Chapter 98 Chapu Chenye He nodded slightly, "What Yaoyao said is very true..."
The river wind, carrying a chill, swept across the rows of warehouses and barns along the dock.
The musty smell mingled with the fishy odor of the river, permeating the cramped, enclosed space. The only source of light came from a few pale rays of moonlight filtering through the cracks in the sealed wooden planks above, outlining two blurry figures.
Xie Jingqiu leaned against the corner of the wall, staring at the position of the moonlight, silently calculating the time in his mind.
Shen Xiaoshan held his breath and pressed his ear against the wall, carefully discerning the sounds outside.
"It'll be soon," he whispered. "It's time for them to change shifts."
Xie Jingqiu nodded and used her silver hairpin to forcefully carve a mark where the moonlight lingered. They were trying to figure out the changing times of the guards outside, hoping for a chance to survive.
Even if we've done our best to get the message out, we can't just sit here and wait to die.
As the noise subsided, Shen Xiaoshan sat up again, staring at the several marks on the ground, and asked, "Miss Xie, do you think they can discover the strangeness of that hairpin?"
"Yes, she will." Her voice was soft, but unusually certain. "At least, Sister Lingyao will definitely find out."
Shen Xiaoshan nodded. "Yes, Miss Meng is very observant; she will definitely recognize it. Once they discover the clues, they will take action. If Commander Yuan is desperate, we must be prepared."
Xie Jingqiu took a deep breath and gripped the sharpened silver hairpin tightly. This was her only "weapon." "I will try my best not to hold you back."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoshan raised his head, looked at her with a firm gaze, and said, "I will protect Miss with my life."
Suddenly, some unusual noises came from outside. The two men perked up and exchanged a wary glance—an opportunity might be coming.
The Chapu Wharf under the cover of night is not entirely silent. The dark shadows of the cargo ships loom, their masts forming a forest, and the river wind whistles through the ropes, masking many subtle movements.
Pei Xu was dressed in a black night-clothes, almost blending into the darkness. Behind him were a dozen or so guards, all dressed similarly and exuding a sharp aura.
"Sir, confirmed. Warehouse No. 3, Class C. There are four guards, two at the gate and two patrolling the flanks. They just changed shifts about half an incense stick ago." A subordinate in charge of reconnaissance returned silently like a ghost and reported in a low voice.
Pei Xu nodded and waved his hand gently. The people behind him immediately understood and silently dispersed, like drops of water merging into the night, surrounding the warehouse.
Inside the garrison headquarters, Yuan Chengde was brimming with self-satisfaction. Xie Chong'an had already sent someone to deliver a message; although he still maintained his aloof demeanor, he had clearly softened his stance and agreed to "consider."
The old fox ultimately couldn't resist the pull of family ties and self-interest, and has given in.
He washed his hands, leisurely went to the Buddhist hall to offer incense, and began to plan how to use the Xie family as leverage to not only force Pei Xu to back down, but also to turn the tables and bind the Xie family to his own cause.
In this way, the Third Prince will surely look at him differently.
"Report—" A trusted aide rushed in, looking slightly uneasy. "Sir, something seems amiss at the docks..."
Yuan Chengde frowned. "What is it?"
“One of the undercover brothers said that he seemed to see some dark figures going towards the C-class warehouse, but they disappeared in a flash. He was not sure if he had just imagined it.”
Yuan Chengde's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition suddenly arose. Xie Chong'an had just given his consent, and now something strange was happening at the dock? Was it a coincidence, or... was that old fox playing tricks?
"Send more men to the docks immediately! Search thoroughly!" he ordered sternly, rising abruptly to grab his sword. He had to confirm it himself; he couldn't afford any slip-ups at this critical juncture!
Two guards patrolling near the flank of the warehouse felt a gust of wind behind their necks. Before they could react, they were struck by a swift and precise hand chop. They groaned and collapsed to the ground, where they were quickly dragged away by the shadowy figure.
