Zheng Qing’s heart skipped a beat.
Good heavens, this woman’s methods were truly something else!
If he remembered correctly, the only people in the courtyard at the time were him, Pei Jian, and Li Dan.
Wait, there was also the eunuch Feng Han!
Could this man also be working for the princess?
But wasn’t he wholeheartedly trying to eliminate the princess and the crown prince?
Was he playing Werewolf, having multiple identities?
After a moment of thought, he decided to first ensure that he would safely get through the current situation. As for Feng Han’s identity, he could investigate later.
Zheng Qing decided to tell the truth.
“Your Highness, it is indeed so,” he said.
The princess snorted:
“You’re at least honest. You’re leagues better than that Su Wu Ming. If he had your sense of reason, how could he still be a mere county magistrate of Chang’an?”
Zheng Qing didn’t know how to respond, but he shook his head inwardly.
Princess, don’t you understand? He’s cunning, he already knows you’re not capable. He simply wants nothing to do with you. He directly serves the court. After all, the identity of Di Gong’s disciple is a free pass to immunity!
He decided to come clean:
“I wonder what your Highness has summoned me for?”
The princess walked towards the pavilion and gently brewed tea. The tea was red as blood, a true Chang’an red tea.
“Try it,” she said.
The princess issued the command, handing him a cup.
Zheng Qing didn’t refuse. He drank it down in one gulp, and remarked:
“A fine tea, indeed.”
The princess, in turn, examined him again, curiously asking:
“I heard that on the evening of your appointment, you went to Minister Pei’s house for a feast. Did you notice any difference between the Chang’an red tea brewed by Minister Pei and mine?”
Zheng Qing replied earnestly:
“Your Highness, if I were to say there was a difference, it’s that Minister Pei’s red tea seemed to make one feel light-headed, while yours is mellow and flavorful. It truly is a fine tea.”
The princess snorted:
“It seems my earlier judgment of you was wrong. I thought you were a decent person, but it turns out you’re just as cunning as Su Wu Ming! You’re both cut from the same cloth!”
Zheng Qing looked at the rather imposing princess and sighed inwardly.
This kind of temperament, truly befitting the daughter of Wu Zetian!
Such strength and impulsiveness. No wonder she dared to have an affair and give birth to Lu Ling Feng before marriage. Look at Lu Ling Feng’s personality now.
Tsk, they are truly cut from the same cloth!
Genes are truly powerful!
Zheng Qing said solemnly:
“Your servant doesn’t understand what your Highness is saying. Please enlighten me.”
The princess said calmly:
“I’m not interested in beating around the bush with you. The Chang’an red tea has been a hot topic lately. This is the true Chang’an red tea, while the one circulating in the market is simply using my name!
But as a princess of the Tang Dynasty, my reputation has been tarnished. You, as the Imperial Censor, are investigating this case. Shouldn’t you do something?”
Zheng Qing said earnestly: “Please rest assured, your Highness. I will devote my full efforts to finding the perpetrator behind this Chang’an red tea scam. Those who dare to use your name for profit will be punished severely!”
Hearing this, the princess’s attitude softened somewhat.
“If you clear up this matter, you will certainly be rewarded. I could get Su Wu Ming transferred from the Wu Gong county magistrate to the Chang’an county magistrate. I can also give you a better position!
On the other hand, I can also have you sent to a remote area with a single word. Do you understand?”
Zheng Qing nodded:
“Your servant understands.”
But he didn’t leave. Instead, he pretended to hesitate, as if he wanted to say something.
“What is it? Do you have something else to say? You want me to pour you another cup of tea?”
The princess said coldly, her demeanor naturally exuding arrogance.
Zheng Qing bowed:
“I wouldn’t dare. Forgive this servant for being so bold as to speak. When I first saw your Highness, I felt like I recognized you.
Thinking back carefully, a few days ago I saw a young man about twenty-three or twenty-five years old. His appearance and demeanor were almost identical to your Highness’s…
Your Highness, please forgive me. I was simply talking nonsense.”
But the princess, upon hearing this, abruptly stood up, her hands clenched into fists, her body even trembling!
She stared fixedly at Zheng Qing.
“What did you say? A young man about twenty-three or twenty-five years old? With a similar appearance to mine?!”
Zheng Qing said: “Please forgive this servant, your Highness. I was simply talking nonsense.”
Little one, you were acting all cold and aloof in front of me just now. Now I have information you want to know. Watch me manipulate you!
The princess was indeed caught. She walked towards him, seemingly struggling to breathe to maintain her composure.
“What you said just now, is it true?”
Zheng Qing said seriously:
“Your Highness, I just felt like I recognized him. But I thought that with your Highness’s identity, it’s impossible to have such an acquaintance. Therefore, I beg your Highness to consider it as me talking nonsense.”
【+2000 Fame Points from Princess Taiping’s Favour.】
Zheng Qing was overjoyed. Good heavens, is this the benefit of being close to those in high positions?
Li Dan gave him 5000 fame points, while Princess Taiping gave him 2000. He suspected that if he went to the crown prince and gave him some information, he could also get 2000 or 3000 fame points!
This trip to the Princess’s residence was truly a blessing!
The princess suppressed her excitement and regained her composure. She said calmly:
“The young man you spoke of, who resembles me, what is his identity? What is he doing now?”
However, Zheng Qing said:
“Your servant didn’t pay much attention to that. However, please rest assured, your Highness. I will secretly observe this person and gather detailed information on him. The next time I see your Highness, I will report everything to you.”
Don’t ask what you shouldn’t, but do what you should do. This is the way of being an official, or rather, the way of serving those in power!
The princess nodded:
“Very well. But I want you to do this in secret. If you have any leads, you can come see me directly.”
Then, she handed him a token, which was actually her personal seal!
“Thank you, your Highness.”
Zheng Qing took the token, his heart filled with joy.
He had now established a preliminary relationship with two of the most powerful people in the Tang Dynasty. As for the other one, there was no rush.
【+2000 Fame Points from Princess Taiping’s Favour.】
Zheng Qing left the Princess’s residence, escorted by Wei Feng Hua.
“Please stay, General Wei. You can stop here.”
Wei Feng Hua nodded. Seeing that there was no one around, he warned:
“Many high officials in the court are now drinking Chang’an red tea. Some even use this to tarnish the princess’s reputation. If you have any information, you must protect the princess’s dignity.”
Zheng Qing nodded. When he saw Wei Feng Hua returning quickly, he nodded slightly.
This man is still loyal, but only loyal!
…
Ghost Market –
Zheng Qing went to the Ghost Market in disguise. Just as he arrived, he heard Yuan Lai questioning Yin Shi Lang.
“Thank you, Immortal, for your timely reminder. I just strangled Dou Cong’s brother, Dou Yu Lin, and the Jin Wu Guards came. I almost got caught. I was so scared.”
“Very good, you did well,” Yuan Lai said.