Chapter Twelve: Probing

Among Dong Xinwu’s disciples in the capital, Zhou Wei ranked fourth and was known for his cautious and worldly approach. Dong Xinwu nodded in approval. “You didn’t spread the matter about Miss Wang, did you?”

Zhou Wei shook his head. “I only mentioned that he sneaked into the Wang residence at night and revealed his whereabouts. I omitted anything about Miss Wang.”

Dong Xinwu said, “Miss Wang is still an unmarried lady. If that got out, it could ruin her reputation. Best not to mention it.”

Zhou Wei replied, “I have already instructed my men to keep it confidential. None of them are prone to gossip. Rest assured, Master.” He then steered the conversation elsewhere. “Though the news has been passed to all the districts, if Tang Haiqiu has his own contacts for medical care, or if he escapes the city, we won’t be able to find him either.”

Dong Xinwu said, “I thought about it last night and have a rough plan. Once Fang Wei arrives, the three of us will discuss it further.”

Before he could finish, a constable entered the guardroom. “Captain Dong, Lord Cheng requests your presence.” The man was Cheng Jie’s attendant. Dong Xinwu set down his soup bowl and followed him out.

Cheng Jie looked as if he had just returned from outside. Seeing Dong Xinwu come in, he said casually, “Sit down.” Then he went to the basin by the door and washed his face. His attendant helped dry it. Rolling up his sleeves, Cheng Jie sat opposite Dong Xinwu. “Do you know where I came from?”

Dong Xinwu shook his head. Cheng Jie’s expression was grim. “Early this morning, Prefect Wan summoned me and asked why a plan, which had been flawlessly devised, suffered such a major blunder, resulting in multiple constables getting injured.”

Dong Xinwu tensed. “Li Zheng intervened?”

Cheng Jie nodded. “It would be strange if he hadn’t. Such a botched operation can't be covered up with just a few words. Li Zheng has long harbored resentment against you for reporting his corruption and dereliction of duty. Now, he’s just taking advantage of any opportunity.”

Dong Xinwu clenched his anger. “These are two very different matters. Li Zheng allowed his men to accept bribes and recklessly cause a tragic incident leading to two deaths and two injuries in a family. If we don’t stop this, it could lead to even greater disasters. Where will justice be in the Shuntian Prefecture? Where will the authority stand?”

Cheng Jie raised his voice in response, “That’s why when you reported me, I didn’t stop you, and afterward I protected you at every turn so you could get through safely. But it’s also true that during the anti-bandit operation at Tuweiba Mountain, several fast patrolmen were injured in the wilds outside the city. To be frank, Prefect Wan is now demanding accountability and has ordered me to submit a report on the operation within three days. That means I have to hand someone over.”

Dong Xinwu gave a harsh laugh, trembling with anger. Cheng Jie softened his tone. “If sacrifices must be made, I suggest we preserve Fang Wei and blame Gu Yu. I will write that Gu Yu’s negligence in the inn exposed their movements, allowing the bandits to identify them, seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, and disrupt the original plan. The ambushed constables failed to respond in time, which led to the accident.”

He had even prepared the excuse in advance, only waiting for Dong Xinwu’s consent. Dong Xinwu’s face darkened. “Gu Yu at least calls me Master. How could I betray him like that?”

Seeing Dong Xinwu’s resolve faltering, less rigid than the day before, Cheng Jie secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “There’s talk that most of Li Zheng’s embezzled silver flowed into Prefect Wan’s pockets. I don’t know if it’s true, but the two incidents involving Li and Wan demonstrate their unity. Since he is determined to cause you trouble, the best strategy is not to confront head-on but to conserve strength and then strike indirectly.”

Cheng Jie said nothing of himself, and it was unclear whether in the courtroom he had fiercely defended himself or meekly acquiesced to the Prefect’s authority.

Dong Xinwu lowered his head, his gaze filled with fierce inner turmoil. Cheng Jie was about to press further when a voice came from the door. “Master, are you there?” It was Fang Wei.

Dong Xinwu abruptly stood up and rubbed his hands. “Lord Cheng, this matter is grave. A single word could determine a man’s fate. I need time to think it over.” Without waiting for a response, he strode out swiftly.

Below the stone steps stood Fang Wei respectfully. Dong Xinwu approached. “What is it?”

Fang Wei’s face was alight with excitement. “Fourth brother has news.” (The fourth brother refers to Zhou Wei.)

Dong Xinwu did not move but sized Fang Wei up and down. “What did you hear?”

Fang Wei shook his head in confusion. Dong Xinwu waved him off. “Let’s go.” Behind him, the smile on Fang Wei’s face vanished quickly. He sighed quietly as he watched Dong Xinwu’s retreating figure and hurried to catch up. Cheng Jie stood by the door, watching them disappear beyond the courtyard gate, lost in thought.

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In the western courtyard of the Wang residence, Xiao Hong greeted Gu Yu from a distance and then went upstairs. Suddenly, a sharp cry from Xiao Hong rang out. Gu Yu sprang to his feet and exchanged a quick glance with the two new guards stationed at the Moon Gate—these two were strangers who had just relieved the previous guards this morning, including Gu Lifu and others.

Gu Yu grabbed an iron ruler and sprinted upstairs, with the guards scrambling after him in a panic.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Yu rushed into the room and saw Xiao Hong frozen in shock with her back to him. His gaze passed over her shoulder to the inner chamber: the bedside area was in disarray, shards of a broken vase scattered across the floor.

Gu Yu’s vision darkened. He stepped past Xiao Hong to the bedside and scanned the fragments—no blood stains. The cabinets in the inner chamber were intact, showing no signs of struggle. Yet Wang Shihan was nowhere to be found. She had disappeared!

Gu Yu forced himself to remain calm and reached toward the head of the bed. Xiao Hong frowned. “What are you doing?” she grabbed his sleeve.

The two guards stood panting by the door, unsure whom to side with as they witnessed the dispute between Xiao Hong and Gu Yu. Gu Yu shook her off and stretched out his hand beneath the bedding. It felt cold.

His mind raced. He had been guarding the door the entire time; it was nearly impossible the assailant entered through the main gate, let alone managed to carry Wang Shihan out. In nearly an hour, only Xiao Hong had appeared once to deliver breakfast and medicine prepared by the doctor.

That meant either Wang Shihan never returned to bed after taking the medicine, or the assailant had taken her away some time ago. Given her injuries, she would not be wandering aimlessly, so Gu Yu leaned toward the latter. His gaze shifted slowly to the rear window. Could the intruder have entered there?

His eyes scanned the windowsill meticulously, missing no detail. Suddenly, his gaze fixed on the window latch. Running his hand along it, he felt the nanmu wood, intricately carved like bamboo joints—and there were knife marks!

He pushed open the window and saw a bamboo grove outside. Beyond it stood the courtyard wall, and past the wall, the street. Several bamboo stalks below the window were bent close to the ground, their branches damaged.

In Gu Yu’s mind, the intruder’s path became clear: first, they used the bamboo grove to leap up to the second floor; then, with a blade, they pried open the window latch, entered by pushing the window, subdued Wang Shihan, and finally, by some means, carried her out through the window, crossing the wall and vanishing into the street.