spoiled brat

Chapter 52 51. Duan Ming (1)

You Ming paused for a moment, then forced a smile and said, "Prefect Xu is a righteous and upright official in Yunzhou. He has only done good deeds and charitable acts. How could he—"

As they were talking, He Bi slammed the object in his hand onto the table with a thud. It was a rusty plaque with the name, household registration, and the mountainous area it belonged to engraved on it.

"Lord You, why don't you guess where this thing came from?" He Bi asked.

You Ming froze for a moment: "This is..."

“It’s been raining every day lately, and the river is flowing rapidly. A section of the riverbank that our Lord Xu ordered to be repaired has collapsed, and the river is full of all sorts of disgusting things.”

You Ming held up the sign and looked at it, then gave an awkward smile: "It's just a certificate issued by the government to the forest dwellers, what's so shameful about it?"

He sneered and clapped his hands lightly. The door opened in response, and two soldiers carried in a wooden box.

Even from a distance, You Ming could smell the chilling aura emanating from the contents of the box. He thought of a possibility, and his face suddenly turned pale.

Xiu Yi put down his wine cup and said calmly, "Open it and let Lord You take a look."

"Yes!" The two soldiers placed the wooden box on the ground, opened the top of the box, and took out a pottery jar about half a person's height. A damp, putrid stench suddenly spread out.

You Ming stared at the jar, his whole body tense, like a bowstring about to snap. He pinched his palm, forcing himself to calm down: "What is this...?"

Why bother stepping forward and tapping the jar with your knuckles? The sound was muffled, and the jar was filled with something unknown.

"It's already been opened, why bother knowing what's inside?" He smiled and said, "To some people, this is a treasure, a treasure that can protect the peace of the region if buried under the riverbank... Lord You, I am ignorant, why don't you tell me what this is?"

The pavilion was deathly silent, the candlelight flickering. Countless dark figures danced before You Ming's eyes, each with a face that seemed to be both smiling and not smiling, their eyes fixed on him with eerie intent. Pale hands reached out, as if to drag him into a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood...

Xiu Yi said, "Lord You, the thing in your hand was taken from the jar."

The thing in my hand.

You Ming's head drooped down little by little. He saw clearly that the thing in his hand was the sign, the sign that should have been hung around the neck of the dead.

A hand landed on his shoulder; it was He Bi, smiling: "Lord You, have you remembered?"

You Ming forced himself to remain calm: "Guard He, let them leave."

Why bother waving his hand? Two soldiers carried the things out. The deathly aura in the pavilion hadn't dissipated yet. You Ming's pale face was covered in cold sweat. He looked at the handsome man in front of him sipping wine and asked, "Young Master, if you have something to say, please speak plainly."

Xiu Yi stood up, walked behind You Ming, pressed You Ming's head down with the cold handle of his fan, and said in a condescending tone, "Go back and tell your master Xu Feng—Yunzhou is my family's fiefdom, and we will not tolerate these lowlifes. There is no room for negotiation between us. He either has to tuck his tail between his legs and get out of here now, or he has to wait to be escorted to the capital."

The hut was dark, with no lights on.

Zhao Zhao's hands and feet were tied to the chair, and she couldn't move. She heard Wang Liuer pleading outside the door: "Sir, my sister is ignorant and blind. She was indeed rude to the young master, but she had no other intentions."

The two guards were young and had little experience with women. When they saw Wang Liuer's tear-streaked face and her snow-white neck, they immediately felt weak in the knees.

"Girl, you should go." They practically closed their eyes, feigning indifference as they said, "We have no choice but to obey orders from above."

“I know, I know. But there are human emotions beyond the law. My sister offended a powerful person, and her life is in danger…”

He seemed to have picked up something, making a clanging sound: "Please let me in, so my sister can have another good meal."

"It's not that we're making things difficult for you, but Guard He is very strict and doesn't allow outsiders to come in."

The noise outside subsided, and after a moment, the door opened. Two soldiers came in, carried Zhaozhao, chair and all, to the inner window, then closed the door and left.

