"Very well. Given Master Zongjian's advanced age and illustrious virtue, he surely wouldn't pocket my pills," Wang Yu poked at Zongjian before turning to Centurion Zhang. "Go ahead. Tell us."
"Yes, sir!" Centurion Zhang saluted and reported immediately, "This subordinate led our men along the river and indeed uncovered a concealed trail. It isn't long and appears freshly cut. There are cart ruts along it, and even a scrap of sealing paper that was accidentally torn off by a tree branch."
With that, Centurion Zhang retrieved a torn piece of paper from his sleeve. Though only palm-sized, the characters "Manor" and "Seal" were still legible—it was precisely a strip from the seal pasted across the large chests by the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor.
"We followed the trail down and discovered an inlet along the bank. The shoreline was disturbed, showing signs where small boats had run aground. Although the river has frozen over, this subordinate tested the ice—a stretch spanning roughly thirty feet is far thinner than the surrounding ice."
Centurion Zhang added, "The thieves must have broken through the ice to sail across, ferrying the treasure to the opposite bank of the river!"
The opposite bank was Shangshan Prefecture.
Most of Hexi Circuit lay north of the Yellow River. The two prefectures on the southern bank, Linchuan Prefecture and Shangshan Prefecture, consisted mostly of mountains with little arable land. Further south across the mountains lay the Shu region of Chuanxi Circuit. Consequently, these two prefectures maintained a low profile and had no prominent martial sects, being populated mostly by itinerant wanderers or minor factions.
Only in recent years, when Zhong Yulei attained the Xiantian realm and founded Dulong Fortress, did he gain some renown in northern Chuan. Even so, he remained beneath the notice of major factions like Great Vajra Monastery, which was why Honghai had not even counted him when listing the masters of the saber earlier.
Yet the moment it was mentioned that the treasure had crossed to the southern bank of the Yellow River, Dulong Fortress—the largest power in Shangshan Prefecture—instantly sprang to everyone's mind.
Hongyue immediately piped up, "Zhong Yulei?"
Honghai furrowed his brows. "Current evidence only confirms that the treasure crossed to the south bank. Whether Zhong Yulei was behind it remains uncertain. Junior Brother, you must not make reckless accusations."
In his youth, Zhong Yulei had traveled across both Chuanxi and Hexi Circuits. Honghai had met him in the past; he was forthright and broad-minded in conduct, hardly looking like someone capable of such treachery.
What was more, with a home and an established enterprise, how could he dare plunder the Emperor's treasure and risk offending Great Vajra Monastery?
Wang Yu said indifferently, "I hear Zhong Yulei has taken in quite a few refugees fleeing north from Chuanxi Circuit recently. I wonder how much land he owns in Shangshan Prefecture, and how large his personal fortune is."
At these words, everyone present was startled.
Ordinary pugilists might not have thought much of it, but Great Vajra Monastery was no common martial sect. The monks of the Xumi Court, in particular, dealt with landholdings and silver every day and understood all too well what this implied.
Dulong Fortress was an enterprise Zhong Yulei had established only in recent years. How much farmland or wealth could he possibly possess to justify taking in refugees on such a scale?
"What is he trying to do?" The Daxing prefect's eyes went wide as he stared at Wang Yu. Why was he only mentioning such a critical matter now?
Hongyue curled his lip. "You've been recruiting refugees on a massive scale in the northwest, too."
Wang Yu rolled his eyes. "This prince also commands an army of fifty thousand!"
Zongjian silenced Hongyue. "Now that we know someone transported the treasure to the south bank, we shall proceed to Dulong Fortress to investigate."
Wang Yu settled back into his seat and took a light sip from his teacup. "The rest is none of my concern. Furthermore, since Great Vajra Monastery has now cleared its name, do not forget to hand over those pills, Master."
Zongjian raised his white brows. "Your Highness is not going to Dulong Fortress?"
Wang Yu gave a snort. "In my view, the evidence is already sufficient. Why go to Shangshan Prefecture? It might even be dangerous."
