Chapter 142: The Pros and Cons of Aristocratic Families and the True Culprit Emerges (Part Two)

Of course, eliminating Xu Jingzong had far more advantages than disadvantages. Father and mother might be temporarily displeased, but without this formidable and lurking enemy, life would be much more peaceful. Or, as Wei Yuanzhong had said, once one became the Crown Prince, one must be prepared for people to step on one or lift one up. Yet, if even Xu Jingzong were taken down, anyone else harboring dissatisfaction would pause to consider whether they possessed Xu Jingzong’s schemes, his resources and means, or his standing in the hearts of the parents.

Parents, after all, could be placated slowly.

If statecraft and political maneuvering failed, surely acting as an obedient son would still work? Not to mention himself, throughout the ages, countless heroes and outstanding individuals had bowed and submitted to a mother like his. What was he?

However, Li Wei had not expected it to come so quickly...

..............................

Separated by eight hundred li, the weather could not possibly be the same. Chang'an was also raining, though much lighter. The world was shrouded in a gray mist, yet the rain had washed the dust clean from the tree leaves, causing them to flash with layers of emerald brilliance. The rain was not heavy. They all sat inside a pavilion, disguised as travelers taking shelter from the rain.

Looking at the sky, He Guangzhen said, "Shu'er, let's head back."

"Let's stay a little longer," the little maid said. This time her attitude was very earnest and proactive. It was not for anyone else, but for her own young mistress. That old scoundrel Xu Jingzong was too wicked; he had actually memorialized the emperor to issue an imperial decree ordering the Crown Prince to divorce her young mistress.

Not only that, but he also wanted to use Ming Chongyan's sorcery to frame her young mistress once again. Yesterday, she had heard the master say that the emperor and empress had issued a decree instructing a young lady from the Wei family of Wannian County to enter the East Palace as a companion. This, too, was Xu Jingzong's idea.

Yang Sijian was extremely depressed. Although he served as the Minister of the Court of卫尉 (Guard), speaking frankly, his official rank was not low—even though this was沾了 (gained through) the light of his daughter. Yet, having been targeted by Xu Jingzong, not to mention himself, even chancellors like Dai Zhide or Yan Liben would find it hard to sleep in peace.

Shu'er might not fully understand grand principles, but she knew that if this Xu Jingzong were not eliminated, forget about her young mistress, her master's entire family might not have any good days ahead. Therefore, these past few days, she had been keeping watch even more diligently than He Guangzhen and the others.

Since this little maid had said they would stay a little longer, He Guangzhen and Niu Jin had no choice but to sit back down.

By this time, very few pedestrians could be seen on the road. After all, it was raining, and no one wanted to venture out. Thus, there remained only the sound of rain falling among the leaves or pattering on the ground, resembling thousands of silkworms chewing on mulberry leaves—somewhat desolate, somewhat boring.

He Guangzhen was toying with his fingernails, while Niu Jin sat with his eyes closed and lips sealed, his mind wandering far away.

It was not that there were no travelers at all, but most were occasional farmers passing by. Since a rainy day had come—and it was a rare rainy day indeed—there were still many chores to be done. Yet they hurried past, quickly swallowed up by a vast expanse of crops.

Two more figures approached, wearing rain capes and heading eastward. He Guangzhen and Niu Jin still paid no attention, but Shu'er’s eyes widened, fear crept onto her face, and her whole body trembled. Do not assume she lacked courage; having a strong desire to merit a reward was one thing, but actually seeing them, a teenage girl was still quite terrified. After all, this group truly dared to kill people, and they even dared to murder the Crown Prince.

He Guangzhen noticed her abnormality and asked, "Shu'er, what is wrong with you?"

"It's them! This maid still recognizes them. Those two, those two are both..."

"Who?" Niu Jin opened his eyes.

"It's them," Shu'er pointed at the two figures ahead, who had already walked past.

"Did you see clearly?"

"Seen clearly, and there are two of them. This maid cannot be mistaken."

He Guangzhen and Niu Jin exchanged a glance and immediately said, "Shu'er, return to the manor immediately. What happens here no longer concerns you. Remember well, not a single half-word of this matter must leak out."

"This maid understands." She was still terrified, unable even to stand.

The two men could no longer worry about her; they had to follow immediately. Following with only one person did not feel entirely secure, as this group consisted of desperate outlaws. However, Guan Fu had returned, bringing Di Renjie's plan along with several additional helpers. They simply needed to act in accordance with Di Renjie's instructions.

