A Piece of News

Shortly after Yang Qing and Dai Sheng returned to the County Office, a travel-worn garrison soldier hurried into the hall.

"My lord, a dispatch from Capital City!"

With that, he presented a wax-sealed envelope with both hands.

"C-Capital City?"

At those two words, Dai Sheng's vision darkened in waves, and his body swayed like a frail willow in the wind.

They still had not found a single lead in the rainy-night robbery outside the city. What news could possibly be coming from Capital City now?

Dai Sheng's hand trembled incessantly around the letter, yet he could not bring himself to break the seal.

Thoughts flashed through his mind like scenes in a revolving lantern.

It was Yang Qing, standing beside him, who reminded him, "Lord Dai, a letter from the capital cannot be delayed."

Those words instantly cleared some of the fog from Dai Sheng's muddled head.

Indeed, if he stood here fretting instead of receiving the Court Gazette and delayed an important matter, he would still be unable to bear the consequences.

At that thought, Dai Sheng shakily removed the wax seal, drew out the paper inside, and hastily skimmed it.

After reading it, his deathly pale face turned ashen.

He handed the paper to Yang Qing, barely able to get his words out. "My lord, please take a look."

Yang Qing took it and read it. The Court Gazette announced that Prince Duan, Chu Yifeng, was touring the realm on the emperor's behalf and would arrive in Yan Prefecture within days.

Ten years ago, Chu Jinghui, then the crown prince and now the emperor, had returned safely to Capital City thanks to the Yang Household of Yan Prefecture. Ever since, he had sent a prince to tour Yan Prefecture every two years.

This was a rule established by the imperial family, unchanged throughout the past decade.

Recently, however, the robbery had left Dai Sheng so frazzled that he had forgotten all about it.

Only upon seeing this Court Gazette did he remember that there was still such an important matter to attend to.

"My lord, the rainy-night robbery remains unresolved, and Prince Duan's party will arrive soon. If anything goes wrong during this time, I fear the head upon my shoulders will not remain there."

Instinctively, Dai Sheng reached for his handkerchief again to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Only when his hand went into his pocket did he remember that he had lost it on the way back.

Finding nothing, Dai Sheng could neither extend his hand nor withdraw it, and it froze awkwardly in place.

"Since you understand what is at stake, Lord Dai, surely you also understand how to proceed."

Yang Qing folded the Court Gazette along its original creases and slipped it back into the envelope.

"I understand, my lord, but even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice. This matter of the bandits could be great or small, yet I have only so many men at my disposal."

"If you find it difficult, Lord Dai, I do have a way," Yang Qing said unhurriedly.

"Please enlighten me, my lord." Dai Sheng bowed to Yang Qing.

"I have heard that Yan Prefecture City has coexisted peacefully with those bandits all these years because the city's wealthy households pay them tribute every year."

Paying silver to bandits to secure one's own safety was something kept carefully under wraps.

Now that Yang Qing had exposed it in a single sentence, Dai Sheng felt his face burn.

Did the bandits' unchecked rampages not speak to his incompetence and lack of accomplishments as county magistrate?

But at this point, Dai Sheng could no longer worry about losing face, for a greater fire was already licking at him.

If he did not find a solution soon, his official career would likely end here.

"What you say is true, my lord. But the people of Yan Prefecture resorted to this only to protect themselves."

Yang Qing nodded. "That may be so, but times have changed. Even the likes of Scarface would have reservations about openly provoking the authorities."

"That bandit is a cunning hare with three burrows. Raiding his lair will hardly be easy."

"But even if you cannot catch the man, Lord Dai, can you not search for the lifeless goods?"

"In my view, the stolen money must still be hidden somewhere near Yan Prefecture City. If you find those stolen goods, you will be striking the mountain to shake the tiger."

Dai Sheng's eyes lit up at those words.

That was right. As long as he could find the stolen money, he would have something to show Prince Duan.

At that thought, Dai Sheng bowed to Yang Qing once more.

"I will remember your kindness, my lord!"

Yang Qing waved a hand. "As Yan Prefecture Military Commissioner, it is only my duty."

"Indeed, my lord. I will arrange the manpower at once."

Dai Sheng hurried out of the second hall and headed outside the County Office.

After Dai Sheng left, Bu Er emerged from behind Yang Qing.

"Young master..."

He did not continue, having noticed that Yang Qing's gaze remained fixed on the open ground outside the hall.

Swallowing the words that had risen to his lips, Bu Er did not bring up the subject again. He simply stood silently behind Yang Qing.

As long as Yang Qing remained still, so did he.

Yang Qing was the first to come back to himself. He beckoned to Bu Er. "The weather outside looks pleasant. It is time to stretch our muscles."

With that, Yang Qing walked slowly out of the County Office.

Bu Er glanced up at the gloomy sky overhead without saying a word, then followed Yang Qing outside.

Upon returning to the Yang Residence, Yang Qing looked at Bu Er. "Has any news come from the capital?"

Bu Er stepped forward and took a secret letter from inside the front of his robe.

"You were right, young master. There has indeed been unusual activity in the capital."

"Oh?"

Yang Qing reached out to take the secret letter and finished reading it in moments.

"They also wrote that they will secretly send people here to help keep an eye on developments. They ask that you simply attend to your own affairs, young master."

"Good."

Bu Er promptly handed Yang Qing a cup of fragrant tea that had already been brewed.

Yang Qing's slender fingers gently stroked the side of the cup. "Have you found any leads outside the city?"

"Rest assured, young master, we already have some leads. We need only guide Dai Sheng there with his men, and matters should soon become clear. Only..."

Bu Er hesitated.

Yang Qing paused. "Only what?"

"While investigating, I discovered that someone else was also tracing the whereabouts of the stolen valuables. Their movements were deft and covert. We cannot afford to let down our guard."

A trace of a smile suddenly spread across Yang Qing's lips. "Is that so?"

Somewhat startled, Bu Er raised his head and looked at Yang Qing.

In his memory, Yang Qing rarely smiled.

Yet now, he could distinctly sense that faint thread of pleasure in Yang Qing.

It was slight, and it vanished almost immediately.

Still, the discovery left Bu Er puzzled. What happy thought had occurred to his young master?

As though answering his question, Yang Qing continued, "It is time to go and have a look."

Bu Er grew even more bewildered. Have a look? What were they going to look at?

Yang Qing lifted the teacup in his hand and placed it back in Bu Er's.

"The tea has gone cold. It is time to stoke a fresh fire. Come out with me tonight to admire the moon."

Bu Er instinctively glanced at the gloomy sky outside again. Admire the moon? In this weather, what moon would there be?

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