Volume 4: Gathering of Sages Chapter 729: Join in the fun
The noise Zhang Chen made was so loud that the Fourth Prince could not help but get out of the carriage early, standing on tiptoe on the shaft of the carriage, trying to see what was happening over there. However, no matter how much he stood on tiptoe, he could not make up for his short stature. He could only hear Zhang Chen's voice for a while, but Zhang Chen's figure was completely blocked by the carriages and horses in front. He could not see anything and could only worry anxiously.
Especially when he heard Zhang Chen's implication that those who didn't know him were not from the Ruiqi Battalion, the Fourth Prince muttered that this guy was really daring, but in his heart he envied Zhang Chen's willfulness and was even more annoyed that he was a step late. He could also say such things!
Soon, he heard another burst of exclamations and noise from the crowd in front of him.
The exclamation came like a tide, and he soon heard the crowd shouting, "It's fake!"
Zhu Ying had also gotten off the car at this time. She didn't care that her stunning appearance was being seen by others. She stood beside the car with her brows raised. When she heard that it was true and her guess was confirmed, she was even more furious. Just as she was about to curse at the people these days, she immediately heard another loud noise in front of her, as if there was another commotion.
She felt that this was simply endless, and she couldn't help but get more and more annoyed, but in a moment she saw Zhu Hong rushing back: "Miss, the people from the South City Military Department are here, and Zhang Chen readily handed over the fake guy. The people from the South City Military Department are urging the guards at the city gate to clear the flow of people in and out of the city as soon as possible to avoid congestion."
Zhu Ying then turned from anger to joy, and was very satisfied with the quick response of the South City Army. After all, it meant that her elder brother had completely grasped those old-timers who were originally procrastinating, and could use them at will. She pulled down the fourth prince who was still on the shaft of the carriage and wanted to watch the excitement but failed. After pushing him into the carriage, she turned her head and looked at Zhu Hong.
"Go ask Zhang Chen first. If he has nothing to do, I have something interesting to tell him. Ask him if he's interested in coming and watching. If he is, wait for me outside. We'll go together when I leave the city!"
Seeing that Zhu Ying turned around and got on the carriage without giving him a chance to persuade her, Zhu Hong sighed and had to resign himself to going back to find Zhang Chen. However, he had hoped that Zhang Chen would "do what is right" and leave with satisfaction after catching the impostor, but he did not expect that when he followed the flow of people out of the city back to the place he had just been, he would only see Zhang Chen and his entourage and guards still there.
As soon as he saw him, Zhang Chen laughed: "I was thinking that the person I just saw in the crowd looked like you. It turned out to be you! Why are you accompanying the young lady out of town to go to the public school today?"
Zhu Hong then realized that Zhang Chen had discovered him a long time ago. He could only briefly relay Zhu Ying's words, and saw that Zhang Chen really showed an excited expression.
"Oh, it's quite interesting? Why didn't you tell me earlier? I don't have anything to do. I've been so idle these past few days that I'm almost panicking. I'm just looking forward to her elder brother and her two weddings being done quickly! Let's go. If there's something going on, wouldn't I be Zhang Chen if I didn't join in the fun?"
Seeing that Zhang Chen was about to go upstream to meet Zhu Ying without saying anything, Zhu Hong hurried forward to stop him, and persuaded him to wait patiently. When Zhu Ying's carriage finally followed the flow of people out of the city gate and the two sides met, Zhang Chen immediately came to the side of the carriage with a smile on his face, but when the curtain was opened, he saw a head sticking out and making a face at him.
Although it was not shocking, the beautiful face that Zhang Chen had been expecting to see suddenly turned into a naughty child like the Fourth Prince. Zhang Chen was naturally not happy no matter what. He glared at the person with disgust, and then he saw a slender hand pushing the Fourth Prince aside, and this was the smiling Zhu Ying.
"That guy just wasted too much time, so I won't gossip any more. Get in the car and we'll talk while we walk!"
Since the naughty Fourth Prince was in the car, there was naturally no romantic element in Zhu Ying's invitation - besides, Zhang Chen had already given up hope. As for whether being in the same car with Zhu Ying would cause displeasure to Zhang Shou, I'm sorry, Young Master Zhang has never had such awareness.
As for whether he had a vague feeling that Zhu Ying would be unhappy if Zhang Shou was so stingy, that was another matter.
