"My lord, I am also at a loss regarding the wager," replied Vice Prefect Qi. "The wager is for three days, and for the past two days, Zhan Feiyu has been going out early and returning late to the Wei family." This was not an evasive answer from Vice Prefect Qi.
After the wager was announced, Old Master Qi, Vice Prefect Qi, and Second Master Qi gathered in the study. No one could fathom Zhan Feiyu's intention in signing the wager. Knowing it was a sure loss, she had agreed to it nonetheless.
Vice Prefect Qi glanced at Prefect Meng, who was deep in thought, and asked, "You are quite familiar with Commander Liu, my lord. Do you believe Commander Liu can rescue Qi Heng safely?"
If Qi Heng were rescued by Commander Liu within three days, Zhan Feiyu would win, but this was simply wishful thinking.
"If it were anyone else, I would believe it possible," Prefect Meng said. It was precisely because he understood Commander Liu that he found Zhan Feiyu's wager so peculiar.
Liu Hefeng's temperament was ferocious, violent, and mad. At the age of eight, due to a conflict with his elder brother Liu Hejin, he had nearly decapitated his own brother with a single blow.
Fortunately, the guards reacted quickly enough to block it, but even so, Liu Hejin's shoulder bore a deep, bone-gaping wound.
Prefect Meng, perhaps intending to foster good relations with the Qi family, or perhaps due to Zhan Feiyu and Scholar Gu behind the Qi family, continued to reveal some information about Commander Liu.
"I once heard that the Liu family head intended to groom Liu Hefeng to inherit the family business, but he chose the path of military service instead. The conflict was severe; swords have no eyes, and the Liu family had no need for their youngest son to seek advancement in the army." Prefect Meng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and sighed before continuing, "Madam Liu even threatened to take her own life, but thirteen-year-old Liu Hefeng, determined to join the army, went ahead. Madam Liu, who had hanged herself, died unexpectedly."
"What?" Vice Prefect Qi couldn't help but be startled.
Prefect Meng nodded. "Even so, after the three-year mourning period, he still joined the army."
"Then why did he remain at the Fengzhou Garrison?" Vice Prefect Qi was somewhat confused. Liu Hefeng was so persistent about joining the army, even disregarding his own mother's dying wish. By all accounts, Commander Liu should have been at the frontier fighting enemies.
Fengzhou belonged to Jiangnan Circuit. Jiangnan was prosperous, and the garrisons' existence was more for deterrence. They occasionally cooperated with local prefectural offices to suppress bandits or apprehend important fugitives. This was a far cry from Commander Liu's desire to serve in the army.
"He spent three years at the frontier. Although he killed many enemies, he was insubordinate. Once on the battlefield, he became like someone possessed, bloodthirsty and murderous. Once, in a killing frenzy, he nearly killed a fellow soldier. In the end, the Liu family head spent a considerable sum of money to smooth over the incident, and Liu Hefeng was transferred to the Fengzhou Garrison."
The reason Prefect Meng knew so much detail was partly because the Liu family head had revealed it. He was also worried that Liu Hefeng might become a murderous maniac if he went berserk, so he naturally needed to inform the Prefect of Fengzhou.
Another reason was that Commander Qiu had divulged some information after drinking too much.
Commander Liu had always been suppressed by Commander Qiu, so he hadn't dared to cause any deaths, but he had frequently injured or crippled people. Even though the Liu family was willing to pay compensation, they would inevitably encounter individuals with influence, and money alone couldn't resolve everything.
Commander Qiu and Prefect Meng had often cleaned up Liu Baihu's messes, which had led to their relationship becoming increasingly close. Therefore, Commander Qiu had revealed some of the situation while drunk.
"Perhaps after leaving the frontier, Liu Hefeng's murderous tendencies improved significantly. The Liu family also found a renowned physician who prescribed pills to calm his mind." Prefect Meng's compromise was ultimately for the sake of Fengzhou.
