Chapter 7: Third Day Of The Third Month
Wulin Gate was established in this dynasty, connecting to the west with Peach Flower River, facing West Lake from afar, serving as Yuhang City’s north gate. Although its history is not long, its location on a key route near the canal is extremely advantageous, with shops quickly crowding the streets, sails like a forest on the docks, and merchants and pedestrians bustling about.
At the end of the market street, there was a pawnshop named ‘Sihai’, which looked utterly ordinary, no different from the several other businesses of the same trade on Wulin Gate Street.
That day, a customer wearing a bamboo hat, whose face could not be seen, walked into the dim shop and placed a bundle on the counter in front of the pawnbroker.
The pawnbroker listlessly opened the bundle and saw inside a white porcelain monkey the size of a palm, with a comical and lifelike expression.
A glint flashed in the pawnbroker’s eyes. After carefully examining the item for a moment, he glanced at the unexpected guest and said: “Where does this thing come from, and what is its story?”
“Purchased from the White Family general store in the west of the city, for ten taels of gold.” The customer said in a hoarse voice.
“Not worth that much.” The pawnbroker wore an expression of ‘you got cheated’.
“Worth it to those who know its value.” The customer said indifferently.
“…” The pawnbroker pondered for a moment before asking: “Live pawn or dead pawn?”
“Dead pawn.” The customer said in a deep voice.
“Dead pawn only gets one wen.” The pawnbroker said coldly.
I’ve seen black-hearted pawnshops, but never one this black-hearted. Yet the customer nodded and said: “Fine.”
“Customer, please come inside to sign the deed.” The pawnbroker tucked the white porcelain monkey into his sleeve, stood up, opened the counter gate, and ushered the customer into the back hall.
The pawnshop’s back hall had black curtains hanging, not a sliver of light coming through; even in broad daylight, one could not see their fingers.
But the shopkeeper showed no intention of lighting a lamp, and the customer raised no objection. The two thus conversed in the darkness.
“The rumors are tight right now; customer, why not come back in a few days.” An elderly voice rang out, clearly not the pawnbroker from before.
“I’ll pay ten times the fee.” The customer said bluntly.
“Tricky target?” The old man asked.
“Naturally, he is a Yellow Rank expert.” The customer did not hide it.
“…” The other side fell silent, and only after a long while spoke: “Twenty times.”
“Deal.” The customer said without hesitation.
“Hiss…” From the corner of the room came two sounds of sharply drawing breath.
“Who is the target?” The elderly voice asked.
“Fu Yan, the external manager of the Gusu Fu Family, arriving tomorrow by boat at Wulin Gate Pier.” The customer placed a piece of paper on the table. “He must not see tomorrow night’s moon.”
“Since the customer does not wish to reveal their true face, full payment is required upfront.” The elderly voice said: “If we fail by any chance, White Ape Society will return it in full.”
“Fine.” The customer placed a heavy package on the table, then was escorted out of the dark room by the pawnbroker.
As soon as the outsider left, a lamp was lit in the room. The old man sitting at the table opened the bundle, and instantly, the eyes of several people in the room were reflected golden.
Looking at the bundle full of gold ingots, a dark-faced man laughed: “Worth doing.”
“Orders from above: we cannot act rashly before the Xiahou Clan people leave.” A cautious one raised an objection.
“We need to do business and eat too; it’s not like we’re assassinating the imperial envoy.” The dark-faced man said indifferently.
“Yeah, Xiahou Lei has been staying in his temporary headquarters; we’re far from there, what could go wrong?” Clearly, in light of the sky-high reward, the supportive opinions prevailed.
The old man had already taken the money, naturally having stated his position early. Ignoring his subordinate’s nonsense, he carefully examined the portrait on the paper. The portrait was of extremely high skill; the man on it had one squinted eye and a full beard, very easy to identify. Beside it, in tiny regular script, the target’s physical features were meticulously noted.
The old man pushed the portrait to the dark-faced man and said: “Shankou, check the intelligence on the Fu Family. If no issues, take men and handle it.” Finally, he added uneasily: “Since the customer is paying such a high price, the target is definitely tricky.”
“Shopkeeper, rest assured; White Ape Society always uses a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken!” The dark-faced man accepted the assignment.
。
The next day was the third day of the third lunar month. Lu Ying got up early and urged Lu Yun to set out quickly. Lu Yun said with a bitter smile: “Elder Sister, too hasty…”
“While Mother is doing her morning lesson in the Buddhist hall, we need to slip out quickly.” Lu Ying winked and said: “Did you bring everything?”
Lu Yun raised the large bamboo box in his hand helplessly: “Want to check?”
“No need, no need; I trust you with things.” Lu Ying then pulled Lu Yun and tiptoed to the doorway. At that moment, Uncle Zhong had just opened the courtyard gate. Seeing the young master and miss, he hurried to bow and greet, but Lu Ying grinned and made a shushing gesture.
Uncle Zhong smiled indulgently and watched the two young masters leave.
Only after exiting the alley did Lu Ying let out a long breath, like a little fox that had stolen a chicken.
