Chapter 107: A Deal

Chapter 107: A Deal

The next day, after packing up, Yu Zheng was about to leave the mansion when Zhao Manying came.

"I heard that Your Highness visited Lingyin Temple yesterday. Why didn’t you invite me along?"

Zhao Manying looked grieved. She had been severely scolded by Zhao Renxian over this matter.

No matter what, she had to follow Yu Zheng today; otherwise, Zhao Renxian wouldn’t let her off.

Glancing at Zhao Manying’s pretentious demeanor, Yu Zheng frowned in disgust. "Miss Zhao, there’s no need to waste your efforts on me. I do not like to be accompanied."

Taken aback by Yu Zheng’s straightforwardness, Zhao Manying was momentarily stunned.

Seeing Yu Zheng’s impatience, Zhao Manying hurriedly explained, "To be honest, Manying doesn’t want to pester Your Highness either. It’s out of necessity."

"That’s your concern, not mine," Yu Zheng said as he was about to leave.

Zhao Manying quickly added, "I wish to make a deal with Your Highness."

"Oh?" Yu Zheng became slightly interested.

He would like to hear what kind of deal she could propose to him.

Seeing that she had caught Yu Zheng's interest, Zhao Manying’s eyes darted towards the door, her expression wary.

Yu Zheng urged, "Don’t worry, Zhuiyun is outside. No one can come close to eavesdrop."

"Yes," Zhao Manying clasped her hands, her expression turning serious. "Your Highness is honest and upright, diligent in serving the people. You certainly cannot tolerate corrupt officials."

At the mention of "corrupt officials," Yu Zheng’s dark brows rose slightly.

"Go on."

Having spoken, there was no turning back now.

Gathering all her courage and with a do-or-die determination, Zhao Manying said, "I know the evidence of my uncle and the Jiangnan governor’s embezzlement and bribery. I want to use this information to exchange for something from Your Highness."

"What is it?" Yu Zheng asked.

Her eyes bright with hope, Zhao Manying excitedly stated her request.

Without hesitation, Yu Zheng agreed immediately.

Zhao Manying then added, "Could I follow you for the next few days?"

"Otherwise, my uncle will make things difficult for me. Furthermore, staying by your side will also make them lower their guard."

Thinking it made sense and that Zhao Manying’s request wasn’t unreasonable, Yu Zheng consented.

"I have agreed to your requests, but I hope what you’ve said is true. Otherwise, I will inform your uncle that you have betrayed him."

Hearing this, Zhao Manying shuddered.

Yu Zheng is truly ruthless.

If Zhao Renxian knew she had betrayed him, she would be tortured to the point of living in misery.

"Let’s go, we’re heading out to explore Lin’an Prefecture." Yu Zheng stepped out of the room, and Zhao Manying quickly followed.

As soon as they left the mansion and boarded the carriage, someone immediately went to report to Zhao Renxian.

Upon hearing the news, Zhao Renxian wore a lecherous smile. "I knew it. No man is entirely immune to lust, especially when a beauty is delivered right to him."

Zhao Manying was a typical Jiangnan beauty, gentle and elegant, fresh and charming. No man could resist her.

If it weren't for her being his niece, which would truly violate ethical norms, Zhao Renxian would have taken her for himself long ago.

As for that old fellow, the Jiangnan governor, giving her to him was truly a waste, not worth the trouble.

Such an excellent pawn should be used to its full potential, yielding the highest returns.

Zhao Renxian was confident that Zhao Manying would end up in Yu Zheng's bed and serve as an asset to him.

Perhaps it wouldn't take long before he received a promotion. He had indeed sat in the position of Lin'an Prefecture's prefect for too long, and it was high time for a change.

On a bright spring day, with grass growing and warblers flying, it was the perfect time for an outing.

In the morning, Yu Zheng and Zhao Manying took a boat ride on the West Lake, and in the afternoon, they went to the southern part of the city for tea.

After returning to the mansion in the evening, Zhao Renxian interrogated Zhao Manying thoroughly, and she answered truthfully.

Upon learning that Yu Zheng enjoyed traveling and sightseeing, and that the two had gotten along well, Zhao Renxian felt relieved and told Zhao Manying to accompany Yu Zheng on his outings, with the goal of becoming his companion as soon as possible.