Almost simultaneously, two guards at the warehouse's main entrance met the same fate. They were dozing against the doorframe when suddenly their mouths were covered, a cold blade pressed against their throats, and a deep voice whispered in their ears, "Don't move, or you'll die!" Instantly, their jaws were dislocated, they were bound tightly, and their mouths were gagged.
A dark figure drew a specially made thin blade, inserted it into the crack in the door, and gently pried open the latch. Within a few breaths, a barely audible "click" was heard, and the latch was opened.
Pei Xu narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a low voice, "Enter."
As everyone rushed into the warehouse, a silver light greeted them. Pei Xu reached out and grasped it, only to meet a pair of bright eyes.
"My lord!" Shen Xiaoshan exclaimed in surprise, then withdrew the silver hairpin. His movements faltered slightly, but he still insisted on bowing with clasped hands. "Your subordinate is incompetent."
Pei Xu's gaze swept over the faintly red wound seeping from his arm, and he said succinctly, "It's good that you're alright."
"Lord Pei!" Xie Jingqiu's tense nerves relaxed instantly upon seeing the newcomer, and he almost lost his balance. "Thank you for saving me, sir."
"This place is no place to stay any longer, let's go quickly." Pei Xu had no time to say more and signaled his two guards to leave immediately.
Just as they were about to rush out of the warehouse, a large number of torches suddenly lit up in the distance of the dock, and heavy footsteps, like the beating of drums, came from afar, accompanied by the clanging of armor clashing.
"Sir! It's Commander Yuan! He's brought a large number of troops!" the subordinate in charge of perimeter security reported urgently.
Pei Xu's eyes instantly turned icy cold. Yuan Shoubei's arrival was unexpected, indicating that the other side was not entirely unprepared.
"Ah Wu!" He made a quick decision and called to the leader of the secret guards, "You take two people to escort Miss Xie and Xiao Shan through the western waterway. The rest of you, follow me to block the enemy."
“My lord…” Shen Xiaoshan looked at him, “I still have the strength to fight.” The enemy has a large number of people and is powerful. Leaving someone behind to cover the rear would be extremely dangerous.
Pei Xu didn't look at him; his gaze was already fixed on the approaching flames outside the warehouse. He said calmly, "Leave immediately."
"Yes," Shen Xiaoshan replied through gritted teeth.
A-Wu and the others dared not delay. They immediately protected the two men and, using the shadow of the cargo pile, rushed towards the west side of the dock.
Pei Xu slowly drew his longsword from his waist. The blade reflected the firelight filtering in from outside the warehouse, gleaming with a cold, autumn-water-like light. Behind him, the remaining men also drew their weapons, advancing instead of retreating, to meet the approaching firelight and footsteps.
Yuan Shoubei, clad in full armor and wielding a long sword, arrived surrounded by a squad of personal guards. The firelight illuminated his face, contorted with rage. He immediately spotted Pei Xu, sword in hand, standing before the warehouse, and Xie Jingqiu and the others, who were barely visible among the piles of goods, rushing towards the riverbank.
"Pei Xu! It really was you!" His eyes were bloodshot as he drew his sword and pointed it at Pei Xu. "Take him down! Kill him without mercy!"
He was both shocked and furious. He hadn't expected Pei Xu to find this place so accurately, and he certainly hadn't expected that old scoundrel Xie Chong'an would dare to set him up in secret.
At this moment, he no longer cared about the Xie family's young lady or the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. As long as he killed Pei Xu and the others here and captured Xie Jingqiu to silence her, there would be no way to prove anything!
"Commander Yuan, you have set up a private prison and kidnapped officials' families. The evidence is conclusive. How dare you resist?" Pei Xu's voice was cold and clear, carrying a powerful and intimidating force in the night.
"Still talking tough even when you're about to die! Fire the arrows!" Commander Yuan ordered with a sinister grin.
Several arrows came flying through the air, but Pei Xu and his men were all experts. With swift movements, they either parried or dodged, and most of the arrows missed their mark. Those that did get close were cleaved in two by the blade.
"Charge! Surround them!" Seeing that the arrows were not very effective, Commander Yuan immediately ordered his personal guards to advance and surround them.
