Chapter 232: Lending a Hand

Chapter 232: Lending a Hand

Liu Zhou suddenly snapped back to attention. "Did you need something, sir?"

The customer holding the new book smiled. "You look like you're miles away. What's on your mind?"

Sighing heavily, Liu Zhou said, "It's nothing. What did you just ask?"

"I asked when the fourth volume of *Journey to the West* will be released."

"I don't know. We follow the boss's schedule for new releases."

Hearing Liu Zhou mention the "boss," the customer became mysteriously inquisitive, glanced around, and lowered his voice. "Hey, is there any truth to those rumors?"

"What kind of rumors?" Liu Zhou looked confused.

"They say Miss Kou has locked Songling up and won't let him out until he finishes *Journey to the West*."

Liu Zhou snapped, "That's all nonsense! Our bookstore has the complete manuscript of *Journey to the West*. There's no way our boss would lock Songling up!"

"Oh, so those rumors are false?" Unnoticed by them, a large crowd had gathered around.

The young attendant looked furious. "Someone must've been spreading these ridiculous rumors, causing trouble for our boss!"

Hearing about the gossip, more people gathered around.

"What happened to your boss?"

"Yeah, what about Miss Kou?"

Liu Zhou remained silent with a dark expression. Meanwhile, Shitou wiped tears from his eyes. "Because of these rumors, our boss was hauled away by the Jinlin Guard yesterday!"

"Gasp—" gasps spread through the crowd.

There were already many people lining up to buy the new book, and the fresh gossip about Miss Kou from Qingsong Bookstore being taken away over absurd rumors spread quickly.

The Imperial Academy, being close to the bookstore, was one of the first places to hear the news.

Duan Yunlang rushed to Qingsong Bookstore and grabbed Liu Zhou's wrist. "Is it true that my cousin was really taken away by the Jinlin Guard?"

Liu Zhou nodded with tearful eyes.

"Didn't Miss Kou have a decent relationship with Lord He?" Duan Yunlang was puzzled.

He had always suspected that the poor young man had ulterior motives toward his cousin, but was it a misunderstanding?

"It's said that Lord He has left the capital for a mission, and now another official is in charge."

"I see."

Duan Yunlang turned to leave when Meng Fei, who had been chasing after him, grabbed him. "Where are you going?"

"To find my uncle."

Hearing that Duan Yunlang planned to seek out Duan Shaoqing, Meng Fei's eyes flickered with sarcasm. "I advise you not to waste your effort. This involves the Northern Pacification Office. Do you really think Duan Shaoqing can do anything about it?"

If he cared about his niece at all, it would be a surprise.

"Then what should we do?" Duan Yunlang looked troubled.

Meng Fei thought for a moment. "I’ll go talk to my grandfather," he said.

To Duan Yunlang, Meng Jizuo, Meng Fei’s grandfather, was a towering figure in his own right.

While the position of Jizuo at the Imperial Academy isn’t particularly high-ranking, it is both prestigious and crucial, held only by those the Emperor trusts deeply.

Duan Yunlang bowed to Meng Fei. "Brother Meng, I’m counting on you."

Meng Fei sighed. "I’ll try, but don’t get your hopes up. The Jinlin Guard isn’t like other government offices—they don’t owe favors to anyone."

"Still, I appreciate your help, Brother Meng."

"No need for thanks between brothers," Meng Fei said, waving him off before leaving.

Watching his friend’s receding figure, Duan Yunlang suddenly felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

His elder brother, who had passed the provincial exams and no longer studied at the Imperial Academy, lived at home. He must have known about Cousin Kou’s trouble, yet the family seemed oddly quiet.

For the first time, Duan Yunlang found himself questioning what it really meant to be brothers.

"Cousin Kou was taken by the Jinlin Guard?" Meng Jizuo’s expression darkened, and he stood up abruptly, ready to leave.

"Grandfather, where are you going?" Meng Fei asked, following him. "Why does everyone just leave without a word?"

Meng Jizuo glanced at his grandson in surprise. "You came to me because you wanted me to speak on behalf of Cousin Kou, right? Of course, I’m going to the palace."

The Jinlin Guard served as the Emperor’s eyes and ears. Even officials who wished to maintain good relations with them were cautious about doing so publicly, fearing they might be accused of prying into state secrets. If Meng Jizuo went directly to the Jinlin Guard, it might stir up gossip.

Meng Fei was taken aback. "Going to the palace to see the Emperor? Isn’t that too hasty? Shouldn’t you think it over more carefully?"

The Jinlin Guard carried out the Emperor’s orders, especially those the Emperor didn’t want the officials to know about. Wouldn’t it anger the Emperor if someone casually went to him to complain about the Jinlin Guard’s affairs?

Meng Jizuo glared at his grandson. "You came to me, and now you’re asking me to be cautious. Are you itching for a scolding?"

Meng Fei grinned awkwardly.

Meng Fei had wrestled with the decision, knowing it would put his grandfather in a difficult position. But his loyalty to his friend and his admiration for Cousin Kou won out, and he couldn’t stay silent.

"Go study!" After scolding his grandson, Meng Jizuo headed towards the imperial palace.

When Emperor Xingyuan heard the eunuch’s report that Meng Jizuo requested an audience, he couldn’t immediately think of the reason but soon had him ushered in.

"Your servant greets the Emperor."

"What is it, Lord Meng Jizuo?" The Emperor had affection for this old scholar who had been by his side since the war. Even though he had been in a foul mood recently, he was still relatively pleasant at this moment.

By the time he reached the palace, Meng Jizuo had already crafted his words carefully. "There is a bookstore near the Imperial Academy, called Qingsong Bookstore—"

"I am well aware. The owner of Qingsong Bookstore is Miss Kou," the Emperor said, his expression softening at the mention of her name.

"It is Miss Kou I wish to speak about."

"What about her?"

"Lately, there’s been a rumor that Miss Kou has been keeping Mr. Songling under house arrest."

Emperor Xingyuan shook his head dismissively. "That’s nothing but a rumor."

Of course, the Emperor wouldn’t admit that he had already heard this rumor.

"I also think it's complete nonsense. However, I heard that the Jinlin Guard took Miss Kou away yesterday and hasn't let her go. It's the talk of the town now."

Emperor Xingyuan subconsciously furrowed his brow.

Ever since he put Xiao Lengshi in temporary charge of the Northern Pacification Office, he had a sense that the Jinlin Guard would eventually come for Miss Kou. In his heart, he was also hoping that with someone new in charge, they might uncover new leads about Mr. Songling.

But how did this become so widely known?

Emperor Xingyuan began to have some doubts about Xiao Lengshi's abilities but didn’t plan to replace him right away. He said calmly, "Street rumors are like the surface of a lake; even the slightest breeze can stir up waves. Some need attention, while others are best left alone."

Meng Jizuo got the message: Miss Kou wasn’t going to be released from the Jinlin Guard anytime soon.

"Are you acquainted with Miss Kou?"

"I've met her a few times. I really admire what Miss Kou did by donating silver to assist with disaster relief efforts. Hearing that the Jinlin Guard took her based on rumors, I'm afraid she might be mistreated, and I am worried public speculation could damage the court's reputation."

After hearing Meng Jizuo's explanation, Emperor Xingyuan instructed Sun Yan, "Go to the Northern Pacification Office and tell them not to be rude to Miss Kou. Once they’ve cleared things up, send her back."

Sun Yan received the imperial order and left the palace.

At that moment, inside the Northern Pacification Office, Xiao Lengshi was losing his composure.