Chen Ji entered the main room. The sweet, metallic stench of Blood Qi mixed with the smell of alcohol assaulted his face.
Several blood-stained white cloths were tossed beside the bed, and the water in the copper basin by the window had also turned into bloody water.
Su Zhou lay quietly unconscious on the bed. Under the flickering candlelight, the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes appeared even deeper, like ravines.
Xiaoman said in a low voice, "Young Master, there were a total of seven wounds on her body. They have all been sewn up, and I've also poured strong liquor over them."
Chen Ji was about to step toward the edge of the bed to take a look, but was stopped by Xiaoman.
He asked in confusion, "What is it?"
Xiaoman hurriedly explained, "Young Master, do not get close to her! This fierce woman is extremely fierce! Don't let her injure you. If you have any matters, instruct me, and I will do it."
Chen Ji looked at Xiaoman, "You won't let me get close, but aren't you afraid of her yourself?"
Xiaoman said nonchalantly, "A maid naturally has a maid's fate. If I get plotted against and killed by her, Young Master, please remember to burn more paper money for me every July 15th. Oh, right! It would be even better if you could burn four paper effigies of virgin boys and girls for me! One to heat foot-washing water for me, one to cook for me, one to wash my clothes, and one to beat my legs! I, Xiaoman, want to enjoy the feeling of being served by others down in the underworld too!"
Chen Ji didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Alright, I'll even burn two extra for you! One hard-working one to be your carriage driver, and one clever and deft-handed one to make pretty clothes for you."
A look of yearning actually appeared in Xiaoman's eyes: "That sounds so relaxing and comfortable, oh."
Chen Ji knocked her on the head: "Do you truly want to die?!"
Snapping back to reality, Xiaoman muttered under her breath: "I was just thinking about it... Young Master, I'll go wake that fierce woman up."
"Hey!" Just as Chen Ji was about to speak out to stop her, he saw Xiaoman had already run to the bedside like a gust of wind. While calling out softly, she secretly poked Su Zhou's wound!
In her sleep, Su Zhou sucked in a breath of cold air, her forehead covered in cold sweat from the pain.
Xiaoman asked with anxious concern, "Aiyo, what's wrong, what's wrong?! Did you have a nightmare?!"
Su Zhou glared at her fiercely from the corner of her eyes: "Once I get better, I'll make you look good!"
Xiaoman's eyes were innocent: "I just saved you, how can you repay kindness with enmity?"
She leaned close to the pillow and lowered her voice: "You want to kill my Young Master! It's already good enough that I didn't take the opportunity to kill you! But I warn you, do not act recklessly again!"
Su Zhou stared intensely at Xiaoman for a long time: "As long as he hasn't betrayed the Prince, I naturally won't touch him. Not only will I not touch him, I will also repay him."
Standing far away, Chen Ji called out to ask: "What are you two whispering about?!"
Standing up, Xiaoman smiled and said, "Young Master, she said she wants to drink water."
Chen Ji walked to a spot five steps away from the bed and stood still. He asked hesitantly, "The people from the Government Office are searching all over to arrest you. I need to seriously ask you once: will they follow your tracks and flaws to find the Chen Estate? You bled so much, will it attract hunting hounds?"
Su Zhou shook her head: "It won't. When I fled, I traveled across the rooftops. Even if the hunting hounds went up, the scent is intermittent and disjointed. Furthermore, I scattered mugwort and calamus powder, which will confuse the scent..."
Before the sound of her words fell, the light of torches shined in from outside the window.
Xiaoman opened the window a crack. She saw the firelight outside the courtyard walls getting closer and closer, brighter and brighter. It seemed many people holding torches were rapidly approaching!
Both Su Zhou and Chen Ji's expressions changed, speaking simultaneously:
"Was it you who informed the Government Office of my whereabouts?!"
"Didn't you say you covered your scent?!"
The two spoke at the exact same time, each saying their own thing, and then fell into silence.
A moment later, Chen Ji opened his mouth to say: "Rest assured, I did not inform the Government Office of your whereabouts. You lie here and do not move. I will go out and deal with them. If you see the situation turns bad, simply escape through the back window. There is no need to worry about me."
...
...
Outside the Mingquan Courtyard.
The Secret Spies of the Secret Spy Division had all changed into an Official Robe. In the dark night, the light of the torches illuminated the black robes on their bodies. A red embroidered python coiled from their shoulders down to their chests, exuding a majestic and highly deadly aura.
