Volume One: Carefree Wandering Amidst Indistinguishable Paper Leaves Chapter Ninety: Stubborn as Molasses

Yang Ning spent the entire night immersed in the swordplay depicted in dozens of paintings, personally practicing the moves from time to time. Unknowingly, dawn had already begun to break.

He was aware that if someone discovered he had secretly entered the courtyard, even given his current status as the Heir of the Brocade Guards, it would not bode well. After all, the prohibition against entering the courtyard was a rule established by the late Marquis, and not only had he failed to set an example, but had also broken the rule by sneaking in. Such behavior would inevitably invite criticism.

He carefully organized the dozens of sheets, tucked them into his robe, and thought to himself that these old papers had been left unattended for years—no one would mind if he took them. Climbing over the wall, he exited the courtyard and returned to the room prepared for him. There, he wrapped the drawings in silk and temporarily hid them under his bed. As he was finishing up, he heard voices outside—someone had brought fresh water for his morning wash. After he washed, another servant came to invite him to breakfast. Upon entering the dining hall, he saw Qi Feng and several others waiting, but Gu Qinghan was nowhere to be seen.

He knew Gu Qinghan had been exhausted these past days, so she was likely still resting. Noticing Wei Tong nearby, he asked, “Has the Third Madam not risen yet?”

Wei Tong respectfully replied, “Replying to the Heir, a servant has already been sent to call on her, but the Third Madam is still resting and did not respond. We did not wish to disturb her. Rest assured, the kitchen is prepared—when the Third Madam wakes, breakfast will be ready.”

The old residence, too, had its own rules: meals were served at set times, and there was a strict hierarchy. Though Qi Feng and the others were guards of the Marquis’s household, they were still servants and not permitted to dine with Yang Ning. Yet, Yang Ning was unaccustomed to such distinctions and had their breakfast sent to the main dining hall as well.

There were two tables in the dining hall: an upper and a lower table. The upper table was clearly more ornate and valuable. Yang Ning had Qi Feng sit with him at the upper table, while the others sat at the lower one. When breakfast was served and the servants had left, Yang Ning leaned toward Qi Feng and said softly, “Eat quickly. When you’re finished, take two men and head to Jingzhou City.”

Qi Feng was taken aback. “Jingzhou City?” he thought, puzzled—they had just arrived last night, and now they were to rush back at dawn?

“You are to find the Prefect of Jiangling,” Yang Ning said. “Ask him how many men he assigned to escort the tax silver to the capital. If he really did send an escort, bring two of the soldiers who accompanied the shipment. I want to question them myself.”

“What?” Qi Feng was stunned. “Heir, the tax silver... has it been delivered?” He naturally knew their journey escorting Gu Qinghan back to Jiangling was due to the delay of the tax silver.

“There’s no need for further questions,” Yang Ning said quietly. “Do you know the Prefect of Jiangling?”

Qi Feng nodded at once. “The Prefect is an honest and upright official, recommended by the General himself. The General rarely made recommendations, but for the benefit of his homeland, he brought in a capable official as Prefect. I’ve met him twice. I can’t say if he remembers me, but as long as I mention the Marquis of Brocade, he will show respect and cooperate.”

“Excellent.” Yang Ning nodded. “Also, I’ve heard the chief steward of the old residence suffered a stroke and is now in Jingzhou City. If that’s true, the Prefect can’t be ignorant of it. Ask him to help you find the chief steward. The steward has served the old residence and the Qi family faithfully for years; we can’t simply ignore him. Bring me to see him first.”

“Rest assured, Heir.” Qi Feng then asked in a low voice, “Is there anything else you wish to instruct?”

Yang Ning considered for a moment before asking, “Do you know anything about the chief steward’s background?”

“All I know is that his family is from Jiangxia, and he’s related to the Qi family. In his early years, he had dealings with the late Marquis, but beyond that, I know nothing. When he came seeking shelter, the late Marquis immediately kept him on and made him chief steward. He was greatly trusted, and for many years, has managed the household in good order.”

“What about his family? Since he’s the chief steward, we ought not to know nothing about his private affairs.”

Qi Feng shook his head. “I’m not sure. No one in the household ever mentions it.” He then asked quietly, “Heir, do you think something is amiss? Shall I send someone to Jiangxia to investigate? It’s not far from Jiangling—a fast horse could make a round trip in three or four days.”

Yang Ning thought for a moment. “Very well, but keep it discreet. Send someone quickly to find out the state of the steward’s family.”

Qi Feng nodded. “I’ll arrange it at once.” He stood to leave, but Yang Ning called after him, “You won’t have strength to work unless you eat first. Finish your meal.”

Qi Feng scratched his head and urged the guards, “Hurry up, there’s work to do after this.”

Yang Ning ate a few mouthfuls, not feeling hungry, and stepped outside. There, he saw Wei Tong whispering with a servant nearby. Frowning, he walked over and asked, “What are you sneaking about?”

Wei Tong quickly smiled, “Heir, have you finished eating? We’re talking about the madman outside.”

“Madman?” Yang Ning asked curiously. “What madman?”

“It’s like this. Master Cheng was supposed to return last night, so I waited at the gate. By midnight, nothing had happened. I thought perhaps he was delayed, so I was about to rest. Before I did, I went outside to check and saw a hairy figure lying under the wall. It startled me—I thought it was a stray dog.”

“A hairy figure?” Yang Ning frowned.

Wei Tong continued, “But when I brought a lantern closer, I saw it was a man, lying asleep by the wall. He looked like a vagrant, but he was wrapped in a black cloak...”

