No sooner had Wang Yong spoken outside than Xing Muzheng heard the rush of footsteps closing in, surrounding them on all sides.
Boom—
Far away, thunder rumbled, heavy and oppressive.
On Yonghe Street, the townsfolk forgot even to hurry home to take in their laundry before the rain, all pausing, shrinking to the sides to see what great matter was afoot. Over a hundred Imperial Guards in soft armor, long spears in hand, had sealed off the entire street. At the center of the encirclement stood a convoy of plain carriages.
A white-haired man in a white fox cloak, riding a white horse, galloped in like a blast of wintry wind, stopping before the Xing family’s carriage. Was this not the white-haired Prime Minister himself? Normally he rode only in carriages or sedan chairs—no one had ever seen him on horseback. They had thought him frail and unskilled at riding, but now—such imposing presence! For even Minister Hang to come in person, it must be a matter of grave importance.
The curious craned their necks past the blockades, spotting the insignia on the carriage convoy—those of General Xing, who had come to Yongan to offer birthday congratulations. Whispers spread: the Prime Minister versus the great general… what drama was this?
Inside, Xing Muzheng sat unmoving, steady as a mountain, holding Qian Jiaoniang without the least intention of going out to see. Wang Yong dismounted, leaned close to the carriage, and quietly asked for instructions. Xing Muzheng glanced at Jiaoniang and said calmly, “Go and ask.”
Qian Jiaoniang turned her head to look behind, then back at Xing Muzheng.
Outside, Wang Yong approached Hang Zhi, saluted, and asked, “Lord Hang, my lord asks what has happened, and why you have blocked our path?”
Seated on his white horse, Hang Zhi said solemnly, “Just now at the Crown Prince’s residence, I caught sight of a maid from Dingxi Marquis’s household whom I found familiar. At first I could not recall from where, but then it struck me—she is a remnant of the previous dynasty’s traitorous faction, most likely concealing her identity within the Marquis’s household. Today I will apprehend her and take her in.”
Boom—
Another deep roll of thunder.
Duanfang, at Hang Zhi’s side, was inwardly in a panic. His master had truly gone mad—over a mere back view, to mobilize the Imperial Guards like this, block Dingxi Marquis’s carriages, and accuse one of his maids of being a traitor of the fallen dynasty! This was a capital crime. His master’s wife was long dead; that maid could not possibly be the beloved wife in his heart. How would this farce end? Would Dingxi Marquis let it pass?
Xing Muzheng heard Hang Zhi’s self-righteous words clearly from inside the carriage. He let out a cold laugh and cursed under his breath. Qian Jiaoniang glanced at him oddly, but quickly turned her attention back. Still, Xing Muzheng noticed; he tilted his head to whisper in her ear, “What, don’t like me speaking in such coarse terms?” If not for Hang Zhi’s despicable move, he wouldn’t have lost his composure.
“Does the marquis know which maid he’s talking about?” Qian Jiaoniang replied with a question instead of an answer.
Xing Muzheng’s dark eyes fixed on her. “I’d guess it’s that maid of yours named Qingya.”
How much did he actually know? “Qingya is absolutely not a rebel,” she said.
“So what if she isn’t?” Xing Muzheng replied.
Qian Jiaoniang pressed her lips together. “Will the marquis protect her?”
“She’s no kin of mine—why should I help?”
This b*stard… And to think she’d had the briefest moment of believing he was a good man. Turns out it was all false—he was nothing but a thorough scoundrel!
Outside, the sounds of voices overlapped—Hang Zhi seemed to be getting serious, his tone sharp as he ordered Wang Yong and the others to make way. Qian Jiaoniang ground her teeth. “Marquis, just say it plainly—what will it take for you to help Qingya through this?” She didn’t know all the details, but if Qingya had wanted to meet, she could have gotten out back at the Crown Prince’s residence—why would she have ended up crying so pitifully? If she didn’t want to meet, there had to be a reason.
“How your maid fares is no concern of mine. But if you want me to help her, I can—on one condition.”
“What condition?”
“I haven’t thought of it yet. I’ll tell you when we’re back home.”
Wasn’t that just an open invitation to make an outrageous demand later? She’d now seen his shamelessness for herself! But with the sound of boots drawing closer outside, Qian Jiaoniang worried Qingya would be frightened. She had no choice but to agree in one breath: “Fine! As long as the marquis keeps Qingya safe!”
Xing Muzheng seemed to have expected as much. He curved his lips into a smile, kicked the carriage door open, and bent down to step out.