The inner window was pushed open, and several small dishes were placed on the wooden edge. Wang Liuer took a pair of chopsticks and frantically stuffed food into Zhao Zhao's mouth: "Eat quickly, we must die with a full stomach!"

Zhao Zhao chewed her food, so moved that her eyes went black: "Sister Liu'er, thank you so much."

It wasn't that Zhao Zhao was overly optimistic, but rather that she remembered Xiu Yi's gaze. His condescending scrutiny carried an almost mocking pity, somewhat playful, yet devoid of any murderous intent.

Seeing that she showed no fear, Wang Liuer cried softly, "Do you know who you've offended? I used to have a lover, a military leader, but I only cursed his family a few times in private, and he was knocked unconscious and fed to the dogs."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the two soldiers guarding the courtyard entrance shouted as if they had seen a ghost, "They're here! The young master and Guard He are here!"

They shoved all the bowls and plates off the windowsill into the food box, shoved Wang Liuer to leave, and hurriedly pushed open the door, carrying Zhaozhao, chair and all, back to her original spot. Just as they were about to bolt the door shut, one of them shouted, "Wait! This little girl didn't wipe her mouth after eating!"

Ignoring the dirt, he pulled out the sleeve from under his light armor and smeared it all over Zhao Zhao's face before dashing out the door and telling his companion, "Lock it up!"

Just as the lock was fastened, a muffled thud sounded from inside the room. The two men's expressions changed, and they exclaimed in unison, "Oh no!"

The soldier wasn't paying attention and wobbled the chair as he left. Zhao Zhao fell hard, chair and all, and her bones hit the wooden frame as if they were about to break.

A series of orderly footsteps sounded outside.

The people interrogating her have arrived.

Outside the door, He Bi glanced at the two guilty-looking people and asked, "What wrong have you done?"

The two stubbornly insisted, "We didn't do it."

Why make them turn around? Just kick each of their butts: "I can smell it!"

Zhao Zhao sniffed; the food Wang Liuer had brought really smelled delicious.

With a creak, why bother pushing the door open? Inside the pitch-black room, Zhao Zhao was lying face down on the floor, chair and all.

"Wow." He Bi stepped forward with a lantern and shone it on Zhao Zhao's face, which was covered in cold sweat from the pain. "This little girl is quite a handful." With that, he helped Zhao Zhao sit up straight.

With a sudden fall and a backward tilt, Zhao Zhao felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Once the vision cleared, countless candles were lit in the small room.

This was originally a storage room for miscellaneous items, and it couldn't bear such glory. Once it was brightly lit, all the dilapidated parts were exposed, making Xiu Yi, who stood in front of Zhao Zhao, appear even more like a celestial being descended to earth.

The candlelight fell on him, as if he were plated with a thin layer of gold, making the silver threads on his frosty white clothes appear as if they were flowing, rich and luxurious.

Two soldiers carried in a nanmu chair. Xiu Yi sat down. Why bother closing the door? Only the two of them were left in the room.

He looked at Zhao Zhao with the indifference of someone looking at an object: "What is your relationship with You Ming?"

Zhao Zhao's face turned pale with pain, but she laughed and said, "He's a customer who came to have fun, and I'm a prostitute trying to make a living. What difference could we have?"

Xiu Yi looked her up and down. Her hair ornaments were cheap gold plating, her earrings were dyed bone masquerading as red coral, and the belt around her waist was made of inferior fake agate beads. Although her clothes were Suzhou embroidery, the pattern was made of old material that nobody wanted five years ago.

If he had any connection with any official, he wouldn't be this poor.

Moreover, her dislike for You Ming is undeniable.

Xiu Yi stroked the fan handle: "Do you want to change your fate?"

Zhao Zhao's eyelids twitched: "What do you want me to do?"

"I need you to infiltrate You Ming's inner circle and help me investigate someone."

"who?"

