Chapter 59: Bad News

In the bedchamber, Zhangsun Sheng looked sallow-faced, accompanied by violent fits of coughing.

Zheng Yanqing had seen Zhangsun Sheng ill before, but compared to his sickness during the cold weather, Zhangsun Sheng's present condition was noticeably much more severe.

When Yanqing entered, Zhangsun Sheng was talking with a middle-aged man.

This man was younger than Zhangsun Sheng, with a round face, a slightly prominent forehead, a dark beard, and a fair complexion, exuding a scholarly aura. Yanqing recognized him as Zhangsun Sheng's paternal clansman, named Zhangsun Shunde, who currently served as General of the Right Imperial Guard.

Note that he was a general, not a Grand General.

Historically, this man was quite famous. During the Liaodong campaign, to avoid the war, he fled to Taiyuan. Later, he followed Li Yuan in the uprising at Taiyuan and rendered outstanding military service. After Li Yuan ascended the throne, he was enfeoffed as the Grand General of the Left Xiaowei and the Duke of Xue.

Later on, during the Incident at Xuanwu Gate, he assisted Li Shimin in ascending the imperial throne.

As for whether he made it into the Lingyan Pavilion? It was too long ago, and Zheng Yanqing could not quite remember.

However, he knew that this Zhangsun Shunde was a man of great vision and adept at placing bets, and his abilities were likely not inferior.

Zhangsun Shunde was quite affectionate toward Yanqing, greeting him with a smile.

"Elder brother, then I shall take my leave first... You need not worry about affairs within the estate; Heng'an will be back in a few days, so just set your mind at ease and recuperate."

Zhangsun Sheng nodded. "Yanqing, go and see him out for me!"

Generally speaking, tasks of this nature were performed by sons, nephews, or close relatives. Zhangsun Sheng instructing Yanqing to see the guest out thus demonstrated his attitude toward Yanqing. Perhaps in Zhangsun Sheng's heart, Yanqing already existed like a nephew to him.

"Uncle, what on earth is going on?"

While escorting Zhangsun Shunde out, Zheng Yanqing could not help asking, "When I came in, I saw the guards in the city were very strict. Teacher was still fine yesterday, yet in just a single night... What on earth happened to make Teacher end up in such a state?"

Zhangsun Shunde said, "The remnants of the Northern Zhou are making trouble. Yesterday, elder brother, along with General Tianbao, Lord Mai and others, lured and slaughtered the rebel remnants at the foot of Duanmen City. It's just that the rebel was too fierce, causing elder brother's old ailment to flare up during the suppression, which led to this condition... That fellow is truly worthy of being the former number one martial artist in Chang'an. When I was clearing the Tianjin Bridge early this morning, that scene was simply tragic... That single man actually slaughtered nearly two hundred imperial guards. Five top experts surrounded him, Lord Mai was heavily injured, and General Tianbao lost his beloved steed... Damn it, he really is an old monster!"

"Uncle, who are you talking about?"

Seeing no one else around, Zhangsun Shunde lowered his voice and said, "It's Hade, the major-domo of Yuwen You's household during the Daxiang era. But he has changed his name nowadays and is called Hashiqi... Oh, he's the owner of the Dating Restaurant. And let me tell you, you certainly wouldn't guess this. That fellow was also the mastermind behind the White-Robed Maitreya who intercepted and killed you at White Sparrow Temple. Wouldn't you say it's terrifying? I've even eaten at the Dating Restaurant... If he had made a move back then, half of the ministers in this court might have lost their lives!"

Hearing this, Zhangsun Shunde shuddered involuntarily and shook his head repeatedly, seeming somewhat fearful.

A jolt ran through Zheng Yanqing's heart.

Fortunately, his composure was quite good, and he did not reveal too much emotion on his face.

Instead, he put on a look of shock. "There is actually such a formidable figure in Luoyang City? What has become of that Hade now?"

Zhangsun Shunde smiled. "Three thousand imperial guards were dispatched to lure and ambush him, along with five top experts. If he had still managed to escape, where would His Majesty's face be put? He is dead; that fellow was killed. It is said that his corpse has been collected and placed in the charge of General Tianbao to handle. Word has it that he was buried at the foot of Fragrant Hill... Better that he's dead, better that he's dead."

