The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 373: So Ostentatious?

Xue Wei wiped his sweat, realizing that something was clearly amiss. Even though he was in charge of finances, meticulous and cautious, he had no idea how to handle this situation at the moment.

Just then, the county magistrate and two other stewards were also woken up by the noise, and they walked over with dissatisfied expressions.

Xue Wei, as if grabbing onto a lifeline, quickly said, "Mr. Tian, you’re here just in time, Lord Imperial Envoy has arrived!"

The person he was calling was the county magistrate Tian Zhenlin, who had just arrived here from Yanglu County today.

Previously, after Kong Tixin was scolded away by Shang Jingwang, he was scared to death and returned to discuss with the county magistrate and the steward. It was Tian Zhenlin who suggested compensating for the fault by sending herbs and a doctor over, which was the most practical way, believing that Lord Shang could be appeased.

In fact, seeing the doctor and herbal medicine sent over, Shang Jingwang did not hold a grudge over his previous negligence. Even Huangfu Jingchen did not pursue the matter of his attempt to beat him with a stick at the county government.

Certainly, it was because there were more important things to do at that time, and on the other hand, his compensation for fault hit the mark perfectly.

Tian Zhenlin was also taken aback. Hearing the noisy commotion, he thought it was a disturbance among the villagers. Who would have known that it was the notorious profligate imperial envoy from the Capital City?

He hurried a few steps forward, saluted, and said, "Lord Imperial Envoy, how come you’ve arrived so late at night?"

Huangfu Jinxuan spoke in that same insouciant yet overbearing tone, pointing to the jar of wine Wei Jun was holding, "In the middle of the night, can’t this imperial envoy come to have a drink with Yu Shikui and Kong Tixin?"

He dressed in elegant attire, with a handsome face brimming with cheer, appeared more frivolous and flamboyant. In the dead of night, he was still swinging a folding fan, exuding a full sense of jaunty charm.

Nevertheless, despite the frivolity, he was still the imperial envoy.

But by his side stood Huangfu Jingchen, tall and imposing. Though his attire wasn’t as lavish, his expression not as exaggerated, nor his actions as flamboyant, he exuded a calm and profound demeanor, standing there like a towering mountain.

Tian Zhenlin couldn’t help but wipe his sweat.

Coming to drink in the middle of the night? Carrying wine, it seemed plausible.

But he wasn’t foolish.

Who has ever seen someone being so ostentatious in inviting others for a drink?

Bringing along dozens of people, almost enough to include the entire populace of Wangshan Town.

This was definitely unusual, and his instincts told him something was up.

But he had no idea what it could be. Moreover, he couldn’t afford to offend the imperial envoy!

He accompanied his words with a wry smile, "So, is Lord Imperial Envoy really here to drink with Lord Kong?"

"Didn’t you see me bringing wine? Otherwise, why would I carry this wine for him to see?"

Tian Zhenlin heard that it wasn’t the right topic and forced a sheepish laugh, but Xue Wei quietly said, "This jar of wine isn’t enough for so many people."

Huangfu Jinxuan glared, "They are companions, to ensure this imperial envoy’s safety! Besides, do you not have wine on your estate? Am I supposed to supply the wine for all of you? Why such audacity?"

Tian Zhenlin: "..."

Xue Wei: "..."

Indeed, they had no such audacity, and dared not have it.

Tian Zhenlin added, "This is Lord Kong’s estate; Lord Yu should not be here, he should be at the inn in town, right?"

"Whether he is or isn’t, we’ll find out by looking, won’t we?"

Tian Zhenlin thought so too, with such a large estate, if he was asleep and Lord Kong and Lord Yu came over, he wouldn’t know. Maybe they really were here.

At this point, the most shocked was the criminal master steward, who was responsible for the safety of this estate. Clearly, he arranged eighteen people for night duty, but why wasn’t anyone seen now?

Of course, any doubts had to be swallowed at this moment.

Huangfu Jinxuan’s gaze swept over, commanding, "Kong Tixin’s estate, where does Kong Tixin live?"

Xue Wei quickly pointed to the eastern wing, "That way."

"Let’s go, take a look!"

Huangfu Jinxuan didn’t consider himself an outsider as he walked over and instructed Wei Jun, "Kick the door!"

Everyone: "..."

He claimed to be here for a drink!

Who invites people for a drink so ostentatiously, kicking down their door? Not worried about breaking it?

With his order, Wei Jun indeed exerted force with his foot, and with a bang, kicked the door open.

In fact, he was only holding a wine jar with one hand, leaving the other hand free.

As the door opened, the room was silent, with no one inside.

Huangfu Jinxuan squinted and looked back.

Xue Wei felt his spine tingle under that gaze, and his words stumbled, "Th-this, possibly Lord Kong didn’t come back. Before buying this estate, he stayed at the inn in town." Having bought the estate, he returned to reside here, for it’s much more comfortable than the inn.

Huangfu Jinxuan didn’t look at him anymore, nor did he have a questioning intent, allowing Xue Wei to breathe a sigh of relief.

But he only half-relaxed when he heard Huangfu Jinxuan ask, "Where is the guest room?"

"Gu-guest room?"

Huangfu Jinxuan smirked, "Yes, guest room. If a guest comes to the estate, especially an esteemed guest, there should be a special place to live, right?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Xue Wei, as if awakening from a dream, said, "This way, please, this way, please. That room!"

This estate was under his management, and the eastern courtyard was the guest room, containing three rooms, one bright and two dark, with the same layout as the main house.

When the county magistrate came, Kong Tixin instructed him to stay in another courtyard, which meant this guest room was a place even the magistrate had no right to stay in.

Xue Wei thought to himself, could it be that Lord Kong didn’t sleep in the main house but in the guest room? After all, both courtyards were equally fine, not inferior to those in the county city.

After all, when Kong Tixin last visited Wangshan Town, he complained about the simplicity and poor environment, feeling uncomfortable. Hence, all his estates’ food and accommodations were matched to those in the county city.

Huangfu Jinxuan said, "What are we waiting for, then? Let’s go!"

Huangfu Jingchen slightly furrowed his brow, wondering why Wenjin wasn’t seen?

Xue Wei, while leading the way, glanced back, feeling it strange why when they were heading to the main house, Lord Prefecture, Colonel Zhou Mu, and the soldiers, the entourage all followed, a grand procession, but here it was another large group?

He tentatively suggested, "Perhaps, everyone should take a break? I’ll check if Lord Kong is around?"

Huangfu Jinxuan gave him a sidelong glance, "Break for what? We’re all perfectly spirited, right?"

He looked at Shang Jingwang.

Shang Jingwang nodded, "Yes!"

Actually, he was confused, he had just finished working on the quarantine area and was preparing to sleep, but then was startled by the noise outside, followed by Huangfu Jinxuan dragging him along, saying he wanted him to watch a performance.

He wasn’t interested in watching performances, and besides, even though the epidemic was no longer a headache, the matter wasn’t over yet, where’s the mood for watching performances?