Chapter 688: One Person's Calculation is Short

pen Old Lady Li's sleeve, then carefully stabbed the dagger into the green snake's seven inches.The little green snake was in so much pain that it nearly curled up. Its mouth slowly loosened its grip...Li Laoer frowned, fiddled with the small box, and asked again, "What about that place Since it's called Yaochi, is it convenient for swimming"

Zheng Sanjiang shook his head, a hint of disdain in his expression. "No, Master. That place is called Yaochi because there are many 'celestial maidens' there."

"The interior was decorated like a celestial palace, with food and drink of the utmost luxury. In reality, it was nothing more than a bottomless pit of spending!"

He thought for a moment and added, "I snuck around inside and saw that many of the guests were young masters from various prominent families in Xindu. Some even had official titles."

They were in a room with women attending to them, smoking long pipes. After finishing, they acted like lunatics.

Some people crawled on the ground, some laughed and cried, some directly huddled together, as if they were trapped in a dream.

"I wanted to look around some more, but the guards were changing shifts. To avoid leaving a trace, I had to take this opportunity to slip out."

"Alright, you've worked hard." Li Lao Er felt his heart pounding when he heard this. He had a feeling that something big was going on.

He took a deep breath and instructed, "This matter, the investigation to this point, is no longer trivial. Wait until I think about it again before I say anything, and you mustn't tell anyone about it either."

"Yes, Master Zheng," Zheng Sanjiang bowed and retreated.

Li Lao'er paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.

In the new capital, there were not lacking places of warmth and indulgence like brothels.

Although the court forbade officials from entering such places, men's lust is difficult to control.

Occasionally going for a drink and having some fun isn't a big deal, and no one would be punished by the censorate for it.

Perhaps the Imperial Historian might also grace us with his presence...

But this place, the Yaochi, is clearly different.

Heavily guarded, expensively maintained, selling mind-altering substances.

Most of the guests were young people from aristocratic families, or even young officials.

Could this be a pleasure ground arranged by someone behind the scenes, intending to make friends with the younger generations of various families

But why is it so mysterious, or should I say, shrouded in secrecy!

Zheng Sanjiang is quite capable, even his investigation was so difficult.

Just then, Zheng He came in with new tea and asked, "Master, are you returning to Suijin Beach tonight Word from home says today is Mr. Wen's birthday, and they want to make a big celebration."

Li Lao'er came to his senses and quickly said, "Prepare the car, let's go back now."

Zheng He hurried out to make arrangements, Li La Er instructed Lao Cao a few words, and then got in the car and went home.

He got stuck on a minor point and forgot about the wisdom of two heads being better than one.

There's a skilled doctor at home, and a clever niece too, who might just know what's so peculiar about the ointment in this jade box!

In Li Family's courtyard at Suijin Beach, the kitchen was bustling with the sounds of sizzling and frying.

Today is Mr. Wen's birthday. When he got up early to go to the yamen, Mrs. Wen personally cooked longevity noodles for him, adding two poached eggs.

Lastly, he changed all of his clothes and socks.

After lunch, Li Lao Tai went for a stroll in Wen's courtyard and heard about the matter, naturally she had to make arrangements.

The Li family had long considered Mr. Wen as one of their own!

Although Mr. Wen wasn't a child who eagerly awaited his birthday, nor was he someone who celebrated it all year round, making some good dishes and having the whole family gather together for a lively celebration was still a must.

When Li Lao'er entered the room, he saw Mr. Wen, the village head, Zhao Shu and others, as well as Zhang Shenyi and Liu Biao all seated in the main hall talking. He smiled and said, "Oh, I seem to have returned last. Luckily, I bought two altars of good wine to make amends."

As he spoke, Zheng He stepped forward and placed two jars of wine on the table.

Men, especially a few old gentlemen, all love to drink.

Soon, they uncorked a jar, inhaling the intoxicating aroma of wine and their faces lit up with smiles.

When it was completely dark, the main hall and east wing of Li's house each set up a table for a celebration. Men and women sat separately, together celebrating Mr. Wen's birthday.

Mrs. Wen personally served dishes to Old Mrs. Li and Tao Hongying, thanking them for their care and effort.

"Sister-in-law, Hongying, according to reason, it should be our family who sets up a banquet and invites you to have a meal. Unexpectedly, we've not only made you spend money but also caused you trouble and worry."

Li Lao Tai patted her hand and said with a scolding smile, "What silly things are you saying We're separated only by a wall, closer than family. It wouldn't matter where the banquet is held."

"You, take care of the child in your belly, that's more important than anything else! The rest is all small stuff!"

"Yes, we consider Mr. Wen to be like a beloved elder brother. A small matter like arranging a banquet is nothing special. Besides, our family has many hands, so it's easy to handle the feast."

Tao Hongying picked up a piece of fried mackerel, carefully removed the fish bones, and put it into Mrs. Wen's bowl, saying: "Eat more fish, children born this way are smart!"

Then she picked out another piece for Wenjuan as well.

Jia Yin held a small bowl, waiting for half a while but still not getting her mother's care. She couldn't help sighing and asked herself in a pretense.

"Oh, Fu Niu'er, you are truly out of favor! Before your little brother and nephew were even born, no one cared for you anymore.

"

"What am I going to do Should I run away from home"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, saying one after another.

"This little girl, she really doesn't take any losses!"

"That's right, no loss, only jealousy."

"Not even a baby that hasn't hit the ground is spared!"

Li Lao Tai even hugged her granddaughter, Xin'anrou, calling out, "My precious little An'an, you are the apple of my eye, Grandma loves you most!"

Perhaps to show that they hadn't forgotten this jealous little foodie, everyone piled food onto Jia Yin's bowl, which quickly filled up.

Jia Yin smiled, a toothy grin that showed no real happiness. She stopped making sarcastic remarks and happily bobbed her head back and forth as she ate with gusto, just like a happy little dog wagging its tail.

In the main hall, both the young and old were enjoying themselves greatly, thanks to the good wine that was flowing freely.

Talking about the big and small events in the village, talking about the eccentric guests from the Onsen Valley, talking about planting a large area of melons next year, and of course, on Little New Year's Eve, weighing the gold and dividing it equally. It was always filled with laughter.

Just at that moment, Li Laosi rode back, covered in wind and dust.

Everyone was surprised, but they didn't ask too much. They urged him to sit down and drink to warm up.

Tao Hongying also went to the kitchen, instructing Shuicun and Dongmei to cook more braised noodles to treat the guards to a good meal.

For a while, the personal guard finished their meal and went to rest in the back room at the front yard of Ye's house.

The elderly women also cleared the table and chatted while sewing.

The village head and the others guessed that Li Lao Si's sudden return was to say something important. After eating their fill, they didn't linger long, bidding farewell early on with a bit of intoxication.

Jia Yin found several sweet potatoes, dragging a charcoal basin while roasting them, listening to the commotion in the main hall.

Li Laosi sat on a small stool, accompanying his daughter in roasting sweet potatoes.

Li Laoer and Mr. Wen had drunk the sobering soup, Li Laoer then asked: “Lao Si, has something happened at the military camp Why did you suddenly rush back on a moonlit night” house, a young woman was carried onto the kang. Li Laotai and Tao Hongying helped her take off her skirt, fetch water, apply cloth towels, and wipe away bloodstains, all in a flurry of activity.The...