Chapter 267

Qi Yanzhou naturally trusted the double who was willing to risk his life for him.

And when it came to Ye Chutang, he had not the slightest doubt.

“Forget it. As long as no one knows that the person with you is a double, your reputation won’t be harmed.”

Ye Chutang patted Qi Yanzhou on the shoulder and raised an eyebrow at him.

“When great things are at stake, one shouldn’t fuss over minor details. Change your appearance.”

After Qi Yanzhou and the double exchanged clothes, Lan Yue disguised their faces.

Two quarters of an hour later, the double had become Qi Yanzhou.

Qi Yanzhou, meanwhile, had turned into a plain-looking, middle-aged man with a somewhat pale, sickly complexion.

After having Nan Xiao pack him a bundle, he mounted his horse.

“Atang, I’ll see you in Ningzhou City!”

Ye Chutang tilted her head up and reminded him, “Be careful. Rescue the people if you can, but don’t force it.”

“All right. I know.”

With that, Qi Yanzhou flicked his whip and galloped away.

After he left, Ye Chutang went over the details with the double.

“What’s your name?”

When they were alone, she couldn’t very well keep calling him “the double.”

The man replied respectfully, “Madam, this subordinate is called Zhou Ying.”

The name sounded like “Zhou’s Shadow.”

Qi Yanzhou’s shadow.

After committing the name to memory, Ye Chutang immediately slipped into character.

“We’ve been out for quite a while. We need a reason to explain why we stayed away so long.”

Zhou Ying pointed at the wild greens growing on the ground. “Madam, shall we dig up some wild vegetables?”

Nourished by the spring water, the wild greens were plump and tender.

Ye Chutang nodded. “Mm. Let’s gather some.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Nan Xiao had his men start digging.

Before long, they had gathered a large amount.

Ye Chutang had just reached out to take them when Zhou Ying said, “Atang, let me carry them.”

At that, Ye Chutang raised an approving eyebrow.

“Not bad. You sound just like Azhou.”

Zhou Ying twisted some grass into a thin rope and tied up the wild greens.

Just as he was preparing to return to the village with Ye Chutang, the gyrfalcon that had been sent to deliver a message to Ma Weiyuan flew back.

It was the first time Ye Chutang had ever seen a live gyrfalcon.

Previously, she had only seen one on television.

After all, in modern times, the bird was a protected species and private ownership was prohibited.

Ye Chutang watched as the gyrfalcon landed steadily on Nan Xiao’s arm and let out a sharp cry.

She asked, “Since you were able to use a gyrfalcon, this message must have come from Wuhai Commandery, right?”

Nan Xiao nodded. He removed the secret letter from the bird’s leg and handed it to Ye Chutang.

“Madam, please read it.”

His master had ordered them to treat Madam just as they treated him.

Ye Chutang accepted the narrow, tightly rolled letter without hesitation and opened it.

Ma Weiyuan’s reply was brief.

He would lead troops to Ningzhou City to help Qi Yanzhou suppress the mutinous Ningzhou garrison.

However, to bring enough men with him, he would need to invent a suitable pretext, and that would take time.

In other words, Ma Weiyuan might not be able to reach Ningzhou City within five days.

Ye Chutang returned the letter to Nan Xiao.

“Have the gyrfalcon deliver the news to Qi Yanzhou and let him decide whether we should change the time when the exile party enters Ningzhou City.”

After reading the letter, Nan Xiao rolled it up and placed it back in the tube tied to the gyrfalcon’s leg.

He gave the bird some water and food.

“Go find your master. He just left. Fly north, and you’ll see him galloping along on horseback.”

The gyrfalcon was an intelligent bird and could understand human speech.

After giving another piercing cry, it spread its wings and soared northward.

Qi Yanzhou had not gone far from the rear hills when the gyrfalcon caught up with him.

After reading Ma Weiyuan’s reply, he used a charcoal pencil to write four words:

“Keep to the original plan.”

The later they entered Ningzhou City, the more complete Su Chengzong’s arrangements would become, which would only put Qi Yanzhou at a disadvantage.

