Seeing Shen Lanzhou’s horrified expression, Jingfeng knew he had definitely misunderstood something.
He quickly explained, “Young Master Shen, it’s not that Qu Zhao is impersonating Qu Jinshu.”
He then told Shen Lanzhou everything they had discovered, leaving out no details.
It took Shen Lanzhou quite some time to calm himself down.
“I understand now. The person who saved Jingxing last night and the one who went to meet the Emperor were actually Qu Jinshu of the Qu family. And the one who rendered outstanding military service at the border and defeated me in the horseback archery competition was also Qu Jinshu, right?”
“Mm.”
“So that’s how it is! No wonder the same person could give off such completely different impressions. When I saw Qu Zhao competing, I actually admired his performance. But whenever I met him in private, I wanted nothing more than to tear his mouth apart.”
Shen Lanzhou finally understood.
However, he soon became troubled again.
“But according to what you’re saying, doesn’t that mean I lost to a woman?”
Jingfeng nodded solemnly. “Yes.”
Shen Lanzhou fell silent. “Fine. Losing to a woman is still better than losing to a good for nothing like Qu Zhao.”
He began consoling himself. “That old Qu bastard is really bold! What he did amounts to deceiving the Emperor. If things go badly, his entire family could be executed!”
“Now I understand why she requested that the death exemption token could only be used by ‘Qu Jinshu.’ She was preparing a way out for herself.”
“That old Qu bastard and that good for nothing Qu Zhao have no idea they’ve been played. Hahaha! I bet they don’t even know what kind of person Zhao Hening really is. I’m practically dying to see what life will be like for Zhao Hening after she marries into the Marquis’s household.”
“That young lady of the Qu family really is an interesting person!”
As Shen Lanzhou spoke, he couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
“By the way, Jingxing, you were with her the entire night, weren’t you? A man and a woman alone together… Did anything happen between you two?”
He raised his eyebrows suggestively at Zhao Jingxing.
However, Zhao Jingxing merely sneered. “What could happen with an idiot?”
Shen Lanzhou opened his mouth but then stopped himself.
‘You’ve been pretending to be an idiot for more than a decade. Don’t tell me you’ve actually started believing you’re one.’
“Master, what do you think…” Jingfeng began asking Zhao Jingxing for instructions again.
Knowing what Qu Jinshu had been through, and realizing that, like his master, she had been unable to show her true self to the world for so many years, Jingfeng couldn’t help feeling some sympathy for her.
Besides, she had saved his master’s life.
He simply didn’t know whether his master would be willing to grant her this favor.
Shen Lanzhou chimed in as well. “That’s right, Jingxing. Elder Chi cannot possibly be hired away, but the other cooks can. Have someone select the best cook for her. Don’t charge her anything.”
“Refuse her,” Zhao Jingxing suddenly said.
“What?” Shen Lanzhou and Jingfeng both stared at him in shock.
“This time, don’t arrange a cook for her. If she comes again in the future, do the same. Whether it’s Elder Chi or any other cook, no one from Manyue Pavilion is to be hired by her.”
After hearing Zhao Jingxing’s words, Shen Lanzhou almost felt sorry for Qu Jinshu.
“Jingxing, the way you’re treating her makes it seem as though she’s your enemy. She did save your life, after all. It’s one thing if you don’t want to make things convenient for her, but now you’re deliberately blocking her way.”
“She is merely a stranger. She saved this prince, but she also obtained what she wanted in return. We are even now.” Zhao Jingxing’s tone was cold and indifferent.
Shen Lanzhou fell silent.
Did he really intend to have nothing more to do with her?
He felt that Qu Jinshu and Jingxing had rather similar backgrounds. Perhaps they could even become close friends.
However, seeing how stern Zhao Jingxing looked, he didn’t dare say anything more.
“Ahem. Jingfeng, hurry up and carry out your prince’s instructions.” Shen Lanzhou waved at Jingfeng, signaling him to leave.
Once the room had quieted down, Shen Lanzhou asked, “Jingxing, do you know who sent those assassins?”
Jingxing had already endured so much. Why were there still people who regarded him as a thorn in their side?
“After the incident, most of the evidence and traces at the crime scene were erased. Guess who has the power to do something like that?” Zhao Jingxing replied sarcastically.
Shen Lanzhou’s expression changed dramatically. Abandoning his usual carefree and joking demeanor, he asked Zhao Jingxing in a complicated and solemn tone, “Are you suggesting… the Emperor?”
Only the Emperor possessed such immense power.
“No, that can’t be right. Even if he hates you, he wouldn’t go so far as to take your life. Although the Empress Dowager has always protected you, he is still the Son of Heaven. If he wanted to kill you, it would be easy enough. Yet you’ve managed to stay alive all these years, so I don’t think he is the culprit.”
Shen Lanzhou couldn’t accept Zhao Jingxing’s suspicion.
“He isn’t the culprit, but he should know about it.”
When Zhao Jingxing mentioned the Emperor, there was neither respect nor warmth in his eyes, only coldness.
“You mean the Emperor is covering up for the real culprit?”
Then the way he had publicly flown into a rage at Yunwu Mountain today… Was that also an act?
Although it was difficult to accept, considering everything that had happened in the past, such a possibility couldn’t be ruled out.
Shen Lanzhou glanced worriedly at Zhao Jingxing, his heart heavy.
When would Jingxing finally be able to live a normal life like everyone else?
…
Although Qu Jinshu felt a little disappointed at being refused, she wasn’t angry.
After all, these were Manyue Pavilion’s rules. The owner had every right to decide whether to agree to her request.
After enjoying their meal, Qu Jinshu and Yunshui had the remaining dishes packed into food containers to take home.
Just as they walked out of Manyue Pavilion carrying the food containers, the waiter from earlier hurried after them.
With an apologetic smile, he said, “Miss, we’re truly sorry. It’s not that we’re unwilling to provide you with a cook. It’s just that business has been exceptionally good lately, and none of our cooks can afford to leave.”
“To make it up to you, Manyue Pavilion would like to provide you with free meals for an entire month. We can deliver them directly to your residence, or you can send someone to pick them up.”
What a wonderful offer!
Yunshui’s eyes immediately lit up. She wanted to accept on the spot.
After all, Manyue Pavilion’s food was so delicious that once you tried it, you couldn’t stop thinking about it.
However, Qu Jinshu remained calm. She raised her head and looked toward the private room on the top floor, whose windows were tightly shut.
After a moment, she replied, “Please thank your employer for his kindness, but there’s no need.”
With that, she led Yunshui away.
Although Yunshui felt a little disappointed, she would always support her young lady’s decisions without question.
“Certainly, certainly. I’ll pass along your message.” The waiter smiled as he watched Qu Jinshu leave.
Only after quite some time did he finally realize something. “Wait! How did she know the person in that private room was the owner?”