The Liu family, imperial merchants, had businesses throughout the country. Half of Fengzhou's commercial tax revenue came from the Liu family's shops, and the remaining half of the merchants had business dealings with the Liu family. Since Liu Hefeng had not caused any deaths, Prefect Meng turned a blind eye.
Both Vice Prefect Qi and Prefect Meng had met Zhan Feiyu. Although they hadn't interacted deeply, they were aware of her actions in Nanxuan Prefecture. If she dared to make a wager, she must have had a sure way to win.
"My lord, I suspect Miss Zhan and Commander Liu had a private agreement," Vice Prefect Qi believed this was the only reason Zhan Feiyu had signed the wager. He was truly curious about what conditions Zhan Feiyu could offer to make such a madman like Commander Liu cooperate.
Zhan Feiyu was not old, but her capabilities were indeed considerable.
Prefect Meng smiled in agreement. "Let's just wait and see. Only one day remains of the three-day period. It's only a matter of ten thousand taels of silver. As long as Qi Heng is safe, that's all that matters."
Vice Prefect Qi looked at Prefect Meng gratefully. After all, Qi Heng was a member of the Qi family, and Prefect Meng had not shown any bias towards Zhang Changsong or Qiu Dingsi.
Ten thousand taels of silver was a fortune that ordinary people could never save in a lifetime, but for prominent families in Fengzhou, it would not be a significant blow. They could consider it as watching a show.
...
The sun set behind the western hills, and dusk approached.
Upon seeing the person standing still in the setting sun, Ming San felt as if he had eaten a fly.
"Well, you can dodge the first day, but not the fifteenth," Zhan Feiyu suppressed a smile and looked at the displeased Ming San with sympathy. "We can't just stay in the carriage forever."
Zhu Changyun peeked out through the carriage curtain. "Isn't that the woman who was with Miss Ling at Zhou Ji before? Why is a girl from Changchun Tower here?"
On that day at Zhou Ji, Qiu Dingsi, Zhang Changsong, and others were hosting Chai Yi. Two women accompanied them, one of whom was Miss Ling from Changchun Tower, most skilled in the Flying Sky Dance.
Ming San's handsome face darkened at a visible speed. He glared at Zhu Changyun with murderous eyes, making Zhu Changyun's back prickle with unease.
After a while.
Ming San lifted the curtain and jumped out of the carriage, losing his usual graceful, lazy demeanor.
Zhan Feiyu lifted the carriage curtain, her eyes wide as she continued to spy. She also reminded him, "Asheng, you have good hearing, listen to what they are saying."
Looking back at the confused Zhu Changyun, Zhan Feiyu explained, "That is Third Young Master Ming's wife, who was later taken as a concubine by Chai Yi."
Zhu Changyun's eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. No wonder Young Master Ming's expression was so grim.
Zhu Changyun had just been thinking if this was related to Young Master Ming's romantic affairs. After all, given Ming San's unrestrained and wild personality, it was normal for him to frequent brothels. Furthermore, he had heard Ming San's poetry before, and it was indeed exceptionally talented.
However, several of his poems were written about courtesans from brothels. The honest Zhu Changyun never imagined that the courtesan he thought was from Changchun Tower was actually Ming San's wife, or rather, ex-wife.
With a click, Ming San closed his fan and stopped walking, looking coldly at Huang Li.
In the past, although they treated each other with polite distance, Huang Li had always been proud and radiant, like a blooming peony. But now, although Huang Li was still adorned in fine silks and brocades, the arrogance in her eyes had completely dissipated, and she even seemed a little timid.
It made sense. A concubine could be bought and sold. For a hypocritical and truly villainous person like Chai Yi, who was driven by profit, Huang Li, having lost her utility, was merely a plaything to him.
"I was set up," Huang Li turned her head away, her eyes filled with suppressed hatred as she looked at the carriage not far away. If it weren't for Zhan Feiyu interfering, she would already be the Prefect's wife!