The docks were instantly engulfed in chaos. The sounds of clashing swords, shouts, and screams filled the air.
Although Pei Xu's side was outnumbered, each member was a formidable fighter capable of taking on ten men. Forming a battle formation, they fought fiercely against an enemy force several times their size. His longsword moved like a dragon, and with each flash of its light, an enemy would fall. He deliberately steered the battle in the opposite direction from Xie Jingqiu's retreat.
On the other side, A-Wu and the others, protecting Xie Jingqiu and Shen Xiaoshan, had approached the western waterway. Just then, shouts of battle suddenly rose from the flank, and a group of about ten ambushers rushed out of the shadows, cutting off their path.
"Miss, please board the ship first!" Ignoring his shoulder injury, Shen Xiaoshan rushed forward, drew the soft sword from A Wu's waist, and faced the oncoming enemy. The soft sword seemed to have a life of its own in his hands, deftly entangled the steel blade of an enemy soldier, and with a quick pull, the enemy soldier lost his momentum and fell forward. Shen Xiaoshan kicked him hard in the chest, sending him flying backward.
A-Wu and two other guards also rushed forward, engaging the ambush troops in fierce combat. Xie Jingqiu was protected in the middle, watching the intense battle before her, her palms sweating profusely. She bit her lower lip tightly, forcing herself to remain calm.
The river wind howled, and the firelight reflected the glint of swords and the clash of spears—the situation was critical!
At the critical moment, another unexpected change occurs—
"Woo-woo-woo-woo-"
A deep and majestic bugle call suddenly rang out from the entrance of the dock. Immediately afterwards, torches, like a long dragon, illuminated the entire Chapu dock as bright as day. A large number of soldiers in standard armor, carrying long spears and crossbows, surged in like a tide, surrounding everyone in the melee in the blink of an eye.
A huge banner reading "Jinling Prefecture" stood out prominently in the firelight.
A middle-aged official, dressed in a scarlet robe and with a lean and solemn face, stepped forward under heavy guard. He was none other than Fang Huaiqing, the prefect of Jinling.
"Stop!" Prefect Fang's voice boomed. "Commander Yuan, Lord Pei, what kind of behavior is this, using weapons to fight privately at this dock in the dead of night? What is the purpose of this?"
The chaotic battle came to an abrupt end.
Commander Yuan's expression froze for a moment, then he turned to look at Prefect Fang, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before he was overjoyed.
In a flash, he pointed at Pei Xu and said, "Lord Fang! You've come at the right time! Pei Shaoqing led his men to break into the dock warehouse late at night and attacked my soldiers. His behavior is suspicious, and I suspect he has ulterior motives. I am about to arrest him! I beg Lord Fang to uphold justice!"
Fang Huaiqing's daughter married into the Wuxing Marquis's household, becoming the eldest daughter-in-law. The Wuxing Marquis's household also had a marriage alliance with the Cui family. Over the years, Prefect Fang, though not involved in their affairs, had not taken any unnecessary actions either.
Even if he wouldn't openly help him today, he certainly wouldn't stand up against him at this moment. Thinking of this, Commander Yuan felt somewhat relieved.
Prefect Fang's gaze swept over the mess and bloodstains on the ground, looking at the dead or wounded soldiers, and finally landed on Commander Yuan's seemingly indignant face. He did not immediately respond to his accusations, but asked in a deep voice, "Commander Yuan, what is the purpose of mobilizing so many troops and gathering them at the dock in the middle of the night? And why did Lord Pei clash with you here?"
Seeing that he did not immediately reprimand Pei Xu, Commander Yuan's heart sank slightly. He still followed the words he had just prepared and said passionately, "Reporting to Your Excellency! I received intelligence that bandits were coveting the grain transported to the docks, so I personally led troops to patrol and set up defenses. Unexpectedly, I came across Pei Xu committing violence here. When he realized that his plan had been exposed, he brazenly resisted and killed and wounded many of my soldiers. His heart is despicable! His actions are despicable!"
After listening to him finish speaking, Prefect Fang remained noncommittal, then turned to Pei Xu and asked in a calm tone, "Young Master Pei, what do you have to say?"
