"I feel a bit puzzled too," Fu Zhen said, "Moreover, this matter was never mentioned to me by Mother before. It was only when I told her about the plan for Mu Ge’er to go to Huzhou that I unexpectedly learned about this part.
"Mother explained that it’s impossible for someone to poison and then wait for two months before it becomes fatal. But I still feel this reason isn’t quite convincing."
"So, you want me to agree with He Qunying?"
"I asked you to agree with him, not entirely because of this."
At this point, Fu Zhen leaned forward, "Don’t you think He Qunying exerted a bit too much force today?"
Pei Zhan picked a piece of candied walnut from the plate and ate it: "Tell me."
"He only wants two ships, yet he spent so much silver to treat you to a meal, and he even specifically inquired about the incident with my grandfather. Is it really necessary?"
Pei Zhan raised an eyebrow: "Indeed, with such energy, why can’t he find a way to get ships? Why must he insist on getting ships from our Ning Family?" This update is available on novèlfire.net
"Exactly!" Fu Zhen exclaimed, "I think his demand for these two ships is suspicious. Could it be to smuggle some contraband into the capital?"
There are quite a few items banned from civilian circulation in the court, like salt and minerals, which can be highly profitable. People like He Qunying might actually dare to do such things.
Pei Zhan took another piece of red date cake: "In that case, we should not agree to it. If he really does that, don’t we become accomplices?"
"Of course not!" Fu Zhen said, "If he really intends to commit a crime, and we don’t give him the ships, he will surely find others, and in the end, wouldn’t that disrupt the court order?
"By giving him the ships, we at least have the opportunity to verify whether he is conducting legitimate trade or smuggling contraband. If it’s the latter, can’t we catch him in the act?"
Pei Zhan thought for a moment and said, glancing at her, "You certainly have a way."
Fu Zhen sat up straight: "Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doing this just to send him to prison. My main concern is the He Family.
"A fly doesn’t hover over a seamless egg. Xu Yin is already coveting the power in the hands of the He Family. If He Qunying commits a crime, Xu Yin will surely take advantage to climb up.
"By then, the He Family would sink deeper into this quagmire, unable to extricate themselves."
Pei Zhan pondered for a moment and nodded, "Madam thinks carefully and speaks reasonably."
Hearing this, Fu Zhen glanced at him: "What Madam? Stop playing tricks on me. Even if you call me Madam ten thousand times, it won’t make me a real Madam!"
"Then, Sister-in-law speaks reasonably."
Fu Zhen pounced on him to hit him.
"With people coming and going in the restaurant, what does it look like to be horseplaying around? Can’t you talk back in the room?"
She had just started when a feigned scolding came from the stairs.
Fu Zhen turned her head and saw Mrs. Ning standing on the stairs, looking at them.
Fu Zhen immediately stood up straight: "Please don’t misunderstand, Mother. I was just trying to smack a mosquito on the General’s face!"
"Still talking nonsense." Mrs. Ning walked over, examining her attire, "A proper General’s wife, what kind of conduct is this."
"Please don’t be angry, Mother. Zhen Er is merely playful and endearing, and your son-in-law is absolutely delighted." Pei Zhan said, hooking his arm around Fu Zhen’s slim waist as he stood up. "It’s hard to be a General’s wife, dealing with accounts and managing the household every day. Life must get quite monotonous. Since I cannot always amuse her, she must find some fun for herself, a fault indeed on my part."
"Oh, you!" Mrs. Ning sighed with a smile and then asked Fu Zhen, "Did you rush downstairs just because Ming Zhi arrived?"
"Of course not," Fu Zhen walked forward to support her. "I was just about to report something to you, Mother. Please have a seat first."
He Qunying left the Wanbin Building and headed straight back home.
He happened to meet his father, He Huan, right at the doorstep.
"What are you doing in the mansion dressed instead of staying at the camp?"
As soon as the father and son met, He Huan’s expression darkened.
The accumulated authority of the Great General made the nearby servants hold their breath, not daring to make a sound as they stood by.
He Qunying lowered his head slightly, "I had something to meet with someone earlier, and just came back after the meal ended."
"Always making friends with disreputable people, what progress can you make?! You managed to get promoted, and instead of performing your duties, are you intending to let someone impeach you?!"
A layer of frost gathered on He Qunying’s face as well. He looked up and said, "What exactly qualifies as disreputable friends? And what qualifies as good friends? I had lunch with Pei Minzhi this afternoon. I wonder if he counts as a disreputable person?"
He Huan scrutinized him with furrowed brows: "He has always been proud and aloof; inviting him three times might not even make him attend twice. How are you capable of inviting him? Do you think I don’t often meet with him and can’t find out the details?"