Zongjian was at a loss for words, thinking that Wang Yu was as unreasonable as ever, leaping to the conclusion that Zhong Yulei was the mastermind based purely on circumstantial clues.
"What if it isn't him?" Zongjian countered.
Wang Yu sat up straight again, his eyes gleaming. "Would you care to make a wager with me, Master? Let's bet another Tendon-Changing Bone-Forging Pill."
"Amitabha!" Zongjian pressed his palms together and shook his head. "Greed, anger, and ignorance are the three Buddhist poisons. The act of gambling touches all three and violates monastic precepts. This old monk shall not partake."
Truth be told, Zongjian also felt Zhong Yulei was heavily suspect; there was no way he would take that bet!
And so, the Daxing prefect immediately dispatched couriers with missives to Shangshan Prefecture while sending capable constables to reconnoiter the vicinity of Dulong Fortress. Master Zongjian likewise sent two Hong-generation monks leading several Fa-generation monks to investigate and gain worldly experience in the process.
As for Wang Yu and his party, rather than returning to Longshan Prefecture, they relocated to Daxing Prefecture to await news.
On the third floor of Pingxing County's finest restaurant, two men watched group after group of people head straight south.
"They discovered the tracks by the riverbank," the man in green said in a low voice.
"Zhong Yulei was sloppy and failed to sweep his tracks clean," the man in blue said with amusement. "He had us stay here to watch the show between Great Vajra Monastery and the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, yet he ended up exposing his own tail."
With that, the man in blue looked at his companion. "Didn't I tell you? Zhong Yulei has grand ambitions but meager talent. He isn't fit to be a partner."
The man in green grunted. "Aside from Zhong Yulei, the others are even more worthless."
The man in blue said flatly, "Then let us see if he can weather this storm. If he can't, you will accompany me to Jiangnan to see what Jiang Sihai is made of."
The man in green nodded. "Fine. But before heading to Jiangnan, there is one more thing I want to do."
The man in blue chuckled. "Are you eyeing those beautiful consorts of the Prince of Zhenxi?"
A lecherous smirk curled on the man in green's lips. "I hear Zhao Yu spent his days idling among flowers in the capital. Who knows if he wore himself out? The two women walking the streets yesterday were both maidens."
The man in blue shook his head. "I advise you not to invite complications. They're accompanied by Wei Gutong and his wife. Even our sect master might not match the two of them joined together. Going after them is pure suicide."
The man in green smiled. "Naturally, I wouldn't strike in front of them. Gutong and Ziyu stay close to protect Zhao Yu. I'll wait until the women are alone before making a move."
The man in blue replied indifferently, "Then wait if you wish. My guess is Zhong Yulei won't survive this ordeal. I'll head back first to make preparations. Let's meet in Hangu Prefecture."
The man in green nodded. "Agreed!"
Meanwhile, Wang Yu and his retinue arrived in Daxing Prefecture to await news.
With nothing pressing to attend to day-to-day, Wang Yu accompanied the three women on strolls through the streets. Li Yunxiu rarely had a chance to step away from administrative duties, savoring this uncommon period of leisurely respite.
As the capital of Hexi Circuit, Daxing Prefecture bustled with far greater prosperity than Longshan Prefecture. Wine shops, tea houses, brothels, gambling dens, and music halls were scattered everywhere, and many renowned masters of musical theory resided here. Wei Gutong and his wife visited frequently and knew Daxing Prefecture intimately.
The couple served as guides, leading the party to sightsee across the city.
"It is a pity that it is the dead of winter," Wei Gutong remarked. "In spring or summer, the scenic spots outside the city are far more splendid. The willows by the springhead, the ancient river ferry, flowing wine beneath the southern hills—all refined and romantic pursuits."
Wei Gutong led the group to a music house. He was acquainted with a master of the guqin here and brought everyone to drink tea and listen to music, paying a visit while they were at it.
"Mister Wei, Madame Wei, what an honor to have you grace us with your presence. Forgive me for not welcoming you at the door," a graceful middle-aged woman walked over with a smile.
