The waiter brought in the dishes. Once again, it was hotpot, and steam curled through the room, lending even the scene depicted in the painting an almost immortal, mist-shrouded air.
With their previous conversation as a foundation, the atmosphere between them was much more relaxed this time.
The two ate as they talked.
Fu Xi Yan said, “So the painter of the Hundred Filial Sons Picture already knew in advance that something would happen to the six of us?”
Lou Wu Zai said, “It was painted by Imperial Painter Mei Xia Ying. He has little reputation outside the palace, but he is extremely popular with the consorts of the inner palace.”
Fu Xi Yan had an ominous feeling. “Brother Lou means…”
“He is an Imperial Painter, so it would be inconvenient for the Ministry of Justice to intervene directly. We will have to ask the Censorate to investigate him.”
The ominous feeling came true. Fu Xi Yan politely declined. “Wouldn’t that be inappropriate? We don’t have any evidence. Why don’t we broaden our thinking and look in some other directions first?”
Lou Wu Zai suddenly stood and opened his outer robe.
Fu Xi Yan hurriedly put down his chopsticks and covered his eyes with one hand. “What are you doing? We’re both respectable men here. If you’re going to add an improvised performance like this, couldn’t you at least warn me first so I could prepare myself mentally…”
“Brother Fu, please look.”
Fu Xi Yan hesitated, then slowly separated the middle and ring fingers pressed together over his eyes and peeked through the gap.
A circle of bandages was wrapped around Lou Wu Zai’s abdomen just above his navel, with faint traces of blood showing through.
Fu Xi Yan was shocked. “That stab was incredibly accurate!”
Lou Wu Zai said, “On the day Chen Wen Ju escaped from prison, I was also attacked. The assassin’s martial arts were extremely powerful. If the Lou family had not had two Dao-Entry experts holding the fort, I’m afraid I would already be dead.”
Fu Xi Yan clicked his tongue. The Lou family actually has Dao-Entry experts guarding it—and two of them… Envy has my drool flooding Jinshan Temple. No, I need to have faith in Young Palace Master Pei. After all, he has an invisible Flying Tigers squad behind him!
Elio’s Notes: “Flooding Jinshan Temple” alludes to the famous episode from the Legend of the White Snake in which Jinshan Temple is overwhelmed by floodwaters. Fu Xi Yan jokingly replaces the flood with his own envious drool.
“What happened to the assassin?”
“He died. He was from the Ghostshadow Organization.”
Fu Xi Yan murmured, “The Ghostshadow Organization again?”
“Thunderclap Bombs are a signature concealed weapon of the Ghostshadow Organization. The people who tried to rescue Chen Wen Ju that night must also have belonged to Ghostshadow.” Lou Wu Zai asked, “Did you encounter any danger while pursuing Chen Wen Ju?”
Fu Xi Yan said, “A whole lot of danger.”
Six assassins had come at him with sabers, and then there was Chen Wen Ju, who clearly could have fled alone but had insisted on taking Liu Min hostage. Looking back now, that had obviously been intended to lure Fu Xi Yan into pursuing him. And the words “I have to kill you first” could hardly have been more explicit.
Lou Wu Zai asked, “Did you just think of something?”
Fu Xi Yan shook his head and said evenly, “The assassins certainly wanted to kill me. But they were rescuing an escaped prisoner, while I was trying to stop him from escaping. It was only natural for them to want me dead. That doesn’t necessarily make it an unusual incident.”
Lou Wu Zai smiled. “When you came out of the palace that day and heard my theory about the six young lords of Haojing, you didn’t question it—not because there was nothing suspicious, but because you didn’t take it seriously at the time. Now that you are questioning it, that only proves you’ve started taking it to heart.”
Fu Xi Yan smiled as well. “After hearing Brother Lou say all that, it sounds suspiciously like what I was thinking myself. You’ve left me with nothing to say.”
Lou Wu Zai said, “You are the Capital Patrol Commissioner. You have the authority to supervise the conduct of officials throughout the capital and its surrounding areas. An Imperial Painter naturally falls within that scope. However, since the matter involves the palace, you should first seek instructions from Left Censor-in-Chief Lord Shi.”
In other words, there was no need for Fu Xi Yan to carry this burden all by himself. He could make his superior shoulder some of it.
As it happened, Fu Xi Yan had been thinking exactly the same thing.
The two drained a cup of tea together.