He tucked the letter back into the bamboo tube and stroked the gyrfalcon’s head.

“Fly back. You’ve worked hard.”

Ye Chutang waited for roughly the time it took to drink a cup of tea before the gyrfalcon returned.

She wasn’t surprised at all when she saw Qi Yanzhou’s decision.

“Zhou Ying and I will head back first.”

With that, the two of them returned to the village, one walking slightly ahead of the other.

When they arrived, she asked with concern, “Why were you gone so long? You must be overheated.”

Ever since they had discovered that the mutinous soldiers had turned into bandits and slaughtered an entire village, she had been constantly uneasy.

She worried that anyone who ventured outside might run into that group of merciless “bandits” and suffer for it.

Ye Chutang promptly pulled Zhou Ying forward from behind her.

“Mother, Azhou and I wandered to the rear hills and found quite a lot of tender wild greens, so we dug some up to bring back. We can make a cold salad with them for lunch.”

“All right. Come inside quickly. It’s hot out here.”

Concubine Xu hurriedly took the wild greens from Zhou Ying.

“Second Young Master, just leave this kind of rough work to me in the future.”

Zhou Ying knew exactly how Qi Yanzhou treated every member of the Qi family.

He said indifferently, “It was no trouble at all. Why make Concubine Xu go out of her way?”

Concubine Xu smiled. “I’ll go next time.”

Hearing that, Ye Chutang teased her, “Concubine Xu, even if these wild greens are delicious, we can’t eat them every day.”

“I found some cured meat in the granary. I was thinking of mincing it and making wild-vegetable dumplings.”

“That works too. Once the sun starts to sink, I’ll take you there.”

“All right.”

The whole family sat together sorting the wild greens, and no one noticed that Zhou Ying wasn’t Qi Yanzhou.

Lunch consisted of steamed rice, several stir-fried dishes, and the last bit of dried venison they had left.

Zhou Ying had been sleeping rough and eating on the road for a long time. It had been ages since he had enjoyed such a good meal.

He wanted to have another bowl, but managed to restrain himself.

Ye Chutang noticed and said, “Azhou, you worked hard gathering the wild greens. Have some more.”

Before Zhou Ying could refuse, Old Madam Qi served all the rice remaining in the pot into his bowl.

“Eat. Don’t waste it.”

Looking at the heaping bowl of rice, Zhou Ying helplessly said, “Mother, you’re truly too kind to me.”

“Eat your food. Why are you talking so much?”

After lunch, Ye Chutang and Zhou Ying walked around the house to aid their digestion.

They then returned to their room.

The villagers’ rooms were very crude, with only the simplest furnishings.

There was a wooden bed, a wooden table, a wardrobe, and two large wooden chests for storing quilts.

In summer, the chests were placed on the earthen kang.

In winter, they were placed on the wooden bed.

Zhou Ying stacked the chests on top of each other and tidied up the earthen kang.

“Madam, no one should intrude on this room. I’ll sleep on the kang. I don’t snore, so I won’t disturb your rest.”

Ye Chutang nodded. “All right. Go to sleep.”

With that, she climbed into bed and went straight to sleep, not minding in the least that there was an unfamiliar man in the room.

Zhou Ying had never been alone with a woman before. The composure he had displayed earlier had all been an act.

His entire body was tense, terrified that he might make even the slightest mistake and bring disgrace upon the Qi family’s years of painstaking training.

He glanced at Ye Chutang’s back and secretly breathed a sigh of relief before climbing onto the earthen kang.

***

Qi Yanzhou arrived at Ningzhou City two hours later.

He did not ride directly into the city. Instead, he handed his horse over to his men waiting outside and entered on foot.

Ningzhou City was already under lockdown. Anyone entering or leaving had to have their identity and travel pass inspected.

Before the exile began, Qi Yanzhou had obtained a travel pass for everyone, just in case.

His own was from Liangzhou.

His identity was that of a small-time peddler who resold highland barley wine.

The city gate was packed with people, and the noise was deafening.

“What? The entry fee is fifty copper coins? Damn it, are you trying to kill us all?”

