Chapter 68: The Holy Envoy Arrives, the Capital City Is About to Be Shaken
Chapter 68: Chapter 68: The Holy Envoy Arrives, the Capital City Is About to Be Shaken
It was another day off.
During breakfast, Pei Shaoqing ate while stroking Zhao Zilan’s leg. It had become such a habit that he couldn’t eat his meal without a beautiful leg to serve as an appetizer.
Such a healthy lifestyle habit was very important.
After eating and drinking his fill, he went to feed the Shaking Light Saintess.
"I need to relieve myself!"
The Shaking Light Saintess exclaimed the moment she saw him.
Her face was already bright red.
Pei Shaoqing set the breakfast aside, then stepped forward and untied the ropes binding the Shaking Light Saintess.
The Saintess was desperate to relieve herself, but when she saw Pei Shaoqing was still there, she snapped, "Get out!"
"You can always hold it in." This time, Pei Shaoqing didn’t grant her any privacy, instead calmly plopping down in a chair.
Although the Shaking Light Saintess had been utterly humiliated by Pei Shaoqing, suffering countless indignities that wore down her sense of shame, she couldn’t stop rage from boiling up inside her.
Her face was crimson, and the intense urge made her body tremble. A pleading look entered her eyes. "Young Master, I’m begging you, please just step outside."
A smile played on Pei Shaoqing’s lips, but he remained unmoved.
The Shaking Light Saintess had no other choice. Brimming with humiliation, she closed her eyes. As the sound of trickling water echoed in the room, a tear slid from the corner of her eye, and her bitten lip looked even redder.
"I will kill you!" A moment later, she pulled up her trousers, her eyes red-rimmed as she glared at Pei Shaoqing.
’This bastard has seen me at my most vulnerable. If I am to live, he must die.’
As if he didn’t see the hatred in her eyes, Pei Shaoqing said calmly, "Eat. When you’re done, I’ll have someone prepare hot water for a bath. You need a change of clothes, too. I can smell you from here."
Hearing this, the Shaking Light Saintess was once again overwhelmed with shame, anger, and indignation. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks.
But even so, she still had to eat.
She glared at Pei Shaoqing, crying as she chewed in big mouthfuls, imagining she was eating the bastard’s flesh and blood.
"It’s a bit salty," she said disdainfully after a few bites.
"That’s because your tears fell into your food."
Upon hearing that, it no longer tasted salty to the Shaking Light Saintess.
Now, it tasted bitter.
She was now filled with immense regret. She should have contacted the branch headquarters after arriving in Tongzhou instead of going directly to find Pei Shaoqing.
’It’s possible no one even knows I’ve been captured.’
’Which means no one is coming to save me.’
But in this, she was mistaken.
The Profound Yellow Sect had already realized she was missing.
Her personality was aloof and proud. She had no friends in the Jianghu and rarely ventured out into the world. Any business she conducted was handled with swift decisiveness, never lingering away from home.
But this time, many days had passed since her departure with no word. It was so uncharacteristic that the Profound Yellow Sect headquarters grew suspicious and dispatched someone to Tongzhou to investigate.
And that person had just arrived today.
"The Squad Leader of the Holy Sect’s Tongzhou Branch pays his respects to the Holy Envoy."
After receiving a message from his subordinate, County Magistrate Wang immediately changed into civilian clothes and went to the Juyuan Inn to meet the envoy.
The envoy dispatched by the Profound Yellow Sect was a slightly overweight, middle-aged man in his thirties who looked like a merchant. "Squad Leader Wang, there’s no need for such formalities. Please, rise."
"Thank you, Holy Envoy." County Magistrate Wang stood up straight and asked, "What instructions do you bring?"
"The Holy Hall has issued no decree." The Holy Envoy shook his head. Meeting County Magistrate Wang’s confused gaze, he explained in a low voice, "I am here on orders to find the Shaking Light Saintess."
"Find the Saintess?" County Magistrate Wang was taken aback.
The Holy Envoy asked, "Has she been seen in Tongzhou?"
"No." County Magistrate Wang shook his head, a bad feeling creeping into his heart. "Ever since I learned the Saintess was coming, I’ve been awaiting her orders, but I have yet to be summoned."
"Something must have happened." The Holy Envoy’s expression turned grave. He pursed his lips and said, "The Holy Hall can’t contact her, either. I’ve questioned every branch along the way here. Her last confirmed sighting was in Bazhou City. She disappeared after entering Tongzhou."
"The Saintess is missing?" County Magistrate Wang was shocked and alarmed. "How could that be? If she had come to Tongzhou, it’s impossible that I wouldn’t know about it."
"For now, mobilize all your forces in Tongzhou and search for her," the Holy Envoy said with a heavy sigh.
’What kind of deathtrap is this Tongzhou!’
’The Kaiyang Saint Heir perished here.’
