She thought about this, glancing at two bailiffs at a neighboring table.
These two bailiffs seemed to be out on official business and were also dining at this inn. Just now, during their conversation, they had mentioned something.
One said that some days ago when he went to the Huang Manor to pay respects, he saw that the manor had taken in another batch of new maidservants – all young, pretty girls. The other chimed in, saying that the master’s household always brought in good-looking people, except when the old lady practiced Buddhist vegetarianism and occasionally took in some ugly girls that other families didn’t want as rough servants – this was considered charity for good karma. He also said that as Magistrate Huang’s distant relative, his elder brother must often go pay respects to the old lady, enjoying both financial gain and romantic fortune, making people quite envious. Both men smiled with ill intentions.
Soon, the two finished eating and drinking, paid their bill, and left.
Suzhen whispered in Leng Xue’s ear: “Follow them and see.”
Leng Xue was slightly puzzled, but seeing Suzhen’s serious expression, he could only throw some coins on the table and follow her.
The street was bustling with vendors and passersby. Suzhen followed behind the two officials, walking at a steady pace. Leng Xue asked: “What are you trying to do?”
“You’ll know in a moment.”
Seeing the two turn into a much more secluded alley, her eyes lit up: “Leng Xue, let’s intercept them.”
Leng Xue frowned and was about to say “Hey” when Suzhen had already followed the two into the alley.
Who would have known that just then, the two bailiffs suddenly turned around. One of them had killing intent flash in his eyes as he sneered: “Who goes there? Did you think we didn’t know you two rats were following us? We deliberately led you to this secluded place – you’ve walked right into our trap.”
The two were about to approach Suzhen when they saw the young man before them curve his lips and actually advance toward them. The two were stunned. In that split second, a gray shadow behind the youth leaped up like a great eagle, directly targeting vital points on their bodies.
The two tensed. The opponent’s speed was so fast that before they could even draw their sword sheaths, their bodies went numb and their acupoints were sealed, standing motionless like statues.
Both were greatly shocked. Though their bodies couldn’t move, their mouths could still speak, so they immediately shouted: “How dare you show disrespect to official bailiffs! Release us immediately, or when the yamen people arrive, assaulting officials is a serious crime – light punishment means physical suffering, heavy punishment means prison!”
Suzhen suddenly smiled and pulled out a dagger from her bosom. When she removed the sheath, the blade was remarkably sharp, its cold white gleam flashing before their eyes.
She said: “Two official sirs, this humble person doesn’t understand the law – I only know that not even a dog passes through here. For you to encounter your colleagues by such coincidence really isn’t easy. When they do encounter you, you’ll already have become corpses by the time they come to collect the bodies. Am I still afraid of being charged with crimes? Would I dare kidnap officials if I were faint-hearted?”
Hearing this, the two felt their hearts and gall about to split with terror. Had they encountered two ocean bandits who specialized in opposing the government? They immediately wisely changed their expressions, putting on smiles: “What business do you two gentlemen have with us? Surely it’s not that you’ve made enemies with the government and have come for private revenge? You two gentlemen look unfamiliar – we’ve certainly never made enemies with you before. Please don’t mistake us for someone else or seek the wrong revenge, or we’d be greatly wronged…”
Seeing their change in demeanor, Suzhen still lightly brushed the blade across their noses, muttering: “Which part should I cut first?”
That cold, snake-like sensation made both men immediately cry out in terror: “Hero, spare our lives! If you want to rob money, just take it. If you want to ask about yamen affairs, please just ask – we’ll tell you everything we know.”
Suzhen smiled. These two bailiffs, though somewhat cowardly, were quite perceptive. They knew that robbing them for treasure wouldn’t make sense – finding a few wealthy landlords would be much more straightforward. Leng Xue’s frown deepened as he scolded in a low voice: “What mischief are you up to now?”
Suzhen turned to give him a look that said “serious business,” then when she turned back, she had adopted Lian Yu’s usual inscrutability, saying indifferently: “This young master is planning a big job – going to your Magistrate Huang’s mansion to get some money and treasures. Seeing that you know much about Magistrate Huang’s affairs, why don’t you tell me about the household staff at the Huang Manor so this young master can sneak in.”
The two bailiffs panicked upon hearing this. Asking about other yamen matters would be one thing, but if their superior Huang Tianba’s residence was robbed and people discovered they had provided information, wouldn’t they be accomplices? This was a serious crime! This Magistrate Huang appeared to be a gentleman scholar, but was actually sinister and cruel, never lenient in sentencing – only heavy punishments, never light ones.
The one with fair skin and a small mole immediately put on a fawning, bitter smile: “Brother, if you really want to do this job, you should catch a servant from Magistrate Huang’s house to question. How would we know…”
“Right, right…” the other one with dark, rough skin and fierce features immediately agreed.
“But when you two were drinking and chatting just now, you weren’t talking like this. You, pale-face, are Huang Tianba’s distant cousin, often going to pay respects to Old Madam Huang and getting some benefits. You know the Huang Manor’s situation like the back of your hand – even knowing about new maidservants and such…” Suzhen laughed as she gripped the dagger and suddenly scraped it across the pale man’s nose. Several drops of blood immediately trickled onto his shirt front. Seeing red and smelling blood, both men were terrified and immediately nodded like pecking chickens: “We’ll talk, we’ll talk! Brother, please show mercy.”
Suzhen curved her lips. These two clearly weren’t good people – usually the type who bullied common folk, so naturally she needn’t show mercy. She changed from her smiling expression and lowered her voice further: “If this young master discovers you’ve hidden anything, next time I’ll cut off your nose.”
Both men trembled all over. The pale bailiff was cunning and still had some alertness. Considering the possibility of being killed to silence them, he said tremblingly: “You must spare us after asking your questions, then we’ll talk.”
“Fine. This young master won’t kill you – I’m just seeking wealth and don’t want to commit murder. But if either of you dares deceive me, even if I don’t kill him, I’ll give him proper hospitality.”
The two thought about her earlier mention of going to the Huang Manor for money – just seeking wealth, not necessarily taking lives. After all, killing two bailiffs wouldn’t be a small matter. They both nodded tremblingly one after another.
Suzhen’s eyes rolled: “First tell me about the servants and maidservants at the Huang Manor. Are there any whose features are particularly crude or plain, who usually attract no attention?”