Chapter 49: Connecting the Dots
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
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Lin Xiu was no stranger to Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant.
Some time ago, he had a conflict with them over the ice-making matter. Later, the son of the East City Captain, trying to force him into submission, framed him, but Lin Xiu turned the tables.
After that, perhaps having learned that Lin Xiu was working for the Imperial Palace, Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant and the Marquis of Yongping’s estate behind it had ceased their actions.
Lin Xiu had thought the matter was over, but unexpectedly, Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant had entered his sights again.
From the Unique Ability Academy, Picking Moon Tower was closer. Wang Wei bypassing it to go to Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant indicated his destination had been clear from the start.
Everyone had different tastes; this wouldn’t normally be a cause for suspicion. However, Lin Xiu had just learned that Wang Wei wasn’t pursuing Xue Ninger, that he had deliberately used this as an excuse to provoke him and attack him with lethal intent during their duel. Now, seeing him enter Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant, how could he not be suspicious?
It had to be said, Wang Wei wasn’t meticulous enough.
And the devil often lurked in the details.
The Xue Ninger incident was one thing, Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant another. Could it be that the Marquis of Yongping’s estate was behind Wang Wei’s attack, a retaliation for his refusal to make ice for them?
If that were the case, he would have to take this seriously.
Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant was a property of the Marquis of Yongping’s estate, but given the Marquis’ status, he certainly wouldn’t personally manage the restaurant’s affairs. Such establishments were typically entrusted to a manager who handled the estate’s businesses. Could a mere manager order Wang Wei around?
These two matters seemed connected, but Lin Xiu felt something was amiss.
Just because he refused to make ice for them, they wanted his life? This reason, though plausible, seemed a bit far-fetched.
Today, Li Bozhang was treating. Knowing Lin Xiu’s low alcohol tolerance, he only ordered tea. Seeing Lin Xiu seemed distracted during the meal, he asked, “Brother Lin, is something troubling you?”
Lin Xiu smiled and explained, “No, it’s just that today’s dishes don’t quite suit my taste. Next time, we could try other restaurants, like Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant, perhaps…”
Li Bozhang, however, said, “Other restaurants are fine, but Brother Lin, it’s best to avoid Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant.“
Lin Xiu looked at him. “Why?”
Li Bozhang explained, “Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant is backed by the Marquis of Yongping. The Marquis personally visited the Zhao family several times, seeking their daughter’s hand in marriage for his son, but was rejected every time. Brother Lin, can you guess why?”
Why else? Naturally, it was because of his engagement with Zhao Lingjun.
It all connected now. Everything made sense.
Whether it was Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant or Wang Wei, the Marquis of Yongping’s estate was behind both incidents.
Wang Wei, using jealousy as a pretense, had attacked him viciously. It was likely that Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant’s motive wasn’t simply to have him make ice…
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The person behind this was deeply hidden, their methods extremely insidious. If not for Xue Ninger’s unintentional words, if not for Wang Wei’s carelessness, if not for Li Bozhang’s reminder, Lin Xiu wouldn’t have realized that the root of his conflict with the Marquis of Yongping’s estate was actually that marriage contract…
Lin Xiu took a sip of tea and said to Li Bozhang, “I saw Wang Wei enter Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant just now. Does he have connections with the Marquis of Yongping’s estate?”
Li Bozhang nodded. “The Marquis of Yongping is a First Rank Marquis of the Great Xia, wielding considerable power. Naturally, he has many followers. Wang Wei’s father, the Marquis of Guangan, is a staunch supporter of the Marquis of Yongping. Moreover, the East City Magistrate and the East City Captain were both promoted by the Marquis of Yongping. The East City Yamen is practically his backyard. There’s also Earl of Zhongyong, Earl of Chengyi, all under the Marquis of Yongping…”
“Earl of Zhongyong?”
Lin Xiu’s gaze narrowed. He hadn’t expected Qin Cong’s father to be one of the Marquis of Yongping’s men. Could it be that Qin Cong’s antagonism towards him was also orchestrated by someone behind the scenes…?
