Inside Yunzhou’s Jiangling Temple, incense smoke curled upward.

Yunzhou Prefect Liu Sijun knelt on a meditation cushion, bowing before the jade Buddha statue on the altar. “Prince Yan and his party should be arriving soon, shouldn’t they?”

“Your son has already sent carriages to the dock to welcome them.” Liu Sijun’s eldest son, Liu You, was somewhat flustered. “I’m just afraid Prince Yan will come to search for evidence, deliberately looking to make trouble for us.”

Liu Sijun said, “No matter. Regarding disaster relief—reinforcing the embankments, dredging the old wells—everything that should be done has been done. The outer city presents a scene of complete peace, which they’ll see upon entering. The people are all gathered in the inner city, and the inner city is separated from the Prefectural mansion by a long embankment. Haven’t I instructed you to receive them at the mansion and host them well? The mansion has over a hundred household guards—even if Prince Yan brings a few hidden guards, he’ll still need to assess the situation clearly.”

Liu You murmured his assent, feeling slightly calmer. “But Prince Yan’s mansion handles matters ruthlessly. I’m afraid they’re determined, just like with Xuzhou.”

Liu Sijun said, “The Princess Consort of Prince Yan is several months pregnant. This is merely for show before His Majesty—surely they’re not really here for disaster relief? Unless Prince Yan doesn’t want to look after his wife and child anymore.”

By the end, his tone carried something sinister. Seeing Liu Sijun stare at the Buddha statue, Liu You also looked toward it and was shocked to see two coins fall with a clinking sound from behind the curtain, landing on the offering table.

Someone was actually hidden behind the Buddha statue! This person was listening to their conversation, or rather, Father was consulting the opinion of the person behind.

Looking at these coins again, their style differed from Great Chen currency—they bore a coiling snake mark. They were Nan Chu coins.

Liu You didn’t dare say a word.

Liu Sijun bowed down again. “Understood.”

—

The space inside the carriage was cramped—raising a hand could touch the sleeves of the person beside her, so Qun Qing tried not to move as much as possible.

Only every so often, she used her index finger to lift the curtain and look outside.

The continuous rainy days had stopped. In the distance, common people in ragged clothing walked numbly along the long embankment—it appeared the flood disaster had already subsided.

Lu Huating turned his head and could see Qun Qing’s slender neck. She was practically shrunk into the corner of the carriage wall and had been very silent the entire journey—she clearly felt extremely uncomfortable from motion sickness.

He deliberately spoke. “The tribute from Yunzhou can’t even be produced. Where does my wife plan to obtain surplus cloud brocade?”

Qun Qing paused, then said in a low voice, “Collected tribute goods are generally stored in the Prefect’s private treasury. Yunzhou suffered disaster and the common people’s homes were flooded—but surely the Prefectural mansion wasn’t flooded too?”

According to the old system of official households in Chu Kingdom, the Prefectural mansions of several states in Jiangnan Circuit were imposing residences built on high ground, visible from afar.

“So my wife believes Liu Sijun deliberately bought some ruined cloud brocade at low prices to pass off as tribute, and there must still be more in the city?”

Qun Qing didn’t answer.

She knew Lu Huating was making this trip to raid the Prefectural mansion. If he truly asked her thoughts, her thought was that once Lu Huating raided the Prefectural mansion, she would follow behind to pick up what was left.

Only this kind of plan naturally wasn’t convenient to tell Lu Huating. She turned her face and looked at the yellow herb sachet at his waist. With the carriage jolting, she wanted to smell something to stop the nausea.

Lu Huating glanced along her line of sight and understood. His deep black eyes watched her face. “A life-preserving item—not good to be separated from it. If my wife asks for it, I’ll give it to you.”

Qun Qing closed her eyes.

Lu Huating watched her for a moment, then removed his outer robe. Qun Qing’s lashes moved slightly—he had already placed the garment on her lap. The robe still carried the absorbed scent of yellow herbs.

Qun Qing silently draped it over herself.

Lu Huating realized he very much enjoyed seeing her backed into a corner.