Pei Xu sheathed his sword, his expression calm. He looked at Prefect Fang, cupped his hands, and said, "Prefect Fang, I have been ordered to investigate this case and have obtained conclusive evidence. Garrison Commander Yuan colluded with the Cui family to illegally establish mines throughout Jinling, abducting and killing people, and also smuggling weapons for personal gain. After his crimes were exposed, he became so audacious as to kidnap the Xie family's daughter, intending to coerce others and interfere with the investigation. We have both witnesses and physical evidence; please investigate thoroughly, Prefect Fang."
"Your Excellency, I was abducted here by Commander Yuan. Minister Pei has come to rescue me." Xie Jingqiu stumbled over and became the most compelling witness in Pei Xu's statement.
Prefect Fang's face darkened completely. "Commander Yuan! What else do you have to say in your defense?"
Yuan Shoubei trembled. He hadn't expected Pei Xu to reveal his trump card so directly. What chilled him even more was Fang Huaiqing! Instead of taking down Pei Xu as he had expected, he questioned him sharply!
He was drenched in cold sweat, knowing the situation was hopeless, but still wanted to make one last desperate attempt, he hissed, "Lord Fang! Don't listen to their one-sided story, it's a frame-up! I am a fourth-rank official of the imperial court, they have no evidence whatsoever..."
“Evidence?” Pei Xu’s face was as cold as frost. “Commander Yuan, your secret letters with the Cui family, the ledgers of the private mine, and your actions tonight in mobilizing troops to besiege me—aren’t they all irrefutable evidence? Do I need to bring those piles of white bones at the foot of Xiuyai Mountain to Lord Fang as well?”
“Yuan Chengde, your crimes are numerous and the evidence is irrefutable! How dare you still use your clever words to frame an official of the imperial court?” Prefect Fang said coldly, “You have already committed heinous crimes by illegally operating mines and harming the people! Kidnapping officials’ families is an even greater crime! How can this prefect tolerate you?”
Yuan Shoubei swayed, his face ashen. He suddenly raised his head, as if grasping at the last straw, and growled, "Fang Huaiqing, you...you mustn't forget who's behind me! Everything I've done, three..."
"Take him down!" Prefect Fang didn't allow him to utter the name at all. His voice was stern, and he waved his hand sharply. "Commander Yuan's crimes are heinous, and the evidence is conclusive! Remove his armor from his uniform, and arrest all his accomplices! Keep them under strict guard!"
"Yes, sir!" The soldiers responded in unison, their voices echoing through the night sky as they surged forward.
Seeing that all was lost, the guards around Commander Yuan abandoned their weapons. He tried to struggle, but several spears approached, their cold tips pressed against his throat. His venomous gaze was fixed on Pei Xu and Prefect Fang. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He could only let the soldiers roughly remove his armor, tie his arms behind his back, and bind him like livestock awaiting slaughter.
The tense atmosphere at the dock only eased slightly after Commander Yuan was taken away.
Pei Xu bowed solemnly to Prefect Fang again, saying, "Thank you, Magistrate Fang, for arriving in time to uphold justice. Otherwise, the consequences tonight would have been unimaginable."
Prefect Fang sighed, stepped forward to offer a slight helping hand, and said in a low voice, "Your Excellency, there's no need for such formality. I am merely upholding justice and maintaining the law."
Accompanied by his family guards, Xie Chong'an arrived at the dock. The old man walked steadily, his face calm, showing no sign of distress. After scanning the entire area and confirming that his granddaughter was safe, he breathed a sigh of relief without making a sound. He walked up to Prefect Fang and Pei Xu, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Fang, Lord Pei, I thank you both for saving my granddaughter."
“Grandfather.” Xie Jingqiu walked to his side, her eyes slightly red.
Xie Chong'an gently patted his granddaughter's hand.
Prefect Fang quickly scanned the scene before him and said solemnly to Pei Xu, "Minister Pei, although Garrison Commander Yuan has been captured, his accomplices are not yet exterminated, and several private mines must be sealed off immediately to prevent the thieves from destroying evidence. This case is of great importance and involves many people. The subsequent trial will require your full attention, and I will do my best to cooperate."
