“Sir, what should we do?”
The manager called out anxiously.
“The master and the others have already been taken to the magistrate.”
He looked at the man before him, who still appeared calm and indifferent, as if he hadn’t heard a word of what had just been said.
“Master Liu…” The manager couldn’t help but take a step forward.
Secretariat Editor Liu immediately looked over, his gaze sharpening slightly.
The manager quickly lowered his head, not daring to move again.
“You’re saying people from Tai Ping Residence beat up Dou Qi?” Secretariat Editor Liu asked.
“Yes, yes! Just now a whole group charged in. In broad daylight, right on the street, they smashed up our shop and even beat the master. The authorities have already examined the injuries — his arm is broken!” the manager said hurriedly.
“What did they say?” Secretariat Editor Liu asked slowly.
“They said… Tai Ping Residence ran into some ruffians and…” the manager quickly began.
Secretariat Editor Liu raised a hand to interrupt him.
“I didn’t ask you to speak,” he said, then turned to a servant standing nearby. “Has Huang Si from the magistrate come back yet?”
The servant went outside to ask, and shortly after brought someone in.
“Dou Qi was indeed injured,” the man said. “The doctor examined him and said that arm is done for.”
At those words, the manager let out a wail.
“Sir! The master’s arm!” he cried.
“What about the arm?” Secretariat Editor Liu snorted, cutting him off. “He’s not a chef. He doesn’t make a living with his arms. What are you crying for? He’s still alive — what more do you want!”
Ah… is that so?
The manager dared not wail anymore and lowered his head, his face full of grief.
“They made a scene in court, insisting that the previous trouble with the Tai Ping Residence ruffians and Li Dashao’s broken hand were all Dou Qi’s doing, so they came to take revenge,” the attendant continued. “When the magistrate questioned them about witnesses or evidence, the people from Tai Ping Residence couldn’t produce any. Still, they stubbornly insisted it was Dou Qi. The magistrate ordered them beaten and thrown into prison. Sir, it’s clear this is a personal vendetta.”
“Sir, perfect! Now that they’re in prison, let them rot to death in there!” the manager quickly chimed in.
Secretariat Editor Liu frowned.
Indeed—causing trouble at a time like this was practically asking to die.
Shouting for revenge without any proof or witnesses, then attacking and smashing things in broad daylight — wasn’t that just handing your enemy the knife?
He didn’t even have to act. The magistrate could throw them in prison outright. And once they were in, weren’t they just lambs to the slaughter?
How foolish could they be?
“This matter isn’t so simple,” he said.
He was a cautious man, and well aware of the darker sides of human nature. That’s why, whenever he dealt with people or problems, he always assumed the worst first — judging a person’s heart from their most malicious possibilities.
And in truth, the world had rarely proved him wrong.
Those who treated him with apparent respect and friendliness often schemed behind his back to make him the scapegoat.
Of course, those who only saw his outward courtesy and warmth — they had long since become his scapegoats and stepping stones.
There are no truly good people in this world. No real friends. Only tools.
These people from Tai Ping Residence came openly to beat up Dou Qi — was it truly just for revenge, as they claimed?
Or was there a deeper scheme at work?
Was this a plot by the Zhou family… aimed at him?
Just as he was deep in thought, another servant came running in from outside.
“Sir, someone from Minister Chen’s household has come to see you,” the boy said, holding up a calling card.
Look at that—quick to act.
Secretariat Editor Liu’s expression grew serious, but he soon relaxed again.
News of how he dealt with Master Zhou was bound to get out eventually. Although he’d handled it carefully, anyone with enough determination could uncover it sooner or later. Besides, he never intended to keep it hidden forever. After all, the whole point was to kill the chicken to scare the monkey — if the chicken is killed and the monkey gets frightened, but no one knows who the master behind it is, then what’s the point?
He went over everything again in his mind, confirming that the way he had handled it was entirely reasonable. Even if he had to explain himself to the emperor, it would still stand up.
