Bright Moon Enters My Embrace - Chapter 22
22
Once everyone was seated, Lin Yanran still gracefully occupied the seat of honor. Liu Zhenzhen sat to her left, while Qi Ming and Qi Huan, not daring to sit on equal footing, took seats below.
Lin Yanran said, “Manager, is the venison prepared as instructed?”
The manager hurriedly replied, “Young Master, the venison has been prepared exactly as you ordered.”
Lin Yanran nodded. “Good. Find three clever servants to relay my instructions to the kitchen.”
The manager immediately summoned three servants to stand by.
Lin Yanran, however, was in no rush. She lifted her teacup, gently skimmed the floating leaves with the lid, took a sip, then half-closed her eyes and recited with a flourish, “The true scholar is naturally free-spirited, to eat meat, one must pair it with fine wine. Manager, do you have any good wine here?”
“To answer the Young Master, our establishment has twenty-year-old Daughter Red, the pride of Shimen County.”
“Excellent. Bring it.”
The manager had the wine brought out. As soon as the seal was broken, its fragrance filled the room.
Lin Yanran pretended to savor the aroma, then closed her eyes to appreciate it fully, reciting, “Golden goblets of fine wine worth ten thousand coins, jade plates of rare delicacies worth a fortune—”
“Splendid!”
Her eyes snapped open. “Let us begin. Tell the kitchen to prepare the first dish: Immortal Deer Welcomes Spring—”
She explained the method in detail, having a servant relay it.
Then she listed dish after dish: Orchid Deer Lips, Deer Velvet Three Delicacies, Silver Blossom Deer Tongue, Sesame Deer Jerky, Plum Deer Trio, Emerald Dumpling Deer Tail, Phoenix Deer Tendons, Monkey King Storms the Dragon Palace…
The names alone left the manager wide-eyed in astonishment. Even Qi Ming and Qi Huan were entranced, sighing in admiration.
Liu Zhenzhen’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise, stealing glances at her again and again.
The three servants darted back and forth like the wind, taking turns rushing from the private room to the kitchen—one shouting the dish name from afar, another relaying the precise instructions.
The commotion drew the attention of every guest in the restaurant.
Soon, someone asked what grand feast was being prepared.
A waiter explained, “A noble guest from the capital is guiding our head chef in preparing a Full Deer Banquet, a delicacy reserved for the capital’s high officials and nobles!”
A Full Deer Banquet?!
No one knew exactly what it was, but the name alone screamed prestige. They had to try it.
Immediately, several tables of wealthy patrons grabbed waiters to reserve the Full Deer Banquet. The waiters, unsure, ran to the manager. Just as he finished hearing one, Qi Ming pulled him aside.
The young man’s face was flushed with excitement as he whispered, “Manager, no matter what it takes, put my Full Deer Banquet first. For the next month—no, make it six tables—I’m reserving them all!”
The manager’s head buzzed. Before he could respond, another waiter shouted, “Manager, disaster! Everyone on the second floor is clamoring to reserve the Full Deer Banquet, but we don’t have any deer left!”
The manager jolted. There were at least a hundred wealthy families in Shimen County. Their reservations alone would fill his coffers. A whole deer was a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity—he couldn’t let it slip away.
He grabbed the servant who had bought the deer earlier: “Quick, take men and buy every last bit of venison from the hunters!”
At that moment, Lin Yanran’s voice drifted from the private room: “Truth be told, after eating too many Full Deer Banquets, one grows tired. If someone could enjoy a Hundred Beasts Banquet, that would truly be a taste of paradise.”
Qi Ming immediately asked, “Young Master Lin, pray tell, what is a Hundred Beasts Banquet?”
Lin Yanran replied, “Naturally, every kind of wild game on a single table—one dish, one beast. Even if one cannot gather a full hundred, just the name alone makes it a supreme delicacy.”
The manager, a seasoned veteran, instantly saw the potential. If there was a Full Deer Banquet, why not a Wild Boar Banquet, or better yet—a Phoenix Banquet? Genius!
His face flushed with excitement, he pulled the servants back and whispered urgently: “Buy every scrap of wild prey from the hunters! Whatever the price, buy it all!”
Then he grabbed other servants: “Go tell the guests that to reserve a Full Deer Banquet, they must pay a ten-tael deposit first. First come, first served!”
