Futile Devices Scans

“Honestly, he really is impossible to get rid of,” Hao Guozi muttered.

Tao Mo said, “All right. I’ll head back to the county yamen right away.”

Hao Guozi grabbed hold of him. “Young Master is really going to see him?”

Tao Mo replied, “We don’t even know which old acquaintance it is yet.”

“Do we really need to guess? Most likely he felt he hadn’t harmed Young Master enough last time, and now that he’s heard you’ve become a county magistrate, he couldn’t resist coming up with some new scheme!” The more Hao Guozi thought about it, the angrier he became. If that person had been standing in front of him right now, he might already have swung a palm at him.

Tao Mo let out a faint sigh. “That matter cannot be blamed entirely on him.”

“If not him, then who? It was obvious he was acting under that—” Seeing Tao Mo’s face suddenly turn deathly pale, Hao Guozi immediately cut himself off.

After a moment, Tao Mo managed to steady his breathing before saying, “Let’s return to the county yamen first.”

“…Yes.” Though Hao Guozi was still unhappy, he dared not continue the subject. He went inside to fetch Tao Mo’s official robes, and the two of them headed for the county yamen together.

When they reached the entrance, they saw laborers constantly moving in and out. Upon asking, they learned that Mu Chun had hired them to repair the roofs.

Remembering his Go match with Gu She the previous night, Tao Mo’s heart stirred, and for a fleeting moment he felt that the roof perhaps did not need to be repaired so urgently. The thought, however, passed through his mind as quickly as it had come.

After entering the county yamen, Hao Guozi charged into the reception hall first.

Seated inside was none other than Yiyu.

Seeing Hao Guozi storming in, Yiyu was startled at first, then quickly smiled. “Guozi.”

“Don’t act so familiar. I can’t afford it,” Hao Guozi snorted.

Tao Mo entered right behind him.

“Young Master Tao.” Peng Xiang, standing behind Yiyu, bowed politely.

Since he had already guessed as much after seeing them at the wedding banquet, Tao Mo showed no surprise. He simply smiled and asked, “What brings you to Tanyang County?”

With a smile, Yiyu replied, “Just came to take a look around.”

Peng Xiang added, “If things are suitable, my young master is considering settling down in Tanyang County.”

“What?” Hao Guozi’s expression changed dramatically.

Tao Mo stepped forward and discreetly tugged at his sleeve. “Quickly, serve tea.”

Hao Guozi pointed at the tea already on the table. “Isn’t there tea already?”

Tao Mo’s face reddened slightly.

Peng Xiang laughed. “But your magistrate still doesn’t have any.”

After glaring at him, Hao Guozi turned and left.

Seeing that they were all still standing, Tao Mo hurriedly said, “Please, sit.”

Yiyu seated himself gracefully. Though he no longer wore the luxurious silks and splendid adornments of years past, the elegance in his every gesture had only grown more pronounced.

Tao Mo’s thoughts drifted. He could not help remembering those days at the Qunxiang Tower, when he had been utterly infatuated with Yiyu, throwing away fortunes merely to earn a smile from him. He had once believed that years of devotion had finally been rewarded, only to discover it had all been a mirage, a fleeting spring dream. Worse still, it had dragged others down with it…

Seeing Tao Mo’s expression grow increasingly troubled, Yiyu hurriedly interrupted his train of thought. “How have you been here?”

Tao Mo stared at him blankly for quite some time before coming back to himself. “Quite well, thanks to your concern.”

Tilting his head to reveal the graceful curve of his neck, Yiyu lowered his eyes and said softly, “Since when have you become so formal with me?”

“Master.”

Mu Chun strolled in leisurely.

Yiyu raised his eyes and quietly studied him. Seeing Mu Chun carrying Tao Mo at the wedding banquet had already told him the two shared an unusually close relationship. Yet despite all his experience judging people, he could not discern Mu Chun’s true background.

If one called him a scholar, he certainly looked the part. If one said he came from a prestigious family, that fit as well. Yet he also carried certain habits and airs common among people of the martial world.

Mu Chun greeted them openly. “These two must be Master’s old friends.”

Tao Mo introduced them one by one.

Mu Chun said, “The two of you must have had a difficult journey. Why not stay here for a few days?”

Yiyu’s eyes lit up. Before Tao Mo could speak, he immediately replied, “I’m afraid we might impose.”

“Not at all. As long as you find the accommodations comfortable.” Seeing Tao Mo about to object, Mu Chun lightly nudged him with his elbow, cutting him off. “Oh, right. Master, I just saw Adviser Jin looking for you. There are probably some documents requiring your review. Why don’t you go take a look?”

Tao Mo had been hoping for an excuse to leave but had worried about appearing rude. He glanced hesitantly at Yiyu.

Understanding immediately, Yiyu smiled. “Official business comes first.”

After Tao Mo left, Mu Chun said, “I’ll show the two of you to the guest rooms.”

