Chapter 42

  Although the young lady has always denied acknowledging her sworn brotherhood with Bai Daxia, she accepted everything he sent her without hesitation, and did so with a clear conscience.

  As a personal maid, Xiao He felt that she really didn't know how to describe the feelings in her heart towards her own mistress.

  In short - it can't be put into words!

  "Is there any news from Bai Wu Ye?" Lu Xiao Feng asked directly without beating around the bush.

  "Wu Ye said if Liu Gu Niang comes looking for you, tell her that after handling things in the capital, please hurry over as soon as possible."

  "What's the news?"

  "Two days ago."

  Lu Xiaofeng fell silent for a moment, it seemed that the matter of Zhongmou County was not yet over.

  "Xiaohe, wait for me outside."

  "Yes." Xiao He listened and went out to wait.

  Only Lu Xiaofeng and the teahouse owner were left in the house. She dipped her finger into the tea cup on the table and started writing on it.

  The shopkeeper looked at her seriously and nodded after she finished speaking. "I understand, I will inform the young lady as soon as there is any news."

  Lu Xiaofeng saw his doubts and directly said: "The 'small shop' in front of Kaifeng Prefecture Government."

  "I understand."

  "I'm leaving."

  "Be careful on your way."

  "Miss." Xiao He hurriedly went forward as soon as he saw his own young mistress come out.

  "Return to the mansion."

  Xiaohe was somewhat perplexed. The young lady had rushed out of the mansion in such a flurry, seemingly without doing anything, and now she wanted to go back?

  Don't worry if you don't understand, anyway, wherever Miss goes, she will go there, this little thing is absolutely certain.

  Lu Xiaofeng and Xiaohe rode their horses back to the Taishi Mansion.

  "Miss, madam has sent someone back to wait on Master Hou."

  Lu Xiaofeng dismounted his horse in front of the Taishi Mansion, tossing the reins to the gatekeeper, who also handed him a message from Madame Pang.

  "Got it."

  What's wrong with Pang Yu?

  Because of this guess, Lu Xiaofeng was almost walking on air, and Xiaohe had to almost run to keep up with her as they entered the inner courtyard.

  "Mother, you're looking for me?"

  Upon hearing her daughter's clear and tender voice, Mrs. Pang, who was sitting in the house, couldn't help but burst into a smile, "Look, speak of Cao Cao and he arrives."

  Lu Xiaofeng felt something was off as soon as he entered the house.

  That Sun Gongzi surprisingly hasn't left yet, but he also seems to be about to bid farewell, and her stepmother appears to be trying to persuade him to stay.

  "Mother," Lu Xiaofeng called out to Mrs. Pang, walking over to her side, and at the same time said to the butler waiting by the door: "Butler Pang, why don't you hurry up and send Master Sun off? Don't delay his journey."

  Xiaohe: Why is it that when facing Zhan Daren, your reaction has never been so intense before?

  Xiaohe expressed great puzzlement.

  In fact, it's mainly because the upright and forthright image of Nan Xiaolong in some TV dramas is too deeply ingrained in people's minds. Plus, Nan Xiaolong already has his official partner, and countless unrequited loves, which led to Little Phoenix Maiden never having thought about that aspect at all.

  It's actually a huge misunderstanding.

  As soon as Madam Pang saw her daughter's reaction, she knew that it was unacceptable and didn't say anything more. "Pang Ming, escort Sun Gongzi out."

  "Yes."

  Sun Gongzi could only be sent away at this time.

  As soon as the outsider left, Mrs. Pang couldn't help but tap her daughter's head with her hand and scolded with a smile, "So rude, who sends off guests so strongly?"

  Pang Yu, lying on the bed, hummed and said, "That Sun Kai is not here to visit me because of illness, but obviously he came to see San Jie, with ulterior motives!" An Le Xiao Hou Ye gave him a conclusion.

  Mrs. Pang smiled and shook her head, looking at the brother and sister, saying: "It seems that you two siblings are of the same opinion." Neither of them thought highly of this person.

  Lu Xiaofeng said: "This man was with my brother back then."

  Mrs. Pong's face fell as she went to see her son.

  "It's together."

  "That's indeed inappropriate." The son didn't see him on the day of the incident, nor did he see him when he was unconscious a few days ago. Now that his son is awake, he shows up.

  Hmph!

  "Sister, what did you just go and do?" Pang Yu was more interested in this.

  "Mother, I have something to attend to and need to leave Kaifeng for a while." Lu Xiaofeng hesitated for a moment before saying it out loud to Madame Pang.

  Mrs. Pang was taken aback, "Leaving again?"

  "Mother, just let sister do her own thing, I don't have much to do now, as long as I can be supported and cared for, that's enough."

  "Ah..." Mrs. Pang stretched out her hand to pull over her daughter's hand, and sighed, "It's just that Mother can't bear to part with you, a girl who is always outside in the wind and sun..."

  "Mom, don't worry, I will take good care of myself."

  Xiaohe also guaranteed on the side, "The slave will take good care of the young lady, please don't worry, madam."

  "Is it because of Sun Gongzi's matter?" Mrs. Pang suddenly thought of a possibility and hurriedly explained, "Yuer, mother is not going to take charge of your lifelong affairs, just want to discuss with you."

  "I know Mother is doing this for my own good. Although I don't like these officials' sons, it's really not because of that which makes me want to leave, there really is something going on."

  "Is it dangerous?"

  "It's okay, if it's dangerous, I won't go near it."

  "The slaves will fight to the death to hold on to Miss." Xiao He guaranteed.

  Mrs. Pang was amused by Xiao He's words, patted her daughter's hand and said: "Alright, I won't say anything more. You always have your own ideas, my girl. If you really like someone, be sure to tell me."

  "That's absolutely necessary," said Little Phoenix without any embarrassment.

