“Sir, this is an urgent dispatch just arrived from Changzhou County!”
“Quick, present it.”
Chen Shu took the note with a raised hand and unfolded it. It clearly read: [Chen Chong Deceased, Chen Rao Guan, Lotus Pond Sealed].
Upon seeing the contents of the note, Chen Shu’s already furrowed brow tightened further.
After a long while, he mused aloud:
“Lotus Pond is the name of a Xiangtang Pavilion in Changzhou County. Even if Chen Chong died at Lotus Pond, it wouldn’t be enough reason to seal Lotus Pond.
Unless…”
The trusted subordinate who delivered the message asked in confusion, “Sir, unless what?”
“Unless the business secretly operated by that Lotus Pond was discovered!”
Chen Shu tapped his desk rhythmically as he spoke, “I recall the new county magistrate of Changzhou County is named Lin Jingxing. He seems to be a student of that old fellow Xu Changling, and Xu Changling is a favored disciple of Grand Secretary Su.
Therefore, it’s highly likely that Lin Jingxing discovered the issues with Lotus Pond and consequently sealed it.
This means Xu Changling likely knows as well and is rushing to write a memorial to the capital.
If that shopkeeper is careless, he might have already confessed Chen Chong and me, or implicated the Fourth Prince as the mastermind…
Unacceptable!
We must take countermeasures before things are completely exposed!
You will immediately issue an order. All Xiangtang Pavilions under our name within Fengtian Prefecture are to be closed immediately.
Furthermore, you will personally lead a few men to Changzhou County and eliminate the shopkeeper of that Xiangtang Pavilion.”
“Yes!”
After the subordinate responded, he tentatively asked,
“Sir, what about Master Third?”
Chen Shu rubbed his temples, a headache surfacing, “Wait and see. If his life is not in danger, there’s no need to intervene.
Really!
These people, one after another, can’t even live up to being a dilettante who lives idly.
Especially Second Brother, that good-for-nothing, who can’t even die peacefully.
By the way, after Second Brother’s death, what has that woman Tang Wan’er been up to?
Never mind.
That woman is no easy character. Take care of her when you go to Changzhou County. As they say, ‘when the husband sings, the wife follows,’ consider it a burial for Second Brother.”
“Yes, Sir.”
After the subordinate withdrew, Chen Shu summoned another attendant, “Go to the post station immediately and inquire if there have been any urgent memorials from Fengtian Prefecture in the last two days.
Remember to act cautiously, lest anyone notice.”
“Yes.”
The attendant returned after about the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
“How is it?”
“Reporting, Sir, the post station did receive an urgent dispatch from Fengtian Prefecture yesterday. Fortunately, the postmaster at the station is one of ours, and he has intercepted that memorial.
The postmaster originally intended to send word, but the deputy postmaster was watching him too closely, preventing him from getting away.
If I hadn’t slipped in through the dog hole in the back courtyard late at night to find him, he would have had to wait until his shift ended tomorrow to deliver the message.
However, according to the memorial, the Prefectural Governor of Fengtian, Lord Xu Changling, has obtained evidence of you, Sir, operating the Xiangtang Pavilions for profit.
That evidence is to be delivered to the capital tonight, the following day.”
“Evidence? Does the memorial state what the evidence is?”
Hearing Chen Shu’s question, the attendant hesitated, then said with forced courage,
“Replying, Sir, it states that… it states that Second Master’s wife personally handed over the account books of your and Second Master’s business operations in Fengtian Prefecture, including details of the buying and selling of women, forced prostitution, and client lists.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Shu became furious, pressing his tongue against the roof of his mouth and saying menacingly,
“That slut Tang Wan’er!
Our Chen family has treated her well, not only preventing her from selling herself for a living but also bestowing upon her the title of young madam of the Chen family. Yet, that slut betrays us, stabbing the Chen family in the back during this critical moment. She deserves to die!”
After speaking, Chen Shu was about to call for someone when he belatedly remembered that his trusted subordinate had already been sent out.
With this in mind, he had to lower his raised arm and order,
“Prepare the carriage and take those who are useful out of the city with me.”
“Sir, why not wait for the so-called evidence to arrive at the post station before our people intercept it?”
“The post station is crowded and full of prying eyes. Even the postmaster cannot guarantee complete discretion. Moreover, there’s no guarantee Xu Changling won’t send another messenger to the capital privately.
Therefore, to be safe, it’s best to intercept it outside the city.”
“Your wisdom is unmatched, Sir!”
“Before we leave, inform the Fourth Prince that I suddenly have something to attend to and need to go out.”
“Yes.”
Soon, Chen Shu, having made his preparations, left his mansion with his men and headed for the official road leading out of the city towards Fengtian Prefecture, setting up an ambush on both sides of the necessary route.
Deep in the night, all was silent.
Just as everyone was being bitten by mosquitoes, their limbs going numb from crouching, movement finally appeared on the distant official road.
A fast horse galloped into view.
Chen Shu gestured to several men dressed as guards beside him. They immediately rushed out and stopped the horse.
“Whoa—”
The rider pulled the reins, looking vigilantly at the suddenly appearing figures, “Who are you? Why are you blocking my way?”
“Less nonsense, are you from Fengtian Prefecture?”
“Indeed.”
The men exchanged glances and simultaneously revealed their weapons.
Seeing this, the man on horseback quickly shouted,
“Under the broad daylight, in the clear sky, oh no, on the outskirts of the capital, under the Emperor’s gaze, what are you doing?”
“Nothing, we just want you to leave something behind.”
With that, the men brandished their swords and attacked the man on horseback.
However, to everyone’s surprise.
After just two exchanges, the men were killed by the man on horseback and knocked to the ground, one by one.
“Tsk tsk, you’re no good either. With such amateurish skills, you dare to rob others. You don’t even deserve the title of ‘robber’!
Brushing off non-existent dust from his body, the man leaped off his horse and walked directly to the bushes where Chen Shu was hidden. With a cupped-fist salute, he said, “You must be Master Chen Shu, the esteemed Master Chen, right?”
Chen Shu: ???
“Master Chen, do not fear. I am a guard of Lord Xu Changling of Fengtian Prefecture, specifically sent by my lord to deliver a message to you.”
Saying that, the somewhat boisterous man took out a letter sealed with red wax from his怀 and presented it to Chen Shu.
…
Chen Shu, confused about the situation, stared blankly for a long time. Realizing something was wrong, he was about to exclaim ‘bad!’ when someone else had already taken the envelope from his hand.
His attendant respectfully presented the received letter to a noble figure slowly emerging from the distant shadows.
“Your… Your Highness?”
No matter what, Chen Shu couldn’t understand why His Highness would appear here, when he had already informed him before leaving.
Chen Shu’s sense of unease grew stronger.
As expected.
After the Fourth Prince finished reading the contents of the letter, his expression changed drastically as he said,
“You good-for-nothing Chen Shu, I treated you well, yet you treacherous dog, you have colluded with that old scoundrel Xu Changling and pledged your allegiance to another!”