Chapter Ninety-Seven: Meme-Brained Fatty Di

The moment Di Miao regained consciousness, her ears twitched first, and then her nose.

She did not rush to open her eyes.

Only after catching a faint scent of damp mildew, and confirming that no one else was nearby, did she finally open them.

When she made out the rough, crude surroundings, she struggled experimentally.

The ropes were not tied very tightly; it seemed her captors did not think much of a little girl like her.

Di Miao bared her teeth.

With scorn, she thought to herself: she was Di Ying’s sister, after all.

No sooner had that thought crossed her mind than regret followed.

She was Di Ying’s sister, and yet she had been foolish enough to be snatched away so easily.

Indeed, she had been careless then.

In the live animal market, she had spotted several wolf pups for sale and, curious, had moved closer to squat and inspect them.

The man selling them was an old fellow, dressed in rags, his face weary and aged.

His back was against the market wall, and the nearest other vendors were several paces away on either side.

Seeing no threat, the two guards had stood with their backs to Di Miao, watchful toward the outside.

When the old man saw someone interested in the wolf pups, he opened the cage, grabbed out the one that looked the liveliest, and handed it to Di Miao.

Di Miao took it, cupping the little wolf in her palm and stroking it gently.

The pup whined and fussed softly, its tiny head even chasing after her fingers as though it were starving.

This made Di Miao both fond of it and heartsore for it.

At the sight, the old man hurriedly rose and fetched out another wolf pup, leaning in as he did. “Have another look,” he urged. “If you’re buying a live creature to raise, you have to choose carefully.”

Everything seemed perfectly normal.

So Di Miao paid it no mind.

When the old man handed over the pup again, Di Miao freed one hand to take it.

That was when the old man struck the side of her head with a knife-hand and knocked her out cold.

Now, thinking back on it, Di Miao was bitterly annoyed at her own carelessness.

The live animal market had been so crowded, with cages of every size everywhere. Why had that one patch been left open? Why had there been only that one old man there?

Why hadn’t she thought more carefully?

And she had no idea what had become of the two guards. Sigh.

Di Miao clenched her teeth.

With effort, she sat up, then...

Pressing down hard with both arms, she shifted her rear onto her hands and kicked her bent legs backward.

Bit by bit, she wriggled through from between her arms.

She lifted her legs, bringing her hands around to the front.

Then she lowered her head and bit apart the knot binding her wrists, loosening it.

After that, she untied the ropes around her ankles.

She massaged her wrists and ankles. Once the blood was flowing more freely, she slipped quietly out of bed. Seeing that her clothes had not been searched, she let out a soft breath of relief, drew a boot knife from her boot, and gripped it in her palm with the blade reversed.

The hilt faced her; the tip pointed straight outward.

In that posture, she felt her way to the wall, pressed her back against it, and carefully edged toward the door on the right.

She placed her ear against it and listened for any movement outside.

...

On the other side, within a vast, lavish, ostentatious estate, Qin Tiezhong asked the man kneeling below him, “How did things go on Fatty Di’s end?”

“Reporting to my lord: while observing covertly, this subordinate saw that once Di Ying learned his sister had been kidnapped, he became furious. Soon after, he sent those guards to keep watch over White Horse Temple and Xue Huaiyi.

From the way he spoke, it seemed he wanted the guards to cut Xue Huaiyi down in secret.

Di Ying himself also took one guard and headed in the direction of the imperial palace. So this subordinate returned.”

“Mm, good. That means Di Ying has lost his composure.”

Qin Tiezhong was very pleased with the report. With a cold snort, he said, “Cut down Xue Huaiyi? Just like the thickheaded Di Ying to do something like that.”

Seeing his master’s satisfaction, the man mustered his courage and asked, “May I ask, my lord, when should we send word to Di Ying?”

“No rush.”

Now that matters were proceeding well, Qin Tiezhong leaned back in his chair with smug delight, then went on, “Let that fat Di panic for a while.

No, the more he panics, the better. The more panicked he is, the easier it will be for him to make mistakes when deciding things.

That is exactly what we are waiting for: the moment when his mind has no time to race about in confusion.

If he can sever Xue Huaiyi as quickly as possible, would that not let this master take down two birds with one stone?

Then we shall send word to Di Ying and tell him to exchange people at the eastern outskirts.

I imagine he will be more than willing to trade his own life for his sister’s. Go on, then. Wait for this master’s orders.”

“Oh, and do not tie the girl too tightly. Make her look as unharmed as possible. Fatty Di is thickheaded; if he sees the little girl in a pitiful state, he may well fight us to the death.”

“Would that not be even better? Isn’t our aim his life anyway? Even if we add the little girl’s life to the bargain, would that matter?” the man asked cautiously.

Qin Tiezhong shook his head.

“You do not understand. With Fatty Di’s brain, he will absolutely not come alone for a real exchange. If his sister is intact, he will be very willing to trade her.

This master is an arrogant man, and Di Ying is even more so.

He will believe that if he falls into our hands, he will have a way to escape.

So if there is an opening, he will never risk his sister’s life.

And if we push him too hard, once he uses his hidden hand, it will be difficult for us to take his life after that.”

“Subordinate understands.”

After speaking, the man bowed low and withdrew.

At that moment, the strategist standing behind and to Qin Tiezhong’s side asked in a low voice, “My lord, how did you come to think of dealing with Di Ying?”

The strategist had previously been away on leave and had not been present.

Upon returning today and hearing such news, he could not help asking.

At the question, Qin Tiezhong’s expression twisted for an instant.

With a trace of malice, he said, “Lai Wangcai has not been quite so attentive to me lately. I need to earn some merit, win His Majesty’s regard, and climb over Lai Wangcai’s head.

Or at least stand on equal footing with him.

Earlier, I received news from the palace: His Majesty’s attitude toward Di Ying is like looking at a piece of gristle on a plate—too little meat to satisfy, yet too much to throw away.

At times like this, someone needs to step forward and help His Majesty make up his mind. Isn’t that exactly what our Investigations Office does?”

“I understand.”

Hearing this, the strategist gave Qin Tiezhong a thumbs-up and flattered him, saying, “Lord Qin’s plan is truly flawless.

It can quietly eliminate Di Ying outside the city, escape Lai Wangcai’s notice, and win the emperor’s favor; it can also bring trouble to Xue Huaiyi.

Even if Xue Huaiyi does not die, even if Di Ying does not die, the two of them will still end up at each other’s throats. In the end, we will be the ones to reap the benefits.

And we will no longer need to fear being watched by Di Ying.

My lord’s plan can both advance and defend. It is truly brilliant beyond compare.”

Those words made Qin Tiezhong throw back his head and laugh.

That Xue Huaiyi, a worthless vulgar peddler, had somehow stood alone in imperial favor. Qin Tiezhong had long been resentful of it.