The two set off, though not together—one behind the other, keeping a considerable distance apart. Gradually, they reached the Jinguang Gate. Niu Jin turned his head back and glanced at He Guangzhen, who was trailing far behind. He understood somewhat. In truth, they had staked out that estate for two or three days previously without discovering anything. It was not that the occupants never came out; they likely emerged only during secluded hours. Had it not been for today's rain—and rain so light that one could barely venture out in a rain cape—had they arrived at a normal time, they might not have seen anyone at all.

Of course, by this time the two men had widened the distance between them, and with the curtain of rain in between, they naturally could not see each other's expressions, yet their intentions were mutually understood, given their backgrounds as prison guards.

Entering the city gate, Niu Jin saw a carriage parked nearby. With a wave of his hand, the driver walked over and asked, "Does the young master need a carriage?"

"Precisely." He asked no price and stated no destination. Reaching into his robe, he pulled out several hundred cash coins—without even counting them—and handed them over.

"This, this..."

"Just drive. I am not short of this money."

"Thank you, Big Brother." The driver immediately broke into a smile, changing his address from "Young Master" to "Big Brother" (and if he changed it again, it would be "Elder Brother"). He then asked, "Big Brother, where are we heading?"

"I spotted a benefactor, but I am not entirely certain. Drive the carriage forward so I can verify his identity, but make no noise—just follow closely." As he spoke, he pointed at the two men ahead. Because he had been calling for a carriage and feared alerting them, the initial distance had been wide, and by this moment, it was even greater. Fortunately, it was a rainy day, and there were not many people on the street. Moreover, they were on the main avenue leading from Jinguang Gate to Chunming Gate; the broad road was straight, and the figures were faintly visible.

"Understood," the driver replied cheerfully. Today he had encountered a wealthy patron; this handful of coins amounted to at least four or five hundred wen. He drove the carriage forward and quickly caught up. Inside the carriage, Niu Jin watched the two men. One had a square face, while the other had a rectangular face and a very robust build. The rectangular-faced man looked quite like a Hu (non-Han) person, or perhaps of mixed Hu and Han ancestry; his hair and beard had slight curls, and his eyeballs were tinged with a faint yellowish hue. Yet neither of their appearances looked vicious.

Of course, given their life experience, neither man judged a person solely by appearance. They had interrogated countless criminal cases; some who looked like weak scholars were likewise murderers. Both men appeared to be around thirty years of age. However, choosing to venture out on a rainy day was a precaution against contingencies, and they lacked deep vigilance. As they walked, chatting in low voices, neither noticed a carriage trailing behind them.

Niu Jin shouted, "Stop."

The driver reined in the horses. Niu Jin stepped down from the carriage, ignoring the fine mist of rain falling from the sky, rushed toward the semi-Hu man, embraced him tightly, and shouted loudly, "Benefactor! I never expected to run into you here in the capital."

The two men were baffled.

Niu Jin shook the man's arm and said, "Benefactor, have you forgotten? Last year, when I was escorting a batch of precious family goods to the Eastern Capital and passed through Huazhou, we ran into a group of bandits. If it weren't for you and your companion stepping in to save us, not only would goods worth over eight thousand strings of cash have been plundered by villains, but even my life could not have been saved."

Hearing this, the two men exchanged glances. Most likely this person had mistaken his man, but a few key phrases caught their attention: family goods, over eight thousand strings of cash. Regardless of where he was from, for a single batch of family goods—even using the word "precious"—to be valued at over eight thousand strings of cash meant this person's family background was extraordinary.

The semi-Hu man hesitated for a moment and said vaguely, "It was merely a trivial matter, not worth mentioning; I simply couldn't stand the sight of it at the time. Had you not brought it up, I would have forgotten all about it."

"Indeed, your righteousness is lofty, benefactor! At the time, when I saw two of my family's servants murdered, I was frightened out of my wits. After you departed, I failed to ask your esteemed surname and great name, nor did I even offer a single word of thanks. Afterward, I felt deeply remorseful, and even my late father severely reprimanded me. Heaven has eyes to allow me to encounter you here in the capital! Come, come, come, let us go to the Xixiang Courtyard, and allow me to host you as a treat. What do you say?"

Ever since Xiangxue left the Xixiang Courtyard, the reputation of the establishment had dipped slightly. However, the Xixiang Courtyard did not have only Xiangxue as a beauty; there were other beautiful courtesans as well, and business remained brisk, maintaining its renown in Chang'an. Of course, the consumption there came with a corresponding price tag.