Looking at the Hundred Filial Sons Picture surrounding them, Fu Xi Yan suddenly sighed. “The Hundred Filial Sons Picture was painted to celebrate Consort Dowager Chen’s birthday. And now, not only are four of the young lords in the painting gone, even Consort Dowager Chen herself is gone. The Hundred Filial Sons Picture has ended as a picture of mourning. Life truly is unpredictable.”
Elio’s Notes: The Chinese joke turns on 孝, “filial piety.” The same character appears in 戴孝, “to wear mourning.” Fu Xi Yan twists the auspicious 百孝 into death and mourning.
Lou Wu Zai said coldly, “Those who commit too much injustice bring destruction upon themselves. There is nothing unpredictable about it.”
Fu Xi Yan asked curiously, “Brother Lou dislikes the Chen family?”
Lou Wu Zai pressed his lips together. “Northern Zhou should have been a cleaner place than this.”
There was more behind those words, but Lou Wu Zai lowered his head and continued eating, clearly unwilling to discuss it further.
Since the investigation had to be done sooner or later, sooner was better than later. The next morning, as soon as Fu Xi Yan reported to the Censorate, he immediately asked Shi Wei Liang for instructions.
Shi Wei Liang pondered for a moment. “Even if he is merely a painter, he is still someone of the palace. It would be better to notify them in advance.”
Fu Xi Yan understood. He needed an appointment.
Shi Wei Liang was a man of action. By that afternoon, there was already an answer: Fu Xi Yan was to wait outside the palace the next day, and someone would naturally come to lead him in.
Fu Xi Yan continued asking for guidance. “Since he is an Imperial Painter, my lord, please advise me. How should I question him tomorrow?”
Shi Wei Liang said, “Do not involve matters of the inner palace. Everything else may proceed as usual.”
Fu Xi Yan understood. Although the painter benefited from his association with the palace and therefore required an appointment before one could see him, he himself was not particularly important. Fu Xi Yan could ask whatever private questions he liked.
Fu Xi Yan arrived very early the next morning, but a palace attendant was already waiting and led him to the Imperial Painting Academy.
The Imperial Painting Academy stood near the Palace Attendants Department, yet stepping inside revealed an entirely different world.
Pavilions and towers stood among rare flowers and exquisite plants. The water in the garden pond was shallow and clear enough for the pebbles at the bottom to be seen distinctly. The palace attendant explained beside him, “Painter Mei thought the pond looked too bleak in winter, so Her Highness specially had these brought all the way from Jinling.”
Fu Xi Yan’s mouth moved faster than his brain. “Which Her Highness?”
Fortunately, the palace attendant’s mouth was just as loose. “Her Highness Noble Consort Liu.”
Fu Xi Yan said, “It seems Painter Mei is quite favored in the palace?”
“Of course. All the ladies of the inner palace like him. Consort Dowager Chen also used to be very fond of his paintings.”
Fu Xi Yan smiled. Naturally. Never mind his paintings—just with a face like Mei Xia Ying’s, there probably isn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t like him.
Hearing the activity outside, Mei Xia Ying lifted the curtain and stepped out of the room. A gentle smile suffused his beautiful face. “Lord Fu, I never expected that the next time we met, you would already be a sixth-rank Capital Patrol Commissioner.”
Fu Xi Yan said, “It has been many days since we last met, yet Lord Mei looks even more distinguished than before. You are the one I should envy.”
Seeing that the two had met, the palace attendant tactfully excused himself.
Mei Xia Ying invited Fu Xi Yan inside and served him freshly brewed tea. “Lord Fu has something he wishes to ask me?”
“When Lord Mei painted the Hundred Filial Sons Picture, I had the honor of participating but never had the chance to see the finished work, which I always deeply regretted. By coincidence, an opportunity arose a few days ago for me to admire your masterpiece. Your skill truly is extraordinary, and the painting is exquisite.”
“Lord Fu praises me too highly.”
“There is just one thing I don’t understand. Why am I not in the painting?”
The abrupt question did not startle Mei Xia Ying. He smiled. “Someone has already asked me that.”
Fu Xi Yan asked, “And how did Lord Mei answer?”
Mei Xia Ying said, “When painting for people of high status, the likeness cannot be absent, but neither can it be too exact. Painting, like writing, has its own Spring-and-Autumn subtlety; one must not cling too rigidly to outward form. Capturing Lord Fu’s distinctive features would not be difficult. The difficult part was ensuring that you did not stand out, so everyone in the painting would form a harmonious whole without being distinguishable from one another. Making slight adjustments was therefore only proper.”