Pei Xusu said solemnly, "Lord Fang, rest assured, I will certainly handle this matter strictly according to the law and report the facts to His Majesty."
Prefect Fang nodded and said to Xie Chong'an, "Old Master, your granddaughter has been frightened. Please return to the mansion to settle her down as soon as possible. The docks can be handled by this prefecture."
Xie Chong'an thanked him again and left with Xie Jingqiu. Before leaving, Xie Jingqiu paused slightly and cast a grateful glance at Chen Xiaoshan.
The storm subsided, and the Chapu Wharf fell silent. The bright lights illuminated the still-wet bloodstains and scattered weapons on the ground, silently recounting the fierce battle that had just taken place. Soldiers began collecting the bodies and detaining the prisoners, all in an orderly fashion.
The two discussed the details of the follow-up actions in hushed tones for a few more minutes before Pei Xu took his leave.
The gate to the mansion was gently pushed open, bringing in a scent of night dew and a faint smell of blood.
Meng Lingyao, who had been standing by the window gazing at the deep night outside, turned around upon hearing the sound, quickly approached, and asked, "You're back? How did it go?"
Pei Xu closed the door behind him. Seeing her like this, the weariness and coldness between his brows unconsciously dissipated a bit. "Yes. The person has been rescued, and Commander Yuan was arrested on the spot by Prefect Fang."
"That's good." She breathed a sigh of relief and gently pushed the teacup that had been kept warm on the small table by the window toward him.
Pei Xu picked up the cup of tea, which was at the perfect temperature, and slowly drank it down. The warmth went down his throat, dispelling some of the chill of the late night. He put down the teacup, looked into Meng Lingyao's eyes, and said, "Today, Prefect Fang's arrival was very timely. Yaoyao has made a great contribution."
Meng Lingyao raised an eyebrow. "You flatter me, Shaoqing. I just happen to get along well with Sister Fang and we occasionally exchange letters. When we were in the territory under her father's jurisdiction, we talked a bit more."
"Yaoyao's wide circle of friends always amazes me." He had never paid attention to the affairs of women before, but recently he had seen her quarrel with the women of the Marquis of Wuxing's mansion. However, she had seriously embarrassed Madam Cui, and Madam Cui's youngest daughter and eldest daughter-in-law did not seem to hold a grudge against her.
"Sister Fang is very understanding and insightful." Meng Lingyao sighed, resting her chin on her hand. "The Marquis of Wuxing is truly honored to have her."
Actually, it was Fang Qing who started the relationship between her and him.
Meng Lingyao still remembers that it must have been not long after she rejected the marriage proposal from the Marquis of Wuxing's family. One day, Fang Qing came to Juxianglou and said that he was not good at dressing up and asked her to choose some rouge and face powder for him.
Since the business was offered to her and the other party was very nice, she didn't refuse. She picked out several items and also mentioned some matching clothes and jewelry. They got into a good chat, and she even did Fang Qing's makeup herself.
Fang Qing looked at himself in the mirror, smiled and said to Meng Lingyao, "Someone as bright and beautiful as Miss Meng should not come to the Marquis of Wuxing's mansion."
Meng Lingyao knew that they could become friends.
"To receive such praise from Yaoyao shows her wisdom."
Meng Lingyao snapped out of her daze and said matter-of-factly, "Of course. As for you, after this incident, there must be countless things to deal with afterwards."
Pei Xu spoke calmly, revealing little emotion, "Although Commander Yuan has been removed, the connections behind him still need to be clarified. Indeed, this is only the beginning."
Meng Lingyao said softly, "At least, this step has been taken relatively steadily. The rest can be done step by step."
Pei Xu turned his head and met her gaze; there was an unspoken understanding between them.
He nodded slightly. "What Yaoyao said is absolutely right."
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Author's note: Didn't I just go to work yesterday? Why do I have to go again tomorrow?!
And the Jinling instance is finally coming to an end; it had so many more words than I expected! [emoji]
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