sjar Chapter 641 What a sharp-tongued, seemingly weak woman!
Chapter 641 What a sharp-tongued, seemingly weak woman!
Tonight, the prefectural government office is as quiet as a tomb.
The daytime hustle and bustle had vanished, and even the chirping of insects under the eaves had died out.
The lanterns hanging high cast a dim, yellowish light, making the shadows of the pillars look like menacing ghosts.
A chilling atmosphere permeated the air.
Each step on the cold bluestone slabs echoed like a hammer blow to the heart.
The butler led the way, his back straighter than when he arrived, and all traces of respect had vanished from his face.
He led the two through layers of corridors, around the heavily guarded front hall, and finally stopped in front of a secluded room.
This place is far from the main courtyard and is surrounded by dense bamboo groves.
The evening breeze rustled the bamboo leaves, which, far from being poetic, added a touch of gloom.
"The master is waiting inside."
The butler stepped aside and gestured for them to enter, but his eyes held a hint of pity as if he were looking at a dead man.
Gu Junze held Chu Ruohan's hand and could feel the warmth of her fingertips. He gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.
Chu Ruohan returned a calm look, took the first step, and pushed open the slightly ajar carved wooden door.
Inside the gate, there was neither the clash of swords nor the menacing aura of armored soldiers.
The warm pavilion was elegantly furnished, with fine golden nanmu wood tables and famous calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls. In the corner, an expensive incense burner with animal head incense was burning, and the fragrance was so subtle that it made one's heart tighten.
Chen Taimo sat in the main seat.
He changed out of his official robes and wore only a dark green casual outfit, looking like an ordinary wealthy man.
In front of him was a chessboard, with black and white pieces interspersed, seemingly an unfinished game.
He didn't look at the person who came in; instead, he picked up a white piece with two fingers and focused intently on finding a place to place it on the board, as if his interest in the game far surpassed that of the guest in front of him.
"Please take a seat."
His voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, yet it carried a sense of oppressive power stemming from someone accustomed to a high position.
Chu Ruohan calmly walked to the seat opposite him and sat down. Gu Junze, on the other hand, remained as imposing as an iron tower, standing silently behind her, his presence so strong that it was impossible to ignore him.
"I wonder what brings the Prefect here so late at night?" Chu Ruohan asked, her clear voice breaking the suffocating silence.
Chen Taimo didn't look up, but slowly asked, "I heard that you two are not from Chengdu?"
"My husband and I came from the capital to run a small business, just trying to make a living," Chu Ruohan replied flawlessly.
"From the capital, huh?" Chen Taimo placed a piece, making a crisp "snap" sound.
"The Weaver Girl Competition was very well organized. It was a grand event that Chengdu hadn't seen in many years. The crowds were huge."
He changed the subject, finally shifting his gaze from the chessboard to Chu Ruohan's face.
"However, such a grand event, when organized by the people, is ultimately somewhat chaotic and lacks order."
"I think it would be better for the government office to take over and manage all the weavers in a unified manner. For those who are outstanding, I can also petition the court to grant them official titles."
"In this way, it is not only for their own good, but also to bring glory to Chengdu. What do you think, Madam?"
These words sound noble, but in reality, they are meant to uproot the Weaver Girl Competition and take all the fruits for themselves.
Chu Ruohan smiled.
That smile was subtle, yet it was like a soft knife.
“What you say is true. But our original intention in organizing the competition was to allow these hardworking weavers to earn some extra money through their skills, so that their families could have a better life.”
She paused, her words carrying a hint of earnestness.
“If the government takes over, things will naturally be very orderly, but it feels like it will lack the liveliness of the human world. I’m also afraid that the weavers will be constrained and won’t be able to show their best skills. Wouldn’t that go against the original intention of the adults to do what’s best for them?”
She looked at Chen Taimo's slightly somber face, then changed the subject again.
"In my opinion, it would be better to do this. Your Excellency is of high moral character and prestige, so why don't you come and be the final witness?"
"Once the champion is determined in the competition, the government will award the title of 'Master of Brocade Weaving' to the most outstanding individuals and reward them with some prizes."
"This is both a tremendous honor and a true celebration for both officials and the people. What do you think, sir?"
These words both elevated Chen Taimo and placed him in a "fair" position, making it impossible for him to forcefully intervene.
Chen Taimo's eyes instantly turned cold.
He stared at Chu Ruohan's smiling face and finally realized that the woman in front of him was definitely not a kind person.
If you refuse a toast offered with polite politeness, then you'll have to suffer the consequences.
“What you say makes sense, madam.” He spoke slowly, but the temperature in his voice was dropping rapidly.
"However, I have recently encountered a troubling matter."
He slowly picked up the teacup and blew away the foam.
"My son, Chen Jing, has been missing for eight days."
"Some say that before he disappeared, he had some inappropriate thoughts about his wife."
He stared at Gu Junze, a smileless curve forming at the corner of his mouth, a curve that concealed a sharp edge.
"I am very curious, how did a weak and powerless out-of-town merchant manage to make my good-for-nothing son and his thugs disappear into thin air?"
The moment the words left his mouth, the temperature inside the warm pavilion seemed to plummet to freezing.
The butler, who had been waiting outside the door, entered silently with four burly men, blocking the only way out like four walls.
The four men had bulging temples, fierce eyes, calloused hands from years of wielding knives, and a bloody aura about them.
See the picture poorly.
Chu Ruohan's smile deepened, and she even had the leisure to pick up a black piece from the edge of the chessboard and gently twirl it between her fingers, her posture relaxed.
"My lord is joking."
She looked up and met Chen Taimo's eyes, which seemed to want to devour her, her tone carrying just the right amount of innocence and confusion.
"My husband and I are newcomers here. We just want to hold a Weaving Girl Competition to add some excitement to Chengdu and make a living."
"Your son is a lucky man; perhaps he went on a trip and was delayed in returning. Why must you place such a baseless accusation on a weak woman?"
"Weak woman?"
Chen Taimo seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. He chuckled softly, the laughter rolling out of his throat, filled with icy killing intent.
"What a sharp-tongued, seemingly weak woman!"
He slammed his hand on the table!
"boom!"
The chess pieces on the board were shaken so much that they bounced high into the air and fell to the ground with a clatter.
"I'll ask you one last time!"
Chen Taimo suddenly stood up, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Gu Junze, who remained silent the entire time.
"Where is my son, Chen Jing?!"