A paper scroll had been prepared on the side of the nanmu chair. When unfolded, it revealed a portrait of a young man whose features were so indistinct that they lacked any distinctive features. The artist had written beside it that the man had four fingers on his right hand.

"His name is Shi Gang. He used to be a pawn under You Ming, and now he is being hunted down by You Ming."

Just as she was about to ask a question, Xiu Yi said calmly, "You don't need to be curious about anything else. You just need to find out whether this person is dead or alive."

Zhao Zhao refused to be manipulated by him: "You have to answer at least two questions for me. No one dares to walk on a road that's too dark." "Ask."

Why was he being hunted down?

“You Ming ordered him to kill someone, and he killed his colleague and ran away with the people who were supposed to be killed.”

Zhao Zhao tapped the armrest with her knuckles, her thoughts racing with the sound. She had no intention of getting involved in this mess, but right now, wealth and danger coexisted. If she succeeded, not only could she elevate her family to new heights, but perhaps…

Xiu Yi looked into her eyes, which were as bright as a cat's, yet gleamed with a lewd light, overflowing with desire and hatred. Such a greedy person would not be content to be a plaything.

"Find out if he's alive or dead, and how much money he'll get."

"Five thousand taels."

Is it really worth five thousand taels just for whether he lives or dies? Whether it's possible or not, I'll agree first and talk about it later. Zhao Zhao nodded: "Deal."

The door opened, and a young pimp came in. He untied the ropes binding Zhao Zhao's hands and feet and said, "If you receive any news in the future, please put the red lantern under the eaves in front of the door."

"Aren't you afraid I have ulterior motives for making this decision so easily?" Zhao Zhao wondered, when a cool fan handle pressed against her forehead.

Xiu Yi's clear voice rang out from above: "You're a smart person, so don't jump around like that and make yourself look foolish."

-

Back in her room, Zhao Zhao had just finished reporting her safety to Wang Liuer and chatting for a few minutes when Steward Sun arrived.

Seeing her smiling face, Zhao Zhao knew she had come for You Ming. Sure enough, she told Wang Liuer to leave: "Zhao Zhao."

She grasped Zhao Zhao's hand, her tone as sticky as the sweat on her palm: "What did Lord You say to you earlier?"

From the reactions of Steward Sun and You Ming, Zhao Zhao roughly grasped the outline of the matter. It seemed that the relationship between Yao Niang and You Ming was extremely strained; whether it was good or bad, auspicious or inauspicious, depended entirely on You Ming's attitude.

If he is kind-hearted, his past is a priceless treasure. Conversely, if he is wicked, he may bring about his own demise.

Zhao Zhao recalled the scholar who had tricked Yao Niang into eloping to the capital, and became more cautious, replying, "Lord You praised my zither playing."

Manager Sun was greatly disappointed: "That's it?"

That's it.

She gripped Zhao Zhao's hand even tighter, her face turning pale. Suddenly, she released her grip, flicked her sleeve, and got up to leave.

Just then, someone knocked on the door again. It was a pimp: "Manager, someone has requested this young lady's name."

There was a memorial archway in front of the brothel, but it wasn't used to praise chastity. Instead, it was covered with flowery stationery, each piece listing the talents, ages, and prices of the courtesans. With the birthday banquet still some time away, these newly arrived dancers and musicians couldn't just eat and stay for free. Manager Sun had their stationery hung up; even if no one requested it, it would still make the brothel appear full of talent and a gathering of elites.

"Put a sign on the sign?" Manager Sun was taken aback. She was planning a father-daughter reunion, so why would she put Zhao Zhao up?

Pushing open the door, she frowned and asked the pimp, "Have you encountered a ghost? She hasn't even put up her sign yet."

“It’s not a ghost, the shadows underfoot are dark!” the pimp insisted, handing over the deposit money.

Manager Sun weighed the pros and cons, and the deposit was five taels of silver: "How much will he pay? Is it for listening to music, drinking, or... staying overnight?"

"Twenty taels, for a song."

