Chapter 52

After drinking, Duan Kaizhi returned home and couldn't stop thinking about his beautiful wife. He spent the whole night restless and unable to eat or sleep. The next day, he couldn't wait to take Zhao Lian to his study, hoping to ease his longing.

Zhao Lian also wanted to see the beauty, so the two hit it off immediately.

Inside the study, Shen Yao was squatting on the ground, reading books with several hired workers, when she was caught off guard by two young men in fine clothes entering.

She was momentarily blinded, but as the man drew closer, she suddenly recognized him as none other than the lecherous bastard who had flirted with her yesterday! And there was a real bastard, Zhao Lian, by his side!

Shen Yao's expression changed, and she retreated repeatedly like a frightened rabbit, asking in alarm, "What are you doing here?"

Before Duan Kaizhi could say anything, Zhao Lian suddenly opened his fan and waved it, teasingly saying, "Oh, I thought it was some beauty, but it turns out to be Shen... oh wait, your brother is about to marry my sister. What's the name of your brother-in-law's sister?"

Zhao Lian smiled broadly and said, "The relationships are a bit complicated, so I'll call you 'little sister' too."

"Pah!" Shen Yao was immediately furious and pointed at him, cursing, "Who's your sister? Watch your mouth."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Duan Kaizhi, who had been staring at her since she entered the room, and felt increasingly disgusted, as if she had swallowed a fly. "Since you know my surname is Chen, you'd better be sensible and leave quickly. After all, my aunt is an Imperial Noble Consort."

"Moreover, my husband is an official in the Ministry of Justice, and Zhao Lian should know that."

Shen Yao was speaking to Duan Kaizhi.

Sure enough, after she finished speaking, Duan Kaizhi turned to look at Zhao Lian, whose eyes flashed and he nodded, saying, "She is indeed an official of the Ministry of Justice, and her husband is a third-ranked scholar."

The implication is clear: brother, don't even think about it. She has a man, and a man of high status; you can't afford to mess with him.

Shen Yao's heartbeat calmed down, and she smiled at them, "Now that you know, hurry home. I'm busy, so I won't keep you."

She started urging people to leave.

Zhao Lian also looked at Duan Kaizhi, nudged his arm, and said, "Brother, let's go."

Upon hearing this, Duan Kaizhi did not move. Instead, under the shocked gazes of the two, he pulled up a chair and sat down. To appear relaxed, he even crossed his legs and said leisurely, "Who says married women can't have secret meetings? Brother Zhao, you should know that, shouldn't you?"

Zhao Lian: "..."

Shen Yao: "..."

A shameless person is invincible.

When Duan Kaizhi didn't leave, Zhao Lian realized what was happening and took the opportunity to find a chair to sit down. He then quickly closed his folding fan and started tapping it in his hand.

The two of them lingered in the shop like guests.

Shen Yao was dumbfounded. In all her years of life, this was the first time she had ever seen such a "person".

"What exactly do you want?"

Duan Kaizhi said, "Look at the beauty. The environment here is elegant, the atmosphere is rich with books, and with you here, we really don't want to leave."

"If you don't leave, I'll report you to the authorities. The Military Affairs Office isn't far away; if you have the guts, don't leave."

Shen Yao uttered a harsh remark and walked out of the house.

The two sitting down exchanged a glance upon hearing this.

Shen Yao had a bad reputation in the capital, and when she said she would report her to the authorities, she wasn't just joking. Moreover, she had a powerful backer. Therefore, even though Duan Kaizhi was interested in Shen Yao, he only dared to use gentle tactics, harassing her.

The two of them couldn't sit still any longer. Zhao Lian quickly stood up and stopped Shen Yao, laughing, "Why are you so excited? We were just joking with you. We'll take our leave then, until we meet again."

Duan Kaizhi was still stunned when Zhao Lian grabbed his clothes and dragged him away from the study.

Outside the door, Duan Kaizhi slapped Zhao Lian's hand away and gritted his teeth, saying, "She really is a fierce woman; she can turn on you in an instant."

“Her name is renowned throughout the capital; you know that, don’t you?” Zhao Lian replied.

Duan Kaizhi scoffed, "I quite enjoy taming strong-willed women." Then, turning to face Zhao Lian, he asked, "Rumor has it that he's not favored by his husband, is that true?"

Thanks to Liu Ru, Zhao Lian really knew the truth: "Xu Xuan truly despises her. That's why he favors his concubine over his wife, kicking her out of the house and sending her here to sell books."

Duan Kaizhi looked at the plaque of the study and chuckled, "So that's how it is. No wonder officials' wives are still doing business outside."

The two laughed together, and Zhao Lian asked, "Brother Duan, do you have any good ideas?"