“Many thanks.”

Yiyu had never expected his trip would produce such an unexpectedly favorable result. Secretly delighted, he found Mu Chun increasingly pleasant to look at and chatted with him constantly along the way.

Mu Chun responded with a remark here and there until they arrived at the guest quarters.

Seeing people carrying tools in and out, Yiyu paused in surprise.

Entering the room, Mu Chun said, “You can move your work to another room for now.”

The workers immediately gathered up their tools and hurried out.

Mu Chun said to the stunned Yiyu and Peng Xiang, who were staring blankly at the hole in the roof large enough for three or four people to encircle with their arms, “We were robbed a few days ago, so it’s currently being repaired. Fortunately, it hasn’t rained these past few days, so there’s absolutely no problem with living here. I hope the two of you will make do for the time being.”

Peng Xiang frowned and complained, “How are we supposed to make do with this?” The huge hole in the roof extended almost to the bedside.

Yiyu asked, “May I ask about Magistrate Tao’s room…?”

“It’s in the same condition.” Mu Chun shook his head and sighed. “That thief took nothing at all except the roof tiles above our heads. It truly defies understanding.”

Peng Xiang quietly signaled to Yiyu with his eyes.

Steeling himself, Yiyu said, “Guests should accommodate themselves to their host’s circumstances. We appreciate the hospitality.”

“You’re not imposing at all,” Mu Chun replied. “Since the two of you are satisfied, I won’t disturb you further. Please make yourselves at home.”

Once he left, Peng Xiang immediately complained, “That so-called adviser was obviously doing it on purpose.”

Yiyu said, “Whether it was deliberate or not, we are living under someone else’s roof. There are some things we cannot afford to be overly particular about.”

Peng Xiang asked, “Young Master, do you feel that Young Master Tao isn’t treating you the way he used to?”

Yiyu replied, “After what happened before, no one could possibly remain completely unaffected.”

“Then will he still help us?”

“As for that, I’m afraid when the time comes, it may no longer be up to him.” A sharp gleam flashed through Yiyu’s eyes as he spoke.

Tao Mo spent the entire day handling official business.

Adviser Jin stayed with him the whole day as well; they even had lunch in the study.

At long last evening arrived. Tao Mo had intended to visit Yiyu as a gesture of hospitality, but no sooner had he stepped out of the study than Hao Guozi came hurrying over to say that the carriage was ready and they should leave for the Gu residence immediately.

As the saying goes, comparisons make all the difference.

Originally, Hao Guozi had not thought much of Gu She, but the moment Yiyu appeared, Gu She was no longer merely a step above him—he rose instantly into a towering mountain peak, and Hao Guozi unhesitatingly threw his support behind him.

Sure enough, the moment Tao Mo heard they were going to the Gu residence, he wavered.

Adding fuel to the fire, Hao Guozi said, “Didn’t Young Master Gu invite you to play Go? It wouldn’t be good to arrive late. Besides, Yiyu… Young Master Yiyu is staying at the county yamen. You can see him tomorrow. There’s no need to rush over right now.”

Tao Mo’s heart was instantly stirred. He changed direction and climbed into the carriage with Hao Guozi.

From the moment Yiyu entered the room, he had been waiting for Tao Mo to come.

During all the years Tao Mo had been hopelessly infatuated with him, Yiyu had come to understand him thoroughly. He knew that even if Tao Mo no longer cherished their former feelings, he would certainly come to pay a visit.

But that confidence began to waver after dinner.

Unable to resist, he sent Peng Xiang out to inquire.

Peng Xiang soon returned, though his expression was less than pleasant. “He went out.”

“Out? At this hour?” Yiyu immediately recalled Tao Mo’s old habits. His gaze turned cold. “Is there some famous male brothel in this area?”

Peng Xiang replied, “He didn’t go to a male brothel. He went to the Gu residence. They say he’ll be staying there until the roof is repaired.”

“Who owns the Gu residence?”

“Gu She.” Peng Xiang had investigated thoroughly. “He seems to be the disciple of a well-known litigation master in the area.”

Yiyu relaxed slightly. “This is the hometown of litigation masters. Tao Mo is probably trying to build closer ties with them.”

“What should we do now?”

“For the time being, observe and wait.” Yiyu looked up at the night sky. “In any case, we’ve already moved in. Our objective has essentially been achieved.”

Peng Xiang muttered, “But this roof…”

“At least there’s still a bed,” Yiyu said. “It’s far better than what we went through before.”

At that reminder, Peng Xiang recalled their previous hardships and immediately dared not complain further.

After a pause, Yiyu added, “Still, for Tao Mo to rush off to the Gu residence so eagerly, it seems the owner of that residence is no ordinary person.”

Peng Xiang asked, “What do you mean, Young Master?”

Yiyu smiled meaningfully. “When an opportunity presents itself, we should pay him a visit.”

Previous

Main

Next