Inside the guest quarters, Ling and Lou, along with the Cheng siblings, stood around the bed observing the injured man lying upon it, each with different expressions.

“…This person is Di Wu Cheng, isn’t it?” Cheng Shaogong said both doubtfully and timidly. “It’s not that my eyes are poor.”

Shaoshang said: “Elder Brother isn’t mistaken. It is indeed Di Wu Cheng.” Though his face was swollen like spoiled pork, it was definitely the genuine person.

—The fact that it was Di Wu Cheng made this troublesome! Cheng Shaogong’s head grew as large as a bushel: “If I remember correctly, Di Wu Cheng departed the capital together with…” He glanced at Ling Buyi. “Together with Yuan Shen.”

Ling Buyi pondered briefly before asking: “A’Yao, tell us the full story.”

Lou Yao, knowing something was amiss, hurriedly said: “Five or six days ago, while making my routine inspection of the surrounding countryside, as I passed by a small mountain to the east, my household guards discovered this man at the mountain’s foot. Because his clothing was refined and his hands bore the calluses of long years gripping sword and blade, I thought there must be hidden circumstances, so I brought him back to the estate for treatment. Who knew his injuries were exceptionally severe—not only was his body a bloody mess from the fall, but he’s remained unconscious ever since. I’ve changed physicians skilled in external injuries several times, even bringing in famous doctors from neighboring counties, yet nothing has improved. Only occasionally do we hear him mumbling in delirium, shouting things like ‘hurry and report.’ Beyond this, we know nothing of his background.”

“The eastern small mountain? Is it Chicken Crow Mountain?” Ling Buyi asked.

Lou Yao confirmed it was.

Cheng Shaogong was deeply impressed: “To think that a peerless master like Di Wu Cheng would fall from a cliff in such a place!”

“If Elder Brother had gone along to investigate earlier, you wouldn’t be saying such things.” Shaoshang said ungraciously. “That Chicken Crow Mountain is barely taller than the small hill in our family’s back garden. Forget Di Wu Cheng—even A’Zhu and Ou’er couldn’t fall from it!”

Cheng Shaogong rubbed his forehead: “Right, doesn’t Lord Ling have capable men under his command who can deduce movements and trails from scattered clues? Why not have Magistrate Lou produce the clothing this great hero Di Wu wore that day for Lord Ling’s scouts to examine?”

Shaoshang smiled without warmth: “Elder Brother truly has wisdom and talent.”

Ling Buyi chuckled—Lou Yao had been hospitable and enthusiastic since childhood, meticulous to a fault.

Before Cheng Shaogong could smile smugly, Lou Yao said awkwardly: “Well… you see, on the day this great hero entered the estate, my servants had already washed, starched, and mended all his torn and dirty clothes.”

Cheng Shaogong was speechless.

Ling Buyi shook his head, raised his arms to fold back both sleeves, then bent down to examine Di Wu Cheng’s injuries—from neck to chest, then to both arms. Especially Di Wu Cheng’s pair of iron palms were covered with wounds. His pale fingertips touched each dark red injury one by one, as well as the tiger’s mouth area covered with tiny scars. He examined carefully, his expression growing increasingly grave.

“How is it? How is it?” Shaoshang was held two steps away from the bed by her rigid elder brother and could only crane her neck to ask urgently.

Ling Buyi lowered his sleeves and said in a heavy voice: “Di Wu Cheng’s injuries appear to be from falling off a cliff, but were actually left from tumbling and rolling among jagged mountain rocks. Beneath these injuries are wounds from curved sharp blades…” He pointed to a vague distortion hidden beneath a large bloody scar, his brow furrowing tightly. “I’m afraid we must visit those two fortified estates.”

“Did the great hero Di Wu escape from those two fortified estates? How can you tell?” Lou Yao blurted out, then realized: “Elder Brother, I didn’t mean to doubt you.”

Cheng Shaogong said sarcastically: “Though you say you don’t mean to doubt him, doubting in your heart amounts to the same thing.”

Lou Yao lacked such eloquent tongue skills and immediately flushed red.

Shaoshang was furious: “What nonsense is Third Brother spouting! A’Yao merely spoke casually—does that warrant pinning false accusations on him!”

Shaogong smiled without speaking. Shaoshang noticed Ling Buyi glance at her quickly and took a deep breath: “What I mean is, isn’t this obvious? First, given Di Wu Cheng’s severe injuries, he should have been unable to flee far, so those who harmed him must be in the surrounding area. Second, this area has flat terrain—within a hundred li radius, only those two fortified estates are surrounded by sharp, rugged mountain rocks for defensive purposes. Third, Di Wu Cheng’s martial arts are superior. With his skills, those capable of injuring a court general while surrounded by elite forces—if it were merely ordinary territory, how could they trap him?”

Lou Yao let out an “oh”: “I see, so indeed those two fortified estates are most suspicious… What should we do next?” He hesitated. “After all, I am the county magistrate—it wouldn’t be improper to simply visit and inquire.”

Shaoshang instinctively objected: “How can you just search these local powerful clans with private armies as you please? Moreover, one of them must be completely uninvolved. A’Yao, if you rashly offend people, how will you conduct business locally in the future? In my view, why not send someone to request an official warrant from the commandery governor?”

Cheng Shaogong laughed aloud: “Shaoshang, have you thought this through? Saving lives brooks no delay. Going to and from Anguo Commandery’s administrative seat would take at least four or five days. Who knows—it might be this brief delay that costs Yuan Shen his life.”

Shaoshang turned her head: “A’Yao, you should go immediately after all. Saving lives is urgent.”

Lou Yao: …

Ling Buyi smiled slightly, the tight furrow between his brows relaxing somewhat. He said: “There’s no need to make things so difficult. A’Yao, in a moment have someone carry Di Wu Cheng to those two fortified estates. Just say that the heir of the Jiaodong Yuan clan, Yuan Shen, has been missing for many days. This person holds an important status and is favored by the Emperor—we cannot be negligent. Request that both family heads help search for him.”

Lou Yao was somewhat confused: “If those two families truly send people to search everywhere, how will we enter the fortified estates?”

“Just say that early this morning, Di Wu Cheng woke up and said Yuan Shen has fallen into his family’s hands.”

“When did Di Wu Cheng ever say such a thing? Moreover, he hasn’t woken up.” Lou Yao grew even more confused.

“It’s not that he hasn’t woken—it’s that he fainted again on the way to the fortified estate.” Ling Buyi was very patient.

The Cheng siblings let out a sound. Shaogong’s mouth twitched: “Good idea. After all, Di Wu Cheng can’t wake up—there’s no evidence to contradict. Even if Magistrate Lou insists Di Wu Cheng identified his fortified estate as capturing Yuan Shen, no one can refute it.”

Shaoshang said worriedly: “What if they refuse to admit it no matter what? Won’t alerting them harm Young Master… Yuan’s life instead?”

Ling Buyi slowly lowered his broad sleeves: “These past days, A’Yao has been making a great commotion seeking famous physicians. If we were going to alert them, we already have. If they didn’t kill Yuan Shen then, there must be reasons they couldn’t kill him—they won’t kill him now either.”

Shaoshang felt somewhat reassured.

Lou Yao was a man of action and immediately sought people to carry Di Wu Cheng. Shaoshang wanted to accompany them, but Ling Buyi said: “Shaogong, go with A’Yao. A’Yao, you just righteously demand they hand over Yuan Shen. Shaogong, you hide behind and carefully observe how those two families react. Both of you go and return quickly. Regardless of what those two families say, hurry back to report to me.”

Though Shaoshang felt unwilling in her heart, she never contradicted Ling Buyi’s authority in front of others.

Cheng Shaogong mourned his departed leisurely days, reluctantly following Lou Yao out the door. Shaoshang followed behind, nagging incessantly: “Third Brother, look carefully and use your skill at reading people’s faces…”

Shaogong said ungraciously: “Stop your nonsense—this is all your fault, making me rush about everywhere!”

“How is this my fault!” Shaoshang protested.

“Right now I must follow the orders of your former former fiancé, accompanying your former former former fiancé to find your former fiancé. You tell me if this is your fault or not!”

Cheng Shaogong swept his sleeves and departed—fortunately he only had one younger sister. If there were a few more, he would definitely leave home to cultivate the Way.

