Riding a tiger with no way to dismount

The corners of Dai Sheng's mouth twitched twice in rapid succession, but a modest smile had already spread across his face. "Not at all, not at all. I merely did my duty. If anyone deserves the credit, it is Lord Yang."

Dai Sheng had also figured it out. In all of Yan Prefecture City, there was probably no one but that man surnamed Yang who would dare do such a thing.

The thought of Yang Qing stirring up such an enormous mess behind his back made Dai Sheng grind his teeth with hatred.

"Lord Yang has worn himself out, heart and mind, for the people of Yan Prefecture. Everyone must be grateful for his good deeds!"

"Lord Yang truly is a good official who works for the welfare of our people!"

"Lord Yang, you are our great benefactor!"

Outside the County Office, another great swath of commoners dropped to their knees.

Seeing that everyone's attention had shifted to Yang Qing, Dai Sheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced around, but Yang Qing was nowhere to be seen.

He frowned slightly and asked a nearby Prefectural Soldier, "Why don't I see Lord Yang?"

"My lord, Lord Yang caught a chill last night and is resting at his residence today."

"He is ill? Quickly, prepare my sedan chair! I must visit Lord Yang!"

Dai Sheng deliberately raised his voice, allowing many of those present to hear the news.

A crowd followed behind Dai Sheng's sedan chair, making their way in a grand procession to Little Willow Lane.

Little Willow Lane, Yang Residence

Dai Sheng stepped out of the swaying sedan chair. As soon as he looked up, he saw Bu Er standing solemnly before the weathered courtyard gate of the Yang Residence, his sword cradled in his arms.

The residence had looked much the same for years. Although Yang Qing had made some simple repairs before moving in, it still had an air of desolation.

Dai Sheng was very reluctant to come here, but now he had no choice.

At the sight of Bu Er, he forced a little smile onto his face. "I heard that Lord Yang was unwell and came specially to visit him. Guard Bu Er, please announce my arrival."

Bu Er nodded slightly. "You, go in. Everyone else, go home. The young master needs his rest."

"Lord Yang has worked himself sick for the people of Yan Prefecture. We only wish to see him. Please make an exception, Guard Bu Er."

Li Yi and the others who had followed Dai Sheng called out loudly.

Bu Er gave Li Yi a long look. "My young master said he cannot receive visitors. Please leave."

Li Yi smiled awkwardly. "These are small tokens of our appreciation. Please ask Lord Yang to accept them."

He pointed to the assorted gift boxes held by the servants behind him.

"Your goodwill is appreciated. Please take the gifts back. Gentlemen, excuse me."

Bu Er pushed open the courtyard gate and strode inside, with Dai Sheng following close on his heels.

Watching the gate slowly close, Li Yi clenched his hands into fists inside his sleeves, then loosened them again. "Everyone, go home. Lord Yang needs peace and quiet to recover."

Only after the noisy crowd had squeezed its way out of the narrow lane did Li Yi bring up the rear with his household servants.

Just as he was about to leave the lane, a faintly mocking voice rang out. "Master Li, how does it feel to pat the horse's leg instead of its rump?"

Li Yi stopped at those words and peered ahead. There stood Jiang Zhizhou in white, leaning idly against a wall in the lane and looking up at him.

"Jiang Zhizhou, what do you mean?" Anger stirred in Li Yi's heart.

"Nothing much. I merely came to watch the show."

Jiang Zhizhou tossed away the stalk of foxtail grass he had been holding.

"I am curious, though. Master Li, what exactly are you plotting by making such a spectacle of putting Lord Yang up on a pedestal?"

As he spoke, a cold gleam flashed through Bai Zhizhou's eyes.

"Jiang Zhizhou, you are a man of Yan Prefecture City too. That vicious bandit is dead, and your uncle has been avenged! Isn't that cause for celebration?"

"Is it? Then I really must thank you properly, Master Li. However..."

Jiang Zhizhou slowly approached Li Yi. "Those vicious bandits won't see it that way. I fear that when they come to settle accounts, they'll count your share as well. Old Master Li, you had better be careful!"

Jiang Zhizhou's words left Li Yi utterly speechless. He was so furious that his eyes rolled back, and his face darkened alarmingly.

Having said his piece, Jiang Zhizhou strolled out of the lane and went on his way.

Li Yi, however, remained rooted in the narrow lane for a long time.

The inner hall of the Yang Residence

Yang Qing sat in the seat of honor, looking ill. Below him sat Dai Sheng, his brow knotted with worry.

The small hall was utterly silent. The only sound was the faint clink of the lid against the rim as Yang Qing lifted it from his teacup.

"Lord Yang, that Wood fellow died here in our Yan Prefecture City. This is no small matter! Those bandits will surely take revenge before long!"

Yang Qing merely continued drinking his tea, without uttering a single word.

Dai Sheng felt as though he were sitting on a bed of needles. After hesitating for quite some time, he could bear it no longer and addressed Yang Qing.

Yang Qing held a sip of tea in his mouth, narrowing his eyes as he savored it. Only after a long while did he set the cup back on the table.

"Lord Dai, don't you think this is an excellent opportunity?"

"An excellent opportunity? Oh, my lord, at a time like this, please stop making fun of me."

Dai Sheng rose to his feet in agitation.

"Making fun of you? I see nothing amusing about it," Yang Qing said gravely.

"Scarface's men are all vicious, desperate villains. Now that Wood has died here in Yan Prefecture, they are bound to seek revenge. When that happens, Yan Prefecture City will once again be swept by a bloody wind and rain. I... I truly..."

I truly am terrified!

"Lord Dai, have you never considered seizing this opportunity to give those villains a proper hammering?"

Yang Qing's clear, composed gaze settled on Dai Sheng.

"Would that be possible?" Dai Sheng could not help rubbing his forehead. He felt his head beginning to ache again.

"Bu Er, see Lord Dai out," Yang Qing called toward the door.

"I shall take my leave!"

Dai Sheng cupped his hands and bowed to Yang Qing, but his gaze fell on the cup Yang Qing had set at the edge of the table.

Half the cup rested on the table's edge, while the other half hung over empty air. One careless touch could knock it to the floor, shattering it to pieces.

Just like him now, riding a tiger with no way to dismount...

At that thought, Dai Sheng felt his body give a violent shudder. He began to walk, slowly withdrawing from the inner hall.

First Pavilion, a private room on the second floor

Seeing Jiang Zhizhou enter with a chill hanging about him, Meng Fei picked a peanut from the small dish and tossed it into his mouth.

"Back so soon?"

Jiang Zhizhou glanced at him without speaking. He simply seized the wine pot on the table, filled an empty cup to the brim, and held it out toward Meng Fei. "Bottoms up!"

"I really don't know what you were thinking. Was it just to vent your anger on your uncle's behalf?"

From upstairs, he had seen Jiang Zhizhou's furious confrontation with Li Yi perfectly clearly.

But had it really been necessary?

Jiang Zhizhou's hand paused with the wine cup raised. After a long while, he let out a breath from deep in his chest. "I fear the skies over Yan Prefecture really are about to change."