After leaving Yin Manor, Tan Bajhang couldn’t hide his excitement. He turned to Liu Xiaolou. “The Yin clan’s defenses are ridiculously lax. Why don’t we find a chance to make a move?”
Liu Xiaolou replied, “That’s true. Maybe they’ve been at peace for too long… But don’t forget, they’ve got a Golden Core cultivator sitting in residence. Stirring up a little trouble around the outskirts of the manor is fine, no one would ever know. But if we go straight for the main house or set our eyes on the treasury, things will be very different. Brother Tan, you need to stay calm. Right now you’re a little too sure of yourself.”
Tan Bajhang scratched his head. “I know, I know… It’s just been so long since I’ve gotten a hero’s post.”
Liu Xiaolou chuckled. “Getting invited to a hero’s gathering is nothing. The day you and I send one out ourselves, that’ll be the day we’re true heroes.”
When they returned, Tigerhead Dragon was already restless. “Well? How did it go?”
Liu Xiaolou first turned to Master Liu. “Once this matter is settled, the silver will be delivered to you. Until then, I need you to stay put. If anything important comes up, we’ll come find you. I trust you won’t grow any second thoughts. If things fall through, the worst that happens is we don’t do this deal. But you and your Miss Mei, both of you will have to die.”
Master Liu gritted his teeth. “I understand… But… fifteen hundred taels is too little!”
Liu Xiaolou smiled. “That depends on the information you give us. Either way, you won’t be treated unfairly. But if you take your woman away, can you keep her mouth shut?”
“Don’t worry. She may be slow, but she isn’t crazy,” replied Master Liu.
Watching Master Liu carry off Concubine Li, Liu Xiaolou finally pulled three portraits from his sleeve. They were all of the same man. Handing them to Su Wan, he said, “Look into this person.”
Each portrait had a note beneath it recording the dates he’d been accompanied by Feng Qiu. The first was the tenth day of the third month last year, the second the thirteenth of the seventh month. Both matched what Master Liu had said.
The third was the twentieth day of the third month this year, which suggested he had been quite pleased with Feng Qiu’s service.
Liu Xiaolou said, “Going by this, it’s very likely he’ll return to the Yin manor in the seventh month; that’s next month. With these portraits, it’ll be easier to track him down. Brother Tigerhead, see if your Jiao clan has a way to find this man… Brother Tan, I’ll trouble you to make another trip to Tianmu Mountain…”
Just as he was giving out tasks, Su Wan shook her head to stop him. “Enough. There’s no need. I know this man. He’s from the Ouyang clan of Yuezhou, Ouyang Yuancheng’s cousin. To think he’s actually kin to my Su family... our own people driving the blade into us… Well, so be it. It’s nothing new. Our Danxia Sect, the Mao family, the Wang family, haven’t they all set their eyes on the Su family?”
Tigerhead Dragon sighed. “Our Cai and Jiao clans are different. We’ve always treated our fellow sect members kindly. Never any coercion or bullying.”
Liu Xiaolou gave him a sideways glance. “Brother Tigerhead, are you sure about that?”
Tigerhead puffed up with confidence. “Of course I am!”
Liu Xiaolou didn’t bother bringing up Elder Cai, and instead turned to Su Wan. “There’s no need to be so pessimistic. Things might not be the way you think. That Ouyang fellow in the portraits, maybe he only came to the Yin manor to sell other spirit materials, nothing to do with sacred incense…”
Su Wan shook her head. “No. You don’t understand his clan’s situation. The materials they sell to the Yins are definitely for refining sacred incense… Some things are like paper on a window. As soon as you poke it, the truth is plain to see.”
Liu Xiaolou said, “Even so, that doesn’t necessarily mean the Ouyang clan is stabbing your family in the back. To them, it’s just business. The one pressuring you is the Yin clan. If you go to Yuezhou and speak with your second sister, lay everything out, let her know what the Yins are doing. Don’t you think she’ll stand up for you?”
