The Jinwu Guards were responsible for both the palace guards and the night curfew security in the imperial city. Therefore, in addition to the left and right guard offices in the palace like the offices of all officials, there were also two left and right Jinwu offices outside the imperial palace.
Now Qingtou lived with Pei Xiaoyuan in a mansion behind the Zuo Jinwu Yamen in Yongxingfang, north of the city, which was a government office under the Yamen. It was not far from the imperial palace, and every inch of land was valuable. Since it was a government office, the residence was naturally not big, just a courtyard. Fortunately, it had everything, including a living room and a stable. There were only the master and his servant, plus the maid Chengping sent a few days ago to cook and sweep the floor. It was a little cramped, but it was enough.
In fact, there was originally another place to live.
As far as he knew, on the third day after the master arrived, the emperor granted him an official title, a horse and a mansion in Yongningfang. The location was in the city, not as noisy as the north of the city, nor as deserted as the south of the city. It was not far from the East Market, and it was a perfect place to live. Moreover, it seemed that it was the old house of the Pei family. After the Pei family left Beijing, it changed hands several times and finally became an old royal house. It was said that the old king lived a luxurious life, and a meal would cost tens of thousands of coins. Naturally, the mansion was also beautifully built. A few years ago, the old king committed a crime and died, and the mansion was vacant again.
Although the place had been vacant for several years, it might take some effort to clean it up, but it didn't matter. Qingtou had plenty of time and was diligent enough. It was the old residence of the Pei family, and it was such a good place. The emperor gave it back to him, but he didn't live there, as if it had never happened. Qingtou felt very sorry in his heart, but he didn't dare to say it.
Based on his experience in the past few days, he concluded that the master must not have returned at this time today.
As he expected, Pei Xiaoyuan was not there, but two servants were waiting for him in his residence. There were two lacquer boxes with lids in the living room, several layers on top of each other. A middle-aged man with a wealthy appearance sat there, wearing a silk dress with round flowers. He looked like a steward from a noble family in Beijing. When he heard Qingtou's footsteps, he thought it was Pei Xiaoyuan at first. He got up from his seat and walked out, but he noticed that it was a servant and looked disappointed.
Qingtou was born and raised in Weiyuan County, and entered the county governor's mansion when he was in his teens. But after following Prince Ashina for so long, he has seen the world now, and knows that his master's identity is different from the past. As the most useful person around him, how can he embarrass him. Moreover, in the past few days, he has seen many people who come to him to deliver various visiting cards and gifts, and he can handle them well. But the fat man who came today looked different from others, as if he looked down on him. He was secretly angry, so he introduced himself first, saying that he was the personal attendant of Pei Zhonglang, the Secretary of the Luwu Division of the Jinwu Guard.
"When Si Cheng was still a teenager, I followed him and went through life and death together. I was highly respected. This time, Pei Gong personally appointed me to accompany him to the capital. Who are you and what brings you here?"
The steward looked at him, thought for a moment, and said his surname was Wang and he was from Cui Mansion.
"On the day Pei Langjun arrived, he visited Uncle Cui. I'm sure you know that."
Qingtou was stunned. It turned out that the people who came were the Cui family. No wonder they were so different.
Needless to say, the Cui family was a well-known family. He would never be able to get a chance to visit them even if he was reborn ten times. Besides, they were the family of Pei Xiaoyuan's uncle. The momentum he had just built up suddenly deflated, and he hurriedly said, "It turned out to be Steward Wang! Pei Langjun hasn't returned yet. If there is anything, please let me know. I will go to him when he comes back."