"Since she is not loved by her husband, if I treat her with tenderness and care and try to please her, she will surely throw herself into my arms."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lian's eyes lit up, and he immediately patted Duan's shoulder, laughing, "Brother Duan is still a cut above the rest."

Both men were experts in the ways of the world of romance, and when it came to how to please women, they were naturally quite adept. The first step, of course, was to give her gifts—rouge, face powder, hairpins, silks, and so on—buying her one by one.

Later that evening, the scholar's study was filled with all sorts of golden and fragrant items.

"We had a bit of an unpleasant encounter at our first meeting. These are my apologies, please accept them, Madam Shen."

Duan Kaizhi smiled broadly.

Shen Yao was furious. Who would accept his gift? Just as she was about to order someone to throw the things away, Duan Kaizhi spoke up again, "Has Madam Shen ever seen a tiger? Zhao Lian and the others have a tiger in captivity. It's very majestic. Would you like to see it, Madam?"

"Look at your mother's head."

Shen Yao's eyebrows shot up. Without saying a word, she picked up a broom and swung it at Duan Kaizhi, yelling, "Get out of here!"

This outburst of "shrewish" behavior immediately forced Duan Kaizhi to retreat repeatedly, shouting, "Calm down, calm down!"

After driving the person out the door, Shen Yao threw all the eyesores outside and, with her hands on her hips, cursed, "If you dare to come again, I'll have someone take you to the Imperial Prison."

Outside the door, Duan Kaizhi was in a sorry state. While straightening his clothes, he looked up and shouted, "You don't know what's good for you... You just wait."

Duan Kaizhi left angrily. Zhao Lian, who was watching the battle from a distance, saw that he had been humiliated and hurriedly stepped forward and said, "I told you she was not easy to mess with. There are beauties in the capital. Why did you have to hang yourself on one tree?"

Duan Kaizhi's face turned ashen, and he said coldly, "She's not someone to mess with, so I'll take her down anyway."

*

After driving Duan Kaizhi away, Shen Yao was restless. If he could come once, he could come again. How could she open her business in the future if she was constantly harassed?

No, we need to think of a way.

Since this place was close to the Military Affairs Office, Shen Yao quickly decided to take a trip there.

The Military Affairs Office was a small department. When Shen Yao arrived, various yamen runners were running around, and no one greeted her, even though she was a stranger.

However, money can make the devil turn the millstone.

Shen Yao grabbed a constable, stuffed a piece of silver into his hand, and asked with a smile, "Brother, is your commander here? I want to report a crime."

"What is it?" The officer accepted the silver and looked her up and down.

"I run a bookstore, and recently some thugs have been causing trouble for me. Are you going to do anything about it?"

The officer laughed and said, "We usually don't handle these matters, but since you've paid the money, I'll take you to the boss so you can ask him."

"Okay, thank you, brother."

Shen Yao followed the official inside, turned a corner, and stopped outside a hall. The official said, "The boss is inside. Go in by yourself."

After he finished speaking, he took the silver and left quickly.

Shen Yao looked around and saw no one, so she boldly went inside.

"Is anyone home? I'm here to report a crime."

The room was so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat. Shen Yao took one slow, hesitant step after another, her feet feeling like they were walking on cotton, her heart pounding with fear.

After calling out several times with no response, Shen Yao lowered her eyes and belatedly realized that she had probably been deceived.

What bad luck!

Just as she was about to go out, she suddenly heard voices outside the room. Startled, Shen Yao quickly hid behind the bookshelf.

As the door opened, two men walked in through the crack. Shen Yao's heart pounded like a drum. She suddenly realized that she didn't need to hide anymore; she looked like a thief trying to steal secrets.

One wrong step leads to another, and Shen Yao became increasingly frustrated.

The two entered the house and closed the door tightly. Xiao Yang, the commander of the military command, said, "Minister Guo, please sit down. What brings you here today?"

Guo Zheng, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, said, "You don't care about the tigers in Dashilan, but you have to take care of these erotic novels."

Several novels were thrown onto the table with a "thud".

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yang smirked and said, "Didn't you hand this matter over to His Highness the Crown Prince?"

“He’s been busy checking the accounts these past few days, he doesn’t have time for this,” Guo Zheng said, then paused and added, “Managing the market is the job of the Military Command, how can you shirk your responsibility?”

Xiao Yang sighed, “Minister Guo, you don’t know this, but the shopkeeper is especially cunning. Every time we go to search, we always return empty-handed. After a while, no one wants to search anymore. Besides, these books are just for entertainment. I’ve heard that even the emperor in the palace reads them, let alone ordinary people in the city…”

"Nonsense!" Guo Zheng suddenly stood up, pointed at Xiao Yang's nose, and cursed, "You're lazy in your own governance, and you're using the emperor as an excuse. You don't want to be the commander anymore, do you?"

Xiao Yang was scolded, and he lowered his head, sullenly touching his nose, without daring to refute.