…

Those two fortified estates were situated at the border between Yu and Xu Provinces, each about seventy or eighty li from Yao County seat but not far from each other—at most five or six li apart. Connecting the three locations from above formed a narrow isosceles triangle.

The two fortified estates were reportedly built during the pre-Qin era—there was a pair of brothers who somehow made their fortune and settled here. Who knew that after the First Emperor unified the realm and forcefully implemented the Shang Yang legal code requiring all adult males to separate their households, these brothers constructed these two fortified estates not far from each other.

Later, as war frequently came and dynasties changed, the two fortified estates fell into disrepair several times and changed hands repeatedly. Now the two families occupying and expanding these fortified estates—one surnamed Li, who claimed without batting an eye to be descendants of the Daoist ancestor Laozi; the other surnamed Tian, who followed suit by declaring their family descended from the former Qi royal house. There was no helping it—it was traditional custom. Without pinning a gleaming ancestor to your family, you’d be embarrassed to call yourself a successful person.

Magistrate Lou carried an injured man and brought along a divine charlatan, apprehensively going to extort people. Shaoshang watched them depart with worry, then turned and ran to the study to question Ling Buyi, only to find he had summoned his subordinates and was issuing orders with a cold, solemn expression.

“…Zhang Shan, take my warrant to the administrative seats to the west and borrow troops—borrow as many as possible, and you must return within two days. Liangqiu Qi, ride swiftly to the Yanzhou main camp to find Master Ouyang and have him transmit orders to all provinces and counties—if there’s any news of the Crown Prince’s party, immediately detain them and absolutely do not let them come to Yuzhou! Li Si, go find the Governor of Liang Province and tell him to stop worrying about the west for now and lead his army here as quickly as possible. A’Fei, run along this eastern line and warn these commandery governors and county magistrates to be extremely careful of plots against the Crown Prince.”

The four men showed not the slightest doubt, clasping their fists to receive orders and departing. Shaoshang listened with her heart pounding. Ling Buyi saw her: “You’ve come at just the right time. Take inventory of the remaining firearms in your possession—bring out however many you have. If your convoy is storing materials, you might as well rush to make some more these two days for reserve. I remember your convoy has several craftsmen with decent skills—lend them to me.”

Shaoshang had words stuck in her throat but ultimately said nothing, turning to give instructions below—making a mental note to remind Lou Yao later that as an official with rank, he should learn to read his superior’s mood. If matters were urgent and the atmosphere tense, don’t ask too many questions—just handle business first.

She returned to the courtyard housing her convoy, first clearing out all the injured and entrusting them to the Lou family steward. Then she had the household guards who had been resting idly these days prepare bowstrings, blades, and horses for potential battle. Next she inventoried the remaining firearms and personally oversaw the extraction of fire oil, saltpeter, gunpowder and other materials hidden in the bottom layers of several supply wagons, personally supervising the configuration of secret weapons.

These actions naturally alarmed He Zhaojun. Despite her postpartum weakness, she had servants carry her to find Shaoshang. Shaoshang quickly invited her into an inner room and, after briefly explaining, consoled her: “…That’s the situation. Actually, I’m not entirely clear what’s happened either, but Lord Huo must have his reasons for acting this way. Don’t worry—no matter what, I won’t let anything happen to you or A’Yao.”

He Zhaojun’s mood settled somewhat, then asked: “My father left me two hundred retainers. Though they’ve seen little battle these years, they’re still stronger than ordinary village militia. You needn’t borrow troops everywhere—just use them!”

A sense of intellectual superiority immediately surged through Shaoshang’s mind. She said smugly: “You husband and wife should grow some sense! Didn’t you hear the problem in what I just said? Lord Huo sent subordinates to borrow troops from western administrative seats but refuses to mobilize forces from nearby eastern commanderies—why is that? There are four or five counties where Yuzhou and Xuzhou border each other. Do you know exactly where trouble will break out? As the saying goes: when the enemy doesn’t move, we don’t move. Once something happens somewhere, all parties can gather immediately. Do you or don’t you understand this principle!”

He Zhaojun, having been sprayed with criticism, retorted: “I may not understand this principle, but didn’t you also only figure it out after hearing Lord Ling’s instructions?”

Shaoshang was left speechless—Fine, you’ve got nerve. In the end, she could only say: “Alright, go back to your room and rest. I’m leaving behind the accompanying maids, cooks, and injured—you look after them.”

Thus busily occupied until nightfall, Ling Buyi finally found time to seek her out.

The evening breeze blew gently. The tall, handsome young man wore a moon-white everyday robe embroidered with silver thread, his garment lapels fluttering in the wind, his posture straight and upright, clear and brilliant. Meanwhile, Shaoshang had just emerged from the preparation room, her hair disheveled, forehead sweating, both sleeves bound high, her body still wrapped in a pitch-black apron.

Ling Buyi chuckled softly. Shaoshang said displeased: “Are you laughing at how disheveled I look? The newly prepared firearms won’t be shared with you!”

Ling Buyi showed no annoyance, pulling her to sit in the pavilion: “I’m not laughing at your dishevelment. I was just remembering that year in the hunting lodge outside Hua County—you looked the same way then, wearing arm protectors and an apron, all messy.”

Shaoshang remembered and sighed: “Thinking about it now, aside from palace days, most times I’ve met you I’ve been in sorry states. Either doing bad things under a bridge, or frozen stiff on horseback unable to dismount, or else wailing pitifully waiting for rescue.”

Ling Buyi was slightly surprised, then smiled: “You feel disheveled, but I find those appearances of yours quite endearing.”

Shaoshang sighed: “His Majesty really should hear these words—all those marriage matches he sought for you were wrong.”

Ling Buyi laughed heartily, drawing the girl into his embrace. The two leaned together shoulder to shoulder.

Shaoshang said with a bitter face: “Perhaps I shouldn’t go out anymore. Why does something always happen whenever I leave?”

Ling Buyi rubbed her hair, saying gently: “It won’t be like this. When extremity is reached, reversal follows. You’ve exhausted all the upheaval you were meant to experience in your first twenty-some years—from now on things will go smoothly with peaceful, stable days.”

Shaoshang looked up at him, smiling sweetly: “The same for you. You’ve already eaten all the bitterness meant for a lifetime—from now on there will be no more hardship or danger.”

The moonlight was cool as gauze. The windlass by the water well near the pavilion moved slightly, making soft creaking sounds—fire preparation most fears water accidents, so Shaoshang had chosen this preparation room in a courtyard with a well.

Ling Buyi removed his outer robe and placed it on the stone table, walked to the well and rolled up his sleeves. Without using the windlass, with a light wave and shake of one arm he drew up a bucket of clear water from the well. His shoulders were broad and back straight, waist lean and strong—when bending, he resembled a rainbow bridge spanning a ridge, both stable and graceful. Shaoshang watched somewhat entranced, suddenly thinking that in the future she too could have such a handsome, tall son—how wonderful life would be.

Ling Buyi, unaware of her thoughts, drew a silk handkerchief from his bosom, dampened it in the clear water, then came over to wipe the dust and sweat from her cheeks. Her tender, luminous white skin showed vigorous vitality, like a stubborn flower bud just emerging from a branch. He said softly: “Mother most loved tending flowers and plants with her own hands. She’d often get her face covered in mud, and Father would wipe it for her.”

Shaoshang looked at his face somewhat dazed and said casually: “Why don’t you call me Mother then?”

Ling Buyi’s hand stopped. Shaoshang quickly waved her hands: “Ah no no no no! I’m not taking advantage of you, nor disrespecting the departed. I’m just tired and talking nonsense.”

Ling Buyi’s eyes flowed with light, quiet yet reproachful.

Seeing he wouldn’t hold it against her, Shaoshang quickly changed the subject: “I heard you had people quarry many large stone blocks. What are they for?”

Ling Buyi went back to the water bucket to wring out the handkerchief again, returning to wipe her hands: “Making a simple battering ram.”

Shaoshang first made a sound of acknowledgment, then cried out in alarm: “What what what—you’re going to attack those two fortified estates? But Third Brother and the others haven’t returned yet. How do you know something’s wrong with them? Aren’t you worrying too much?”

Ling Buyi scraped her nose, smiling: “How I’ve managed to stay alive and well until today has been precisely through worrying excessively and being prepared for contingencies.”

Shaoshang’s heart stirred as she looked into his deep brown eyes: “…You’re not Father-in-law. You won’t encounter someone like Ling Yi.”

