diymy Chapter 65, the one you chose.
Chapter 65, the one you chose.
The old place Batu mentioned is not Juxianju.
Instead, it was the Lao Lai Teahouse they used to frequent.
This was also taught to him by Yin'e.
Batu once asked, "Tenth Master, why not go to Juxianju? That's Gao Mengyuan's territory; he'd feel more at ease there."
Yin'e shook his head: "If you invite him to his own territory, he'll find it strange."
If you are an informant and you are passing on intelligence, you should choose a place that you feel is safe, not a place that he feels is safe.
"And you immediately invited him to Juxianju that evening. Wouldn't someone as shrewd as him become suspicious?"
Batu thought about it and realized that was indeed the case.
Gao Mengyuan, that old fox, is extremely suspicious. The more someone throws themselves at you, the more he'll think about it.
On the contrary, meeting at a small teahouse where there are many people and he has no connection with the place would seem more natural.
The private room on the second floor of the Lao Lai Tea House faces the street, with the window half open, allowing you to hear the noise from the street below.
Batu arrived early, ordered a pot of Biluochun tea and several plates of melon seeds and snacks, and sat by the window, drinking tea and waiting.
His palms were sweaty.
It wasn't hot, it was tense.
He picked up the teacup, the tea swirling around inside, but fearing it would spill, he put it down again.
He took a deep breath, wiped his hands on his robe, picked up the cup, took a sip, and found it bitter; he couldn't taste anything at all.
Outside the window, the sun was already high in the sky, shining brightly on the roof tiles opposite, reflecting a dazzling white light.
The streets gradually filled with pedestrians. Vegetable vendors carried their loads on shoulder poles, goods carriers drove their donkey carts, and several children played with picture cards barefoot at the alley entrance, their laughter as clear and crisp as copper bells.
Everything is normal.
This seemingly normal situation only made Batu more anxious.
He went over Yin'e's instructions in his mind over and over again.
"Don't rush, don't interrupt, let him ask more questions, and you provide more details."
The more detailed the description, the more he believed it.
You have to believe what you've made up before he can believe it.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Batu's heart suddenly raced.
He put down his teacup, straightened his clothes, leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and struck a relaxed pose.
The door was pushed open, and it was Gao Mengyuan.
As soon as Gao Mengyuan entered, a smile spread across his face. He quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Oh, Young Master, you've arrived early. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. You deserve to be punished."
Batu stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and forced a smile: "You're too kind, Master Gao. I just arrived too. Please, have a seat."
Gao Mengyuan sat down opposite Batu, poured himself a cup of tea, picked it up, smelled it, frowned, and put it down again.
The tea in this teahouse was clearly not to his liking.
"Young Master, you said you had something important to discuss with me. What is it?"
Batu did not rush to answer.
He picked up his teacup and took another sip, pretending to carefully consider his words.
"Master Gao, I've gotten some information about what you asked me to inquire about last time."
Gao Mengyuan narrowed his eyes slightly, but did not speak, waiting for him to continue.
"My brother-in-law, the Tenth Prince, you know him. He's a loose tongue, very outspoken, and he tells my sister everything, and then my sister tells me everything."
"A few days ago, he was drinking with some people at the mansion. He got drunk and let it slip. He said that the Eighth Prince has already taken notice of Juxianju."
Gao Mengyuan's fingers stopped on the table.
"Juxianju?" Gao Mengyuan repeated. "Young Master, Juxianju is a proper teahouse. Why is Eighth Master paying attention to it?"
Batu shook his head: "My brother-in-law didn't say the specifics. But he mentioned a few names, something like Eighth Master is investigating someone, and the investigation has led him to Juxianju."
Gao Mengyuan leaned back in his chair and began to tap his fingers.
Batu was extremely nervous inside, but he remained outwardly calm.
He reached out and picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, taking a bite.
Just as Gao Mengyuan was about to ask something, a commotion suddenly broke out downstairs.
"Say that again, you fucking idiot!"
"So what if I said something to you? You heartless bastard, I'm going to curse you today! You sell counterfeit goods and cheat people, and you still have the nerve to talk back?"
The two argued more and more fiercely, their voices grew louder and louder, and more and more people gathered around. Some tried to break up the fight, while others stirred things up, creating complete chaos.
The window of the private room was half open, and all the noise poured in, making one's ears ring.
Batu frowned, and Gao Mengyuan also frowned. The two looked at each other.
With a loud crash, something was smashed.
Immediately afterwards, a series of hurried footsteps came from the stairs. Someone was running, and someone was shouting, "Stop fighting! Stop fighting!"
The sound grew closer and louder, as if someone had stormed into the teahouse from the street and then up to the second floor.
Batu sighed deeply and shook his head.
"Mr. Gao, this isn't the place to talk. It's too noisy with people coming and going. Let's do it another day. I'll come find you another time."
As he spoke, he made a gesture as if to stand up.
Gao Mengyuan did not move.
He sat in the chair, his fingers still tapping on the table, his gaze fixed on the street outside the window, as if looking at something, yet also as if looking at nothing at all.
Batu stood up, straightened his clothes, and prepared to leave.
"Young Master," Gao Mengyuan suddenly spoke.
Batu paused for a moment.
Gao Mengyuan also stood up and walked to Batu. The two stood face to face, only two steps apart.
He was half a head shorter than Batu, but standing there, he was in no way inferior in terms of presence.
"Come to Juxianju tonight, I'll be waiting for you on the third floor."
Batu looked somewhat embarrassed and rubbed his hands together, as if he was too shy to speak.
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Master Gao, I went to Juxianju last night and wanted to play a couple of rounds."
As a result, Manager Sun said that no one was allowed upstairs at night, and added... that it was your order.
He said this with a hint of grievance on his face.
Gao Mengyuan was stunned for a moment, then laughed.
"Manager Sun is just following the rules; he doesn't know about your relationship with me." He reached out and patted Batu on the shoulder.
"Your Highness, rest assured. From today onwards, you are welcome to come and go as you please on the third floor of Juxianju, and stay as long as you like."
As long as you stand on the Crown Prince's side, Juxianju is your home. Play however you want.
Batu's eyes lit up.
"Well... thank you very much, Master Gao." He cupped his hands in thanks, a grateful smile on his face.
"Your Highness is too kind. I will be waiting for you at Juxianju tonight."
The two left the private room together, went downstairs, and parted ways at the entrance of the teahouse.
Gao Mengyuan got into the sedan chair, and four sedan chair bearers lifted it up and quickly disappeared around the street corner.
Yin'e sat in the room next to Batu, with the book "Overheard" open in front of him.
He heard every single word Batu and Gao Mengyuan said clearly.
He leaned back in his chair, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"It's done."