In the ancestral system of the Ning Dynasty, men who had reached the pinnacle of officialdom as ministers, and women who received imperial mandates of honor, were permitted to wear the Python Robe. Originally, this Python Robe was the supreme, lifelong ideal of the civil official ministers and grand secretaries.
However, during the Jianing era, that person in the Renshou Palace bestowed Python Robes on a massive scale. Overnight, the tens of thousands of Secret Spies and Trouble-Resolving Guards could all wear the python, faintly placing them above the civil officials and ministers.
Inside the Chen Estate, a Secret Spy was currently walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Chen Liqin. Chen Liqin's expression was displeased: "Is this newly appointed Lord Gyrfalcon intent on turning my Chen Estate completely upside down searching it?! You don't think my Chen Family is harboring rebel bandits, do you?!"
That Gyrfalcon smiled, his tone neither soft nor hard as he explained: "Lord Chen, please do not mind it. I am not targeting you; rather, I am helping you, ah."
Flicking his sleeves, Chen Liqin said angrily: "A pack of nonsense! How can this be considered helping me?!"
The Gyrfalcon teased: "If we deliberately avoided the Chen Estate and Zhang Estate during our search, it would be fine if we caught that female assassin later. But if we didn't catch her, and idle gossip in the streets later said that only the Chen Estate and Zhang Estate in Luo City weren't searched, and the rebel must be hiding within them... would the two lords be able to explain yourselves clearly when the time comes? ...Do you think this reasoning makes sense or not?"
His face sinking, Chen Liqin said: "If you want to search, then search! Do not speak so much nonsense!"
The Gyrfalcon laughed cheerfully: "It is still Lord Chen who is reasonable and understanding! Just now, Lord Zhang scolded this humble official terribly, splashing this humble official's face full of spittle... Search! Remember, do not touch the Chen Estate's valuables and wealth! Otherwise, even I won't be able to protect you!"
The Secret Spies dispersed into every courtyard. They drove out Chen Wenzong, who had long since gone to sleep, from his courtyard. Even Chen Wenxiao, whose injuries hadn't fully healed, limped out, supported by a maid.
The Secret Spies searched extremely thoroughly, sparing neither the cabinets nor under the beds.
Seeing that the Secret Spies were about to search the Mingquan Courtyard, a Secret Spy pushed against the courtyard doors, but failed to push them open.
He turned back and said in a low voice to that Gyrfalcon: "Lord, the other courtyards all have their doors open. Only this courtyard is latched strongly! I fear there is something fishy!"
As soon as these words came out, the Gyrfalcon narrowed his eyes slightly. He rested his right hand on the hilt of his long waist saber, and made two hand gestures with his left hand. Immediately, Secret Spies surrounded the courtyard, Glaring like a Tiger watching its prey!
Chen Liqin stepped forward to explain: "Lord, please do not misunderstand..."
Smiling without his smile reaching his eyes, the Gyrfalcon interrupted: "Lord Chen, whether it's a misunderstanding or not, what you say doesn't count, and what I say doesn't count either. We'll only know once we open the doors."
After saying that, he drew his waist saber, using the tip of the blade to knock on the door: "The Secret Spy Division is handling a case! The people inside, come out!"
The dark night fell into silence. The only sound remaining was the wind blowing the torches, making one anxious and uneasy.
Seeing that the courtyard doors remained closed for a long time, the Gyrfalcon immediately and silently displayed sign language. Several Secret Spies made to form a human pyramid to vault into the courtyard.
A Secret Spy blew into his Copper Whistle. Magpie, one chirp.
The sound of the Copper Whistle spread far into the distance. The Secret Spies who were currently searching other parts of the Chen Estate converged one after another in a flurry, actually forming a massive formation behind the Gyrfalcon!
However, just as they were about to forcefully storm in, with a creak, the wooden doors opened.
A Secret Spy brought a torch closer, illuminating Chen Ji's calm face. In an instant, the expression of the Secret Spy Division's Gyrfalcon changed several times. For a long while, he couldn't speak a single word.
Stepping forward, Chen Liqin introduced: "This is the third son of my Chen Estate, Chen Ji. He lived outside the estate for the past two years, and thus harbors some of the defensiveness of the common marketplace. Closing the doors is also his usual habit; it's not like he only latched the doors today."