As for this Minister Chen — sure, his rank is far above his, but so what?
Anyone who’s been in officialdom long enough is bound to have stains on their record.
The Chen family had seized land from others back in their ancestral home more than once. And as for that Tong Neihan— he was even worse, with more scandals than one could count.
If they thought they could push around someone like him — someone who appeared honest and meek — with a little pressure, then that was actually a good thing.
A familiar smile once again appeared on Secretariat Editor Liu’s face.
“Invite them in,” he said.
The carriage stopped in front of Immortal’s Abode.
Immortal’s Abode was already closed for business, with only two doors left open at the moment.
“You know what to say and what not to say, right?” Young Master Qin grabbed Zhou Liu-lang and asked.
Zhou Liu-lang turned around and shot him a glare.
“You’d better worry about those men’s lives,” he said. “It’s bold of you all to act like this. The magistrate prison is full of darkness — life and death can change in the blink of an eye.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not just their lives on the line — it’s mine,” said Young Master Qin.
Zhou Liu-lang gave him a look but said nothing more and got out of the carriage.
On the other side, Cheng Jiao-niang had already been helped down by her maid.
The two exchanged a glance, said nothing, and stepped through the door.
Inside the doors, two or three attendants and an old manager were tidying up tables. When they saw the group enter, they all stopped what they were doing.
“We’re closed today,” the old man said with a gentle smile.
Zhou Liu-lang glanced at the old man — he had kind, benevolent features and spoke gently. His clothes were similar to those of the attendants.
“We’re not here to eat,” Zhou Liu-lang said.
“Oh.” The old man smiled and looked at them. “Young Master Zhou, if I may speak frankly — without any solid evidence, continuing this dispute won’t bring anything good. True, rivals in the same trade are often enemies, but if you keep fighting like this, both sides will lose. Only outsiders will benefit.”
Zhou Liu-lang gave a cold snort and was about to speak when Cheng Jiao-niang stepped forward.
“Indeed,” she said, giving a slight bow. “Thank you for agreeing to see us, Master Liu.”
Master Liu?
Zhou Liu-lang was slightly surprised as he looked again at the old man.
Secretariat Editor Liu had always kept a low profile — after so many years in the capital, it was as if he didn’t exist. And besides, civil and military officials usually kept to their own circles. As a younger generation, Zhou Liu-lang had never really paid attention to him.
So this is what he looks like — so plain and unremarkable. No wonder he went unnoticed…
It’s the quiet dog that bites. The barking one rarely does — how true that is.
The old man also looked at Cheng Jiao-niang with a faint smile. The young woman was in her teens, slender and fragile-looking, seemingly delicate, yet her manner was graceful and refined, with striking features — though her eyes held something unusual. At first glance, it seemed odd; upon closer look, there was a trace of coldness.
So this is that “fool” from Jiang–zhou…
He didn’t believe in ghosts or gods, but he firmly believed in the unpredictability of life — and that one must always stay cautious.
She may have truly been a fool once, but now she had clearly recovered — that could only mean some strange fate or encounter.
He smiled and nodded.
“It’s nothing,” he said, putting down the cloth in his hand and turning inward. “Come, have a seat inside.”
Elsewhere, Old Master Chen was deep in thought.
“What’s happened now?” he asked. “Why has she suddenly gotten entangled with that Liu fellow?”
Chen Shao let out a sigh.
“Guide General has been demoted, the chef from Tai Ping Residence was attacked by unknown assailants, and Immortal’s Abode was vandalized in broad daylight,” he said.
What a mess…
Old Master Chen raised a hand to press his forehead.
“To put it plainly, it’s still about that last incident,” he said. “That Secretariat Editor Liu is getting greedier by the day.”
“Father, are you saying Secretariat Editor Liu was the mastermind behind what happened last time?” Chen Shao asked.
“Not necessarily last time, but this time—definitely,” Old Master Chen replied, then chuckled. “Secretariat Editor Liu has had smooth sailing for far too long. He’s grown bolder and bolder.”