With a sneer, Ming San looked disdainfully at the specious Huang Li. "You're saying you tried to scheme against Prefect Zhang, but instead, Prefect Zhang turned the tables, making you Chai Yi's concubine, and the Huang family disowned you."
"Ming Maoze!" Huang Li roared in embarrassment, her angry gaze fixed on Ming San.
Recalling past events and her current predicament, Huang Li, with bloodshot eyes, questioned him, "A wife's status depends on her husband's success! But I married you for many years, and what did I get? You spend your days composing poetry, living a carefree life. You're a man of seven feet, yet you don't strive for advancement. Ming Maoze, you ruined me, you harmed me!"
Huang Li only wanted to be an official's wife, but Ming San only wanted to be a romantic scholar who found solace in mountains and rivers. Huang Li had argued and fussed, and finally decided to divorce him and marry Prefect Zhang. Unfortunately, her schemes were shallow, and in the end, she harmed herself.
Taking a few steps back, Ming San looked at the shrew-like Huang Li with disgust and said with an arrogant cold laugh, "Before you married me, I had already said I wouldn't take the imperial examinations. If you wanted wealth and status, why didn't you study and take the examinations like that little girl Zhan?"
After Ming San was rejected by Scholar Gu years ago, he became dejected. His father, Master Ming, and Master Ming also tried to persuade him, but Ming San was stubborn. In the end, Master Ming stopped bothering with him, and besides, Ming San's personality was not suited for officialdom.
But Huang Li didn't believe this. She thought she could change Ming San and make him pursue an official career for her.
Of course, Huang Li also believed that the Ming family wouldn't allow Ming San to live so idly forever. With Ming San's talent, if he were willing, he might have become a Jinshi by the age of thirty.
Therefore, Huang Li plotted against Ming San. She pushed Ming San into the water, and they embraced, forcing Ming San to marry her. Who knew that year after year, Ming San had no intention of taking the imperial examinations.
"Enough. You are now Chai Yi's concubine, and it's not appropriate to show yourself in public." Ming San couldn't be bothered to waste his breath. He had seen Huang Li's hysterical behavior too many times over the years. It was impossible to reason with her or make her understand.
"You!" Huang Li trembled with anger, but seeing Ming San turn and leave heartlessly, tears suddenly streamed down her face. Finally, she held her head high and turned to leave.
With two knocks, Ming San tapped on the carriage with his knuckles. "You've seen enough of the show, aren't you getting out? Do you plan to spend the night in the carriage?"
The curtain was lifted, and Zhan Feiyu smiled with extreme guilt. She nimbly jumped out of the carriage. "I wasn't going to go in without you."
Zhu Changyun also looked extremely awkward. Even though she was divorced, she was still Young Master Ming's former lawfully wedded wife, yet he had mistaken her for a courtesan from Changchun Tower. He shouldn't have spoken just now.
Hong'er had no idea what had happened. After being carried out of the carriage by Zhu Changyun, he immediately hugged his bamboo pole and went to Zhan Feiyu's side.
...
As night fell, thunder rumbled, and a torrential rain suddenly arrived, as if a crack had opened in the sky, and the rain poured down.
"Miss, don't think about it. My brother won't let you go," He Nuan looked helplessly at Zhan Feiyu, who was standing at the door. Not to mention the danger, even with a straw cloak, she would get soaked in such heavy rain.
"I am brewing my thoughts, planning to write a poem about reading on a rainy night," Zhan Feiyu stubbornly huffed twice, refusing to admit that she was left behind because of her rudimentary martial arts skills.
Just as Zhan Feiyu was about to turn, her peripheral vision caught something, and she shivered in fright.
Ming San walked over from the pouring rain, stood under the eaves, and shook the rain off his straw cloak, smiling at the clearly startled Zhan Feiyu. "I thought you saw me arrive and came out to greet me specifically."
"It's pitch black!" Zhan Feiyu waved her hand.
