dognovel Chapter 120 Seizing the Opportunity
Chapter 120 Seizing the Opportunity
Shen Li has made up for the hardships she endured by sleeping outdoors in the past few days. The governor's wife has been preparing different kinds of food for her every day and giving her local-style clothing and jewelry.
They even invited the most famous local opera troupe to their residence. Not only did the opera perform, but the famous actor also personally served Shen Li and the governor's wife lunch afterward.
Shen Li looked at the handsome young man, who was about fourteen or fifteen years old and had beautiful features. He found him pleasing to the eye, but he still kept a distance from him.
She's a married woman, so while I can admire her, I can't cross the line.
The governor's wife was a shrewd woman, and she immediately dismissed the servants.
“People say the North is bitterly cold, but I think it’s a land of abundant resources and has a unique charm,” Shen Li said.
"Please excuse my poor sister. How can our little place compare to the capital? It's where the dragon's aura truly nourishes people. Look at your face, sister—we can't find anything like it in our little place." The governor's wife said as she served her food, doing everything she could to please her.
Shen Li just laughed it off. The only thing she put effort into was food, and her main principle was to make sure she didn't go hungry no matter where she went.
Peony even wondered if her young mistress was getting too carried away. She had been here for five days and every time she told others that she was looking through files, but she hadn't turned a single page.
"Miss, what are we doing here?" Peony couldn't help but ask, "I heard that the situation at the front is critical, and the Great Liang has almost breached the city gates."
Shen Li then looked through the files and looked at her upon hearing this: "You mean you want me to go and help?"
Peony nodded: "Although it can't be of much help, it's better than just sitting here doing nothing."
“How could I be idle?” Shen Li felt that her description was very inaccurate, so she corrected her: “I’ve been eating the whole time.”
“…” Peony.
"You ate quite a lot too," Shen Li continued teasingly. "This morning you were saying that brown sugar and ginseng were very nourishing."
"Miss, you're interrupting again." Peony was almost stamping her foot in frustration: "When are we leaving?"
“No rush, Grandpa will be entering the city in a few days.” Shen Li’s voice faded. “We’ll go with the main group then.”
"Oh, so you're not going to investigate this?" Peony looked at the file in her hand.
“The escorts are all dead, and it didn’t happen in Cangzhou. To continue the investigation, we have to go to Yuezhou.” Shen Li leaned back on the couch: “Did they leave me any room for investigation?”
Peony didn't quite understand, but she did understand one thing: the young lady was neither doing anything nor leaving.
He appears flamboyant and diligent in public, but does nothing but eat at home, as if he's just waiting for something.
But what exactly are we waiting for?
The governor of Cangzhou, Zhang Bingzhong, never let his guard down around Shen Li. He not only sent people to monitor her, but also kept an eye on the three thousand soldiers of the battalion who entered the city over several days.
It can be said that Shen Li has all her cards on the table now, and she really can't do anything, not even pass messages to her shadow.
Even the shadow, whose stealth abilities were unmatched, couldn't get into the courtyard where she was.
On the sixth day, Shen Li finally began her investigation. She finished reading the case file in one night and then questioned each of the people whose names were on the file.
She asked about every little detail, how the matter was handled, and to whom it was handed over.
After two days of investigation, Zhang Bingzhong laughed when he saw the questions she asked. He said to his advisor, "You've seen it too, haven't you? She's nothing but a complete idiot, just like those empty-talking scholars."
"Yes," the clerk chuckled. "Being learned and being capable are two different things, but this girl does have a skill. Would you like to know it, sir?"
"What?" Zhang Bingzhong asked, leaning back in his chair.
He recently learned that Shen Li's special talent was her ability to eat a lot. If she was also beautiful, that would make it two talents.
"She is an expert in both calligraphy and painting." The advisor said, "The painting that blocked my 600,000-strong army at the front was her work."
"It's all just for show." Zhang Bingzhong was furious. "They only study these crooked and heretical methods. No wonder the strength of the Great Zhao Kingdom is declining year by year."
The thought of the army being blocked by a few paintings for three days is infuriating.
"I tested her today. If she doesn't find any clues in the near future, she will go to Yuezhou. It seems that she doesn't have any clues," the clerk added.
“Not surprising.” Zhang Bingzhong suppressed his anger and asked, “Have all one thousand Tartars entered the city?”
"Everything is in place. The cannons and archers are all ready. We're just waiting for the army to enter the city so we can annihilate them." The clerk stroked his goatee, looking completely in control.
Zhang Bingzhong was also eager to try. There were only two days left. After two days, the outcome would be decided, and no matter what abilities Da Zhao had, he would never be able to turn the tide.
The next morning, Shen Li came to the yamen to find him, saying that after investigation, it was found that Cangzhou Prefecture had no fault.
"Madam Gu is very perceptive."
"I originally intended to head to Yuezhou Prefecture, but since the army will arrive tomorrow, I have changed my mind and will travel with them. I apologize for troubling the governor these past few days." Although Shen Li spoke politely, her attitude was still condescending.
Zhang Bingzhong remained cautious, saying, "Madam Gu, you flatter me. This is merely my duty."
"Lord Zhang has indeed not disappointed me." Shen Li nodded slightly, adopting an official air far beyond her rank.
Zhang Bingzhong, being shrewd and calculating, was not angry. He still asked with a smile, "The old Duke will be visiting tomorrow. May I ask Madam Gu to give some advice on the reception arrangements so that I can meet the Duke's expectations?"
Shen Li smiled, a rare occurrence: "Lord Zhang is not only a good official, but also very good at being an official."
"I need your guidance, Madam."
"I presume Lord Zhang has already received the Duke's military order not to go out of the city to greet you, nor to disturb the people or clear the road." Shen Li looked down at him: "You may comply, my lord."
Zhang Bingzhong lowered his head, his posture humble, but a cool smile flickered in his eyes, which suited his mind perfectly.
Shen Li knew what he was planning, and spoke again calmly: "Tomorrow, my wife will go with Lord Zhang."
“Of course, that’s natural,” Zhang Bingzhong replied immediately.
He smiled respectfully on the surface, but in his heart he was plotting to capture them all in one fell swoop.
It's good that they all go, so he doesn't have to put in any more effort.