Sizhou Liu

Inside the official inn's study, two men, each with their own unique qualities, sat on either side of a long desk. One elegant, the other handsome. As they exchanged cups, they subtly assessed and speculated about each other, and for a moment, the room fell silent.

Qin Zhi sipped his tea as he studied the brocade-robed nobleman before him, a whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind. He was no stranger to this man. A few years ago, the Governor of Huguang had colluded with bandits in an attempt to establish himself as king. It was this man who had uncovered evidence in a murder case involving an official and was temporarily ordered to lead the troops in their pursuit. However, Qin Zhi was busy smuggling a troublemaker out of the northwest at the time, and hadn't witnessed the tactics that had even made his father and Qin Shuang wary.

"The Qin family has become increasingly clean over the past few years." At least, on the surface, there's no evidence of any illegal activity. Su Zirui took a sip of tea and spoke nonchalantly. He had reviewed the family records related to the Qin family. Qin Fenglin was a fiery-tempered senior, quite famous in the martial arts world, having led the White Flame Gang from a fleet on the Huai River to become a renowned shipping gang in the Great Qi Dynasty.

"Okay, okay. This is all a legacy left by the older generation who risked their lives. My elder sister and I grew up in a honeypot. We just want to live a stable life and do some legitimate small business to make a living." Qin Zhi scratched the back of his head embarrassedly, his smile a little silly.

"Rumor has it that the Qin family's eldest daughter is overbearing and the second young master is a dandy, leading many to anticipate the decline of the White Flame Gang. However, in recent years, the White Flame Gang has grown even stronger, not only annexing the canal transport system in the Jiangnan region but also monopolizing the underground casinos in Yangzhou, with countless black market transactions. Since the Qin family's marriage to the wealthy Qi family from Shu, their business has also rapidly expanded inland." Su Zirui was surprised after a thorough investigation. The White Flame Gang's development over the past few years has completely diverged from its previous trajectory. It's likely that Qin Fenglin retired long ago, handing over the reins to the two siblings. However, the Qin siblings don't have a good reputation outside of the city, and their actions are quite flamboyant in Yangzhou. Now it seems that the rumors were deliberately spread by someone with ulterior motives.

"Lord Su, are you talking about my White Flame Gang?" Qin Zhi tilted his head in surprise. "My sister and I were a bit frivolous when we were young, but it's a waste of youth if we don't act frivolously. Didn't my sister settle down after getting married? Besides, my Qin family is the most law-abiding. Everyone in the family is a good citizen and is very honest. We don't know anything about the black market or funeral affairs. As for the expansion, my brother-in-law's family is a wealthy family in Shu, so it's normal to bring in relatives. It's just that my brother-in-law introduced some rice and salt merchants. It's not a big business, just a way to make a living."

Law-abiding, good citizen… Su Zirui scoffed. Sure enough, they came from the same source. While investigating the Qin family, he'd also checked out the Qi family, the one who'd dared to marry the Qin family's eldest daughter. And that innocent-looking girl was actually registered under the Qi family's direct line. If you really counted, even the Qi family's side branch would have to call her "Miss."

"It's good to live a stable life, but the worst thing is to take on things that you shouldn't do without self-awareness." His tone was slightly deep, his dark eyes were cold and indifferent, without revealing a trace of his emotions.

"Your Excellency is right, but the Baiyan Gang should take over what they should." Qin Zhi smiled with a ruffian look, looking like a dandy who would not listen to any worldly things.

"Young Master Qin has inherited Master Qin's true skills in using the scimitar. I wonder how good his boxing and kicking skills are?" Su Zirui suddenly looked up and smiled. He was handsome and gentle, but his body movements were strangely fast and he attacked.

Qin Zhi was startled. He hadn't expected this man to start a fight so quickly, so he quickly turned over the table to avoid him. In the small inner room, the two men exchanged punches and kicks, but the table, chairs, and teacups on the table remained motionless.

The opponent's attack was strange and not fierce, but each move was fatal. Although Qin Zhi was sure that he would not kill here, he did not dare to be careless.

The horizontal chop of his hand knife was blocked. Su Zirui had almost reached it, so he simply swept it back with a palm wind, turned over and sat back in his seat, and said lightly, "I'm sorry, Young Master Qin."

"You!" The fight was stagnant, and Qin Zhi couldn't help but clench his fists. He took a deep breath to suppress his irritation, secretly regretting not bringing his scimitar with him today. The officials were so cunning, he didn't dare to act rashly.