’And now the Shaking Light Saintess has disappeared here.’
.........
That afternoon, Pei Shaoqing had Zhao Zilan bathe the Shaking Light Saintess, wash her hair, and change her into a fresh set of clothes.
"Young Master, it’s all done." After finishing her tasks, Zhao Zilan went to report to Pei Shaoqing. Attending to someone was clearly physical labor; her forehead was glistening with sweat.
Inside the study, Pei Shaoqing looked at her flushed face from across the desk and beckoned. "Come here."
"Young Master," Zhao Zilan said, walking over obediently.
"You’ve worked hard." Pei Shaoqing gently wiped the sweat from her brow. "I’ll come to your room tonight. We can practice our martial arts. Lan’Er, remember to leave the door unlocked for me."
Since it was a day off, after all.
It ought to be enjoyed completely.
It couldn’t be all rest and no play.
Zhao Zilan’s body trembled. She knew what he meant for tonight. Her face went scarlet, and she said in a fluster, "Young Master, Lan’Er... isn’t ready yet."
"Is that so? Then I’ll give you plenty of time to prepare. How does ten years sound?" Pei Shaoqing’s face turned cold, his expression blank as he stared at her.
Zhao Zilan’s face paled. Biting her lip, she lowered her head and whispered, so softly it was barely audible, "Lan’Er awaits you, Young Master."
"That’s a good girl." The frost on Pei Shaoqing’s face melted away, replaced by a smile. He stroked her cheek. "If you want to be my concubine, I have to try you out first to see if you’re suitable. Don’t you agree?"
"Young Master, Lan’Er... I don’t know anything," Zhao Zilan said, her face red as blood, her voice trembling.
Pei Shaoqing smiled faintly. "I know you’re clueless. It’s fine. I’ll teach you."
"Mm," Zhao Zilan replied, now treasuring each word as if it were gold.
Pei Shaoqing waved his hand. "Go get some rest."
Zhao Zilan curtsied, then turned and left. As soon as she was out the door, she rushed to find Liu Yuheng. She still remembered that her master’s wife had told her not to let Pei Shaoqing have his way with her before they were officially wed.
So, she had to ask her master’s wife what she should do.
No sooner had Zhao Zilan left than a servant arrived. "My lord, Ensign Song has something to report."
"Show him into the study," Pei Shaoqing ordered.
Song Youcai arrived shortly after. "My lord."
"What is it?" Pei Shaoqing asked.
"My lord, I’ve investigated. In all of Tongzhou, only three women were born in a Yin year, Yin month, on a Yin day."
Pei Shaoqing’s eyes narrowed. "Keep a close watch on them."
"Yes, my lord!" Song Youcai replied, lowering his head.
Meanwhile, a travel-worn Eunuch Liu had returned to Celestial Capital City to report to his godfather, Liu Hai.
Without even taking the time to bathe, Eunuch Liu stumbled in, slid to his knees, and cried out, "Your son pays his respects, Godfather! May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your life as long as the Southern Mountains!"
"This errand certainly took you long enough. I trust you skimmed a fair bit for yourself along the way," Liu Hai said, his words cold and sharp.
Eunuch Liu gave a fawning smile. "It was all out of filial piety! It’s not often I get to leave the palace, so of course I had to bring back some fine things to honor you, Godfather."
"Such a smooth talker. Just as long as you didn’t bungle the Holy Emperor’s business. Now, out with it," Liu Hai huffed.
"Yes, sir!" Eunuch Liu drew out the word, scrambling up from the floor. He eagerly began massaging Liu Hai’s back as he spoke. "Godfather, you know the saying, ’After three days’ absence, a scholar should be seen in a new light.’ That good-for-nothing Pei Shaoqing is like a completely different person since he left the Capital City. It really showed me that a prodigal son can truly change his ways."
"Oh?" Liu Hai’s interest was instantly piqued.
Eunuch Liu quickly continued, "The moment Pei Shaoqing arrived in Tongzhou, he was a different man from the one in the Capital City. He’s still arrogant, domineering, greedy, and lecherous, but he’s nowhere near the scoundrel he used to be. He even took the initiative to apologize to me."
"Now that is a novelty." Liu Hai narrowed his eyes. ’Rather than a prodigal son returning, it’s more likely Pei Shaoqing was just playing the fool back in the Capital City, biding his time.’
’The boy fooled everyone.’
Eunuch Liu recounted everything he had seen and heard in Tongzhou in meticulous detail. "...and that’s the gist of it. The Kaiyang Saint Heir definitely died at Pei Shaoqing’s hands. Of that, there is no doubt."
After listening to the report, Liu Hai frowned and fell into silent contemplation.
After a long moment, he said slowly,
"Xiaoliuzi, accompany me to see His Majesty."
"Yes, Godfather. As you command."