Yu Xingliang was speechless. “Appearing for only a single chapter, isn’t that just classic cannon fodder?”
“You are the chosen one, host. Although you were unable to reach the final conclusion with the male protagonist Mu Heng, you have successfully rewritten Zheng Lele’s tragic life into a fulfilling one.”
A sudden wave of sorrow washed over Yu Xingliang. “Will I ever be able to see Mu Heng again?”
“Apologies. Completion of a journey permits a single inquiry, and your question quota for this session has already been expended. Please select the genre for your next journey.”
A heavy ache settled in Yu Xingliang’s chest. “I do not want to choose. Just send me back to the real world! I merely tumbled into the sea, why must I be trapped inside this system?”
The voice offered no response to his protest. “Novel Encounter in Qiongya selected. Loading data…”
“Hold on, I have not made my choice yet!”
“Countdown commencing. Five.”
“Are you even listening to me?! I want to go back!”
“Four.”
“What kind of genre is this Encounter in Qiongya anyway? I have never read it!”
“Three.”
“Wait, wait, wait! I want to be the male protagonist!”
“Two.”
“I refuse to be cannon fodder this time!”
“One.”
“Do not make me a powerless weakling!”
“Data loading for Encounter in Qiongya complete. Wishing the host a pleasant journey!”
The moment the words faded, Yu Xingliang felt his form slowly condense from a weightless cloud back into a physical body, plunging downward at a dizzying speed.
Yichuan was hailed as the most prosperous city. This status stemmed not only from its strategic location at the convergence of northern and southern waterways and its thriving river trade, but also from its enduring stability, which allowed the common folk to live and work in peace.
A junior bailiff clutching a stack of documents rushed breathlessly into the auxiliary hall of the magistrate’s office, colliding head-on with Master Liu, who was stepping out while sipping from a small wine flask and humming a cheerful tune. Wine splashed all over Master Liu’s robes.
“Meng Ren! You reckless little brat! What are you bolting around for like a house afire?” Glaring with distressed fury at the shattered wine jar lying in pieces on the floor, Master Liu let out a furious tirade against Meng Ren.
“Master Liu! My apologies, I am truly sorry…” Meng Ren stammered in panic, bowing in contrition.
Master Liu let out a cold snort. “Apologize? An apology fixes this? Do you have any idea how expensive this wine was? Selling you and your lame mother wouldn’t even cover the cost of a single jar!” Growing increasingly incensed, Master Liu raised his hand to strike Meng Ren across the face.
Frightened, Meng Ren squeezed his eyes shut. Yet after a long moment, the slap never landed. Opening one eye cautiously, he shouted with sudden joy, “Big Brother!”
An exceptionally tall and handsome young man had caught Master Liu’s raised wrist in a firm, vice-like grip. Wincing in pain from the iron grasp, Master Liu shrieked, “Ow, ow! Well, if it isn’t Gu Shaoyuan! You ungrateful…”
Applying even greater pressure with his grip, Gu Shaoyuan silenced him instantly. “Agh! Ow! Captain Gu! Officer Gu! I misspoke! Please let go, my hand is about to snap!”
Gu Shaoyuan stated coldly, “Apologize to Meng Ren.”
“What?” Master Liu barely managed to squeak out a syllable before Gu Shaoyuan tightened his grip further.
“I apologize, I apologize! Meng Ren! Meng Ren, I am sorry!” Tears of pain streamed down Master Liu’s face.
“I was the one rushing too hastily today, this is not Master Liu’s fault. Big Brother, please let Master Liu go.”
Seeing Meng Ren intercede on his behalf, Gu Shaoyuan finally loosened his hold.
“Master Liu, we all work under the same roof in this yamen, we see each other day in and day out. It is always wise to mind one’s tongue.” Stepping directly before Master Liu, Gu Shaoyuan flashed a sudden smile. “Don’t you agree, Master Liu?”
When expressionless, Gu Shaoyuan possessed the terrifying, murderous aura of a stalking lion; yet the moment he smiled, he radiated the warmth of a gentle spring breeze. It was no wonder every young maiden in Yichuan was utterly infatuated with him.
Massaging his aching wrist, Master Liu forced a compliant, ingratiating smile. “Yes, yes, indeed! Captain Gu is entirely right!”
Hastily gathering the shards from the floor, Master Liu muttered, “If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”
Tilting his head with a faint smile, Gu Shaoyuan replied, “By all means, Master Liu.”
“Right!” Acknowledging the dismissal, Master Liu scuttled away in hurried embarrassment.
Stepping closer to Gu Shaoyuan with a grateful look, Meng Ren whispered, “Big Brother!”
Casting a sideways glance filled with exasperation at him, Gu Shaoyuan scolded, “He struck at you, and you just stood there taking it?”
Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, Meng Ren chuckled. “Well, he is the senior secretary after all.”
