It turned out that the big black dog’s owner had passed away at the beginning of the year, entrusting the dog to his son. That son was a good-for-nothing, spending his days only on eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling. In less than a year, he had squandered more than half of the family fortune.
Han Ruixuan sent someone to offer a high price for the dog, and the prodigal son sold it without a second thought.
Since it was a legitimate transaction, Wuhua couldn’t stop it.
“The big black dog was taken to Paiyun Tower.”
Wuhua was downcast.
“Is there a beast-fighting event scheduled at Paiyun Tower today?” Feng Qingsui asked.
“No, there’s one tomorrow afternoon.”
“Go to Paiyun Tower first and keep an eye on things. Protect the big black dog, and while you’re at it, figure out the layout and security there.”
After making arrangements, Feng Qingsui still went to the Rongchang Marquis Mansion to accompany Madam Wei for a walk. After the walk, she said to Madam Wei, “I have some matters to attend to at home tomorrow, so I won’t be coming over.”
Madam Wei nodded in agreement.
That night, Wuhua returned to Ji Fu and told Feng Qingsui about the layout and security of Paiyun Tower. After thinking for a moment, Feng Qingsui gave her two types of medicine.
“If Cuique comes tomorrow, put the medicine in the white paper packet into her tea or wine. Feed the medicine in the yellow paper packet to the big black dog.”
“Alright.”
The next day, half an hour before the beast-fighting event was set to begin, she drove alone to an alley not far from Paiyun Tower. Disguised as a plain-faced man, she made her way to Paiyun Tower.
Paiyun Tower was one of the top-tier restaurants in the capital. The main hall on the first floor featured singing, storytelling, and acrobatics, with performances scheduled from morning till night. With just a pot of tea and two plates of snacks, one could sit there for half a day, so it was always bustling with activity and filled with the clamor of voices.
Feng Qingsui told the waiter waiting at the entrance that she was there to meet someone and walked inside on her own, attracting no attention.
The restroom was at the very back of the main hall. She walked straight there and, following the clues Wuhua had given her, found the hidden door, opened the mechanism, and descended the stairs.
The beast-fighting arena was directly beneath the main hall. In the center was a circular iron cage about three zhang in diameter, with railings about six chi high. The cage stood about three chi above the ground, surrounded by a ring of steps on which rows of luohan beds were arranged.
Small tables were placed on the beds, and waiters were busy arranging food and drinks like tea, wine, snacks, melon seeds, and braised meat on the tables.
Feng Qingsui observed for a moment before quietly heading toward the restroom area of the beast-fighting arena.
Before long, the “gamblers” began to arrive one after another.
Cuique and Han Ruixuan arrived neither early nor late. After taking their seats on the reserved luohan bed, a waiter immediately poured wine for them.
“Brew a pot of tea for me.”
Cuique said lazily.
Han Ruixuan leaned over and asked, “Why aren’t you drinking today?”
Cuique shot him a reproachful glance. “You know very well why!”
Her monthly cycle had arrived, and her lower abdomen was aching slightly. How could she dare to drink?
“It seems Madam Wei’s dowry included quite a few medicinal pills. I’ll ask her another day if there’s anything for this and get some for you.”
Han Ruixuan said dotingly.
Cuique spat in disdain. “Who wants her things? Who knows if I’d even survive after taking them.”
Her monthly cycle used to be fine, but ever since she entered the Rongchang Marquis Mansion and drank a cup of tea from Madam Wei, it had never been the same.
Despite receiving constant favor over the years, she had never become pregnant.
She would make Madam Wei pay for this sooner or later.
Han Ruixuan smiled. “If you don’t want to take it, forget it. I’ll find a royal physician to examine you.”
Cuique neither agreed nor disagreed.
After drinking a cup of tea prepared by the waiter, she leaned against the cushion, gazing at the empty octagonal cage. Thinking that the large black dog would soon become a dead dog, a cruel smile curled at the corner of her lips.
