Chapter 652: Old Acquaintance
"Yunlai Tavern..."
Fan Chengzhuo enunciated each word, his face impassive, but his eyes were tinged with deep resentment.
The driver’s heart jumped. Only then did he remember that the proprietor of Yunlai Tavern was Ye Chutang!
She and his master had quite the feud! How could he mention her at a time like this?
"My lord, please forgive me! It was my carelessness! That place isn’t anything special anyway—"
"We’re going there."
"We’re... what?!"
The driver didn’t react for a moment and couldn’t help but look back.
He couldn’t see Fan Chengzhuo’s expression through the curtain, but anyone with a brain would know his master would be anything but happy to bring up this place!
The driver asked, a little uncertainly, "Are you... are you sure you want to go?"
Fan Chengzhuo actually laughed, but it was a cold sound.
"What? Other people can go to her tavern, but I can’t?"
The driver didn’t dare say more and immediately complied.
"Yes, yes...!"
He cracked the whip, and the carriage turned around, heading toward Yunlai Tavern.
Countless thoughts flashed through Fan Chengzhuo’s mind.
He had truly been panicked earlier, which was why he’d rushed straight to the Xie Family. Now that he had calmed down, he knew it was improper, but he didn’t regret it.
After all, there were very few people left whom he could successfully ask for help.
This move might attract unwanted attention, allowing someone to follow the clues back to him and Xie Anjun. But that would ultimately require evidence, and even if it reached the imperial court, he might still have room to defend himself.
But if Zheng Baosu was truly escorted back to the Capital City... they would all be doomed!
For now, he could only hope that Xie Anjun’s people were competent enough...
The streets on both sides gradually grew livelier, and all sorts of clamoring noises reached his ears, making Fan Chengzhuo even more irritable.
He simply lifted the curtain and looked outside.
They had just turned onto the busiest and most prosperous street in the Capital City. Yunlai Tavern and Lan Yue Building were situated on opposite sides of the street, their entrances bustling with people. Business was clearly booming.
Fan Chengzhuo’s gaze fell on the "Yunlai Tavern" sign, and his expression darkened further.
Everyone in the Capital City knew this was a Ye Family business, which was why he had never come here before.
But today, he wanted to go inside and get to the bottom of things!
’He had a strange premonition—that Ye Chutang might have had a hand in Miao Sheng’s sudden report to the court today!’
If he voiced this thought, many people would probably laugh at him. After all, one was a sheltered young lady from a noble family, and the other was an important court official. No matter how you looked at it, there was no connection between them.
But Fan Chengzhuo didn’t think so.
’He always felt that ever since he’d met Ye Chutang, his luck had taken a terrible turn. Nothing ever went smoothly.’
On the surface, Zheng Baosu’s impeachment today had nothing to do with Ye Chutang, yet he still couldn’t put his mind at ease.
’So, after thinking it over, he decided he might as well come see for himself!’
’If he could really find some clues, then this trip wouldn’t be in vain!’
With that in mind, Fan Chengzhuo stepped out of the carriage.
The waiter in charge of greeting guests at the door immediately came forward with a smile. "Sir, do you have a reservation?"
Fan Chengzhuo sized him up and said coldly, "No."
The waiter smiled. "Oh, my apologies, sir. We’re very busy today, and all the private rooms have been booked. How about I find you a table by the window in the main hall?"
Fan Chengzhuo’s brow twitched.
In the past, wherever he went, people would be fawning all over him. Life had certainly gotten difficult since his demotion.
But he hadn’t forgotten that he had another purpose for coming today, so he endured it.
"Whatever. Bring me a pot of that new wine you have... what’s it called? Peach Blossom Brew?"
The waiter let out a little cry of dismay, his expression apologetic. "Sir, I’m so sorry, but the Peach Blossom Brew is already sold out for today. Would you like to try our Snow Drink instead?"
Fan Chengzhuo had little patience to begin with and was in no mood to waste time talking nonsense with him. His face fell. "I don’t care what it is, just bring me a pot of good wine!"
"Yes! Yes!" The waiter could also tell this man was not to be trifled with and quickly led him inside. "This way, please—"
Fan Chengzhuo sat down at an empty table by the window.
It was still daytime, but the tavern was already crowded. It wasn’t hard to imagine how lively it would be at night.
Fan Chengzhuo scanned his surroundings but didn’t notice anything unusual.
The wine arrived quickly.
He casually uncorked the pot and poured himself a cup.
A clear, crisp fragrance wafted up, intoxicating him before he even took a sip.
From Fan Chengzhuo’s appearance, it was obvious he was a court official, but his presence here didn’t attract any attention.
After all, so many powerful and noble people came here every day that he was hardly conspicuous.
After sitting for a while, Fan Chengzhuo gradually began to relax.
As he recalled the day’s events, his worries surged once more, causing his expression to droop into one of sorrow and dejection.
At the imperial court, he hadn’t dared to speak, desperately concealing his true feelings.
At the Duke Zhongyong Mansion, he had argued himself hoarse, fighting his case with all his might.
But only he knew just how nervous and worried he truly was.
’He knew what Miao Sheng was capable of. His Majesty was furious, and since he had ordered Miao Sheng to investigate, the investigation would surely be thorough!’
’Those matters... I’m afraid they can’t be covered up for much longer...’
Fan Chengzhuo was overcome with misery and downed a cup of wine in one gulp.
The fiery sensation rushed straight to his head!
He forced it down, but after the spiciness faded, an endless bitterness and despair took its place.
’He had never imagined he would fall to this state!’
"Hey, be careful!" Xue Ran said, following two waiters, his expression cautious and tense. "This is being sent to the Fourth Prince’s mansion! There can be absolutely no mishaps!"
Fan Chengzhuo paused and subconsciously looked toward the voice, where he saw two waiters, each carrying a jar of wine, walking toward the exit.
One glance was enough to see that those two jars were different from the others in the tavern. Even the jars themselves looked much more exquisite.
One of the waiters replied with a smile, "Shopkeeper, you can rest assured! We know what’s at stake! We’ll definitely deliver this wine safely and won’t make the slightest mistake!"
The other nodded in agreement. "That’s right! This is the medicinal wine personally brewed by the Second Miss. I heard it strengthens the body and improves health. The Fourth Prince’s leg—"
At this point, he seemed to realize his slip of the tongue and quickly shut his mouth.
Xue Ran let out a soft, knowing laugh. His tone was casual, yet it held a hint of pride.
"It’s good that you know. How many people in the Capital City beg for a wine personally brewed by our Second Miss and can’t get it? But the Fourth Prince is different. Since he’s an old acquaintance of the Second Miss, it’s only natural to send him this gift."
The two waiters nodded repeatedly. "Isn’t that the truth!"
Xue Ran lifted his chin. "Alright, don’t waste any more time. The carriage is waiting outside. You two go deliver it together."
"You got it!"
The two cheerfully went out, carrying the wine jars.
Some of the nearby patrons overheard Xue Ran’s words and glanced over, but they didn’t seem surprised.
Just as Xue Ran had said, countless dignitaries and nobles in the Capital City couldn’t get their hands on this wine even if they wanted to!
The Fourth Prince was a Prince, a man of noble status. It was only normal for him to receive such treatment.
After giving his instructions, Xue Ran turned and went up to the second floor.
Only Fan Chengzhuo was left, his brow slowly furrowing.
’Ye Chutang... since when was she on such good terms with the Prince Jing Mansion?’