Guo Zheng ordered him, "You must lead men to search and confiscate these obscene books as soon as possible, especially in the cellar, where many books are hidden. Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, you must dig them out."

Xiao Yang nodded and said, "Alright, since the Vice Minister has spoken, I will obey. Tomorrow, no, I will take men to search."

Seeing that Xiao Yang had made his stance clear, Guo Zheng's expression softened. "I happen to be free. You can muster your troops now, and I'll go with you."

After discussing their plan, the two quickly went to the main hall. Shen Yao only dared to show herself after the door closed. She still had a pile of forbidden books in the cellar of her study; if they were found, it would be disastrous!

Shen Yao was terrified. She quickly and stealthily pushed open the door, avoiding the officials and constables, and hurried into the study.

Halfway there, Shen Yao had a sudden realization that the place with the most banned books in Dashilan was the Red Powder Beauty Society, where an entire room was stored.

The officials only searched the study, not the societies. If she reported the societies for hiding banned books, wouldn't she be doing a great thing?

The more Shen Yao thought about it, the more delighted she felt, and her feet seemed to fly.

The officers from the Military Command, tasked with searching for banned books, are already heading this way in a large force.

Shen Yao glanced at the leader from afar and recognized him as the one she had just seen in the main hall. Overjoyed, she quickly found a beggar by the roadside, gave him a few pieces of silver, and said, "Brother, lead the officials to a shop."

Shen Yao gave the address, and the beggar looked at the silver in his hand, hesitated for a few moments, and Shen Yao continued to increase the offer, "There will be a reward after the matter is done."

Upon hearing this, the beggar's eyes lit up. He took the silver and ran towards the officials, shouting, "Gentlemen, I know where the forbidden books are! Follow me!"

The beggar led the officials directly to the gang. Shen Yao covered her face with a handkerchief and followed at a distance. When they arrived, the beggar pointed to the gate and said, "The forbidden books are hidden inside. Go and search them quickly."

After he finished speaking, his eyes darted around, and he tried to slip away, but Xiao Yang was prepared. He grabbed Xiao Yang's tattered clothes and sneered, "Where do you think you're going?"

The beggar was kept under guard by the officials.

Xiao Yang looked up at the shop signboard and felt a chill run down his spine. This was the location of the Red Powder Beauty Society. He usually had people avoid this place during his patrols, but since Guo Zheng was here today, he couldn't make things convenient for him.

Alright, let's search then. Let's give those bastards a warning!

At Xiao Yang's command, thirty constables immediately broke down the gate and stormed in.

What are you trying to do?

Everyone in the store was astonished.

Xiao Yang glanced around and saw that they were all hired helpers; the playboys were nowhere to be seen. He then said, "Someone reported that you were hiding forbidden books. The Military Affairs Department has come to confiscate them. Everyone, stand still."

His voice was loud enough that Shen Yao could hear him clearly even standing in the crowd outside the door.

Soon, a constable ran over to report, "Commander, we've discovered a room full of forbidden books."

Xiao Yang hurriedly followed, and when he reappeared, he was holding several thick books. He suddenly threw the books on the ground and shouted angrily, "Where is everyone? Who is the manager here?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged, slightly overweight man stepped forward timidly, his face ashen, and said, "Sir, this is where I am in charge."

Xiao Yang squinted at him, and the man became even more alarmed, his forehead covered in sweat even in the dead of winter.

Time seemed to freeze.

After a long pause, Xiao Yang finally asked, "Where did these books come from?"

With evidence piled up all around, the butler couldn't deny it even if he wanted to, so he could only tell the truth: "They were all bought from various bookstores, not privately printed."

Printing banned books is illegal, and according to the law, the punishment ranges from a beating and a fine to exile; however, buying banned books will at most result in a few strokes of the cane, as the law does not punish the masses.

Xiao Yang understood and asked again, "Which bookstores did you buy them from? If you tell the truth, you can avoid being flogged."

The housekeeper's heart skipped a beat, and Shen Yao's heart skipped a beat as well, even though she was outside the door.

This is terrible!

It's as if she lifted a stone only to drop it on her own foot.

Shen Yao hurriedly turned around and ran back to her study.

Meanwhile, to avoid punishment, the steward had already submitted the account book, which detailed the purchase records, dates, quantities, and amounts of books purchased... No one from the dozen or so bookstores in Dashilan was spared; all of them were recorded in the book.

Xiao Yang looked at the list and immediately laughed. With this list, he wouldn't even need to think; he could get things done.

He handed the ledger to Guo Zheng and asked, "Minister Guo, what do you think?"

"What are you still looking at... just arrest people from the list."

The two agreed, and so a massive "encirclement and suppression" operation began on an ordinary evening.