Ling Buyi folded the handkerchief neatly and squarely, placing it beside the stone table, saying lightly: “…I’m truly not like my father. If someone like Ling Yi showed even slight signs, I would never let him live past three days.”

Ling Yi’s cowardice and fear of death hadn’t been without warning, but Ling Chong always believed he was merely timid, not yet to the point of betraying trust. On one hand, Ling Chong was upright and honorable, unwilling to easily suspect others; on the other hand, considering his sister’s feelings, he always thought the best of his brother-in-law.

Shaoshang was silent for a while: “You expend such exhaustive effort not merely to save Yuan Shen, is that right?”

Ling Buyi gazed at the girl: “Since discovering Di Wu Cheng until now, you haven’t mentioned Yuan Shen once. Are you afraid he’ll die?”

Shaoshang closed her eyes, her voice trembling slightly: “In public he always pretended to be modest and courteous, but only mentioned to me that in the future he wanted to reach the highest ministerial rank with glory lasting three generations. I truly never imagined that he… he might die in such an obscure small place… You’re not suspecting I still have lingering feelings for him, are you?”

Ling Buyi smiled: “Of course not.” Actually, what he was thinking was that forget “lingering feelings”—even if Yuan and Cheng’s affections were at their height, he would still insert himself between them. How much less mere “lingering feelings.”

“Tell me honestly—is the current situation not very good?” Shaoshang said.

Ling Buyi pondered, then said slowly: “You were right about one thing—His Majesty pacified the realm too quickly, leaving many hidden troubles. The general situation of the realm is like uneven mountains. If an overwhelming flood of rocks and earth buried everything, though casualties would be severe, all the unevenness would be gone. But instead…”

He didn’t continue, but instead said: “While you were staying with Lady Qu reminiscing, General Wu had already quelled several of the most fierce rebellions. Especially Xuzhou—because it’s strategically located and a military necessity, several armies coordinated efforts and cleared it out early. Only then did the Crown Prince conceive the notion of traveling incognito. However, shortly after His Highness departed, news came of Shi Xin’s rebellion in Shu Commandery.”

Shaoshang anxiously stood up: “If the situation is this serious, quickly send a large army to help! How can we be enough alone!”

“Where is there a large army?” Ling Buyi asked quietly.

Shaoshang started: “Then… what about the Yanzhou main camp?”

“The Yanzhou main camp is already empty.”

Shaoshang sat down in a daze.

“The court only has so many men, the national treasury only so much wealth, provisions and grain. The northwestern and northern desert garrison troops cannot be moved—otherwise the grassland and desert tribes will smell blood and ride into the Central Plains. General Wu has gone south to Shu Commandery to suppress Shi Xin. The other generals each lead armies continuing to quell unrest in Qing, You, and Ji Provinces. The Yanzhou main camp has long been empty. If not for watching over the Crown Prince, I too should have gone with General Wu to Shu—the General’s health hasn’t been good lately. He’s getting on in years, and these years of military campaigns have accumulated injuries and illness. His Majesty has been very worried.”

Shaoshang’s heart rose and fell anxiously, finally saying irritably: “It’s all His Highness the Crown Prince’s fault for running around! Once we find him this time, we absolutely cannot allow him to act recklessly again!”

Ling Buyi smiled: “His Highness still acts with method. He disguised himself as a noble family’s young master traveling the realm. The Crown Prince’s guards and Tiger Guards either openly or covertly protect him, and he periodically sends people back to report his safety. Nothing has happened in all this time out, it’s just…”

“It’s just the fear of someone deliberately causing harm.” Shaoshang supplied.

Ling Buyi sighed: “In any case, with traces of the Gongsun remnants and Yuan Shen and his household troops mysteriously missing, I cannot feel at ease. I have a vague feeling in my heart that if we can discover the whereabouts of Yuan Shen’s party, the Crown Prince’s danger will resolve itself.”

Shaoshang propped her chin in thought, then said seriously: “You’re right. Let’s find the Yuan family group first! The Yuan clan has also weathered decades of storms, and Governor Yuan served as a frontier official for many years. The guards and retainers he assigned to his only son are definitely not ordinary! Yet these retainers and household servants all vanished without a sound—clearly there must be sinister circumstances. Which of those two fortified estates do you think is more suspicious?”

“The Tian family estate.” Ling Buyi said. “I’ve observed the terrain—it’s easy to defend and hard to attack, surrounded on all sides. With such terrain, even if the Yuan clan’s sons are brave and skilled in battle, their numbers are ultimately insufficient. Once lured into the trap and slowly annihilated, outsiders might not notice.”

“Good! Then let’s prepare properly. I want to see what impressive walls can withstand my gunpowder!”

The two discussed matters thus, both thinking they were eighty or ninety percent certain. Who knew plans couldn’t keep pace with changes—the next day, the news Lou Yao and Cheng Shaogong brought back was rather amusing.

The Tian family estate’s head was young while the Li family estate’s head was older. Following general logic, the former must be hot-tempered and impetuous while the latter would be smooth and moderate. Who knew that when Lou and Cheng went to practice their deception, Master Tian was all smiles and compliance, repeatedly saying he welcomed searches of his fortified estate anytime to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, the middle-aged Master Li was impressively domineering—not only did he spray Lou and Cheng’s faces with spittle, cursing everyone from the Emperor’s land survey decree down to Liang Wuji’s governance until nothing remained, stopping just short of setting dogs on them.

Shaoshang asked again about the details of the Li and Tian families. Lou Yao grew awkward, mumbling: “Previously these two fortified estates weren’t within my county’s jurisdiction—it was Magistrate Wang of the neighboring county who managed them. This year Governor Liang only transferred that territory into Yao County, so… many matters aren’t clear.”

“Why is that?” Shaoshang didn’t understand.

Ling Buyi smiled: “Probably because of the land survey decree. Those two fortified estates must wield considerable power locally and have maintained good relations with officials for years. Governor Liang, fearing the local county magistrate would show favoritism and leniency, pulled the rug out from under them and directly transferred that territory for A’Yao to administer—rendering all their previous efforts useless.”

“No wonder His Majesty always praises Governor Liang—he truly has capability!” Shaoshang was impressed. So many provincial and commandery officials were demoted or executed for poor implementation of the land survey decree, yet Liang Wuji stood out excellently. Lady Qu Ling had truly married the right man this time.

Though she said this, the current situation wasn’t very good. Lou Yao only knew those two fortified estates’ coverage area, farmland, households, clan genealogies and so forth—everything else about the estate masters’ character, family circumstances, and social connections was completely murky.

Normally, a local official’s female relatives would have some contact with local powerful clan women, but He Zhaojun had been extremely nervous since becoming pregnant. For this past half year, prioritizing fetal health and quiet rest, she hadn’t even left the county seat gates. Only Lou Yan had represented her sister-in-law in attending a few flower-viewing banquets and summer cooling gatherings.

“A’Yan said that though Master Tian is young, he has numerous concubines—he has three or four wives of equal rank alone. It was noisy and chaotic at the banquets, so she couldn’t distinguish clearly. Master Li has a somewhat bad reputation—supposedly each wife he marries dies. Locally, no families of appropriate status were willing to marry him anymore, so a few years ago he had to bring in a wife from elsewhere. However, Master Li’s new wife is frail and sickly, rarely going out. A’Yan has only seen her a few times.” Lou Yao struggled to recall his cousin’s account.

“Mm, one with three or four wives, another who’s killed countless wives—these two families make a neat matched couplet.” Shaoshang quipped.

Ling Buyi smiled and glanced at the witty, playful girl, then asked Lou and Cheng their impressions of the two families. This was when Cheng Shaogong’s keen observational skills showed their worth.

Lou Yao said hesitantly: “From how both families responded, the Tian family should be innocent and clear—otherwise they wouldn’t openly allow us to search. That Li family adamantly refuses to obey, violent and unbearable—they must be improper.”

“Not so. I observe that this Tian Shuo’s (Tian family estate master) narrow forehead, sunken jaw, and gloomy brow don’t resemble an upright person, completely at odds with his high-sounding words. Moreover, this person’s pretense is excessive—great loyalty resembles treachery. His earnest hospitality borders on falseness.” Cheng Shaogong said.

