Upon hearing that Meng Shuping had been taken, Jiang Cihe's brow furrowed deeply. "He was seized? By whom?"
"This humble one doesn't know," Xing Lai hesitated, then voiced his suspicion. "However, I believe one of them looked somewhat like a palace eunuch."
Jiang Cihe's frown deepened further. A palace eunuch? He recalled those Meng Shuping had offended. Could it be related to Prince Cheng? But given Meng Shuping's talent for making enemies, others couldn't be ruled out.
With a cold expression, he asked Xing Lai, "Where was he taken?"
Xing Lai quickly replied, "Right at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice!"
Jiang Cihe immediately strode out. "Let's go. I'll send someone to investigate."
Xing Lai and Jia Yue quickly followed. With Prince Zhao involved, surely their young master would be safe?
...
When Meng Shuping awoke, he found himself in a lavishly and exquisitely furnished room. He sat up, bewildered. Who could be so wicked? To capture him, they even drugged him and brought him here?
Could it be someone with a grudge seeking revenge? Surely not? Must it be this bad?
Seeing no one present, he tiptoed towards the door. However, as soon as he stepped out of the inner room, he came face to face with a man in his twenties, dressed in splendid attire.
The moment this man saw Meng Shuping, an apologetic expression appeared on his face. "Vice Director Meng, you're awake? My sincerest apologies. I merely intended to invite Vice Director Meng for a visit, but it seems my subordinates misunderstood my intentions. I hope they didn't offend you?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the person who had earlier prevented Meng Shuping from leaving chimed in with a fawning smile, "It's all our fault for being ignorant. We deserve to be punished! We deserve to be punished!"
As he spoke, he even slapped himself across the face.
Meng Shuping gave a strained laugh. "Oh, oh, I see!"
Observing Meng Shuping's utterly unremarkable, even somewhat timid demeanor, Jiang Ciyi scoffed inwardly. Wasn't this Meng Shuping supposed to be quick-witted and brilliant at solving cases, the one who had even caused his fifth brother to be imprisoned?
And this is what he's like? Indeed, a great reputation often proves undeserved.
But the next moment, he heard a voice say, "What 'subordinates misunderstood'? Does he think everyone else is stupid? If he hadn't given the order, would the servants have dared to do this? Hypocrite! What a hypocrite!"
"Wait, does he often drug people and bring them here? Does he have some ulterior motive?"
"Hiss..."
"He wouldn't be trying to force himself on a young man, would he? Ugh! Shameless! Has he looked at himself? How old is he? An old bull going after fresh grass—how can he have the nerve?"
Jiang Ciyi was stunned. He hadn't heard Meng Shuping speak, had he? Then his face darkened. Who are you calling a hypocrite? Who are you calling an old bull going after fresh grass? He was only in his twenties, in the prime of his life!
And he had not one bit of interest in this brat!
Jiang Ciyi had initially been somewhat disappointed with Meng Shuping, but after this incident, he immediately developed a strong interest in him. This Vice Director Meng was quite intriguing.
He put on a genial smile again. "Vice Director Meng, don't just stand there. Come, have a seat. Someone, bring tea. I'd like to have a good chat with Vice Director Meng."
Meng Shuping quickly declined. "No, no, we don't know each other, so let's not chat. If there's nothing else, I should head back."
Jiang Ciyi looked surprised. "You don't know me?"
Meng Shuping was confused. "Huh?"
"Should I know him? Could he be..."
Jiang Ciyi puffed out his chest, assuming what he thought was a dignified posture. Yes, he was...
"—Li Ergou?"
Jiang Ciyi instantly bristled. You're the one called Li Ergou! But just as he was about to lose his temper, he heard Meng Shuping deny it. "No, no, that can't be. He looks so impressive—how could he have such a common name?"
Jiang Ciyi's expression cleared slightly. At least he had good taste!
But as soon as he smiled again, Meng Shuping's voice continued, "Ah! I know—he must be called—Li Goudan!"
"Humble names are easy to raise, after all! Haha, I must be a genius!"
Jiang Ciyi tried hard to reign in his anger. Don't get mad, don't get mad. If this annoying guy had won his father's favor, he must be highly capable. It was normal for someone like that to have a bit of an attitude.
The eunuch nearby, seeing Jiang Ciyi's displeasure, immediately spoke up and said proudly, "Let Vice Director Meng know—our master is the Fourth Prince of Great Chu, His Royal Highness Prince Ning!"
Meng Shuping said with feigned surprise, "So it's His Royal Highness Prince Ning!"
Jiang Ciyi nodded reservedly. That's right. Now that you know my identity, aren't you honored?
"Still don't know him."
"Not to criticize, but does he have a problem? What does it matter if he's Prince Ning? Does being Prince Ning give him the right to kidnap people? Does he think I won't report him?"
Jiang Ciyi drew a sharp breath. This guy! This guy! He really wanted to punch him right then and there! What exceptional qualities did he possess? How had his father not been driven to execute him yet?
Well, today's incident was indeed his fault. He shouldn't have had someone brought over by force. It was natural for Meng Shuping to be upset. He wouldn't hold it against him.
He tried to suppress his temper again and said, "I've long heard that Vice Director Meng is clever and outstanding in character. Seeing you today, it's clear why my father and the other officials praise you so highly!"
