Chapter 61: Awaiting Your Command, Sir

Yuanzhou Noodle Shop had already been taken over by the ward constables. Wang Shun was squatting just outside the kitchen, forbidding anyone from entering.

“My lady said, unless it’s Young Master Yang himself, I cannot leave.”

Someone barked at him, “Young Master Yang is busy!”

Wang Shun knew this was serious trouble, and shivered as he replied, “If I leave and someone destroys the evidence, who will take responsibility?”

The ward constables exchanged uneasy glances. No one dared to grumble.

Not until Cao Ying arrived.

“Master Cao!” Wang Shun greeted him as though he were family, babbling out the entire situation.

“We’ve been wronged!” The dead man’s family arrived, carrying the corpse, scattering paper money everywhere.

Cao Ying asked, “Who entered the kitchen this morning?”

Wang Shun thought carefully. “My lady feared someone might steal her craft, so she didn’t let anyone in.”

The wailing outside continued. Cao Ying frowned. “This has cost a life. Think again.”

Wang Shun’s legs went weak. He slowly squatted down, clutching his head in his hands. “Only the flour delivery boy came in.”

Cao Ying asked, “Which business was it?”

Back when he was handling accounts, Yang’s side had put him in charge of tracking Yuanzhou Noodle’s suppliers—so he was familiar with all their channels.

“Yes,” Wang Shun confirmed.

Cao Ying turned and left.

Wang Shun was alarmed. “Master Cao, what about here? Master Cao…”

Cao Ying’s retreating figure was resolute, carrying a trace of cold ruthlessness.

Thwap!

A gust of wind sent a sheet of paper money slapping against Wang Shun’s face.

He squatted down and howled in grief.

“Young Master Yang has arrived!”

Through tear-blurred eyes, Wang Shun looked up. “Young Master Yang!”

Yang Xuan quickly understood the situation. “Bring in Assistant Zhou.”

“Shouldn’t we call for the coroner?” a ward constable muttered.

Standing with his hands behind his back, Yang Xuan pondered the motive behind all this.

“Make way!”

A rider approached from afar, dismounted when close, and saluted. “Greetings, Young Master Yang.”

It was a minor official from the county office.

“What is it?” Yang Xuan asked nonchalantly.

The official replied, “The magistrate is aware of this matter and says it is appalling. He orders Young Master Yang to investigate swiftly.”

The implication was clear: Public outrage is high—if you don’t handle this quickly, don’t blame me for coming down hard on you!

“Typical bureaucrat,” Suzaku muttered.

Yang Xuan waved him off. The official snorted and rode away.

As the sound of hooves faded, Yang Xuan looked up.

Another rider drew near and dismounted gracefully. With slender, fair fingers, she adjusted her tortoiseshell glasses—Zhou Ning walked over.

“What’s happened?”

The family’s wailing died down with her arrival.

“Poisoning. Please have a look,” Yang Xuan indicated the body laid out on the board outside.

Zhou Ning went in and examined the food and water.

“Well?” Yang Xuan handed her a cup of clear water.

She took a sip, rinsed her mouth, and spat it out.

Her red lips parted. “There’s poison in the flour—a mixture of several toxins. Not enough to kill, but certainly enough to induce vomiting and diarrhea. As for the cause of death, you’ll have to determine that yourself.”

Efficient as always!

“Pursue her!” Suzaku jeered.

“Thank you.” Yang Xuan felt the assistant before him was a treasure for both home and travel. “Let me treat you to a meal sometime?”

Zhou Ning frowned at him. “There’s unrest brewing outside the Imperial Academy. Though the head appears to be playing music and relaxing, he’s quietly reaching out to people. Yet the storm outside draws ever closer... You are resourceful, and the head values you greatly.”

“Assistant Zhou flatters me.” Yang Xuan knew this was a great whirlpool.

This person remained unmoved—so cold-blooded, Zhou Ning thought... She adjusted her glasses and said seriously, “You…”

Yang Xuan seemed to awaken from his thoughts. “As long as you’re here, so am I. If you need anything, I will not hesitate!”

At once, a blush rose on Zhou Ning’s face.

The girl, usually so cold and pure, blushed, leaving Yang Xuan momentarily stunned.

