Chapter 36 The Temptation of Trafficking
For some reason, the man was unsteady on his feet and couldn't even keep up with the two women.
There were many sturdy trees in the forest, and the young lady from a wealthy family was not strong enough to run too far.
The maid Ake had been with her since childhood and was two or three years older than Zhang Wanying.
“Miss, give me your clothes. Please hold on a few more steps, run further away, and hide. That villain probably has a grudge against the master. He won’t be at ease until he catches you. I’ll distract him.”
"And what about you?"
"Don't worry, miss. I've taught you how to climb trees and scale walls. It's best to find a dense tree to climb. No matter what happens, don't make a sound, okay? Miss, please wait for your family to come looking for you before you come out."
The footsteps drew closer, and Ake left Zhang Wanying with only a resolute back view.
I'm sorry, Miss, but I have to break my promise and can't stay with you any longer.
Zhang Wanying forced back her tears, ran in the opposite direction, climbed a sturdy locust tree, and curled up in its lush canopy, not daring to move.
The guards, mimicking the stall owner's movements, discovered Ake's body. After circling the area, they finally caught Zhang Wanying's faint abdominal rumbling and found her.
The guards naturally recognized the Grand Secretary's granddaughter. In order to gain her trust, the guards took out their tokens to identify themselves and disguised her as a newly abducted woman, taking her back to the stall owner's house.
They then went to report to the authorities. To avoid alerting the suspects, the guards did not say a word to the officials in charge of the government office, only saying that a corpse had been found.
Based on the jade pendant found on the corpse, the constables recognized her as Miss Sun from the Zhang family.
In an instant, martial law was declared throughout Kyoto.
"What is the name of Miss Zhang's maid?"
Jiang Yuzhi paused in her work of arranging the fabric.
Even if the rest of the Zhang family didn't know that the real Miss Zhang was still alive, it was impossible for Grand Secretary Zhang not to recognize his granddaughter. Even if her face was scratched and her original appearance was no longer visible, her physical characteristics could not be altered.
The murderer was not familiar with Ms. Zhang and could only identify her by her clothes and jade pendant.
Given Zhang's status as a Grand Secretary, it was impossible for the two long-established funeral clothing shops in the capital to refuse him.
Now they've come to her, insisting on using the best materials and threads.
“Ake is an orphan girl that Miss Zhang brought back from the refugees when she was young. Her uncle secretly went to the Grand Secretary’s residence. When Old Master Zhang heard that his granddaughter was safe, he calmed down and the funeral was still held as usual.”
Upon receiving the news, Bai Yan finished handling some official business and immediately came to inform Jiang Yuzhi.
"The people from the funeral clothing shop need to go to the Grand Secretary's residence to take your measurements, and my uncle introduced you to Old Master Zhang."
It turns out that someone trustworthy is needed to prevent those with ulterior motives from discovering the truth.
Ah Ke... she is clearly a weak woman herself.
The Grand Secretary's residence was covered with white cloth.
The coffin contained a cloth covering Ake's face, and she was wearing Miss Zhang's old clothes.
She had no relatives left, so Scholar Zhang secretly took Ake as his goddaughter on behalf of his son and brought her into the Zhang family ancestral hall.
Emperor Huizong had seen many villains, but he admired people like this who were loyal and righteous the most. He drafted the decree to confer the title of Lady of Yicheng Township, and was just waiting for the court to announce the verdict to the world.
Ake will be buried in the Zhang family ancestral tomb with the ceremonial regalia of a village lord.
Jiang Yuzhi, preoccupied, took the cloth home, preparing to cut it overnight.
Di Ting and two immortals have been touring the entire city of Kyoto over the past few days.
The three of them actually discovered something.
As a malevolent spirit, Fang Xiangshi has a natural attraction to evil and wicked people.
Even if one is in the mortal realm and their magical power is weakened, it doesn't prevent the other party from coming to them on their own.
Sui Gu was quite intrigued and bought a lot of new clothes, and also bought a few sets of women's clothing for Fang Xiangshi.
Fang Xiangshi always did whatever Sui Gu said, and her inner resentment was suppressed by Sui Gu's smile.