Zheng Yanqing saw Zhangsun Shunde off and returned to the bedchamber.

Zhangsun Sheng was very exhausted, his eyes tightly closed, leaning against the bedding as if he had fallen asleep.

Zheng Yanqing tiptoed over and covered him with a blanket.

"Yanqing, I won't be able to supervise your lessons for the next two days, but you must not slack off... Oh, go to the back garden and keep Guanyinbi company. My illness acting up this morning frightened her terribly. Wuji is keeping her company right now, but it probably won't be of much use. That child is quite clingy, so put a little more thought into it. If there is anything you don't understand in your lessons, come and ask me later."

"Yes!"

Zheng Yanqing rose, preparing to leave.

Just as he reached the doorway, Zhangsun Sheng suddenly called out to him.

"Yanqing!"

"Your student is here..."

Zhangsun Sheng hesitated for a moment. "One day, if I am no longer around, I ask that you spare more thought to taking good care of Guanyinbi."

"Teacher, what kind of talk is this?"

Startled, Zheng Yanqing quickly said, "Just now, Physician Chao also said that as long as you rest properly, nothing will happen."

"Why are you so nervous?" Zhangsun Sheng smiled. "I was just speaking casually. Heh, but during these past few days, I must ask you to take extra care of Guanyinbi. She is young and of a gentle temperament; she truly needs someone by her side to coax her."

"Rest assured, Teacher, your disciple will certainly take good care of Guanyinbi."

Zhangsun Sheng closed his eyes again, and Zheng Yanqing quietly backed out of the room, gently pulling the door closed.

On his way to the garden, he happened to meet Madam Gao coming his way. It was clear that she looked somewhat worried and did not greet Yanqing as she usually did. She merely nodded, passed by him, and hurried toward the bedchamber.

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Yanqing coaxed Wugou in the garden for a while until a happy smile appeared on her face, only then setting his mind at ease.

Past noon, Zheng Yanqing first coaxed Wugou into her midday nap.

Then, having partaken of a hasty lunch at the Zhangsun household, he took his leave.

No matter what had happened, he had to act completely normal. In the eyes of many, Zheng Yanqing could not possibly have any connection with the White-Robed Maitreya, and this was his best weapon for protecting Duoduo at present. Only, he wondered what Duoduo's condition would be like once she learned of this news.

The thought of this gave Zheng Yanqing a slight headache.

Tied up in all of this was also Zhangsun Sheng... He needed to make Duoduo understand that Zhangsun Sheng was acting on imperial decree, while simultaneously dispelling any desire for revenge that might arise in her.

This was by no means an easy task.

Moreover, Hashiqi was buried at Fragrant Hill?

Zheng Yanqing did not entirely believe it. Instinctively, he suspected this was a trap—most likely set by the imperial court to lure out Hashiqi's accomplices. Furthermore, what was the situation with Yuwen Ya? Could an accident have befallen him as well?

The more Yanqing thought about it, the more his head throbbed.

Preoccupied with worries all the way, he hurried back to the Zheng residence in Huairen Lane.

Duoduo was craning her neck in eager anticipation, waiting for news from Zheng Yanqing. In truth, by this afternoon, news regarding the White-Robed Maitreya had already spread far and wide, and it was naturally impossible for Zheng Shi'an not to have caught wind of some of it. Yet Duoduo still clung to a shred of hope; at this moment, she was more willing to trust Yanqing and preferred to hear the answer she wished for directly from his lips.

However, the news Yanqing brought back plunged Duoduo into despair.

"I'm going to kill them!"

Duoduo snatched up her precious sword and strode toward the door.

Zheng Yanqing grabbed her tightly in a desperate embrace. "Duoduo, don't be impulsive... The emperor is not in Luoyang right now; the moment you step outside, it's a dead end.

Calm down, don't be rash.

Although Lord Ha has suffered misfortune, there is still Ya-ya! Think of Ya-ya; if something happens to you, what will become of Ya-ya?"

Duoduo suddenly bit down on Zheng Yanqing's arm, causing such sharp pain that Yanqing could not help but bare his teeth and wince.

Mao Xiaonian instantly rushed forward to pull Duoduo away, but Zheng Yanqing stopped him with a glance. He held Duoduo tightly in his arms, allowing her to bite into his forearm.