Elio’s Notes: “Spring and Autumn brushwork” refers to the classical idea of conveying judgments or implications indirectly through subtle choices of wording. Mei Xia Ying applies the same principle to painting.
Fu Xi Yan nodded. “Then I caused Lord Mei trouble.”
Mei Xia Ying smiled. “It was part of my duty.”
“Then why are there several other remarkably handsome young lords whose faces are also unclear and difficult to recognize?”
Mei Xia Ying held out his hand. “Does Lord Fu think my hand is fair?”
“Fair?”
“Not as fair as yours,” Mei Xia Ying said. “The world Lord Fu sees may not be the same world I see. The painting Lord Fu sees may not be the same painting I see either. Resemblance and lack of resemblance are merely subjective judgments. If Lord Fu does not believe me, you may go back and look at it more often. Look long enough, and eventually they will resemble their subjects.”
Fu Xi Yan: …I really believed your nonsense for a second there.
Mei Xia Ying lowered his head and sipped his tea.
Fu Xi Yan was somewhat unwilling to let himself be dismissed so easily. He looked around and noticed a half-finished painting on a nearby table, so he rose and walked over to admire it. In the painting, a married couple stood with their backs to a vermilion gate as they accepted a basket from a plainly dressed woman wearing a thornwood hairpin. Inside the basket, an infant was wailing loudly.
The scene was rather eerie.
Fu Xi Yan asked, “Is Lord Mei painting a story?”
Mei Xia Ying stood as well. “It is merely a scene outside the Child Relief Bureau.” He glanced at Fu Xi Yan, picked up the painting, and swiftly rolled it closed.
“Does Lord Fu have any other questions?”
The dismissal was a little too obvious. Fu Xi Yan said, “Every answer Lord Mei has given has suddenly opened my eyes. I should go back and sort through everything. If I have anything else I need to ask, I will come seek your guidance again.”
Mei Xia Ying said, “Lord Fu is too courteous.”
Fu Xi Yan smiled and took his leave.
Mei Xia Ying watched him from behind. Once Fu Xi Yan had disappeared completely from view, a palace maid silently appeared not far to his right. “Her Highness the Worthy Consort summons you.”
Shicui Hall in winter seemed even colder and more desolate than usual.
Mei Xia Ying stood inside with his head lowered and his waist bent for the length of an entire incense stick before an icy voice finally came from within. “Fu Xi Yan came to see you today?”
“Yes.”
“To ask about the Hundred Filial Sons Picture?”
“Yes.”
Killing intent entered Rong Rong’s voice. “It seems many people understood your hint.”
Mei Xia Ying immediately dropped to his knees. “Your Highness is wise. This subject had absolutely no such intention. The Hundred Filial Sons Picture was meant to carry an auspicious meaning. At the time, I feared that if Consort Dowager Chen learned someone in the painting had died, she might become angry, blame me, drive me from the imperial palace, and separate me from Your Highness. That was why I dared make a few small alterations. If something happened and the Consort Dowager questioned me, I could claim that the painting had produced a spiritual response—that because those young lords had been included in the Hundred Filial Sons Picture, they had received the Consort Dowager’s blessings and therefore taken on the appearance of immortals.”
“You certainly think three steps ahead for every one you take.”
Mei Xia Ying kowtowed and did not dare answer.
After another silence, Rong Rong asked, “What painting did you show Fu Xi Yan when he came today?” She seemed completely aware of everything that had happened inside his room.
Mei Xia Ying raised his head slightly. “A painting of a poor woman sending her son to the Child Relief Bureau.”
“Why?”
“This subject learned that Ministry of Justice Head Constable Liao Shang once visited Count Yongfeng’s Estate to ask about the Child Relief Bureau. I thought there might be something behind it, so I wanted to use the painting to test Fu Xi Yan.”
“And what effect did it have?”
“He seemed thoughtful.”
The voice within immediately fell silent.
Around half an hour passed. By the time Mei Xia Ying finally heard the voice say, “Go,” both of his legs had gone completely numb from kneeling.
Fu Xi Yan arranged to meet Lou Wu Zai for a meal at a different restaurant, taking the opportunity to tell him about that day’s questioning of Mei Xia Ying. He skimmed over his conversation with Mei Xia Ying concerning the Hundred Filial Sons Picture, since the answers had all been evasive anyway. Only when he reached the half-finished painting on the table did he slow down. “That painting was strange.”
Lou Wu Zai asked, “What was strange about it?”
Fu Xi Yan said, “He claimed it depicted the Child Relief Bureau, but there were clearly stone lions beside the vermilion gate. The Child Relief Bureau would never dare place stone lions outside.”