“Then what about that Lady Cheng?” Chen Shao asked after a moment’s pause. “Surely… she wouldn’t kill him too?”
At that, he gave a small laugh.
After all, he’s connected to the Secret Pavilion, and a scholar-official. Even the emperor himself would have a hard time just ordering his death.
But Old Master Chen didn’t laugh. He stroked his beard slowly.
“That Lady Cheng…” he said thoughtfully, “She’s had it tough — always running into one problem or another. Look at her — she just wanted to open a small eatery, and yet it’s been so difficult.”
“That’s life. When is anything ever smooth sailing?” Chen Shao said with a smile.
“Exactly. No one can avoid hardship — everyone has to face it eventually,” said Old Master Chen.
“Father, are you saying she’s really going to make a move against Secretariat Editor Liu this time?” Chen Shao asked in surprise. “She—she—what does she plan to do? How will she do it?”
That’s an official! A capital official! A veteran with decades in office!
“What exactly she plans to do, or how she plans to do it, I don’t know,” Old Master Chen said with a chuckle and a shake of his head. “That lady—her actions seem methodical on the surface, but in truth there’s no fixed pattern. You can’t predict or guess her. But there’s one thing I’m quite certain of—Secretariat Editor Liu is likely to get a mouthful of broken teeth this time.”
“Then what should we do?” Chen Shao asked. “She only asked me to make the connection, to act as a go-between to arrange a meeting with Secretariat Editor Liu. She didn’t say anything else.”
“No need to do anything,” Old Master Chen replied. “That lady knows what she’s doing. When it’s time to speak, she will speak. When she stays silent, you should stay silent too—don’t risk disrupting her plan.”
Chen Shao nodded.
“But maybe we’re overthinking it,” he added after a moment. “Perhaps she’s just trying to reconcile with Secretariat Editor Liu. That too would be a way to protect herself.”
Is that so?
Old Master Chen twirled his beard without replying.
If it were someone else, then yes—at this point, finding a mediator to negotiate peace would be the logical move. Most people, when trying to protect themselves, either retreat or make painful sacrifices.
But her kind of self-preservation? That’s something else entirely.
Just look at the previous incident with the thugs—she didn’t hide, didn’t back down, didn’t yield. When threatened, she simply dealt with it—killed without hesitation.
And now, someone who has already taken a bite out of her—would she let that go?
In the side room, Secretariat Editor Liu sat upright. After Cheng Jiao-niang and Zhou Liu-lang had offered their greetings, he finally spoke with a faint smile.
“I’ve long heard of Lady Cheng’s reputation, but had no chance to meet you until now. I must thank Master Chen for the introduction—it’s truly an honor,” he said.
Zhou Liu-lang snorted internally and looked at Cheng Jiao-niang.
“This is your doing! Aren’t you going to speak up?” he snapped.
This startled Secretariat Editor Liu.
“Master Liu, here is the situation,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, bowing again. “Tai Ping Residence is mine. My uncle and his family had no knowledge of it.”
What?
Secretariat Editor Liu frowned.
“Master Liu,” Cheng Jiao-niang remained bowed, her voice hoarse, “I never imagined things would escalate like this. I picked up those soldiers halfway through my journey, offered them favors and bribes to act as guards. Because Li Dashao suspected that Master Dou was behind the sabotage, I only meant to scare him a bit. I didn’t expect them to go so far…”
Secretariat Editor Liu gave a dry laugh and stroked his beard without replying.
So, she’s come to admit fault and seek reconciliation?
If she had the courage to pull this off, why doesn’t she have the courage to follow it through?
“Master Liu, my uncle is returning soon. If he finds out that I caused all this trouble, he’ll send me straight back to Jiang-zhou,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, finally lifting her head. “It’s taken me so much effort just to gain a foothold in the capital—I don’t want to see everything I’ve built vanish into thin air.”
