"Initially, I did have some ulterior motives in causing trouble at the gambling house. Although gambling dens are inherently places of corruption, their overly anxious demeanor in trying to cover things up piqued my interest. Furthermore, who Zhao Si was actually pursuing for debt was a very important clue, so for both reasons of propriety and logic, I had to take a look."
Lin Qingge paused here. "Constable Yan, you are to stay by Qin Han's side without leaving, protecting his safety until he has pieced all the account books and lists together. Master Hua, you dispatch your men, or rather, your 'friend's' men – pick two with good martial skills – to keep an eye on the Hengtong Gambling House. If they make any moves tonight or contact anyone, be sure to follow closely."
...
Hearing the emphasis on the word 'friend', Hua Jinrong's hand holding the fan stiffened slightly, his long eyelashes casting a shadow over his eyelids. After a moment, he replied, "Understood, my lord~"
Ignoring Hua Jinrong's subtle reaction, Lin Qingge continued, "The Hengtong Gambling House, being one of the premier establishments in Fengtian Prefecture, was initially a venture I had in mind to partner with them on, but it seems that plan has died in the cradle."
Lu Mingxuan's eyes darted around upon hearing this, and he exclaimed with sudden realization, "My lord, could it be that you were planning on betting on matches?"
"Similar, but slightly different." Lin Qingge was thinking of emulating the state-run lotteries and welfare lotteries of her past life, aiming to provide public entertainment while using the profits for Fengtian Prefecture's development. However, upon reflection, she realized that the current economic and technological levels were incomparable to her previous life. Therefore, she opted for a lesser approach, deliberately causing trouble at the gambling house to find an excuse to shut it down sooner rather than later. After all, gambling was a detrimental vice with no benefits, not even qualifying as entertainment.
Unexpectedly, the Hengtong Gambling House felt guilty first! If she found any useful and important clues in those account books, wouldn't she have an excuse to thoroughly investigate all the gambling houses in Fengtian Prefecture? Not necessarily to shut them all down, as there were still many employees. They could be converted into tea houses, grain stores, or restaurants. Of course, they shouldn't be allowed to transition without support. Later, she would have Hua Jinrong, Lin Yan, and Zhou Zeli research a support plan. The remaining funds from the charity auction were more than enough to support a few businesses. In fact, it wasn't limited to gambling houses; if other businesses faced operational difficulties, they could also apply to the prefecture office for revolving support, but it wouldn't be as simple as a written promise. At the very least, corresponding property would be required as collateral.
As Lin Qingge was formulating the general framework, the sky had already completely darkened. The group walked to a bustling area.
"This is...?" Lin Qingge, jolted back to awareness by the strong scent of cosmetics blowing towards her, looked at the scene of vibrant lights and lively activities with some confusion.
"My lord, according to the information I've gathered, Zhao Si's paramour, Lan Lan, is in a brothel called Ruyi Fang in this pleasure district."
Upon hearing Hua Jinrong's explanation, Lin Qingge's first thought was that she should return home for dinner! With that in mind, Lin Qingge scanned the faces of the people around her, her gaze finally settling on Lu Mingxuan, who had a fair complexion and a prior record of deceiving women.
"As the Prefect, frequenting such a place of pleasure would greatly damage my authority, so I'll have you go in and question Lan Lan."
...
Lu Mingxuan looked at the Prefect who had just caused a commotion at the gambling house, his heart filled with a silent curse. On his face, he bowed submissively and replied, "Yes."
Since Yan Tinghao needed to deliver the fragmented account books to Qin Han, only Lin Qingge and Hua Jinrong remained outside.
"My lord, it will likely take a while. How about we eat while we wait?" Hua Jinrong said, pointing to a small wonton stall by the roadside with the handle of his fan.
Lin Qingge looked at the flamboyant peacock before her, who seemed to have the words 'I am rich' etched in golden letters on his forehead, with a hint of surprise. He met her gaze with confusion. "What, is it not to your liking, my lord?"
"Not at all. I merely feel that roadside stalls don't quite match Master Hua's style."
"My style?" Hua Jinrong said as he waved to the owner who was boiling wontons, "Boss, two bowls of wontons." Skillfully picking up the vinegar bottle and chili oil from the adjacent table and placing them before them, Hua Jinrong continued their previous conversation. "I am rather curious, in your eyes, what kind of person am I?"
"Before, I thought Master Hua was a leisurely but dignified dandy. But now, I realize Master Hua is truly wise and appears foolish."
Hua Jinrong, praised as 'wise and appearing foolish,' had a fleeting, unreadable gleam in his eyes. He then curved his lips slightly and asked, "Then what do you think of Constable Yan, my lord?"
"He's more foolish than wise. When he's not speaking, his tall and sturdy demeanor is quite impressive, but the moment he speaks, he seems to reveal his shortcomings." As if recalling Yan Tinghao's usual simpleminded appearance, Hua Jinrong chuckled softly, "As expected of my lord, your description is indeed very fitting~"
"Right? And you also think you're better at pretending to be foolish than a fool, don't you?"
Hua Jinrong: ...
"Wontons are here!" The owner brought over two steaming bowls of wontons. Lin Qingge, completely oblivious to what she had just said, picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a wonton, and put it in her mouth. Despite the heat causing her to hiss and puff, she ate with a look of satisfaction. Hua Jinrong watched for a long moment, then tucked his fan into his waist and, with a hearty appetite that was uncharacteristic of his usual affected manner, wolfed down the wontons one after another.
After he picked up his bowl and drained the broth, the main hall of Ruyi Fang suddenly became noisy. Lin Qingge, also drawn by the sound, looked through the open doorway and unexpectedly saw a familiar face.
"Miss Dieyi?"
"Oh, so it's here~" Seeing the person opposite her stop eating wontons and look at him, Hua Jinrong explained, "Miss Dieyi and I have met before. A few days ago, she sent a maid with an invitation, saying she had been resold to Fengtian Prefecture by the owner of Qionghua Tower. I didn't expect it to be this Ruyi Fang."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingge couldn't help but curve her lips into a teasing smile, "Tsk tsk, after all, she's Master Hua's confidante. Since you've run into her, it would be remiss of you not to go in and show your support, wouldn't it?"
"My lord, Master Hua and Miss Dieyi are merely passing acquaintances; we can't be called confidantes."
"Then not only am I passing acquaintances with Miss Dieyi, but we also had a pleasant conversation, and I even spent a fortune on her. Although, I wasn't the one who paid in the end, but she didn't send me an invitation either!"
"My lord, everyone in Changzhou County knows you're afraid of your wife. Who would dare to provoke Madam Lin?"
Mentioning his wife, Lin Qingge suddenly slapped her thigh, "Bad! I forgot to ask Constable Yan to send a message to my wife, telling her I'll be back late tonight!"
At the same moment.
Several dark figures, using the cover of the thick night, silently crept to the base of a wall in a corner of the prefecture office.