The Concubine's Daughter Travels Through Time and Space and Takes the Road of Confrontation

After Gou Da and his men were taken away by the Luzhou government office, Zhao Qingyu declined an invitation to a celebration banquet and decided to continue on his journey. The mystery surrounding Madam Zhang's disappearance made it difficult for him to determine the direction of his investigation.

Catching the bandits delayed them, and they were unable to reach the nearby post station before dusk, so they had to find a dilapidated temple to spend the night. A cold wind blew in the evening, and there was a fear that it would snow again.

The dilapidated temple was big enough, so Lu Yun asked the coachman to drive the carriage into an empty house and lit several bonfires inside. The rising flames dispelled the chill of the night.

Lu Yun and Lord Zhao sat around the campfire, and Caihe put a small stove in each of them.

"Lord Zhao, in your opinion, how true is the bandit leader's words today?" Lu Yun remained calm. Her intuition told her that there must be something behind her mother's disappearance, and it was likely that the imperial court was involved. But she was puzzled as to how her mother's identity could bring about such a disaster.

"Princess, the bandit leader's words are not supported by any real evidence, so I cannot make any rash conclusions." Lord Zhao said very conservatively.

Lu Yun glanced at him, her lips twitching slightly, "Lord Zhao, why don't you think about it again? For example, has there been any major case in Luzhou recently? My mother might have been implicated." She didn't know much about the affairs of the court.

Upon hearing this, Lord Zhao lowered his eyes, took a piece of pancake and slowly began to eat. Lu Yun glared at him. Sure enough, there was something else going on.

Suddenly, several flashes of light appeared outside the door, as if someone was approaching. Lu Yun gripped her sword tightly and looked outside with a vigilant expression. A young man in a black cloak slowly walked into the courtyard, followed by two men, one tall and one short, both of whom looked dusty. It had already started snowing outside.

He should be a traveler who, like himself, missed the inn and came to the ruined temple for shelter.

But the man in the lead looked very familiar, until he lowered his hood, revealing his handsome features.

"Mr. Zhou?" Lu Yun was surprised. She didn't expect to meet him in such a remote place. What a coincidence.

Zhou Boli smiled gently and stepped forward to bow to the girl in red in front of him, "Greetings, Princess." Zhao Qingyu silently looked at the three masters and servants who suddenly appeared. The person in front of him had an extraordinary demeanor and knew the princess, but he didn't know where he came from.

Liuzi waved to Caihe with a smile. The other person was Ada who came to bring him wine.

After Lu Yun introduced Mr. Zhao to Mr. Zhou, she began to ask him why he came.

"Mr. Zhou, didn't you leave the capital and return to Shu a long time ago? How did you appear in Luzhou?"

Zhou Boli frowned slightly and sighed, "I received a letter from my father halfway through the journey. It turned out that a caravan of our family had lost its trace when passing through Luzhou, and my father asked me to go and investigate and find the caravan." He paused and said, "It's strange. I have lost caravans before. I don't know why my father attaches so much importance to this time."

Thinking of what the bandit leader had said, Lord Zhao looked thoughtful and asked, "I wonder what kind of business your family is doing?"

"It's mainly about selling groceries from the north and south. We transport goods from Shu to the prosperous places in the north to sell them, and then use the money we earn to buy supplies from the north and bring them back to Shu. It's just hard-earned money." Zhou Boli looked at Lord Zhao and said with a smile.

Lord Zhao had an unfathomable expression. "I studied in southern Hunan for a few years. I've heard that the mountain roads in Shu are difficult and dangerous, and most of the supplies are transported by oxen and horses. The government also relies on local big merchants to transport money, food, and - official salt." He looked at the young man in black, his eyes full of inquiry.

Zhou Boli seemed frightened by Lord Zhao's words. "Well, then, my caravan did transport supplies for the government. Now it's deep winter, and the autumn grain has long been stored in the warehouse. Could it really be government salt?"

Lord Zhao nodded imperceptibly and said, "I'm afraid the supplies your palace lost are most likely official salt."

"What should I do, Lord Zhao, please help me." Zhou Boli looked anxious.

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhou. As long as it is found that the loss of the official salt was not intentional on the part of your government, the government will not make things difficult for you even if it cannot be found. Instead, it will give a sum of money as compensation to the casualties." Lord Zhao, who was familiar with the laws of the Qin Dynasty, explained.

"Oh, that's good." Zhou Boli was relieved and suddenly said seriously, "Thanks to the government's trust in us, the Zhou family, in taking the important task of escorting the official salt. How can we sit idly by and watch the official salt go missing? I will definitely investigate this matter to the end and find out who is behind it and give everyone an explanation."

Liuzi and Ada on the side nodded hurriedly, "Young Master, you are absolutely right."

"Why are the princess and Lord Zhao in Luzhou again?" Zhou Boli looked at the two of them with concern.

Lu Yun sighed and said, "It's a long story, but I'd rather not tell it."

Zhou Boli: “——”

A week later, Guan came to Yannianyuan again, still wearing plain clothes and carrying the faint scent of orchids.

"Madam, I'm here to thank you." She smiled faintly and sat down beside the old lady, her cheeks flushed. "Not long ago, on my way back to the nunnery from the capital, I passed through an alley and my carriage broke down. Master Lu happened to be passing by and, seeing how embarrassed I was, he offered me his carriage."

At this point, her face suddenly became lonely. "I am a widow after all, so it is not convenient for me to thank you in person. I have no choice but to borrow flowers from the old lady to offer to her." After that, she asked the little maid to put the gifts she brought on the table.

The old lady looked around and picked out a brocade box, her face full of smiles. "How can an old lady like me use this piece of Yunyan ink? The backyard of the west wing is now unattended and in a mess. I, an old woman, can only help out. I just happened to have something I wanted to trouble someone to do for me."

Guan's expression was unnatural, and her voice was soft, "If the old lady can use Siwei's place, Siwei will definitely do it."

"Very good." The old lady smiled happily and motioned for the maid to bring a tray of clothes. "This is a new outer robe made in the mansion. You have loved this lake blue color since you were a child. Please go and help me deliver it. It seems that you will be back soon, so go quickly."

Guan took the little maid and went to the west wing of the courtyard. With the little maid given by the old lady leading the way, they walked smoothly all the way until they passed a small garden.

"Xiao Yu, whose lady is this?" Aunt Yao looked at the little maid with an unhappy expression. The mistress had been missing for a long time. Yao thought she was the best person in the backyard of the west wing, so when a strange lady suddenly came, she had to ask her carefully.

"This is--" Xiaoyu was embarrassed. How should she introduce it?

Guan had already found out that Lu Lingcong had two concubines, Yao and Yuan, in the backyard. Yao was favored but Yuan was in charge of the finances. The slightly plump woman in front of her should be Yao. She couldn't help but feel disdainful. How could such a beauty be worthy of Lu Lang?

He put on a friendly smile and continued, "My surname is Guan, and I'm an old acquaintance of your wife. I'm here to deliver something on the old lady's orders."

It turned out to be the old lady. Aunt Yao's expression became more restrained and she became more enthusiastic. "Thank you so much, Madam. As long as the old lady has any instructions, I will do my best. Madam, just leave the things to me."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Guan's eyes. Didn't Yao understand what she was saying? "Thank you, Aunt Yao. The old lady asked me to deliver the things personally. I really can't delegate the task entrusted by the elders."

Aunt Yao said with an embarrassed look, "In that case, I'll trouble you, Madam."

As expected, it was stupid. Guan smiled and said, "You are welcome, Auntie."