Zhao Manying obediently agreed and gracefully excused herself.

After she left, a trusted confidant of Zhao Renxian entered the room and asked, "Sir, should we continue to follow her secretly?"

"Of course we should. That's Prince Jing. One mistake, and we're dead," Zhao Renxian said with a cold, fierce expression.

Yu Zheng's reputation came before him, and Zhao Renxian couldn't afford to let his guard down.

For the next few days, Zhao Manying accompanied Yu Zheng as they toured almost every part of Lin'an Prefecture.

"My uncle is suspicious by nature and wouldn't fully trust me. He will definitely send someone to follow me secretly. We need to search inconspicuously. If he notices anything, he'll act immediately," Zhao Manying said.

Having grown up under Zhao Renxian's watch, she knew his temperament and personality well.

Compared to Zhao Manying's cautiousness, Yu Zheng was less concerned. Zhao Renxian had people following him secretly, but he also had people watching Zhao Renxian. If Zhao Renxian made any moves, Yu Zheng would know immediately.

He wasn't afraid of Zhao Renxian taking action; he was wary of Zhao Renxian doing nothing.

Yu Zheng understood that Zhao Renxian, having been in the officialdom for many years, wouldn't easily reveal any flaws. So he needed to be patient and search covertly.

Five days passed quickly. That evening, while Yu Zheng and Zhao Manying were browsing a jewelry shop, Zhuiyun suddenly approached Yu Zheng and whispered in his ear, "Your Highness, we've found it."

Upon hearing this, Yu Zheng's brows furrowed, and he said in a low voice, "Lead the way."

Zhuiyun walked quickly ahead, with Yu Zheng and Zhao Manying following closely behind.

The men Zhao Renxian had dispatched to follow them kept their distance, but as they entered a secluded alley, Zhufeng descended from the sky and used his tiger-head hooks to swiftly dispatch the tail.

With the tail eliminated, Yu Zheng and the others turned around and headed toward the northern part of the city.

As the sky grew darker, Jiang Shu and Tanyu walked back to the inn, their faces beaming with joy and contentment.

"Boss, are we returning to Shang Jing tomorrow?" Tanyu asked eagerly.

The day before, they had found a silk shop with high-quality silk. Today, Jiang Shu had arranged a meeting with the owner of the silk shop, and they had successfully reached a cooperation.

Their purpose for coming here had been fulfilled, and they had been away for more than twenty days; it was high time to head back to Shang Jing.

Thinking of what Yu Zheng had told her that day, Jiang Shu felt that before leaving, she should send him a message.

"Sir, madam, please, give me some money, I haven't eaten for three days..."

The streets were crowded with people, and Jiang Shu was bumped into by someone, accidentally stepping on a beggar's bowl by the curbside.

The bowl, which was already chipped and cracked, shattered completely under her foot.

The ragged little beggar, seeing the bowl shattered, cried in distress and clung to Jiang Shu's leg, refusing to let go.

"You broke my bowl, replace it!"

"It’s just a broken bowl, I’ll pay for it, but first, let go of my lady," Tanyu said, taking out her purse, ready to pay for the bowl.

Seeing this, the little beggar holding onto Jiang Shu suddenly reached out, snatched Tanyu’s purse, and darted away.

"Hey, stop right there!" Tanyu chased after him.

Jiang Shu had no choice but to follow and chase after him.

The little beggar, though only about seven or eight years old and looking as frail as if he would be blown over by the wind, ran faster than a hare.

"With that speed, he says he hasn’t eaten for three days—who would believe that?" Tanyu shouted as she chased him.

"You brat, give me back the purse! It contains the earrings my mother left me," Tanyu cried.

If it were just some loose silver and copper coins, losing them wouldn’t matter much, but inside the purse were not only the keepsake from her mother but also several banknotes.

They chased the little beggar through twists and turns until they finally came to a halt in a dead-end alley.

The alley was cold and eerily quiet, looking rather ominous.

"Boss, let’s check it out first," one of the guards who had caught up suggested.

Jiang Shu nodded and let them go ahead.

The mistress and her maid stood at the alley entrance, waiting, when suddenly, a familiar, surprised voice called out from behind them.

"Jiang Shu? What are you doing here?"