Wei Gutong laughed heartily. "I was somewhat apprehensive, wondering if Lady Cai would have the time to entertain us."
Cai Wuqi chuckled helplessly. "Mister Wei teases me. You roam freely across the realm, your friends scattered across the world, while I reside quietly in this provincial capital, hard-pressed to find a true confidant. I have truly been counting the days, longing for your visit."
Yan Ziyu smiled. "We came to Daxing on business and cannot stay long. We came to greet you first, Lady Cai, and will pay a proper visit after the New Year."
Cai Wuqi had naturally taken note of Wang Yu and the others: a noble young lord accompanied by two veteran guards and three exquisite beauties, clearly of exalted station.
Not a second-generation scion of Daxing Prefecture—could he be an affluent young lord from the capital? Mister Wei and his wife are noble and upright; for them to accompany him, he must be the scion of a prominent minister.
While Cai Wuqi pondered, unsure whether she should ask, the young noble cupped his hands. "Zhao Yu greets Lady Cai."
"Zhao Yu?" Cai Wuqi blinked in surprise, then quickly caught on. "Zhao Yu, the Prince of Zhenxi?"
Wang Yu raised a brow. "Lady Cai knows of me?"
Her composure returned instantly, and she nodded with a smile. "Prince Zhao routed the Black Qiang cavalry in the Western Regions and set up porridge stalls in the northwest to relieve the refugees. I am deeply full of admiration."
At this point, Cai Wuqi's gaze shifted across those beside Wang Yu, coming to rest upon a poised, elegant woman with eyes bright as stars. Curtsying respectfully, she said, "Greetings to Prince Zhenxi, and to the honored consorts."
Li Yunxiu returned the curtsy. "Back then, Lady Cai's rendition of 'Seven Phoenixes' Chant' shook the capital. Yunxiu has long heard of it, though I never had the good fortune to meet you until now."
Cai Wuqi smiled gently. "That was ten years ago."
Yan Ziyu smiled. "When we first made Lady Cai's acquaintance, it was precisely ten years ago in the capital."
Cai Wuqi ushered them into a private chamber on the second floor of the music house and personally attended them. From there, they could observe the music and dance in the main hall below while sipping tea and conversing without disturbance.
"Did Prince Zhao come to Daxing Prefecture over the theft of the Loulan treasure?" Cai Wuqi asked with a smile.
Wang Yu asked in surprise, "Has word spread that far? How does everyone know?"
Cai Wuqi chuckled. "The Loulan treasure is known to the whole realm. Your Highness presented every bit of your findings to the imperial court, spreading your benevolent reputation far and wide. Yet wicked thieves bribed a government cook to drug the guards with Knockout Powder and made off with the treasure."
The matter of the Loulan treasure had long been broadcast by the Shuntian Army. A few days prior, the Xionglue Army had encircled Pingxing County before camping outside for several days, and the Emperor's imperial edict had reached the Daxing prefectural yamen. Naturally, none of this could be kept from the officials and wealthy merchants within Daxing Prefecture.
The incident involved the Daxing prefect, the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, and Great Vajra Monastery. Traced back to its roots, it encompassed the Loulan treasure, the Shuntian Army, and the Black Qiang cavalry; going back even further, it tied into the Loulan upheaval decades ago and the case of the executed Minister of Rites. It was, in every sense, steeped in high drama and legend.
The music house Cai Wuqi ran in Daxing Prefecture welcomed a steady stream of guests, hosting either the scions of high officials or opulent merchants. Naturally, she was privy to such rumors.
She simply had not expected Wei Gutong and his wife to be accompanying the Prince of Zhenxi.
After all, in the talk of various patrons, the Prince of Zhenxi's reputation was decidedly dismal—a profligate who indulged in eating, drinking, and merrymaking, perpetually idling among the flowers—
And as for why the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor had distributed porridge to relieve refugees in winter, dealt heavy blows to the Black Qiang cavalry in the Western Regions, and willingly surrendered the treasure to the imperial court, popular opinion credited it all to Li Yunxiu—
Chapter 97