Su Wan thought it over and finally nodded. “You’re right. Maybe they really don’t know.”
Tan Bajhang, standing by, offered his support. “Ninth Lady, if talks in Yuezhou don’t work out, don’t worry. You’ve still got us brothers here. Tell us what you know about the Ouyangs, and we’ll send out a hero’s post on your behalf!”
Su Wan laughed at once. “Thank you.”
Of course, she didn’t really believe it. Neither did Liu Xiaolou, nor Tigerhead. Probably not even Tan Bajhang himself. What kind of existence was the Ouyang clan of Yuezhou? If a hero’s post were sent, who would dare accept it?
But still, she was moved by the bold words. Her earlier gloom vanished without a trace.
From here on, there wasn’t much Liu Xiaolou and the others could do to help. Even Tigerhead Dragon could be of more use than they could. He was overjoyed, pledging his utmost loyalty, insisting on going with Su Wan to Yuezhou. Naturally, she refused. Yet this time her refusal wasn’t as cold as before. She softened her tone, spoke a few gentle words, and instantly brought Tigerhead to tears of joy.
They parted ways then and there. Su Wan hurried back to Shenwu Mountain, keeping mostly silent along the road. Liu Xiaolou, too, said little. It wasn’t until they entered Shenwu Mountain that Su Wan seemed to come back to herself. She turned to Liu Xiaolou and said, “Thank you… Where did Tan Bajhang go?”
“We’re all family. I’m your brother-in-law now, aren’t I? No need for thanks. Brother Tan had something to take care of. We split on the road. You were moving too fast for me to explain… But he’s as good as a brother to us, so really, there’s nothing to thank.”
By the time Liu Xiaolou returned to Yiling Hall, the sky was already bright. He patted Big White on the head, went back to his room to rest, and caught up on an hour’s sleep. When he finally dragged himself out of bed, Susu was nowhere to be seen.
Every morning the maid usually brought him water for washing, poured his tea, and set out food. She had spoiled him into a certain laziness, and without her there, he felt a little out of sorts, forced to tend to himself.
He had just dipped a willow twig in salt and put it in his mouth when Susu came running in, her face flushed red. She didn’t look alarmed. More like embarrassed. “Young master, you’re back?”
Still brushing his teeth, Liu Xiaolou mumbled, “Mm… what’s this about? Did something happen?”
Blushing even harder, Susu said, “Madam asks that you come upstairs.”
But hadn’t Fifth Lady Su said she would be in closed cultivation for a while in Danxia Grotto-Heaven? Why was she back already?
Liu Xiaolou lifted his head and glanced toward the upstairs window. Sure enough, Su Xi was standing behind it, staring down at him with a cold expression.
That look did not bode well.
Could it be she’d found out about him sending Dong Wei to Linhu Courtyard? But he hadn’t shown his face there himself. Unless Elder Cai or Tu Er had told Dong Wei.
Damn it. Can’t anyone keep their mouths shut? You stir up this kind of mess and still have the nerve to spread it around? Anyway, that whole thing was that bastard Dong’s scheme to begin with. All I did was give him a taste of his own medicine. How’s that my fault?
Liu Xiaolou spat out the rinse water with a few gulps, took the towel Susu handed him, wiped his face clean, and followed her into the main hall.
Su Xi was already seated there. She shot him a glare and waved Susu and Xiaohuan away, signaling them to leave.
Once the hall was quiet, she suddenly slapped the table and shouted at him, “Shameless!”
Liu Xiaolou thought to himself, So it really is about that, and carefully chose his words. “Fifth Lady, let me explain—”
She snapped, “What’s there to explain? You actually stole from me, you—”
“Wait…” Liu Xiaolou was stunned. “Fifth Lady, don’t say such things carelessly…”
Her cheeks burned red. “The evidence is right here. What’s careless about it?” With a turn of her hand, she produced a lingerie embroidered with golden thread. “I found this under your bed last night!”