  Pang Yu thought: Such a beautiful woman as San Jie, what kind of man is worthy of her?

  After Pang Taishi returned to his mansion from court, Lu Xiaofeng also told him about leaving the capital.

  "Be careful when you go out," said Tai Shi to her adopted daughter, then turned to Xiao He standing beside her and said, "You and Feng Si's wife should also take good care of Miss, don't let her suffer any grievances outside."

  "I know."

  In this way, Lu Xiaofeng was considered to have successfully registered.

  That night, Master Pong and his daughter were in the study, where they had a conversation, but no one knew what it was about.

  The next morning, Lu Xiaofeng packed his bags and left Bianliang City with Yiniang.

  Feng Si and his wife drove a horse-drawn carriage in pursuit, while Lu Xiaofeng took Xiao He to ride ahead to Zhongmu County.

  Lu Xiaofeng did not want Xiao He to go through this hardship, but Xiao He refused to leave her side, so in the end she could only let Xiao He suffer a bit and accompany her on the journey.

  Although they are servants, the maids in the Taishi Mansion are actually more pampered than ordinary commoner girls.

  Bouncing on horseback was a real torment for Xiao He.

  But Xiaohe gritted his teeth and persevered.

  The young lady is right, since she is the young lady's personal maid, she must go wherever the young lady goes, and do whatever the young lady does. It doesn't make sense that the young lady can endure all those hardships, but her maid cannot.

  "Sister, you've finally arrived."

  Seeing the usually joking Bai Laoshu looking somewhat down, Lu Xiaofeng had a bad premonition. He looked towards Zhan Zhao on the other side, "Zhan Huwei——"

  Zhan Zhao looked at Xiao He.

  Xiaohe subconsciously kept a distance from them, knowing that some things they didn't necessarily not want her to know, but were likely worried that she would be afraid if she found out.

  Lu Xiaofeng took two steps forward in front of Zhan Zhao.

  "There were several pregnant women who had their bellies ripped open, and when we arrived, we could only stand by helplessly...". Zhan Zhao's expression was very heavy, "Now there are probably still five or six pregnant women whose whereabouts are unknown."

  Is the situation really so serious?

  "How could this be? I thought Lord Bao had already apprehended the culprit."

  Those people are too cunning, and even have some connections with the courtiers inside.

  Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but feel a little guilty, saying: "If it weren't for Pang Yu's sudden accident, I wouldn't have been delayed in the capital for so long." After all, it was still that cursed Chai Wenyi who was to blame.

  "It happened suddenly, no one expected it." Zhan Zhao comforted her.

  "Isn't there another lead?"

  Zhan Zhao stretched out his hand and pulled her aside.

  Lu Xiaofeng raised an eyebrow.

  Zhan Zhao said: "We can't startle the snake by hitting the grass." Those pregnant women are still in their hands.

  Lu Xiaofeng suddenly understood that they already had a certain clue in their hands, but they were afraid to take drastic action.

  "The opposing camp should also have some masters, right?"

  Zhan Zhao by default.

  "The scum of society is always missing at any time." Little Phoenix said with great emotion.

  Zhan Zhao: "......"

  Bai Yutang: "......"

  Lu Xiaofeng looked up at Zhan Zhao.

  Zhan Zhao slightly furrowed his brow, he had a bad premonition.

  "Use me as bait, lure and capture."

  Bai Yutang was the first to object, "No way." Those were all fugitives, their methods were too cruel and inhumane.

  Zhan Zhao looked at her.

  Lü Xiao Feng said firmly: "A stalemate is unfavorable to us, we can only stir up the mountain and shock the tiger, making them move. Waiting for their labor with ease is the best strategy."

  "Lu Niang——" You should know this is very dangerous.

  I know, but what's the use?

  "Zhan Zhao, I'm not afraid of anything, what are you afraid of?"

  Bai Yutang: He is not afraid of ghosts.

  "Miss, you mustn't lose anything."

  "With you and Bai Yutang here, I won't have any problems." Lu Xiaofeng was even more confident than the two of them.

  Zhan Zhao pursed his lips tightly and nodded slowly after a while, "Miss, what should I do?"

  "Spread the word that Lord Bao has followed a lead and found a woman who, despite being over fifty years old, looks like a young girl due to her long-term consumption of elixirs made from the Purple River Car. She is to be secretly escorted to the capital for imperial interrogation. Soon, the Grand Preceptor will arrive with an imperial edict to take custody of the prisoner."

  The cat and mouse were both staring at her, but neither of them said a word.

  Lu Xiaofeng smiled slightly and said: "Before leaving the capital, I have already spoken to my adoptive father. He will come over to help with the performance."

  "What? How could Master Pang agree?" White Yudang found it hard to believe.

  "Why not?" Lu Xiaofeng asked incredulously, "I just need to tell my godfather that if we crack this case, it would be a huge slap in the face for Bao Dapeng. My godfather will definitely agree."

  Zhan Zhao: "......"

  Bai Yutang: "......"

  "No matter whose credit it is, as long as the case is solved, Master Bao will surely be delighted too, won't he?" Lu Xiaofeng asked with a smile.

  Zhan Zhao could only nod, adults naturally didn't care about those empty names. But she also knew too well how to grasp people's hearts.

  Besides, the road had been paved long before the future arrived.

  A woman with such a delicate and clever mind is enough to make all men feel ashamed of themselves.

  "Does Zhānhùwèi think this is okay?"

  "Take certain young lady to meet the elder."

  "Hmm." Xiang Xiao Mao had no objections.

  After Lu Xiaofeng met his idol Bao Qingtian, both parties went through the relevant details again, striving to be flawless or minimize flaws.

  Faking it is all about how you operate; if you operate properly, it's even more realistic than reality.