To avoid gossip among the many people in the mansion, Lüzhu did not let the servant drive the carriage. She took the reins herself while Lüyin accompanied Zhang Zhiyan inside the carriage. Seeing Lüyin holding a blue cloth bundle containing a silver box, Zhang Zhiyan smiled and said, "Actually, we don’t need the silver."
"Master, without silver, would these people agree to release the young uncle? I’ve heard that the officials of Wu De Si are quite greedy for money. And…" Lüyin lowered her voice, "it seems some minor officials even privately accept beautiful women."
Zhang Zhiyan had also heard such rumors. It was no surprise that officials often had numerous wives and concubines. As for the powerful officials of Wu De Si, who were the emperor’s confidants, they had long drawn complaints from many court officials and noble families.
Now, she secretly planned to use this to her advantage, seeking some benefits and support for herself.
"Master, please be careful."
"I know."
The carriage raced along and stopped at Qianyu Alley, which was only half a cup of tea’s journey from the East Gate of the imperial palace—extremely close.
Qianyu Alley also housed a few prominent noble families. However, when it came to a place like Wu De Si, other mansions maintained a respectful distance, usually keeping their gates tightly shut and avoiding deliberate flattery.
Wu De Si’s office had four gates. Today, she arrived at the south gate, which led directly to the renowned Tan Shi Jian Cha Si.
"Do you have a visiting card?" The gatekeeper guards stopped her, scrutinizing Zhang Zhiyan. Generally, female covert guards did not dress like this, nor would they come to report during the day. Moreover, Zhang Zhiyan did not look like a family member of a disgraced official.
"I am the wife of the Huguo-gong heir. I have urgent business with Lord Liu." Zhang Zhiyan stated her purpose directly, without mentioning the pouch.
The two guards exchanged glances, whispered briefly to each other, and one of them went inside to report.
After a while, they were allowed entry. When they reached the courtyard filled with dark bamboo on foot, Lüzhu and Lüyin were stopped by guards under the corridor at the half-moon gate arch, who instructed them to wait there.
Zhang Zhiyan followed the guard to the place where she had previously seen Liu Lang handling affairs alone.
Liu Lang leaned back in a rosewood chair, his feet propped on the desk, hands clasped behind his head, and his usual black winged cap placed beside him. It seemed he was resting with his eyes closed.
"Greetings, Lord Liu." Zhang Zhiyan bowed, but Liu Lang remained silent, only his eyelids twitching slightly.
"Madam, what brings you to think of me so suddenly?" After a moment, Liu Lang spoke, a faint scent of wine on his breath, his tone exceptionally gentle.
"My lord, I have serious business."
Liu Lang chuckled softly. He opened his eyes, lowered his feet, straightened his posture, and looked up at Zhang Zhiyan. He thought she looked as beautiful today as a celestial maiden from an opera, yet her demeanor carried a hint of pride and stubbornness, and the way she furrowed her brows was quite endearing.
"What serious business?" Liu Lang’s gaze drifted to her slender waist and delicate figure.
"This pouch, I picked it up last time. I thought it might belong to some official’s daughter. It’s also a bit unusual, not like the kind ordinary young ladies usually wear." Zhang Zhiyan placed the pouch on the table in front of him and took a step back. This man carried a sinister, dangerous aura, like a snake lurking in the grass, flicking its tongue.
Liu Lang withdrew his gaze from her and reached for the pouch. Suddenly, Zhang Zhiyan snatched it back. "But I have a condition."
The corner of Liu Lang’s mouth curved slightly. "Please speak, madam." He seemed to have considerable patience with her.
"I know this pouch must be of use to you, Lord Liu. As a woman confined to the inner chambers, keeping it serves me no purpose. However, my younger brother has been wrongfully imprisoned, and I wish to exchange this item for his freedom."
Liu Lang raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Zhiyan several times before he chuckled. "Interesting. This is the first time I’ve encountered a woman as bold as you, Madam. Your younger brother—I know him, that lad Zhang Chengxiao. We just arrested him, and he was shouting and making a fuss. After a beating, he quieted down."
Zhang Zhiyan frowned. "You actually resorted to private punishment? He’s merely a scholar who knows nothing. I swear to heaven, he would never dare to commit any crime."
Seizing the opportunity, Liu Lang snatched the pouch from her hand, weighed it in his palm, and then opened it, pouring out the small golden peanut inside. He turned the pouch inside out, examining it twice over. There was nothing unusual about it, except that it was half the size of an ordinary pouch.
Zhang Zhiyan frowned as she watched him, suddenly feeling a pang of regret. Fortunately, she had prepared a backup plan—a small piece of oiled paper she had hidden away.
"Rest assured, Madam. When I made the arrest, I noticed your brother among them. I will naturally release him." Liu Lang had long suspected Zhang Zhiyan of taking this item and had been waiting for her to walk right into his trap. To his surprise, she had indeed come.
After searching far and wide, here it was, delivered without the slightest effort.
Zhang Zhiyan eyed him suspiciously. "Really? You’ll investigate the truth and release my brother?"
"Of course." Liu Lang set aside his playful smile and grew serious. "Madam, who do you think this item belongs to?"
"I don’t know."
"Could it be a pouch worn by a child?"
Zhang Zhiyan shook her head. "If that were the case, it should have been embroidered with specific patterns or other characters. This pouch seems as though it was hastily made, with no time to add any designs, and then this golden peanut was placed inside."
Liu Lang smiled at her. "Madam is quite observant. In your opinion, what makes this golden peanut different?" With that, he stood up and walked behind her.
Zhang Zhiyan took a step to the side. "I don’t know. May I visit my brother in prison?"
As she turned to leave, Liu Lang stopped her, grabbing one of her hands and leaning close to her ear. "Madam, are you terribly afraid of me?"
His breath brushed against her face, and she caught the faint, crisp scent of pine on him. Zhang Zhiyan glanced outside—fortunately, no one was passing by, and it was utterly silent beyond the door.
She kept her head lowered, avoiding his gaze. "I’ve already given you the item, Lord Liu. Please do not go back on your word."
To her surprise, the man leaned even closer and whispered in her ear, "Even if I break my promise, Madam, there’s nothing you can do about it."
Zhang Zhiyan turned her head slightly. Not daring to raise her voice, she asked softly, "When can my brother be released?"
"What’s the hurry? He’s suffered some superficial injuries, and I still need to send a physician to your family’s Jing'an Houfu. In Wu De Si, officials as merciful as I are exceedingly rare." His face drew nearer until his nose touched hers. "How should Madam repay this humble official?"
"I’ve already returned what belongs to you. You’re not losing out on this deal." Zhang Zhiyan’s heart raced, uncertain whether Liu Lang would go back on his word.
She was betting solely on the slight affection or interest he currently held for her. After all, last time, it was Liu Lang who had summoned the imperial physician for her and escorted her back to her residence. Given Liu Lang's status and principles of conduct, he could have easily ignored her trivial affairs, especially since she was a married woman.
Liu Lang suddenly released her, wearing a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Madam is quite skilled at playing hard to get."
Zhang Zhiyan retreated a few steps, feigning panic and fear. "Your Excellency Liu jests. I am merely a woman confined to the inner chambers, trapped within the walls of my residence, unable to protect myself or rescue my closest kin. That is why I dared to hide something I should not have."
Liu Lang's smile vanished, replaced by a gaze that was both arrogant and provocative as he stared at Zhang Zhiyan. "You'd better not have concealed any other contraband. If there are any further mishaps, I won't be able to protect you. Now, tell me—is there anything else hidden inside this pouch?"