Jing Xunchè and his group took three days to reach the Kingdom of Karlsh. They disguised themselves and entered the city. Two of them posed as a married couple, Shen Qí as their son, and Zhu Fēi, who arrived later, as their younger sister.
"My lady, there's an inn up ahead. Let's stay there," Jing Xunchè said. He had to admit that he was quite satisfied with this identity. Calling her "my lady" came out so smoothly.
Mù Fēngqié gave Jing Xunchè a strange look but didn't say a word. She just led Shen Qí and Zhu Fēi inside.
"Boss, prepare two upper - class rooms," Jing Xunchè said. One room was for him and Qié'er, and the other was for Zhu Fēi and Shen Qí.
"Where should we start our investigation next?" They only had half a month, so they had to act quickly.
"Don't be in a hurry. On my way here, I've already had someone find out that the biggest trader here is a man named Téng Liú. If we can find him, we'll surely get information about the Jiāng family," Jing Xunchè said, then took out a portrait from his bosom.
"I had someone draw this. Later, we'll..." Jing Xunchè stopped halfway through his sentence. He stared at the portrait in his hand in shock. This man...
"What's wrong?" Mù Fēngqié looked over, puzzled. After seeing the portrait in Jing Xunchè's hand, she twitched the corner of her eye. "Are you sure we can find the person based on this portrait?"
This was the first time Mù Fēngqié had doubts about Jing Xunchè. Of course, it wasn't about Jing Xunchè himself but the person he had asked to draw the portrait. This person... Well, it was hard to describe.
"Cough... Qié'er, this was a mistake. Let's find the person our own way," Jing Xunchè said awkwardly. He hadn't expected that all his plans would be ruined by this portrait.
Damn it! Where on earth did Mù Nán find this painter? Didn't he even take a look at the portrait after it was drawn?
"Come on, stop dwelling on it. Since we already know his name, it'll be easier. I see so many people coming and going here. There must be someone who knows Téng Liú. We'll just ask around tomorrow," Mù Fēngqié said, seeing Jing Xunchè's depression. She comforted him. This wasn't anyone else's fault. They just hadn't checked carefully before leaving.
The next day, Jing Xunchè and Mù Fēngqié went out separately. At first, Jing Xunchè disagreed. After all, they were in an unfamiliar place, and it was easy to get into danger.
But Mù Fēngqié said that she had Zhu Fēi with her, and they could investigate faster if they split up. Otherwise, it would be a waste of time. Jing Xunchè had no choice but to tell Mù Fēngqié to be careful again and again before leaving uneasily.
"Master, where should we start our investigation?" Zhu Fēi asked.
"Let's go to the courier station here first. Maybe we can find the information we want there." Although her courier station was publicly known as a place for delivering parcels, after so many years, it had changed dramatically. Her courier station had now become a huge intelligence network.
However, this intelligence network only collected information within the country they were in. If she needed information, she had to come here herself and couldn't send someone else. This was a fixed rule.
Mù Fēngqié took Zhu Fēi to the courier station in the south of the city. She showed her identity token and was respectfully invited in.
"Master, what do you want to know?" A man who looked like a butler appeared in front of Mù Fēngqié, carrying a cup of tea.
"I want to know if there's a man named Téng Liú here," Mù Fēngqié stared at the butler and said.
"Master, there is such a person. He is the biggest imperial merchant in the Kingdom of Karlsh."
"Imperial merchant?" Mù Fēngqié frowned, a little surprised. "Are you sure he's not just an ordinary wealthy businessman?"
"Master, Téng Liú is no ordinary wealthy businessman. He is the third prince of the Kingdom of Karlsh and controls all the economic lifelines of the kingdom." Even the king had to give him some face and didn't dare to move against him easily.
Mù Fēngqié's eyes were deep. She hadn't expected Téng Liú to have such a high - status identity. It seemed that the Kingdom of Karlsh had long had its eyes on the Qín Dynasty.
After learning all about Téng Liú, Mù Fēngqié left.
Zhu Fēi looked at Mù Fēngqié in confusion. "Master, why didn't you bring Jing Xunchè with you? Wouldn't it be more time - saving? Why do we have to go through all this extra trouble?"
"It's not that I don't trust him. It's just that the fewer people who know about this kind of thing, the better. If it were just me, I could tell A - Chè without any hesitation. But there are so many brothers behind me.
I'm worried that the more people who know, the more dangerous they'll be. Let's just focus on our courier business," Mù Fēngqié knew that she shouldn't be hiding this from Jing Xunchè, but it was better to be cautious.
If some ill - intentioned person found out, they would be in endless trouble. She couldn't bear that price, so it was better not to say anything.
When Mù Fēngqié got back, Jing Xunchè hadn't returned yet. It was almost noon when Jing Xunchè finally came back.
"Qié'er, are you okay?" As soon as Jing Xunchè came back, he asked about Mù Fēngqié's situation first. After seeing that she was safe and sound, he felt relieved.
"A - Chè, I'm fine. You've been out all morning. Come and have something to eat quickly," Mù Fēngqié asked the waiter to serve the dishes she had just ordered. Most of them were Jing Xunchè's favorite.
"Mother, when can we go back?" Had they found something? Shen Qí looked at Jing Xunchè and Mù Fēngqié with his bright big eyes.
"Wait a little longer. We just got here. There's no need to rush," Mù Fēngqié stroked Shen Qí's head. To be honest, she was a bit caught off - guard when Shen Qí called her mother.
All of a sudden, she had changed from Sister Qié'er to mother.
"Qié'er, how's your investigation going?" After they finished their meal, Jing Xunchè and Mù Fēngqié went back to their room. This matter was mainly being investigated by them.
Since they were in the same room, they didn't have to worry about others suspecting them.
"I've found out that Téng Liú is the biggest imperial merchant in the Kingdom of Karlsh. Moreover, he is the third prince of the kingdom and controls the entire economic lifeline of the Kingdom of Karlsh," Mù Fēngqié told him all the information she had learned.
Jing Xunchè was a bit surprised. The information he had found didn't include these details. However... "I got a portrait of Téng Liú. It seems that Téng Liú may not be his real name."
"No... On the contrary, this is his real name. He took his mother's surname," Mù Fēngqié said.
"That's not important anymore. I've found out that Téng Liú is an out - and - out miser and extremely greedy for money."