10y

Shen Yuncong really did show up with two boxes of restorative ointments. When he saw Liu Qi, he immediately became flustered.

“Boss Si, I… I… I came today to…”

Liu Qi still remembered Shen Yuncong forcing himself on him, so his manner was cold.

“It was I who was discourteous today, and brushed off Young Master Shen’s good intentions.”

Shen Yuncong shook his head at once.

“No no no, it was my fault!” He paused slightly, then asked carefully,

“Are you feeling any better?”

Liu Qi answered politely. His tone was no longer warm but distant.

“It’s nothing serious now. Thank you, Young Master Shen, for your concern.”

Just then, Yun Shiqing strolled into the sitting room. Shen Yuncong was stunned.

“Boss Qin? What are you doing here?”

Yun Shiqing smiled warmly.

“A Heng wasn’t feeling well. I came to check on him.”

Shen Yuncong said,

“But I thought you two…”

“You mean we’re not on good terms?” Yun Shiqing glanced at Liu Qi, his tone full of brotherly affection.

“A Heng and I may not get along, but when he’s unwell, no one takes care of him better than his elder brother.”

Liu Qi drank half a cup of hot tea with a blank expression.

Shen Yuncong didn’t dwell on the deeper meaning behind the words. His whole attention remained on Liu Qi. He even lowered himself, setting aside the status of a Transport Commissioner’s son to bow and apologize.

“I have offended Boss Si time and again. I’ve come today to admit my fault and hope Boss Si can forgive me.”

Before Liu Qi could respond, Yun Shiqing spoke first.

“What happened to Young Master Shen’s face? Quite the mark you’ve got there. I wonder if you got tangled up with some flower or stirred up some young lady and got scratched in return?”

There was still a faint red handprint on Shen Yuncong’s left cheek. Hearing this, it seemed to glow even redder.

“I… I drank too much and lost my senses, which displeased Boss Si.”

Yun Shiqing looked meaningfully at Liu Qi and gave a drawn-out

“Ohhh… so that’s how it is~”

Shen Yuncong, desperate, turned to Yun Shiqing.

“Boss Qin, could you speak to Boss Si for me? Ask him not to stay angry at me.”

Yun Shiqing couldn’t help but tease him.

“A Heng and I have never been close. Are you sure asking me to intercede won’t make things worse?”

Liu Qi had only just purged the gu poison. Both his body and mind were exhausted. A few words would have been enough to send Shen Yuncong away, but he hadn’t expected Yun Shiqing to tag along just to watch and even stir the pot from the sidelines.

Now pestered by both men, Liu Qi grew more and more irritated. He instructed Liu Feng to see the guests out, then turned and returned to the guest room in the rear courtyard.

Seeing that he was still upset, Shen Yuncong hurried to explain. In his panic, even his form of address changed.

“A Heng, what happened today was truly my fault. I shouldn’t have taken liberties with you while drunk. If you’re still angry, then just slap me again!”

“Boss Si…”

“I’ll be away from Chengdu for a few days. Could you wait here for me to return?”

“A Heng!”

But no matter how he called out, Liu Qi never looked back.

Yun Shiqing casually asked,

“Where is Young Master Shen going? Why not take my younger brother along?”

Shen Yuncong didn’t answer. His expression was heavy with disappointment.

Yun Shiqing shook his head with mock sympathy.

“I’d advise you not to waste your breath. You could shout yourself hoarse and he still wouldn’t answer.”

Shen Yuncong asked, puzzled,

“Why?”

Yun Shiqing gave a cryptic smile.

“My younger brother is heartless. You shouldn’t have fallen for him.”

---

Though Chengdu Prefecture’s tribute routes weren’t under the prefect’s control, all tax revenue still passed through his hands. Even the annual tributes sent to the capital were handled by the prefect, so every account was recorded in meticulous detail.

Prefect Ran tried to use the tax and tribute records as leverage to beg Yun Shiqing to rescue his wife and children from Shen Jie’s hands. But Yun Shiqing refused. He had already left the capital without permission and was technically a criminal. Helping Prefect Ran would only bring more trouble upon himself. Besides, the only person he could rely on was Xi Feici. If he went head-to-head with Shen Jie, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

In the end, it was Liu Qi who agreed to take on the task. He promised to rescue Prefect Ran’s wife and children. In return, Prefect Ran had to hand over all his ledgers and draw a likeness of the current Transport Commissioner.

Prefect Ran was only allowed to reunite with his wife and children a few days each month, so he was quite familiar with Shen Yuncong’s residence. He handed Liu Qi a map of the estate he had drawn and a portrait of Shen Jie. Then he bowed deeply, tears streaming down his face.

“I thank you, Prime Minister Liu, for rescuing my wife and children. Your kindness is like giving us new life. I will remember this forever.”

