My Emperor Father Can Read Minds

Chapter 306: Meddling in Others' Business

Chang Ning had also arrived in Jiaozhou a few days ago.

But he didn’t come alone. Apart from his servants, he was accompanied by two good brothers.

One was Sheng Hong, the other Fu Jixiang—both notorious scions of the large livestock industry.

Why did these two follow him to Yizhou? To be honest, Chang Ning didn’t want to mention.

Because in order to explain themselves to their families and have a reasonable excuse to come to Yizhou, they actually pinned all the blame on him!

One spread rumors that he had a lover in Yizhou, another claimed he was keeping a concubine there?!

Surely, such rumors can't both come from a person who grew up in the same bed—they hadn’t coordinated beforehand but somehow came up with rather similar stories!

Tsk.

Their minds were always stuck on frivolous romantic nonsense. Couldn't they just say Chang Ning was in Yizhou for official business?!

Thankfully, neither of their families were troubling his. They didn't inform his father before setting out; otherwise, Chang Ning might have gotten a severe beating before even leaving home, which could have messed up His Highness's important affairs.

In short, the three degenerates departed from the capital first to Jiaozhou. Then, they intentionally paid a visit to the Merchants' Alliance in Ji Commandery, taking a stroll there and lamenting the great talents of His Highness. After that, the three continued westward, preparing to head to Yizhou.

Of course, on the way to Yizhou, a rest stop was necessary.

Just as the three entered the city and found a teahouse to sit in, by sheer luck, they encountered an interesting scene.

Usually, they wouldn’t even glance at such minor matters, but since they were bored and it involved His Highness, they spoke a few words.

Chang Ning said, “Merchants are always flocking to it. The Merchants' Alliance’s goods are so scarce now. Don’t you find it strange that these few traveling merchants claim they haven’t heard of His Highness?”

People who start with suspicion only become more convinced that there’s something wrong the more they scrutinize.

Chang Ning stared disdainfully at the delicate-looking Liu Wenzhou, “Look at his soft skin; do you think a traveling merchant would look like that?”

Fu Jixiang stroked his chin, “No, I remember Deng Zhengde was like that too.”

Sheng Hong nodded, “Maybe that guy is their young master?”

Chang Ning said, “… Can you guys be any smarter? Who told you the young master dresses like a servant? Without the master's permission, would he dare sit at the same table? Look at their expressions! They clearly are hearing about His Highness for the first time!”

While excited, Chang Ning didn’t forget to lower his voice, fearing to alert those strange people.

Fu Jixiang frowned and looked at him, “Hmm… fine, let’s say you’re right. But what’s your point in saying all this?”

Sheng Hong also looked at him, “Yeah, what business is it of yours whether they’re strange or not?”

Chang Ning fell silent.

Indeed, even if he knew there was something off about them, what did it have to do with him?

Gradually distracted by Fu Jixiang and Sheng Hong, Chang Ning stopped caring about Liu Wenzhou and the others.

After finishing their tea and resting, the three planned to leave the teahouse and casually pick a restaurant for a meal.

The restaurant they found had two floors. They went upstairs to the second floor, found a window-side table, and prepared to eat while enjoying the view downstairs.

But it seemed fate had other plans. Not long after ordering, they saw a familiar group also ascend to the second floor and sit at the table next to theirs.

Fu Jixiang glanced at Chang Ning, “What a coincidence.”

Sheng Hong, drinking tea, nodded slightly, “Indeed, quite a coincidence.”

Having just met at the teahouse, now encountering them again at the restaurant.

Chang Ning ignored them, keeping his eyes on Liu Shan and the others, then quietly lowered his head, intending to eavesdrop on the next table’s conversation.

The group at the next table didn’t discuss anything inappropriate either.

Liu Shan said, “Ji Commandery is still a hundred li away. A few more days, and we should arrive.”

Liu Wenzhou said, “Yeah, everyone says the place built by the Merchants' Alliance is quite a sight. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Liu Shan said, “Deng Zhengde is also from the Merchants’ Alliance. We’re following him…”

Hmm?!

A familiar name popped up, and the three who were listening—whether intentionally or not—stopped talking.

The three of them exchanged surprised glances.

Sheng Hong said, “Deng Zhengde? Wasn’t he the one in charge of the Merchants’ Alliance who showed up at His Highness’s birthday banquet?”

Fu Jixiang said, “I thought Deng Zhengde went on a business trip to Great Liang? He’s back so soon?”

Chang Ning said, “See? I told you they’re suspicious!”

Though no words were exchanged, their eye communication was clear as day.

Looking at Sheng Hong and Fu Jixiang’s shocked expressions, Chang Ning disdainfully threw a remark, “I knew you guys lack brains! Now do you see you were wrong?”

They wouldn’t admit they were wrong, so Fu Jixiang and Sheng Hong pretended not to hear it and focused on listening to the next table continue talking.

“…We’re following him; surely, we’ll get to visit the Merchants' Alliance later. I just don’t know what connection Deng Zhengde has with the Merchants’ Alliance.”

“No rush. Let’s eat first.”

These degenerates from the neighboring table…

Why bring up eating for no reason? Can’t they wait a moment? Couldn’t they chat while ordering? Why torment others like that!

Liu Wenzhou was unaware that people at the next table still had eyes on them. He was hungry. Those used to laziness and good food couldn’t stand hunger and could ignore even important matters—he wanted to eat.

Since the young master didn’t want to discuss business, Liu Shan naturally wouldn’t be a nuisance and kept quiet. The group sat silently, only hearing Liu Wenzhou placing orders with the waiter.

“Your bronze pigeons, white-cut chicken, red plum fragrant pearls, Kung Pao wild rabbit, bean flour cakes, milk juice dumplings, Buddha’s hand golden rolls, golden thread crisp sparrows, moon-harvested young chicken… bring one of each. Much obliged.”

Almost everything the waiter mentioned was ordered by Liu Wenzhou.

The Liu family didn’t react; the degenerates were dumbfounded.

Ordering so much?

Not afraid of wasting food?

This was even more luxurious than they were!

Chang Ning gritted his teeth, now even more certain there was something off about them.

He had never met traveling merchants with this kind of attitude!

Chang Ning and his group had arrived first, so their dishes were served faster than the neighbors’. During their meal, the next table barely talked.

This made Fu Jixiang and Sheng Hong uncomfortable.

They looked at Chang Ning and quietly asked if he wanted to go introduce himself.

Chang Ning rolled his eyes while eating and said, “Ha, why go? When I said they were weird before, what did you say? And now you want to meddle?”

“Before is before. You can’t compare before to now!”

Fu Jixiang nudged Chang Ning’s elbow, signaling him to go talk to the neighboring table for a bit. “You always get along better with people than us. Go chat a little, ask where they’re from and how they know Deng Zhengde. I reckon they don’t know about Deng Zhengde’s role in the Merchants' Alliance.”

Even if Fu Jixiang hadn’t said it, Chang Ning was about to do so anyway.

Don’t ask why—just say it’s because he loves meddling in others' business!

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