Ling Buyi nodded: “Correct. Unless there are special circumstances, for one’s own fortress to be searched at will by local officials, yet still greeting them with smiles—if all the powerful clans under heaven were this agreeable, we wouldn’t have smoke rising on all sides now due to resistance against the land survey decree.”

Lou Yao said dumbly: “Could the Li family actually be innocent?” He couldn’t help rubbing the arm nearly bitten by a vicious dog.

Cheng Shaogong’s expression was grave: “Actually, I find Li Kuo (Li family estate master) very strange too. When this person rants and raves, he’s utterly insufferable, simply arrogant beyond measure. Griping about Governor Liang for a few sentences would be one thing, but he even cursed His Majesty and the court’s decrees—isn’t he afraid of the court settling accounts with him once matters calm down?”

Shaoshang rubbed her chilled neck: “But I’ve seen the Li family estate’s terrain—not only is it flat and open on all sides with no cover or concealment, it’s also adjacent to the commandery’s largest marketplace. When Yuan Shen went out, he brought at least two hundred guards. Even if he was confused, the retainers beside him would know not to let everyone enter the fortified estate—it’s easy to close the door and beat the dog. If some people stayed outside, when actual fighting broke out, how could nearby commoners have no awareness whatsoever?”

Having reached this point in the conversation, they seemed to have hit a dead end. The three looked together at Ling Buyi.

Ling Buyi remained completely unmoved, saying calmly: “Since the Tian family is willing to let us search, we’ll go give them a search.”

No time should be wasted. Ling Buyi immediately led troops out of the city. The Cheng siblings accompanied them. Originally they planned to have Lou Yao remain to guard the county seat, but He Zhaojun insisted her husband go along, even dividing half the He clan retainers to follow. She said firmly: “I’m here at the county seat. I’ll tightly close the city gates and carefully guard. You go attend to important matters.”

Shaoshang understood her intention—if Lou Yao could earn some merit before the Crown Prince, his future prospects would go much more smoothly. She smiled: “In earlier years you wouldn’t even let A’Yao take a provincial post, but now you’re willing to be ruthless.”

He Zhaojun sighed: “People must always grow up. Before, there was clan and elder brothers for protection—I could be willful about everything. Now it’s different. We must think more about the children. The predecessors plant trees so descendants enjoy the shade.”

Shaoshang was quite moved but joked: “You’ve only just given birth to one son and already keep saying ‘the children.’ Lady Ancheng, you’re thinking quite far ahead.”

He Zhaojun rolled her eyes: “Well, there’s also you! With you present, A’Yao won’t come to harm!”

Shaoshang was defeated again—as the saying goes well, even the sharpest-tongued maiden shouldn’t engage in verbal sparring with a married little wife. The ancients truly don’t deceive.

They set out at midday that day. Along the way they passed through several peaceful, harmonious villages. Under the dry, fragrant autumn sunlight, ripe golden crops formed brilliant, joyful waves of wheat stretching as far as the eye could see, refreshing the spirit. The Ling and Cheng party didn’t wish to disturb the busy harvesting farmers, so they camped and rested outdoors that night, arriving near the Tian family fortified estate the next morning.

Looking at the dense, shaded forest surrounding the fortified estate’s perimeter, with trees of varying heights and thicknesses as if planted in different years, Ling Buyi raised his hand lightly from the saddle—moving like an arm directing fingers, the army stopped in unison, then dismounted to proceed on foot. Shaoshang led the now quite tall Little Flower Horse, walking among towering giant trees requiring several people to encircle, occasionally using her palm to feel the rough, sturdy bark, sighing: “Some trees in this forest must be over a hundred years old.”

She looked toward Ling Buyi. “Is it proper to just enter like this? Won’t we also be lured into a trap and stewed in one pot?” Such a dense, towering forest was practically a natural barrier—no matter how noisy the fighting inside, nothing could be heard outside.

Ling Buyi led his horse over, saying patiently: “Yuan Shen only had about two hundred men, so naturally they could be caught in one net. I brought five hundred elite troops, plus your and A’Yao’s people—at least seven or eight hundred. No matter how dense this forest is, it can’t contain us all.”

Shaoshang felt somewhat reassured and asked again: “Say, did Yuan Shen’s group truly meet with trouble here?”

“Hard to say—we need to investigate carefully to know. In any case, I feel something’s not right here.”

Shaoshang walked forward with head lowered, suddenly saying: “Why didn’t you leave me at the county seat to keep He Zhaojun company? Since it’s so dangerous here, you actually agreed to bring me along.”

The corners of Ling Buyi’s lips lifted slightly as he teased: “When you’re by water, there might be towering waves. When you’re by mountains, landslides could occur. When you’re at heaven’s edge, who knows if Mount Buzhou might collapse again. I’m not very confident about you—you’re safest staying by my side.”

Shaoshang said softly: “But you can’t bring me along for a whole lifetime.”

Ling Buyi suddenly stopped, staring at her without blinking. Shaoshang met his gaze, then both simultaneously turned their heads.

The Tian clan fortified estate was built magnificently imposing. When the three or four zhang tall arched gate slowly opened inward, Shaoshang felt as if entering a hollow, shadowy mountain cave—empty, cold, mixed with an unpleasant damp atmosphere.

As everyone entered, the Tian family was conducting a strange sacrificial ritual.

On a wide circular platform danced seven or eight shamans adorned with colored ribbons. They either raised bell staffs or beat hand drums, hair disheveled, dancing wildly, circling a completely jet-black robust bull in constant rotation and synchronized chanting. Additionally, four bare-chested strong men wielding sharp knives stood by according to the four directions of east, south, west, and north.

The enormous pitch-black bull emitted low, angry bellows that made eardrums buzz, its muscular limbs constantly struggling. However, several wrist-thick iron chains bound it firmly to a tall stone platform.

Kneeling directly facing the bull’s head was a young man—precisely the Tian family master Tian Shuo. He wore all white, hands raised toward heaven, murmuring along with the shamans’ chanting and dancing.

The chanting and dancing grew increasingly intense. Several shamans’ faces turned red as dripping blood, their behavior crazed and manic, the incantations from their mouths growing ever more rapid and fierce—like a bowstring pulled tighter and tighter nearly to breaking point. The oldest shaman suddenly shouted sharply “Rise!”—like a sharp blade puncturing heavy, dark midnight. The four strong men simultaneously thrust knives straight into the bull’s belly, cleanly cutting through the solid bovine flesh and bone.

The bull emitted a startlingly high, mournful cry, its four limbs kicking violently in fierce struggle. Bright red hot blood shot out like sharp swords, splashing the surrounding shamans’ heads and faces. The four knife-wielders were covered in fresh blood, like the coldest butchers, skillfully and swiftly drawing their blades, then each extracting something from the bull’s belly—respectively the heart, liver, spleen, and lungs.

This ancient, bloody sacrifice made Shaoshang both unable to bear watching and frightened, causing her to retreat two steps.

Four young shamans used golden plates to respectively hold up these four bull organs, following the old shaman to stand before Tian Shuo.

The old shaman extended his withered, dry right hand, picking up the still-beating bull heart and smearing it across Tian Shuo’s forehead, followed by the liver on the right cheek, spleen on the left cheek, lungs on the lower jaw. The bloody organs still wriggled with misty heat. The surrounding concubines and maidservants couldn’t bear to watch directly, yet Tian Shuo closed his eyes and smiled as if thoroughly enjoying it.

Finally, the old shaman carefully examined that face covered in animal blood several times, grinning to reveal black and yellow mottled teeth: “…Master, rest assured. Heaven has responded—your wish will certainly be fulfilled.”

The bluestone plaza filled with intense bloody odor. Shaoshang felt somewhat unable to endure it. Ling Buyi had originally been staring at the surrounding Tian family retainers, but noticing the girl’s unsteady form, he extended his arm to draw her to his side.

After the ritual ended, everyone was invited to rest in the flower hall. When Tian Shuo emerged after bathing and changing clothes, Cheng Shaogong had already grown impatient and begun pacing around the hall. Lou Yao stepped forward to explain the purpose of their visit to Tian Shuo, though his expression was awkward, clearly showing insufficient cultivation. Cheng Shaogong was much more naturally gifted, shamelessly expressing that “mainly because the master invited us so earnestly, we truly came to search.”