Lou Wu Zai nodded. “By the laws of our dynasty, only princes, nobles, and officials of the seventh rank or higher may place stone lions before their gates.”
Fu Xi Yan said, “So that wasn’t the Child Relief Bureau. It was the residence of a prince, noble, or official. But why would he lie? Does that painting contain another secret?”
Lou Wu Zai picked up a peanut, put it into his mouth, and slowly chewed and swallowed before asking, “Whose man do you think Mei Xia Ying is?”
Countless possibilities flashed through Fu Xi Yan’s mind before he landed on the kind of twist television dramas loved most. “His Majesty’s?”
Even someone as clever as Lou Wu Zai could not determine the answer. “The flaw he left in the Hundred Filial Sons Picture was extremely skillful. He could easily have left no trace at all.”
Fu Xi Yan blinked. “Brother Lou means…”
“The painting you saw may also have been a hint.” Lou Wu Zai said, “Its meaning is actually very simple. A woman hands a crying infant over to a wealthy household. Think a little deeper: what would a wealthy family want an infant for? As a servant? Too young. As a study companion? As a child bride raised in the household? Still too young.”
Fu Xi Yan murmured, “An infant can only be an infant.”
He and Lou Wu Zai looked at each other. Both immediately understood that the other had reached exactly the same thought.
Fu Xi Yan lowered his voice. “Could it be that none of the six of us are our parents’ biological children?”
Lou Wu Zai said, “I’ll investigate.”
Fu Xi Yan said, “Save yourself some time. There’s no need to investigate me. I asked my father. My mother became pregnant two months after entering the household and carried me for ten months before giving birth. Unless I’m Nezha, I’d have suffocated to death if I stayed in her belly for an entire year. But Count Jianning lost two grandsons… Surely both of them couldn’t have been adopted?”
Elio’s Notes: In Chinese mythology, Nezha remained in his mother’s womb for an extraordinarily long time before being born, making him a natural punchline for an impossible pregnancy timeline.
That would be far too miserable.
Lou Wu Zai lowered his head and ate another peanut. “Has Brother Fu seen Liao Shang recently?”
“I support you,” Fu Xi Yan answered without hesitation. Forget the friendship he had now developed with Lou Wu Zai—just based on Liao Shang’s two insidiously pointed interrogations, Fu Xi Yan supported Lou Wu Zai becoming Chief Constable.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Lou Wu Zai’s mouth. “That isn’t what I meant. Liao Shang has continued investigating the person who killed Chen Wen Ju that night. He has narrowed his search to Dao-Entry experts who were in Haojing at the time.”
“Any leads?”
“Two were at my family estate, and the corpse of the Ghostshadow assassin serves as proof. Another was Rong Yue, head of the Rong family. That night, he was drinking and entertaining himself with several friends, so he also has witnesses. Meng Da Ye, Chief Manager of the Immortal Treasury Palace’s Haojing Lightning Division, was not in Haojing when the incident occurred. There were also…” He named several more people. “As for the Young Palace Master of the Immortal Treasury Palace, he did not reach Haojing until early the next morning. Count Yongfeng may refuse to admit it, but everyone knows what happened.”
Fu Xi Yan breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, no one intended to pursue that particular matter. Otherwise, Pei Yuan Jin would have had to choose between unlawfully crossing the city wall and killing Chen Wen Ju. Still… Fu Xi Yan said, “Wouldn’t killing Chen Wen Ju have been a good thing?” Although Pei Yuan Jin had not actually killed Chen Wen Ju, he really had killed six assassins and saved Fu Xi Yan’s life.
Lou Wu Zai said, “Not when it is done furtively.”
Fu Xi Yan nodded. That was true. Someone with top-tier combat strength acting like a ghost in the shadows would make anyone’s scalp go numb.
“Has Liao Shang not considered a Martial King or Martial God?”
“That is beyond the scope of his authority.”
Fu Xi Yan understood. Even if the culprit really was a Martial King or Martial God, Liao Shang lacked the authority to investigate them. But at such a critical moment in the contest for Chief Constable, he could not simply refuse to investigate, so he searched within the limits of his jurisdiction instead. At the very least, he had to do everything properly and demonstrate that he was diligent and conscientious.
Lou Wu Zai said, “That leaves the most suspicious person of all.”
“Who?”
“Ren Fei Ying, Chief Manager of the Immortal Treasury Palace’s Haojing Thunder Division. His whereabouts remain unknown. Apparently, even the Immortal Treasury Palace is searching for him.”
