Chapter 118 (This is a phrase that doesn't translate directly, but it implies a sense of agonizing anticipation or frustration.)
Xiao Yunzhan got angry and was about to refute Wang Jingya's audacity when Pei Zhiwei gently pressed his wrist down.
Her eyes were clear and bright. She shook her head slightly at him, then turned to Wang Jingya, "Why did you send all the evidence to the capital, Madam?"
Wang Jingya picked up the teacup on the table, took a slow sip, and the steam from the tea blurred the emotions in her eyes: "In Yangzhou, far from the emperor's reach, anything can disappear silently."
But the capital city is different; it's right under the emperor's nose.
Moreover, Xu's Pawnshop has been established in the capital for decades, its influence deeply entrenched, with complex networks of connections and intricate accounts. Unless something truly outrageous happens, no one dares to easily touch it.
Pei Zhiwei pressed further: "But the capital is full of powerful and influential people. Aren't you afraid that the pawnshop staff might be bribed, or that they might be greedy and betray you?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Jingya suddenly chuckled, "Young lady, you're still too young and don't understand how to manage people's hearts."
For over twenty years, I never stopped scheming.
I delivered supplies to the soldiers, ultimately for Brother Cui's sake.
I manage the Xu family's businesses to build up the confidence that no one can easily harm the people I want to protect.
I have secretly set up operations in various places, saving countless people on the verge of death. Many of them were taken in and nurtured by me when they were still children, and now they have formed at least two generations of trusted followers.
Let's not even mention the immense kindness I've shown them.
"Because their families are under my control and their futures are entirely in my grasp, even if someone offers them a fortune, they would never dare to betray me easily."
As she spoke, her tone softened, "It will just be a pity for Brother Cui to make a trip to the capital in person."
The pawnshop owner only recognizes you. Without your personal presence, even if I went, I wouldn't be able to produce those items.
"What if I die?" Cui Yanwu asked calmly, as if he were talking about something insignificant, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
The smile on Wang Jingya's face vanished instantly, the air around her seemed to freeze, and her eyes were frighteningly sinister.
"Then this evidence will spread overnight throughout all the prefectures, counties, and towns where the Xu family's businesses are located."
Every citizen would receive a copy containing a detailed account of official embezzlement, accounts of smuggling people by wealthy families, plans to rob Uyghur caravans, and other shady transactions.
Do you think the people will react then?
The room fell into a deathly silence the moment those words were spoken.
Xie Ji was so shocked that he couldn't close his mouth.
If ordinary people knew that those in power were so despicable, using their hard-earned money to line their own pockets and colluding with foreign powers to harm their fellow countrymen, the consequences would likely be far more serious than just political turmoil.
Once the pent-up resentment erupts, it could unleash a massive wave, with rebellion being the least of the problems.
After a long silence, Cui Yanwu said with a hint of helplessness, "You're really getting crazier and crazier."
His gaze fell on the dagger at Wang Jingya's waist, which didn't match her outfit at all.
"I gave you this dagger back then so that you could sever ties with the past."
Protect yourself, live a good life, but I never expected...
He lowered his eyes to conceal his emotions, then suddenly sighed deeply, as if making a decision.
"Well, it's too late to say anything more now."
When he looked up again, he had regained his usual composure. Just as he was about to speak, Wang Jingya's eyes welled up with tears. She smiled and waved her hand, her tone tinged with self-deprecation.
"Brother Cui, I know you still don't have me in your heart."
Back then, you wouldn't let me stay by your side because you were afraid that if something happened to you, I would disregard everything and use the power of the Cui and Wang families to cause chaos.
Even now, after all I've done, you still won't be with me.
She raised her hand and gently wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, her movements soft but her tone unusually firm: "Do you know why I'm so devoted to you?"
Firstly, I'm stubborn; once I've decided on someone, I won't let go.
Secondly, you have never lied to me.