“Elder Sister…” Lu Yun, carrying the bamboo box on his back, sighed: “We’ll definitely get scolded when we return.”
“Don’t be a spoilsport!” Lu Ying did not think so much, clenching her little fist: “Facing the morning sun, let’s go!”
Watching Lu Ying happily striding ahead, Lu Yun followed with a bitter smile.
The brother and sister chatted and laughed, following the bluestone path along the lakeside all the way. By the time they reached the foot of Ge Hill on the north shore of West Lake, the sun was already high.
Ge Hill has Baopu Observatory, one of the sacred sites of Taoism, but the siblings were not there to offer incense. They followed the stream flowing into West Lake into the flower woods at the foot of the mountain.
In the height of spring, the woods had fresh lush grass and scattered fallen petals. The siblings strolled along, seeing the winding stream grow narrower, gradually hearing laughter and chatter from ahead. Walking further, their view suddenly opened up: on a clearing in the woods, many young ladies and young masters had already gathered.
“Rare guests, rare guests!” Seeing the siblings arrive, the young men and women got excited at once and crowded around.
Several elegantly dressed young ladies of official families affectionately linked arms with Lu Ying, joyfully saying: “Sister Lu rarely comes out to play.”
“So it seems the commandery lieutenant’s heavy duties,” several young gentlemen of official families vied to salute Lu Ying, many nervously stammering: “are, are not… entirely bad.” Naturally drawing a burst of laughter.
Lu Ying was of noble birth, beautiful as a flower, and had an extremely likable personality, naturally charming both men and women. Not only the young masters smitten with her, but the young ladies of official families also liked her. Moreover, she rarely appeared, so naturally she became the center of attention like the moon surrounded by stars.
Lu Ying thus sat at the best spot by the stream amid the chirping birds and butterflies’ embrace, with young men and women around her; every word she said elicited bursts of laughter.
Lu Yun smiled faintly at the sight; no wonder Elder Sister was so enthusiastic. He took out the cushion, food and drink items, insect-repelling sachet… over a dozen miscellaneous items and placed them at the most comfortable spot for Lu Ying. Then, carrying the now-empty bamboo box, he quietly retreated to the corner.
Everyone was long accustomed to this unsociable fellow; Lu Ying also knew her younger brother disliked noise and let him be.
Lu Yun found a clean patch of grass, leaned against the bamboo basket, and focused on reading his book. Occasionally, a young lady of an official family who took a fancy to him would come to bother him; Lu Yun would politely respond a few times before decisively ending the conversation.
For instance, Miss Guo from the commandery lieutenant’s family sidled up, looking at Lu Yun’s perfect profile, and struck up: “Young Master Lu, what book are you reading?”
“Sister Guo, I’m reading《Chun Qiu Fan Lu》.” Lu Yun said.
“What does it say?” Miss Guo feigned interest.
“The way of under heaven changes but does not change; from unchanging comes the constant ease.” Lu Yun gazed at her with clear eyes.
“Uh…” Sweat beaded on Miss Guo’s forehead; she hemmed and hawed a few times: “Then read on slowly…” and fled like the wind.
By the time Qu Shui Liu Shang began, everyone was fully immersed in the game, and even fewer paid him any mind.
Lu Ying occasionally glanced his way, inevitably getting penalty wine when not paying attention. Seeing her perform poorly, after lunch, Lu Yun stood and said: “Elder Sister, focus; I’ll walk around to digest.”
Lu Ying told him to be careful; Lu Yun rolled his eyes and leisurely disappeared into the flower woods.
Lu Ying knew her younger brother’s abilities and no longer worried, turning back to the young masters and ladies with a smile: “Watch me redeem myself!”
“Who fears whom?” The crowd laughed uproariously and continued the game.
。
Half a li southwest from Ge Hill was near the imperial envoy’s headquarters. Lu Yun entered a restaurant and went straight to the second-floor private room. Uncle Bao had been waiting inside since early morning. Seeing him arrive only in the afternoon, he could not rebuke his own Your Highness and could only sulk.
“Sorry, Uncle Bao; couldn’t leave right away.” Lu Yun smiled apologetically.
“Young Master, the meeting will be delayed!” Uncle Bao said heartbrokenly.
“Was it delayed?” Lu Yun asked with a smile.
“Not this time…” Uncle Bao said glumly.
“Of course not; no matter how eager Xiahou Lei is, he wouldn’t go out questioning willows in the morning.” Lu Yun sat beside Uncle Bao, picked up chopsticks, and ate heartily.
“Thought Young Master would come after eating.” Uncle Bao huffed and quickly had the wine feast replaced.
“No need.” Lu Yun was not so particular: “I’ve already eaten; just add a couple bites.” Uncle Bao could only go along.
Lu Yun filled his belly, then sat cross-legged, circulating the heavenly cycle for a full hour, bringing his essence, qi, and spirit to their peak.
At this time, his six senses were extremely sharp; through the footsteps and breathing sounds outside the door, he could almost see a servant boy-like youth walk to the private room door and lightly knock the doorframe a few times.
Three long, two short.
“He’s here!” Uncle Bao said in a deep voice.
Lu Yun opened his eyes, his gaze extremely sharp!