“My daughter is inside the city. I’m here to visit her relatives—why won’t you let me in?”

“I need to return to Wuhai Commandery. What am I supposed to do if Ningzhou City won’t let anyone out?”

“We’re both from Bingzhou. Why is he allowed in while I’m not?”

“Anyone from the capital, run while you can! If you’re caught, you’ll be thrown into prison!”

Qi Yanzhou stood outside the crowd for a while and soon discovered the pattern behind the guards’ decision to let outsiders into the city.

Those willing to pay—and who looked like they had money—were allowed through.

Apart from familiar local faces, the guards only admitted people who appeared wealthy.

In other words, for the sake of money, Su Chengzong was not only robbing people left and right but had also set his sights on passing nobles and wealthy merchants.

Fortunately, Qi Yanzhou’s travel pass made him an ideal target for admission.

He forced his way to the front of the line.

When he handed his pass to the city guard, he slipped five taels of silver into the man’s hand.

“Ahem, Officer, I caught a chill on the road and urgently need to see a doctor and buy some medicine. I hope you can show me some kindness. Ahem…”

The guard looked at the “sickly” man’s travel pass as though he were staring at a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

“Liangzhou is a long way from Ningzhou. You came here alone to sell highland barley liquor?”

“To answer Your Honor, I usually hire escort guards to transport the liquor. It’s safer that way.”

It was common for escort guards to accompany cargo caravans, so the city guard did not pursue the matter any further and let Qi Yanzhou into the city.

Patrolling soldiers could be seen everywhere.

Pedestrians hurried along the streets, and even the vendors had stopped hawking their wares.

Qi Yanzhou knew that someone was watching him. He went to an herbal shop and bought several packets of medicine for a cold.

Then he checked into the inn nearest to the Thousand Gold Gambling House.

After the guards watching Qi Yanzhou learned where he was staying, they left.

Once he saw them go from the window, Qi Yanzhou climbed out and made his way to the Thousand Gold Gambling House.

His lightness skills were excellent, and the gambling house’s guards failed to notice anything unusual.

However, when he landed silently in the rear courtyard and entered the line of sight of the people inside, his unfamiliar face immediately drew attention.

Qi Yanzhou did not waste time looking for anyone. He headed straight for the kitchen.

Before he reached the door, a guard blocked his path.

“Young Master, the rear kitchen contains secret recipes. No one but the kitchen staff may enter.”

Looking at the grim-faced man, Qi Yanzhou said, “I’m looking for Sun Chu. Tell him my surname is Qi.”

With that, he turned and walked to the large apricot tree in the courtyard, where he stopped and waited.

Seeing that Qi Yanzhou did not look like someone looking for trouble, the guard immediately went to the private room on the fourth floor to find Sun Chu.

The moment Sun Chu heard the words “surname Qi,” he guessed that Qi Yanzhou had arrived.

He hurried downstairs to the rear courtyard.

When he saw the completely unfamiliar man, he thought he might have been tricked.

Qi Yanzhou noticed the anger rising in Sun Chu’s eyes and uttered a single word.

“Ye.”

Sun Chu stared at the dramatically altered Qi Yanzhou in disbelief, then clicked his tongue twice.

“It hasn’t been that long since we last met, and you’ve already grown so hideous.”

“I could never compare with Young Master Sun. You grow more elegant and handsome by the day.”

Sun Chu slung an arm around Qi Yanzhou’s shoulder, beaming.

“Since you’re so good with words, feel free to play whatever you like in the gambling house. If you lose, I’ll pay. If you win, the money is yours. How about it?”

Qi Yanzhou knew that Sun Chu did not really intend to let him gamble. He was merely trying to make them appear familiar in front of outsiders.

“I’m not interested. It’ll be noon soon. Let’s eat first.”

Sun Chu nodded and called toward the kitchen, “Prepare a table of your best dishes and send it to my room.”

Then he led Qi Yanzhou into the lavish front hall of the gambling house.

Because Ningzhou City was under martial law, business at the gambling house was not as good as usual today, but it was still packed with people.

The faces of the gamblers were flushed with excitement as they shouted frantically.

