His words were spoken so directly that her dignity as a young lady was completely demolished.

Jiang Yue’er’s face turned red one moment and white the next. Clutching her handkerchief, she slowly bit her lip tighter, tears flowing even more fiercely.

Everyone was momentarily confused. Nanting had always been solitary in Cuiwei Town—when had he ever had a family? They wanted to ask, but couldn’t bring themselves to speak up. He was aloof and taciturn, not familiar with anyone in town.

The atmosphere grew somewhat stiff. Fortunately, not long after, Huzi’s father, who had gone to inquire about the imperial envoys’ names, returned. The sun was blazing today, scorching outside. Huzi’s father was drenched in sweat. He sat down and gulped three bowls of tea before saying, “The officers at the yamen gate said that today the prefect would accompany two imperial envoy lords to the Mingguang Shrine to worship the Grain God. Baoding Alley was guarded by soldiers from early morning. When the imperial envoy lords’ sedan chairs came out, people were kept far away. I pushed hard through the crowd and only caught a glimpse of the sedan chairs at the alley corner. As for who was sitting inside, their names, what official positions they held—the onlookers were all common folk, nobody knew.”

Su Jin asked, “What kind of sedan chairs?”

Huzi’s father thought for a moment. “The first one with a canopy top was the prefect’s sedan chair—I recognized it. The two behind it had dark blue curtains, both carried by eight bearers.”

Su Jin and Zhu Nanxian exchanged glances.

Sedan chairs carried by eight bearers—this was a privilege enjoyed only by court officials of third rank or above.

Imperial envoys dispatched from the capital to local areas, unless there was an urgent major matter to handle, were generally at most fourth rank. This time they had actually sent two officials of ministerial rank. The waters in Shu were truly murky and deep.

But that wasn’t all. Huzi’s father continued, “But there’s something a bit strange. One prefect, two imperial envoy lords—there should be three sedan chairs, right? But after those three sedan chairs passed, another one followed behind—black curtains, canopy top, also carried by eight bearers.”

Su Jin froze.

An additional eight-bearer sedan chair with black curtains?

Imperial envoys’ sedan chairs used either dark green or dark blue curtains. Using black was clearly to conceal identity. But if concealing identity was the goal, why not ride in a sedan chair with curtains the same color as the two imperial envoy lords?

There was only one explanation.

The person sitting in the black sedan chair must have an identity that was both exalted and special. Exalted because his sedan chair was also carried by eight bearers. Special because even when concealing identity, the two imperial envoys could not ride in sedan chairs of the same color as his.

Thinking of this, Su Jin’s heart filled with layers of doubt.

Beneath Shu’s seemingly calm surface, undercurrents surged violently. Who was the great lord above Yao Youcai? Who were the two high-ranking imperial envoys? Who exactly was sitting in the black sedan chair?

Zhu Nanxian glanced at Su Jin, knowing her thoughts. After thinking, he cut straight to the point. “Where is Master Jiang?”

All things had their root.

The beginning of everything was the New Policy on garrison fields. So first clarify this matter of the New Policy, and other issues would naturally surface.

But when Zhu Nanxian asked this question, everyone in the room looked at each other. Uncle Tian answered hesitantly, “Since the master was taken by the magistrate, he’s probably… been sent to the yamen.”

“He’s not at the yamen.” At this moment, Jiang Yue’er said softly. She glanced at Zhu Nanxian. The earlier embarrassment rolled through her heart several times. Her face was bloodlessly pale. “Magistrate Yao has a separate residence in Jinzhou Prefecture. Several years ago, when Magistrate Yao first took office, Father went to visit him there.”

These words contained hidden meaning. Anyone perceptive would understand.

Yao Youcai was an official, Jiang Jiutong was a merchant. The official held the merchant’s lifeline. When a merchant visits an official, what sort of dealings could take place?

Su Jin imperceptibly frowned, and also understood why Jiang Yue’er had repeatedly begged Zhu Nanxian for help—Jiang Jiutong himself wasn’t clean. Rescuing him through normal channels wouldn’t work. Yao Youcai was a county magistrate with his own residence in the prefecture. It couldn’t be publicized, so security wouldn’t be too tight. Since Zhu Nanxian could rescue Jiang Ci from several black-clothed men, presumably he could also extract Jiang Jiutong from the residence.

“Do you know where Yao Youcai’s residence is?” Zhu Nanxian asked.

Jiang Yue’er nodded. “I know. I went there with Father years ago.” A blush gradually rose on her face, making her even more embarrassed. “The guards recognize money. I have a way to get Young Master Nan inside.”

Zhu Nanxian said, “Good, lead the way.”