However, in the darkness, her fair, plump little hand was particularly conspicuous. Angered, Zhan Feiyu withdrew her hand and said irritably, "The sound of wind, rain, and thunder. Do you think I have the ears of a thousand miles?"
He Nuan handed a cloth towel to Ming San, smiling at Zhan Feiyu, whose cheeks were puffed out in anger. If Miss had clairvoyance and telepathy, she would have followed Big Brother out by now.
It was likely that she was agitated from copying books during this period, otherwise, Miss wouldn't want to go out and join the excitement.
Sitting down at the desk, Ming San then asked, "Tomorrow is the third day. Are you sure you can find Qi Heng tonight?"
"As the saying goes, 'Stillness is better than movement.' They weren't moving before, and we couldn't exactly dig up Fengzhou. But now that Commander Liu has intervened, once Chai Yi and the others make a move, Asheng and the others can follow the clues to find Qi Heng." Under the candlelight, Zhan Feiyu's expression was calm. The three days were enough. Otherwise, Huang Li wouldn't have come to Nanhu Lane during the day.
That night, many people in Fengzhou were awakened by the sound of wind and rain, and then had no more sleep, and it wasn't just the sound of wind, rain, and thunder.
Early the next morning, the ground was still wet. Early rising vendors called out along the street, "Buns, steamed buns, flatbreads..."
"Selling tofu pudding..."
"Old Zhang, give me two large meat buns, and Old Liu, another bowl of tofu pudding." Early rising diners sat on the long benches. Hearing hurried footsteps behind them, they couldn't help but look back.
Wow! A group of constables with large knives strapped to their waists ran over. The pedestrians on the street immediately moved to the sides, fearing they would be arrested and thrown into prison for blocking the way.
Old Zhang placed the plate with two buns on the table and handed over the chopsticks. "You went out a few days ago. I heard that a child from a collateral branch of the Qi family went missing, and he was a Tong Sheng. For the past few days, the authorities and the Qi family have been searching for him, turning Fengzhou upside down."
"Could it be snatchers?" The man's face looked ugly. He deeply resented these child traffickers. "They even dare to kidnap scholars. The officials should arrest them and chop off a few more heads, then no one will dare to steal children."
"Who knows..." Old Zhang hadn't finished speaking when he saw the constables running towards the alley on the right. He couldn't help but turn to look. "Why have they surrounded that Apricot Garden?"
More than ten constables divided into eight to guard the front and side entrances, while the remaining constables rushed directly into the Apricot Garden. This made the people around them crane their necks to watch the commotion.
A moment later, the sound of horses' hooves echoed, and a carriage sped towards Plum Garden. And when the onlookers saw the people running behind the carriage, their faces turned pale with fear. "Are those Commander Liu's soldiers and guards?"
"Stop looking, and don't talk," Old Zhang reminded them in a low voice. Offending the yamen officials would at most result in a few days in prison or a few blows, or even just paying some silver to resolve the matter.
But if they offended Commander Liu, their lives might be in danger. A whip strike from him could truly flay a person.
The old fifth who sold bamboo wares on this street, just because a bamboo hat rolled onto the road, and Commander Liu happened to be riding by, two years have passed, and the scar on old fifth's face is still there. Fortunately, heaven protected him and didn't injure his eyes, otherwise, he would have become blind.
The carriage stopped outside the gate of Apricot Garden, and among the soldiers who followed, four remained by the carriage, while the rest rushed into Apricot Garden.
A quarter of an hour later, several more fast horses galloped over. Fortunately, there were few pedestrians on the street, so even galloping horses would not harm them.
Zhang Changsong and Qiu Dingsi arrived at Apricot Garden almost at the same time. Seeing the carriage parked in front of them, their faces became extremely grim.
When Commander Liu had sent people to investigate the news earlier, they had already been uneasy. And this morning, the constables from the prefectural office surrounded Apricot Garden, which was enough to explain everything.