Chapter 43 Meeting outside the mansion gate at midnight
“It’s not just a secret passage.” Ye Wanning pointed to a notch on the back of the tiger tally. “A piece is missing here. I just tried fitting it with the half of the rubbing of the military tally; it fits. I guess Mother hid the complete rubbing there back then.”
Pei Zhi picked up the tiger tally and examined it carefully for a long time by the moonlight: "Duke Li has been in frequent contact with merchants from the Western Regions recently. Those sulfur and saltpeter couldn't possibly be used to build an artificial mountain."
"You mean..." Ye Wanning's heart seemed to skip a beat.
"He wanted to blow up the secret passage," Pei Zhi's voice was as cold as ice, "or rather, blow up what was inside."
Ye Wanning clenched her fists. Her mother's hard work must not be ruined by the Li family.
“Let’s make our move tonight.” Ye Wanning looked up at Pei Zhi, a resolute glint in her eyes. “Any later, and it will be too late.”
Pei Zhi looked at her for a long while, then nodded: "I'll go prepare the tools. We'll meet outside the mansion gate at midnight."
He turned to leave, but Ye Wanning called out to him, "Wait a minute."
Ye Wanning took a small porcelain bottle from the drawer: "It contains a sleeping potion that can quickly induce unconsciousness, but it's not fatal."
Pei Zhi took the porcelain bottle, his fingertips accidentally brushing against her hand. Both of them recoiled as if burned. Ye Wanning's cheeks flushed slightly, like a ripe apple.
Pei Zhi left with just the words "Take care" and climbed over the courtyard wall.
Ye Wanning watched him disappear into the night, the cool touch of his fingertips still lingering on her palm. She took a few deep breaths, carefully put away the tiger tally and the topographical map, and began to check her night clothes—the ones Pei Zhi had given her last time, made of black material, light and able to protect her from the wind and cold.
Chuntao brought over a basin of hot water: "Miss, would you like to reconsider? The Li Guogong Mansion is heavily guarded; it's very dangerous."
“Some things need to be done.” Ye Wanning washed her hands and face; the cold water made her head clearer. “You stay home and keep watch. If I’m not back by dawn, go tell Lord Pei and have him…”
"Miss, please don't say such unlucky things!" Chun Tao's eyes reddened. "I believe you will definitely come back safely."
Ye Wanning smiled and patted her hand: "Wait for me."
The night watchman's clapper had just sounded when Ye Wanning changed into her night clothes and quietly left the Minister's residence. Pei Zhi's carriage was in the shadows at the street corner. Hei Feng, sitting in the driver's seat, nodded to her when he saw her arrive.
"Is everything ready?" Ye Wanning jumped into the car.
Pei Zhi tossed over a dagger: "Specially made by Shadow Pavilion, it can cut through iron like mud. And this too." He pulled out a small glass lamp filled with fireflies, its brightness just right, yet inconspicuous.
Ye Wanning took the dagger and the glass lamp, feeling a warm glow in her heart. This man was so considerate in everything he did.
The carriage stopped by the back wall of the Duke of Li's mansion. This was the most secluded spot in the mansion, with only an old guard sleeping in a small hut not far away. Pei Zhi whistled softly, and a carrier pigeon flew down from the sky and landed on his arm.
"These are carrier pigeons specially trained by Shadow Pavilion; they can interfere with a dog's sense of smell," he said, releasing the pigeons.
Using the shadows of the trees as cover, the two silently got out of the carriage and quietly climbed over the wall. The mansion was quiet, with only the sound of patrolling guards' footsteps coming and going. Pei Zhi was clearly familiar with the terrain, leading Ye Wanning through a maze of turns, and soon they arrived at the artificial hill in the backyard.
The artificial hill was much larger than Ye Wanning had imagined, with jagged rocks covered in vines. Pei Zhi tapped an inconspicuous rock three times with his dagger, and the rock slowly moved aside, revealing a dark hole.
"What...what is this?" Ye Wanning's eyes widened in surprise.
"The Shadow Pavilion people discovered this before," Pei Zhi lowered his voice. "There are three doors inside, all of them locked."
He went into the cave first, with Ye Wanning following closely behind. It was much larger than he had imagined, a passage paved with blue bricks, and the oil lamps hanging on the walls were long since rusted. Pei Zhi lit the glass lamp, and in the dim yellow light, several fresh footprints could be seen in the thick dust on the ground.
“Someone arrived even before us.” Ye Wanning’s heart started racing.
Pei Zhi nodded, gripping his sword tightly: "Be careful, stay close to me."
At the end of the passage was a wooden door with a brass lock. Pei Zhi used his dagger to pry open the lock, and quickly opened the keyhole. The door creaked open, and a musty smell wafted out.
Behind the door was a small stone chamber, filled with miscellaneous items, seemingly abandoned for a long time. Ye Wanning carefully examined every corner of the room, and suddenly, she noticed that a floor tile was loose under a dilapidated wooden box near the ground.
“Something’s not right here,” she exclaimed.
Pei Zhi walked over and together they pried up a floor tile, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside was a sandalwood box, locked.
Just then, Pei Zhi was about to unlock the box when he suddenly heard footsteps outside. The two exchanged a glance and quickly hid behind the wooden box.
A man dressed in black entered, carrying a torch, and went straight to the hidden compartment. He took out a key, opened the wooden box, took out a roll of paper, glanced at it briefly, and put it back.
"Rest assured, sir, the rubbing is still here," the man said to the air, as if reporting. "If that brat dares to come, she'll never leave alive."
Ye Wanning's heart leaped into her throat. Could the "rubbing" he mentioned be the rubbing of the military tally that her mother had hidden?
The man left, and the two emerged from behind the wooden box. Pei Zhi opened the box, and inside was indeed a scroll of paper, densely covered with patterns—a rubbing of the military tally!
"Found it!" Ye Wanning blurted out before Pei Zhi could put away the rubbing.
Pei Zhi reached out to cover her mouth, but it was too late; shouts of battle erupted outside. Black Wind rushed in: "My lord, run! Duke Li is here with his men!"
Ye Wanning gave an "Oh," realizing a fight was inevitable tonight. One by one, torches lit up at the entrance to the passage, clearly revealing the vicious face of Duke Li. He held a bow and arrow, the arrowhead pointed directly at Ye Wanning: "Hand over the rubbing, and I won't kill you!"
"How arrogant Duke Li is, daring to set up a private dungeon and hide contraband!" Ye Wanning sneered. "If the Emperor finds out, what do you think will happen to him?"
Duke Li's expression changed: "Don't talk nonsense! This is my Li family's territory; what we hide is none of your business!"
"Oh? This belongs to your Li family?" Ye Wanning raised her voice and asked, "I'd like to ask you, what do you intend to do with this military tally that can mobilize the vassal kings of the Western Regions?"
Upon hearing the words "King of the Western Regions," Li Guogong's guards were both shocked and enraged. Li Guogong, his face turning ashen with rage, fired an arrow, shouting, "Kill this witch!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com