He stood up, removed the long blade from his waist and placed it on the table, making to leave. Seeing Su Jin also about to follow, he said gently, “It would be best if you stayed and waited for news.”

Su Jin lowered her eyes and said softly, “I’m not at ease.”

Zhu Nanxian paused. He knew her so-called unease was actually worry about the entire Jiang family and the whole situation—completely proper. Yet the sunlight happened to be just right, falling on her, highlighting that faint blush on her cheeks that hadn’t faded since last night, causing him to inexplicably harbor improper thoughts.

Some things truly couldn’t be tasted. Once tasted, one became addicted, all iron bones melting into tangled tender feelings.

He went to take her hand. Only after grasping it did he become aware of the strange looks filling the room. He hastily let go, covering his nose with his fist, coughing once in extreme awkwardness.

About to speak, his gaze fell back on her.

Her eyes remained lowered, but the corners of her lips pressed into an extremely faint, barely perceptible smile, apparently amused at how easily he had lost his composure.

Seeing her smile, he inexplicably couldn’t help but want to smile too. His lips moved, and he managed with difficulty to restrain himself. Appearing extremely proper but actually befuddled by desire, he said, “Oh, since you’re not at ease, then come along.”

Yao Youcai’s residence wasn’t far from the Funan waters. The main entrance opened deep in an alley—blue tiles, dark gate, indeed not ostentatious. But after circling past the spirit wall and passing through the first courtyard, they discovered another world within—carved beams and painted rafters, small bridges over flowing water, decorative rocks and peculiar stones.

The residence guards truly did recognize money. Jiang Yue’er pressed an ingot of silver weighing ten taels into one’s hand, claiming she came to visit Jiang Jiutong. The guard had a servant lead the way, guiding the three to where Jiang Jiutong was detained.

They passed through several more gates along the way. Every gate’s guard, including the guiding servant, required silver to smooth things over.

Su Jin initially found this puzzling, but gradually understood. These guards and servants who collected so much silver might not be able to keep it themselves. In the end, it all got turned in, all entering Yao Youcai’s money pouch—so this courtyard’s wealth was obtained this way.

Passing through the Pear Blossom Court, the servant pushed open a room door. “Go in. When you’re done talking, come out quickly.”

Inside, Jiang Jiutong heard the commotion and had already come to greet them, but he couldn’t walk far. His right foot was locked with an iron chain, only allowing him to reach the inner room doorway.

Seeing Jiang Yue’er, his eyes immediately reddened. “Yue’er, why did you come?” Seeing Zhu Nanxian and Su Jin, he guessed these people had come to rescue him. He sighed heavily and said in self-abandonment, “You shouldn’t have come.”

Jiang Yue’er said tearfully, “Father, what are you saying? Is Magistrate Yao threatening you again with Brother’s life? Can’t we just give him silver? At worst, Brother can stop being an official. Our whole family can flee elsewhere, as far away as possible. That’s better than staying here being oppressed by them.”

Jiang Jiutong shook his head. “This time is different.” His face was ashen. He wanted to say something but hesitated. “In this world, if you want others not to know, you must not do it yourself. You should leave quickly, take Ci’er with you and go. Don’t worry about me anymore.”

Jiang Yue’er still didn’t understand, collapsing against Jiang Jiutong’s knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

Su Jin turned his earlier words over in her mind and asked, “Master Jiang, has your son already met with misfortune?”

Jiang Jiutong’s eyes widened. “You… how would you know?”

How would she know?

Jiang Jiutong’s fatal weakness was Jiang Yan’s desertion. According to military law, desertion warranted death. Combined with Jiang Jiutong having bribed officials for Jiang Yan, the entire Jiang family could be said to be completely in Yao Youcai’s grip.

If Yao Youcai only sought wealth, then he definitely wouldn’t touch Jiang Yan, and Jiang Jiutong wouldn’t be in such despair.

Today, the reason Jiang Jiutong told Jiang Yue’er to take Jiang Ci and leave was probably that something had already happened to Jiang Yan. He thought to save whoever he could.

Su Jin said, “Master Jiang, do you think that by following Yao Youcai to the capital to plead guilty, you can preserve the lives of your two sons? Jiang Yan already faces a death sentence, but the Jiang family’s military registration still exists. What he escaped, his younger brother must bear. Yao Youcai is a jackal who devours people without spitting out bones. He won’t spare the Jiang family.”

Jiang Jiutong said anxiously, “But… but Ci’er is only eleven years old, still so young.”

Speaking thus, he sighed again. “Young Master Su, this is the Jiang family’s matter. You… need not concern yourself.” He paused, looking at Jiang Yue’er, earnestly instructing, “Yue’er, listen to Father. Tomorrow—no, leave today. Return to Cuiwei Town immediately and take Ci’er away overnight. Go anywhere, just don’t come back. As long as you leave in time, you definitely won’t have trouble.”