While waiting for the dishes, Lin Yanran chatted and laughed with the group. When the food arrived, she quoted classics and explained how each dish should be eaten, leaving Qi Ming and Qi Huan wishing they had a pen to take notes.
At this moment, they both thought: This Full Deer Banquet truly is a delicacy for the capital’s elite—not only are the preparations intricate, but even the way each dish is eaten is so refined. If we use this banquet to entertain officials’ sons and explain the etiquette ourselves, won’t we steal the show?
Liu Zhenzhen had initially thought she was making it all up, but Lin Yanran spoke with such ease and authority, citing classics even she had never heard of.
She grew more and more astonished. How had Lin Yanran transformed from a violent, worthless woman into a medicinal genius, and now a witty, commanding figure at the county magistrate’s son’s table?
Unable to figure it out, she concluded that geniuses were simply beyond ordinary comprehension.
Naturally, dignitaries did not eat like country folk, devouring everything in sight. Lin Yanran merely tasted each dish before setting down her chopsticks: “Now that we’ve sampled the Full Deer Banquet, we must drink tea to cleanse the gamey taste from our mouths. I see a lovely pavilion on the lake. Why don’t we sit there, sip tea, and truly ‘welcome spring with deer’?”
Liu Zhenzhen blinked. She recognized that last line as pure nonsense.
She composed her expression and asked solemnly, “Young Master Lin, from which classic does this saying come? Do share, so this little sister may broaden her knowledge.”
Lin Yanran instantly caught the teasing in her tone and smiled brightly: “Little Sister Liu, have you forgotten? It is from the Dream Memories of the Phoenix Mountain Recluse.”
Phoenix Mountain Recluse—Fenghuang Town? Dream Memories—pure nonsense? Liu Zhenzhen nearly laughed.
Qi Ming and Qi Huan, however, exchanged a glance and silently memorized Dream Memories of the Phoenix Mountain Recluse to show off later. The manager, who had an accountant waiting outside, signaled frantically. The accountant hurriedly wrote it down, and the manager whispered, “Note: In the future, every honored guest who dines on the Full Deer Banquet at Drunken Immortal Tavern must drink tea afterward to dispel the gamey taste. This is the profound wisdom of the Dream Memories of the Phoenix Mountain Recluse!”
Lin Yanran winked at Liu Zhenzhen again. Liu Zhenzhen could only stifle her laughter: “Ah, it was I who forgot. In that case, let us go sit for a while.”
Qi Ming and Qi Huan gazed longingly at the barely touched banquet—less than a quarter eaten. Their stomachs had only just begun to fill, and some dishes they hadn’t even tasted properly. And now they were done?
Yet Lin Yanran’s explanation was impeccable, and it was the fashionable way of the capital’s elite. No matter how reluctant, they could only set down their chopsticks.
After all, they didn’t want to look like country bumpkins!
Thus, everyone rose and followed her to the lake pavilion.
Just as they reached the entrance, Lin Yanran suddenly paused, gazing at the vast lotus sea. Her tone grew solemn.
She softly recited:
“At noon, hoeing beneath the scorching sun,
Sweat drips onto the soil beneath the crops.
Who knows that every grain in the bowl
Comes from bitter toil?”
With a light sigh, she called, “Chi Bao, food must not be wasted. You lot, finish what’s on the table.”
Chi Bao and four others had been standing behind her the entire time, swallowing saliva as they watched. Had the county magistrate’s son and daughter not been present, they’d have pounced long ago. Hearing this was like heavenly music. They snapped to attention and shouted, “Rest assured, Young Master! We will not waste a morsel!”
Liu Zhenzhen nearly died laughing inside but refused to expose her, for this poem had once again impressed her.
She immediately said, “Young Master Lin, this poem truly carries profound meaning. In just four lines, it vividly depicts the hardship of the common people. Your compassion for them is truly admirable!”
Qi Ming, hearing this, secretly memorized the poem and added, “Young Master Lin composes poetry effortlessly—such talent! This poem especially demonstrates your love for the people. As a son of an official, I shall take your words as my model and teacher!”
Lin Yanran hadn’t expected that casually quoting Li Shen’s Pitying the Farmers to show off would earn such praise.
Well, it seemed like a good thing.