"A few days ago, there was an armed conflict at the Sizhou docks, and items sought by the imperial court were stolen. However... the robbers were quite skilled. I heard that the White Flame Gang had also recently passed through, escorting items, and I was a little skeptical." Slowly putting down his teacup, Su Zirui said meaningfully, "I just had a sparring session with Young Gang Leader Qin. Perhaps Young Gang Leader is more comfortable with a machete, so he couldn't be the robber that day."

"I..." Qin Zhi's mouth twitched, unsure of what to say in response. How could this man say such a slapping thing with such a calm face? No wonder Qin Shuang had specifically told him not to have anything to do with the government. He fiddled with his fingers, then took several deep breaths to suppress the anger welling up in him.

The faint sounds near the door were particularly clear in the sudden silence, and both of them raised their heads at the same time.

Before Aruo could even get close, the window suddenly opened from the inside. She was so frightened that she immediately squatted down and raised the tray high above her head, as if to cover up her mistake. There was no sound for a while. Aruo timidly looked up from under the tray and saw Su Zirui looking down at her expressionlessly. She subconsciously smiled and said, "I... brought you some snacks."

"Want to eavesdrop?" Su Zirui raised his eyebrows.

"No, no, no, I'm just curious about what you two were talking about." Aruo looked back as innocently as possible.

"Want to know?" Su Zirui glanced at the tray she was holding high, a strange look in his eyes. "Change the sweet ones and try again."

The window and door were mercilessly closed. Aruo stood up and looked at the red bean cake that Caixin was best at on the tray. "Was that look of his just now one of disgust? Isn't the red bean cake delicious?"

It’s obviously delicious.

……………… …………………… ………………

As night fell, an angry middle-aged man in blue walked out of the gate of the Sizhou Posthouse, muttering to himself, "How can a fox fairy and an evil ghost be paired together? They are both women! The fox fairy and the scholar are obviously the protagonists. The fox fairy sacrificed herself for justice and saved the scholar many times, and the scholar was deeply in love and never regretted it. In the end, they became husband and wife. Only then will their story be passed down. You don't understand the essence of opera, you naughty boy... naughty boy!"

The people passing by were so absorbed in their own thoughts and anger that they didn't notice the man coming towards them.

Su Zirui glanced at him and, after a moment's thought, remembered that this person was one of the Wanxing Troupe's actors, known to Aruo and the others as Actor Zhang. Needless to say, he was referring to the recently popular Sizhou City piece "Peach Blossom Story." It hadn't occurred to him that they hadn't yet decided on the ending. The play had been shelved due to the murder, but many people were already secretly listening to the news of its conclusion.

Entering the official inn, the side hall was still lit, and the occasional voice could be heard. Su Zirui paused, pondering for a moment before walking over. At the long table in the side hall, a person in a light apricot dress sat with her back to him, her skirt fluttering in the air. At first glance, it looked like she had no legs.

The clear voice was filled with indignation, and the tone of his muttering was exactly the same as the man's just now.

"The wife is obviously innocent. She was once gentle and kind, virtuous and considerate. The scholar also swore to her that they were in love. She became an evil ghost because the fox fairy and the scholar messed around and brought disaster upon his wife. If the fox fairy was really that good, why would she know the truth and ruin the lives of the scholar and his wife? The scholar already had a wife, so why would he be attracted to the fox fairy and abandon her and change his heart? When he was in the land of love, did he ever think about his wife taking care of the housework for him and respecting his parents? When he wanted to kill the evil ghost, did he ever think that his wife became an evil ghost because of them? Did he ever think that this evil ghost once had a deep love for him? He wants to marry someone after harming them? Humph, dream on!"

Su Zirui leaned against the beam with his arms folded, glanced at her sitting cross-legged on the chair, and asked with rare interest, "Isn't watching a play just for fun? It's what people want when a scholar and a fox fairy finally get married."

"This trend is totally perverse. The culprit who harms others is praised and they can live together in prosperity, while the victim will never be reborn... It's the scholar's fault from beginning to end. If the fox fairy is really smart, she should work with her wife to let lilies bloom all over the earth and leave the scholar with nothing. Otherwise, if a peach blossom fairy tree or narcissus fairy comes one day, it will be her turn to become an evil ghost." Aruo slammed his palm on the table and said without thinking.

"You think it through." He didn't understand what the lily had to do with this story, but the general meaning of her words was clear. It was just that Su Zirui didn't expect her to think that way.

