“Heh…” Cen Futong chuckled, raising his hand to pat Shi Chun’s arm. “Brother Chun, you’re too devious, devious with quite a bit of skill.
You’re leaving tomorrow, right?”
Shi Chun: “We should depart tomorrow morning. We’ll make our move as soon as we’re out of the city.
We’ll exchange money for the person on the road; no one tries any tricks. Otherwise, no one will be able to swallow this money.
If anything happens to me, someone here in Zhaotian City will expose the truth. When that woman creates a fuss and Bian Weikang comes for an accounting, it won’t be my problem anymore.”
“A steady man.” Cen Futong wasn’t annoyed by the threat; instead, he seemed highly appreciative, patting his arm again.
“Let’s interact more in the future and get rich together.”
He greatly admired Shi Chun’s capabilities, feeling that he wasn’t lacking connections but rather this kind of person, whom he could frequently utilize in the future.
After the two discussed the details further, Cen Futong treated Shi Chun like a good brother. Upon learning that Shi Chun had just been released from prison, he became even more intrigued.
No matter how deep the feelings, one must first attend to business. With matters settled, he immediately took his leave.
He needed to make preparations for tomorrow’s action.
As he escorted him to the door, Shi Chun reiterated, “Brother Cen, remember, the reason I’m redeeming someone at Liyun Tower is all arranged by you.
Otherwise, your uncle might become suspicious, and if he’s unwilling to pay, that would be troublesome. Those two friends of yours, I see they have rebellious tendencies and can’t be trusted.
You absolutely must not let them know about this.”
He subtly sowed discord, for those two had laughed so loudly at his name before.
Indeed, Shen Youkun was right; this was a man who would bite back after suffering a loss.
In the words of scholars, it’s ungentlemanly not to exact revenge.
“Understood, you don’t need to tell me. You don’t need to see me out; be careful not to be seen by that pair of scoundrels.” Cen Futong said, pulling out his folding fan from his waist and opening it, using it to shield his face as he left, as if afraid of being discovered by Xiang Lan’er and the others.
Shi Chun didn’t forget to flatter him as he left, “Brother Cen is steady; truly a man destined for great things.”
After he left, Shi Chun turned back to the house to drink tea and read. The big matter was settled, and he felt quite at ease.
Wu Jinliang leaned over, chuckling, “This is good now. With this punk taking credit for the matter with his uncle, Lü Taizhen won’t hate you anymore.
Just wait to collect the money.”
“I originally thought I’d have to go through more detours, but meeting someone like him has indeed saved a lot of trouble.” Shi Chun held a book in one hand and sipped tea with the other. After setting down the teacup, he tapped his fingers on the table.
“Let’s consider what to eat. We can finally feast tonight.”
He hadn’t been under much pressure with this matter. If it succeeded, he’d profit greatly.
If not, he’d honestly find a way to earn Bian Weikang’s double-repaid loan. He didn’t believe he couldn’t get money by holding the son of the Wukang Mountain sect master.
If that were the case, then his years as the Chief of East Nine Plains would have been in vain.
“That’s right!” Wu Jinliang clapped his hands in approval.
Just as he spoke, Old Dong and Big Stone came in, informing them that Cen Futong and his group had already gone down the mountain, and asked how the discussions had gone.
“With the Chief making a move, naturally, it’s a success!” Wu Jinliang laughed heartily, then threw his arms around the two.
“Quickly think of what to eat; we said we’d treat, so don’t try to fob us off.”
His own money was already spent, so he could only try to freeload as much as possible.
“Sigh, don’t worry.”
“I guarantee it’ll be things you’ve never seen inside.”
So, Shi Chun tossed aside his book, and the four East Nine Plains men, reunited, happily left the house together to eat, drink, and make merry in the city. They didn’t even wait for dinner time; they simply couldn’t wait any longer…
Zhaotian City’s name came from the lake that reflected the sky.
In the lake was an island, and on the island was a grand estate. The magnificent pavilions and jade towers within displayed the ultimate in landscaping, known as Lü Garden, which was Lü Taizhen’s residence.
Outside a pavilion, the chief steward Cao Puqing, whose temples were streaked with white, gave a few instructions to a servant before dismissing him. Another person then hurried over, reporting softly, “Steward, the two fellows who borrowed money to redeem someone went to Far-Gazing Tower, and even went upstairs—not the floor for buying and selling, but the internal passageway used by staff.”
Cao Puqing said in surprise, “It seems there’s something to it.”
The person then added, “The identities and backgrounds of the two are still unclear, but we’ve learned a bit about the two Far-Gazing Tower staff accompanying them.
One is named Old Dong, and the other Big Stone.”
Cao Puqing: “Those names are a bit odd.”
The person: “Indeed, they are from the Land of Exile. Judging by the situation, as well as their skin color and clothing, the two who borrowed money to redeem someone are also likely from the Land of Exile, and probably only recently came out.”
Cao Puqing frowned slightly. “People who just came out of the Land of Exile, how could they possibly come up with such a large sum of money to help someone redeem a courtesan? Investigate further.
Come see me once you’ve figured out their background.”
“Yes.
Also…”
“Stop mumbling! What is it? Speak!”
“Steward, those two also stayed at Wuyou Inn. However, just now, your nephew Cen Futong privately met with those two, and even sent away his companions.
We don’t know what they discussed in secret.”
Cao Puqing fell silent, then resolutely ordered, “Immediately call him over!”
“Yes.” The person took the order and quickly departed.
Just then, Cen Futong happened to be coming this way.