A lucky few reached heaven in a single thought, while the majority plummeted straight into hell.

Looking at the various gambling games, Qi Yanzhou asked Sun Chu curiously, “Does the Wuji Sect study gambling techniques in addition to military strategy?”

Sun Chu spouted some nonsense without hesitation. “The art of war is the art of deception. Gambling is actually much the same.”

“How so?”

“High-level players engage in psychological warfare, while low-level players have no choice but to be slaughtered. It’s just like warfare. When evenly matched opponents meet, they compete in strategy and courage. When the strong encounter the weak, it becomes a one-sided massacre.”

Although there was some truth to his words, Qi Yanzhou felt that Sun Chu was not telling him everything.

He did not press the matter and asked instead, “A gambling house isn’t something just anyone can open. What terms did you agree to with the prefectural government?”

“Thirty percent of the profits.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the private room on the fourth floor.

The room was magnificent and luxurious, its splendor rivaling that of the imperial palace.

Sun Chu poured Qi Yanzhou a cup of tea. “Top-grade Yunwu tea. Have a taste.”

He sat down at the table and studied Qi Yanzhou’s face.

“Your disguise technique is impressive. It looks completely natural. Did you do it yourself?”

Qi Yanzhou glanced at the clear, pale-green tea and took a small sip.

“I have a subordinate who knows how to disguise people.”

Sun Chu looked at him eagerly. “Introduce us if you get the chance. I want to learn.”

With such a skill, even if he became a wanted criminal, he could escape openly and with ease!

Qi Yanzhou set down his teacup. “Help me rescue Song Jingning, and I’ll agree.”

“Fine. I’ll try. Su Chengzong is keeping a very close eye on Song Jingning, so there’s a good chance it won’t work.”

“Try first. Even if you can’t rescue him, you have to see him.”

Sun Chu poured himself a cup of tea and downed it in one gulp.

“Song Jingning is under house arrest at Huating Academy. Seeing him won’t be difficult.”

Huating Academy had branches in every prefecture and commandery.

Although its branches were smaller than the one in the capital and did not offer as comprehensive an education, they still had many students.

Su Chengzong had surrounded the academy on the grounds that it was spreading ideas opposed to imperial authority.

He had also imprisoned several influential students, including the brother and sister from the Cui family of Liangzhou.

Cui Yunchen and Cui Shuyue had been sent by the Cui family to travel and study with Song Jingning.

Over the past three months, both had made great progress. Their essays had grown increasingly impressive, and they had already gained a modest reputation.

Su Chengzong had imprisoned them to threaten Song Jingning and force him to obey.

In other words, even if they managed to rescue Song Jingning, he likely would not leave.

Huating Academy was still holding classes, but entry was being strictly controlled.

Sun Chu had given Su Chengzong ten thousand taels of silver, so the prefect still owed him some goodwill. Bringing a young attendant along to seek instruction and guidance from Young Master Haoyue would not be difficult.

When Qi Yanzhou heard this, his sword-like brows lifted slightly.

“The reason you gave Su Chengzong the silver was because you knew the Ghost Thief would soon strip him of every last coin, wasn’t it?”

Sun Chu gave him a thumbs-up.

“Exactly. It’s only being stored with him temporarily, but he’s already so happy that he can barely contain himself.”

At that point, he turned to the real matter at hand.

“Over the next two days, I’ll find an opportunity to sound out Su Chengzong and see how he plans to deal with the exile convoy passing through Ningzhou City.”

If he couldn’t ask directly, he could always get Su Chengzong drunk and question him!

Qi Yanzhou shook his head, rejecting the idea.

“Su Chengzong is wound tight right now. He won’t be easy to loosen up. Don’t take the risk.”

“Fine. I’ll see how things go.”

Just after Sun Chu finished speaking, someone knocked on the door.

“Young Master, the food is here.”

“Come in!”

Once all the dishes had been served, Sun Chu pointed at Qi Yanzhou’s face.

“Ningzhou City is keeping a close eye on outsiders. This face of yours has already been seen. It won’t be suitable for you to come with me to meet Song Jingning.”

