CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: THE INTERESTING SECOND MISS TANG

She came looking for Su Shunqing because Su Shunqing is Li Xingyuan’s top intelligence officer in the Capital!

Moreover, it wasn’t like she hadn’t tried asking the adults in her family.

Yesterday, after leaving Little Qin, she went to find Tang Jiaojiao.

But having hit a wall there, she thought of trying her luck with Su Shunqing.

However, it was clear she didn’t get lucky this time.

"Since Scholar Lv is recommended by Princess Puan, both the Princess and the Gu Family should be very clear about his background. If Second Miss has doubts, you can inquire with your uncle’s family. I, Su, am just a minor official; I’m afraid I can’t assist Second Miss in this matter." Su Shunqing, although blushing from the praise, wasn’t about to be swayed by a little girl.

Princess Puan is Tang Xiaobai’s second aunt, also considered half a member of the Gu family, so recommending a clan school teacher is entirely reasonable.

Su Shunqing’s response was similar to Tang Jiaojiao’s.

Tang Xiaobai nodded, showing a look of regret, and before leaving, threw a sorrowful glance.

But inwardly, she wasn’t really disappointed. What Su Shunqing said made sense since they weren’t familiar with each other.

Still, saying one thing and doing another, he could investigate secretly on his own!

They, who engage in intelligence, surely won’t miss any hints, especially when this matter does seem a bit unusual.

Given Little Qin’s fear of Lv Xia, Lv Xia is most likely the antagonist.

Su Shunqing, being a main character, should want to show Lv Xia what he’s made of, right?

Therefore, Tang Xiaobai left rather satisfied.

After Tang Xiaobai and Su Shunqing each went their way, a person emerged from behind a large willow tree nearby.

The person looked about fifteen or sixteen, wearing very ordinary cloth attire, with a pair of bright phoenix eyes.

He stared thoughtfully in the direction Tang Xiaobai departed for a moment, then turned away, leaving in the opposite direction, looping around, exiting from Changxing Village’s north gate, and then heading east.

Upon reaching the outer northern walls of Qinren Street, he paused to observe the Duke Yan Mansion built against the wall, then continued eastward until he reached the exterior of Wannian County Office, greeted the old county official at the door, and swiftly walked in.

Going around the County Hall to the west wing of the rear office, he pushed the door open while exclaiming, "Guess who I saw today?"

Before his voice fell, there was a chaotic clattering sound, as if books had fallen to the ground.

"Who did you see?" A head poked out from a pile of documents, the official cap on his head slightly askew, his eyes glancing nervously behind him.

"It’s just me," Yao He closed the door with his backhand, teased, "The esteemed Wannian County Magistrate, yet you’re behaving like a petty thief?" He glanced at the desk, "Studying again?"

Xue Shaoqin "mmmed," took the scroll hidden under the table, dusted it off lovingly, and carefully stashed it into the cloth bag beside him.

"What’s wrong with being a County Magistrate?" Yao He leaned against him, laughing, "You tell me, who can immediately become a County Magistrate in the Capital? Spend a few years in Wannian County, serve a few years in Capital Prefecture, and then advance to the court; you might just leap straight to the rank of an official of the six ministries! Only your Xue surname allows such a smooth path."

Xue Shaoqin didn’t respond, asking, "Who did you say you saw?"

Yao He immediately sat up straight: "I saw Second Miss Tang! In Changxing Village!"

Xue Shaoqin looked at him curiously: "And then?"

"Second Miss Tang seemed to specifically visit Su Shunqing! They first met at Bi Luo Store, and then went somewhere secluded to have a private conversation!"

"And then?"

"Don’t you think it’s suspicious?" Yao He was a bit anxious, "Think about it, the palace had once summoned Second Miss Tang—no outcome. Then they sent Prince Consort Zhao Jing to search the Zhenzhou Imperial Court—no outcome. Now, after a few days, Second Miss Tang has met with Su Shunqing!"