She smiled faintly: “Young Master Qi is too kind. Truly a blessing for Shimen County.”
Qi Ming beamed with joy: “Young Master Lin flatters me.”
Only the manager inwardly gnashed his teeth. That was the first Full Deer Banquet personally overseen by Young Master Lin—and it was devoured by those crude oafs! It was like feeding pearls to swine.
I wanted to eat it too!!
Heartbroken, he still smiled obsequiously: “Such dragons and phoenixes among men—to meet you all today is the fortune of three lifetimes.”
In the pavilion, the manager personally served tea. Lin Yanran took a sip, set down her cup, and glanced at him: “Manager, have you mastered the Full Deer Banquet recipes?”
The manager hurriedly replied, “Yes, yes! Many thanks for Young Master Lin’s guidance—I am eternally grateful!”
Lin Yanran glanced meaningfully at Liu Zhenzhen. Liu Zhenzhen understood immediately and thought: Since I’ve already helped cover for her, I might as well see it through.
She spoke up: “Young Master Lin, you are mistaken. Since you’ve already allowed the manager to witness the splendor of the Full Deer Banquet, why block the people of Shimen County from enjoying it?”
Lin Yanran feigned difficulty, remaining silent.
Liu Zhenzhen continued: “Young Master Lin generously imparts this rare delicacy without reservation, showing your noble character. Since you’ve already shared the methods, why not fulfill the manager’s wish and give him the recipes? It would leave a lasting legacy in Shimen County!”
Qi Ming, ever perceptive, caught on immediately and said to the manager: “Manager Xu, Young Master Lin has come from afar and bestowed upon Shimen County this unparalleled Full Deer Banquet. It is not only a blessing for your Drunken Immortal Tavern but for all the people of Shimen County! Though Young Master Lin is magnanimous and willing to give it freely, we people of Shimen County cannot accept such a great favor without repayment!”
Manager Xu, an old fox, understood instantly and nodded vigorously: “This old man was foolish. Fortunately, Young Master Qi reminded me before I made a grave error. Young Master, please wait a moment—I’ll return shortly!”
Qi Ming also found an excuse to step out.
He cornered Manager Xu, grabbed his collar, and hissed: “This is a noble from the capital. Serve him well. If your thank-you gift is anything less than impressive and shames Shimen County, consider Drunken Immortal Tavern finished!”
Manager Xu wailed: “Young Master Qi, this is a small business with limited funds! I sincerely wish to buy the Full Deer Banquet recipe, but even if I empty my coffers, I can only manage five hundred taels. Please, Young Master Qi, put in a good word for me.”
Qi Ming’s face darkened: “Five hundred taels? Make it at least a thousand, or you’re done for!”
Manager Xu sobbed: “Young Master Qi, a thousand is truly too much! The restaurant only profits about two thousand taels a year. This would take more than half—how could I survive?”
Qi Ming sneered: “Don’t play poor with me. You’ve already collected over a hundred taels in deposits alone. With every dignitary in town flocking here, you’ll make a fortune!”
Manager Xu inwardly cursed—even if I make a fortune, you’re taking the lion’s share!
Qi Ming continued: “Fool, once you own the exclusive rights to the Full Deer Banquet, you’ll be the only one in town. The money will roll in endlessly!”
Enlightened, Manager Xu realized a thousand taels for exclusivity was indeed worth it!
Qi Ming left, satisfied.
He wasn’t truly repaying Lin Yanran’s kindness—he simply saw Liu Zhenzhen’s fondness for her and wanted to curry favor with Liu Zhenzhen.
And if it also impressed this “capital noble,” it was killing two birds with one stone. Why not?
It wasn’t his money anyway.
Moments later, Manager Xu returned, presenting a delicate red lacquered box with both hands.
“Young Master, your great kindness leaves this old man at a loss for repayment. Please accept this small token of gratitude.”
Lin Yanran wanted exactly this, but she couldn’t accept it outright—that would be crass!
So she refused repeatedly, firmly declining. To Qi Ming and Qi Huan, this only made Young Master Lin seem even more refined and noble—their role model!
Qi Ming was the first to persuade her to accept.
Even after his urging, Lin Yanran still refused. Liu Zhenzhen, having enjoyed the show and knowing the timing was right, stepped in.