Although it was Lin Xiu who had offended Qin Cong first, and it was reasonable for Qin Cong to seek trouble with him, weren’t the ice-making incident at Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant and the provocation during the martial arts class also reasonable?
Someone was using these seemingly reasonable events to conceal the true reason behind them.
Lin Xiu sometimes wondered why he had encountered so many problems shortly after arriving. Was he a trouble magnet?
Only now did he realize that everything seemingly coincidental was, in fact, inevitable.
It wasn’t that he attracted trouble; it was that someone was deliberately targeting him.
In that case, was the assassination attempt that night also the work of the Marquis of Yongping’s estate?
Lin Xiu felt wronged.
Who had he offended? He was also a victim of that marriage contract…
An innocent man is guilty because of his treasure. Zhao Lingjun was Lin Xiu’s “treasure.” As long as the engagement remained, it was likely that not only the Marquis of Yongping, but many others in the Royal Capital wished for his downfall.
And since the Marquis of Yongping’s estate had failed twice in their attempts against him, they probably wouldn’t give up so easily.
To avoid mistaking his enemy, Lin Xiu needed further confirmation.
Royal Capital, a certain restaurant.
Wu Qing, having eaten and drunk his fill, walked out of the restaurant.
He sighed inwardly. The food at this ordinary restaurant couldn’t compare to Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant. Unfortunately, ever since he messed up the task assigned by the Marquis of Yongping’s son, he had been completely abandoned.
From then on, he couldn’t freeload at Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant as before, becoming a completely marginalized figure.
Leaving the restaurant, Wu Qing was about to return to the Yamen when a figure blocked his path.
“Who’s blind…” He was about to curse when he recognized the person and his face paled. He stammered, “Y-you, what do you want? I haven’t offended you recently…”
Wu Qing was genuinely afraid of Lin Xiu. If Lin Xiu hadn’t spared him last time, his memorial service would have already passed.
Lin Xiu smiled at Wu Qing. “Don’t be afraid. I just want to ask you a few questions.”
Wu Qing probed, “W-what questions?”
Lin Xiu said, “I know you were following orders last time. You just need to tell me who gave you those orders.”
Wu Qing shook his head. “No one ordered me. I just often ate at Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant and had a good relationship with the manager. During that time, you were making ice for Picking Moon Tower, and all the customers went there, so he asked me to do him a favor…”
Lin Xiu raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Wu Qing nodded. “Absolutely true!”
Lin Xiu smiled at him. “Since you acted alone, then there’s nothing more to say. There’s a debtor for every debt. Don’t blame me. Remember to be a good person in your next life. I’ll burn extra paper money for you every year on your death anniversary…”
Wu Qing’s face drastically changed. He trembled. “Y-you, what do you want to do!”
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Lin Xiu said ruthlessly, “His Majesty has asked me to fill the palace ice cellars tomorrow. I’ll beat you up now, go back and break three of my own ribs, and when the palace officials arrive tomorrow, I’ll say you seriously injured me and I can’t move, asking His Majesty to wait a few more days…”
Wu Qing shouted angrily, “You’re framing me!”
Lin Xiu shrugged. “I have no grievance against you, why would I frame you? Besides, I’m quite familiar with the eunuchs in the palace. They will likely report truthfully to His Majesty tomorrow. You should go back and prepare for your afterlife. Eat whatever you want these next two days, and it’s best to say goodbye to your relatives and friends. I’m afraid there won’t be time later…”
“…”
Wu Qing was silent for a moment, then abruptly raised his head, looked at Lin Xiu, and said seriously, “It’s like this. That matter had nothing to do with me. It was Yang Xuan, the eldest son of the Marquis of Yongping. He told me to cause you trouble, and said it would be best to find a chance to cripple you. There’s a debtor for every debt. If you want to find someone, go find him. It has nothing to do with me. Really, nothing to do with me…”
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