The medicinal herb warehouse was filled with the scent of blood.
Whether intentionally or not, as Si Cao twisted the dagger in Manager Yuan’s heart with his right hand, he used his left hand to grip the man’s jaw, forcing his plump face to turn toward Chen Ji.
As a result, when Manager Yuan died, Chen Ji could clearly see the fear and resentment in his eyes.
Si Cao observed Chen Ji’s expression and praised, “I remember you’ve never taken a life before. Now that you’re about to deal with Yun Yang and Jiao Tu, I thought I’d help you ‘break the ice’ by killing someone in advance. Seems like it was unnecessary.”
As his words fell, Manager Yuan finally breathed his last.
Chen Ji saw a pale, icy stream emerge from the man’s forehead and drift into his own.
It was slightly less than the icy stream Zhou Chengyi had provided.
Indeed! Chen Ji had been waiting for this icy stream to confirm his suspicion: not only officials of the Ning Dynasty could produce these streams, but those of the Jing Dynasty could as well.
As the icy stream merged into his body, Chen Ji felt a weight lift from his heart.
He suddenly said, “Lord Si Cao, you shouldn’t have killed Manager Yuan.”
Si Cao replied calmly, “Once you join the Military Intelligence Division, you must shed your soft-heartedness. Your current mission is of utmost importance. He was worried that a noble like you would compete with him for the position of Haidong Qing left vacant by Zhou Chengyi. He would have undoubtedly caused trouble for you, openly or covertly. Such selfishness cannot be tolerated.”
Chen Ji shook his head, “Lord Si Cao, it’s not that I’m being merciful. What I meant was, he hadn’t yet told you the time and place to meet ‘Chang Jing’ tonight.”
Si Cao fell silent for a long moment before saying, “…It’s fine.”
He looked at Chen Ji, “While you’re getting close to Yun Yang and Jiao Tu, don’t forget your original mission. Once the Prince’s residence and the Liu family show sufficient sincerity, the Division Head can meet with that important figure from the Prince’s residence to discuss the next steps of cooperation. You need to find another opportunity to get close to that important figure soon and ask her when the goods will be delivered.”
Chen Ji’s heart tightened.
An important figure? Who is this important figure? Can’t you just say a name? I still don’t know who this person is.
How am I supposed to contact them?
Based on the attitude, Chen Ji leaned toward the idea that this important figure was Consort Yun.
First, that night in Wanxing Garden, Consort Yun had shown him much more favor, while Consort Jing and Chun Rong Mama had genuinely wanted to kill him.
Second, after the incident, Consort Yun had sent Xi Bing with a white cat to the medical hall, which was likely her way of trying to exchange information with him.
Thinking of this, Chen Ji recalled that when Xi Bing had come to the medical hall last time, he hadn’t revealed any information and had even prescribed a fifty-year-old ginseng for the cat…
If Consort Yun really was that important figure, she must be very confused…
Seeing Chen Ji remain silent, Si Cao asked in a serious tone, “What’s the matter? Is there some difficulty?”
“No,” Chen Ji cupped his hands and bid farewell to Si Cao, “Lord Si Cao, I came here today on my master’s orders to buy ginseng. It wouldn’t be good to stay too long.”
Si Cao nodded, wiping the blood from his hands with a cloth, “We have ginseng in stock. Go to the main hall, pay, and you can take it.”
Chen Ji asked, “Can I get a discount?”
Si Cao looked puzzled, “You’re using the Taiping Medical Hall’s money to buy ginseng. Why would you need a discount? Remember, many of our spies in the Jing Dynasty are supported by the Bailu Pavilion. Don’t let outsiders take advantage of our own people.”
Chen Ji: “…You’re right.”
After leaving the Bailu Pavilion, Chen Ji let out a long sigh.
Every hurdle is tough, but you get through it.
Every step is difficult, but you take it.
Whether it’s the Military Intelligence Division or the Secret Spy Division of the Jing Dynasty, he had no choice.
As he blended into the crowd, Si Cao stood quietly behind the window on the second floor of the Bailu Pavilion, asking no one in particular, “Are you sure no one is tailing him?”
A voice replied, “No one. Perhaps Yun Yang and Jiao Tu really trust him.”
Si Cao pondered for a long time, “Let’s see if he can truly prove his loyalty…”
…
…
In the capital, inside the imperial palace.
At the highest point of the building reserved for the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, despite it being daytime, the windows and doors were tightly shut, and candles were lit inside.
A middle-aged eunuch with a pale, beardless face hurried through the palace, holding the hem of his robe with one hand.
The man wore a green robe embroidered with a single python, a symbol of great honor.
In the Ning Dynasty, python robes came in two types: single python and seated python.
Only those personally bestowed by the emperor and held in high esteem could wear them.
Outside the Chief Eunuch’s building, guards clad in black stood in silence, their long swords at their waists and the characters “Jie Fan” embroidered on their sleeves.
One of them gestured in sign language: What’s the matter? These guards could only hear, not speak.
The python-robed man said, “Three carrier pigeon messages have arrived from Luocheng.”
The guard turned and went upstairs to report.
Moments later, he returned and gestured for the man to enter.
The python-robed man ascended the wooden stairs and knocked three times on a door at the top, “Chief Eunuch, Wu Xiu has urgent news to report. There’s news from Luocheng.”
