Chapter 52 Arson
The early spring breeze still carried a chill, but it had already blown away the last vestiges of winter's gloom in the north. The towering walls of the newly built Xunyang City shone a bluish-gray luster in the morning light, and the towers, with their soaring eaves and brackets, exuded a majestic aura.
The wide, smooth streets are lined with brand-new shops and residential buildings. Although lacking the hustle and bustle of the old city, they are full of vibrant life. The flow of people is interwoven, and the cries of vendors, the sounds of children playing, and the rumble of carriages intertwine into a bustling and lively atmosphere.
Today marks the official opening of the new private school. Atop the city walls, colorful flags flutter, and a ceremonial procession glistens. Important officials from the capital, local dignitaries, and the officials who oversaw the construction have gathered, creating a festive and harmonious atmosphere.
Among the crowd was a woman in a crimson official robe named Wen Youqing. Because of her improvements in agricultural tools and water conservancy, she was given a small position in the Ministry of Industry as an exception.
Three years had passed without leaving any trace on her, except that she had a faint smile on her face, like a wooden Buddha.
At the celebration banquet, a drunken county official said, "Master Wen, I heard you're going back to Beijing to take up your new post. When you get back, don't forget to say a few good words to us old brothers."
"Of course, of course." Wen Youqing responded with ease, even pulling the man's hand that was trying to make advances, and put a wine glass in his hand. He clinked his glass with his own and drank it all in one gulp, "Let's drink first."
—
The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement of the capital, making a monotonous sound. The carriage was completely dark, with only the occasional light from the window casting a flickering shadow on Wen Youqing's face.
Wen Youqing sat upright, his eyes surprisingly bright in the darkness, like the pupils of a dormant animal.
The carriage did not return to the posthouse, but instead wound its way through the city, finally stopping deep in a secluded alley. It was several streets away from the bustling area where the Wang family residence was located, but it was just in a good spot to see the palace's towering gatehouse and the outline of its continuous buildings from afar.
In the shadows at the alley entrance, a thin man in an inconspicuous gray cloth shorts approached the car window quietly.
"Sir." The voice was very low.
Wen Youqing didn't lift the curtain, but simply asked, "Is it settled?"
"My Lord, it's absolutely safe. Guards will be changing at the corner gate at 2:00 PM. As per custom, there's only a one-stick-long window. The oil and fire starters, as you instructed, have been placed only on the outer wall of the 'warm room' and near the vents. We've used special slow-burning cords, which are enough for the people inside..." The man paused, "...enough to start a fire. All traces have been cleaned up."
"Yeah." Wen Youqing only responded with one word, no emotion could be heard. "Keep an eye on it. If there's any unusual movement, follow the second method."
"Yes!" The man's figure flashed and quickly disappeared into the night.
Wen Youqing then lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and cast her gaze toward the brightly lit palace in the distance, a symbol of supreme power. Her eyes were calm, as if she were admiring a painting that had nothing to do with her. Only she knew that the heart within her chest, silent for three years, was now pounding against her ribs with an unprecedented, heavy and clear rhythm, again and again, slowly and powerfully.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Like a war drum, it sounded the prelude to revenge.
She leaned against the cold wall of the carriage and slowly closed her eyes, as if resting her mind. Time, in this silent darkness, flowed by minute by minute. From outside the alley, the hoarse sound of the night watchman's clapperboard could be heard faintly: "It's the third watch of the night, all is well—"
3:15 PM.
Just at the moment when the lingering sound of the bangzi music faded away!
In the depths of the brightly lit buildings of the distant palace, in the southeast corner, a dazzling red light suddenly shot up without any warning!
The crimson light erupted with incredible swiftness, like lava erupting from the ground, instantly ripping through the gloomy night! Immediately afterwards, a second, a third… thick black columns of smoke billowed skyward. In just a few breaths, tongues of flame greedily licked the towering eaves, devouring the exquisitely carved beams and painted buildings! The palace, which had only moments before been peaceful and tranquil, was instantly transformed into a fiery inferno!
"The fire is coming!"
"Hurry up! The warm room! The warm room is on fire!"
"Master Prime Minister! Master Wang is still inside—!"
Terrified screams, heart-wrenching cries for help, panicked running, the crash of falling objects... like boiling water, suddenly exploding! The palace was instantly in chaos, with countless figures running around like headless flies. Fire hoses were hastily dragged out, the clatter of buckets, the sound of water splashing, the loud crackling and exploding of burning flames... all these sounds mixed together, forming a huge wave of sound filled with the aura of destruction, rushing towards them from afar.
The fire grew brighter and brighter, lighting up half of the night sky red, and also clearly illuminating the dark alley where Wen Youqing was.
She pushed open the car door and stepped out alone. The night wind, carrying a scorching breath from afar, ruffled the hem of her crimson robe. She stood quietly at the intersection of the shadows at the alley entrance and the halo of light cast by the distant fire, like a cold stone statue.
His gaze passed over the chaotically fleeing crowd, passed over the figures who were futilely pouring water dragons into the fire, and was fixed firmly and precisely on the core of the sea of fire - the warm room.
—
The warm room, the most exquisite and private place in the palace's inner chambers, where Wang Ding'an usually handled confidential matters and rested, was now completely engulfed in crimson flames, like a giant, burning furnace.
A century-old foundation, it looks beautiful when it burns.
The warm room twisted and turned, and there was no way to escape immediately. Wang Ding'an's brocade robe had caught fire, his hair scorched and curled, his face covered in soot and horrific burns. He leaned half out of the window, howling inhumanly, waving his arms frantically, trying in vain to grab onto something, to escape the crumbling building.
“Save me! Someone, help me! Ah!”
His roar was filled with extreme fear and despair, sounding particularly harsh in the night sky, but was instantly drowned out by the roar of flames and the roar of collapsing buildings.
Unfortunately, it was too far away for Wen Youqing to hear. She stood there quietly, motionless. The distant firelight danced and burned in her bottomless pupils, but it couldn't reflect the slightest ripple on her face, as calm as ice and snow.
But she still tried to tilt her head and listen carefully to the desperate howl coming from the wind.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
She could clearly feel the steady, powerful heartbeat in her chest. Beat after beat, neither fast nor slow, as if measuring time, measuring this judgment that had been delayed for three years.
Although Cui Junji had already made some moves, using the private mine to severely damage the Wang family, it was not enough, it was not satisfying enough!
Revenge is only satisfying if you take it yourself.
The firelight illuminated the faintest, coldest curve at the corner of her lips. It wasn't a smile, but the icy edge of hatred that had been frozen for three years, finally tempered in the blazing flames.
Just turning around, she saw a figure standing in the dark. She didn't have time to hide her smile, nor did she bother to. She took a few steps forward and said with a smile: "Long time no see, Master Cui."
She was silent for a moment, as if she could not see the sinister and sad look in Cui Junji's eyes. She smiled brightly and said, "Want a drink? It's my treat."
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