Now that You Ming's attitude is unclear, Manager Sun can't just keep supporting Zhao Zhao for nothing. She put the silver into her sleeve and said indifferently, "This customer spends a lot of money but only listens to music. He is a refined person who appreciates music. In that case, you should go and pay him a visit."

Zhao Zhao sneered inwardly at her rudeness, picked up her lute and followed the pimp, asking along the way, "What does this customer look like? How old is he?"

"A young man, not very old, but with a lot of money."

Zhao Zhao's heart sank; she didn't recognize this kind of person.

The pimp led Zhao Zhao to a bamboo room and gently knocked on the door: "Young master, the girl you chose has arrived!"

Xiao Duo's voice came from inside: "Come in."

The pimp opened a door, revealing Xiao Duo dressed in silk clothes, leaning against the window drinking tea. If Zhao Zhao hadn't recognized his face, she would have thought he was a young master from a good family.

He tossed coins to the pimp and said arrogantly, "Close the door, and don't bother me unless it's important."

The pimp picked up the copper coin from the ground, bowed, and retreated.

After the footsteps had gone far away, Zhao Zhao asked, "Why are you dressed like that? Have you made it big?"

Xiao Duo put down his teacup and gave a wry smile: "These are borrowed clothes."

He lifted the long hem of her robe, revealing coarse hemp trousers beneath the silk robe, and a pair of worn-out straw sandals: "Your mother and You Ming's story is too long, and you don't know that many words to reply to. I found an opportunity to go out to buy supplies and came to Yunzhou to deliver this message to you."

He walked all the way to Yunzhou, his feet covered in blisters, and all the money he had was spent on paying for the music.

“…Silly Xiaoduo.” Zhao Zhao’s nose stung with tears. “Would it kill you to bring more money and hire an oxcart?”

Xiao Duo couldn't bear to see her in pain, so he quickly pulled his foot back under his clothes, smiled and said that it didn't hurt, and that it wasn't that he didn't have money, but that he was just unlucky and hadn't encountered an oxcart coming to Yunzhou.

Even if he didn't say it, Zhao Zhao could guess why they were so strapped for cash. Yao Niang had fallen ill after giving birth, and A Heng was young and weak. Seeing a doctor, taking medicine, and recuperating were huge expenses. The money she left in the building had probably been spent long ago, and now Xiao Duo was paying out of his own pocket.

Zhao Zhao took out a bag of silver from her sleeve, which was given to her by You Ming. She did not report it to Steward Sun and kept it for herself: "Take this money first and go back safely."

He then asked, "Why did you pretend to be a customer?"

With Yu's mother's connections, Xiao Duo could have directly asked Steward Sun to arrange a meeting, but instead chose this roundabout and expensive method, which must mean she has some unspeakable difficulties.

"Zhao Zhao'er, things are a bit troublesome." Xiao Duo accepted the silver, his expression turning grave: "You've been sold."

-

That night, You Ming had a nightmare.

He dreamt that he walked into a vast white fog, so thick it felt like countless hands were pulling at his body, preventing him from leaving.

He swung the knife left and right, but the thick white mist instantly condensed into human faces, splattering hot, bloody splatter. The dream was gradually stained red; he looked down, his feet paved with countless corpses.

He fell into a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood, and woke up in a warm embrace. The smell was familiar; it was the smell of his parents when they were alive.

But when he opened his eyes, he was not being held by two people, but by one person, a person pieced together from his parents, who was grinning at him and calling him by his nickname.

You Ming woke up in shock, the blinding sunlight feeling like knives stabbing at him.

He wiped away a cold sweat. It was a dream, all a dream.

When the steward saw that he had woken up, he stepped forward and whispered, "Master, Magistrate Xu already knows about what happened last night."

"Don't mention last night." You Ming glared at him.

After getting up and washing up, he began to eat brunch.

On the octagonal table, there were a total of thirty dishes in large and small plates.

He sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and ate a few bites of food, but found it tasteless. So he ordered, "Go and call those children from the backyard."

(End of this chapter)