In a flash, Qun Qing’s hand suddenly reached toward his waist. Lu Huating caught her wrist but was already too late. With a tearing sound, the silver needle in her hand cut through the sachet—the sachet had already fallen into her hand.

Qun Qing brought it to her nose and sniffed twice, then tucked it into her bosom. “The Chief Clerk’s life-preserving item is now on me. Remember to follow closely.”

Lu Huating stroked the severed opening of the sachet. His expression couldn’t be called pleasant, yet he saw her once again leaning half-dead against the carriage wall, her profile delicate and weak.

Before they could settle for even a moment, the carriage suddenly stopped. Lu Huating braced against the carriage wall while Qun Qing nearly fell. Repeated apologies came from outside, then a white-faced, long-bearded head poked in. This person cupped his hands. “This humble official is Liu Sijun, here to welcome Director Lu. We need to take a boat next—please alight from the carriage.”

To suddenly stop the carriage was perhaps overly enthusiastic, but since the carriage had stopped, Qun Qing could only descend.

Outside stood a woman, along with a pair of young man and woman in luxurious clothing who gracefully bowed. These three people all revealed kind smiles when they saw Qun Qing looking at them.

“This is this humble official’s wife and pair of children, who have all come to welcome the noble lady. Please board the boat, noble lady.” Liu Sijun said.

Qun Qing showed no emotion as she assessed the black-awning boat Liu Sijun had prepared. The boat’s hull was covered with carved marks and somewhat aged. But she heard Lu Huating already returning the courtesy. “Prefect Liu, is your mansion well?”

“The mansion suffered disaster and is in complete disarray—I fear making the noble guests laugh. Why don’t we first settle you at an inn in the outer city?” Liu Sijun said. “Yanhuan Tower has wine prepared and waiting.”

Lu Huating declined. “Prince Yan didn’t come to enjoy himself. With disaster having struck, how could we let you host us?”

As he spoke, he removed the jade pendant from his waist and placed it in his palm. “On this trip to Yunzhou, all clothing, food, lodging, and travel will be paid for by Prince Yan’s mansion itself.”

The jade pendant was exquisitely translucent without a trace of impurity. He gestured for Liu Sijun to take it. Liu Sijun froze slightly, then bashfully accepted it, repeatedly expressing thanks.

Qun Qing saw him exchange glances with his wife and children. The several people all smiled and nodded, their smiles carrying some elation.

Her gaze then fell on the hem of Liu Sijun’s daughter’s skirt—the silk ru skirt had been altered in length, and when she walked, her embroidered shoes were exposed.

Just as she was thinking, her hand felt cold—Lu Huating’s hand pressed on her wrist where it rested on the boat, applying some force to stop her from turning. “My wife, why not board the boat?”

Qun Qing paused for a moment, then sat down.

On this side, Li Huan helped Xiao Yunru down and gave Lu Huating a light exclamation, saying in a low voice, “What’s going on?”

Li Huan turned his face to indicate ahead. Clearly moored at the dock ahead was a pleasure boat with several people standing and waiting below.

From Li Huan’s intuition, he thought that would be the proper reception for a prince. For the Prefect to personally come to welcome them, bringing family but no mansion guards, was somewhat strange. With the Princess Consort of Prince Yan on this journey, they had to be somewhat cautious.

Lu Huating followed Qun Qing onto the small boat, stuck his head out, and said mildly, “Since Prefect Liu has brought his entire family to welcome us, Your Highness should board. Don’t let the food and drink grow cold.”

Liu Sijun hurriedly said “Yes, yes,” then bent and raised his hands, inviting Prince Yan and his consort to board.

The black-awning boat skimmed across the water, gradually moving into the distance.

On this side by the pleasure boat, the young gentleman in brocade pacing anxiously on the shore was indeed Liu Sijun’s son, Liu You.

Hearing his subordinate’s report, Liu You could hardly believe his ears. “What? They were picked up? I’ve been waiting here for two hours without moving, and they were picked up by whom?”

“Only empty carriages were left on the shore.”

“Who dared to intercept people from the Prefectural mansion? Where did they go? Why aren’t you chasing them?”