The skies above Count Yongfeng’s Estate were especially lively that day.
Fu Xuan stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, watching people race back and forth across the rooftops. He turned to the dark-faced Fu Fu. “Which group is this now?”
Fu Fu took a deep breath and told the steward, “When Fourth comes home, tell him to speak with Young Palace Master Pei. If Young Palace Master Pei does not mind, open another gate beside his courtyard so people can come and go freely. There is no need to trouble everyone from the Immortal Treasury Palace to keep leaping up and down over the roofs.”
The steward wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Yes. Fortunately, it’s daytime. If this happened at night, it would be even more frightening.”
The moment Fu Xi Yan returned home, his eagerly waiting father entrusted him with this important mission.
Remembering that Pei Yuan Jin had taken exactly the same “air route” when he carried Fu Xi Yan over to eavesdrop on Liao Shang and Fu Fu’s conversation, Fu Xi Yan asked, “Who are all these people coming and going?”
Fu Fu could not be bothered to explain. “Go see for yourself.”
Fu Xi Yan was not particularly eager to go. With so many people there, they might be discussing important business, and walking in would be awkward. “I haven’t eaten dinner yet…”
Fu Fu had the steward fetch him two large white steamed buns. “Go.”
Fu Xi Yan: “…”
Fu Xi Yan had lived in that courtyard for many years before Pei Yuan Jin moved in. Although he had not personally arranged every plant and tree, he had seen them every day and knew every detail by heart. Yet lately, every time he returned, he discovered some tiny change.
For example, the flowers and plants had become more expensive.
The corridor pillars had been repainted.
…
Just how much did Pei Yuan Jin dislike my original living conditions?
As Fu Xi Yan walked inside, his mind was filled entirely with things unrelated to why he had come.
The white tiger had been lying lazily on the ground. The moment it saw him, it sprang up and pounced. Fu Xi Yan had expected this and dodged aside. Man and tiger immediately began a chase around the garden.
After a while, several men in fitted martial attire with auspicious-cloud patterns embroidered on their sleeves emerged from inside. They cupped their fists to Fu Xi Yan and prepared to leap onto the roof. Fu Xi Yan hurriedly pointed toward the gate. “Guests come from afar; doors are for coming and going.”
Elio’s Notes: Fu Xi Yan is riffing on the famous opening of the Analects, “Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?” He turns the classical-sounding line into a pointed reminder that civilized guests should use the gate instead of the roof.
The men exchanged glances, then nodded, opened the gate, and walked out.
Fu Xi Yan smiled as he saw them off, then turned toward the main room.
The door stood wide open. From his angle, he could just make out a kneeling figure inside. The man was not kneeling very obediently. He scratched his backside, then his leg, then craned his neck to look outside.
Their eyes immediately met.
Fu Xi Yan waved to him.
The man immediately rose and started walking out. “Young Palace Master, there’s a fat—”
“Kneel.”
Thud.
The man dropped to his knees where he stood and slowly shuffled backward, looking distinctly aggrieved.
Is he being disciplined? Fu Xi Yan called from outside, “Should I come back another day?”
“No need.”
Pei Yuan Jin’s voice still sounded reasonably calm. Fu Xi Yan breathed a sigh of relief and walked inside.
Pei Yuan Jin was leaning against the couch, reading through a stack of case files.
Fu Xi Yan saw the kneeling man frantically making faces and signaling at him. Left with little choice, Fu Xi Yan asked, “And this gentleman is…?”
Pei Yuan Jin asked coolly, “What did you come here for?”
Fu Xi Yan understood.
So this was feigned calm. Pei Yuan Jin was actually furious.
“I met with Lou Wu Zai of the Ministry of Justice today. He said Liao Shang is still investigating Chen Wen Ju’s death, and now his investigation has reached the Chief Manager of the Immortal Treasury Palace’s Haojing Thunder Division.”
After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, Fu Xi Yan had decided to tell Pei Yuan Jin.
First, there was Lou Wu Zai’s attitude. He knew perfectly well that Pei Yuan Jin was staying at Fu Xi Yan’s home, yet had still told him this information. Clearly, he hoped Fu Xi Yan would pass it along.
Second, the longer Liao Shang persisted in investigating Chen Wen Ju’s case, the greater the chance that Fu Xi Yan’s own secret would be exposed. Naturally, he wanted to create a few obstacles.