Qi Yanzhou picked up his bowl and took a piece of braised beef brisket.

“Young Master Qi, don’t worry. The disguise paste on my face can be softened with a special medicinal solution. Once softened, it can be reshaped into a different appearance.”

“That’s incredible! I have to learn this disguise technique!”

“Done. As long as you manage to meet Song Jingning, I’ll have Lan Yue teach you.”

“It’s a deal!”

The food at the gambling house was surprisingly good, and Qi Yanzhou ate two bowls.

He set down his chopsticks and said, “I’m staying in a corner room on the third floor of the Yue Lai Inn, near the turn by the Qianjin Gambling House. If Young Master Sun decides when to meet Song Jingning, just toss a pebble through the window.”

“All right. I’ll bring some good wine and dishes to see Su Chengzong in a little while. Once I have his handwritten note, I’ll come find you.”

After they had settled everything, Qi Yanzhou returned to the inn the way he had come.

To make the ruse more convincing, he even paid the waiter to boil some medicine for him.

He waited until well past the hour of Shen before a small pebble finally flew through the window and rolled several times across the floor.

Qi Yanzhou, who had been lying on the bed, immediately got up and looked down from the window.

Outside the inn, Sun Chu pointed toward the gambling house. Qi Yanzhou went there to meet him, and the two of them set off.

Once he was sure Qi Yanzhou had seen the signal, Sun Chu left, wary of staying too long and arousing the suspicions of the patrolling soldiers.

Qi Yanzhou immediately soaked a cloth in the medicinal solution and applied it to his disguised cheeks.

When the disguise paste had softened enough to be shaped, he looked into the mirror and molded it into the face he had just seen.

Thus, when he landed in the gambling house’s rear courtyard, he gave the guard such a fright that the man stammered, “You... you...”

Sun Chu had been waiting for Qi Yanzhou in the rear courtyard.

The moment he saw Qi Yanzhou’s appearance, he covered the guard’s mouth.

“Don’t shout. Go wait in the room, and don’t leave until I return.”

“Yes, Young Master Sun.”

Even after entering the room, the guard’s mind was still reeling.

Sun Chu gave Qi Yanzhou another thumbs-up.

“Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!”

If Qi Yanzhou had disguised himself as an unfamiliar face, Su Chengzong’s soldiers would have watched him closely.

Using a familiar face as a “double” was the best choice.

Sun Chu had the kitchen prepare some afternoon tea, then carried it to Huating Academy.

He had Su Chengzong’s handwritten note, so the soldiers stationed at the academy gate took one look at it and let him pass.

Song Jingning was giving a lecture to students who had come because of his reputation.

A servant informed him that someone sent by Su Chengzong had come to see him.

Song Jingning did not dare offend Su Chengzong. “Have the honored guests wait a moment. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes, Fifth Young Master.”

Song Jingning was the fifth son in the Song family, and everyone at the academy addressed him that way.

Qi Yanzhou and Sun Chu waited for roughly the time it took an incense stick to burn before Song Jingning hurried over.

Seeing the two unfamiliar visitors, he was puzzled, but still bowed politely.

“May I ask what brings the two honored guests to the academy?”

No matter how he looked at them, the two did not seem like Su Chengzong’s lackeys.

Sun Chu smiled amiably. “I’m Sun Chu, manager of the Qianjin Gambling House. I possess a modest amount of literary talent and have come to seek Young Master Haoyue’s guidance.”

With that, he turned to Qi Yanzhou.

“This gentleman is a guard at the gambling house. His wife greatly admires your writings and wishes to request a poem written in your own hand.”

Sun Chu handed Su Chengzong’s note to Song Jingning.

“This is General Su’s request. I hope you won’t refuse.”

Those words were meant for the soldiers standing outside the door.

Song Jingning did not understand the deeper meaning behind Sun Chu’s words. Ignoring Su Chengzong’s note, he continued, “Which poem does this lady wish to request?”

Sun Chu chose a poem Ye Chutang had written for Eunuch De, one that covertly insulted him.

The poem was not widely circulated, and most people had never heard it.

But someone from the Song family would certainly know it.