Upon receiving their orders, the constables immediately sprang into action. Finding a study, they rushed in, seized people, searched for books, ransacked the place, and created chaos, making a complete ruckus.

All the shopkeepers of the Dashilan Bookstore were arrested and taken to Bingmasi Prison.

Shen Yao was no exception.

Last time it was because of listening to audiobooks, this time it's because of selling books; she seems to have a knack for dealing with books.

Inside the prison, apart from her being the only woman, the other fourteen people were all male managers, so she was kept in solitary confinement.

The winter night was bitterly cold. When she was arrested, she had specially put on a thick cloak, but in the darkness without charcoal fire, the cold air went straight from her feet to her chest.

Shen Yao couldn't help but sneeze, sniffed, and then curled up into a ball, shrinking into the dark corner.

She suddenly remembered that on a similarly cold night, she and Wei Luo were tied up in a dilapidated temple. Snow was falling heavily, and a strong wind was blowing, making the temple sway.

How did they spend that time?

Oh, right, it's fire!

She started the fire, and Wei Luo helped her. The two of them huddled together, spending the cold, biting night together.

But tonight, he was no longer by her side. Only then did Shen Yao realize she missed him.

*

Inside the Cining Palace, after returning from the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters, Wei Luo ate, washed up, and then checked the roster. The emperor was pressing for time, and he barely had time to catch his breath.

On the table, the candlelight burned quietly, its pale yellow glow highlighting his gentle features and softening the lines of his profile, making him resemble a handsome scholar in an ancient painting.

Liu Heng approached, placed the ginger and jujube tea aside, and said softly, "Your Highness, have some tea to ward off the cold."

"good."

Wei Luo put down his pen, picked up the bowl and gulped down the contents. After handing the bowl to Liu Heng, he suddenly asked him, "Have you found out who lives next door to the Shen family?"

Previously, Wei Luo had asked Liu Heng to buy the house next to Master Shen's.

Liu Heng was taken aback and replied, "I asked, and they all belong to officials and their families; they won't sell."

"What about raising the price?"

Liu Heng shook his head, "That location is excellent, surrounded by high-ranking officials and dignitaries, even if the price is increased, it won't be sold."

Wei Luo frowned slightly, his expression somewhat unpleasant, and then asked again, "You haven't been lying to me, have you?"

Liu Heng hurriedly replied, "I wouldn't dare. Heaven and earth bear witness, Your Highness is my master, how could I dare to deceive you?"

Wei Luo's complexion improved slightly.

Liu Heng watched this unfold, feeling a pang of sadness. He had served His Highness for many years, yet he was no match for Shen Yao and Wei Luo, who had managed to completely captivate Wei Luo's soul in just over half a month. Now, even he himself was losing faith in them.

Are women really that good?

Liu Heng suddenly felt jealous. He resented Shen Yao for taking Wei Luo away, for stealing Wei Luo's dependence and trust from him.

So he wanted to win Wei Luo back, and asked, "Does Your Highness believe in love?"

“Of course,” Wei Luo answered readily. “Just like I admire A Yao, A Yao also admires me. We are mutually attracted and have a deep connection.”

"Is Your Highness certain that Shen Yao loves you?"

"certainly."

Liu Heng lifted his eyelids and smiled, "That's it."

Wei Luo looked at him and asked curiously, "What is it?"

“Young people’s love is fickle and not from the heart,” Liu Heng explained. “She liked Xu Xuan so much, but she fell in love with someone else in such a short time. This shows that fickleness is the true nature of romantic relationships.”

Finally, Liu Heng didn't forget to remind Wei Luo, "Your Highness is simple-minded, don't be fooled by women. She's Consort Shen's niece, and she's learned all sorts of seductive arts. She might just be here to seduce Your Highness and extract information..."

"Shut up." Wei Luo's expression changed drastically, his bright eyes seemed to spit fire. He raised his hand, pointed at Liu Heng, and cursed, "Get out."

Liu Heng remained calm. After hesitating for a few moments, he stepped out of the room. Perhaps feeling that his life was too long, he turned back as he left and said, "Your Highness, this servant dares to bet that Shen Yao will definitely dislike Your Highness in a month."

The incessant chatter and attempts to sow discord made Wei Luo so angry that her lips trembled. She grabbed a book from the table and threw it at Liu Heng, yelling, "Get out!"

Liu Heng was scolded away, but Wei Luo was so provoked by him that he could no longer calm down, and his chest felt like it was blocked and painful.

He simply closed the roster, lay down on the bed fully clothed, and stared blankly with his eyes open, using his arm as a pillow.

Those past scenes flashed through his mind one by one, some of him and Shen Yao, some of Shen Yao and Xu Xuan. Several scenes intertwined, and Liu Heng's words "fickle" suddenly rang in his ears.

I'll probably have trouble sleeping tonight.