Very quickly, news of Shi Ting’s ambush and fall into the river was relayed back to the Marshal’s estate.
Upon hearing this, the Marshal was deeply shaken.
Liu Yin observed the Marshal’s expression — startled, furious, and with an unmistakable undercurrent of anxiety he could not quite conceal — and chose the right moment to speak. “The Seventh Young Master was already long overdue in returning, so the Marshal asked me to search for his whereabouts. My men conducted a thorough investigation and finally discovered traces of the Seventh Young Master on a tributary of the Red River.”
“The Red River?” The Marshal’s mind shifted. “He had finished his assignment and was trying to return to Qianguan City, so he took the water route.”
“That was my thinking as well. If the Seventh Young Master had gone to Shuanghe Town, then to return to Shun Cheng he would have to travel by water to Qianguan City and then take the train back. So I had my men trace that route — and indeed found something.”
“Then where is he now?” the Marshal asked urgently.
Liu Yin lowered his head, his voice dropping. “I searched every vessel I could find. I eventually learned that a passenger boat had departed from Shuanghe Town at noon that day, bound for Qianguan City. Midway through the journey, a disturbance broke out aboard — the vessel nearly collided with a cliff. I found one of the passengers who had been on that boat. He said a tall man and a man in black came into conflict. The man in black was armed with a gun and a knife and appeared to have been lying in wait aboard to carry out an assassination. During the struggle, both men fell into the Red River together. At the time, the current was swift and the riverbed below was riddled with hidden rocks…”
The Marshal pressed anxiously: “Are you certain Xingzhi was one of them?”
“I showed the man the Seventh Young Master’s photograph. He was absolutely certain — the Seventh Young Master was the tall man. He was attacked and fell into the Red River.”
The Marshal’s body swayed and he sank back into his chair. “How could this happen?”
Liu Yin watched the Marshal’s panicked, heartbroken expression, then turned his deep eyes slightly. “Marshal, I’ve already sent men to search along the Red River branch. Whether the Seventh Young Master is alive or dead, we will find him.”
The Marshal said nothing, his expression one of profound grief.
He had been growing increasingly reliant on Shi Ting — not only because of his sharp mind and exceptional abilities, but primarily because he had no powerful maternal family behind him. Compared to Shi Guang and Shi Qian, this son was clearly the most controllable.
Even so, he was still his own flesh and blood. Pretending not to care would be a lie.
“Marshal, I humbly venture to say a word.” Liu Yin took the opportune moment to speak.
“Say it.” The Marshal’s voice was subdued and heavy.
Liu Yin said, “For this trip to Dagu Mountain, no third person knew of it besides yourself, Marshal. And yet the person who ordered the assassination of the Seventh Young Master seems to have known his itinerary with remarkable precision — not only knowing he had gone to Dagu Mountain, but even knowing he would take the boat back to Qianguan City. Such precise information — does the Marshal not find something suspicious?”
The Marshal looked up at Liu Yin, his brow furrowing.
This matter was not known only by him and Shi Ting — he had also told Secretary Li, because many things still required Secretary Li to arrange.
Shi Ting’s mission had been strictly confidential from the outset, bearing directly on whether he could catch Meng Xiangyang off guard in future dealings.
If the mission had been leaked, Meng Xiangyang would not only take precautions but might very well turn against him.
He had always trusted Secretary Li so completely…
“Liu Yin, continue having your men search for Xingzhi. And in the meantime, investigate Secretary Li in secret.”
Seeing that the Marshal had indeed turned his suspicion toward Secretary Li, Liu Yin smiled inwardly while keeping his outward expression one of deep concern. “Marshal, please prepare yourself mentally — the Seventh Young Master… may have already perished.”
“That’s enough. You may go.” The Marshal waved his hand, unwilling to say more.
The matter of Shi Ting’s disappearance did not remain a secret for long, and soon the entire Shi household knew.
Luo Huaimeng, the Second Concubine, had already received word and knew that her son and daughter-in-law were safe and had already returned to Shun Cheng. But she understood that Shi Ting was deliberately spreading this kind of news because he was plotting something — and as his mother, she had to cooperate and perform grief and worry accordingly.
“The Second Concubine has had a relapse of her old illness. The doctor has made several visits back and forth, and her condition is not looking good.” The First Madam was still under house arrest, but upon hearing Yingtao relay this news, she immediately felt her spirits lift considerably.
“It would be best if she died of it outright,” the First Madam said with a cold laugh. “The Marshal has long since lost any affection for her. Her only support is that son of hers — and if that son is dead too, crushing her within this estate would be as easy as crushing an ant.”
“But there is still the Seventh Young Mistress…”
“Hmph. If Shi Ting is dead, what can a widow do? Her arrogance has always rested on Shi Ting backing her up. By the way — she hasn’t returned yet?”
“Word is she went to Taishan to visit family.”
The First Madam narrowed her eyes. “Send someone to stand watch on the road between Taishan and Shun Cheng. If Shi Ting really is dead, she won’t need to go on living either — it would be best to stage an accident.”
“Yes, Madam.”
If Shi Ting were dead and Yan Qing were to die in an accident, there would be no one left to speak up for her. Those two thorns in her side could be pulled out at the same time.
The First Madam was in high spirits. Even the tea, which had tasted faintly bitter a moment ago, now seemed to carry a clean, refreshing fragrance.
Yingtao fanned the First Madam. “I’ve heard the currents in the Red River tributary are fierce and the rocks beneath are thick. Anyone who falls in would certainly die. And the Seventh Young Master’s accident happened over two weeks ago — he still hasn’t been found. He’s most likely sunk to the bottom of the river.”