“It’s him!” Yang Ning’s body tensed, immediately thinking of the ugly man. Could it be that the disfigured man in the black cloak had followed him here? But he and Gu Qinghan had ridden hard yesterday and shaken him off en route. How could he have found his way? He couldn’t possibly have tracked them like a dog by scent.

“Take me to him. Where is he now?” Yang Ning asked as he walked.

Wei Tong hobbled alongside. “Heir, that man’s mad. I thought he’d leave at dawn, but when I opened the gate, he was still there. I gave him two cornbreads, but he threw them back at me. I had to chase him off with a stick, but now he’s back again, still outside.”

Yang Ning said coldly, “If he wouldn’t eat cornbread, why not offer something else? There were plenty of pastries at breakfast—give him some of those. Why use a stick to drive him away?”

Wei Tong replied awkwardly, “Heir, not everyone can have those pastries. They were made last night especially because you and the Third Madam are here. There’s not much else in this remote place. Only the pastries are decent...”

“Enough excuses. Have someone bring some pastries out. Let me make this clear: from now on, if any beggar or destitute person comes here and anyone tries to drive them away with a stick, I’ll have their hide. Everyone falls on hard times—if we can help, we should. You’re old enough to know better.”

Wei Tong had not expected Yang Ning to reprimand him so harshly over a madman and was flustered. He didn’t know that Yang Ning had once wandered the streets himself, and though the time was short, it gave him a taste of hardship and misery.

Outside the old residence’s gate, they found the ugly man in the black cloak leaning against the wall. Hearing footsteps, he turned his head, fear flickering across his face. But when he saw Yang Ning, a silly grin lit his disfigured features. He scrambled up, ran to Yang Ning, and held out his hand. “Hungry... food... hungry...!”

Seeing how dirty and unkempt he was, Yang Ning felt a pang of pity. He had always been tough with the strong and gentle with the weak. Smiling, he asked, “How did you follow me here?” He turned, took a tray piled high with exquisite pastries, and asked, “Do you want something to eat?”

The enticing aroma and appearance of the pastries made the man’s appetite flare. He reached for them, but Yang Ning pulled the tray away. As the man grew anxious, Yang Ning said, “Look at your hands—they’re filthy. Eating like that will make you ill. If you want these pastries, listen to me. Go with him, let him help you wash up, and change into clean clothes. Once you’re clean, the pastries are all yours. Is that fair?”

That the ugly man had followed him here could hardly be coincidence. Perhaps, beyond his leopard-like speed, he possessed other unknown talents. Since he had come all this way, Yang Ning felt obliged to take care of him.

The man grew agitated, repeating his plea for food and circling Yang Ning, intent on getting the pastries.

Yang Ning’s face darkened. “You won’t listen? If you don’t obey, you’ll get nothing. From now on, I won’t feed you again.”

The ugly man clearly understood. Fear appeared on his face. Yang Ning handed the tray back to Wei Tong and pointed at him. “Go with him now. He’ll have someone clean you up and give you new clothes. Then you’ll get food.”

The ugly man looked at Wei Tong and nodded rapidly, making “mm-mm-mm” sounds.

Though just a gatekeeper, Wei Tong considered himself superior to most. He looked down on the filthy stranger, but with the Heir’s orders—and having just been scolded—he dared not protest. He forced a smile and said, “Come with me—I’ll help you wash up.”

Yang Ning instructed, “He looks like he hasn’t washed in ages. Clean him thoroughly and find clean, comfortable clothes. They don’t need to be fancy, just tidy. Let him stay here for now. See to his meals and well-being. We’ll make further arrangements before I return to the capital.”

“Yes, Heir,” Wei Tong replied, though he was puzzled. “Heir, have you met before? He seems to know you.” Seeing Yang Ning’s cold glance, he dared not ask further and led the man inside.

With Yang Ning’s orders, the staff did not dare neglect their duty. It took six or seven buckets of water to get him reasonably clean and fit him with suitable clothes. All the while, the man, intent on the pastries, complied docilely. He stubbornly refused to part with his black cloak, however, so they let him keep it.

After breakfast, Qi Feng and his men went about their tasks, leaving three behind while he took two others and departed. No one in the household dared ask questions.

As the sun rose high, there was still no sign of Gu Qinghan. Yang Ning wondered why she was sleeping so late and whether she was hungry after a night without food. He sent maids to call her twice, but she never responded.

Neither Gu Qinghan nor Qi Cheng had returned, so Yang Ning spent the day poring over the sketches in his room. By midday, still hearing nothing from Gu Qinghan, he began to grow uneasy. He found the maid who had attended her the night before and had her lead him to Gu Qinghan’s courtyard. Another maid was already standing by. Yang Ning knocked on the door, but it was bolted from inside and there was no answer.

He called several more times, but still there was no response. Gu Qinghan had slept all night—she should have recovered her energy, and even if tired, could not possibly sleep so deeply. His heart sank. “Has the Third Madam not left her room since last night?”

The maid replied, “Heir, last night I helped the Third Madam bathe and change before bed. I wanted to stay and serve, but she insisted I leave and bolted the door herself. We took turns guarding the courtyard through the night, just in case. We called her several times today, but she never answered.”

Yang Ning paused, then his expression changed. He drew his dagger and, under the astonished eyes of the maids, deftly picked the lock and entered. “Which room is hers?” he asked.

One maid quickly pointed left. Without waiting, Yang Ning strode over and kicked open the door. One glance inside, and his expression changed dramatically.