Chapter 220: Meng Jizuo’s Speculation

Chapter 220: Meng Jizuo's Speculation

On the painting, the youth had a delicate and handsome face with clear, bright eyes—precisely how Xin You looked after her disguise as Songling.

Xin You was startled. "Lord Meng, where did you get this painting?"

The shock was both feigned and genuine.

"It seems you've already seen this portrait before, Miss Kou."

Xin You couldn't deduce Lord Meng's true intentions from his expression. She simply said, "I have seen this painting, but I'm not sure if it's Master Songling."

This response caught Lord Meng by surprise. "What do you mean by that?"

"When I met Master Songling, he always kept his face hidden, so I never saw what he looks like. Lord He also showed me a similar painting and asked about it. So, the person in this painting should be Master Songling." Xin You understood that a mix of truth and falsehood was harder to see through.

Lord Meng seemed to believe her and said with some regret, "I see. You haven't seen Master Songling's true appearance either."

Seeing the old lord's friendly demeanor, Xin You casually asked, "Lord Meng, are you curious about what Master Songling looks like?"

Lord Meng stared at the painting, his eyes deepening unconsciously. "I didn’t expect Master Songling to be so young—only about sixteen or seventeen."

Xin You's heart skipped a beat.

Lord Meng seemed to care a lot about Songling's age—

This observation led Xin You to a bolder speculation: Could Lord Meng suspect that Songling was her mother's son?

If that was the case, it was no wonder Lord Meng had specifically come to ask.

"Lord Meng, did the Jinlin Guard post this painting to search for someone?" Xin You asked.

She only wanted that person to know about the connection between Songling and her mother, so it would be natural to send Lord He to investigate the south, rather than making it public. But there were always things beyond control in this world. Now that it had happened, she would think of a countermeasure.

Whether it was because he had a good impression of Miss Kou or for some other reason, Lord Meng didn't keep him waiting. "A Jinlin Guard was comparing the painting with passersby. I happened to see it while passing by. Later, I heard that the Jinlin Guard was searching for Master Songling, so I guessed the person in the painting might be him, and I drew it down."

Xin You paused, clearly impressed. "Lord Meng, your painting skills are extraordinary. I admire you."

"It's mainly because of good eyesight," Lord Meng said with a smile, rolling up the painting and tucking it into his sleeve. He took a step outside but paused. "Master Songling is a prodigy of unparalleled talent. There will certainly be many people interested in him; you might have some troubles."

Xin You smiled helplessly. "If I had known this would lead to rumors, I wouldn’t have dared to work with Master Songling, no matter how brilliant he is."

"Miss Kou has been busy with the bookstore's business. Perhaps you should take some time to rest at the Shaoqing Mansion." Meng Jizuo gently advised, then left the bookstore and immediately encountered He Qingxiao.

"Meng Jizuo," He Qingxiao stopped and greeted him politely.

Lord Meng's attitude was indifferent. "Lord He, here to buy books?"

He Qingxiao glanced at Xin You and didn't simply agree. "I came to ask Miss Kou something."

Lord Meng also looked at Xin You, then strolled away slowly.

The Imperial Academy was not far away. When Lord Meng returned to his room, he slowly unfolded the painting and stared at it for a long time. He removed the lamp cover, lit a candle, and held the painting to the flame.

The fire quickly engulfed the paper, and the ashes in the basin curled and crumbled away.

Meng Fei walked in, sniffed, and said in disbelief, "Grandfather, what are you burning?"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted downward, and he looked incredulous. "Qingming was months ago, and you’re still burning paper for Grandmother!"

And yet you were burning it inside the house!

Meng Jizuo grabbed a backscratcher and swung it at him. "You insolent fool, stop spouting nonsense!"

Meng Fei deftly dodged and curiously asked, "If it's not for grandma, then what are you burning?"

Meng Jizuo put down the backscratcher, holding back his anger. "Yes, I am burning paper for your grandmother."

He usually dismissed rumors, but this time he felt there might be some truth to it.

When Mr. Songling said, "If the eggs are delicious, there's no need to see the hen that laid them," it reminded him of Empress Xin. Even when people were skeptical about the rumor that Mr. Songling was Empress Xin's person, he couldn't help but wonder if Mr. Songling was actually her son.

Unfortunately, no matter how he studied the portrait, he couldn't find any resemblance between Mr. Songling and the imperial couple, which was why he went to confirm with Miss Kou.

Had he guessed wrong? Or did the prince resemble the late Emperor De, who had passed away long before His Majesty's youth?

Neither of them had met him.

Meng Jizuo thought about these things, feeling both joy and worry.

He was happy because there was finally news of the empress and likely a prince. He was worried because the mere speculation that Mr. Songling was Empress Xin's person might cause some people to become restless.

"Then why did you just hit me?" Meng Fei glanced at the basin and became even more suspicious.

Meng Jizuo's face turned stern. "The poetry collection I gave you the day before yesterday, have you finished memorizing it?"

Meng Fei slapped his forehead. "I just remembered I have something to do! Grandfather, I'll be off!"

Meng Jizuo cursed under his breath and, after Meng Fei ran out, sighed softly.

At Qingsong Bookstore, under Hu Boss's scrutinizing gaze, Miss Kou invited Lord He inside the reception room.

After seating, Lord He asked, "Why does Hu Boss keep looking at me? Is there something you need to say?"

"Hu Boss is troubled by the rumors."

Miss Kou remained calm. "Lord He, don't worry about it. When the wind rises from the ends of the earth, one story becomes ten, and ten become a hundred. It's impossible to trace the origin. Maybe when I was brought to the Jinlin Guard, someone with hidden intentions observed and began spreading rumors."

The officials and nobility were quick to notice any unusual developments as they speculated about Count Gu Chang's true crime.

"Lord He, any news from the north?" Miss Kou asked about the matter she was most concerned with.

"Yes," Lord He lowered his voice and shared the contents of the secret report.

Miss Kou listened quietly, unable to suppress her rising anger.

Indeed, when people said it was bad, the reality was even worse.

King Qing, Deputy Minister of Revenue Pei Zuo, and Commander Wu Yanting of the capital garrison were supposed to provide disaster relief and save the people from suffering, but instead, they became the cause of their misery.

"Now we need Miss Zhu to intervene."

Miss Kou became serious. "Please elaborate, Lord He."

"There is an upright censor named He Yushi."

Miss Kou listened carefully and then outlined her next steps. "I've decided to stay at Shaoqing Mansion for a while. If you need me urgently, Lord He, please send a message directly to Shaoqing Mansion. If it's not urgent, you can contact Liu Zhou to relay the message."

He Qingxiao nodded in agreement: "It's better if Miss Kou returns to Shaoqing Mansion for now."

Anyone can visit Qingsong Bookstore, but when people of high status inquire about Miss Kou, she would have to handle those inquiries. Once she's back at Shaoqing Mansion, things will be different—who would go out of their way to visit a mansion and find a young lady unless it's an extraordinary situation?

"It was Meng Jizuo who reminded me."

Thinking of the elderly man who had been cool and distant to him just now, He Qingxiao couldn't help but smile, hoping that more people would show kindness toward Miss Kou besides himself.

After that, He Qingxiao headed back to the yamen, while Xin You went to see Miss Zhu.