Chapter 29 Qing Er

"Ji Zexiang came out and asked me to prepare some more tea and refreshments, and by the way, some snacks and wine for the Xia family guards who came with them. These were things I often did, and everything had been arranged. But when Ji Zexiang came out to instruct me, she told me that today was a bit strange. Although it was her first close contact with Xia Yu, she could clearly see that Xia Yu was somewhat disturbed. Coming to her place seemed to be just a smokescreen, just using the place." Qing Er said.

When Qing Er was delivering snacks and wine to the guards that day, she paid attention to them. Although it was Xia Yu's first time at the embroidered building, two or three of the guards had been there more than once or twice. Moreover, there was at least one Xia family *gongfeng* (供奉, honored retainer) among the guards. At this point, Qing Er was completely focused, knowing that what she was about to witness would be quite important.

Sure enough, not long after, a person entered the Mingzhu Courtyard through a side door. That person didn't go to Xia Yu's room but came to the room of another person. After talking to that person through a curtain for a while, he left. Afterward, Xia Yu abandoned Ji Zexiang and went to that room to talk about something. Before the group left, Xia Yu, although he hadn't been with Ji Zexiang at all that day, paid twice the fee and instructed Ji Zexiang not to reveal what happened today under any circumstances... If anyone asked, just say that Xia Yu came.

At that time, both Ji Zexiang and Qing Er were almost instantly petrified. Who was Xia Yu? In the entire powerful Xia family, he was one of the most influential figures. Although he only held a negligible fourth-rank position as a vice minister in the Ministry of Revenue in the court, many of those in the Xia family who seemed to have higher official positions, whether in the central government of Chun Nan or serving in local positions, had to consult his opinion on many matters. And Xia Yu in Yu Hang had always cherished his reputation. Aside from his love of drinking and his staggering spending on collecting paintings, this middle-aged man had almost no bad habits. Although the Xia family's industries were widely distributed, with most of their business being in eating, drinking, prostitution, and gambling, as one of the Xia family's stewards, he must have been involved in some of it. A person like this could maintain a respectable and flawless image in front of people of equal status, but if he had any vices, there would always be rumors among the servants. But this Xia Yu, not to mention whoring, even walking into a brothel or casino would be treated as news in Yu Hang. If it were some other top courtesan in a brothel, they might say it was for elegant affairs like listening to music or composing poetry, and some people might believe it. But Ji Zexiang... speaking of which, her most famous trait was her skills in bed. For Xia Yu to rather admit to visiting a prostitute than to reveal the existence of another guest, what would the identity of that person be?

After paying more attention, Qing Er didn't come away empty-handed. Although she couldn't get close enough to observe, she still discovered that the other guest was a young woman of quite noble status. Although her clothes and manners were extremely discreet, the temperament and details of her movements, cultivated by years of pampered upbringing and commanding others, were not so easy to hide.

It had been many days after the event when Qing Er reported this matter to Xing Siming's subordinates. Afterward, Xing Siming specially asked Qing Er to repeat it once more and carefully inquired about many details. In addition, he also brought in portrait artists from the Intelligence Bureau to meticulously depict the image of each person. If Qing Er could only remember the most critical people and events, it might seem a bit suspicious, which would make Xing Siming unable to resist investigating further. However, Qing Er's narrative was quite natural. She could clearly explain every detail she remembered, and she didn't evade any aspects she didn't know. The portrait artists, based on Qing Er's description, created more than a dozen portraits, from the most important Xia Yu to the less important guards. Then they traced the whereabouts of each person and finally confirmed that Qing Er could not be lying. The reason why Xing Siming was so cautious was precisely because he knew the little girl Qing Er's thoughts.

It was impossible for Qing Er not to have her own speculations. The portrait of the person who came later, after identification, should be Xu Han Chao, the leader of the Black Eagle Gang. Combining various details for speculation, the mysterious guest could only point to two people: one was Consort Lian's mother, and the other was Consort Lian herself. However, if it was Consort Lian herself, then this matter would be sensational. Given Consort Lian's identity and background, it would be quite difficult for her to regard Dongping as her home, but if she were to leak information about the Seven Seas Trading Company, which was of great interest to Dongping, it would be a big problem.

After Qing Er finished her account, Xing Siming said blandly, "Effective immediately, you are promoted to Level Two Intelligence Officer. I will send someone to contact you later to confirm how to transmit information."

Qing Er's eyes lit up after hearing this. The brilliance and sharpness in that instant were truly surprising, but only for a moment. She then returned to being the young woman who seemed to have no ulterior motives. Qing Er, the maid in the embroidered building who was liked and hated for her sharp tongue and unforgiving nature...

