The Noble Woman's Guide On How to Tease One's Husband

Chapter 5 - Investigate

The Noble Woman's Guide On How to Tease One's Husband

Translated by: Oinkoink

Chapter 5 – Investigate

Apart from the inner of the imperial city, Wangdu was one hundred and eighty square which spread all over the place that was distinctively warp and weft with stone roads that ran through like cobwebs extending to all corners which were accessible from all directions.

Since the royal court and the government offices were mostly situated at the north of the city, many of the nobilities would reside within the vicinity of the inner square with the exception of Chu Jinglan. His mansion was located at the far end corner of the city wall, perched on a high terrain and far from the market. Therefore, his neighborhood was sparsely populated as well as peaceful and quiet. Inside his mansion, there was a Chong Xiao pavilion towering on the south-east corner adorned with glazed roof tiles, vermilion ridges and high-raised eaves where the east main room faced the mountain and the west room could reach the clouds that such an incomparable scenery was probably not avail even in the imperial palace.

Next door coincidentally had such a pavilion too which was located next to the wall that was almost the same height as Chong Xiao pavilion which was so closely built that one could reach with an outstretched hand. Chu Jinglan was not very happy with this situation thus he rarely went up since his return.

Lu Heng thought not to abandon and left such a great place vacant, he moved all those extra books up there where he neatly arranged them all and turned the place into a decent library.

"Ai, I am truly idle."

He brushed the dust off his hands then turned towards the long narrow balcony. As he was bored stiff viewing the scenery, he suddenly caught sight of the shadow guards below in the courtyard bowing and followed closely by a man in black who marched towards the study. He changed his mind and immediately went down the pavilion.

Before Lu Heng could knock on the study door, Chu Jinglan's voice was already heard from inside the room, "Come in."

He pushed the door in, immediately perked up a smile and asked, "Qingfeng, what news have you brought back?"

Tang Qingfeng took out a small piece of note from his bosom which was addressed to King Lan without the sender's name or lacquer-sealed. He knew by the handwriting who had written this note but before he was able to inquire about the content, Chu Jinglan took the note and directly dropped it into the brazier which instantly turned into ashes, too late for him to stop.

"You can at least read the content before you burn it, why are you so anxious..."

Lu Heng looked at him grudgingly, yet Chu Jinglan didn't raise his head. Under his hand was the painting of the poem 'river on a spring night' that was almost completed with merely an incomplete corner at the top where a moon should be. He took up a brush and dipped in the colour ink before he slowly drew out a circle.

"Don't you know what the content was?"

Lu Heng didn't speak for a long time. He indeed was aware just like Chu Jinglan. This small note was given to Tang Qingfeng by the imperial deputy prime minister, Gu Yong and the content was nothing but a request to meet Chu Jinglan.

The previous emperor was in power, he had always attached great importance to admonition of his officials. Being the old minister, Gu Yong was in charge of the imperial censor, he had an upright, distinctive of the good and evil as well as outspoken nature hence he was very much valued by the previous emperor. The previous emperor had even intended for him to assist Chu Jinglan in governing the country. Gu Yong had repeatedly requested to meet since Chu Jinglan returned, yet was rejected again and again thus there could presumably be many other considerations.