The next moment, a sharp pain twisted in her stomach.
Her expression darkened.
After hastily bidding farewell to Han Ruixuan, she hurried toward the washroom.
Having relieved herself, she stood before the washbasin stand. Just as she picked up the soap, she caught sight of an additional figure in the mirror before her.
A woman more beautiful than herself.
Also dressed in men’s clothing.
A shadow of gloom flickered in her eyes.
Her right foot stealthily stretched backward, attempting to trip the other person.
Unexpectedly, the other person extended a hand, pressing a thin blade against her neck.
“Don’t make a sound, or you’ll die right here.”
The other person whispered in a low voice.
The sharp blade pressed against her neck, exuding a chilling coldness. Cuique’s hairs stood on end, and she dared not make any rash moves.
“I am the favored concubine of the Rongchang Hou Shizi. His Shadow Guards are right outside. If you kill me, you won’t escape from here.”
She tried to remain calm.
The other person held the blade with one hand and grabbed her waist with the other, forcing her to retreat step by step.
They retreated to the innermost door of the washroom. Pushing the door open, the other person dragged her inside and then bolted the door shut.
Inside, there was a descending staircase.
It was the first time she realized there was such a passage in the washroom.
“Go down.”
The other person commanded.
She lifted her foot to descend. If her steps slowed even slightly, the blade at her neck pressed inward further.
Forced to quicken her pace.
The stench below was overwhelming, nauseating her to the point of nearly vomiting.
It turned out to be a waste storage room.
As soon as she stopped, the other person kicked the back of her knee, sending her tumbling to the ground. Immediately, her hands were bound behind her back, and her legs were tied as well.
“What do you want?”
She asked, suppressing her disgust.
“How did Jiang Chunyu die?”
The other person looked down at her coldly.
She was taken aback.
“I don’t know the person you’re talking about.”
“Jiang Chunyu, the daughter of former Vice Minister of Rites Jiang Jiyan and Feng Xi,” the other person said expressionlessly. “Do you know her now?”
Cuique’s eyelids twitched.
Suddenly, she found the other person’s face somewhat familiar.
Who did she resemble?
A vague, slender figure surfaced in her mind.
—Feng Sui, that damned little blind girl!
She was actually still alive!
No.
Could she see now?
Shock nearly surfaced on her face, but Cuique barely suppressed her thoughts, feigning bewilderment. “How would a lowly concubine like me know the daughter of Vice Minister Jiang?”
“Though you may be lowly, you know how to disguise yourself as a man.”
Feng Qingsui said calmly.
“On the day of the Dowager Rong’s birthday banquet, you dressed as a servant and followed Han Ruixuan. You saw my sister and also saw Xiao Yu writing birthday wishes.
Upon learning that my sister was now the wife of a vice minister, with a young and promising husband devoted only to her, and a clever and lively daughter, you—a ‘skinny horse’ gifted to Han Ruixuan, whose fertility was ruined by Madam Wei—were consumed with envy.
You had a maid dirty my sister’s clothes, forcing her to change, and then, using my sister’s name, lured Xiao Yu out of the banquet hall and took her life.”
Cuique was utterly astonished.
This person clearly wasn’t present that day. How could she know her innermost thoughts and actions so clearly?!
“Wondering how I know what you did?”
Feng Qingsui sneered.
“The thoughts of a venomous snake in the gutter are all too clear to those who have been bitten.”
Cui Que looked utterly innocent. “I don’t know why you would connect that child’s death to me. I don’t know that child, nor your sister, and I don’t know you either. I’m just a skinny horse from Jiangnan.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Feng Qingsui stabbed a knife into her right shoulder. Her expression changed abruptly.
“Don’t!”
“Rip!”
Feng Qingsui threw away the torn sleeve in his hand, looking coldly at the tooth marks on her arm. “The mark left by the big black dog is still there. Did you think you could deny being Cui Que?”