This greedy liar—nothing but nonsense, yet somehow a genius?
She inwardly grumbled, yet felt a secret thrill that only she knew her secret, making her more than happy to help.
She said, “Young Master Lin, your noble heart wishes to give it freely, but Manager Xu also has his sincerity to express. If you truly refuse, how can he bear to use your recipes to serve more guests? How can the people of Shimen County ever enjoy the Full Deer Banquet?”
“Young Master Lin, for the sake of the people of Shimen County, please accept.”
At her words, Lin Yanran’s expression shifted slightly. She lightly tapped her forehead: “Sister Liu, you’ve truly awakened me! I was narrow-minded, only considering my own virtue while disregarding Manager Xu’s feelings. My mistake, my mistake.”
“In that case, I shall graciously accept.”
She finally took the red lacquered box.
Manager Xu wanted to cry: Young Master Lin, you could have completely ignored my feelings—I really wouldn’t have minded!
Alas, he could never say that aloud.
With matters settled, Liu Zhenzhen bid farewell. Lin Yanran naturally escorted her to the entrance—perfect for slipping away. The five burly men, now stuffed to the brim, secretly hiccupped as they followed.
That was an entire deer—a Full Deer Banquet even the county magistrate’s son coveted! How could they waste it? They ate until their eyes bulged, only able to exit by leaning on the doorframe.
Now they stood behind Lin Yanran, gleaming with oil, looking utterly impressive.
Even the manager didn’t dare look down on them anymore. They stood tall, chests puffed, gazing at Lin Yanran like she was a god—proud to be associated with her.
Qi Ming and Qi Huan waited nearby.
Liu Zhenzhen and Lin Yanran stood at the entrance, appearing reluctant to part while actually trading barbs.
She glanced at Lin Yanran with a half-smile: “Young Master Lin has reaped quite a harvest today. You must be returning fully loaded.”
Lin Yanran winked: “All thanks to Sister Liu’s help. When we meet again, Lin will surely repay the favor.”
She had sneaked a peek inside the box while pretending to visit the latrine—ten 100 tael silver notes. One thousand taels! A windfall from heaven!
Liu Zhenzhen wasn’t bad. When she returned, she’d have to thank her properly. After all, she was the real heiress. If she could get on her good side, wouldn’t there be endless money-making opportunities?
The more Lin Yanran thought about it, the happier she became. To Liu Zhenzhen, she looked radiant and charming. For some reason, it made her uncomfortable. She quickly looked away and huffed: “Fine words. We’ll see how you thank me then. Farewell.”
Lin Yanran cupped her fists and watched Liu Zhenzhen and Qi Ming leave. As she turned, her peripheral vision caught a flash of a youth in green across the street—beautiful with red lips and white teeth, powdered face, but his spring-water eyes were filled with hatred as they stared her way.
She let out a soft “eh?”
Chi Bao immediately asked, “Young Master, what is it?”
The five burly men now truly treated her as their master, even unconsciously changing how they addressed her.
Lin Yanran looked again, but the youth had already turned and left. Everything seemed like an illusion. She said, “Nothing.”
With the five in tow, she wound through alleys back to the mule carts.
As soon as Lin Dahai saw her, he looked her up and down like she was a money tree. He wanted to grab her and ask for details, but Lin Yanran had other matters on her mind and instructed them to set off first.
This made Lin Dahai itch unbearably. He tried to pry information from Lin Feng and the other four, but they had fully embraced their roles as her subordinates and refused to leave her side.
Lin Dahai nearly exploded with frustration. He wanted the story! In all his life, he had never seen anyone sell a single deer for thirty taels—yet Lin Yanran not only did it but sold all their preys at high prices!
Fenghuang Town was going to be rich!
Was Lin Yanran a wealth-bringing child sent by heaven?
“Yanran, quick, tell your uncle—what happened? My heart’s being scratched by cats!”
But Lin Yanran blocked him with one sentence:
“Uncle, let me ask you—do you want to make this kind of money again?”
“Yes!”
“Then keep it to yourself and be happy. If you or anyone spreads it, we’ll have to return every coin—with interest. Understand?”
Lin Dahai didn’t fully understand, but he absolutely did not want to spit out the meat he’d already swallowed. So he shut his mouth and ordered the other hunters: anyone who gossiped would get no share of the money.
