Chapter 629 - 351: The Wind Rises!
Chapter 629: Chapter 351: The Wind Rises!
"I have invited you all here today on the orders of my master, to ask for a small favor," Song Jinjian said.
Huang Zhuo immediately put on a flattering smile and cupped his hands. "Brother Song, just say the word. We will definitely do our utmost."
Even if they didn’t respect the man, they had to respect his master. Though Song Jinjian held no official position, the "master" he spoke of was an immensely prominent figure. Celestial Minister Cui Mao—the Patriarch of the Qinghe Cui Family—was the most powerful man in the world, second only to the Holy Emperor. Even without a direct order from such a figure, Han Ruixuan, Huang Zhuo, and the others wouldn’t dare show the slightest negligence.
Only Fang Hongxiu leaned back in her chair at the table, watching Song Jinjian expressionlessly. Originally, she had no qualifications to be here. However, in the recent imperial decree sent to Shu State by the Holy Emperor, there had unexpectedly been a reward for her as well—for uncovering the criminal evidence against Liu Hong of the Governor’s Office and his accomplices, she was hereby promoted to Thousand Households of the Shu State Imprisonment Department.
Fang Hongxiu knew she hadn’t made any real contributions. Even when she had uncovered some clues regarding Liu Hong and his people, she had kept them entirely to herself. The only person who knew the truth was "Dragon Tiger" Liu Wu. This made her suspect that Liu Wu might be someone from the Imperial Court, perhaps a secret spy for the White Tiger Guard or the Inspectorate Office.
Song Jinjian glanced around the room, a touch of arrogance in his expression. "My master has a distant cousin who got into a dispute with someone while passing through Shu State."
Huang Zhuo’s spirit lifted. He looked at Fang Hongxiu and Han Ruixuan before jumping in to ask, "Who would be so bold as to offend a noble of the Qinghe Cui Family? Please enlighten us, Mr. Song."
Song Jinjian glanced at him. "That person’s name is Li Sanyuan. He is a merchant," he said indifferently.
"A merchant?" Huang Zhuo said. "That makes things easy. Where is this Li Sanyuan right now? I will go capture him immediately and hand him over to you for punishment."
"The Xiao Family," Song Jinjian replied.
Huang Zhuo froze. He exchanged a look with Han Ruixuan and Fang Hongxiu before asking hesitantly, "Which Xiao Family?"
Song Jinjian pointed a finger toward the south, a smile playing on his lips. "Is there any other Xiao Family in all of Shu State besides the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion?"
"This..." Huang Zhuo grew even more hesitant.
Previously, he had paid a visit to Elder Master Xiao regarding Liu Jing’s matter, and his words had been quite offensive. Going to their door again now would be asking for trouble. Han Ruixuan and Fang Hongxiu felt the same way; neither wanted to invite unnecessary trouble.
"Please forgive us, Mr. Song, but given our official duties, I’m afraid we cannot help Lord Cui resolve his worries." Fang Hongxiu’s refusal was decisive.
Unexpectedly, Song Jinjian merely waved his hand. "Thousand Households Fang, you are overthinking this.
"That Li Sanyuan is not a member of the Xiao Family. He is a criminal who was captured by them.
"Moreover, I have heard that he is also involved in Commander-in-Chief Zhu Hao’s arms trafficking case."
Song Jinjian looked at Fang Hongxiu, his expression turning serious. "Such a major criminal should surely be taken into custody by the Imprisonment Department and sent to the Capital Prefecture alongside Zhu Lingchuan and the others, shouldn’t he?"
Hearing this, Fang Hongxiu frowned slightly and fell silent.
Out of fear of the Xiao Family, Huang Zhuo also lost his previous flattering demeanor. "That makes sense... heh, Mr. Song makes perfect sense," he said, clearly holding back his true thoughts. However, as he spoke, he kept signaling Han Ruixuan with his eyes, hoping the man would say something.
Meeting their gazes, Han Ruixuan thought for a moment. "If that’s the case, we ought to make a trip to the Xiao Family, both for public duty and private reasons."
Before Song Jinjian could speak, he continued, "However, I must state upfront that the Imprisonment Department has no authority to interfere in the Xiao Family’s internal affairs.
"If Marquis Xiao is unwilling to hand him over, I hope Mr. Song will forgive us."
Song Jinjian chuckled lightly and nodded. "Naturally..."
A short while later.
Han Ruixuan and the others got up and left.
Liu Zhaoxue lowered her veiled hat slightly and respectfully watched them leave before turning back into the private room. She had heard their entire conversation loud and clear. However, she still didn’t understand why Song Jinjian would go to such great lengths to have the Imprisonment Department demand the prisoner from the Xiao Family. Given Cui Mao’s status as the Celestial Minister, directly demanding someone from the Xiao Family wouldn’t be out of line, especially for a major criminal like Li Sanyuan.
Seeming to see through her thoughts, Song Jinjian stood by the window, watching the figures of Fang Hongxiu and the others mounting their horses with their blades in hand. A faint smile touched his lips. "Zhaoxue, you come from the Jing State Liu Family, so you must be well aware of the rules among the Noble Families.
"Maintaining clear boundaries between close and distant relations is their usual style of handling things."
Liu Zhaoxue thought for a moment. "Are you worried that stepping forward under the Cui Family’s name would sour relations with the Xiao Family?"
Song Jinjian nodded. "The Xiao Family is currently on high alert, like birds startled by a bowstring. Even the slightest disturbance will arouse their vigilance. It’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Understanding dawned on Liu Zhaoxue, and she asked no further questions. In her mind, since Li Sanyuan was involved in Zhu Hao’s case, it was perfectly logical for the Imprisonment Department to go to the Xiao Family to apprehend him. However, she firmly believed that things weren’t that simple. Song Jinjian definitely had other plans.
The autumn wind blew bleakly. The once-flourishing trees along the edge of Quchi were no more. Dead leaves twirled down in the wind, though the surface of the pool still rippled.
Song Jinjian stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze fell upon South Street as he looked out toward the examination hall. "The wind is picking up."
Past 5:00 PM, the sky had already grown dark.
Xiao Wan’er was just preparing to return to the mansion. Cui Qingwu escorted her to her carriage, smiling as she said, "I will definitely keep what Sister Wan’er said today in mind. I’ll make the arrangements shortly."
Xiao Wan’er nodded lightly. Wrapped in her heavy cloak, she looked noble, gentle, and ethereal as a fairy.
"Please don’t take offense, Little Sister Qingwu. The position of Dean for the Medical Dao Academy is far too important and allows for no carelessness. It’s not that I don’t trust the Medical Saint Hands you found."
"What are you saying, Sister Wan’er? Calling them Saint Hands is an overstatement. In the Medical Dao, they have only achieved Minor Success. They are still far too lacking to establish their own sects."
Cui Qingwu maintained her bright smile. "However, I truly didn’t expect you to have such grand ambitions, Sister Wan’er.
"To think you want to use the Medical Dao Academy to bring salvation to the common people of the world... you have my deepest admiration."