Xue Shaoqin still looked at him suspiciously: "Why do you keep an eye on Second Miss Tang; she’s just nine years old."

"What’s wrong with nine?" Yao He was nonchalant, "When I was nine, I was running around the streets with my grandfather!"

Xue Shaoqin paused, then said, "Perhaps Second Miss Tang and Su Jinzou just ran into each other," paused again, "The flavors at Bi Luo Store in Changxing Village are quite good; don’t you often run into Su Jinzou there?"

"I indeed often run into Su Shunqing, but it’s the first time I’ve seen Second Miss Tang! You tell me, which household’s noble daughter dives into Bi Luo Store so early? And she brought over a dozen servants—can’t they just buy the food and bring it back? If she’s not seeking out Su Shunqing for a conversation, what is it?" Yao He felt he was reasoning correctly.

Xue Shaoqin, unable to refute, nodded and asked, "So what did they talk about in secret?"

Yao He slapped his wrist: "Second Miss Tang brought too many people; I didn’t dare get too close. I only vaguely heard them mention someone—"

"Who?"

"Lv Xia, do you recognize the name?"

Xue Shaoqin shook his head.

Yao He expressed regret: "I’ll go look into it later!"

Xue Shaoqin showed helplessness: "This case has already been referred to the Ministry of Justice; it’s not under our jurisdiction anymore. Are you still daring to keep an eye on the Duke Yan Mansion, unafraid of stirring up trouble?"

Yao He chuckled, took a bite of the wrapped Bi Luo, and said with his mouth full, "I just find Second Miss Tang and her little benefactor quite interesting..."

...

The interesting Second Miss Tang had just returned home when she was invited by a waiting maid to meet Tang Jiaojiao.

"Where have you run off to this time?" Tang Jiaojiao asked irritably.

Tang Xiaobai recalled the obstacle she faced yesterday and wasn’t very cooperative: "Just went for a walk!"

Tang Jiaojiao looked at her with furrowed brows: "Come over here!"

Tang Xiaobai lazily replied, "Speak up if there’s something; if not, I’m leaving."

Tang Jiaojiao laughed angrily: "Try taking a step!"

Tang Xiaobai snorted softly.

Would she, an adult, be intimidated by the threat from a thirteen-year-old girl?

If she dared to threaten her, she’d play along!

She shuffled over to Tang Jiaojiao with an expression of resigned submission.

Tang Jiaojiao, both amused and exasperated, tapped her on the head: "Weren’t you the one who felt Lv Xia was suspicious yesterday? I’ve sent someone to inquire with Little Uncle—"

Tang Xiaobai’s eyes brightened.

Clearly, when she was badmouthing Lv Xia to the First Miss yesterday, the First Miss had looked at her with disdain: "Is this something you need to worry about? Would the uncles allow someone to teach at the clan school without vetting them?"

Unexpectedly, her sister was just blunt with her words and actually sent someone to the Gu family for inquiries afterward.

"Little Uncle said Lv Xia’s scholarship has no issues, and since the person was recommended by the Princess, it’s most likely settled this way." Tang Jiaojiao shared the answer, though it wasn’t ideal.

But Tang Xiaobai sensed something else: "If there’s no issue with scholarship, is there a problem with his character?"

Tang Jiaojiao gave her a sideways glance: "Would the uncles agree if there were issues of character? Even the Princess’s recommendation wouldn’t help!"

"If both character and scholarship have no issues, why doesn’t this Scholar Lv go and take the imperial exam?" Tang Xiaobai asked again.

Tang Jiaojiao thought for a moment, couldn’t understand, so she glared at her: "So young and already scheming so much? If there’s no problem, then there’s no problem! Stop being so suspicious!"

Tang Xiaobai fell silent.

But wasn’t there a hint of reluctance in Little Uncle Gu’s reply?

If scholarship and character aren’t the problem, then what could be, besides the possibility that Lv Xia might know Little Qin?