Chapter Fifty-Five: Frightened and Betrayed

Wu’s mother’s tears began to fall again. She pulled out a square handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her eyes, speaking sorrowfully, “If only the old master hadn’t retired so soon, our family—our family wouldn’t be left without anyone to rely on. We wouldn’t have had to go and beg at Master Yao’s door… It’s all because we are powerless and without influence.”

“What’s the point of bringing up all those old, rotten matters?” Wu’s father interrupted impatiently, irritation clouding his face as he snatched up his teacup and gulped down several mouthfuls. “If you keep on, you’ll start blaming me for being useless again. Yes, I never passed the civil service exam, but all these years, have I not given you a life of wealth and comfort?”

His family had once been part of the officialdom, but after his grandfather stepped down, none of the descendants were able to take up the mantle, and their influence waned. Fortunately, his grandfather had left behind a considerable fortune, enough for the entire family to live comfortably without worrying about food or clothing.

But it had also raised a brood of idle wastrels. That none of them had turned out utterly depraved was a testament to his grandfather’s strict upbringing. Yet it was precisely because they hadn’t turned out badly that his second son, Wu Minzhe, had been beaten to death so easily. Wu’s father was left in a haze of frustration, not even knowing who to turn to for justice.

A loud bang suddenly echoed through the room—a window had been blown open by the strong wind. It slammed against the wall and then bounced back, creaking and swaying on its hinges.

The noise startled the two inside the room. Wu’s father patted his chest to calm himself, took a few hurried steps, and moved to close the window tightly. He muttered bitterly, “To put us in such a wretched place, locking us up like livestock—this Master Yao…”

He hadn’t even finished speaking when, in the darkness, a sharp sword suddenly stabbed toward his chest from outside.

Wu’s father was petrified, his mind going blank as he watched the blade come for him.

At that moment—there was a crisp clang.

Just as Wu’s father thought he was doomed, a cold flash shot out from beneath the eaves outside, striking the sword with a ringing sound. The attacker felt a numbness shoot through his fingers, and the sword clattered to the floor.

In the next instant, Peng Liang, following the gleam of that cold light, leaped forward, spinning in midair, and with a kick sent the assailant flying far away.

The would-be murderer didn’t even have time to cry out before that kick left him writhing in agony, barely conscious.

Inside the room, Wu Minzhe’s parents were left dumbstruck by terror.

Peng Liang spared them no glance. With a swift movement, he stowed his weapon, grabbed the criminal, and disappeared into the night.

Outside, two attendants assigned by Yao Cong entered the house to escort Wu’s father and mother to another location.

…

Earlier, in a small courtyard in another part of the city, Di Ying had instructed the two guards stationed there to go assist Wu Minzhe’s parents, while he invited Chen Hehua’s parents inside. He and Yao Cong then withdrew to an empty room to interrogate Wang Mu.

At dusk, after leaving the hills, Di Ying had originally planned to conduct a forensic examination through the night. But they hadn’t gone far when they saw thick smoke rising into the sky from Chen Village. Di Ying immediately sent Peng Liang to check on Ma Cai’s detention, while he and Yao Cong hurried back to the village.

Upon discovering that it was indeed Chen Hehua’s family whose house was burning, they joined the villagers in fighting the fire. Only after the blaze was extinguished did Di Ying and Yao Cong manage to return before the city gates were locked.

Not long after entering the city, they encountered Peng Liang, who had captured Wang Mu and was searching for them. Di Ying sent Peng Liang once more to where Wu Minzhe’s parents were being held, while he and Yao Cong brought Wang Mu to the courtyard.

Wang Mu, ashen-faced, had not yet uttered a word before Yao Cong charged at him, raining down blows and kicks.

As he struck, Yao Cong clenched his teeth and cursed, “Who gave you the gall to betray me? You entered my household at the age of nine—how many years have you served me? I trusted you, and yet you dared betray me! Speak—who bought you? Why did you do such a base, treacherous thing? Have you thought of your parents, your wife and children, you bastard!”

Wang Mu shrank into himself, clutching his head and sobbing for mercy.

Hearing his pleas only made Yao Cong angrier. He had never been harsh with his servants; whenever there was good food or fun to be had, he shared it with them, treating them almost as brothers. How could he have been betrayed? Wasn’t this the same as stabbing him with a knife? And now he dared to beg for mercy? Did he even have the face to ask for it?

Was it simply because he’d been too lenient, too sympathetic? Yao Cong’s rage only grew, and his blows became even heavier.

Driven to desperation, Wang Mu—perhaps truly because Yao Cong had always treated them too well—couldn’t endure the sudden abuse. He lunged at Yao Cong’s leg and cried out, “You only ever think about how good you are to us servants, but did you ever consider how much we’ve picked up from you? Yes, you always include us—when you go to the brothel, you make sure we’re not left sitting idle; when you gamble, you give us silver so we can join you! But Master, those things are addictive!

Did you ever think—when we’re not with you, when we have nothing to do, what are we doing? What can we do? Of course, we drink and gamble too! But how much is our monthly pay? Even with the extra you hand out so freely, how much is it in total? It’s a bottomless pit. I—I’ve racked up so many gambling debts because of it…”

Yao Cong’s face darkened, and he stomped on Wang Mu’s bound legs, making him scream in pain. Still unsatisfied, Yao Cong kicked him again and pointed at him furiously, “You can’t quit because you’re useless! I’ve always told you: these things are just for fun, to indulge in occasionally, and only in moderation. You just wouldn’t listen—who can you blame? Was it a mistake to be good to you? My six closest attendants all grew up by my side. It’s only you—you who couldn’t control your hands or your mouth, you who betrayed me. Why didn’t the others? And you still have the nerve to cry and beg for mercy? You’re worthless! Are you going to talk or not? If you don’t, I’ll chop you up and feed you to the wild dogs!”

With these words, Yao Cong was about to kick him again.

Frightened, Wang Mu blurted out everything before the blow could land.

“Master, I truly don’t know who that man was. These days, you’ve had us watching Ma Cai—sometimes knocking him out and loosening his bonds, other times tying him up again. Yesterday, after I knocked him out, I got bored and left Sun Hui to guard him while I went to gamble. Unexpectedly, the gambling den’s thugs came after me for my debts. I barely managed to escape, but then a masked man stopped me. He didn’t kill me; instead, he gave me two hundred taels of silver and a packet of powder, telling me to poison Ma Cai. He promised another three hundred taels if I succeeded. He also wanted to know where the others were being held, promising me two hundred taels for each location I revealed… I only knew where Wu Minzhe’s parents were, so I told him. And he did give me the extra two hundred taels. But he only showed his eyes—I truly don’t know who he was. I asked him how I’d get the rest of the silver after the job was done, and he said he’d find me, then left…”