The streets were under curfew, with night watchmen and patrolling soldiers passing by from time to time.
On high alert, she moved as lightly as a cat and knocked on the back door of Feng Ya Song.
Three short knocks, followed by two long ones.
The back door of Feng Ya Song creaked open, and a shop assistant holding a lantern looked her over. “Who are you looking for?”
Bai Jingchu replied in a low voice, “I’ve come to your esteemed establishment to borrow a medicinal herb.”
“What herb?”
“Wang Bu Liu Xing.”
“This is an antique shop. You’ve come to the wrong place.”
“I need it urgently and can pay nine thousand taels of silver.”
The shop assistant immediately stepped aside to let Jingchu in, then re-bolted the door. “Follow me.”
He led her directly to the front courtyard.
The shop had long been closed for the day. The shopkeeper was leisurely sipping tea and did not rise upon seeing Bai Jingchu. “Speak. Who sent you?”
Bai Jingchu lowered her voice further. “I need to see your guild leader.”
The shopkeeper, a plump, fair-skinned man, didn’t even lift his eyelids. “Our guild leader isn’t someone just anyone can see.”
Bai Jingchu extended her hand from her sleeve, revealing a slender, pale finger adorned with a brass ring that stood out prominently in the candlelight.
“Not even me?”
The shopkeeper glanced up casually but froze the moment he saw the brass ring. After scrutinizing it carefully, he shot to his feet from behind the tea table.
Despite his bulk, he moved nimbly, dropping to one knee before Bai Jingchu with a heavy thud that seemed to shake the floor.
“This humble one failed to recognize your eminence. Greetings, Branch Master.”
“Rise.”
Bai Jingchu repeated, “I need to see your guild leader.”
The plump man shook his head. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible today. The guild leader is not in the capital; he’s gone to Xianghe. It will take at least three days for us to contact him.”
“What is he doing in Xianghe?”
“Looking for someone.”
Eunuch Li was already dead, and everyone in his residence had been killed. Who could he be looking for in Xianghe?
Jingchu didn’t press further. “It’s alright, it’s not terribly urgent.”
“When the guild leader returns to the capital, how should I contact you?”
“No need for now. I’ll return in seven days.”
Bai Jingchu was reluctant to reveal her identity. Having lived in a perilous environment for so long, she was more cautious than anyone.
Even Mama Li, despite her unwavering care, had yet to confide in her.
The more people who knew, the greater the danger.
She briefly inquired with the plump man about the current situation in the capital and the affairs of the guild, then said, “When the guild leader returns, have him select two personal maids for me.”
The plump man nodded. “What are your requirements, Branch Master?”
“One with a sharp tongue, and one with formidable martial skills.”
One to handle arguments for her, the other to handle fights.
With such maids to protect her, what did she have to fear in the Bai family?
The plump man agreed to everything.
After a moment’s thought, Bai Jingchu added, “There’s one more thing I need you to do.”
“Just give the order, Branch Master.”
“Tomorrow, find a matchmaker to go to the Bai residence of the Imperial Physician and propose a marriage on behalf of the Lin family’s grandson to the Bai family’s young lady.”
“Ah?” The plump man was taken aback. “Minister Lin’s family? The grandson, Lin Yaozu?”
“Correct.”
Bai Jingchu spoke with absolute certainty.
During her recent days in the Lin residence, she had overheard several of Minister Lin’s concubines discussing the grandson’s marriage prospects and had kept it in mind.
If the Bai family could form a marital alliance with the Lin family, it would eliminate any lingering concerns for Madam Bai Chen about breaking off the engagement.
The chubby man was a bit confused. “Which young lady should I propose to?”
“No need for an actual proposal, just test the waters. Let the Bai family know that the Lin residence has intentions of forming a marital alliance. Don’t speak too explicitly, and there’s no need to mention any names.”
After giving a few brief instructions, Bai Jingchu didn’t dare linger any longer and stood up to return home.