You had a million ways to politely reject me, but you bluntly told me it was because of my bad temper that you wouldn't be with me.
“It’s alright,” she said, a relieved smile returning to her face.
"Anyway, I've been doing quite well all these years. Life is only a few decades long, so we're doing just fine like this."
You guard your homeland and its people, I will protect the one I love; may we both find peace.
Pei Zhiwei looked at the tears still glistening in her eyes and couldn't help but ask, "You've done so much, even risking the world for it. Aren't you afraid that His Majesty will punish you if he finds out?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Jingya smiled even more calmly: "His Majesty knows."
He once said that although Brother Cui and I were both crazy, we were not on the same path.
Brother Cui's reins are the reins of the nation, the common people, and even the Cui family.
My only reins are Brother Cui. As long as the Emperor doesn't suspect Brother Cui without reason, I'll be more obedient than anyone else.
Everything I did was to protect him, something His Majesty understood more than twenty years ago.
Cui Yanwu suddenly stood up, his movements swift and decisive, and asked Wang Jingya, "Do you have anything else to say?"
Wang Jingya slowly stood up, her plain-colored dress swaying slightly, her tone calm and even: "I've said everything I needed to say."
Cui Yanwu said no more, turned around and walked towards the door with steady steps, without the slightest hesitation.
Wang Jingya bowed deeply to his retreating figure, her posture respectful.
Seeing this, Xiao Yunzhan, Pei Zhiwei, and the others followed suit, tacitly leaving space for each other.
Just as Cui Yanwu reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned around abruptly.
As if they had planned it in advance, everyone quickly dispersed to both sides, making way for the two of them.
Cui Yanwu bowed deeply towards Wang Jingya, his voice loud and clear, filled with unspeakable solemnity: "On behalf of the soldiers who have received the kindness of Lady Jingya over the past twenty years, Cui Yanwu expresses his gratitude!"
Wang Jingya did not get up, remaining in the bowing posture, looking up at him with a slightly teasing tone: "And then?"
Cui Yanwu maintained his bowing posture but remained silent, as if the air around him had frozen.
Wang Jingya suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter hearty and tinged with smugness: "Brother Cui, you wouldn't even do what an ordinary man would do, feigning deep affection and saying 'I'll repay you in the next life'."
Everyone thought she was about to get angry, but to their surprise, she changed the subject, her eyes shining, her tone full of pride: "As expected of the person I, Wang Jingya, admire, so upright and frank."
"You may leave."
Xiao Yunzhan and the others exchanged bewildered glances, speechless. The way these two interacted was something they simply couldn't understand.
Cui Yanwu didn't hesitate. Upon hearing this, he straightened up, turned around, and walked out without looking back, his back as upright as a pine tree.
The group left the Xu residence and returned to Yaoguang Garden, where they discussed matters overnight.
Xiao Yunzhan laid out the evidence on the table one by one, his brows furrowed: "The things we have now are too far-reaching. If we delay, things may change."
"It would be better to take the existing evidence, escort Zhang Xuren and Wang Heng back to the capital as soon as possible, and present it to His Majesty."
Pei Lin nodded in agreement: "What Prince Rui said makes sense."
However, as the military governor of Huainan, Lord Cui cannot leave the territory without authorization. He must first submit a memorial to His Majesty explaining the situation, and only after receiving the imperial decree can he depart.
Cui Yanwu sat to the side, his expression calm: "I will assist Liu Jingchang in handling the aftermath of the Yangdu incident properly."
"I will personally deliver the evidence that we didn't have time to collect to His Majesty in the capital. You can proceed on your journey with peace of mind."
In the following days, the atmosphere in Yaoguang Garden became somewhat subtle.
Pei Zhiwei, Xie Ji, and even the usually composed Xiao Yunzhan kept glancing at Cui Yanwu, all harboring a lot of questions, but none of them dared to speak up easily.