After years of investigating cases, he'd come to realize that the world favors the bad, and even more so, the good. A bad person could easily turn things around and be praised, often euphemistically called a prodigal son, simply by doing one good deed. But a good person, even if they'd consistently done good deeds, would become a target of public criticism and be cast from the clouds into hell if they harbored even the slightest evil thought.

"Of course..." Aruo reacted and turned around suddenly, "Master Su, you are back?"

The smile on his face and his spontaneous greeting gave Su Zirui the illusion that someone had said something like this with a smile many years ago. Shaking his head, he walked into the hall and asked, "Can't you sit in a more normal position?"

Aruo smiled awkwardly and put down her curled legs. Her legs had been numb from being crossed for too long. The pain made her face twisted in pain. She rubbed her knees with her hands and couldn't help but look at him with resentment.

Ignoring her accusing look, Su Zirui tapped the table with his long fingers, "I heard that this official post is very busy today, with people coming and going."

Sizhou was close to Yangzhou, and was home to many mansions and gardens. The official post had never been a top choice for officials, and on weekdays it was usually deserted. With the arrival of these people in recent days, the official post had begun to feel more lively.

"Isn't it? I helped you greet your junior sister, Qi Qi and the others. It took a lot of effort." Aruo poured a cup of tea and took a sip when she felt two cold lights sweep over her. She paused, slowly put down the teacup, and then pulled out another quilt to pour tea and push it over.

Su Zirui sneered, picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, lowered his head and said nothing.

Crumpling up the paper that had been scribbled by the actor, Aruo resumed writing, intending to finish his own ending. Su Zirui glanced lazily at it, finding the handwriting a bit ugly, and suddenly said, "Perhaps, the scholar and the fox fairy being together is the right path in this world."

Aruo raised her head and looked at him with eyes wide open in disbelief. She thought Su Zirui would be more clear-headed, but she didn't expect him to be just like other men in the world, unfaithful!

Seeing through her contempt at a glance, Su Zirui slowly tapped the table, tilted his head and smiled slightly, his eyes tinged with coldness. "Life is full of disappointments. Some things can't be spared just because you're innocent. There are always more people who die in vain than murderers. Those who harm others... often have a good ending."

He had been in the officialdom for many years, immersed in the circles of power and wealth since childhood, and had seen many lawless evildoers. The dark side of officialdom was never a lie. If one could be surrounded by gold and rise to prominence, how many people would care whether the dead bones in the tomb were innocent? How could they rest in peace?

Aruo was slightly stunned, knowing that he was talking about more than just the story of Peach Blossom. But, so what? If everyone in the world accepted this kind of darkness, where would the light be?

"Master Su, why do you make the human world sound like hell?" Aruo recalled her experiences along the way, looked up into his bottomless black eyes, and muttered uncomfortably, "It really is the living hell."

"In the storybooks, don't the gods and immortals who go through hardships always reincarnate as humans? This shows that this human world is the cruelest." Su Zirui said in a half-hearted tone, closing his eyes lightly.

"Master Su, do you also read these books?" Aruo was suspicious and couldn't help but teasing, "Don't those of you who read the books of sages look down on these books? And you also say that the Master does not speak of strange and supernatural things."

Su Zirui smiled slightly. "If you don't speak, it's not me who speaks. I'm just a mortal. How dare I compare myself to a saint?"

Having been immersed in the Ministry of Justice for several years, Su Zirui has recorded everything from strange techniques to palace secrets, and all kinds of mysterious cases, but he never asserts anything.

Aruo nodded in agreement and swirled the brush in her hand. Wasn’t she a living example?

Looking down at the outline of the fox fairy's story, Aruo suddenly sighed and laughed, "Storybooks are all based on real life. If the scholar hadn't been so heartless and disloyal, there wouldn't have been a tragedy between his wife and the fox fairy. No matter how much love and affection there was before marriage, it can't withstand reality. How many people promise to be together forever, but still take concubines to enjoy the happiness of having two wives. So, getting married is not good at all... You have to pay a dowry, and then you have to work like a slave in someone else's house. It's not worth it."

Hearing her words, Su Zirui raised an eyebrow, remembering what she said at the inn that day, with a hint of disapproval in his eyes, "Miss Qi, you are no longer a three-year-old child. You should be careful with your words. Even if you don't care about the world's criticism, you must avoid bringing harm to your family. I'm afraid that people of higher status won't tolerate someone like you."

The world's strict expectations of women have formed a prejudice over the dynasties. Su Zirui came from a noble family, so he naturally knew how strict those families were when it came to marrying a wife. Although the girl in front of him was a commoner, judging by the Qin family's attitude, she didn't seem to come from a poor family. He didn't know how she developed such a temperament.