“Saving your family was out of humanity and solidarity between colleagues. We haven’t rescued them yet, so don’t thank me just yet,” Liu Qi said as he carefully studied the unfamiliar face in the portrait. His voice was calm. “You’ve been the prefect for two years, yet you’ve lived under threat from criminals, deceiving the court above and the people below. You are bringing shame to that uniform. Once this is over, you are to return to the capital with me and await punishment.”

This dynasty did not require kneeling as ritual, but at that moment, Ran Nian dropped to the ground and knocked his head to the floor three times.

“I am guilty. I’ve let down His Majesty, let down the people. I’m willing to receive the death sentence.”

After a moment, something seemed to occur to him. “Prime Minister Liu, I have something to report. I heard that the Transport Commission sends a shipment of important goods to Yazhou every two months. It might be related to what you’re investigating.”

“What goods?” Liu Qi asked.

Ran Nian answered nervously, “I... I don’t know. But they always deliver them on schedule. The next shipment should be tomorrow.”

That night, Liu Qi gave the estate map to Liu Feng. Liu Feng and Xi Feici infiltrated the residence and examined it carefully. The layout inside matched the map exactly, and they successfully located the courtyard where Prefect Ran’s wife and children were being held.

As for the man in the portrait, Liu Qi didn’t recognize him at all. He had a wide face, thick nose, heavy brows, and narrow eyes. Very different from Shen Jie’s appearance.

Yun Shiqing stared at the portrait for a while, then suddenly said, “Since they’re sending goods to Yazhou tomorrow, why don’t we follow them and find out who this impostor pretending to be Shen Jie really is?”

Liu Qi frowned slightly, seeming hesitant.

Yun Shiqing shot him a glance and said, displeased, “Aren’t you usually the first to act? Why back down now? Worried it’s dangerous and you don’t dare go?”

Liu Qi gave him a side glance. “Tomorrow is the ninth of the second month. That leaves only six days until the full moon.”

The room was dead silent. Occasionally, the sharp crack of a candle wick breaking broke the quiet.

Suddenly, Xi Feici gave a little laugh. “Prime Minister Liu, there’s no need to worry. Your antidote is right here. If the gu poison acts up, just take it.”

Both Liu Qi and Yun Shiqing looked over at her. Their eyes had a trace of frost in them.

Xi Feici covered her lips with her hand and said, “I was only speaking casually. No need to get angry, my lords. You two just go to Yazhou. I’ll give you both an answer before the full moon.”

At dawn, a group of people dressed as household staff left the city escorting two wooden crates and headed west. Liu Qi and Yun Shiqing followed them, carrying a cartload of Sichuan brocade. But the others were riding government horses, which were far faster than normal ones. Soon, they disappeared from view.

Liu Feng turned back to ask the person in the carriage, “Master, our carriage can’t keep up. Should I go ahead with a few guards?”

A voice came from inside, “Very well. Take a few of the imperial guards and leave markers along the way.”

“Yes, sir.” After receiving the command, Liu Feng pulled tight on the reins and galloped off.

About half of the dozen guards from the Imperial Surveillance Bureau followed Liu Feng. The rest blended in with the merchant caravan.

There were only two carriages on this trip. One for cargo, and one for the two prime ministers.

They had already been traveling for an hour, but Liu Qi and Yun Shiqing hadn’t said a single word. The inside of the carriage was silent, with only their steady breathing rising and falling.

It was still cold in February. The morning fog hadn't cleared. After traveling through a stretch of wilderness, they arrived at a small town just as the sun broke through the clouds.

They had a simple breakfast at a teahouse, then continued on their way. But the weight of the brocade was slowing them down too much, so they had no choice but to abandon the carriage and continue on horseback.

Yun Shiqing finally broke the silence, making his first remark of the day. “That cart of Sichuan brocade is worth at least seven or eight thousand taels of silver. More than an ordinary family could earn in several lifetimes. Yet you tossed it away like it was nothing. Truly extravagant. No wonder you’re the son of Yangzhou’s richest merchant.”

Liu Qi swung into the saddle and gave him a cold look. “A gentleman speaks cautiously and acts quickly.”

Yun Shiqing nudged his horse to keep up. “You’re wrong, my lord. People speak before they act. From the moment we’re born, we cry. That’s instinct. If I don’t talk, what else should I do with this mouth?”

Liu Qi suddenly raised a hand and tossed something directly into Yun Shiqing’s mouth. “Besides talking, your mouth can eat. If you can’t keep it shut, find something to chew on.”

Yun Shiqing instinctively spat it out. It turned out to be a soft, white meat bun, just like the ones they’d eaten at the teahouse earlier.

Without the cargo, they moved much faster. Following Liu Feng’s trail markers, the two led several guards on horseback and hurried toward Yazhou, arriving by midday the next day.

They had ridden through the night with barely any rest. Once they entered Yazhou, they immediately reunited with Liu Feng.

