Chapter 184 - 144: Machinations
Deep within the Shanyang Prefecture Government Office.
Within a solemnly appointed study that exuded luxury from every corner.
A middle-aged man in a simple Purple Ribbon Immortal Robe was currently reading, an ancient bamboo book in hand.
"My Lord, the Blood Dragon has been running rampant in our Shanyang Prefecture recently. The number of abducted boys and girls has now reached over ten thousand. If this continues, Shanyang will be thrown into turmoil."
Just then, the door opened. An old man, clad head to toe in Bright Armor and exuding a roiling, murderous aura, strode inside. He bowed respectfully to the middle-aged man before speaking.
The old man had stern features, with thick brows and large eyes. It was clear he must have been an extraordinarily handsome man in his youth.
This man was none other than General Zhu Weilei, Commander of the Shanyang Prefecture Guard Army and a Senior Fifth Grade official.
Throughout all of Shanyang Prefecture, only a handful of officials outranked him. Yet, the only person who could command such reverence from a Martial Master who had achieved Great Success in Qi Sensing was the Mansion Master of Shanyang Prefecture himself.
Zhu Quan, the Mansion Master of Shanyang Prefecture—a true governor ruling over a region in the Great Wei Dynasty’s Two Capitals and Thirteen Provinces, and a Senior Third Grade official.
"Haven’t I told you? In public, call me Mansion Master. In private, you are to call me Third Grand-Uncle."
Zhu Quan’s voice was calm, and he smiled as he looked at Zhu Weilei.
And yet, it was clear from his words that although he looked so much younger than Zhu Weilei—young enough to pass for his son or nephew—he was in fact the elder.
But it was clear that Zhu Quan, the Mansion Master of Shanyang Prefecture, was the senior, belonging to Zhu Weilei’s grandfather’s generation.
"Oh, you... you’re just so stubbornly formal. If you weren’t, you never would have been schemed against back then, and your foundation wouldn’t have been damaged. Otherwise, with the two-hundred-year lifespan of a Qi Sensing Martial Master, you wouldn’t have only a few years left to live."
Zhu Quan shook his head slightly, setting down his book. His gaze, as he looked at Zhu Weilei, was filled with regret.
Zhu Weilei was the most outstanding descendant the Zhu Family had produced in nearly a century. He had once been poised to succeed him as the Mansion Master of Shanyang Prefecture.
But alas, he wasn’t ruthless enough. He was schemed against in his youth, his foundation was damaged, and now his life was short. It was a terrible shame.
However, despite Zhu Quan’s words,
Zhu Weilei remained unmoved, as if he hadn’t heard a thing. He simply repeated what he had just said.
"Oh, you... still unable to turn a blind eye to anything. Don’t you realize that if we truly move against the Blood Dragon, it will mean threatening the lifelines of many powerful people?"
Zhu Quan chuckled, glanced at Zhu Weilei, and then shook his head. "Fine," he continued, "but the Guard Army cannot be mobilized. How about this? We’ll wait until the top one hundred candidates are decided in tomorrow’s Prefecture Examination, then we’ll add one more trial: the final assessment will be to annihilate a Blood Dragon stronghold."
"After all, most of these martial candidates are from the various prominent families. Their elders have committed wicked deeds, so it’s only natural for the younger generation to bear some responsibility."
With that, Zhu Quan waved his hand.
Seeing this, Zhu Weilei bowed respectfully. "As you command, Mansion Master!"
He then slowly backed out of the room.
~~~~~~
It was destined to be a sleepless night. With a grand event like the Prefecture Examination underway, it was only natural for the city to revel all night long.
"Nu, where did you and your big sister Lan go to play today?"
It was time for bed, but tonight was different from the others. Widow Yu noticed that her precious daughter simply couldn’t fall asleep.
The candle had been out for a good while, but her pair of jewel-like eyes were still fluttering open and shut. She clearly had something on her mind.
Although Nu tried to act as she always did, a mother knows her own daughter best. How could eleven-year-old Nu possibly hide anything from her?
It was clear that something had happened when Wen Lan took her daughter out today.
"Nu promised Big Sister Lan not to tell Mom."
Nu lowered her head, feeling a little guilty.
But the more Nu acted this way, the more certain Widow Yu became that something had happened.
However, she could also sense that whatever it was, it must have been something that made Nu happy.
After all, one look at the girl, who was just short of writing the word "smile" across her face, was enough to tell.
"Oh, I see. Well, if Nu made a promise, then Mom won’t ask," Widow Yu said with a gentle smile.
Then, she began to coax Nu to go to sleep.
~~~~~~~
「At the same time.」
The Bai Family Compound, Shanyang Prefecture.
Bai Xingqiu had gone with Bai Jin to Yujing City, and Mr. Bai had been busy with military affairs lately, so he was rarely at home.
Therefore, the one currently in charge of the Bai Family was Bai Xingqiu’s mother, Wei Ru.
"Explain yourself. I put you in charge of the tea house to help the Young Master watch over things. How is it that business is only getting worse and worse!"
Wei Ru lifted her teacup, blowing gently at the steam. Her gaze was lowered, and she didn’t even look at Steward Wang, who stood not far from her.
"Madam, I’ve been wronged! This has nothing to do with me. It’s all that Fang Yue..."
Having decided during the day to deal with Fang Yue, Steward Wang had now come in the evening to air his grievances before Wei Ru—Bai Xingqiu’s mother, who was currently managing all of the Bai Family’s business.
"I understand. You may go."
Wei Ru took a small sip of tea. Only after carefully savoring its flavor for a moment did she speak, her tone impassive.
Upon hearing this, the steward bowed hurriedly and took his leave.
"Madam, the tea house the Young Master opened in partnership with that Fang Yue truly is losing money..."
Steward Wang had just left when Wei Ru’s personal maid chimed in as she refilled her mistress’s cup.
"What, are you also trying to persuade me to put that Fang Yue in his place? I’m surprised. Did you accept a bribe from Steward Wang? Is that why you’re so eager to speak on his behalf?"