A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1115: The Trap
Previously on A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace...
To outsiders, one must at least project an aura of aloofness.
"What if this merchant hails from elsewhere and possesses connections?"
"Should they decide to report us, might it not tarnish my reputation!"
After all, the remuneration provided by the Imperial Court is quite meager.
Numerous distinguished families within the Capital City find it challenging to sustain their extensive retinues, thus they frequently engage in supplementary ventures to amass wealth.
Provided the activities are not overtly excessive, the Emperor typically maintains a hands-off approach!
In essence, is not conducting business preferable to outright embezzlement?!
"As the common saying goes, safety takes precedence!"
"Until we ascertain their origins, we must refrain from hasty actions!"
"If we inadvertently offend the wrong party, who will bear the consequences for me? Will it be you?"
The sycophantic advisor hung his head in silence, guilt evident.
Liu Shouwei, incensed, took a sip of tea, finding some solace after gently caressing the alabaster-soft hands of a petite beauty twice.
"Next applicant!"
The second advisor presented as a corpulent gentleman.
Even before uttering a word, an obsequious grin had already contorted his features, rendering his narrowed eyes practically invisible!
"Master, my suggestion also involves employing poison, however..."
"We cannot select a brothel as the location for our orchestrated encounter!"
"Is it not universally known throughout Yinshan City that our esteemed master is a righteous and upright official?!"
"How could a paragon of virtue frequent a pleasure house?!"
"We should opt for the adjacent inn as the venue for a 'chance' meeting!"
"Subsequently, we shall await their emergence and stage a scenario to amplify the master's image!"
"Concurrently, we shall engineer an 'accident'!"
"Once the mishap occurs, managing the subsequent events will be straightforward, will it not?"
Liu Shouwei narrowed his eyes and nodded in agreement.
He was exceedingly pleased with the proposed persona of an "upright and just official"!
"Now that is more like it!"
"Am I not precisely an upright and just official?!"
"Adjudicating cases, maintaining order in the city, abstaining from corruption and bribery, wholeheartedly championing the populace and serving as their advocate!"
Such pronouncements genuinely made him feel rather diligent and honorable.
He was nearly moved to tears by his own virtue!
The advisors positioned below nodded in unison.
"Master, your wisdom is truly unparalleled!"
"Master, you are indeed a reincarnation of the God of Literature!"
Liu Shouwei found the adulation somewhat jarring.
"Begone with you, what connection does this have with the God of Literature!"
"Disperse, all of you, be gone! I have already conceived of a plan!"
Regardless of the sycophantic advisor's detailed machinations.
His intent was to self-inspire!
His ambition was to cultivate an impeccable personal image!
He aspired to be the official celebrated for the finest reputation, to luxuriate in the most opulent lifestyle, and, naturally, to ensnare the most beautiful women!
...
Outside the watchful eyes of others, Xia Tingfeng and Zhao Qichen consistently maintained the pretense of a father-son relationship.
Posing as a father showcasing the wider world to his ten-year-old son.
Although Zhao Qichen's bearing bore little resemblance to that of a typical ten-year-old.
He was, in actuality, merely a decade old.
His physical stature had not yet reached its full potential, nor had his facial features fully matured; only his demeanor diverged from that of a child.
Resemblance or not, he remained his "son."
Furthermore, it is often observed that nephews bear a likeness to their uncles.
Even in the absence of direct lineage, a discernible similarity in their features could be noted.
Such a resemblance sufficed; a mere thirty percent was ample!
They secured lodging at the most prominent inn within Yinshan City, attended to their baggage.
The 'father and son' pair then commenced their explorations abroard.
Adopting the guise of merchants from the southern regions, transporting their wares northward for trade.
They perused various establishments, shop by shop.
During their perambulations.
Zhao Qichen inquired in a hushed tone.
"Father, will they... truly make their move?"
Xia Tingfeng offered a wry smile.
"Scoundrels are drawn to easy prey; such a substantial prize, it is inconceivable he would let it pass!"
Having spoken, he subtly surveyed their surroundings.