Liu Feng had already reserved rooms for them. After a quick wash, Liu Qi asked, “Where are the Transport Commission people now?”

“They’re at the prefectural office,” Liu Feng replied. “But from what I’ve observed, that’s not their actual meeting place. I think they’ll move again tonight.”

“Keep a close watch,” Liu Qi said. “Who’s leading them?”

Liu Feng shook his head. “There seem to be two people in charge, but both had their faces covered. I couldn’t get a good look.”

Yun Shiqing and Liu Qi rested at the inn while the guards rotated on duty. At nightfall, the group transporting the wooden crates finally left the prefecture office and exited Yazhou.

Instead of taking the main road, they followed a rugged, uneven path west. Around midnight, the carriage stopped in front of a village.

The entire village was brightly lit. Not at all what one would expect at that hour. It was as if the villagers had known important guests would be arriving tonight and had lit lamps to welcome them.

At that moment, a bone flute suddenly echoed through the quiet village. Within a few breaths, tightly closed wooden doors swung open one after another. Groups of three to five people quickly stepped out and gathered in front of the carriages.

Strangely, among the ten or so households, there wasn’t a single woman or child.

Only sturdy, well-armed men, all with menacing expressions, not to be provoked lightly.

Someone lit torches soaked in tung oil. In an instant, everything lit up as bright as day.

Everyone knelt with bent arms, bowing in unison to the man on horseback.

Though they wore Han clothing, their rituals followed Nazang customs. Even the language they spoke was exclusively Nazang.

Liu Qi and Yun Shiqing watched from the shadows, seeing everything clearly.

Yun Shiqing held his breath in silence for a long while before speaking. “The man they're bowing to is King Mu Qi of Gongbu.”

He didn’t understand the Nazang language, but when he had once received Nazang envoys, he’d heard the name King Gongbu from them. It was a mouthful, and it had taken him several tries to pronounce it correctly.

Liu Qi paused, then lowered his voice. “Nazang has been in constant civil unrest in recent years. Mu Nie Zanpu and his younger brother Mu Qi became enemies and clashed many times. Later, Mu Qi was defeated and expelled from Zongge City. He then declared himself king in Gongbu. But why would he sneak into Great Yan? Could Shen Jie have been replaced by him? Then where did the real Shen Jie go?”

Yun Shiqing frowned. “Maybe he wants to use Great Ye's power to overthrow Mu Nie Zanpu.”

Liu Qi said, “We must report this to His Majesty immediately.”

Yun Shiqing nodded and turned to leave.

But just then, several streaks of fire shot out from the dark forest. The imperial guards instantly drew their swords, slashing the flaming arrows out of the air.

In the next moment, the masked man turned his horse and charged toward them.

Suddenly, a group of tall and strong archers appeared all around, surrounding Liu Qi and the others.

“We’ve walked into a trap!” Liu Feng said under his breath. “Protect the two lords!”

Two masked men on horseback were surrounded by torchbearers. Their faces were hidden, making it impossible to tell who they were.

Liu Qi looked up and locked eyes with one of the masked men.

The man’s eyes were misty with moisture. He stared intently at Liu Qi. The corners of his eyes were faintly red.

The leading man pulled down his mask, revealing a wide, round face exactly as Prefect Ran had drawn it.

“Prime Ministers, I offer you my respects,” said King Mu Qi of Gongbu with a cupped-fist salute.

Yun Shiqing frowned. “You know who we are?”

Mu Qi said, “If you're asking where to find the finest men in the world. there’s Prime Minister Yun of Jinling, and Seventh Gentleman Liu of Yangzhou. Your names are famous across the land. Who doesn't know you?”

Yun Shiqing’s face turned cold. “Since King Mu of Gongbu knows who we are, then surely you won’t destroy the alliance between our nations so easily. Let us go.”

“There is no King Mu of Gongbu here, and no Liu Qi or Yun Shiqing. Only Shen Jie, the Transport Commissioner of Chengdu, and two merchants from Yangzhou, Mister Qin and Mister Si,” Mu Qi said as he fiddled with his fingers and smiled faintly. “I may know who Prime Ministers Yun and Liu are, but they're the pillars of the court. How could they just leave the capital? What I’ve heard is that two merchants from Yangzhou have been colluding with bandits near Shu’s border, trying to profit through unlawful means. I came today to eliminate this threat for the people.”

The masked youth beside him slowly lowered his veil. Though he still had Shen Yuncong’s face, he was no longer the son of a transport commissioner.

His gaze held both anger and pain, his eyes burning with quiet flames. “A Heng…”

Mu Qi’s smile faded. “You fool, are you still confused even now? That man is Liu Qi, Left Prime Minister of Great Ye, not some merchant named Si Heng. And the one beside him is his former lover, Yun Shiqing.”

With that, he grabbed a saber from a guard and tossed it to the youth. Gritting his teeth, he said, “My son, stop being blinded. Kill Liu Qi now.”

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