There is a god in the sky

Chapter 192 Sowing Discord 9

When it was time to leave duty, Magistrate Xu and two other officials came over.

"On Lord Xiao's first day in office, we booked a table at Chunfeng Restaurant and would like to invite him to have a drink."

They adopted a humble attitude, and Xiao Ji couldn't refuse.

But it's definitely not possible today.

"Ahem... I apologize, my injuries have not yet healed, and the doctor has instructed me not to drink alcohol. I will treat you all to a drink another day when I am fully recovered."

Judge Xu said disappointedly, "In that case, we'll have to get together again next time."

Everyone knew that Xiao Ji was injured, and no one suspected that he was lying.

After leaving the Criminal Investigation Department, Xiao Ji got into a carriage and asked Sui Feng to take him to the Zhao family.

This was his first visit to the Zhao family since returning to Beijing.

"Master, Madam has prepared the gifts. Would you like to take a look?"

"No, let's go."

Xiao Ji, dressed in a scarlet official robe, with his red lips and white teeth, stood outside the Zhao family's gate. Even the gatekeeper remarked, "The son-in-law and the eldest daughter-in-law are a perfect match."

Xiao Ji looked up at the lintel of the Zhao residence.

The Zhao family and the Xiao family were of equal social standing, and he couldn't even come up with a reason to object to the marriage.

However, the mention of this marriage did not stir much emotion in him.

The person who came out to greet them was Zhao's eldest son, Zhao Xuan's own elder brother.

"Brother-in-law is here, please come in!" Zhao Huan was also very handsome, and he always greeted people with a smile.

Xiao Ji carried one gift box, while Sui Feng handed the rest to the gatekeeper for safekeeping.

The two walked into the Zhao residence side by side.

Zhao Huan looked at his official robes with envy.

Xiao Ji was already a fifth-rank official when he was just over twenty years old. Among all the sons of powerful and wealthy families in the capital, he was one of the best who earned his fame through his own efforts.

Zhao Huan was five years older than him, but he was still a sixth-rank official.

The difference between the sixth rank and the fifth rank is not small.

"Working in the Criminal Investigation Department must be quite interesting. Did you encounter any cases today?"

Xiao Ji shook his head and said, "There aren't cases every day. Most of the time, it's mainly about organizing case files and approving official documents. It's not as interesting as Brother Zhao thinks."

"Haha, that's true. There won't be too many criminals under the emperor's nose."

I've heard you've solved many strange cases in the south; I wonder when you could tell me about them? My friends always ask me about them.

Xiao Ji picked up a rather complicated case from two years ago and told him about it, but they arrived at their destination after only a few sentences.

Madam Zhao led Zhao Xuan to stand at the entrance of the flower hall to greet them.

Zhao Xuan stared at Xiao Ji with a smile in her beautiful eyes. In terms of looks, she was quite satisfied with her fiancé.

Tang glanced at Zhao Xuan, feeling disgusted.

Zhao Xuan often complained behind Xiao Ji's back that he was insensitive and ignored her, and that the gifts he gave her during holidays were obviously not carefully chosen.

But when he actually stood in front of her, Zhao Xuan had no complaints at all.

She smiled shyly and said, "You've come."

Xiao Ji handed over the gift box, saying, "I saw this on the road earlier and thought Miss Zhao would like it, so I bought it."

Zhao Xuan carefully took the box, feeling extremely satisfied.

So it turns out he was thinking of me even when he was away.

In reality, it was Shen Lan who saw this item. With her perspective as a woman, she thought Zhao Xuan would like it, so she reminded Xiao Ji to buy it.

The box contained a hollowed-out ivory folding fan.

"Wow, it's so beautiful." Zhao Xuan has no shortage of good things, but this folding fan is exquisitely crafted, with openwork that lets in light, making it absolutely gorgeous.

"As long as you like it."

"Thank you, Brother Xiao Ji."

Madam Tang joked, "Xuan'er must be so happy now. She always said that her nephew had bad taste."

Zhao Xuan glared at her angrily, "I didn't."

She secretly warned Tang not to speak carelessly.

Xiao Ji came today at the invitation of the organizers.

He was supposed to visit his aunt during the Spring Festival, but his aunt's illness delayed him for two days, so he is visiting today.

As it happened, he also had some official business he wanted to discuss with Minister Zhao.

Madam Tang asked a servant to take the two of them for a walk in the garden.

"We just brought some forsythia plants from the south before the Lunar New Year. They're in full bloom. Go take a look."

Xiao Ji and Zhao Xuan have been engaged for many years, so it wouldn't hurt for them to take a walk together.

Moreover, Xiao Ji also wanted to talk to her more.

He realized he knew too little about his fiancée; perhaps knowing more about her would give him more hope for the marriage.

I just don't know why, but I always feel listless when talking to her.

Zhao Xuan was very excited, and she talked the whole way, introducing Xiao Ji to the various sights in her home.

Minister Zhao was a man of refined tastes, and every corner of his garden was a scenic spot.

Even in the dead of winter, the garden is still filled with several kinds of flowers and a large patch of purple bamboo that can withstand the cold.

"There's a large plum grove further ahead. Do you remember the first time we met was in that plum grove?"

Zhao Xuan recalled things from her childhood.

She found it extremely strange; what used to be an ordinary scene now felt sweet when she thought about it.

She secretly sized up Xiao Ji.

This was the first time she had ever seen a man wear official robes so well.

Xiao Ji noticed her gaze and looked puzzled.

Zhao Xuan quickly asked, "Which do you think is more beautiful, the mountain stream we just passed or this rock landscape with pavilions and towers in front of us?"

Before you is a pavilion carved from a huge rock, as if the houses were built on a cliff, creating a lofty and profound artistic conception.

The mountain stream we just passed was also impressive, with flowing water cascading down from the top of the artificial mountain, weaving through the rocks, and below was a crystal-clear fishpond.

"They all look good," Xiao Ji praised.

"Do you know that our marriage is set for this autumn?"

Both families originally intended to get married as soon as possible, but when choosing a date, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau gave an instruction that it was not advisable to hold a wedding in the first half of the year.

At best, it could cause illness; at worst, it could lead to the extermination of both families involved in the marriage.

Neither the Zhao family nor the Xiao family could bear such serious consequences, so they had no choice but to set the date after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Not only that, both families secretly checked the couple's birth dates again.

Although Xiao Ji was unaware of these matters, he was unwilling to get married too early.

"I know, August 20th is a wonderful time when the osmanthus blossoms are in full bloom."

Zhao Xuan clapped her hands and cheered, "Then I'll have my maid pick some osmanthus flowers to scent my dress."

Seeing her so cheerful, Xiao Ji revealed a genuine smile.

He suddenly asked, "Were you angry that day at Bixiao Tower?"

Zhao Xuan's smile froze.

Why do you ask that? Did someone say something to you?

"No, I did notice something that day, but I was busy with work and didn't have time to ask you. I just asked you casually today. If I did anything wrong, you can tell me."

Xiao Ji's attitude was sincere.

If he absolutely had to marry the woman in front of him, he would be willing to work hard to make their relationship more harmonious.

But Zhao Xuan's expression changed.