Chapter 279: Passing Notes


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    Because of this imperial decree, Qiao Xiaomai’s fondness for Emperor Yongan skyrocketed as if torn upwards by a rocket.


    She began to ponder earnestly the possibility of a preemptive strike at the root.


    If she could retrieve the ticking bomb hidden in the house, then the likelihood of Tong Li’s rebellion would decrease significantly.


    But-


    Had young Tong Sang truly stopped visiting her?


    That’s right, she had decided to convince Tong Sang to take her to check the secret tunnel. Yet for four or five days on end, there was no sign of him.


    She needed to recuperate and couldn’t go out, but since she was noted as sick by Emperor Yongan, many vigers came to visit her. Among these visitors, Tong Sang was absent.


    When Gao Xiaomei came, she asked surreptitiously.


    Gao Xiaomei told her that Tong Sang had been busytely. Ma Dongshu had moved into Tong’s new house and had been going into the mountains, with Tong Sang apanying him all the way.


    Upon hearing this, her heart involuntarily jerked.


    The mountains were where the secret tunnel was located. Yang Ye had invited this Ma Dongshu, could the secret tunnel still remain secret?


    As night fell, Qiao Xiaomaimanded Qiao Dami to fill half a basket with bean sprouts and put two pounds of dried tofu skin in and have Qiao Dami delivered them to the Tong Family.


    “I wanted to thank you, Brother Tong, for carrying me home that day,” Qiao Xiaomai dered nobly, “And also this.”


    She gave Qiao Dami a folded note and instructed, “You must personally hand this to your Brother Tong. Do not let anyone else see it.”


    Qiao Dami nodded heavily.


    He had been so busytely that he had almost forgotten to express his gratitude!


    Carrying the basket, he ran off to the Tong’s house.


    Along the way, many people greeted him. From elderly folks to children his age, all friendly.


    Upon reaching the Tong’s, the family was having dinner. Except for Tong Dajie’s family, everyone else was there.


    With the yard gate wide open, he greeted everyone first, then beckoned to Tong Sang, “Brother Tong, this is from my sister. She thanks you for carrying her homest time!”


    Tong Sang epted the basket and tousled his hair, “How is your sister?” “All good now!” Qiao Dami stretched out his small hand to grab Tong Sang’s empty left hand, secretly passed him the note, and made a yful blink.


    “Brother Tong, do visit my sister when you’re free- I am heading home! Goodbye, Grandfather Tong!”


    Having said this, he ran off in a puff of smoke. @@novelbin@@


    Tong Sang was momentarily taken aback. He did not follow, but gripped the note tightly in his hands.


    Pursing his lips, he turned to walk towards the kitchen.


    “Wait, what did they send over?” Zhu Hongyun stopped him, craning her neck to peek into the basket.


    “Bean sprouts, tofu skin.”


    “That’s it?” Zhu Hongyun scoffed. Bean sprouts were two catties a copper, and while she hadn’t eaten or heard of dried tofu skin, she believed it was not too pricey either.


    Seeing her intent, Tong Sang said solemnly, “The tofu skin. Miss Qiao sells it to Zuixian Building for one tael silver per catty.”


    The contemptuous look on Zhu Hongyun’s face froze, then she huffed, “She caused a ruckus at grandfather’s birthday banquet and all she sent were these? And only sent them days after the incident.”


    “Shut your mouth, was the disturbance even caused by her?” Tong Tiehu scowled at her.


    “She drew blood at your birthday banquet, grandfather. That was most inauspicious,” Tong Lanng chimed in.


    “Are you genuinely concerned about this old man, or just taking the opportunity to pick on Xiaomai?” Tong Tiehu stared at him, his words sharp.


    Tong Lanng was flustered. “Of course I am concerned about you, grandfather!” he hastily replied.


    “No need to be, I am perfectly fine..”