Reaching out to flick Meng Ren’s forehead lightly, Gu Shaoyuan chided, “It is precisely because of this meek attitude of yours that Liu Bing feels emboldened to bully you!”
“Ah, but I have my big brother to shield me, so I am not afraid!”
Shaking his head with helpless amusement, Gu Shaoyuan softened his tone. “You came running with such urgency, is there an emergency?”
“Oh!” Smacking his own forehead, Meng Ren exclaimed, “I almost forgot the actual business!”
With that, he handed the confidential dispatch directly to Gu Shaoyuan.
Meanwhile, within the grand administrative residence of Yichuan, Prefect Jiang Taoyue was occupied with official paperwork when Madam Jiang dragged a reluctant Jiang Yuhan into the study.
Finally looking up from his desk, Jiang Taoyue inquired, “What is the matter?”
Madam Jiang retorted with a sharp edge to her voice, “What is the matter? Our honorable Prefect Jiang is such a busy man. Have you perhaps forgotten that you even have a daughter?”
Startled, Jiang Taoyue paused. “My dear, why such harsh words?”
Madam Jiang let out an icy huff. “Tomorrow is Yuhan’s seventeenth birthday. Does a father like you even know that?”
Setting down his brush, Jiang Taoyue stood up and walked over to Jiang Yuhan. “It was my oversight as a father. What gift would my dear Yuhan like for her birthday this year?”
Lowering her head in shy embarrassment, Jiang Yuhan remained silent.
Madam Jiang interjected impatiently, “What birthday gift? Yuhan is already seventeen years old, shouldn’t you be arranging a suitable husband for her by now?”
Hearing this, a shadow crossed Jiang Taoyue’s features.
“Did you hear what I said or not?!” Madam Jiang snapped, growing irritated.
“I heard you, I heard you. In the blink of an eye, Yuhan has already reached marriageable age…” Jiang Taoyue sighed, shaking his head. “Very well, daughters cannot be kept at home forever. Since I cannot shield Yuhan by my side for a lifetime, it is indeed time to select a fine husband for her.”
Affectionately wrapping her arms around Jiang Taoyue, Jiang Yuhan cooed, “Father, your daughter will never leave your side.”
“Look at the two of you! It isn’t as though she is marrying across the empire!”
“Oh? Madam, what do you mean by that?”
Pulling Jiang Yuhan close, Madam Jiang urged, “Tell your father yourself, or must I speak for you?”
Just as Jiang Yuhan opened her lips to reply, a maid rushed into the room to announce, “Captain Gu and Bailiff Meng are here to request an audience.”
A joyful light dawned in Jiang Yuhan’s eyes as she glanced toward Madam Jiang, who offered an approving nod to soothe her excitement.
“Send them in!” Instructing the visitors to enter, Jiang Taoyue signaled with a glance for Madam Jiang and their daughter to withdraw.
Madam Jiang led Jiang Yuhan into the adjoining parlor, though describing it as waiting would be more accurate to call eavesdropping.
Stepping into the study one after the other, Gu Shaoyuan and Meng Ren offered a formal salute before presenting the confidential report to Jiang Taoyue.
Breaking the seal and scanning the contents, Jiang Taoyue slammed his palm onto the desk in sudden fury. “Outrageous! Has this been verified? Did the murder genuinely occur within our jurisdiction in Yichuan?”
Cupping his hands respectfully, Gu Shaoyuan replied, “Reporting to the Prefect, it happened precisely in the northern sector of Yichuan. Every indicator points toward the Beiyu Hall as the perpetrators behind this incident.”
“Beiyu Hall?” Massaging his temples, Jiang Taoyue muttered, “This complicates matters. The Beiyu Hall survives on assassination-for-hire and intelligence trafficking. Many high-ranking officials in the capital rely on them for secrets, granting them enough leverage that even the imperial court affords them a degree of leniency.”
“Prefect, if this atrocity was indeed committed by Beiyu Hall, they must be made to pay the price. We owe the people of Yichuan justice.” Dropping to one knee, Gu Shaoyuan pleaded, “As head bailiff of Yichuan, I request permission to lead an investigation into Beiyu Hall.”
Following his lead, Meng Ren immediately dropped to his knees alongside him, echoing the request.
Jiang Taoyue let out a heavy sigh. “You must remember that Beiyu Hall enjoys the backing of Prime Minister Cao. Even should you uncover evidence…”
“Prefect!” Gu Shaoyuan interrupted firmly. “Did the Prefect not impart a fundamental teaching to me long ago?”
Silence hung in the air as Jiang Taoyue was temporarily rendered speechless.
“You taught me that a bailiff’s ultimate duty is to serve the people and safeguard the peace of Yichuan. Yet right now, in the northern districts of our city, innocent citizens have been brutally slaughtered, and every single clue leads directly to Beiyu Hall!” With unwavering determination burning in his eyes, Gu Shaoyuan looked up at Jiang Taoyue. “I beg the Prefect to authorize my investigation!”