But after getting on the car without hesitation, Zhang Chen was surprised to find a little peanut in the car. What was Zhu Ying doing? Not only did she help Zhang Shou discipline the fourth prince, but she also had to take care of Zhang Shou's little follower?
He was full of doubts until he heard Zhu Ying's explanation of the causes and consequences of a series of events yesterday afternoon and evening. Only then could he not help but glance back and forth between the Fourth Prince and Little Peanut several times, and finally he burst into laughter.
"Oh, it's true that heroes emerge young from the ancient times. You three little kids can actually make a group of people run around in circles! You have great potential and great abilities!"
The Fourth Prince used to think that Zhang Chen was too arrogant, and he didn't even have much respect for his own third brother. But when he heard this straightforward praise, he felt quite comfortable and happy, and his impression of people immediately changed.
He held his head high and was about to accept all the compliments, but Peanut at the side couldn't help but complain, "Mr. Zhang, you're flattering too early. Xiao Cheng, who played the ghost last night, might have gone to tell the truth to those victims who were almost deceived! The Fourth Prince and I were going to chase them, but we were delayed again and again! And..."
"Also, I just thought of a question..."
Seeing the Fourth Prince's expression of "Why are you trying to sabotage us?", Peanut explained helplessly, "Sixth Brother went to the government office to look for the student information cards yesterday. I remember that our three classmates seemed to live in the An'er Hutong area south of Zhushikou, but Sixth Brother drove us there at that time. The place where we parked was a small wine shop without a sign."
"After we checked in the carriage, we got off and walked through a long dark alley. It was bumpy and difficult to walk on. There were also several turns in the middle. It wasn't straight! If we don't find the tavern, I won't remember the way." At this point, he glanced at the Fourth Prince, "Or, Fourth Prince, can you remember the way?"
The fourth prince was speechless for a moment, but then he argued, "If we don't know him, Xiao Cheng may not know him either!"
Little Peanut chuckled, "That's not certain. After all, he was born and raised in Beijing. What if he has been to the outer city before? What if he is very familiar with that place? Don't think that it was me who asked for directions yesterday. Didn't he act very well after pretending to be a ghost? This kid looks serious and inflexible, but he is actually very capable, otherwise Master Zhu would not have recognized him as his sworn brother."
Zhu Ying and Zhang Chen looked at each other in bewilderment. Did they have to go to the public school first to ask Ah Liu to come? Zhu Ying felt even more annoyed. She had already asked Ah Liu to follow Zhang Shou in the public school. If she went to ask him now, wouldn't it make her look incompetent?
At this moment, the driver outside laughed and said, "Oh, are you in the An'er Hutong area south of Zhushikou? There used to , but later the outer city was built and the Sanli River was abandoned. But because many places are houses built after the old river channel silted up, the alleys are winding and winding, and it is indeed not as easy to find as the straight streets and alleys in the inner city."
"However, although I am not as familiar with the outer city as that little brother, I am not completely clueless. When we are almost there, I will tell you and we will take a look around. Brother, you can look through the curtains to find the approximate location. I have some idea of where nameless taverns are usually located. If your companion goes there alone, he may not be as good as us."
At this point, he paused and added, "Besides, Miss and Mr. Zhang, it's fine for us to have only one car, but so many guards walking in the outer city will inevitably attract attention. In my opinion, you might as well leave Zhu Hong behind and pick three or four more people to follow the guards. Let the others go to the Jigu Temple near Zhushikou and wait for our news."
"Okay, let's do it."
Zhu Ying agreed immediately, and as for Zhang Chen, he was just here to join in the fun, so he naturally agreed. Although Xiao Huasheng felt a little worried, after all, there was no one like Ah Liu who could fight a hundred people today, and the Fourth Prince, Zhu Ying, and Zhang Chen were all very important, but he was the most insignificant of the four people in the car, and he could only pray in his heart.
May the gods and Buddhas in heaven bless you and please don’t let anything happen to you!
Zhu Ying, the driver, claimed to be an experienced driver who knew the way well, so he was really good at driving. He first asked the Fourth Prince and Peanut if they had smelled the stench of pigs yesterday, and from what direction they had smelled it after getting off the car. As it turned out, the Fourth Prince was only following Ah Liu yesterday, and he had no idea what was going on. His only reaction at this time was to shake his head.