The moment Song Jingning heard the poem, he understood that the two men had been sent by Ye Chutang to meet him.

He steadied himself and looked at Qi Yanzhou.

“This poem is excellent. Your wife has a fine literary talent.”

With those words, he indicated that he knew where the poem had come from—and that he also knew Qi Yanzhou’s identity.

He turned to the young attendant at his side. “Go prepare the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.”

“Yes, Fifth Young Master.”

Sun Chu suggested, “Why don’t we go to the inner room? This square table for tea is too small for writing poetry.”

Song Jingning said, “Please, come in.”

The soldiers outside were strong in body but simple-minded, and had no interest in literary affairs. They did not follow them inside.

Once they were alone in the inner room, Song Jingning immediately turned to Qi Yanzhou.

“Dark currents are surging through Ningzhou City. Young Master Qi should never have come here.”

Qi Yanzhou could not reveal the relationship between Ye Chutang and Song Jingning in front of Sun Chu.

“Young Master Song is in trouble. I can’t simply stand by and do nothing.”

“Su Chengzong has only sixty thousand troops. He can’t cause much of a disturbance. Young Master Qi needn’t worry about me.”

There were more scholars in the realm than there were soldiers under Su Chengzong’s command.

Su Chengzong only dared threaten him; he would never dare actually harm him.

Besides, Su Chengzong was detaining the scholars under the emperor’s name.

That meant he was merely testing whether he could control the Song and Qi families and enlist their help in replacing the current dynasty.

Once he realized that the situation was unfavorable, he would retreat and abandon his plans.

The matters Song Jingning had considered were precisely those Qi Yanzhou had thought of as well.

“Although Su Chengzong has left himself a way out, there’s no guarantee he won’t suddenly lose his mind. After all, Ningzhou City is under his control. If he brands you a rebellious traitor plotting to overthrow the imperial authority, he can have you executed on the spot!”

No matter how many scholars there were, all they could do was avenge him afterward.

What good would that do?

Song Jingning was Ye Chutang’s only close relative. Qi Yanzhou absolutely could not allow him to take any risks!

Qi Yanzhou’s words left Song Jingning unable to refute him.

When people lost their reason, they could indeed do something that harmed their enemy by eight hundred while injuring themselves by a thousand.

“Did Young Master Qi come to see me because you have a way to bring down Su Chengzong?”

“I’ve mobilized troops. I estimate they’ll need six or seven days to arrive.”

Song Jingning was startled. He moved closer to Qi Yanzhou and lowered his voice.

“Are you planning to rebel, Young Master Qi?”

That would be exactly what the Song family wanted to see!

But the timing was wrong.

It was too soon. Overthrowing the imperial authority would come at a tremendous cost.

Qi Yanzhou was just about to shake his head when the young attendant brought in the writing materials.

Seeing that the three of them had matters to discuss, he quickly said, “Fifth Young Master, I’ll go prepare tea for the honored guests.”

Then he left.

Qi Yanzhou dripped tea into the inkstone and picked up the inkstick to grind it.

“Young Master Song is overthinking it. The troops coming to resolve Ningzhou City’s crisis have nothing to do with me. The Beichen Kingdom cannot descend into chaos yet.”

The implication was that someone else would take credit for this achievement.

Song Jingning had come to the same conclusion.

The realm could be seized—but not now.

“Young Master Qi has considered everything carefully. This is a blessing for the people of the realm. Before the troops reach the city, what do you need me to do?”

Qi Yanzhou took a sip of the fruit juice Sun Chu had brought.

“Go along with Su Chengzong’s demands and have the detained scholars admit their mistakes and write letters of repentance.”

Song Jingning sighed. “We’ve already tried that. Su Chengzong still refuses to release them.”

If he had not been trying to protect the people imprisoned in the cells, he would have escaped long ago and gone to meet Ye Chutang.

Qi Yanzhou’s eyes suddenly turned sharp, and murderous intent surged from him.

“Then expose his rebellion and make it known to the entire realm.”

Su Chengzong wanted to leave himself a way to advance or retreat?

He could dream on.