The young Tian family master wasn’t as unprepossessing as Cheng Shaogong had described. Setting aside his gloomy, difficult-to-read complexion, his facial features alone could be called handsome and refined. Hearing the request clearly, he actually raised his right hand quite readily: “I’ve long admired Lord Ling’s great name—it resounds like thunder. Now having the fortune to make a small contribution, how dare I refuse? Please, gentlemen, do as you wish.” He even instructed servants to have concubines and family members wait in outside courtyards, not to obstruct the search.

Ling Buyi’s face remained expressionless as he clasped his fists perfunctorily, too lazy to exchange pleasantries with this person. He directly led soldiers and Lou Yao’s party to search in all directions, leaving the Cheng siblings with a large contingent of guards waiting in the flower hall.

Tian Shuo seemed to have no objection whatsoever, smiling to present an attitude of “as you please,” sitting calmly in place.

After waiting over an hour, Tian Shuo had servants present a fresh food table for the third time, earnestly inviting the Cheng siblings to continue enjoying refreshments and wine.

Cheng Shaogong couldn’t help asking: “Dare I ask—the sacrificial ritual the master performed earlier, was it perhaps imitating what pre-Qin classics record, using living creatures as sacrifice to beseech wishes fulfilled?”

Tian Shuo’s eyes flashed: “Master Cheng is widely learned and knowledgeable—precisely correct.”

“Are those classics available?” Cheng Shaogong’s heart itched unbearably.

Tian Shuo smiled, then had a servant bring an ancient, worn bamboo scroll. Cheng Shaogong impatiently began reading through it.

Tian Shuo glanced at the girl sitting by the window in silent contemplation—snow-white skin, flower-like beauty, naturally composed bearing, even more bright and comfortable than autumn sunlight. He made no effort to hide his appreciative gaze, smiling as he walked over: “Though this humble one dwells in the countryside, I’ve heard that Miss Cheng served the Dowager Consort of Prince Huai’an for many years. Not only are you talented and intelligent, you’re also one of the capital’s foremost beauties. Seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved.”

Shaoshang raised her eyelids slightly: “Flattering words. However, shouldn’t Young Master Tian ask why I, a mere young woman without office or position, have the qualification to accompany today’s search of your estate?”

Tian Shuo smiled: “If Miss Cheng wishes to speak, speak. If you don’t wish to speak, don’t speak.”

“That’s wonderful then. This matter is rather troublesome to explain, so I won’t speak of it.” Shaoshang said. “This young woman has another question—if Young Master wishes to speak, speak; if you don’t wish to speak, then don’t.”

Tian Shuo paused, then said: “Miss Cheng may ask freely.”

Shaoshang said: “In that sacrificial ritual just now, what wish was the young master seeking?”

Tian Shuo’s eyes flashed: “Since it’s a wish, it cannot be spoken—speaking it makes it ineffective. What does Miss Cheng think?” He lowered his voice, his eyes revealing greedy desire, then leaned forward closer. He originally thought the girl would shyly retreat a little, but unexpectedly the girl didn’t move a muscle, looking at him with cold expression.

Shaoshang detested this person’s gaze, saying coldly: “I don’t think anything of it. I’ve never pinned success or failure on a bull.”

Tian Shuo’s face turned cold: “Actually, according to the classical records, what should be sacrificed isn’t a bull.”

“Then what should be sacrificed?”

“Humans are the most spiritual of all things—naturally human sacrifice should be offered!” Tian Shuo’s eyes showed cruel, excited bloodshot veins. “Pity the court has long strictly forbidden human sacrifice.”

Shaoshang laughed lightly: “Whether human or animal sacrifice, all amount to praying for spirits and ghosts to bestow blessings. From childhood to now I’ve only learned one principle: though success depends on heaven, plotting depends on people! Young Master Tian, if you have wishes in your heart, don’t single-mindedly petition spirits and ghosts—you should also exert some effort to plan and scheme yourself.”

Tian Shuo said coldly: “How does Miss Cheng know I haven’t plotted and schemed?”

“Dare I ask what plotting Young Master Tian has done?”

Tian Shuo’s Adam’s apple rolled, sharp, thin teeth biting his extremely thin lips. He ultimately didn’t pick up this conversational thread, changing the subject: “…That old shaman also examined Miss Cheng’s countenance. Does the miss know what the old shaman said?”

Shaoshang said coolly: “What did he say?”

Tian Shuo slowly drew near the girl, saying in a low voice: “He said the miss has the countenance of abundant fertility with flourishing offspring. In the future when you marry and bear children, it will be like breaking ground for cultivation—fertile fields stretching for thousands of li…”

Shaoshang’s eyelid twitched. Was she being flirted with again? Sure enough, delicate flower appearances easily attract flies.

She smiled sweetly: “I think Young Master Tian shouldn’t speak frivolously to me at this moment.”

Tian Shuo’s tone turned wanton: “Is Miss Cheng perhaps embarrassed and angry?”

“Now that everything awaits revival, His Majesty has repeatedly decreed that provinces and counties encourage land cultivation and population growth. Oxen are especially forbidden to slaughter… Young Master Tian, the bull you killed just now was exceptionally robust and strong—it could probably match five or six strong laborers. If someone were to lodge a complaint with Governor Liang, who knows whether Young Master Tian might incur legal trouble?” Shaoshang smiled sweetly.

Tian Shuo’s face darkened, revealing the “gloomy” quality Cheng Shaogong mentioned: “That wasn’t a plow ox—it was a bull!”

“Harness it to a plow and it could still till fields.”

“Such a trifling matter—I’d like to see who would seek me out for trouble!”

“Under heaven, aside from absolutely unpardonable grave crimes like deceiving the sovereign or murder, most matters can be big or small. If I went crying to the Empress, would Young Master Tian consider killing a bull a big matter or a small matter?”

Tian Shuo nearly jumped up, shouting: “The Dowager Consort of Prince Huai’an you served was the deposed Empress Xuan. The current Empress is surnamed Yue. You might not have much influence before her!”

Shaoshang shook her wide sleeves and produced a small, exquisite, refined bronze tally with the two characters “Changqiu” (Eternal Autumn) inlaid in gold thread patterns: “Empress Yue gave this to me before I left. It won’t mobilize troops or grain, but obtaining food and lodging at post stations and from provincial governors isn’t difficult.”

—Actually, Empress Yue’s original words were even more dizzying. Seeing her decades-long companion, the old palace steward, growing increasingly aged and frail, she asked the about-to-depart Shaoshang “if you still don’t want to marry, you might as well serve me as palace steward for a few years”—nearly frightening His Majesty, who had waited with green-glowing eyes for his adopted son to marry and have children, into a lumbar disc herniation.

Tian Shuo’s face was gloomy. Suddenly he smiled: “Even if I was wrong, I’ll accept punishment. Surely the court won’t exterminate my entire clan over one bull?”

Shaoshang was slightly surprised—this fellow actually backed down so easily? So she pressed her advantage, deliberately being rude: “My maternal grandmother had seven sons and one daughter. My mother, while following her husband on campaign, also bore four sons and one daughter. I’ll have many children and good fortune without needing a shaman to say so! I say, Young Master Tian, your wealth is too easily swindled. No wonder I’ve heard that shamans from north and south all love coming to the Tian clan fortified estate!”

Cheng Shaogong heard laughter and looked up, not knowing what his sister had said. He only saw that Tian Shuo, who had been so calm and composed moments ago, was now trembling all over with rage, fists clenched tight, as if struggling to endure.

After searching for a full two hours, Ling Buyi and Lou Yao returned empty-handed. Tian Shuo seemed quite angered and didn’t even invite them to lunch before opening the gates to see them off. The party had to spend an extra half hour walking out of the forest surrounding the Tian family estate, making camp and cooking in an open wilderness with nice scenery.

Chewing tasteless, coarse food in the tent, Cheng Shaogong couldn’t help sighing: “Niaoniao, what exactly did you say to anger Tian Shuo like that! At least we could have had lunch before leaving.”

“Weren’t you afraid of poison in the food, Elder Brother?” Shaoshang glanced at her brother, then turned to ask Ling Buyi, “Where did you send A’Yao?”

Ling Buyi said: “I sent him to ask the Li family estate one more time whether they’ll let us search. If not, we’ll have to use force.” Though his tone was calm, the implied killing intent startled the Cheng siblings.

Shaoshang stammered: “You really didn’t find anything at all?”

