Li An was quite skilled at painting. With Kongqing filling in the details, he painted a portrait of the woman.
He handed the portrait to Chonglou and asked him to investigate the woman's background.
Li An continued to set up his stall.
The more they tried to stop him, the more determined he was to set it up.
Li An even left Lingyu behind to take care of Kongqing and Dongzhi, going out to run the stall all by himself.
Chonglou quickly found out the identities of the mother and son.
The mother's na was Zhao Hong, a well-known philanthropist in the town who frequently helped poor and pitiful families.
The son was Zhu Zhangzhi, a young man who appeared polite on the surface but was actually petty and narrow-minded.
Her late husband was the forr town mayor, and the current mayor was Zhao Hong's brother-in-law, Zhu Fuying.
The reason they had smashed Li An's stall was simply that Zhu Zhangzhi was dissatisfied with Li An for not listening to him and allowing servants to eat at the sa table.
Later on, Li An had taken a tough stance and driven the Zhu family mother and son away.
To vent his anger and stand up for his mother, Zhu Zhangzhi paid Snake Eight to smash the stall.
Zhu Fuying deeply respected his sister-in-law and doted on his nephew.
Furthermore, there was no evidence to prove that Snake Eight was instigated by Zhu Zhangzhi.
Snake Eight took a beating, and the matter was considered settled.
Is it really that simple?
Chonglou could not answer Li An's question.
According to the surface evidence, that was exactly how it was.
Li An instructed Chonglou to keep a close eye on Zhao Hong.
Li An felt that this woman was not an ordinary person; she was definitely not as simple as she appeared.
Lingyu ca in to report that Dongzhi had woken up and wanted to see Li An.
After Li An's treatnt, Dongzhi's mind had cleared up a little.
Thank you for allowing Xiaoman to rest in peace.
With you in this state, can Xiaoman truly rest in peace?
Li An's rhetorical question made Dongzhi's eyes dim once again.
Do you want to avenge Xiaoman?
What do you want to know?
The truth. Why did you get addicted to Yingng? Who gave it to you? Where is the Ying Beauty plant grown?
I don't know who it was.
You are still lying.
I am not lying, I really don't know who it is, I just... Dongzhi paused.
Who do you suspect?
It couldn't be her. Dongzhi shook his head in denial.
Who is it?
It's, it's, it's, ah— Dongzhi scread, clutching his head with both hands and rolling on the ground. I want Yingng, give it to , give it to ...
Dongzhi was once again controlled by Yingng, falling into a hallucination.
If you want Yingng, tell who you saw.
Yingng... I'll tell you, I'll tell you... It's, it's the First Madam... Give Yingng, Yingng...
Who is the First Madam?
It's just the First Madam... Give Yingng... Dongzhi collapsed on the ground like a pile of mud.
Chonglou, standing to the side, spoke up, The people in town all call Zhao Hong the First Madam.
Zhao Hong, the one who gave Dongzhi Yingng... is she the mastermind behind producing Yingng?
Watch Zhao Hong like a hawk.
Yes. Chonglou acknowledged the order and went to investigate.
Li An returned to his room, where Kongqing was sleeping on his stomach.
Hearing the door, he opened his eyes. Second Master.
Send a ssage to your master and tell him to hurry over.
Kongqing, who had been relaxed, stiffened at Li An's words.
Second Master, you are my master.
I'm serious. The situation in Flower Town is not simple. Just the four of us cannot handle it.
Kongqing dropped his smile. How did you figure it out, Second Master?
I have a sharp nose. I rember any scent I've slled before.
On the very first day Kongqing arrived by Li An's side, Li An slled a scent on him that belonged to a certain soone.
After secretly testing him a few tis, he confird that Kongqing was that person's subordinate.
Master instructed that from the day Kongqing arrived by Second Master's side, I am your person in life and your servant in death.
That doesn't matter. What you need to do right now is send the ssage out.
Yes. Kongqing complied.
After giving his instructions, Li An left the fabric shop and went back to the street corner to continue running his stall.
Still, no one ca.
Li An was not in a hurry; he read dical books and occasionally jotted down his thoughts and insights.
Ti quickly advanced to the day of the Flower King competition.
Before this, the open auditions and preliminary rounds had already taken place.
Countless potted flowers had been eliminated, leaving only the top ten to enter the finals.
The ten pots of flowers were displayed in the town's central square, each guarded by yan runners and the flower's owners.
Beside each flower pot was a bamboo tube ant for holding flower voting tallies.
Anyone who entered the town square could receive a flower tally to cast a vote for their favorite flower.
It started at the Si hour (9 AM) and ended at the beginning of the Shen hour (3 PM).
The flower that received the most tallies would be crowned the annual Flower King.
Li An entered the square holding a flower tally, followed by Kongqing, whose injuries were mostly healed.
Chonglou had to tail Zhao Hong, and Lingyu had to watch over Dongzhi, so they didn't have ti to co.
The ten potted flowers each had their own unique rits.
After so thought, Li An finally cast his tally for a pot of dual-colored callias, which swayed like a two-toned beauty.
The owner of the flower was a young woman who earnestly thanked every judge who voted for her.
Your flower is very beautiful.
Li An's sincere praise made the young woman blush slightly.
Thank you for the complint, young master. My family runs a flora hall in the north of town. If you are interested, you can co and take a look.
Alright. Li An agreed.
More people ca to cast their tallies. Li An took the opportunity to leave.
Seeing that it was noon, he said, Kongqing, let's go to the Mountain Wild Stir-Fry for lunch.
Yes, Second Master.
Kongqing walked in front, clearing a path for Li An. As noon approached, the square beca more and more crowded, making it a bit difficult to squeeze their way out.
Stepping out of the square, Li An wiped the sweat from his forehead. It was truly exhausting.
The two arrived at the Mountain Wild Stir-Fry and ordered the other signature dishes they hadn't tried last ti.
Have so water. Li An poured a cup of tea for Kongqing.
Thank you, Second Master. Kongqing respectfully took it with both hands.
No need to be so polite. He waved his hand dismissively. How did you et your master?
My master is you, Second Master?
Kongqing, you know what I am asking. There's no point in hiding it. Li An narrowed his eyes.
Kongqing hesitated for a mont before speaking.
I am an orphan. Master picked up and sent to the hidden guard camp for training. After I graduated, Master sent to your side, Second Master.
Is that all?
Whatever An'an wants to know, you can just ask directly. A familiar voice reached Li An's ears.
Kongqing stood up, stepped back, and knelt down.
You may leave.
Kongqing did not move imdiately but glanced at Li An.
Li An gave a slight nod, and Kongqing stood up and withdrew.
In the dining hall of the Mountain Wild Stir-Fry, everyone else had already left, leaving only Li An and the man who had just spoken.
Fifth Young Master graces us with his presence. Forgive for not going out to welco you.
Since An'an notified to co, I naturally hurried over at top speed. Fifth Young Master sat down on Li An's long bench.
I invited Fifth Young Master here to discuss serious business. Li An reached out to block the man's approaching face, leaning his neck back to create so distance.
Fifth Young Master didn't give up and planted a light kiss on the palm of Li An's hand.
To , An'an is my serious business.
Fifth Young Master tried to lean in closer, only to find that he couldn't move his body.
Li An smiled. Fifth Young Master, during my ten years of studying dicine, I also learned a thing or two about poisons.
User Comments
0 comments from readers