Finally, Pei Yuan Jin had rushed through the night for him and even climbed the city wall for him. Whatever else might be said, that friendship was far deeper than anything Fu Xi Yan had with Liao Shang!
Pei Yuan Jin frowned. “Why him?”
“Dao-Entry Stage. His whereabouts that night are unknown, and now he’s missing.” Fu Xi Yan counted on his fingers. “Anyway, Liao Shang has already eliminated the other Dao-Entry experts who were in Haojing that day.”
Pei Yuan Jin said, “It wasn’t him. He cannot make someone’s true origin shrivel.”
Fu Xi Yan’s heart gave a thump. He pretended nothing had happened. “Lou Wu Zai said Liao Shang is extremely obsessive. Once he fixates on someone, he can be troublesome.”
Pei Yuan Jin did not care. “Then let him watch.”
The man kneeling on the floor suddenly said, “I wish he’d watch me!”
Fu Xi Yan inevitably looked toward the voice. Pei Yuan Jin said, “Meng Da Ye, Chief Manager of the Haojing Lightning Division.”
Meng Da Ye cupped his fists toward him.
Fu Xi Yan thought, Meng Da Ye? That sounds exactly like ‘Uncle Meng.’ What a name.
Elio’s Notes: Meng Da Ye (孟达业) sounds almost identical to 孟大爷, “Uncle Meng” or “Old Master Meng.” Fu Xi Yan immediately notices the homophone.
Meng Da Ye asked curiously, “I’m Dao-Entry too. Why doesn’t he suspect me?”
Pei Yuan Jin smiled without warmth. “Naturally because he discovered that you were not in Haojing. As Chief Manager of the Lightning Division, you are supposed to supervise the other divisions. Yet after all your supervision, not only did you manage to lose the Chief Manager of the Wind Division, even the Chief Manager of the Thunder Division has vanished without a trace. Truly impressive work.”
Knowing he was in the wrong, Meng Da Ye lowered his head. A moment later, he suddenly looked up in alarm. “Should we keep a close eye on Chief Shopkeeper Tian? What if he also…”
The conversation was becoming increasingly internal, and Fu Xi Yan was afraid that if he listened much longer, they might have to kill him to silence him. He hurriedly coughed. “Since there’s nothing else, I’ll head out?”
“There is, there is!” Meng Da Ye said. “I came in such a hurry that I haven’t eaten yet. Do you have anything here I can eat to fill my stomach? Who knows how long the Young Palace Master intends to make me kneel.”
Fu Xi Yan silently pulled the two large white steamed buns from inside his robes. Meng Da Ye’s eyes lit up, and he reached for them, only for a burst of force to smack his hand away.
Pei Yuan Jin said, “Stay hungry.”
Meng Da Ye looked pitifully at Fu Xi Yan.
Fu Xi Yan: “…” Why do I suddenly have the terrifying illusion that I’ve acquired a grown son? Worse, this scene looks exactly like a strict mother disciplining the child while the indulgent father secretly slips him extra food… Pah, pah, pah! I absolutely cannot think such unlucky thoughts!
Fu Xi Yan hurriedly tore himself free from that horrifying image, gave Meng Da Ye an apologetic look, and repeated, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.” When he reached the doorway, he remembered his father’s instructions and turned back. “There’s a small alley right outside this courtyard, and hardly anyone uses it. If you’re willing, you could open another gate there. It would make coming and going more convenient.”
“No need. From now on, I’ll have them use the main gate.” Pei Yuan Jin’s methods of solving problems might be simple and brutal, but his way of thinking was anything but simple. Fu Xi Yan had just told the Lightning Division members to use the gate, and now he was proposing that another gate be opened. Pei Yuan Jin immediately understood what he was really trying to say.
“But that will have to wait until the group after next.” The people who had already jumped out had not yet been notified.
Fu Xi Yan smiled. “As long as you don’t find it troublesome.”
A servant hurried inside. “Someone has submitted a calling card and wishes to see Young Master Pei.”
The calling card was handed to Pei Yuan Jin. He looked at the name, frowned slightly, then stopped Fu Xi Yan, who was already walking out. “You’ll meet this person with me.”
Fu Xi Yan: “…”
Fu Xi Yan said cautiously, “There aren’t many people we both know. Is it Aunt Yu? Has she suddenly become this formal after coming back?”
Pei Yuan Jin said, “It’s Xia Xue Nong of Xia Family Fort.”
Fu Xi Yan: “…”
Who is that?
But he did not dare ask. The look Pei Yuan Jin was giving him right now seemed somehow… complicated, and deeply unsettling.
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