Pondering for a moment, Jiang Taoyue flicked his sleeve in resignation. “Very well, permission granted. This mission must be conducted in absolute secrecy by the two of you alone. Exercise extreme caution at all times, and do not act rashly!”
“Thank you, Prefect!”
Stepping forward to raise the two kneeling men to their feet, Jiang Taoyue grasped Gu Shaoyuan’s hand and instructed earnestly, “If nothing can be uncovered, return early. Beiyu Hall is by no means a safe place.”
Offering a reassuring pat to Jiang Taoyue’s hand, Gu Shaoyuan smiled. “Have no fear, Master!”
The moment Gu Shaoyuan and Meng Ren departed, a flustered Madam Jiang stormed out from behind the screen to confront Jiang Taoyue, while Jiang Yuhan hurried over to defuse the brewing storm.
“Enough! Stop this bickering! Human lives are at stake!” Jiang Taoyue roared, shocking Madam Jiang into stunned silence.
Patting Jiang Yuhan’s shoulder, Jiang Taoyue’s expression softened into a mix of realization and tender resignation. “So Yuhan’s heart belongs to Shaoyuan after all.”
Jiang Yuhan nodded shyly.
“Do not worry, Shaoyuan is fully capable of handling this!” Jiang Taoyue comforted, offering a reassuring pat to her shoulder.
Though Jiang Yuhan kept her head lowered in silence, the quiet grief weighing on her heart was keenly felt and deeply pitied by her parents.
At that moment, a maid named Xiaoru broke the sorrowful atmosphere by carrying in a covered birdcage.
“Is this a gift from Brother Shaoyuan?” Cautiously lifting the silken cover, Jiang Yuhan spotted a small bird pecking at seeds inside the cage. As the sudden light flooded in, the little creature straightened its posture and chirped in a remarkably clear, crisp voice, “Yuhan, happy birthday!”
“It can speak!” Jiang Yuhan gasped in pure delight.
“Clearly, your Brother Shaoyuan poured a tremendous amount of thought into your birthday!” Madam Jiang wrapped an arm around Jiang Yuhan’s shoulder, sharing happily in her daughter’s radiant smile.
Off to the side, Jiang Taoyue offered a satisfied, approving chuckle. At least the boy knows how to win a maiden’s heart.
Far away from Yichuan, deep within the main hall of Beiyu Hall, a man groveled flatly against the cold stone floor, trembling uncontrollably as he begged for mercy.
A soft, mocking chuckle drifted from behind a beaded curtain. Two attending maids slowly drew the bamboo drapes aside, revealing a figure lounging leisurely upon a cushioned couch. Clad in pale pink embroidered robes and holding a gem-encrusted bronze hand mirror, the person admired their own reflection with rapturous intoxication while four personal maids meticulously tended to their hair.
Stealing a cautious glance upward, the cowering man on the floor found himself utterly transfixed and paralyzed by the breathtaking beauty of the figure before him.
“Is it pleasing to the eye?” A vibrant, resonant male voice carried a mocking undertone.
“This subordinate deserves death, this subordinate deserves death!” Terrified out of his wits, the man slammed his forehead repeatedly against the floor in desperate supplication as giant beads of sweat cascaded down his face.
“You possess quite the daring spirit.” Waving a dismissive hand to dismiss the four attending maids, the figure on the couch continued in an unhurried drawl, “To dare act on your own accord and murder someone, while deliberately leaving behind incriminating evidence.”
“No! I did not mean to! I…” Before the words could fully leave his lips, the figure lounging on the couch vanished from sight in a blur of motion, reappearing instantly before the kneeling man to effortlessly snap his neck with a gentle twist.
A woman dressed in midnight-black attire stepped gracefully into the hall, offering a respectful bow to the figure standing beside the corpse and wiping his hands clean.
“Hall Master! Everything has been disposed of cleanly, no trace will lead back to Beiyu Hall.”
“Rongzhi, tell me, why are there always so many arrogant fools in this world?” Tossing aside the silk handkerchief he used to wipe his fingers, Fang Qiongya sighed with feigned pity. “And I was actually planning to promote him.”
Lowering her head, Rongzhi replied, “It simply means he lacked the fortune for it.”
With a faint, indifferent smile, Fang Qiongya turned and swept out of the hall.
Without a shred of emotional attachment, Rongzhi cast a cold, vacant glance down at the lifeless corpse on the floor, as though the dead man had never been a former comrade who once brewed medicine and served tea by her side.
Reaching into her tunic, she drew out a delicate crystal vial and tipped a few drops of liquid onto the body.
The instant the liquid touched flesh, brilliant blue flames erupted across the corpse. Within moments, the entire body disintegrated into the wind, leaving behind not even a trace of ash.