuse was pleased, “Between us, what need for thanks! Alright, knowing your tight schedule, departing soon, you better return to make arrangements early! I won’t bid farewell, wishing you a safe journey ahead!”
Saying this, he rose directly to leave.
Only then did Zhang Yinbao approach, “Sister, over in Chicheng County I have a subordinate, surname Zhao, nicknamed Zhao Liu, though lacking other skills, he runs errands and knows characters from various backgrounds, fairly established. Upon arrival, if anything comes up, just direct him to handle it!”
While speaking, he also handed over a token.