However, since Peanut grew up with Old Salted Fish who had drifted on the sea, he knew all the directions. After thinking carefully, he reported the relative location of that place and the pig market.
Therefore, although it took some trouble, the group successfully found the small tavern without a wine flag or sign. However, when they wanted to deposit the carriage like Ah Liu did, they encountered trouble because no matter what the coachman said, the store owner refused to do so.
In the end, it was Peanut who jumped out of the car and very cleverly took out Ah Liu who came yesterday as a sign. The shopkeeper did recognize him and was a little suspicious. In addition, Zhu Ying was full of impatience and simply got out of the car. She was dressed in men's clothes but still looked eye-catching. The shopkeeper only took a glance at her and realized the subtlety and hurriedly agreed.
"So she is the future mistress of Master Liu. I am blind and I deserve to die!"
Even though Zhu Ying was always generous , she blushed at this unprecedented title. Zhang Chen, who got off the car, was even more amused: "It turns out that Ah Liu is more famous than the young lady and the young master in the outer city? It seems that being able to fight is better than being able to talk these days!"
Zhu Ying coughed angrily, "Zhang Chen, what nonsense are you talking about! Shopkeeper, stop talking nonsense. Have you seen a child about the same age as this boy?"
Seeing the fourth prince getting off the carriage, she pointed at him and described him in great detail: "He is about the same height as him, a little thinner than him, not as handsome as this boy, but not as frivolous and cunning as him. He is always serious, too serious, and has a very formal style in everything he says."
The Fourth Prince was undoubtedly bitter. He was compared to Zhu Ying, and except for his appearance, he was praised, but all other aspects were criticized. He didn't dare to fight back like he did to others, and could only sulk. Hearing Zhu Ying's funny description, Peanut couldn't help laughing, and then coughed.
"Miss, there's no need to go to such trouble. The shopkeeper, the other child who came with us yesterday, has he ever come here on horseback?"
The shopkeeper, who had just been rude and respectful, was completely confused by Zhu Ying's words. But after hearing what Peanut said, he suddenly understood and immediately gave an unexpected answer with a big smile on his face.
"The other young master who came with Sixth Master yesterday did come here." Seeing Zhu Ying's subtle expression, as if she wanted to ask why you didn't say this earlier, the shopkeeper spoke before her, "He didn't come alone. He was accompanied by others, and he specifically told me not to say too much. So if the young lady didn't ask in person, I wouldn't dare to say anything."
Hearing that Xiao Cheng had a companion, the Fourth Prince became really anxious. He did not bother to think about who the person was, and immediately grabbed Xiao Huasheng and said, "Hurry up, you lead the way, we will find it!"
Peanut was more curious about who Xiao Cheng came with, but when the Fourth Prince urged him, he suddenly thought of something else and glanced at Zhu Ying. After hesitating for a while, he finally said awkwardly, "Miss, do you want to... wear a veil or a veil? If you go there with this face, it will definitely attract attention."
Zhu Ying was so beautiful that even the owner of this small tavern could tell at a glance that she was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhao's mansion because of Sixth Brother. How could she walk into that messy place yesterday? What if she ran into that kind of villain again...
Before Zhu Ying could respond, the shopkeeper smiled and said, "Yesterday, the South City Military Department arrested two well-known villains in the An'er Hutong area. In the evening, Master Zhu sent soldiers to comb the area again and encouraged the neighbors to report it, saying that any evildoers would be caught and not let off easily. Now there is absolutely no one around here who doesn't have eyes. With Master Zhu here, the outer city will be a clean place sooner or later!"
Zhu Ying was about to say that it would be great if she could meet some blind villains so that she could relax, but when she heard the shopkeeper praising her eldest brother, she immediately smiled. So, she signaled Zhu Hong to give the shopkeeper a handful of copper coins, and said that she would give him the money for the carriage when he came back. She immediately told Xiao Huasheng to lead the way, pulled the fourth prince over, called Zhang Chen, and the group left in a hurry.
As they left, the shopkeeper counted out the money in his hand one by one, and all the wrinkles on his face seemed to be relaxed by a smile. He hadn't thought much about it before, but after what happened just now, when he entered the carriage with the child in front, he already knew what was going on. He just deliberately didn't tell the young lady... Leaving someone a surprise, it should be quite interesting!