The chubby man watched her leave in astonishment, utterly baffled. “What exactly is the background of this new leader? How is she a young girl?”
The assistant was equally surprised. “I thought that after the leader’s death, Master Qin would take over Wangbuliuxing. But now, out of nowhere, this unexpected contender shows up, and the first thing she has us do is play matchmaker. I really can’t see any extraordinary qualities in her.”
“Someone chosen by the old leader must have something special about her. Perhaps she has powerful parents? Otherwise, how could she keep this group of ruthless men in check?”
“Whether she can or not depends on whether the old leader also handed over the poison formula to her.”
The chubby man sighed. “I hope Master Qin’s trip yields some results. Otherwise, with so many brothers in the organization holding grudges for so long, they might tear this woman apart. Wangbuliuxing would be finished for good.”
Both of them wore identical expressions of deep concern.
At the Qinggui Marquis Manor.
Chi Yanxing, reeking of alcohol, left the Bai residence and found a hidden brothel to quell his desires. It wasn’t until the moon was high and the stars sparse that he finally returned to the manor.
As soon as he entered, he saw Chi Yanqing squatting in a corner with his two guards, Chu’er and Chu’san, playing dice.
He brushed off his front lapel and stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Chi Yanqing. “Greetings, elder brother. You’re still awake?”
Chi Yanqing didn’t even look up, his eyes fixed on the dice cup on the ground. “It’s still early. Aren’t you just back too?”
Chi Yanxing replied with utmost deference, “I was discussing poetry and lyrics with a few old classmates over a couple of drinks. I didn’t realize how late it had gotten.”
Chi Yanqing didn’t respond, busy arguing with the two guards over the game.
Chi Yanxing awkwardly said, “I won’t disturb your enjoyment, elder brother. I’ll take my leave.”
Chi Yanqing waved him away impatiently, and he turned to leave.
Guard Chu’er sneered. “The second young master is truly a man of refinement. Even when visiting brothels, he never forgets to discuss poetry and lyrics.”
Chu’san spat in disdain. “Using our young master’s name to chase after women and tarnish his reputation, yet he manages to maintain the image of a modest gentleman. Young master, are you really not going to expose him and just let him stir up trouble like this? Nowadays, the common folk are all saying you’ve contracted a venereal disease, and they’re pinning every scandal on you.”
Chi Yanqing tossed the dice aside and stood up, all traces of his earlier frivolity gone. “Ever since I ‘contracted’ this venereal disease, things have been much quieter around me. Don’t ruin this for me, and don’t you dare tell Madam.”
Chu’san was indignant. “Why not? Did you see how he slandered you today at the Bai residence, right in front of so many people?”
“To force Chi Yanxing to slip up like that, this little fool really has some tricks up his sleeve.”
Chi Yanqing’s eyes turned cold. “Did you actually see him harassing the Bai family’s second young lady?”
Chu’san hesitated. “It seemed like it, but also not quite. Anyway, Miss Jingchu suddenly cried out for help and scratched his face.”
A faint smile tugged at Chi Yanqing’s lips. “Have you found any clues about Bai Jingchu, as I asked you to investigate?”
“Yes,” Chu Er affirmed confidently. “I have investigated thoroughly. It was indeed Miss Bai Jingshu’s idea to send her to Eunuch Li’s private residence three years ago.”
Chi Yanqing let out a cold snort. “Just as I suspected.”
“At that time, the Bai family was implicated in the sudden death of Consort Su. Eunuch Li was in charge of handling the case. The Bai family sacrificed their second daughter, and Eunuch Li managed to extricate them from the case. However, before Eunuch Li could even meet Miss Jingchu, he suffered a stroke and became paralyzed. The imperial physicians were helpless, and Eunuch Li eventually had to leave the palace to recuperate at his private residence. Therefore, the second daughter of the Bai family stayed by Eunuch Li’s side, tending to him with acupuncture and other treatments. A month later, she accompanied Eunuch Li to Xianghe for his convalescence and remained there for three years.”
“Why did she go mad? What happened in between?”