“Shi Ting’s death is no great loss. I only wonder whether Eldest or Second had anything to do with it.”
Shi Ting would not have been targeted without reason, and his whereabouts were always kept secret.
Her only concern was that the Marshal would not point his suspicion toward her two sons.
Meanwhile, Shi Qian and Shi Guang were in the Marshal’s study, speaking with him.
The Marshal wore a look of sorrow and did nothing but drink tea. Over the past two days he had dispatched Liu Yin to search for Shi Ting, but there had been no word, and the worry had cost him sleep night after night.
“Marshal, I had the kitchen make some congee. You really should eat something.” Shi Qian came forward to persuade him. “Seventh Brother is protected by fortune — nothing will happen to him.”
The Marshal waved his hand and closed his eyes, pressing his fingers to his temples.
Had the Marshal not been in such a state, neither Shi Qian nor Shi Guang would have realized how much weight Shi Ting held in his heart. The Marshal’s anxiety was not feigned.
Shi Guang followed Shi Qian’s lead. “Elder Brother and I have both sent men to search along the Red River. Seventh Brother will certainly be found. Marshal, you are the lord of this Bei Di — please take care of your health. If Seventh Brother comes back and sees you like this, he will feel guilty and distressed as well.”
Before the Marshal could respond, there was a knock at the study door, and Liu Yin strode in, his face alight with excitement.
He snapped to attention and gave a salute. “Report to the Marshal — good news.”
The Marshal leapt from his chair in agitation and rushed over to Liu Yin. “Speak — what good news? Has Xingzhi been found?”
“Indeed.” Liu Yin spoke rapidly. “Along the riverbank, we found the Seventh Young Master at a herder’s home. The herder said he spotted the Seventh Young Master lying in the water while out grazing his sheep and brought him home.”
“Then has Xingzhi come back?” The Marshal grew even more excited, joy written plainly across his face.
Liu Yin shook his head. “The Seventh Young Master’s injuries are severe — multiple fractures throughout his body. He has regained consciousness, but cannot move at all. Forcing him to make the journey now would only subject him to the jolts of travel and worsen his condition. I’ve already posted two men and a physician to stay with him. We’ll wait until his injuries have improved sufficiently before returning to Shun Cheng.”
“Good, good.” The Marshal let out a long breath of relief. “As long as he’s alive, that’s what matters. Then we’ll wait for him to recover before coming back — there’s no rush.”
“Marshal.” Liu Yin glanced at Shi Guang and Shi Qian, as if he had something confidential to say but was uncertain whether to speak.
“Say whatever you need to say. There are no outsiders here.”
“Yes.” Liu Yin inclined his head. “The Seventh Young Master says he has a general idea of the assassin’s identity and is only waiting to return in order to investigate the matter fully.”
“That’s the best news possible. I want to see for myself who dares to have my son assassinated on my own territory.” The Marshal believed Shi Ting had the ability to track down the culprit — and equally, he felt a teeth-grinding fury at whoever had struck from the shadows.
“Have your men take good care of Xingzhi. Not a single further mistake.”
“Yes, sir.” Liu Yin accepted his orders.
Upon hearing that Shi Ting had been found, Shi Qian and Shi Guang both wore expressions of delight — but beneath their eyes, a cold glint surfaced.
After leaving the study, Shi Qian pulled Shi Guang aside.
“Second Brother, what’s your take on this?”
“I don’t know what Eldest Brother means.” Shi Guang put on a puzzled expression.
Shi Qian gave a cold laugh. “Second Brother, there are just the two of us here. No need to keep up the act. You’re just as eager to see Seventh die as I am, aren’t you?”
Shi Guang looked at him with wide eyes. “Eldest Brother, you actually want Seventh dead? We’re brothers.”
His eyes shifted. “Eldest Brother — could it be that this was your doing? I heard Seventh’s itinerary was supposed to be secret. How could he end up being ambushed out of nowhere?”
He clapped a hand on Shi Qian’s shoulder. “Eldest Brother, Seventh is not an ordinary man. If he’s still alive, he can identify the assassin by appearance and attire alone — and any man capable of going up against him is no ordinary person either, making it all the easier to trace. You ought to be careful.”
Shi Qian seemed to pause for a moment, then smiled. “Second Brother is right. You’d better watch yourself as well.”
Shi Guang blinked but said nothing.
Only after Shi Qian had gone did Zuo Liang fall into step behind Shi Guang from behind. “Second Young Master — do you think it was the First Young Master who did it?”
“Who else could it be,” Shi Guang said, closing his eyes briefly.
“Now that the Seventh Young Master has been found, if he returns to Shun Cheng he will find the true culprit behind the attempt on his life. I’d say the First Young Master’s days of ease are numbered.”
Shi Guang gave a cold laugh. “Shi Ting may be formidable, but not that formidable. Even if he identifies the assassin by appearance and attire, what of it? An assassin is just an assassin — easy enough to hire. Besides, that assassin also fell into the river and is most likely quite dead. With no witness and no physical evidence, how is he going to convict someone on his word alone?”
“The Second Young Master means…?”
“Let’s just watch and see whether Shi Qian takes the bait.”
Zuo Liang seemed to piece something together. “The Second Young Master doesn’t intend to warn the First Young Master?”
“Everyone has their own fate. If I had to go around warning everyone I saw, I’d truly be run off my feet.” Shi Guang let out an easy laugh and strolled off toward the rear garden at a leisurely pace.