His subordinates were covered in cold sweat and naturally couldn’t answer his questions.

Hoofbeats drew near—it was Zhu Su riding over on horseback. He cupped his hands in salute and said coldly, “The journey was long. Our Highness went first to the largest tavern in the outer city to wash off the dust. After bathing and resting, we’ll pay a visit early tomorrow morning.”

After finishing, without waiting for Liu You to reply, he turned his horse and left.

Though Liu You was displeased, his panicked expression faded somewhat.

“As expected of palace nobility—the Prefectural mansion isn’t good enough for lodging. Having arrived, they first want to go to a tavern to eat and drink. Quickly go inquire whether they truly went to the outer city.”

Shortly after, a subordinate reported, “It seems they went to Yanhuan Tower. Should Young Master go report to the Prefect?”

“Since they’re visiting tomorrow morning, tidy up and welcome them tomorrow morning.” Liu You said. “It seems Father was right. Looking at Prince Yan’s mansion like this, they don’t seem to have truly come for disaster relief.”

—

Upstairs at Yanhuan Tower, Prince Yan’s mansion was already seated at the same table with Liu Sijun’s family.

Qun Qing only heard Lu Huating lean close to her ear and say carelessly, “My wife served in the Bureau of Protocol. What do you think of the Prefect’s wife and daughter’s deportment?”

Qun Qing raised her eyes to look at Liu Sijun’s wife and daughter across from them. When these people drank wine, they covered their mouths with their sleeves and responded properly when facing the Princess Consort of Prince Yan, so she said, “Acceptable.”

At this time, Juan Su carried in two chests of gold and silver. Liu Sijun looked at the gold and silver in the chests and couldn’t help standing up. “How can we have the noble guests giving gifts instead?”

“Prefect Liu doesn’t know Prince Yan’s temperament, does he?” Lu Huating lifted a smile and toasted him with another cup of wine. “Please host us well these next few days, Prefect. Tomorrow, take us to tour the Prefectural mansion.”

Liu Sijun repeatedly agreed, only fine sweat formed on his forehead. After sitting for just a moment, he stood up to take his leave, placing his hand on his head. “This humble official suffers from dizziness. Right now it’s severe—I truly cannot hold my liquor.”

Lady Liu also stood to support him, saying worriedly they should return to the mansion.

Lu Huating set his wine cup on the table neither lightly nor heavily. His handsome face no longer held a trace of smile.

“You’ve taken the gifts, eaten the meal—you think you can just leave?”

Liu Sijun stiffened for a moment, forcing composure. “What does Director Lu mean by this?”

Before his words finished falling, six hidden guards suddenly burst through the door, surrounding the several people in a circle, arrow crossbows in hand aimed at them. This startled the young lady into a low cry as she covered her face, her eyes full of panic.

Liu Sijun surveyed these people, a trace of viciousness flashing through his eyes.

Qun Qing saw his fingers clench with force, veins bulging on the back of his hand. He should have martial skills and was probably considering breaking through the window to escape. She set down her cup, moved her finger, and used a thrown needle to strike his paralysis point. “The wine was drugged. Without the antidote, you can’t escape.”

Liu Sijun cried out in pain, his expression twisting.

Seeing this, the other three people successively knelt down, no longer maintaining their previous composed deportment, desperately kowtowing to Prince Yan begging for mercy, crying in a heap. “Your Highness, spare our lives! Truly, the times are bad and Yunzhou suffered disaster. We common people had no way to live, so we thought up this scheme.”

Li Huan slammed his wine cup on the table. “Lu Huating, give an explanation.”

“Your Highness should ask them for an explanation.” Lu Huating slowly drank the remaining half cup of wine.

Juan Su tied them all up. With a yank of his hand, “Liu Sijun’s” long beard tore off, and the entire patch of skin reddened.