The two men exchanged glances once more. They had encountered a wealthy master, a total pushover. Furthermore, after being cooped up for so long, going out was precisely meant for relaxation. Thus, the semi-Hu man said vaguely once again, "How could we be so bold?"

"Benefactor, you need refuse no further. Since I have met you this time, I must repay you no matter what. Otherwise, when I return, my father will scold me again. Come, board the carriage and we shall talk inside." With that, he pulled the semi-Hu man onto the carriage. Since he was a "benefactor," naturally he had to act affectionate. He invited the other man as well, though his attitude required a slight difference.

Once inside the carriage, Niu Jin asked again, "May I dare ask your esteemed surname and great name, benefactor?"

"I dare not. This humble person has the privilege of the surname Zhao, personal name Quan'er."

"Ah, it turns out to be Benefactor Zhao! I wonder about those two other benefactors from last time?" After all, rescuing someone from deadly outlaws was certainly not something this "Zhao Quan'er" could accomplish alone.

"They are not in the capital."

"What a pity. I wonder if Benefactor Zhao knows where they went?"

"They went to Bashu."

"So far away?" Niu Jin pondered for a moment, drew a lump of gold from his bosom—weighing around twenty-odd taels—and said, "Benefactor Zhao, if you see them, please take this ingot of gold to them. It is merely a token of my meager sincerity."

A dozen or so taels of gold was by no means a small sum. Zhao Quan'er and his companion cast greedy glances, involuntarily stealing another look into Niu Jin's bosom, yet putting on upright expressions on the surface. "Encountering injustice on the road, your treating us to a few cups of wine is quite enough. To accept gold and silver would be to lose the heart of chivalry."

"I also know the lofty righteousness of the three of you, but man faces unpredictable fortunes and misfortunes. While speaking of money fouls the mouth, it is ultimately useful to guard against contingencies. Besides, this is meant for the other two benefactors." As he spoke, he forcefully shoved the gold into Zhao Quan'er's arms. After a brief tug-of-war, the other half-reluctantly accepted it.

The carriage soon arrived at the Xixiang Courtyard. Niu Jin shouted to the procuress at the entrance, "Bring out the finest young ladies and serve the best wine and food!"

"Understood," the procuress beamed broadly as she responded, saying, "Please take your seats, three young masters."

She arranged for them in an elegant private room and summoned three very young, attractive courtesans to accompany them. However, the two men did not lower their guard entirely; they drank very little wine, merely flirting with the courtesans or picking at the dishes. In truth, the Xixiang Courtyard was a place of refined courtesans; although most of the girls practiced deception under a false facade, given it was their first meeting, they only allowed themselves to be mildly fondled, and anything further was out of the question. Instead, the men felt somewhat displeased within, yet they were spending someone else's money—and spending far more than they would have in a vulgar brothel. Fearing that their wealthy patron might see through them, they found it awkward to voice complaints.

This precaution was necessary; had they entered those true pleasure houses and taken to bed, everything would have become unmanageable. As they drank and chatted about matters far and wide, out of every ten sentences the three men spoke, nine were mostly falsehoods. Just as Zhao Quan'er and his companion were growing somewhat impatient, Niu Jin looked past the curtain and saw He Guangzhen, Guan Fu, and the others pouring in, which gave him inner assurance. Taking advantage of the moment when the two men were pawning and laughing with the courtesans, he pressed the courtesan draped over him tightly against his chest, swiftly drew a paper packet of medicine from his sleeve, and gave it a shake. The powder fell into the wine pot and dissolved instantly. Then, he poured wine into their bowls and said, "Come, I toast the two of you once more."

The two men suspected nothing; tilting back their heads, they drained their cups. Though they only drank half, it was more than enough. Niu Jin said to the courtesan leaning on him, "Come, sing a tune."

A little tune began to play, but only a moment later, Zhao Quan'er and his companion stumbled to their feet, pointed at Niu Jin, and stammered, "You... you..." Before they could finish, their bodies crashed heavily to the ground.

"Oh my, why are you so drunk? Someone come quickly, help them onto the carriage!"

The three courtesans felt a vague sense that something was amiss, but seeing several sturdy men stride in from outside the moment the words were spoken and hoist the two men up to carry them out, they dared not utter a sound.

They boarded the prepared carriages one after another and immediately galloped away. He Guangzhen, Niu Jin, and the others looked at the two men still in a stupor, joy and surprise blooming on their faces. A monumental meritorious deed—a case that would shake the heavens—was about to have its truth unmasked right from this moment.