Drawing Zhao Qichen into a goldsmith's establishment.
Upon exiting the jewelry boutique, they proceeded to a jade dealer, then a silk merchant, a tea purveyor, and a cosmetics vendor...
His objective was abundantly clear.
It was an overt and public declaration to those lurking in the shadows:
That their current consignment was laden with considerable riches!
Zhao Qichen still harbored a degree of disbelief.
Yet, he refrained from further interrogation.
Throughout their journey, he appeared 'curiously' interested in various items, feigning ignorance.
Projecting the image of a naive and unworldly young master of a merchant family, embarking on his inaugural business excursion!
"They have taken the bait!"
Xia Tingfeng detected the presence of someone tailing them from the periphery of his vision!
Zhao Qichen also registered this, and their observations were voiced almost in unison!
The two cast alert glances around them.
Aside from their unseen pursuer, they observed, a short distance away, a gathering crowd generating a disturbance, though the cause remained obscured!
A silent exchange of glances passed between them, both sensing an undue coincidence, suspecting a potential ploy!
"Let us proceed and investigate the situation!"
Xia Tingfeng guided Zhao Qichen into the throng of people. Within the crowd, a young woman knelt, clad in tattered garments, her appearance disheveled. Beside her rested a form concealed by a worn straw mat. The young woman's eyes were puffy and red from relentless weeping, her face marred by streaks of tears and snot. "Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, kind uncles and aunts, my father has passed away! I am left alone and desperate, compelled by circumstance to offer myself for sale to fund his burial!" she cried out. "Please, good people, come to my aid!" she implored. "I am capable of any task—laundering garments, preparing meals, fetching water, sweeping floors, tending to fowls and livestock, any arduous or unclean labor!" she listed. "I humbly beg all benevolent souls to lend their assistance!" With that, she began to repeatedly bow her head to the ground with great urgency. The onlookers let out deep sighs, their expressions a mix of emotions; some felt pity, others simply shook their heads in commiseration, while a few, captivated by the girl's evident beauty, harbored thoughts of acquiring her as a wife. An elderly woman, dabbing her eyes with a cloth, inquired, "Young lady, you continuously implore us for help!" "But how exactly can we assist?" she asked, the unspoken question hanging in the air: under what terms? How many taels of silver would it cost to take you in? The girl surveyed the gathering, her gaze eventually settling upon Xia Tingfeng. She whispered softly, her voice tinged with timidity, "As long as someone can help me lay my father to rest!" "The highest offer secures the bid!" she declared. A fresh wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. Several individuals who had previously shown keen interest now hesitated, casting a palpable awkwardness over the scene. At that opportune moment, a group of men began to converse loudly near Xia Tingfeng, seemingly with deliberation. "Take a look at that girl; she's not half bad!" one remarked. "If you bought her and cleaned her up, she'd certainly outshine Xiao Hua from Cuifang Tower!" another chimed in. "I concur!" a third voice added. "It’s just unfortunate I lack the funds!" a different man lamented. "What a pity! If some wealthy patron were to purchase her, they'd be making a true steal!" a bystander commented. "A mere handful of taels for such a beauty, tsk tsk!" another scoffed. The other two men exchanged banter. "Why don't you buy her then? It's only a few taels of silver!" The man addressed looked sheepish. "I'm poor! I can barely scrape together a few taels, and besides, what would we eat if I brought her home? I'm a bachelor struggling just to feed myself!" His statement drew chuckles from those nearby. Most had gathered for the spectacle, with very few genuinely intending to make a purchase. After scanning the crowd once more, the young girl directed her imploring eyes towards Xia Tingfeng. "This gentleman appears to hail from a distinguished family!" she stated. "Might you have need of a servant? I am capable of any task you require; please, I beg you, save me!" Her voice, soft and melodious, possessed a quality that could easily sway a man's heart. Xia Tingfeng harbored 100% certainty that this was an elaborate trap. Nevertheless, intent on testing the waters, he feigned a thoughtful expression and knitted his brows.