A bell rang from inside, and Wu Xiu pushed the door open.
Upon entering, he couldn’t see the Chief Eunuch himself.
The dimly lit room was divided by a screen embroidered with a seated python, facing the visitor.
Anyone entering this room for the first time would likely be startled by the giant python.
Wu Xiu stood outside the screen, bowing his head, “Chief Eunuch, three messages have arrived from Luocheng, from Lin Zhaoqing of the Criminal Division, Yun Yang of the Secret Spy Division, and Meng Ji of the Secret Spy Division. Which one would you like to open first?”
There was no response from behind the screen for a long time, and Wu Xiu, despite his high status, dared not raise his head.
After what felt like an eternity, the person behind the screen continued writing calmly, “The Criminal Division.”
Wu Xiu quickly took out three thin bamboo tubes sealed with wax from his sleeve.
He opened the first one and pulled out a rolled-up piece of white paper.
He unfolded the paper and saw densely written characters.
After a moment, Wu Xiu said with some surprise, “Chief Eunuch, Yun Yang and Jiao Tu have found evidence of Liu Shiyu’s crimes.”
Someone behind the screen let out an “Oh?” “Those two?”
Wu Xiu hurriedly added, “I also think those two act recklessly. Perhaps we should send Jin Zhu instead.”
However, the Chief Eunuch behind the screen remained silent for a long time.
Wu Xiu nervously lowered his body, “This humble official spoke out of turn.”
From the darkness, someone said, “Continue.”
Wu Xiu continued reading the letter, then looked up, “It wasn’t Yun Yang and Jiao Tu who accomplished this. According to Lin Zhaoqing, a masked person helped them find the evidence. The situation was urgent. If they had been any slower, Lin Zhaoqing would have escorted Yun Yang and Jiao Tu back to the capital.”
“Who is this masked person?”
“Lin Zhaoqing doesn’t know. He only said this person first helped Yun Yang and Jiao Tu find the paper shop, then helped them uncover Liu Shiyu’s crimes… That’s all the letter says. Which one should I open next?”
“Yun Yang.”
Wu Xiu rolled up the sleeve of his python robe and opened another bamboo tube.
After breaking the wax seal, he hesitated, “Yun Yang and Jiao Tu boast about themselves but don’t mention the masked person at all.”
The Chief Eunuch behind the screen fell silent for a moment, “Those two brats are bold indeed, trying to claim someone else’s credit.”
Wu Xiu continued reading, raising an eyebrow, “Chief Eunuch, Yun Yang and Jiao Tu opened the coffin for an autopsy and found that Old Master Liu’s coffin was empty. It’s possible he’s not dead. The Liu family has quite the audacity to fake something like this.”
He subtly glanced up, trying to see the Chief Eunuch’s reaction through the screen, but could only make out a blurry figure.
The Chief Eunuch behind the screen paused his writing for the first time, holding the brush above the paper, “What do Yun Yang and Jiao Tu plan to do?”
Wu Xiu replied, “Yun Yang and Jiao Tu have requested the nearby ‘Jie Fan Guards’ of the Secret Spy Division to go to Luocheng and publicly open the coffin for an autopsy, exposing the Liu family. Chief Eunuch, the Liu family has just reported to His Majesty, seeking a posthumous honor for Old Master Liu. If this is true, it’s already a crime of deceiving the emperor!”
The Chief Eunuch remained silent, deep in thought.
Wu Xiu added, “Chief Eunuch, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The Chief Eunuch said, “Let Yun Yang and Jiao Tu coordinate with the Jie Fan Guards to go. The Directorate of Ceremonial knows nothing about this. Destroy the letter.”
In other words, whatever Yun Yang and Jiao Tu did, it would be their own initiative.
If they succeeded, well and good.
If they failed, they would take the fall.
In the next moment, Wu Xiu crumpled the letter into a ball and, in front of the Chief Eunuch, skillfully swallowed it.
After swallowing the letter, he said, “Chief Eunuch, there’s one more letter from Meng Ji. I’ll open it… Wasn’t he in Kaifeng? Why did he use a carrier pigeon from Luocheng?”
A moment later, Wu Xiu held the letter, “Chief Eunuch, Meng Ji says that Yun Yang and Jiao Tu paid him heavily to go to Luocheng and use a Class C Dream Test to verify whether Yao Taiyi’s apprentice, Chen Ji, is a spy for the Jing Dynasty. It’s strange. Why would they test a mere apprentice, and even go so far as to have Meng Ji make a special trip?”
Seeing the Chief Eunuch remain silent for a long time, Wu Xiu mustered the courage to look up and probe, “Chief Eunuch?”
The Chief Eunuch said calmly, “This apprentice of Yao Taiyi is the masked person who helped them capture the spy. Write to Yun Yang and have him send me this apprentice’s information.”
“Yes,” Wu Xiu bowed again, “Chief Eunuch, Bai Long has learned that the Prince of Jing’s heir is returning to Luocheng from Donglin Academy. He has gathered some martial artists, including several high-ranking officials registered with our Directorate of Ceremonial. Should we do something to prevent him from gaining momentum?”
From the darkness behind the screen, the Chief Eunuch responded indifferently, “No need. They’re just martial artists. With fame and fortune as my blade, I can cut down nine-tenths of their chivalry.”
(End of Chapter)