Who would dare speak now? They all clamped their mouths shut like saw-mouthed gourds.
“You all head back first. I have something to do.”
With that, Lin Yanran took her five-man team and left.
The other hunters asked Lin Dahai anxiously, “Captain, what about us?”
Lin Dahai, tasting wealth for the first time, dared not delay: “We go back now!”
Lin Yanran led the five menacingly toward Yuanbao Gambling Den. She was no longer short on cash. Once she paid off the loan, she’d be free and clear.
But when they arrived, the doors were sealed shut with official notices, guarded by four armed constables.
Passersby gave it a wide berth.
After observing a while, she grabbed a passerby to ask. The man, annoyed at being stopped, was about to curse when he saw her fine clothes and immediately smiled: “Young Master, this Yuanbao Gambling Den offended a martial arts master. A peerless swordsman carrying a three-foot blade slaughtered everyone inside—the boss, the second boss, all the runners and staff—clean as a whistle! Not even a dog or chicken was spared!”
Lin Yanran was stunned. Yuanbao Gambling Den… gone just like that?
“All dead?” she asked.
The man nodded: “Yes, not even a dog or chicken left—naturally, not a soul survived.”
Lin Yanran’s mind buzzed. Everyone in Yuanbao Gambling Den was dead? That meant she didn’t have to repay the 250 taels? She’d just gained 250 taels for free?!
Was there such a good thing? She nearly laughed.
The man, full of pent-up gossip about the massacre, now had someone ignorant to tell: “Young Master, you may not know—not only Yuanbao Gambling Den was wiped out, but Chunxiang Pavilion just one street over was too! The madam, pimps, and staff—twenty-three in total—were all slaughtered. Strangely, the courtesans were unharmed. They’ve been locked in the county jail and are being interrogated one by one!”
“Chunxiang Pavilion?” Lin Yanran’s heart skipped a beat, as if she’d touched a clue.
The man, seeing she didn’t even know Chunxiang Pavilion, put on a sleazy grin: “Young Master is young and perhaps unfamiliar with such pleasures. What a pity you came too late. Had you arrived earlier, you could have experienced the wonders of Chunxiang Pavilion—truly exquisite!”
Lin Yanran’s mind was racing. She suddenly asked, “How many Chunxiang Pavilions are there in Shimen County? Are there others?”
The man blinked, then replied, “Chunxiang Pavilion is the top brothel in Shimen County—of course there’s only one.”
Lin Yanran’s heart jumped again. She was onto something.
But she wasn’t sure, so she asked, “Any leads on the killer?”
The man shook his head: “That demon was terrifying—killed dozens and vanished without a trace—” He glanced around and lowered his voice: “Rumor has it the yamen hasn’t found a single hair, so they’re taking it out on the courtesans. But I heard from a constable that the top courtesan had a lover—a notorious bandit with many lives on his hands. He slaughtered Yuanbao after losing everything gambling, then went to Chunxiang to enjoy himself. But he had no money to pay, so he slaughtered the brothel too and fled. He’s free, but those poor defenseless women are suffering in jail. Once you’re in the county jail, you either die or lose a layer of skin…”
Suddenly, something flew through the air. Lin Yanran dodged swiftly. It smashed into the man’s face.
“Ouch— which bastard threw that?!” The man clutched his head, looked around, found no one, and stormed off cursing.
Lin Yanran saw the shattered rock on the ground and immediately looked up. A figure flashed at the alley corner.
The person was hiding in the alley, watching, and very alert. Unfortunately, they revealed a strip of green clothing.
Interesting. A familiar face.
Lin Yanran signaled Chi Bao and the others. They split up and surrounded the alley, blocking both ends.
“Young Master, we’ve got him.”
Lin Yanran approached and saw it was indeed the resentful youth from across Drunken Immortal Tavern.
“Why are you following me?”
After a brief panic, the youth quickly calmed down.
He indignantly yanked his arms free from Chi Bao and Lin Feng. His beautiful peach-blossom eyes were cold and disdainful: “Ridiculous. The world is vast—I go where I please. Are you the one following me?”
Lin Feng, hot-blooded, punched him: “Be honest! The Young Master asks, you answer!”
The youth’s beautiful eyes locked onto him, filled with murderous intent.
