The Ace Bigshot Becomes A Farmgirl

Ma Lu came with Wang Changdong, and as soon as he entered the guesthouse, he took a few gulps of water and said to Meng Yunzheng, ”I came to the county town to find you; I just didn’t know where you were staying, so I specially went to look for Brother Wang, and he directly brought me here.”

Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng exchanged glances, ”You came to find us, is there something you want?”

Ma Lu said, ”Lord Cheng heard that you came to the southwest and specifically sent me to invite you to the Governor Mansion as guests.”

He took out an invitation and handed it over, adding, ”By the way, Lord Cheng also asked me to tell you, the Dongqing Temple master is at the Governor Mansion.”

Shu Yu was startled, not having the chance to look at the invitation and directly shoved it into Meng Yunzheng’s arms, ”You said the Dongqing Temple master is at the Governor Mansion?”

”Yes.”

”Have you seen her?”

Ma Lu nodded, ”Yes, I met her once before we set off, but we didn’t speak.”

This caught even Meng Yunzheng’s attention, narrowing his eyes—could it be that the Dongqing Temple master is actually at Lord Cheng’s mansion? Could it be that Lord Cheng, like Cheng Wenbao, has already early on pledged allegiance to the Second Prince’s faction?

Moreover, the timing of Ma Lu’s arrival was indeed peculiar; they had just returned from Qingxuan County yesterday, and today Ma Lu had come to invite them as guests to the Governor Mansion—very suspicious indeed.

Shu Yu was asking Ma Lu, ”What does the Dongqing Temple master look like, what was her condition at that time?”

Ma Lu described the Dongqing Temple master’s appearance, then said, ”Her condition at that time... seemed okay, just expressionless, sitting in the hall with eyes closed, appearing to be meditating. I just glanced at her twice when I passed the gate.”

”So, you weren’t very close to her?”

Ma Lu nodded, ”Yes, the Guard Cheng Wu walking beside me told me that she was the Dongqing Temple master.”

It seems the master truly is at the Governor Mansion; this trip to Cheng Mansion is inevitable now—they have to go no matter what.

”We understand, but it’s getting late today; let’s set off tomorrow.” Shu Yu said.

Ma Lu looked at the time; at this hour, if they set off they’d be traveling after dark, definitely not suitable for a journey.

”Alright, then let’s stay the night.”

Unexpectedly, in the next moment, he heard Meng Yunzheng say, ”Let’s stay in Righteous Dao Village for the night instead; staying in the city means waiting for the city gates to open tomorrow before we can leave. Setting off from Righteous Dao Village is more convenient—you’re probably coming directly from the Governor Mansion and haven’t been home, right?”

Ma Lu suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, ”Yes, I came in a hurry.” Being able to go home, he certainly welcomed it, though he had returned home once not long ago, he still missed his wife and children dearly.

”Then let’s go back to the rooms to pack our things while the city gates are still open, and first head to Righteous Dao Village.”

Ma Lu agreed, eagerly going first to the stable to feed the horses.

Wang Changdong, seeing there was nothing for him here, left first.

Once Meng Yunzheng and the others went upstairs, Zhao Xi sidled up to him and asked in a low voice, ”What are you planning? What’s the point in staying overnight at Righteous Dao Village?”

Shu Yu, however, had guessed Meng Yunzheng’s actions, couldn’t resist rolling his eyes at the inquiry, ”Naturally, it’s to settle Cousin Sister-in-law.”

Zhao Xi, ”...” Right, he had forgotten there was still a severely injured patient not fit for travel, also not proper to accompany them to the Governor Mansion.

”But taking her to Righteous Dao Village isn’t easy to arrange either; that village is surrounded by peril too—one careless move and she’ll be exposed.”