“That book on love advice wasn’t wasted on you!” Suzaku cackled. “To win a beauty, shamelessness is key.”

Zhou Ning walked out.

A ward constable saluted her. “Divine Doctor, could you take a look at me as well?”

Zhou Ning asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Acid reflux after meals.” The ward constable looked pained. Someone behind him muttered, “Maybe someone’s poisoning us. Let’s stay out of this.”

The constable nodded and extended his hand, watching that fair hand reach down.

But the hand suddenly paused, then was withdrawn.

She mounted her horse and rode off.

“Divine Doctor! Divine Doctor…” the constable called after her.

But the Divine Doctor had gone.

Inside the kitchen, the old rogue whispered, “Master Cao has already left.”

…

Cao Ying had already arrived at a flour shop in the east market.

“Ding Shan? That mangy cur—he went out to deliver goods this morning and hasn’t come back since.”

The owner cursed as Cao Ying scrutinized him. “Who does he usually associate with?”

Suspiciously, the owner asked, “Who are you?”

Cao Ying smiled. “I am Cao Ying. Trust me, if you talk, you’ll be rewarded. If not…”

The owner smiled as well, his right hand moving beneath the counter.

A glint of metal flashed.

A hatchet suddenly slammed onto the counter.

“Too noisy.”

A hand shot out in front of the hatchet. The owner felt his grip loosen—the hatchet was now in Cao Ying’s hand. He sneered, “This is the East Market. If you have the guts, kill me.”

Cao Ying spun the hatchet.

With a whistle, he said, “You’re so tough; clearly, you know something. You’d rather threaten me than talk about Ding Shan, which shows you’re aware that the power behind Ding Shan is more than you can handle…”

Shock flickered in the owner’s eyes.

Cao Ying held the hatchet, righteous and imposing. “Those people egged Ding Shan on to poison. If it’s traced back, who’ll take the fall?”

The owner took a deep breath, silent.

Cao Ying sneered, “Do you think they’ll protect you? Let me tell you, this wasn’t aimed at those two helpless women running Yuanzhou Noodles. The real target is my young master.”

The owner trembled. “Who is your young master?”

Cao Ying looked at him. “My young master is the newly appointed constable of Wannian County. He killed the madam of Bright Moon Pavilion, and was released after only half a day.”

He tapped the owner with the hatchet, his tone chilling. “If my young master wants you dead, it’ll be done in a heartbeat. And the forces behind Ding Shan will just stand by and watch. Are you sure you’re ready?”

The owner’s cheek twitched, his body shivering. “I won’t talk…”

“Don’t bring ruin upon yourself,” Cao Ying said. “Small fry who meddle in big affairs die meaningless deaths.”

The owner stammered, “Ding Shan’s been flush with cash lately, likes to gamble with Ma San’s lot, and when he comes back, he talks down to me, saying he’ll buy this shop soon. I know he’s up to something—no one else would give him that kind of money…”

“Smart man.”

Cao Ying turned to leave.

The owner panted, then recalled something. “The hatchet!”

He immediately regretted it—what’s more important, his life or the hatchet?

Whoosh!

Thud!

The hatchet flew back, embedding deep in the counter, its handle quivering.

The owner’s legs gave out, and he slumped to the floor.

Cao Ying tracked down a few ruffians.

“Where’s Ma San?”

Their eyes darted.

“Whoever leads me gets ten coins,” Cao Ying declared righteously.

“I will.”

One thug stood, and the two of them headed off to the right.

As they turned, Cao Ying caught a glimpse of another thug hurrying off to the left.

“Why are you looking for Ma San?” the thug asked.

“Oh! I heard you can gamble with him,” Cao Ying replied, smiling.

“You want to gamble?”

“Of course!”

They chatted idly as they walked.

Ahead, they turned left.

A narrow alley stretched straight ahead—a dead end.

The deeper they went, the more desolate it became; some of the houses had collapsed.

“Where is this?”

“This is Ma San’s place.”

“Oh! Thank you, then.”

“Heh.”

The thug glanced back at him.

Cao Ying’s smile was warm, putting people at ease, making them trust him unconsciously.

The thug’s lips quivered, but he said nothing.