This pretty boy was a real troublemaker.
Lin Feng raised his fist again: “You dare glare at me?”
Lin Yanran stopped him and studied the youth with interest: “You were staring at me outside Drunken Immortal Tavern. We’re strangers with no grudge. So you weren’t watching me—you were watching the county magistrate’s son.”
The youth remained scornful, but Lin Yanran caught a flash of panic in his eyes.
She continued: “Ordinary people don’t know the magistrate’s son’s whereabouts, yet you happened to appear outside Drunken Immortal Tavern. That means you deliberately tracked him. The magistrate’s son is tied to public affairs, and the only major incident lately is yesterday’s massacre.”
“We appeared at the crime scene, and you appeared again—meaning you’re here because of the massacre.”
Lin Feng blurted: “You’re the killer?!”
The youth rolled his eyes dramatically: “Idiot!”
Lin Feng’s face turned red: “Who’re you calling an idiot?”
The youth rolled his eyes again, dripping with contempt: “Whoever answers.”
Lin Feng was livid. Lin Yanran signaled Chi Bao to drag him away.
She grew even more interested. This youth was beautiful, dressed as a scholar—surely a county academy student—yet so fixated on the massacre. There had to be a connection.
A scholar, a troublemaker, clever, arrogant.
She smiled: “You’re an Omega pretending to be a Beta. If I call the constables, do you think they’ll arrest you as an accomplice?”
As soon as she approached, she had smelled the faint medicinal scent and, with her sensitive nose, detected the faint Omega pheromones.
She was certain: he was an Omega in disguise.
The arrogant youth instantly paled: “Nonsense!”
Lin Yanran’s smile vanished, her gaze cold: “Speak. Why are you following me?”
The youth pressed his lips tight, eyes flashing with grief and humiliation. Lin Yanran noticed his clenched fists.
She said slowly: “You’re smart. You should know that hot-blooded bravery accomplishes nothing.”
The youth’s accumulated courage shattered. His proud head drooped: “I wasn’t deliberately following you. I came to this street to look around and unexpectedly ran into you again.”
Lin Yanran seized the key: “So you know what really happened in the massacre.”
It was a statement. The youth glanced at her in surprise, then coolly replied: “Thirty-nine people died. Even the prefectural yamen is involved. The whole county knows. Is it strange I do?”
Lin Yanran ignored his sarcasm and pressed: “Then tell me what happened.”
The youth rolled his eyes: “Didn’t you just hear that idiot say it all?”
Lin Yanran’s headache grew. This type—smug with a little cleverness—was the hardest to deal with.
Her face grew colder: “One shout from me, and the constables will drag you to jail like wolves. Want to taste some torture before you talk?”
The youth’s face changed, but he remained stubborn: “You won’t call them. If you were going to, you’d have done it already.”
Lin Yanran’s voice turned icy: “My patience is limited.”
When she was truly angry, her entire aura changed. An invisible pressure bore down on the youth, making him tremble. His face paled—he finally feared her.
He hesitated, then suddenly said, “If I tell you the truth, will you help me?”
Huh?
Lin Yanran was full of question marks.
The youth earnestly said: “I went to Drunken Immortal Tavern to follow the magistrate’s son, but I saw how respectfully he treated you. I guessed you must be an even higher official.”
Lin Yanran nearly laughed but saw the youth’s former arrogance replaced with hopeful expectation.
After a moment’s thought, she said, “Speak first.”
The youth replied, “If you can’t help me, I can’t tell you.”
Lin Yanran never submitted to threats. She turned to leave. The youth anxiously trotted beside her: “Young Master, do you really believe those defenseless courtesans are accomplices? They’re innocent! The real killer is someone else!”
Lin Yanran didn’t stop: “You know the courtesans?”
The youth hesitated. She asked, “Are they your relatives?”
Suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead. The youth’s face drastically changed. He turned and bolted into the alley. Chi Bao and Lin Feng asked, “Young Master, shall we chase?”
Lin Yanran raised her hand to stop them. A squad of constables approached, led by Wang Chong. As they passed, Wang Chong glanced at her, looked away, and barked, “Search!”
Lin Yanran secretly sighed in relief. Had she not been dressed as a young noble, Wang Chong would surely have stopped her.
