The night was as dark as ink, spilled across the bluestone streets of Jinzhou City. In the Tianzi Room of Yuelai Inn, candlelight flickered, casting wavering shadows of the carved window frames.
Shen Qinghuan had dismissed Chuntao and Dongmei, sitting alone at the Eight Immortals table, his fingers resting on the recently received transfer documents for Xiyun Manor. Yet in his eyes, there was not a trace of fatigue.
During the day, Li Bao’s arrogance, the fear etched on the faces of commoners whenever the Prefect was mentioned, and the barely perceptible oppression in Zhang Yulian’s shop—all of it swirled in his mind.
The waters of Jinzhou Prefecture were far murkier than they appeared on the surface.
Meanwhile, in the back hall of the Jinzhou Prefecture Magistrate’s office, a different, nauseating scene unfolded.
The room was as bright as daylight. The air was thick with the greasy smell of meat and liquor, mixed with the stench of cheap incense.
Jinzhou Prefecture Magistrate Cai Huaian leaned sideways on a soft couch draped with fox fur. Beside him was a young male concubine with delicate features and a fawning gaze, while Cai toyed with a finely crafted jade pendant, listening to Li Bao’s cries from below the steps.
Li Bao’s arm was wrapped in bandages soaked with dark red blood, his face a patchwork of bruises, lips swollen high and streaked with dried blood. He knelt on the ground like a beaten dog, sobbing uncontrollably, voice full of resentment and unwillingness:
“Brother Cai!
You must take my side!
That outsider is far too arrogant. Not only did he break my arm, he beat my brothers half to death!
I cannot swallow this grievance. If we let this slide, how can we ever stand our ground in Jinzhou Prefecture in the future?”
Cai Huaian, with narrow triangular eyes, squinted with a mix of malice and lecherousness. His thick fingers stroked the sparse goatee on his chin. After a long pause, he leisurely kicked Li Bao, speaking in an impatient yet teasing tone:
“Why are you crying?
Pathetic thing!
In Jinzhou City, who would dare touch anyone under Cai Huaian?”
Though these were scolding words, there was little anger—only the arrogance of one who controlled everything. In Jinzhou Prefecture, he was a local tyrant. Officials and bandits alike bowed to him; the lives and reputations of the people rested on his whim.
Li Bao stumbled from the kick, but it seemed like a tremendous blessing. He scrambled to his knees beside the couch, his chubby face contorting into a grotesque grin, fawning shamelessly:
“Wise Brother!
That brat is just an arrogant outsider, looks like a rich young master, with a few bodyguards, though he does have some skill.
Today, I intended to take Zhang Yulian’s little shop for Your Honor. The shop’s location is excellent, business thriving. Once in our hands, it would bring you a lot of profit. Who knew that brat would interfere, spoiling our good plan!”
“Zhang Yulian’s shop?”
Cai Huaian’s eyes brightened, a greedy expression spreading across his face. He licked his thick lips. “That girl does have some talent, managing her little shop quite well.
But compared to a shop, what interests me more is…” His tone shifted, eyes taking on a suggestive gleam. The male concubine immediately pressed closer, eliciting a lewd laugh from him.
Li Bao, sharp as ever, understood immediately. His eyes darted, face twisting into an even more lecherous smile as he lowered his voice:
“Rest assured, Brother. Once that outsider is taken care of, Zhang Yulian will be without a protector, entirely at your disposal.
But speaking of that outsider… he is truly handsome!”
He deliberately emphasized “handsome,” sneaking a glance at Cai Huaian to gauge his reaction.
Sure enough, Cai Huaian’s eyes instantly lit up like a starving wolf spotting fat meat. His triangular eyes narrowed to slits, the flesh on his face quivering, and his breathing quickened:
“Oh?
Truly that handsome?”
He had a penchant for younger, delicate men, and though he had many concubines, it never satisfied him. Hearing of someone more outstanding than the one beside him, he was instantly restless. Any prior anger from being challenged vanished like smoke.
“Absolutely!”
Li Bao pounded his chest in assurance, his grimace replaced with servility. “I guarantee that this brat is the most handsome Your Honor has ever seen!
Judging by his clothes and demeanor, he must come from a wealthy family. His bearing surpasses any commoner. If Your Honor takes him, not only will it bring you prestige, but he will be a profitable asset as well. Truly two birds with one stone!”
Cai Huaian’s face broke into a delighted smile. He patted Li Bao on the shoulder, tone softening further:
“You little thing, you’re getting sharper.
Speak. How do you plan to deal with him?”
Li Bao, heart racing at Cai Huaian’s interest, hurriedly said:
“That brat is currently staying at Yuelai Inn on Central Street, in the Tianzi Room.
Tomorrow morning, you send the prefecture’s constables, along with my brothers, to surround the inn. He won’t have a chance to escape!
Capture him and his subordinates. Any disobedient ones, execute and send to the burial ground. The obedient ones stay as dogs. As for that brat…” He chuckled, “bring him before Your Honor and let you handle him!”
“Good!
Good!
Good!”
Cai Huaian repeated the words thrice, in high spirits. He lifted the wine cup and drank it in one gulp, letting the wine spill down his mouth onto the fox fur, unconcerned.
“Exactly so! Tomorrow at the third watch, make sure he comes back to me in one piece! If even a single hair is harmed, I’ll hold you accountable!”
“Understood, Brother!
I will take care and ensure he comes back intact!”
Li Bao kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead striking the bluestone floor with a “thud, thud,” his face twisted with excitement. Pleasing Cai Huaian meant he could act even more recklessly in Jinzhou Prefecture. One shop was nothing—he could take over all the merchants in Jinzhou City if he wished.
Cai Huaian recalled something, a cruel glint flashing in his eyes:
“That brat dared ruin our plans. He must taste some suffering, understand the consequences of opposing me!
Once captured, search all his possessions. Every coin on his subordinates too—nothing spared!
Then lock him up and ‘train’ him well, so he knows who is Master in Jinzhou Prefecture and obeys willingly. If he refuses, break his legs and he will never leave my side!”
The male concubine beside him showed a flicker of jealousy, but dared not speak. He coquettishly added:
“You’re right, my Lord. That brat is insolent and deserves a proper lesson.
But, Lord, do not forget your humble one. When you take a new favorite, don’t cast me aside.”