"Yes, Mr. Xing." Qing Er bowed slightly and then said goodbye to Ye Tao and Qi Zhentao before leaving. Becoming a Level Two Intelligence Officer was really nothing considering her deep qualifications, but at the age of nineteen, it already made her the third youngest of all Level Two Intelligence Officers in the entire Intelligence Bureau. The two people younger than her were both male and were the kind of martial intelligence officers who were always undergoing assassination, combat, and stealth training. For Qing Er, the most meaningful thing about becoming a Level Two Intelligence Officer was that she could report situations at any time, decide what to report and what not to report, and add some of her own opinions outside of the situation. This meant that she was more than one step closer to her seemingly incredible grand goal. In the Intelligence Bureau, moving from a Level Three Intelligence Officer to a Level Two Intelligence Officer was a huge threshold recognized by everyone, and this tradition would continue for a very, very long time.

After Qing Er left, Xing Siming asked cautiously, "Lord Ye, Old Master Qi, I have verified the content of what Qing Er said in many ways. I haven't found any loopholes. Qi Lao naturally knows Xu Han Chao's appearance and those characteristics. After all, you have been old rivals for many years. And... that other person... Lord Ye, I don't know if you can finally confirm it?"

Ye Tao pondered. In terms of time, Consort Lian Chang Ling really didn't have an alibi. That day was Consort Lian's first visit to the Xia family's old residence to see her mother after returning to Yu Hang. Because the Xia family was powerful, they didn't have to worry about Consort Lian's safety, so the guards were indeed very negligent and didn't follow her closely from beginning to end. And that afternoon, when Consort Lian met with those relatives and noble ladies and confided in her mother, aunt, and others, she fainted and was sent to the quiet room in the mansion to rest in bed. In fact, there was completely time. It's just that it's not known how they had discussed this matter beforehand and what their purpose was.

"Mr. Xing, I cannot confirm whether that is Consort Lian. According to Qing Er's description, I cannot." Ye Tao said, "You know, Consort Lian and I have quite a few disagreements. I avoid seeing her whenever possible. Even though I am the highest official of the Dongping delegation this time, I have only seen Consort Lian a few times from beginning to end. I know almost nothing about Consort Lian, especially those habits and movements."

Xing Siming nodded with a normal expression and said, "In that case, we will prepare for both possibilities. In any case, the Xia family is detrimental to the Seven Seas Trading Company, detrimental to Dongping, and detrimental to you, Lord. That is certain. The deployment against the Xia family will gradually unfold. You can know that we have a mole in the Xia family, but it is not easy to activate. It has always been kept for use at a critical moment. As for the matter of Her Highness Consort Lian, I dare not act on my own authority and will definitely report it. Consort Lian cannot stay in Chun Nan for a long time, and I will not be able to do the work of surveillance and control in the future."

"The Xia family used to have a large business at sea, and they must have dealings with the Black Eagle Gang. Old Master, I think it is very logical to be able to pull out this clue. To say that they are preparing to be detrimental to the Seven Seas Trading Company is too right. If they wanted to benefit the Seven Seas Trading Company, that would be a strange thing," Qi Zhentao said with a cold snort. "However, Mr. Xing, what do you mean by saying that they want to be detrimental to Ye Tao?"

Xing Siming said bluntly, "The mole in the Juxian Wang Mansion is a member of the Xia family. Chang Hongquan is still investigating, but that is just for show. He already knows who it is, knows which family sent them, but his skill in playing dumb is really profound. I guess Chang Hongquan doesn't want to offend the Xia family so early. It was that traitor who passed Chen Kai's identity to the Xia family. The Xia family was so eager to get rid of Chen Kai that their methods seemed very crude. They actually used the Xia family's connections... Indeed, I don't know if they are really targeting Lord Ye or if Lord Ye is just happening to be there, but it is better to be careful. Of course, this is only in Chun Nan. When you return to Dongping and Yunzhou, it will naturally not be my responsibility, and someone else will pay attention to your personal safety."

Xing Siming paused and said, "This is the only thing I can do. Lord Ye understands the Intelligence Bureau, so you should know that I can decide to monitor and probe on my own, but I don't have so much power to do anything. I still have to wait to hear General Nie's opinion... So, Lord, what are you going to do?"

Ye Tao tilted his head and thought for a while, then smiled and said, "I'm not going to do anything. I'm just going to talk to Consort Lian first."

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