With a sharp blade pressed to his neck, he had no choice but to explain intermittently. “We common people are originally traveling performers from Jiangzhou. Hearing that officials from Xuzhou and Yunzhou have extensive dealings, we partnered with an information-selling establishment and got into this business. After all, officials coming to Yunzhou mostly haven’t met each other, so we can impersonate officials and swindle the gift-giving and hosting that’s part of social interactions. Do it once and run—when the authorities later discover it’s an impersonation, they can’t catch anyone, and involving gift-giving, they also don’t dare make it public. We just didn’t expect…”

They just didn’t expect that swindlers too could have their day of being swindled.

“How did Your Highness discover this?”

Li Huan laughed coldly. “You acted quite convincingly, aside from the shabby boat. In your conversation, you could indeed fool people.”

Qun Qing said, “The young lady’s clothing and skirt were altered. When walking, she habitually held her shawl to prevent it from dragging on the ground. Presumably silk skirts are expensive, meant to be worn repeatedly. The daughter of a Prefectural mansion would have silk skirts custom-tailored and wouldn’t cherish them this way.”

Hearing this, the young lady impersonating Liu Sijun’s daughter actually nodded blankly. Thinking there would be no next time, she began sobbing again.

Their crying left Li Huan momentarily speechless.

Xiao Yunru turned to look at Li Huan. “How does Your Highness intend to handle these people?”

“I had thought we could meet Liu Sijun today.” Li Huan said. “Making me stay on edge, drinking all this wine for nothing.”

“Your Highness, we cannot go to the Prefectural mansion. A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake—Liu Sijun’s side will certainly have countermeasures. If we go, investigating will be difficult and awkward.” Lu Huating held his cup, lowering his eyes to look at these four people. “Give them a chance to pull off one more job.”

Qun Qing’s lashes trembled slightly—she couldn’t help but admire him.

It was also fate that the swindlers before them happened to be four people—two men and two women.

Both Li Huan and Xiao Yunru looked toward Lu Huating. Li Huan pointed at them, then at himself. “You—are you certain?”

The several people kneeling on the ground froze. Though they didn’t know what they’d be doing, hearing there was a way out, they would grasp it regardless. “Liu Sijun” said, “Whatever Your Highness wants us to do, we’re willing.”

Lu Huating smiled. “You four have already seen our appearances today. Tomorrow when you go to the Prefectural mansion, you won’t give yourselves away, will you?”

“This Cai Laoliu has never failed when impersonating people. Not only is the disguise similar, but speech and deportment are all genuine. Even if I were impersonating the Jade Emperor delivering an imperial edict, I wouldn’t stumble!”

“Good.” Lu Huating said. “Bring clothes and masks to change into. If you can last three days, come to the ferry dock to receive the antidote and collect your reward.”

—

The next day at dawn, Prince Yan’s carriage procession entered the Prefectural mansion.

Both Liu Sijun and Liu You were meeting people from Prince Yan’s mansion for the first time. They stared unblinkingly as Prince Yan descended from the palanquin, feeling somewhat apprehensive inside.

Prince Yan indeed had his face covered with a mask as in the legends, his entire being emanating an aura of slaughter and severity. Liu Sijun’s gaze then fell on the Princess Consort of Prince Yan’s round belly.

It looked like she would give birth in just a few months. He recalled the orders from Nan Chu—if the Princess Consort of Prince Yan died here, who knew what enormous waves it would cause?

Next to descend were Lu Huating and his wife. These two walked gracefully before them. Liu Sijun stared at Lu Huating, examining him.

Prime Minister Meng said this man was sinister and vicious beyond measure—they must be extremely careful. Though he appeared completely unremarkable in appearance and bearing, Liu Sijun didn’t dare be careless.

He only heard Lu Huating’s wife suddenly speak. “I heard Yunzhou is rich in jade. The mansion has a Guanyin statue—might we view it?”

Though requesting gifts was quite normal, this was the first time seeing someone ask for payoffs right upon entering. Liu You frowned.

But Liu Sijun smiled contemptuously. “Yes, everyone please rest in this humble one’s garden for a moment. Shortly, I’ll have my son wrap it up for Madam.”

If they could be bribed, Lu Huating couldn’t extricate himself from involvement later. If they wanted money, that was better than wanting lives.