Meng Shuping lowered his head slightly, appearing very shy. "You flatter me, Your Royal Highness Prince Ning."
"Huh? How can he tell? Have I already become so outstanding that people are won over at a glance? Hehehe, I'm feeling a little proud!"
Jiang Ciyi's expression was indescribable. Wasn't this just polite talk? How could anyone take it seriously?
But since Meng Shuping seemed receptive, he seized the chance to say, "I happen to be in need of someone as quick-witted as Vice Director Meng. Would you be willing to visit my residence often and share wine and conversation with me?"
Meng Shuping stammered, "Huh?"
Although he didn't know what Jiang Ciyi was up to, he nodded readily. "Sure, sure."
"Discretion is the better part of valor!"
"Better agree for now. What if he gets angry and has me beaten? Seriously, who forces people to drink with them like this? Does he have no friends and has to drink away his troubles alone?"
As he pondered, Meng Shuping suddenly realized, "Wait, he's a prince. Is he trying to recruit me?"
"Hah? Where did this amateur come from? Who tries to recruit people like this? Where's the money? Where are the beauties? Empty words to make me work for him—does he think a minor seventh-rank official like me should feel honored just to be summoned by him?"
Jiang Ciyi bit back his anger. If you don't want to, just say so. Why play along? Did Meng Shuping think he would have him killed for refusing?
But he hadn't expected Meng Shuping to be so crass. Crass was good—easy to deal with! He nodded to the eunuch beside him, who quickly left and returned shortly with a tray carrying a small box.
Jiang Ciyi wore a confident smile. "Vice Director Meng is new to officialdom and must have many social expenses. This is a modest gift. I hope you won't refuse."
Meng Shuping waved his hands frantically. "I couldn't possibly accept this!"
"Tsk, tsk, I'm really curious—how much is in there? If it's from a prince, it shouldn't count as bribery, right?"
Thinking that Meng Shuping was already tempted, Jiang Ciyi opened the box with a smug expression, thinking that Meng Shuping was no different from anyone else after all.
Seeing Jiang Ciyi open the box, Meng Shuping eagerly looked inside, only to be greatly disappointed. "Huh? That's it? Just this little? You've got to be kidding me! His Royal Highness Prince Ning of Great Chu couldn't possibly be this stingy, could he?"
"Even though I didn't plan on accepting it, isn't he being kinda cheap? I'm not trying to criticize him, but if he can't afford to give, then he shouldn't offer at all. How could he insult someone like this? Do I look like I need two hundred lousy taels? Our Prince Zhao is much more generous than him!"
"No wonder he's trying to win over even a petty official like me. Could it be that he can't afford to recruit higher-ranking officials? Sheesh, then he shouldn't even try. Trying to win people over just makes others look down on him!"
Jiang Ciyi was furious. How could a mere seventh-rank petty official be so greedy? Just because he was lucky enough to gain the emperor's favor once, this guy shouldn't let it go to his head!
With a blank expression, he closed the box. "Since Vice Director Meng doesn't want it, then forget it. I guess I overdid it."
Meng Shuping was speechless at his move. "See? I knew he wasn't sincere about giving it! Just two hundred taels of silver, and he's already acting so stingy! The second I showed some humility, he immediately took it back! What a miser!"
Jiang Ciyi was about to blow his top. Unable to hold back his anger any longer, he said with a furious expression, "I have matters to attend to today and won't be entertaining Vice Director Meng any further. Vice Director Meng, please leave!"
After saying this, he turned to leave, but Meng Shuping quickly called out to him, "Wait!"
Jiang Ciyi turned back arrogantly. "Does Vice Director Meng have something else to say?"
What? Regretting it now? Too late! Even if Meng Shuping begged him now, he wouldn't change his mind!
Meng Shuping said with feigned embarrassment, "Since you forcibly brought me here, shouldn't you at least reimburse my travel expenses back?"
Jiang Ciyi replied coldly, "Hmph! Not a chance!"
Hearing this, Meng Shuping grew angry. "Hey? How can he be like this? Kidnapping me is one thing, but not even covering my travel expenses back? Stingy! So stingy! He might as well be broke! And he calls himself Prince Ning? What a cheapskate!"
Jiang Ciyi said furiously, "Duobao, have your men toss him out!"
The eunuch named Duobao immediately responded loudly, "Yes!"
Meng Shuping widened his eyes in disbelief. "Is he nuts? I think he's just doing this to mess with people! Fine, fine, I'll report him later!"
Jiang Ciyi was completely unconcerned. Let him try—what could a mere seventh-rank petty official possibly do to him?
After being escorted out by two strong, burly men, Meng Shuping stormed back to the Earl's mansion. Prince Ning, huh? He'd remember this!
...
While sending someone to investigate the situation on Prince Cheng's side, Jiang Cihe also had the guards who were stationed outside the Ministry of Justice that day brought in. After questioning them and getting a rough description of the person who had stopped Meng Shuping, he marched angrily toward Prince Ning's residence with a grim expression.
What exactly was Jiang Ciyi trying to do?
However, just as he reached the street where Prince Ning's residence was located, he saw Meng Shuping coming from that direction. He quickly rushed over. "Meng Shuping?"
Without wondering why Jiang Cihe was there, Meng Shuping immediately said angrily upon seeing him, "Your Highness! Someone is trying to poach your man!"