Ling Buyi’s face was grave: “It was like it had been cleaned beforehand—cleaner than Old Ji’s Court of Judicial Review. Yuan Shen’s party of over two hundred—we need to see the living or see corpses. They can’t be hidden in small corners. Later I also sent people to feel around everywhere for secret mechanisms and passages—nothing whatsoever.”

Shaoshang frowned: “Could the Tian family truly have no connection to Yuan Shen’s disappearance?”

Ling Buyi paused his chopsticks in the bowl, smiling: “What do you think—is the Tian clan suspicious or not?”

“Suspicious.” Shaoshang didn’t hesitate. Ling Buyi asked why, and she said: “Just now that fellow Tian Shuo flirted with me, saying I was fertile fields stretching for thousands of li…”

“What?” Ling Buyi’s smile vanished. “He actually said such things!”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry—I didn’t suffer any loss. I got it all back!” Shaoshang quickly waved her hands. “Not only that, I deliberately provoked Tian Shuo’s anger. Third Brother, do you think Tian Shuo is someone who swallows insults?”

Cheng Shaogong swallowed his food: “Of course not! This person is clearly vengeful with a narrow mind.”

“Exactly. Just now I mocked him for being easily deceived by shamans, and said even more impolite things—I said, ‘Swindling your money, Young Master Tian, isn’t difficult at all. Just look at the sacrificial ground earlier—you have numerous concubines yet not a single child to be seen. Clearly you have difficulty with offspring. Haven’t you found a capable physiognomist to examine whether you have an obstacle in your fate, with thin connections to children?’…”

Ling Buyi’s expression eased slightly. Cheng Shaogong couldn’t bear listening: “You went too far with those words. Don’t hit people in the face; don’t expose shortcomings—especially regarding offspring continuation, such an enormous matter.”

“Yes, I know I went too far, but I did it deliberately.” Shaoshang’s eyes shone. “Anyone judging fairly would say my words were inappropriate, bullying too much. I originally thought Tian Shuo would at least argue with Elder Brother and Lord Huo. Who knew he actually endured it! Isn’t that very strange?” Originally Tian Shuo thought her soft and easy to bully, so he came to take verbal advantage. Who knew one bite nearly broke his teeth, yet he held back without retaliating.

“Correct. Though A’Yao and I found nothing, the Tian family’s strangeness became increasingly obvious.” Ling Buyi nodded. “Did you notice? The household guards and retainers within the Tian family estate were mostly elderly and weak.”

Shaoshang paused, recalling: “Hey, that’s true! Such a large fortified estate—whether protecting the master’s family or intimidating the countryside—would need at least a hundred able-bodied men.”

“Yesterday when asking for water at villages near the Tian clan estate, I observed those farmers held the Tian family in great awe. I don’t believe the Tian surname ‘governs with virtue.'” The corner of Ling Buyi’s mouth held a trace of cold smile.

“Where does Tian Shuo have any ‘virtue’? He’s more lacking in virtue than anything.” Shaoshang smirked, then turned serious. “So where did all those able-bodied men from his estate go? Hmm, definitely something wrong.”

Cheng Shaogong held his chopstick tip, eyes slanted: “I said long ago Tian Shuo was wrong. You two didn’t need to deliberate back and forth like this. Just looking at Tian Shuo’s face, I knew he was wrong!”

Shaoshang and Ling Buyi looked at him together.

At the first quarter of the afternoon hour, the Ling and Cheng party rendezvoused with Lou Yao outside the Li family estate, which stood in open terrain on all sides. After Lou Yao entered the tent, he said with difficulty: “Li Kuo refuses to open the gates no matter what. He even stood atop the city wall cursing. His words… his words were extremely disrespectful toward the court…”

Ling Buyi set down his map scrolls, saying lightly: “Then there’s nothing more to say. Take action.”

Hearing this, Shaoshang had people carry up the remaining few boxes of firearms like presenting treasures, muttering: “People are most important—use more fire attacks to reduce casualties…” Because they were for siege warfare, in these two days she’d rushed to make mostly firearms with good explosive effects. This time she spared no expense—several thunderbolt bombs among them were especially mighty and imposing.

Ling Buyi walked over, picked a few from the boxes to examine, and smiled: “Still, use them sparingly—don’t use them all up.”

He walked out of the tent with one hand behind his back, his pale, slender fingers pointing toward the fortified estate ahead: “This estate is constructed from massive stones. Can your firearms really blast it open?”

Shaoshang stood beside him, saying confidently: “Stone and stone aren’t the same. Some stone blocks are solid and immovable; others are loose and brittle. I’ve examined that stone wall—rest assured, it will definitely blast open!”

Ling Buyi looked at her creamy complexion, her puffed cheeks quite adorable. He suddenly kissed her and said in a low voice: “When we build our own fortified estate in the future, we’ll choose the best stones!”

Shaoshang covered her flushed cheeks, looking around as she spoke: “In the future if you have military operations in the northwest, you could also use these firearms.”

Ling Buyi shook his head: “These firearms burn too fiercely. If we truly set the grasslands ablaze, how could those ordinary herders and descendants of the northwestern remnants survive? I’d rather fight hard than set this precedent.”

Shaoshang’s eyes brightened. Her sweetheart was both brave in battle and kind-hearted—a first-rate excellent man under heaven. She stood on tiptoe to embrace his neck, forcefully kissing him beneath his beautifully curved jaw.

Ling Buyi’s heart softened, his gaze upon the girl seeming to hold flowing starlight.

…

A violent explosion opened the curtain on this small-scale siege battle. When had the Yuzhou countryside ever witnessed such earth-shattering scenes? Half the Li family guards atop the city walls immediately collapsed in terror.

Ling Buyi’s subordinate soldiers, trained and disciplined, divided into four groups: one group advanced onto the city walls amid the soul-shaking explosive sounds and fiery smoke; another used the newly made battering ram to smash open the estate’s main gate, then formed shield formations to protect heads and faces as they charged into the estate; the other two groups rotated replacements.

Attacking from late afternoon, halfway through reinforcements arrived—both Liangqiu Fei who’d gone to report and Zhang Shan who’d gone borrowing troops returned, making the offensive even fiercer. Fighting continued until the sky turned dusky yellow before the Li clan estate was breached.

Cheng Shaogong cupped his hands together, standing leisurely in the rear observing: “Swift as wind, quiet as forest, aggressive as fire, immovable as mountain, unfathomable as shadow, moving like thunderbolt… Truly formidable, formidable indeed!”

Shaoshang was both amused and exasperated: “Third Brother also followed our parents fighting all the way through. You avoid battle like needles—how did you get by in those years outside?”

Cheng Shaogong defended himself: “I’m not avoiding battle—I’m following Lord Ling’s instructions to watch over you and not let you run around wildly.”

“Without his instructions, would Third Brother charge into battle? I see A’Yao is injured—oh my, looks like his arm. They’re coming back, coming back!” Shaoshang pointed into the distance, standing on tiptoe straining to see.

“…Niaoniao, as your elder brother I’ll give you advice. For Lou Yao’s own good, try to show less concern for him.”

“Elder Brother’s at it again. Lord Huo says he no longer minds.”

“You dare believe what comes from a man’s mouth?!”

Shaoshang touched her head, rarely being obedient by not going to tend Lou Yao. Instead she dove into Ling Buyi’s blood-stained sleeves, chattering endlessly asking if he was injured anywhere, if anything felt wrong. Ling Buyi was indeed overjoyed.

Only after completely clearing resistance within the estate did Ling Buyi allow Shaoshang to ride her horse inside. Soldiers guarding everywhere held fire torches spiraling like fire dragons, illuminating the pitch-dark estate bright as day.

Shaoshang felt somewhat nervous. If they still couldn’t find Yuan Shen here, she didn’t know what to do.

Ling Buyi guided his horse with one hand while holding her mount’s reins with the other. The two slowly rode inward. Before long, Zhang Shan came to report: “Young Master, we’ve searched everywhere—that fellow Li Kuo is nowhere to be found!”

Ling Buyi nodded slightly, saying: “You lead people to guard the perimeter. Have those below continue searching.”

After the two rode to the rear residence, what met their eyes was an exquisite, magnificent boudoir compound no less impressive than palace quarters.

Liangqiu Fei also came to report: “We found several underground prisons, but those imprisoned are all irrelevant people—no trace of Young Master Yuan. In the inner quarters we discovered Lady Li who committed suicide, along with several close-serving maids who died together.”

