An Unexpected Discovery

Jiang Zhizhou shot Yang Qing a glare at those words.

"You knew I was nearby?"

Yang Qing smiled again. Faint though his smile was, it was like a spring breeze melting a pond of ice.

"Not only did I know you were nearby, I also knew you were the one secretly helping me all this time."

Jiang Zhizhou snorted. "Our master's death must be avenged."

Yang Qing did not expose his excuse, merely changing the subject. "In a few days, I'll be going to Yan Pass..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Zhizhou cut him off. "You've only just finished dealing with the bandits, and now you're off to stir things up at Yan Pass? Do you think you're some mighty immortal with an undying body?"

"Northern Liang has always harbored designs against our Western Chu. Besides, this campaign against the bandits confirmed that people from Northern Liang were involved."

"Since they've spent so many years laying their plans in Yan Prefecture, they certainly can't be after nothing more than the silver in Yan Prefecture City."

Jiang Zhizhou remained blunt. "Let the court handle its own affairs. You're merely a military governor with no real power. Aren't you afraid you'll choke on water if you plunge in headfirst?"

The smile on Yang Qing's face gradually faded, then vanished altogether.

"Zhizhou, as a citizen of Western Chu and a subject of His Majesty, I must do everything I can to put our country's safety first."

"But think about it. You finally got another chance at life. Can you really bear to throw yourself back into those deep waters and raging fires?"

Jiang Zhizhou's expression was grave as well.

It was not that he failed to recognize the truth in every word Yang Qing had spoken. He was simply worried that his good friend would once again end up trapped in a desperate situation with no way out.

"Although this will be difficult, it isn't entirely hopeless. I must give it everything I have, so that when I meet my ancestors beneath the earth someday, I'll still have a shred of dignity left."

Knowing his attempts at persuasion were hopeless, Jiang Zhizhou said, "Since it's come to this, there's no point saying more. If you have any plans, just send someone to let me know."

I'll spare no effort to help you.

Jiang Zhizhou did not say those words aloud, but he knew Yang Qing understood.

Yang Qing raised a hand and gently patted Jiang Zhizhou's shoulder. "All right, Zhizhou. When the time is right, I certainly won't hesitate to tell you."

After giving him another look, Jiang Zhizhou leaped away and vanished without a trace.

He took Tiger's corpse with him as he left.

No sooner had he gone than Bu Er returned, gazing thoughtfully in the direction where he had disappeared.

"Young master, are you all right?"

A faint scent of blood filled his nostrils. Clearly, a fight had taken place here before he arrived.

"Tiger is dead."

Dead? Bu Er was taken aback.

He had indeed found traces indicating that Tiger was still in Yan Prefecture City. Worried that Tiger might harm Yang Qing in his absence, he had hurried back.

He had never expected someone to deal with this threat before he could.

Still, since Yang Qing did not explain, he naturally would not pry.

"Since he's dead, you needn't worry about him coming out to do evil again, young master."

Yang Qing nodded slightly. "Bu Er, we've been busy all day, and I forgot we haven't eaten yet. Why don't we go to the First Pavilion now and get some food to take home?"

Bu Er also looked toward the restaurant sign not far from them. "It's rare for you to feel like eating out, young master."

Yang Qing said, "If not for the pleasures of the palate, why care what we eat, so long as it fills our stomachs?"

Bu Er sighed inwardly.

Their young master had once been very particular about food. But the incident ten years ago had changed his life completely and made him bury his true nature deep within himself.

Since Yang Qing had taken the rare initiative to bring it up today, Bu Er spoke again. "If you'd like some food to take home, young master, let me fetch it. Go back to the residence and rest. I'll be back shortly."

As he spoke, Bu Er strode toward the First Pavilion.

The moment Bu Er stepped over the First Pavilion's threshold, someone recognized him.

A waiter greeted him enthusiastically. "Oh, Guards Bu Er! What an honor to have you here. What can I do for you?"

Everyone in Yan Prefecture City knew that Bu Er was one of Yang Qing's Guards.

Moreover, after Yang Qing arrived, he had worked step by step to wipe out the bandit menace that had plagued Yan Prefecture for years. It was truly cause for celebration.

All the common people of Yan Prefecture hoped for a chance to thank Yang Qing. Unfortunately, aside from going to the County Office to handle official business, he rarely ventured out, leaving them no opportunity to express their gratitude.

How could they not be thrilled to see Bu Er appear out of the blue?

Bu Er found the waiter's enthusiasm quite uncomfortable. Aside from Yang Qing, he had never had much close contact with anyone else.

"The young master would like some food to take home. One serving each of crystal pork knuckle, steamed sea bass, and emerald pearl soup. Do you have those?"

The waiter beamed, his face practically blossoming into a flower. "Yes, yes, of course we do. Since Lord Yang would like them, I'll tell the kitchen to prepare them right away. We certainly won't keep him waiting."

Bu Er's expression softened a little. "Sorry for the trouble, then."

"Not at all, not at all," the waiter replied as he hurried toward the kitchen.

About an hour later, Bu Er saw the waiter approach with a large food carrier.

"Guards Bu Er, besides the three dishes you requested, the proprietor had me add some of our signature dishes. We hope Lord Yang won't refuse this small token of our appreciation."

Bu Er took a silver ingot weighing a full thirty taels from inside his robe. Only after placing it on the counter did he reach out to accept the food carrier from the waiter.

"If the young master learned I had accepted this without his permission, he would certainly be angry. Please accept this silver."

With that, he left without looking back.

Only the waiter remained, staring dumbfounded at the silver ingot. Did I do something wrong just now?

As Bu Er walked out of the First Pavilion carrying the food, he happened to brush past a woman.

But he had never been inclined to pay attention to others, so he left without even raising his head.

Murong Qian watched the retreating figure. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable hint of familiarity.

Still pondering it, she entered the First Pavilion. When she looked up, she happened to see the waiter still staring blankly at a silver ingot, so she asked casually, "Who was that man who just left?"

Her voice brought the waiter out of his daze. Seeing who had arrived, he said, "Oh, Miss Murong. That was Bu Er, one of Lord Yang's Guards!"

"Oh? I've heard that Lord Yang rarely goes out except to handle official business at the County Office. Does he also enjoy dining at the First Pavilion?"

The waiter shook his head. "No. This was Guard Bu Er's first visit."

"Really? I'm rather curious about what Lord Yang ordered. Why don't you bring me the same dishes? Consider it my little way of expressing my admiration for him."

"Of course, Miss Murong. This way, please..."

Once Murong Qian saw exactly which dishes the waiter had brought, she abruptly stood.

She caught the sleeve of the waiter as he was about to turn away. Pointing at the dishes on the table with trembling fingers, she asked, "Waiter, these are the dishes Lord Yang ordered?"

The waiter could not fathom the change in Murong Qian's expression, but he answered honestly. "Yes, these are the ones!"

"All right. You may go!"

Murong Qian drew a deep breath, then waved the waiter away.

Then her gaze settled on those exquisitely prepared dishes, and she could not bear to look away.