When she's dressed up properly, she really does look like a tall, aloof, and beautiful young lady.
Di Ting was so busy laughing that he didn't notice a sneaky man who had been following them from a distance ever since they left the shop.
Of course, they were discovered not long after they started following them.
Di Ting always chooses to go where there are few people, and it will go wherever it is dark and narrow.
The guy following behind was also an idiot, thinking he could surround three people by himself.
A god and a dog can understand each other's intentions with just a glance.
Sui Gu secretly cast a spell to blur the man's perception and gradually conceal her figure.
The man only thought that the person following him at first was a beautiful young woman and a dog.
The young woman looked taller than him and had a pretty face, but she didn't seem to smile much.
That dog is obviously a valuable breed; it'll definitely fetch a good price.
After martial law was declared, he hadn't managed to recruit anyone for several days, so he was determined to close a deal today!
If he doesn't get some money to buy the "miracle water" soon, his internal organs will burn to death.
There was a dead end ahead. "Young lady, why did you bring your pet here? Are you lost?"
The man was probably delirious, seeing things through a ghost.
Fang Xiangshi didn't speak, but Di Ting barked twice perfunctorily.
"Young lady, come with me, I'll take you home."
Fang Xiangshi frowned and openly looked towards Sui Gu's position.
Sui Gu nodded with a beaming smile.
Fang Xiangshi nodded in agreement.
The man laughed too. What good luck! He'd run into a fool. "Why aren't you saying anything?" Was he mute?
The price for a mute person is much lower.
It's better than nothing; at least there's a dog we can pay the difference for.
Sui Gu watched them leave before slowly returning to the Jiang residence.
Jiang Yuzhi: "You just watched them leave?"
Sui Gu: "Oh, don't worry, my little wife. It's good enough that they didn't turn up the thieves' den. Are you making clothes?"
Jiang Yuzhi: "Mm."
Sui Gu: "Young lady, you have this skill? Look, look, what do you think of these I bought? Aren't they pretty?"
The cloth that the shopkeeper had packed for her had been thrown away somewhere, so Sui Gu pulled out several fashionable dresses directly from her narrow sleeves.
Jiang Yuzhi pulled aside the obstructing dress and added, "These are the burial clothes I made."
Sui Gu: "Then I probably won't have a chance to wear it."
Watching someone tailor clothes is actually quite boring, and Sui Gu soon became restless, wondering why Jiang Yuzhi hadn't asked her any other questions.
Jiang Yuzhi had no time to be distracted. Her hands kept moving, and her mind was also preoccupied with whether she should contact the underworld to ask them to take care of Ake's soul.
Sui Gu: "Young lady, would you like to come with me to find them?"
Jiang Yuzhi: "I'm not going."
Sui Gu: "Why?"
Jiang Yuzhi: "Busy."
Sui Gu sighed and sat back on the small couch. She really couldn't stand sitting still. With this time, Sui Gu would like to go to the fields and cultivate two acres of land. Although she was a goddess who blessed a good harvest, she had never experienced what it was like to farm the land herself.
Not long after, Zhi'er came in again.
"Miss, Madam Yu from the orphanage has arrived with a young lady. They seem to be in a hurry and are waiting for you in the banquet hall."
"Madam Yu? I'm coming right away."
Before leaving, Di Ting instructed Sui Gu to protect Jiang Yu Zhi at all times, but the young lady didn't even leave the house, so Sui Gu's free spirit was locked away by Jiang Yu Zhi's side.
Finally, an outsider arrived, and Sui Gu happily followed him.
Zhong Ci'an came with Madam Yu.
The anxious woman had a worried look on her face.
Madam Yu: "You've finally arrived! Is Yuxiu here with you?"
Jiang Yuzhi: "She didn't go back?"
Three or four days had passed since the ghost market ended. Zhong Yuxiu stayed at the Jiang residence for one night and returned home the next day without worry.
Zhong Ci'an: "Mr. Zhong said he stayed at your place for one night and hasn't gone back since. Sister Jiang, where could he have gone if he's not here? Waaaaah... I'm so scared."