Ling Buyi’s intense, beautiful features appeared bright and dark in the firelight like a jade statue.

He silently dismounted and pulled Shaoshang toward the inner residence. Sure enough, they saw a floor covered with maidservants’ corpses, sitting or lying, with Lady Li lying in a bed piled with brocade embroidery. All the women had died peacefully; several faces even retained traces of smiles.

Wine cups with unfinished poisoned wine and various exquisite pastries sat on side tables. Shaoshang guessed they’d all died by poison. However, Ling Buyi bent down to examine these corpses, especially the still-lovely Lady Li. He grasped the corpse’s hands and examined them repeatedly.

Shaoshang was afraid of corpses after all and didn’t dare approach, only asking: “Is something wrong?” The deceased Lady Li was young and beautiful, her hands pale and delicate—clearly a well-bred young lady who’d never done heavy work.

Ling Buyi stood straight, saying in a low voice: “I only hope I’m overthinking.”

Just then, another guard came to report. According to a servant’s confession, a noble young master had been hidden by the master and mistress in an extremely deep, secret underground prison. From his description, that young master should be Yuan Shen.

“Is he still alive?!” Shaoshang was both shocked and delighted. She knew this fellow wasn’t dead!

That guard said: “The servant said he heard Young Master Yuan’s movements in the prison just yesterday.”

Shaoshang’s face filled with joy. For a moment she forgot her charlatan brother’s warning and charged to the front to see Yuan Shen. Ling Buyi followed unhurriedly behind. Liangqiu Fei carefully watched his young master’s less-than-good expression.

The secret prison was set beneath the wall behind the ancestral hall. The Li family’s meaning was probably to have ancestors help guard the prisoner.

Ling and Cheng arrived at the prison entrance surrounded by guards holding high torches, following a dark stone slab path downward. The further inside, the lower the terrain—like a slanted dagger plunging underground. The tunnel curved and wound, sometimes sloped, sometimes stepped. After walking about the time for a meal, they finally saw a stone door at the tunnel’s end. Pushing it open revealed an extremely large square cavity.

Liangqiu Fei, who pushed the door, nearly stepped into empty air. Brothers behind pulled him back to steady him. Raising torches to illuminate, everyone discovered this was actually a cell sunk deep below.

This cell resembled an inverted flat-topped pyramid—a square truncated cone, wider at top and narrower at bottom. After opening the stone door, one needed to descend a long stone staircase to reach the ground level.

Having walked this far, Ling Buyi’s brow was already tightly furrowed.

Actually at the entrance he’d already been reluctant to enter—places of unclear situation shouldn’t be rashly risked. However, seeing Shaoshang’s excited appearance, he said nothing. He only instructed guards to station themselves with swords along the route. If anything seemed amiss, immediately blow whistles to signal—they couldn’t let anyone block the retreat.

He was about to pull Shaoshang away, letting soldiers go down to investigate before they came, when from the prison depths rang out a familiar but weak male voice: “…Who’s come? Master Tian? If you’re going to kill, just kill—why show off further?”

Hearing this voice, Shaoshang’s days of worry finally dissolved. Her face bloomed with joyful smiles as she raised a wind lamp and descended the stone steps with quick tapping sounds. Liangqiu Fei saw Ling Buyi nod slightly and led several guards with torches to follow.

Ling Buyi himself didn’t descend. Instead he stood straight-backed at the doorway, his young muscles alert and on guard.

The stone staircase had thirty or forty steps. Flickering firelight illuminated the prison in shadowy glimpses. One corner of the stone floor was spread with straw; beside it sat a table and bedding, even a simple screen with presumably a latrine behind it.

Leaning against the wall in the straw pile sat a young man in light blue robes. Though his appearance was disheveled with bandages wrapping arms and legs, he was still relatively neat and tidy. He seemed long unaccustomed to light, one hand shading his eyes: “Who comes?”

Shaoshang said playfully: “Young Master Yuan, I trust you’ve been well since we parted!”

Yuan Shen quickly looked up. Seeing the familiar girl’s flower-bright smiling face, he was shocked and delighted: “Shaoshang, how can it be you!”

Ling Buyi cleared his throat: “And me.”

Yuan Shen paused: “You… you’ve come too…?”

Ling Buyi was displeased: “Who do you think rescued you!”

Shaoshang hadn’t noticed the undercurrent between the two men, smiling as she went to help Yuan Shen up. But when he moved hands and feet, everyone discovered Yuan Shen’s right hand was locked in iron shackles, the chain behind extending deep into the opposite stone wall three zhang away, looking somewhat loose.

Ling Buyi also saw this. He sent people outside to find keys (probably wouldn’t be found) while having Liangqiu Fei and others use sword hilts to pry at the loosened stone wall (they’d find a locksmith after getting out).

Shaoshang had already prepared mentally for Yuan Shen meeting misfortune. Now suddenly seeing her old acquaintance safe and well, she asked joyfully in quick succession: “Are you injured? Are you sick? Are you hungry? Did they torture you?”

Ling Buyi abruptly interrupted: “How was Minister Yuan captured and brought here?”

Yuan Shen sighed: “Even if you didn’t ask, I must speak. This matter is a long story—I was pursuing the Gongsun remnants to this place.”

Since the Yuan family suffered a great setback in the assassination incident, Yuan Shen knew that even with the Emperor’s favor, without meritorious service he’d inevitably face mockery upon returning to the Ministry of Personnel. So he simply withdrew from the palace first to seek opportunities for merit.

“If you want merit, go get merit. Is merit like ripe fruit on a tree that you can pluck at will?” Shaoshang complained. “Di Wu Cheng is still unconscious. What exactly happened to you two?”

Yuan Shen sighed again: “Di Wu Cheng is still alive? That’s wonderful—I was rash and implicated him.”

He paused, then continued: “After seeing my parents off from the capital, I pondered at home and finally thought of something—observing Gongsun Xian’s conduct and behavior, he seemed very familiar with jianghu people and grassland folk. If he could use jianghu people, I could use them in reverse. So I asked Di Wu Cheng to reach out, contacting old friends from his jianghu days. After several inquiries, we heard a half-true, half-false piece of news.”

“What news?” Shaoshang listened intently.

“That Gongsun Xian who repeatedly masterminded assassinations of court generals…” Yuan Shen glanced up at Ling Buyi standing above. “Over these years he’s periodically transported wealth out of Shu, mostly finding jianghu people to escort it rather than Shu soldiers. As for where it went, surprisingly no one knew…”

“Multiple transports—how could no one know?” Ling Buyi spoke up.

Yuan Shen said: “Gongsun Xian is mediocre at warfare but a master of sinister schemes and tricks. The transport convoys would change escort personnel several times en route. After leaving Shu they’d blend into various merchant caravans traveling north and south, making them difficult to distinguish.”

“Then how did you find this place?” Ling Buyi asked.

“The realm is vast—originally hard to search. So I went to the Court of State Ceremonial to examine records.” Yuan Shen said. “Back when Old Gongsun held Shu for so long, he developed ambitions to proclaim himself emperor and wield power. He had his clan children all marry women from Shu’s prominent families as marriage alliances.”

Shaoshang made a soft sound of disdain.

“Gongsun Xian, as the usurper’s brother, couldn’t avoid this either. He married a woman from the famous Eastern Shu Zhang clan. However, this Lady Zhang was fierce-tempered and extremely jealous, frequently beating and killing household concubines. I also went to the Northern Army Prison to question Shu prisoners captured when the court’s great army arrived last year. Someone told me that about fifteen years ago, a great tragedy occurred in Gongsun Xian’s household—it took the usurper’s intervention to settle.”

Yuan Shen continued: “Gongsun Xian had a beloved concubine who’d accompanied him for years—supposedly his wet nurse’s daughter. The two grew up together with deep affection. Though Lady Zhang was fiercely jealous, Gongsun Xian wasn’t to be trifled with either. He protected that beloved concubine so tightly that Lady Zhang had no opportunity to strike. But fifteen years ago, Gongsun Xian suddenly fell gravely ill, unconscious for days. Lady Zhang seized the household chaos to secretly abduct that concubine, then…”

“Then killed her?” This was Shaoshang’s highest level of imagination.