They met halfway, and he was brought directly.
Uncle and nephew met in an empty pavilion.
Cao Puqing had specifically dismissed everyone else.
With no outsiders present, Cen Futong’s slouched posture straightened.
He had been taught from a young age how to behave in front of his uncle, knowing that Lü Garden was not his uncle’s private home, after all.
Cao Puqing asked in a deep voice, “You went to see those two who paid to redeem the top courtesan of Liyun Tower?”
Cen Futong was immediately surprised.
“Uncle, you sent people to watch me?”
Cao Puqing raised an eyelid. “You think too highly of yourself.
Do you admit it?”
Cen Futong nodded. “I just went to meet them.”
Cao Puqing: “Why meet them?”
Cen Futong: “It’s about the redemption, isn’t it? I arranged it.”
He had just been planning to talk to his uncle about this; he couldn’t come up with such a large sum of money himself.
“…” Cao Puqing felt numb for a moment. This news was simply too surprising for him, beyond his comprehension.
After a while, he shook his head slightly, recovering, and asked uncertainly, “You arranged for those two to redeem Xiang Lan’er?”
Cen Futong nodded. “I arranged it.”
Having received confirmation, Cao Puqing was stunned again for a moment, then asked, “Are you looking for a beating? Don’t you know she’s the person the Master wants to redeem?”
He still couldn’t quite accept this fact. He was currently having people investigate the backgrounds of those two who had redeemed her, wanting to know who was so bold.
He never expected the root of the problem to be within his own family.
Cen Futong: “Precisely because she’s the person the Master wants to redeem, I couldn’t stomach it.
That slut actually didn’t hesitate to use her last savings to run off with a pretty boy. If this gets out, let alone the Master, even I, who relies on you, Uncle, would feel disgraced.
Isn’t that pretty boy still short fifty thousand gold to redeem her? Good, I lent some money and arranged for someone to help him out, and conveniently got hold of that slut’s deed of sale. Uncle, she can’t escape; wherever she runs off to, she’ll be the Master’s person.”
Cao Puqing’s face darkened, his molars clenched. “Are you out of your mind? Is this something you should be meddling with? Don’t you know Bian Weikang’s identity? Bian Weikang is practically dying for that woman…”
“Oh, Uncle, it’s not as complicated as you think…”
Interrupting his uncle, Cen Futong blurted out all the methods Shi Chun had told him for tricking Bian Weikang and Xiang Lan’er, leaving Cao Puqing dumbfounded.
After sifting through the entire plan, Cao Puqing’s eyes showed a mixture of shock and uncertainty. “Was this really your idea?”
Cen Futong spread his hands, looking as if it were obvious.
“What kind of idea is this? Although I don’t have the ability to do great things like you, Uncle, when it comes to dealing with women, you might not be as good as me.”
Cao Puqing believed these words.
His nephew was indeed adept at these frivolous, philandering matters, and had caused him no small amount of trouble. Precisely because of this, a look of deep regret appeared on his face.
He pointed at his nephew, gnashing his teeth, “I knew it; you’re not inherently foolish, you’ve just been spoiled by your mother. Starting today, I’m going to properly temper your character.
This matter ends here; you are not allowed to interfere any further.”
He was very clear about the Master’s fifty thousand gold redemption.
The Master liked that courtesan, but she only performed and did not sell herself. The madam, Feng Chi, refused to accept money for her redemption.
For some unknown reason, she suddenly agreed today, and the Master also agreed, only for this Bian Weikang matter to suddenly arise.
Liking her was one thing, but getting into trouble over a courtesan was unnecessary, so it was already a matter of indifference.
The reason for investigating who helped with the redemption was purely to understand why, to know who was so bold, and whether they were deliberately causing trouble. If it involved them, they couldn’t ignore it; that was all.
“No, that won’t do. The fifty thousand gold for the redemption was borrowed by me.
I’d also borrowed some various other amounts before, which I hadn’t dared to tell you about, plus some expenses for handling things, totaling four hundred and fifty thousand. The Master was originally going to pay five hundred thousand to buy her.
I made a transfer, and not only solved my own problems, but also saved the Master fifty thousand. The problem is, I mortgaged that deed of sale to the creditor.
If I don’t repay the money later, the creditor will definitely resell the woman the Master likes. Then, when Bian Weikang causes a scene, the creditor will definitely expose me.”
Having been under his uncle’s thumb for so many years, Cen Futong had a very accurate read on his uncle, even more so than Shi Chun, knowing exactly how to strike to hit the mark, even saving himself the trouble of beating around the bush.
What was all this nonsense? Cao Puqing’s head ached from listening.
He’d settle that account later. He had other suspicions and pressed, “Who are those two you found to pay for the redemption?”
Cen Futong candidly said, “They were just released from prison, just came out of the Land of Exile.
One is named Shi Chun, the other Wu Jinliang. They happened to be short on money, easy to command.”
Cao Puqing said in a deep voice, “Is it really that simple? I heard they have dealings with Far-Gazing Tower?”
Cen Futong dismissively said, “They do have dealings. Their two brothers from the Land of Exile are now employees at Far-Gazing Tower.
They want to enter Far-Gazing Tower through this connection. They’ve already communicated with Far-Gazing Tower, but it doesn’t seem to be going smoothly.”
Shi Chun had deliberately told him all these things beforehand, precisely to guard against someone from Lü Taizhen’s side watching him.
So, Cao Puqing was left speechless.
It was indeed quite similar to the situation his subordinates had investigated and judged.