BSI Chapter 46 A ghost appeared in the house!
Chapter 46 A ghost appeared in the house!
Fuquan took the teacup and gulped down a large mouthful.
The tea was too hot, and he winced as it burned his teeth, but he forced it down and took another sip before putting down the cup and wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
His movements were rough, unlike those of a personal eunuch who had served in the Prince's mansion for several years; he looked more like a laborer squatting on the street drinking a large bowl of tea.
But Yin'e didn't care about any of that. His gaze remained fixed on Fuquan's face, waiting for him to say what he would say next.
"Tenth Master, that Batu... he's not here to ask for money."
Yin'e frowned, and put the teacup in his hand down on the table.
"What do you mean?"
Fuquan swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
He looked around, as if to make sure there was no third person in the room.
"He...he met with someone. They talked behind closed doors in a teahouse on Qianmen Street."
The servant dared not get too close, fearing he would be discovered, so he hid in the private room next door and listened in by pressing his ear against the wall.
I didn't hear what was said, but I could see the person's face clearly through the crack in the door.
He swallowed again.
"They are from the Crown Prince's residence. I've seen them in the palace before, I can't be mistaken."
When Fuquan uttered the words "Crown Prince," his voice trembled.
"People from the Crown Prince's residence? Are you sure?" Yin'e felt a little confused upon hearing this.
He initially thought it was just a spendthrift brother-in-law involved in gambling, prostitution, and drugs, but how did the Crown Prince get dragged into it as well?
"This servant is certain. I have seen that person before. He must be from the Crown Prince's Palace," Fuquan said confidently.
"Do you know who that person is?" Yin'e asked.
"I don't know who they are or what they do," Fuquan said.
Yin'e tapped his fingers lightly on the table once, then stopped.
After a moment, he looked at Fuquan and said, "You did a great job, thank you for your hard work."
Then he stood up, walked to the cabinet, opened the cabinet door, took out a silver ingot from inside, and placed it on the table.
"This is a reward for you. Go back and rest well today. You have things to do tomorrow."
Fuquan looked at the silver ingot, then at Yin'e, and knelt down and kowtowed.
"Thank you, Tenth Master."
"Get up." Yin'e waved his hand. "No need to thank me, this is what you deserve."
But remember, what you said today is between you and me. Once you leave this room, don't mention it to anyone, not even your wife. Understand?
Fuquan nodded vigorously: "This servant understands. If this servant were to leak even a single word of this, may this servant be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."
"Alright, alright, no need for such a solemn oath." Yin'e chuckled. "Go on, come see me first thing tomorrow morning."
Fuquan kowtowed again, stood up, backed away to the door, unlatched it, and slipped out.
The study fell silent again.
Yin'e stood in front of the desk, his hands resting on the edge of the table, his head down, looking at the flickering candlelight on the table.
He did not rush to take action.
In situations like these, the more anxious you are, the more likely you are to make mistakes.
The news that Fuquan brought back was important, but not enough.
With just the words "people from the Crown Prince's residence," nothing can be done.
There are many people in the Crown Prince's residence. The gatekeeper is from the Crown Prince's residence, the cook is from the Crown Prince's residence, and the steward is also from the Crown Prince's residence.
He wasn't sure who this person was, what his status was in the Crown Prince's residence, what he had said to Batu, or what their purpose was.
He needs more information.
He instructed Fuquan to keep watch for three more days, reporting back each evening.
Fuquan barely slept for the past three days. During the day, he mingled with the crowds on the street, following Batu from a distance, recording where he went, who he met, and how long he stayed outside.
At night, I would squat in the alley opposite Batu's residence, waiting to see if he would go out at night.
When Fuquan returned on the evening of the third day, his face was as white as a sheet of paper, and he was staggering as he walked.
"Tenth Master," he said, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement, "this servant has found out."
The man who met Batu was named Gao Mengyuan, and he was a steward in the Crown Prince's residence.
The servant inquired around several times, first asking the waiter at the teahouse, but the waiter refused to tell. The servant then slipped him two taels of silver, and only then did he open his mouth, saying that the man was a regular customer and that the guests all called him "Master Gao".
"This servant then found another fellow villager who works in the Crown Prince's kitchen. After a few rounds of drinks, I managed to get him to reveal his identity: Gao Mengyuan, the Crown Prince's external affairs manager, who handles... rather shady matters for the Crown Prince."
Yin'e was deeply moved when he saw Fuquan's appearance.
"You've worked hard these past few days. Don't go out today, just stay here and rest. I have other things for you to do tomorrow."
Fu Quan responded, bowed, and withdrew.
After he left, Yin'e did not take immediate action.
He knew that at this point, it would be difficult for Fuquan to investigate further.
Fuquan was a loyal eunuch. He could do errands, deliver messages, and keep watch, and he did all of these things very well.
But investigating a person's background, their history, their secret businesses, and their relationships with various forces is beyond Fuquan's capabilities.
This requires connections, experience, and the kind of seasoned veteran who has spent over a decade or two navigating the circles of all sorts of people in Beijing.
There is only one Yin De in the manor.
Yin'e thought about it and finally stopped what he was doing. The matter at hand was far more important than finding someone.
The next morning, when Yin De came to pay his respects, he stopped Yin De.
"Uncle, put that matter aside for now. I have something more urgent to give you."
Yin De paused for a moment, but quickly nodded.
"Please give your orders, Tenth Master." He bowed, waiting for further instructions.
"Go investigate someone," Yin'e stood up and walked to Yin De. "Gao Mengyuan, a steward in the Crown Prince's residence, runs a teahouse called Juxianju on Qianmen Street."
Yin De's expression changed slightly.
"This servant will take care of it immediately."
"Be careful," Yin'e said. "Don't alert them."
This person is no ordinary person. When you inquire about him outside, do not mention my name, and do not let anyone know that it is the Tenth Prince's residence investigating him.
Yin De responded and turned to leave quickly.
Yin'e stood in the study, looking at the old locust tree in the courtyard, and let out a long breath.
Next, all we have to do is wait.
He didn't have to wait too long.
Having spent so many years in the capital, Yin De knew all sorts of people and was indeed much more experienced in handling affairs than Fu Quan.
In less than two days, he brought back a thick document, which clearly detailed everything from Gao Mengyuan’s background and resume to the businesses he currently manages and the people he associates with.
It was like an investigation report, with neat and tidy handwriting, showing that Yin De put a lot of effort into writing it.
The study door was tightly closed, the latch was in place, and the curtains were drawn.
Yin'e sat behind his desk, while Yin De sat on the embroidered stool opposite him. The two men, separated by the desk, looked like two people plotting something big.
"Tenth Master," Yin De lowered his voice, "this Gao Mengyuan is no ordinary person."