She then hurried to the clothing shop, picking out fashionable dresses for herself and Youqin Mingyue, plus bedding, books, medicinal herbs, red dates, rock sugar, etc.
Chi Bao carried a gigantic bamboo basket stuffed with two rolled-up quilts, plus two bundles of herbs and food. Lin Feng’s basket was filled with books, making the tall youth’s face red from the weight. The others also carried large packages. Only when they could carry no more did Lin Yanran reluctantly stop her shopping spree.
“Young Master, this must have cost a fortune.”
“Yes.” Lin Yanran sighed. Being rich felt wonderful.
“Young Master, you have a wife to support. Isn’t this a bit too extravagant?”
“Yes, Young Master. In the future, be frugal. Even if we earn money, we can’t spend it all at once. Supporting a wife requires careful budgeting.”
Lin Yanran thought: My wife is no ordinary person. If I’m too frugal, she’ll hold a grudge.
She sighed dramatically: “Fine, I understand.”
The five men, now fully loyal, grinned broadly at her agreement. After all, the richer the Young Master, the better for them.
At the rendezvous point, the cart driver Lin Dashan was waiting.
They loaded everything onto the mule carts, secured them with ropes, and climbed aboard. Lin Feng shouted, “Homeward bound!”
That shout pulled Lin Yanran back to reality.
She was still wondering: Was the simultaneous massacre of Yuanbao Gambling Den and Chunxiang Pavilion really Youqin Mingyue’s doing?
As the cart jolted along, painfully bumping her bottom, she reached for the bedding in the basket. She had specially asked the manager to wrap them in cloth so they could serve as cushions. As she lifted the cover, she met a pair of beautiful peach-blossom eyes.
Lin Yanran: “…”
Just then, chaotic shouts and running footsteps echoed from the street. Many constables charged into a civilian house, bellowing ferociously.
“Wang Jinghong, come out!”
“Wang Jinghong, we’ve surrounded you! Surrender now, or don’t blame this captain for showing no mercy!”
Wang Jinghong?!!!
The name struck Lin Yanran like thunder. She immediately stared at the youth hiding in the basket and silently mouthed: “You’re Wang Jinghong?”
The youth, terrified, nodded hastily.
Lin Yanran’s shock crashed over her like a tidal wave. Then Wang Chong roared: “Wang Jinghong, come out! Otherwise, tonight I’ll interrogate your sister—with torture!”
The youth’s eyes turned red with rage. He was about to leap out when Lin Yanran swiftly pressed his head down, covered him with cloth, and whispered to Lin Dashan, “Uncle, go faster.”
“On it!”
Lin Dashan cracked the whip hard. The three mules galloped.
Lin Yanran held the cloth over the basket while glancing back.
Soon they reached the city gate, where soldiers were checking passersby.
Lin Yanran’s heart leaped into her throat.
If the guards poked around with their spears as they had that morning, beautiful Wang Jinghong would become dead Wang Jinghong.
Her palms sweated, heart pounding. As they neared the gate, she suddenly calmed. In the novel, Wang Jinghong was a brilliant general, undefeated in battle. He later besieged the capital, forcing the nearly victorious Youqin Mingyue to die under a hail of arrows.
So Wang Jinghong absolutely would not die now.
The cart stopped at the gate for inspection.
“Open it. What’s in this basket?”
Lin Yanran’s nerves stretched to breaking. If necessary, she’d fight her way out.
She scanned the scene: four on the left, three on the right, one questioning—eight total. She tensed, ready to strike!
“Old Xu, these are hunters from Fenghuang Town. We came in together this morning,” a voice called. Lin Yanran saw Lin Dahai jogging over from outside the gate, smiling obsequiously at the lead hunter.
Lin Yanran immediately shouted, “Uncle, I’m newly married and bought clothes and bedding for my wife. Could you ask the gate commander to be lenient—”
She winked frantically at Lin Dahai.
Lin Dahai did not disappoint: “Old pal, we’ve known each other for years. The kids finally got married and bought things to please the wife. If you poke holes in everything, you’ll ruin a happy couple! As the saying goes, better to destroy a temple than a marriage. Turn a blind eye, and next time I come to town, I’ll bring you a wild boar.”
He quickly slipped some copper coins into Old Xu’s hand.