These orphan girls, who were taken in by the orphanage, knew best what a missing woman might go through.
Jiang Yuzhi bent down and pulled the tearful young woman into her arms, gently patting her back. "Don't worry, Madam Yu, have you reported this to the authorities?"
Madam Yu: "We've reported it. It was Madam Wei, who's in charge of purchasing, who went. She's fast on her feet, so we came here to try our luck."
The orphanage was established by Xiao Yao, and the women inside were all female soldiers who had retired from the battlefield and knew some martial arts.
Over the years, the national treasury has been empty, and the orphanage has barely managed to stay afloat. Xiao Yao has no extra money to spare.
Now that the tutor in the courtyard has disappeared, the princess's residence will surely find out.
It would definitely be difficult to find. If Di Ting were here, he could even smell a way out.
Jiang Yuzhi: "Madam Yu, you should go back first. Be careful on the way. I will think of a way."
Madam Yu: "Miss, please stay in the manor and don't go out. It's safe there. I'll head back now. Take care, Miss."
Zhong Ci'an: "Sister, please be careful!"
Jiang Yuzhi was also worried about the two of them, so she instructed Zhisan to secretly follow them, deliver them to their destination, and then return.
Even in broad daylight, Zhong Yuxiu was nowhere to be found.
Jiang Yuzhi: "Fairy, where is Di Ting now?"
Sui Gu: "Young lady, you've changed your mind?"
Jiang Yuzhi: "My friend has gone missing. Besides Di Ting, I can't think of anyone who can find her the fastest."
You can hear a bell ringing, but you can't guarantee it's in a den of villains or that you can chase it out in time.
Xiao Ji also received a message from his sister, along with the imperial guards.
They're not sure where they'll be trading, but they'll be doing something big tonight.
With martial law in Kyoto, it's even harder to capture women and children. They plan to move the current batch out first, but some smaller groups will also gather with the women and children they've captured.
High-ranking officials will also come, and they will try to evacuate Kyoto as soon as it gets light.
Just then, Xiao Yao was captured while searching for that gentleman.
The stall owners caught in the ghost market had vomited up most of their contents; they couldn't withstand torture and had never been loyal to their superiors.
Emperor Huizong of Tang made a decisive move, summoning General Wang Zhiyi, the commander of the Imperial Guards, to the palace. He also ordered him to give Bai Yan some training, and that night he wiped them all out.
Sui Gu and Jiang Yuzhi concealed their divine presence and walked into the night.
General Wang and Bai Yan summoned a team of 500 imperial guards, changed into special shoes, and silently surrounded the house where the transaction was taking place.
Sui Gu: "Hmm? Why are there so many people? Look, there's an acquaintance here. Isn't that the young master who likes you?"
Jiang Yuzhi also saw Bai Yan, who was very different from usual. He was cold and serious. Her heart, which had never beaten before, seemed to be pounding like a drum. She lowered her eyelashes, and her red eyes were mostly obscured. "Fairy, please be careful with your words."
Sui Gu: "I know, I know, are you still shy, young lady?"
It seems that the group that kidnapped Di Ting and the group that Xiao Ji wanted to capture are the same group.
Jiang Yuzhi was no longer in a hurry. She and Sui Gu hid in the shadows and waited to see what would happen.
The last person entered the house.
The guards must be waiting for something.
Before long, a small cluster of dazzling fireworks bloomed above the house.
General Wang pointed his sword at the gate of the mansion, "Take it down."
Upon receiving the order, the guards solemnly and orderly pushed open the decaying gate.
Jiang Yuzhi floated up to the rooftop and took in everyone in the courtyard.
The men lay sprawled on the ground, some still conscious, but they had been beaten black and blue by the infiltrating guards, their hands tied behind their backs.
The woman and child were not in the yard.
Neither Di Ting nor Fang Xiang Shi were seen.
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Author's Note: Jiang Yuzhi (heart fluttering): What's going on? Am I going to live?
[Chin resting on hand] Chapter title is so hard to come up with
I'm not smart enough to write intrigue or conspiracies, so just read it without thinking; it won't stand up to scrutiny.
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