Yuan Shen sighed: “Though Lady Zhang was a woman, her cruelty matched any man’s. She slashed that beloved concubine’s face, poisoned her throat mute, then sold her to the most crude and filthy brothel—rendering her unable to speak, her face unrecognizable.”

Shaoshang was dumbfounded.

Yuan Shen also couldn’t bear it: “Fortunately Gongsun Xian knew people from all walks of life. After recovering from illness, he immediately exerted all efforts to search. Several months later he finally found the beloved concubine barely alive. Not long after, she passed away.”

“What happened then?” Shaoshang sighed.

Yuan Shen said: “Gongsun Xian was furious beyond measure, determined to kill Lady Zhang. But the Zhang family wielded great power in Shu—the usurper could only mediate to suppress the matter. Who knew three years later, Lady Zhang suddenly contracted a strange illness—unbearable itching all over, flesh rotting until pieces fell off. By the end even white bones were visible. The Zhang family searched everywhere for physicians and medicines—this was known to all Shu officials.”

“Lady Zhang suffered terribly, tormented for months before dying from the illness. The Zhang family knew Gongsun Xian was behind it but lacked evidence. Instead, Gongsun Xian spent years methodically fabricating charges, falsely accusing the Zhang family of colluding with enemies and treason. Finally the usurper exterminated the Zhang clan’s three generations—oh, the ‘enemy’ in the collusion charge was us.”

Shaoshang clicked her tongue: “This is the consequence of not properly raising daughters. The Zhang family’s lesson should be widely proclaimed.”

Yuan Shen said: “I also inquired about the whereabouts of Gongsun Xian’s other family members. I learned that when General Wu broke through Shu Commandery, they along with the usurper’s entire royal clan were killed by General Wu in one sweep.”

Shaoshang frowned: “Gongsun Xian could escape in advance himself but refused to take Lady Zhang’s children—willing to be childless rather than spare them. The depth of this couple’s accumulated resentment is evident.”

“I’m afraid he’s not necessarily childless.” Ling Buyi suddenly said. “Did that beloved concubine leave offspring?”

Yuan Shen glanced upward: “Lord Ling’s speculation is correct. That beloved concubine bore Gongsun Xian a son. Gongsun Xian doted on this son extremely—at the child’s first birthday feast he invited all Shu City’s notables. When the beloved concubine met with disaster, this son was only seven or eight years old. The next year it was said he died young.”

“If that child lived until now, he should be twenty-five or twenty-six.” Ling Buyi said.

Shaoshang was startled, a person surfacing in her mind: “Could… could that person be Tian Shuo? No, that’s wrong—he’s the Tian family master’s son. Could the entire Tian family be blind and not recognize him?”

Yuan Shen shook his head: “I don’t know the fine details, but according to the news Di Wu Cheng gathered, Gongsun Xian constantly sending wealth out of Shu began precisely when his illegitimate son ‘died young.’ I guess Gongsun Xian must have hidden his son somewhere—such a small child, born to his cherished beloved—how could a father feel at ease letting him go alone to a strange place? He’d certainly have his most trusted confidant accompany him.”

Shaoshang clapped in praise: “Young Master Yuan shows excellent judgment!”

Yuan Shen smiled, then continued: “So I questioned again those who had frequent daily contact with Gongsun Xian. They said back then Gongsun Xian indeed had a trusted aide—purple-faced with a long scar, wielding a three-pointed long blade, superior martial arts, steady and capable. Mm, also around the time that illegitimate son ‘died young,’ this trusted aide’s entire family disappeared. Di Wu Cheng inquired further and finally found a retired jianghu thief. He said years ago when ‘working’ in this area, he encountered a purple-faced, burn-scarred hero at a deeply hidden fortified estate in the forest. That three-pointed blade was supernaturally skillful—he nearly didn’t escape.”

Ling Buyi said: “Mm, this person is quite loyal—simply burned away the scar.”

Yuan Shen said: “Correct, but I still didn’t dare confirm. So I selected two hundred household retainers and guards, planning to personally come see for myself.” If he rashly memorialized a report that turned out wrong, he’d be too ashamed to face the Classics Colloquium Platform.

“Wait, wait.” Shaoshang suddenly said. “You mean you knew the Tian family was suspicious, then went to their door to question them—hey, Tian fellow, are you rebel Gongsun Xian’s illegitimate son?”

Ling Buyi chuckled lightly.

Yuan Shen, embarrassed and angry, slapped the ground: “I didn’t come rashly! I brought two hundred elite troops, plus the provincial governor’s official warrant!” This was his maternal uncle’s territory—what could go wrong? —Yet the damned thing was, something did go wrong!

Ling Buyi laughed aloud.

Yuan Shen grew angrier: “Under all heaven, no land but belongs to the sovereign! I have the court’s decree, forces to capture criminals—they dared to detain me, even attempt murder to silence me. Truly rebellious!”

“They were originally rebels!” Shaoshang looked skyward speechlessly. “Don’t you know about ‘cornered dogs jumping walls, desperate daggers revealed’? —Pardon me, let me laugh a moment too.” Then she turned her face to laugh.

Liangqiu Fei and several guards, having heard the complete story, also secretly chuckled.

Yuan Shen was so angry his words stuck. He muttered resentfully: “Apparently I’m skilled at strategic planning from headquarters and shouldn’t personally take the field…”

The prison was cone-shaped, exactly like a large megaphone. Ling Buyi heard these words crystal clear. He said seriously: “Young Master Yuan speaks correctly. Back in the day, Zhao Kuo thought the same.”

Shaoshang had just finished laughing but nearly convulsed again upon hearing this.

Yuan Shen was furious to half-death yet completely helpless.

Finally at this moment the stone wall was broken through—otherwise Yuan Shen would have fainted from anger.

A guard pulled hard, extracting one end of the iron chain from the broken stone wall. Liangqiu Fei, ahead of Shaoshang, helped Yuan Shen up, earning Ling Buyi’s approving gaze.

The pampered Young Master Yuan stood with continuous “ow ow” sounds, not forgetting to remind: “…Quickly go block off Tian Shuo, or he’ll escape.”

Shaoshang stood beside him: “Don’t worry—we left people near the Tian family estate. Besides, now that his trail is exposed, provincial offices will issue wanted notices together. Why fear him fleeing to the ends of the earth?”

“Huh, aren’t we currently in the Tian family estate’s prison?” Yuan Shen said strangely.

Shaoshang said: “No, we’re at the Li family estate. You were probably knocked unconscious and transferred here.”

At this moment they approached the stone staircase and came into bright light. Ling Buyi saw the swaying Yuan Shen and said in surprise: “Yuan Shen, your face… did they even send people to the prison to shave you…”

Shaoshang looked at Yuan Shen’s face. His jaw was covered with a thin layer of blue-green—she immediately reacted. If Yuan Shen had been in prison for nearly half a month, how could he have only this much stubble?!

Yuan Shen touched his own whiskers: “I wasn’t originally confined here but under house arrest in a secret chamber. Every day mute servants came to attend my daily needs and meals. One day I woke from sleep to find myself here. There was food and water on the table but no one paid me attention. Judging by this stubble, I’ve been here about two days.”

Ling Buyi froze for an instant, then shouted urgently: “Not good—Shaoshang, come up quickly! Hurry…”

—But it was already too late. The stone walls on all sides emitted the clicking sounds of mechanisms turning. The floor in the prison center suddenly crashed down with a loud crack, the entire surface collapsing to reveal a huge pitch-black cavity.

Yuan Shen, Liangqiu Fei and several guards didn’t even have time to cry out before falling straight down. Shaoshang, closest to the stone staircase, barely climbed onto the last step when that staircase clicked and clacked several times, actually retracting entirely into the inner wall.

Four guards at the door above tightly grasped Ling Buyi, straining to pull him backward—”Young Master, withdraw first!” “We can’t all be trapped here—go out then rescue them!” “The Crown Prince hasn’t been found yet—we must consider the long term!”

Ling Buyi watched the rapidly retracting stone staircase below, the girl’s face pale with panic. Seeing she couldn’t hold onto the steps and was about to fall… he suddenly remembered that night executing the Ling brothers—the night wind bleak and chill, the mountain wilderness desolate, her face the same pale color.

His heart burned hot and ached. Then he did the foolish thing he’d thought he would never do in this lifetime—his arms exerted force with a violent shake, pushing aside those four guards as he leaped forward with a bound.

How could he leave her alone again, isolated in fear and helplessness?