“Woof, woof, woof!”

A pack of dogs rushed out, barking furiously.

The thug stopped. “Brother San, there’s a visitor.”

Someone emerged, called off the dogs, and glanced at Cao Ying. “Come in.”

The thug turned back, smugly beckoning. “Come on.”

Inside, the seemingly dilapidated house turned out to be lavish within.

The rooms were new, the timber of the finest quality. It was hot, so a few tables were set outside. Around one table, people were noisily placing bets.

A bald, burly man sat alone at another table, a wineskin in hand, a big dog at his side. He patted the dog’s head, raised his eyes, and gave Cao Ying a sideways glance.

“Here to gamble?”

A few burly men reached into their coats, eyes unfriendly.

The thug quickly stepped aside, pressed his palms together, and whispered a prayer. Cao Ying stepped forward, nodded, and said, “I’m here to ask—who is Ding Shan?”

A man at the gambling table looked up. “You…” He glanced at the bald man. “Brother San, trouble.”

The bald man was Ma San. He stroked his dog’s back and said indifferently, “Here, I make the rules.”

Cao Ying looked at the gambler. “I’ll remember you.”

The burly men began to close in, one of them circling behind to shut the door.

Cao Ying spoke calmly, “There was a death at Bright Moon Pavilion, shaming the Chunyu clan, so they need someone to vent their anger on…”

Ma San raised an eyebrow. “Ding Shan, looks like your boss has suspected you for some time.”

Ding Shan stopped gambling, sidling up with a grin. “From now on, I’ll stick with Brother San.”

Ma San reached out; Ding Shan bowed his head, and Ma San patted him, smiling with clear disdain.

The burly men drew their daggers.

Cao Ying remained unruffled. “The Chunyu clan wants revenge, but my young master is in the spotlight, and has the support of the Imperial Consort. So they set their sights on Yuanzhou Noodles.”

Ding Shan kept grinning, but it was getting forced.

“If Yuanzhou Noodles goes down, my young master goes down as well.”

Cao Ying smiled. The burly men gripped their daggers tighter, glancing at Ma San.

All it would take was a word, and they’d hack him to pieces.

Ma San stroked the dog’s back, his voice icy. “Any last words?”

Cao Ying replied, “I forgot to mention—my young master has already withdrawn his shares from Yuanzhou Noodles.”

Wham!

The hand stroking the dog slammed down.

The dog yelped and collapsed.

Ma San narrowed his eyes. “You’re lying!”

“If I were lying, the ones who’d have come would be the enforcers, not me.”

Ma San’s right hand trembled. “Damn it!”

“My young master is unharmed. Any retaliation—can you bear it?” Cao Ying smiled with satisfaction. “Travelers in the Tang must carry permits. I used to find it troublesome, but now I fully approve.”

How will you flee without a permit?

“The Chunyu clan won’t hesitate to make scapegoats of you all—dead men tell no tales!” Cao Ying smiled.

Ding Shan tried to bolt, but Ma San was faster, grabbing him and eyeing Cao Ying warily. “I’ll hand over Ding Shan…”

Cao Ying said, “After this, you can be my young master’s informant.”

Ma San knocked Ding Shan out with a slap and came over, one hand behind his back.

In that hand gleamed a sharp dagger.

Business in one hand, murder in the other!

He scrutinized Cao Ying.

That aura of righteousness inspired trust.

Ma San nodded. “Fine. I’ll hand over Ding Shan. But you’re handling this privately—if you try to force me to testify against the Chunyu clan, we’ll fight to the death…”

Cao Ying turned away.

“By the way, I have another identity—I’m a minor official of Wannian County.”

He slowly walked toward the door.

“My young master, newly appointed constable, must establish authority.”

“To establish authority, blood must be shed.”

“Whoever kills Ma San will have their sentence reduced!”

Ma San sneered. “Kill him!”

The ruffians raised their blades toward Cao Ying, shouting, “Watch, Brother San!”

Cao Ying pushed open the door.

Creak!

Outside stood Zhao Guolin, leading a squad of armed bailiffs, neatly lined up.

“Awaiting your orders, master!”

Behind him, chaos erupted as blades swung toward Ma San.