Hearing Chen Liqin's explanation, the Gyrfalcon suddenly smiled and sheathed his waist saber: "Lord Chen should have said so earlier! It turns out to be a misunderstanding! Everyone, put your weapons away! Do not frighten the Third Young Master of the Chen Estate."
The atmosphere in the Mingquan Courtyard instantly relaxed.
The Gyrfalcon waved his hand at the Secret Spies: "What are you all gathering here for? Have the other places been searched completely? Disperse!"
The Secret Spies dispersed in a hubbub. Seeing the Secret Spies heading toward the Wen Yun Hall, Chen Liqin immediately followed after them: "Inside the Wen Yun Hall are all antiques and Calligraphy and Paintings handed down through generations! Do not destroy them!"
Seeing the crowd disperse, the Gyrfalcon said without displaying any expression: "Lord Chen."
Chen Ji asked with a smile: "Lord Xi Feng, long time no see. I actually hadn't heard that you were also promoted to Gyrfalcon; otherwise, I definitely would have offered my congratulations."
Xi Feng smiled shyly: "It was just a stroke of luck, a stroke of luck! It was still thanks to you and Lord Jin Zhu that I managed to mooch some merit in the Liu Family's rebellion case, otherwise I definitely wouldn't have been able to be promoted! Now, Lord Jin Zhu left me to hold the fort in Luo City, looking after our Secret Spy Division's business here."
Chen Ji said in a low voice: "You and I are both Gyrfalcons. You needn't use such a tone to address me."
Xi Feng hurriedly waved his hands: "It's different, it's different! I was able to be promoted to Gyrfalcon because I stuck it out all these years; Lord Jin Zhu saw that even if I didn't have merit, I had hard work. You being promoted to Gyrfalcon is because you only just joined the Secret Spy Division; there was no way to promote you to an even higher position right now."
Acting as if nothing happened, Chen Ji asked: "I heard that General Wang of the Thousand-Year Army died, and the murderers haven't been caught yet?"
Xi Feng uttered a curse of bad luck: "Isn't that right?! I thought Luo City was already peaceful, and was just planning to spend my retirement years here. I never expected this kind of mess to happen again! That assassin really is something else! Couldn't she have killed Wang Chongli outside Luo City?! She just had to dump this massive basin of shit right onto my head..."
Speaking up to this point, Xi Feng's eyes rolled around: "Lord Chen, how about you help me investigate this case? With your capabilities, you'll definitely be able to catch the chief culprit!"
Chen Ji smiled: "I will be traveling to the Capital City with the Chen Family in the next few days. I'm afraid I don't have enough time. However, you can tell me the clues you've grasped so far, and I'll help you analyze them."
Pondering for a moment, Xi Feng recalled: "In this assassination, one of the assassins was a female assassin named Su Zhou; this matter is an incontrovertible fact. The imperial court has placed a bounty on her for many years already. Eighteen years ago, she disguised herself as a Pure Courtesan to assassinate Prince Jing. It's said Prince Jing took pity on her background and, considering her young age, spared her life. Seven years ago, she disguised herself as a peddler in Jinling and assassinated the Superintendent Eunuch of our Directorate of Ceremonial's silver treasury..."
As each incident was recounted one by one, the number of lives Su Zhou carried on her back was actually so many that it made one's Scalp Tingle!
Leaning closer, Xi Feng lowered his voice: "Lord Chen, Su Zhou is actually fine to talk about. Since even Lord Xuan She failed to catch this assassin, it's excusable that I didn't catch her either. But the other assassin tonight is extraordinary! We must catch him!"
Chen Ji raised his brows: "Oh? What profound mystery is there?"
Xi Feng said: "An armored soldier of the Thousand-Year Army went to the City Defense Division to deliver the message, and luckily survived. According to what he said, before Su Zhou's assassination attempt, a Practitioner who commands spirit monsters had also made a move! Based on his description, that Practitioner clearly cultivated the Mandala Secret Seal, and what they commanded was a Taotie!"
Chen Ji said nonchalantly: "The Mandala Secret Seal? Could it be someone from the Esoteric Sect in southern Dian?"
"No, no, no." Xi Feng shook his head: "It's true that over in southern Dian, there are relatively many monks of the Esoteric Sect cultivating the Mandala Secret Seal. But the branch that commands the Taotie is passed down to a single heir per generation! As early as two hundred years ago, under the leadership of Guru 'Ba Si Ba', this Religious Sect relocated to the Jing Dynasty to spread their teachings... This assassin came from the Jing Dynasty!"