Old Xu swiftly pocketed them and waved impatiently: “Go, go!”
Lin Yanran exhaled sharply.
The cart cleared the gate. Three miles out, Wang Jinghong popped out on his own.
Lin Yanran knew she couldn’t hide him anymore and let him be.
Everyone else jumped in fright. Lin Dahai asked, “Yanran, who’s this?”
Lin Yanran glanced irritably at Wang Jinghong: “A fugitive.”
Lin Dahai nearly fell off the cart: “A—a fugitive?!”
Wang Jinghong stared silently at Lin Yanran. She said, “New business. There’s money in it.”
At the word “money,” Lin Dahai instantly calmed: “As long as there’s money, it’s fine!”
Lin Yanran was surprised—these hunters were bold.
“Uncle, he’s a fugitive. You want money over your life?”
Lin Dahai glared: “Didn’t you say it’s a business with money?”
“Yes, but he’s still a fugitive.”
Lin Dahai waved dismissively: “Then no problem. We hunters—and military households—keep our heads in our belts anyway. Money’s worth earning, no money is what really kills!”
Lin Yanran looked incredulously at Chi Bao, Lin Feng, and the others: “You’re not afraid either?”
Lin Feng grinned, showing white teeth: “Young Master, with you, we fear nothing!”
Chi Bao also grinned: “Following Young Master means wealth!”
The others were less talkative, but their eyes shone brightly at her.
Cart driver Lin Dashan puffed his pipe and sighed: “Getting old!”
Lin Yanran was finally reassured.
She dragged Wang Jinghong to the back of the cart for questioning.
Wang Jinghong said coolly, “You lied to me. You’re not a high official.”
Lin Yanran raised a brow: “When did I ever say I was?”
Wang Jinghong was stumped. After a while: “Thank you for saving my life, but I must go back to save my sister.”
“The top courtesan of Chunxiang Pavilion is your sister, right?”
Wang Jinghong bristled like an angry cat: “My sister sells her art, not her body! She’s innocent! She doesn’t know any bandits or have any lovers!”
“Shh—” Lin Yanran hushed him, then said, “I think you’re pretty smart. Use your brain: if you go back now, you’ll get caught, your sister will suffer even more, and you’ll both be executed. Or you let her suffer a little now—but live?”
Wang Jinghong’s eyes lit up: “You can save my sister?”
Lin Yanran replied, “There’s always a way.”
Wang Jinghong pestered her for the plan. She hadn’t actually thought of one and said mysteriously, “Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed.”
This infuriated the kid into sarcasm again.
Lin Yanran studied him for a while, then suddenly asked, “One thing I need to confirm—your name is Wang Jinghong? Wang as in ‘king or bandit,’ Jing as in ‘shock the world,’ Hong as in ‘wild goose’?”
Wang Jinghong nodded, then looked at her strangely: “Who forgets their own name?”
Lin Yanran brushed it off and ignored him.
This kid was exactly as described in the book—sharp-tongued and untamed. Better to speak less and maintain a mysterious, lofty image.
The cart rattled on until night fell. As they reached the east end of Fenghuang Town, loud wailing came from Zhu Shiyu’s house. Lin Feng went to ask and returned: “Zhu Shiyu’s dead. Got drunk and drowned in a cesspit.”
Lin Yanran’s heart lurched. She jumped off the cart and grabbed a bystander: “What about Li Qing?”
The person recognized her and sighed: “Alas, Li Qing was on his way to Shimen County yesterday when rocks fell and crushed him flat. When they dug him out, he was minced meat! Yanran, weren’t you close with Li Qing? How did you not know?”
Lin Yanran urgently asked, “What about Zhang Zhen from neighboring Lihua Town?”
Before the person could answer, an auntie chimed in: “My natal family is in Lihua Town. I went back yesterday and heard Zhang Zhen fell off his horse and got his heart trampled to pieces by the hooves. Guts everywhere—scared me half to death…”
Lin Yanran’s suspended heart finally dropped.
No need to guess anymore. All clues pointed to one person.
It had to be Youqin Mingyue.
Then another thought struck like lightning:
If Youqin Mingyue did this, did that mean her death guards had found her?
Then the greatest culprit—herself—was she still going to live?
Lin Yanran’s entire body shivered with cold.