Chapter 2318: Qi Lie May Be in Danger

Meng Yunzheng’s expression also grew increasingly grave. Yes, if there was something wrong with one of the young women, then that letter was bound to be problematic as well.

Shu Yu’s fingers clenched tight as she began to recall everything that had happened in between.

They had all read that letter; there had been nothing suspicious about it. In it, it mentioned traces of the black market being discovered here in Linzhang Prefecture. And from the note Qi Lie had just sent over, the black market was indeed here, so the letter was genuine.

Whether it was them or the Emperor—anyone who had read the letter was a very cautious person.

There was nothing wrong with the contents of the letter.

But it was one thing not to have been suspicious before; now that doubt had arisen, many things gradually came into focus.

For example, the day after Qiao Rou received the letter, Shu Yu happened to arrive in Changjin Prefecture, so Qiao Rou directly handed the letter to her. Had that letter reached Qiao Rou’s hands a day earlier or later, it might never have ended up with Shu Yu.

"So in other words, this letter was actually meant for you, meant for us to read." Meng Yunzheng narrowed his eyes and spoke.

Shu Yu said, "Tell me, is there a chance that this letter was actually their first attempt to use as bait to draw us to the southwest? It’s just that you were going to the Capital for the exams, so you handed the letter straight to His Majesty, and we never went to the southwest. And my master was their second plan?"

That would explain why Shu Quan said he had already seen Shu Feng and the Dongqing Temple master at the beginning of the year, yet the other side had never made a move. Perhaps they thought that once Meng Yunzheng finished the exams, he would head for the southwest. Who could have known that instead he opened an academy at home, then went to the Northern region for some academy exchange, while Shu Yu stayed home and didn’t go anywhere.

Only then did they adopt the second plan—sending a letter to Dongqing Temple and, in the name of the temple master of Dongqing Temple, luring them to the southwest.

"If that’s the case, then they definitely know that Qi Lie has come to the southwest."

The letter was intentional; they would have known that once the Emperor read it, he would send someone to the southwest.

Qi Lie had previously destroyed the black market over in Changjin Prefecture, and afterward had feigned illness and shut his doors to guests, not appearing in public for a long time. It wouldn’t take much guessing to pin things on him.

Perhaps they not only know that Qi Lie came to the southwest, they may even have had their eye on him from the very beginning.

"Could Lord Qi be in danger?"

Shu Yu felt the situation had far exceeded what they had anticipated; they had all been calculated against.

Meng Yunzheng took her hand. "Don’t panic yet. All of this is still just our conjecture. It’s possible things really are just a coincidence, and those young women merely happened to take a liking to Qingxuan County’s environment. Tomorrow we’ll first go ask Wang Changdong about those young women’s situation before we say more."

These words were more for comforting themselves. Back then, those young women had said they wanted to find a place where no one knew them to settle down; they had far too many options. Yet they chose the southwest—this place of exile, a mixed-bag land of all sorts of people.

Granted, there were garrisons stationed here, and the administration was stricter than in other places, but for a few young women, it really didn’t have to be their first choice.

"That’s all we can do."

The two of them said no more, only thinking about finding Wang Changdong the next day.

Unexpectedly, early the next morning, before they could step out the door, Wang Changdong came over first.

"You looked worn out from the journey yesterday, so I didn’t disturb you much. Today I’ve taken a day off to invite you to my home for a meal, to welcome and refresh you from your travels, and to congratulate you on your marriage as well."