To be fair, she was more comfortable like this than those rule-abiding and cowardly people. But for her own good, he should not encourage this kind of personality to continue to show up.

"Master Su, don't worry about that," Aruo raised her eyes, smiling brightly and unconcernedly, "I've decided. I'm going to earn it myself anyway. Instead of earning a dowry and giving it to others, I'd rather earn a betrothal gift! I want to marry someone into my family, and live a wonderful life where I'll be the breadwinner while he cooks for me!"

Su Zirui's breath was choked by the unorthodox remarks. He choked on the tea in his mouth, which was rare. His cold eyes widened into round beads, and he coughed several times before he caught his breath.

"Are you really that surprised?" Aruo was startled by him. She quickly took away the paper filled with the story outline and glared at him with disdain. Two drops of tea that he coughed up splashed onto the back of her hand!

Su Zirui glared back, a rare moment of loss of composure, and Aruo looked away awkwardly. Okay, she knew that what she had just said was a bit too much for someone like him who had received a traditional education.

The two were silent for a moment. The atmosphere was a little strange, but not awkward.

"By the way, have you found out anything about Lord Zhu?" Aruo knew that he had met with the prefect Zhu Jiazhen today, so he quickly changed the topic to a safe one and asked curiously.

"What do you think we should find out?" Seeing her intention to change the subject, he changed into a comfortable sitting position and asked lazily after regaining his elegance.

"I've been asking around these past few days. Master Zhu rose from county magistrate to prefect in just three years. It wouldn't have been possible without some talent. But why did he convict me so easily? It couldn't have been just for a concubine he couldn't get, could it?" Aruo didn't think Zhu Jiazhen was such a sentimental man; his fury didn't fit his character. He arrested her for a bracelet. If someone from the Ministry of Justice hadn't intervened, she would have been hastily convicted. Or was it someone behind Zhu Jiazhen who wanted to convict her?

"It's indeed unusual." Su Zirui frowned slightly. Even she could think of it, but Zhu Jiazhen was slippery and didn't show any sign no matter how she tried to test him.

"Why exactly?" Aruo asked, tilting his head.

"Want to know?" Su Zirui raised his eyebrows, a hint of evil in his eyes.

"Nonsense." This is a matter of life and death.

"What did you say?" Su Zirui's expression suddenly turned cold, and the air pressure around him dropped.

"I mean, if you have any news, please share it with me. Maybe I can think of something that can help." Aruo quickly straightened his face and said righteously.

"If you behave yourself, you'll be helping a lot." Su Zirui said bluntly. Her mischief in the capital was still fresh in his mind, forcing him to be alert in advance.

"Master Su, what you said is wrong. I am one of the victims, and now I am trapped in the official post because I am a suspect. It is understandable that I am anxious about the progress of this case." Aruo argued confidently. She had her own urgency. Qin Zhi was here, and if she delayed any longer, it would be difficult to pass Qin Shuang's test.

"I see you're having a lot of fun here." This place has almost become her home, with visitors constantly coming in. Ignoring her objection, Su Zirui planned to go back to his room to rest, "It's getting late, go to bed early."

"Why do you need to rest? It's only so late." The young people of Da Qi, as long as they go to bed at the end of the Xu hour, they don't have to worry about not being able to sleep in the middle of the night!

Aruo casually picked up the brush and the paper with the outline of the story written on it, hurriedly followed him, and said in a long voice, "Master Su, just think of me as curious. What did Master Zhu say?"

"Miss Qi," Su Zirui suddenly stopped and turned around, looking down at the person who had almost bumped into him. He pursed his lips and whispered sarcastically, "I advise you to stay in the official post station for the next two days. After all... curiosity kills the cat, haven't you heard?"

On the unlit corridor, the man was mostly hidden in the darkness. His calm tone had an eerie air, but his eyes, like those in the cold night, were exceptionally clear, as if giving a warning, or as if he was waiting for his prey to be fooled and preparing to strike back.

Aruo choked and subconsciously stopped walking. It was not until he turned and left meaningfully that she murmured in confusion, "But, I'm not a cat."

She had finally climbed to the top of the food chain, and she didn't even want to be an unqualified poop scooper. How could she become a cat with nine lives?

Sighing, Aruo certainly knew that this might be directed at her, and it would be useless to just run away. Rather than hiding unconsciously, she would rather grasp more information. Even if she couldn't have a God's perspective, she had to see the overall situation.

Just like playing games, it’s best to have a guide, but if not, at least you should know what the levels of the game are.