They all wanted to know what Cui Yanwu's true feelings were for Wang Jingya, but seeing his calm and composed demeanor, they swallowed their words several times before they could speak.
He was so frustrated that he would beat his chest and stamp his feet every night, even dreaming about how the other two hadn't asked first!
The day of departure arrived in the blink of an eye. At the gate of Yangdu, carriages and horses were ready, and yamen runners escorted prisoners such as Zhang Xuren and Wang Heng, all with solemn expressions.
Cui Yanwu walked up to Xie Ji, grabbed him by the back of his collar like he was holding a chick, and said to Xiao Yunzhan:
“Your journey is fraught with danger. This kid may not have many other skills, but his martial arts are passable. He can be of great help to you if he follows you.”
He's been out enjoying himself for too long; it's time to go back and settle down, and get some real experience.
Xie Ji struggled and twisted his body, shouting, "I won't go with them!"
You're in more danger than anyone else right now. Those people will definitely target you. I have to stay with you and protect you!
Cui Yanwu scoffed, "You?"
"I'm not old enough for a kid like you to protect me."
Xiao Yunzhan advised, "Lord Cui, Xie Ji is right. Why not let him come with you? It would be good to have someone to look after you."
Cui Yanwu shook his head, his eyes sharp: "I am neither arrogant nor reckless. I will inform His Majesty of my arrival in the capital and make thorough preparations."
Think about it, if you were those people behind the scenes, who would you choose to target?
"Am I, the military governor leading troops back to the capital, or are you, this group escorting prisoners, carrying evidence, and dragging along the elderly, women, and children?"
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Pei Lin and Pei Zhiwei.
Pei Lin's kung fu was indeed ordinary. Although Pei Zhiwei was skilled in lightness skills, his fist and foot techniques were ultimately lacking.
Xiao Yunzhan knew that Cui Yanwu was right; their journey was truly fraught with danger.
The evidence could be destroyed with a single fire, and Zhang Xuren and his associates could cut off the trail by leaving no survivors.
They are indeed more like pushovers.
"Then let Xie Ji come with us." Xiao Yunzhan no longer stood on ceremony.
Xie Ji also understood the situation and stopped protesting. He said to Cui Yanwu somewhat reluctantly, "Then Xiaodouzi is in your care. You must take good care of him."
Cui Yanwu laughed and said, "You don't need to worry about that kid at all."
Now Wu Xing treats him like his own son, and is thinking of teaching him all his best skills.
"If you really take him away, I reckon Wu Xing will have to sneak off to the capital and bring that kid back."
He then turned to Xiao Yunzhan and said solemnly, "Leave the rest of the matters in Yangdu City to me."
"I'll keep an eye on Liu Jingchang's situation. I'll handle the resettlement of the missing girls and the cleanup of Xinluofang properly. I'll take all the evidence directly to the capital."
After everyone bid farewell, Xiao Yunzhan mounted his horse and waved, saying, "Take care, Lord Cui. See you in the capital."
"Take care on your journey." Cui Yanwu nodded, watching the convoy slowly drive away from Yangdu City.
The caravan traveled along the official road toward the capital, traveling day and night without daring to delay in the slightest.
That afternoon, when the sun was high in the sky, the convoy stopped to rest by a river.
Pei Lin and Xiao Yunzhan huddled together studying the map, while Pei Zhiwei fed the horses water under the shade of the trees on the shore, and Xie Ji roasted a rabbit he had just casually hunted.
“Sizhou is just ahead,” Pei Lin said, pointing to the mark on the map.
"Sizhou is heavily garrisoned. We can rest there, replenish our supplies, and continue our journey."
Before Xiao Yunzhan could speak, a sharp "whoosh" suddenly pierced the air, its speed astonishing.
Before anyone could react, the arrow had already pierced through the wooden bars of the prison cart covered with black cloth, and with a "thud," it accurately struck Zhang Xuren's chest.
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