Chapter 230: The Visitors Mean Trouble

Chapter 230: The Visitors Mean Trouble

It had only been a little over a year since He Qingxiao took over the Northern Pacification Office. Upon arriving, Xiao Lengshi not only brought his own trusted aides but also began to favor those who had been loyal to the previous head of the Northern Pacification Office. Yan Chao and others who supported He Qingxiao dared not express their anger openly for the time being.

"Go to Qingsong Bookstore and invite Miss Kou to the Northern Pacification Office."

With Xiao Lengshi's order, two Jinlin Guards headed to Qingsong Bookstore.

"Our boss has returned to Shaoqing Mansion and is not at the bookstore."

Once the two guards left, Liu Zhou leaned toward Hu Boss. "The Jinlin Guards who came today were unfamiliar and seemed a bit intimidating."

Hu Boss stroked his beard in thought. "Perhaps it's related to that strange rumor. The Jinlin Guards probably want to talk to the boss to understand the situation."

"These people must have too much free time if they're asking about this at the bookstore."

Liu Zhou thought of a drunk scholar who had grabbed his hand, begging him to hand over Songling, making him want to curse. Anyone who believes that must have read themselves silly.

As the two chatted, they weren't too worried, thinking of Lord He's familiarity with the bookstore.

After reporting back, the two guards were scolded by Xiao Lengshi. "If they said she's at Shaoqing Mansion, why didn't you go to Shaoqing Mansion?"

The reprimanded guards left again, heading to Shaoqing Mansion. On the way, one of them expressed concern. "Judging by Xiao's attitude, he might not treat Miss Kou very kindly. I heard Miss Kou has a good relationship with Lord He. Do you think he'll blame us when he returns?"

The other guard sneered. "If you're worried about Lord He's disapproval, you should have switched sides long ago. But Lord He has never looked at us properly."

The first guard's expression darkened.

The other guard advised, "Don't overthink it. Xiao is in charge now. We follow Xiao's lead. If Xiao handles what His Majesty assigned well, Lord He might not even return. Let's do well; there might be opportunities. It's better than sitting idle as we used to."

"You're right." The guard let go of his concerns.

At Shaoqing Mansion, they dismounted and knocked on the door.

A servant soon appeared. "Officers—"

"Is Miss Kou in your mansion?"

"Yes."

"We are from the Northern Pacification Office. We need Miss Kou to come with us. Our superior has some questions."

"Alright, please wait."

The servant hurried off to relay the message.

When the message reached the Evening Serenity Abode, Xin You paused to think before instructing Xiaolian. "If I don't return today, go back to the bookstore. Tomorrow, ask Hu Boss to release the third volume of *Journey to the West*."

The more Xin You spoke, the more worried Xiaolian became. "Miss, is this trip very dangerous?"

"Don't worry too much. I'm just preparing for any eventuality," Xin You calmly reassured Xiaolian, though she was mentally prepared for the journey.

The visitors clearly meant trouble.

The two guards stood in the flower hall and immediately rose when Xin You entered.

"Miss Kou? Our superior requests your presence at the Northern Pacification Office."

"Who’s the official?"

One of the Jinlin Guards looked impatient. "Miss Kou will know once she arrives."

Xin You confirmed her suspicions and stopped pressing for answers.

The elderly lady’s heart raced with fear. "Gentlemen, my granddaughter is just a young girl. There must be some misunderstanding—"

A Jinlin Guard interrupted the elderly lady. "Miss Kou is being summoned to answer questions in her capacity as the boss of Qingsong Bookstore."

The elderly lady was taken aback and quickly signaled her trusted maid to slip them some money.

"Please take good care of her, gentlemen."

With the silver in hand, the two guards became slightly more courteous and took Miss Kou away.

The elderly lady sighed heavily and couldn't help but curse, "If she hadn’t opened that bookstore, we wouldn’t have so much trouble now!"

"Don’t worry, Elderly Lady. Miss Kou will be fine."

Still uneasy, the elderly lady sent someone to deliver a message to Lord Duan.

This wasn’t Xin You’s first visit to the Northern Pacification Office. The last time she came, she encountered Jinlin Guards who were either familiar or strangers, receiving friendly smiles or curious glances.

But this time was clearly different. A guard who had visited the bookstore gave her a meaningful glance, hinting that things were going to get complicated.

The more tense the situation, the calmer Xin You remained, until she finally stood before the person who had summoned her.

He was a man in his thirties, with a long face and narrow eyes, exuding a cold and stern aura.

Compared to the refined and distinguished Lord He, this man looked more like a seasoned commander.

"Miss Kou has been brought," said the guard, grateful for the silver. "This is our Commandant Xiao."

"Commoner Kou greets Commandant Xiao." Xin You curtseyed, guessing the man's origin.

There was only one Commandant in the Northern Pacification Office, and this man was referred to as Commandant, so he must be from the Southern Pacification Office.

Xiao Lengshi didn’t speak immediately, his scrutinizing gaze assessing the girl who was bowing.

Her manners were impeccable, and her poise was remarkable. No wonder she had turned the bookstore into such a success in the capital.

"I've long heard of Miss Kou's reputation, and now that I see you in person, it's well-deserved."

"Commandant Xiao flatters me."

Xiao Lengshi deliberately waited, but Miss Kou didn’t take the initiative to ask anything, secretly impressed that the young girl could stay so composed.

"Today, I’ve invited Miss Kou here to inquire about Mr. Songling."

"The officials here have asked before."

Xiao Lengshi smiled. "That was then, this is now."

"Then please go ahead, Commandant Xiao."

Xin You calmly answered each of Xiao Lengshi’s rapid-fire questions. "This commoner first met Mr. Songling in June last year, on the way back to Qingsong Bookstore from Shaoqing Mansion. At that time, the bookstore had posted a notice, offering a reward for book manuscripts."

"The last time I saw Songling was in November of last year."

Xiao Lengshi listened carefully, finding no inconsistencies in her words.

"So, you're saying that Miss Kou is the only one who has seen Songling?"

Miss Kou detected the malicious intent in his words and calmly replied, "Whether others have seen Songling or not, I do not know. I only had business dealings with him because of the manuscripts."

Xiao Lengshi studied the calm young woman, then smiled. "Miss Kou is clever and intelligent; I, Xiao, am impressed. But—"

Miss Kou waited for him to continue.

Xiao Lengshi leaned slightly closer. "But I don’t believe you’re completely in the dark about Songling’s whereabouts."

Miss Kou lowered her eyes. "If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do."

"Ha," Xiao Lengshi sneered, "Did you tell Lord He the same thing? Too bad for you, because while he might go easy on a lady, I won’t."

He stared at her like a hunter eyeing his trapped prey, ready to claim his prize.

Xiao Lengshi knew that Miss Kou had caught the favor of Princess Zhaoyang and had entered the palace to meet dignitaries with great fanfare, but he would not be deterred by that.

He could feel the emperor’s urgency to locate Songling. As long as this task was completed, making things difficult for a young woman didn’t matter.

"Bring her in—"