"Hey, what on earth is Lord Yan up to? He suddenly brought so many people back from the Blossom Pavilion. Is he going to interrogate them one by one?" A soldier felt his arms ache at the sight of the crowded prison cells.
"Can't be. Is he going to clean up the Blossom Pavilion once and for all? I haven't heard any such instructions from above!"
"What the higher - ups do is not something a low - level jailer like you can know."
"I heard that it was Lord National Advisor who went with Lord Yan to arrest those people."
"Hasn't the Blossom Pavilion been doing well recently? Why is it in such trouble?"
"Who knows? I guess they're just unlucky and offended some big shot." One person whispered.
The patrolling officer noticed them and roared, "What are you guys whispering about? Get back to work quickly!"
The group was startled and quickly turned their attention back to their tasks. "Yes, sir. We'll get back to work right away."
Yan Mo sat wearily behind his desk. "Are you really going to do this?"
"Of course."
"Aren't you worried?"
"What is there to worry about?"
Yan Mo was almost annoyed by his way of speaking. "You've always been eager for the court to stabilize so that you can focus on cultivating the young emperor. Why are you causing trouble now?"
"We can't let such a cancer fester. It's better to get rid of it sooner rather than later."
"You didn't say that before."
"The opportunity is right in front of us. I'm not a blockhead. I know when to adapt."
"No, something just feels off."
"Heh, let's not talk about this for now. Have your men found out anything?"
"I just interrogated some pimps from the Blossom Pavilion. It seems they've been running an illegal business of trafficking women, and the deal is supposed to take place in the black market in a few days. Since we raided the Blossom Pavilion, won't those people be on high alert?"
"Sure they will."
"Then what's the point of all this?"
"Let's just wait and see what the Duke does tomorrow. He can't keep all those women forever. Even if they go without food for a few days, dealing with the dead bodies will be a hassle. And he surely won't kill them all. I heard some of the goods are quite special. Do you think the Duke can bear to let them go? Does he think, like you, that I'll assume he won't take any action? Let's gamble on whether he'll take this risk." Huo Qizhou hooked the corner of his mouth and closed the lid of his teacup.
"Goodness, you're really playing the 'fortune favors the bold' game, huh!"
Huo Qizhou smiled. Yan Mo propped his chin and watched him. This old fox was up to something again.
"What if you lose the bet?"
"Lose? What are you talking about? If he keeps those women, that'll be the biggest disaster for him."
"Hahaha, that old traitor Zhang Yuan'an might die of anger before we even arrest him."
"Well, if that happens, he's just unlucky."
At the Duke's Mansion.
Zhang Mingzhu was leading a young servant out when she saw her grandfather walking out of the study with a strange look on his face. Behind him was Steward Liu, Zhang Yuan'an's trusted aide.
Zhang Mingzhu changed her direction and walked towards her grandfather.
"Grandfather, what's wrong?"
"Mingzhu, why are you here?" Zhang Yuan'an deliberately softened his expression when he saw his granddaughter.
"I saw that you looked unwell. Have you been overworked recently?"
"Not at all. It's just that I'm getting old. It's normal."
"Grandfather is not old at all." Zhang Mingzhu said coquettishly. "Grandfather, are you going out?"
"Yes. Your great - grandfather invited me out for tea. Are you going out too, Mingzhu?"
"Oh, I see. I'm not going out anymore. I just came back from playing with Jiang Qiong."
"Is it the eldest daughter of the Jiang family?"
"Yes. She's okay. I like playing with her." Although Jiang Qiong was not good at ball - games, she was still a decent person. Zhang Mingzhu decided to forgive her. But next time they played ball, she must train Jiang Qiong well so that she wouldn't get so angry.
"Alright. Grandfather will go out first."
"Okay, grandfather. Remember to say hello to great - grandfather for me!"
"Okay, my dear granddaughter."
As soon as Zhang Mingzhu left, Zhang Yuan'an's expression reverted to its previous state.
"Master, a message came from the palace."
"Humph, that woman."
"Does master want to reply?"
"Humph. Tell her to wait patiently and stop causing trouble. She'd better not make any more noise."
"Yes, master."
At the teahouse, Lord Zeng had been waiting for a long time. When he saw Zhang Yuan'an coming in, he quickly stood up. Zhang Yuan'an stopped him. "Sit down. How's the situation now?"
"Although the Blossom Pavilion hasn't been officially sealed, almost everyone in it has been arrested by the Supreme Court. Our information might have been leaked." Lord Zeng looked worried. "That Huo Qizhou is so reckless. He knows it's your property but still doesn't stop."
"Lord Zeng, you underestimate him. He's never said he's on our side."
"But he often helps us deal with the Shi family!"
"He's just trying to balance the power between the two families."
"The Duke is right. But what should we do now?"
"Get rid of the goods in our hands as soon as possible. It's too risky to keep them."
"I'll send someone to prepare right away."
"Make sure there are no traces left behind."
"Don't worry, Duke."
...
Shi Muwǎn was practicing calligraphy in the palace. After being mocked by Huo Qizhou last time, her elder brother, Shi An, hesitated and asked her if she hadn't practiced calligraphy for a long time before he left.
Shi Muwǎn was stunned for a moment and blushed.
As soon as Shi An left, Shi Muwǎn asked Xiao Xiao to dig out the calligraphy copybooks that had been stored away for years.
"Hey, Xiao Xiao, whose calligraphy is this in the copybook?"
"I can't remember. Your Majesty the Empress Dowager can just practice with it."
"Alright then." The characters in the copybook were sharp - edged, with strokes like a flying dragon. They were slender, elegant, and full of vigor and boldness, which really touched Shi Muwǎn's heart. Such beautiful calligraphy increased her interest in practicing calligraphy, and she became much more serious. After all, who didn't want to write beautifully?
Fortunately, the characters here were not very different from those in her previous life, and she could recognize almost all of them.
Xiao Xiao and Yao Kun were accompanying her. Suddenly, Twelve popped up from somewhere, scaring Shi Muwǎn and Xiao Xiao. Yao Kun didn't show any reaction.
"Why are you so quiet when you walk? Do you want to scare Her Majesty the Empress Dowager to death?" Xiao Xiao frowned and really intimidated Twelve.
"I'm a shadow guard. Of course I have to be quiet." Twelve said proudly.
"You, you're just too much. Don't you know you've scared people?" Twelve always looked fierce when training her, which made her dislike him.
Shi Muwǎn found it funny and put down her brush, propping her head up and watching them.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. Please punish me." Twelve reacted quickly and admitted his fault without hesitation.