Once the clues implicated the Jing Dynasty, the Secret Spy Division would relentlessly pursue the matter until either they or the enemy perished!
Chen Ji's heart tightened. If this Practitioner commanding the Taotie truly was Xiaoman, then exactly who imparted her Cultivation Pathway to her?! Was it his biological mother?!
Xi Feng asked: "How is it, Lord Chen? Do you have any clues or ideas?"
Chen Ji pondered for a moment: "I heard the City Defense Division soldiers say that the female assassin was severely injured. Lord Xi Feng might as well search the various medical clinics. Additionally, the medicinal herb merchants should also be searched."
Xi Feng sighed: "I was thinking the same thing. But temporarily, there hasn't been any gains..."
Turning his body to the side, Chen Ji smiled and asked: "Does Lord Xi Feng want to search my courtyard?"
Xi Feng hurriedly smiled and waved his hands: "We're all our own people! How could I search you?! Lord Chen, rest early. I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight."
Chen Ji cupped his hands: "Then I won't delay Lord Xi Feng's time."
Xi Feng cupped his hands in return: "I'm leaving. Rest peacefully."
The courtyard doors of the Mingquan Courtyard slowly closed. After walking a few steps away, Xi Feng seemingly doubtfully turned his head back to look at those tightly shut wooden doors.
A few breaths later, he laughed and shook his head, holding his waist saber as he went to search elsewhere.
...
...
Chen Ji closed the courtyard doors well, letting out a slight breath of relief.
Gripping the door latch with both hands, he quietly listened to the sound of Xi Feng walking far away. Only then did he turn around and return into the room.
Just as he entered the door, he saw Su Zhou and Xiaoman standing by the window. It seemed they had been peeking for a long time.
Su Zhou asked calmly: "You are a mere medical clinic apprentice. Why are you so thoroughly acquainted with the Eunuch Faction?! What did you say to him just now, and why was he so exceptionally polite to you?!"
Acting as if he was shaken and terrified, Chen Ji said: "What do you mean by this? Are you doubting me?! My Master once treated the Inner Chancellor's leg ailment. After the Eunuch Faction arrived in Luo City, they also came to the medical clinic to fetch medicine for the Inner Chancellor. As we went back and forth, we naturally became familiar with each other! If I wanted to betray you, how would you still be standing here talking right now?! I helped you with the best of intentions, how can you measure the heart of a gentleman with the yardstick of a petty man?"
Su Zhou pondered over it; this was indeed the reasoning.
However, the demeanor of that Secret Spy Division's Gyrfalcon when facing Chen Ji just now—no matter how she looked at it, it didn't seem like he was facing a little apprentice, but rather facing a... superior.
Chen Ji said timidly, "Heroine, I do not know what relationship you have with Prince Jing, nor do I know how you intend to avenge him. But I have done all that I should do. Tomorrow, the Chen Estate will set off on a journey to the Capital City. I merely need to think of a way to send you out of the city. When that time comes, we will part ways."
Su Zhou said calmly: "No."
Chen Ji shrank his neck: "What do you want to do?! We are merely ordinary commoners and cannot withstand such fright! Thinking back on what just happened, my calves are still jelly even now."
Softening her tone, Su Zhou said gently: "Many thanks to my benefactor for saving my life; Su Zhou will definitely reward you heavily in the future. It's just that since you share ties of friendship with the Prince's Estate, you might as well follow through with your good deed to the end. How about you deliver me to the Capital City? The Prince once entrusted me to seek you out. Right now, I have no one else I can trust."
At the side, Xiaoman hurriedly opened her mouth to say: "Young Master! Do not agree to this fierce woman..."
But before she finished speaking, Su Zhou actually felt a Lantern Fire Copper Coin from her hair, and stealthily stuffed it into the palm of Xiaoman's hand! Xiaoman's eyes lit up, and she suddenly shut her mouth tight!
Chen Ji walked over to the table and poured himself a cup of tea. With his back facing the two of them, his expression gradually calmed down.
A long time later, he drained the tea in the cup in one gulp, a decision made in his heart.
Turning around, Chen Ji said reluctantly: "Then, on account of Prince Jing, I will help you one more time and deliver you to the Capital City!"
(End of this chapter)