Su Jin heard something suspicious in his words. Her brow furrowed, a thought suddenly arising. She said coldly, “That’s not right. Master Jiang, did you promise Yao Youcai something?”

If he hadn’t promised something, why would he urgently tell Jiang Yue’er to take Jiang Ci and leave? How would he know they wouldn’t have trouble?

“The mulberry fields in Cuiwei Town—you promised the mulberry fields to Yao Youcai?!”

How were the town’s people supposed to survive now?!

Jiang Jiutong’s whole body shook. He hadn’t expected this person to see through him in just a moment.

His entire being was as if stripped naked in public. What thoughts he harbored, what intentions he held—skin and innards seen through completely.

Yes, he didn’t want to care anymore. He had never been any great philanthropist. Back then he thought Cuiwei Mountain too poor. Taking advantage of desertion, he moved to Jiangnan and made his fortune. If Jiang Yan hadn’t nearly had his identity exposed during the imperial examinations, he wouldn’t have wanted to abandon his eldest son and move the whole family back to Shu.

Cuiwei Town back then was truly poor. The mountain was under prohibition. The grain grown on a bit of wasteland wasn’t enough, so they had to dig grass roots and eat tree bark.

He had committed wrongs. The guilt in his heart was like a broken hole that could only be filled by doing good deeds. So he led the townspeople to fell wilderness forests, cultivate wasteland, buy mulberry seeds, teach them weaving and mulberry harvesting.

Ten years passed. Life got better and better. He thought past wrongs could be made right today. How could he have known he’d encounter Yao Youcai?

Yao threatened him with the bribery matter, threatened him with Jiang Yan’s life. He didn’t know how much silver he’d given trying to fill the gap, but couldn’t satisfy his greed.

Young Master Su was right. Yao Youcai was a jackal who devoured people without spitting out bones. He didn’t just want wealth—he wanted power. Now he was accompanying the imperial envoy to the capital, perfectly positioned to make a case out of the Jiang family matter, establish merit, add to his political achievements. Moving forward meant smooth sailing, a brocade path ahead.

Jiang Jiutong thought, things having come to this—Jiang Yan imprisoned, the entire town of people—why should he care anymore? They could live good lives entirely thanks to Master Jiang’s kindness. But kindness presupposed staying alive. He was already like a clay Buddha crossing a river. He could only sign the land deed, transfer the mulberry fields, acknowledge owing the government thousands of taels of silver.

And let the townspeople figure out how to raise those thousands of taels. They… had taken so much from him, they should help repay it.

Su Jin was so angry she wanted to laugh. Bargaining with a tiger had only one outcome—self-destruction. Did Jiang Jiutong think that by promising the mulberry fields to the officials, he could save the Jiang family from fire and water?

By doing this, he was only harming an entire town of innocent people.

But she didn’t want to waste a single word on Jiang Jiutong. Her expression was so dark it could wring out water. Zhu Nanxian glanced at her, knowing she worried for the townspeople. However, at present, they had only one path forward.

“Did you bring the dagger?”

Su Jin nodded slightly, taking the Nine Dragon dagger from her waist pouch and handing it to him.

The blade was sharp. Zhu Nanxian raised his arm and struck once. In an instant, he severed the iron chain binding Jiang Jiutong.

“Guardian Nan, you…”

Zhu Nanxian raised his eyes, glancing at him. “I’m not doing this to save you.” He said, “Only if you leave alive will the townspeople not bear this inexplicable debt.”

Having said this, without waiting for Jiang Jiutong to speak further, he grabbed his arm, about to escape through the back window with him.

Just then, gradually approaching footsteps suddenly came from outside. Before long, a familiar voice transmitted. “Miss Jiang came? And brought two people with her?”

It was Yao Youcai.

Zhu Nanxian’s heart sank. Besides himself, there were three people in the room. This room was on the second floor. He had no way to safely take all three away before Yao Youcai entered. But if he only took Su Jin, wouldn’t this trip be wasted?

The footsteps outside grew closer and closer. As he was considering, he raised his eyes and met Su Jin’s gaze.

She was also looking at him. In an instant, she glanced toward the main entrance outside.

Zhu Nanxian understood. Right, since Yao Youcai had delivered himself to the door, they might as well take this opportunity to thoroughly clarify everything they wanted to ask and know.

Yao Youcai was followed by over ten bailiffs. He pushed the door open on both sides. With hands behind his back, full of official airs, he stepped over the threshold, calling loudly, “Master Jiang, Miss Jiang—”

However, what greeted him was a dagger held against his neck.

Su Jin circled out from behind the door with a calm smile. “Magistrate Yao.”