"Duoduo, be good."

Yanqing stroked Duoduo's beautiful hair with one hand. "Cry if you want to cry... But don't let it last too long, because we still have to go find Ya-ya."

A muffled sob squeezed out from Duoduo's throat, and gradually, she loosened her bite.

Zheng Yanqing signaled Mao Xiaonian to step back, then said in a soft voice, "Lord Ha is gone, but you still have your little scholar. I may not have martial skills as formidable as Lord Ha's, but I will certainly help you. However, although it is said that the emperor issued the decree this time, I feel it shouldn't be this simple. It's very likely the work of a traitor within; otherwise, Lord Ha could not have been exposed.

I heard that many White-Robed Maitreya disciples attempted to storm Duanmen at the time.

Since Lord Ha had already decided to evacuate, how could he have organized men to do such an unwise thing?"

Duoduo slowly lifted her head!

Her eyes were red and swollen, and her face was streaked with tears.

"It couldn't be Ya-ya. Many disciples in the sect don't even know of Ya-ya's existence. Aside from Lord Ha, only I and... HuliDie knew."

"Who is HuliDie?"

"He is also a grand-master within the sect. Like Father Ha, he was a bodyguard of my father's in his early years.

The White-Robed Maitreya was jointly founded by Father Ha and him... But why on earth would he betray Father Ha?"

"Then where is HuliDie?"

"I'm not sure. Father Ha arranged for him and us to act separately. He disappeared a few days ago; only Father Ha knew where he went."

Yanqing thought of Xu Yansheng's ledger.

He hurried to fetch the ledger and flipped it open to read carefully.

According to Xu Yansheng's records, the second manager of Dating Restaurant was none other than HuliDie. He frequented the place often and came into contact with quite a few people. Xu Yansheng had only kept him under surveillance without being able to question him too closely, so the backgrounds of many individuals remained unclear.

"Duoduo, do you have dealings with the Commandery Prince of Puyang?"

Zheng Yanqing suddenly spotted a name in the records.

Duoduo thought for a moment. "I'm not too clear on that. Are you talking about Potou? I heard Father Ha say there seemed to be some dealings, but I've never seen anyone from Potou's household. You know how it is—for Dating Restaurant to gain a foothold in Luoyang, it's bound to cultivate connections with some powerful and influential figures."

"Has HuliDie always been the one handling this?"

"Contact with Potou's household seemed to be managed entirely by HuliDie... Why do you ask?"

Yanqing said, "Several months ago, because I spotted a familiar face—well, perhaps a familiar face—slipping in and out of the side door of Dating Restaurant, and having heard that the person was with the White-Robed Maitreya, I grew curious about the restaurant and had someone keep a secret watch outside. This here details the entry and exit of personnel through the side door. According to the records, carriages from the Commandery Prince of Puyang's estate appeared at the side door on several occasions. After HuliDie came out, he left in a carriage from the Commandery Prince of Puyang's estate."

"Are you saying that HuliDie and Potou betrayed us?"

Zheng Yanqing nodded. "It's highly likely!"

"I, I'm going to kill him."

Zheng Yanqing gave a stern shout: "Duoduo, put down the sword... If HuliDie betrayed you, he is undoubtedly under the protection of the Commandery Prince of Puyang right now. On my way to Teacher's estate at noon, I ran into General Tianbao Yuwen Chengdu.

Even Lord Ha died at the hands of General Tianbao; how could you possibly be his match?

If you are this reckless, how can I set my mind at ease? Let me tell you, this matter is far from over. Rumors on the street say that Lord Ha was buried at the foot of Fragrant Hill. But by my estimation, this is likely a trap, waiting for you to walk right into it..."

"Little scholar, I, I, I..."

Duoduo suddenly burst into loud sobbing. "I'm so useless. Lord Ha is dead, yet there is nothing I can do. I'm so useless."

Yanqing stepped forward and pulled Duoduo into his embrace.

"Duoduo, listen to me, I will definitely avenge you.

However, you must listen to my words. Our most urgent task right now is to find Ya-ya and then safely escort you out of Luoyang. As for HuliDie, I believe he will show up sooner or later. Duoduo, all we need to do is wait."

"However, how long must we wait?"

Zheng Yanqing wore a pensive look, speaking softly as if to himself: "It won't be too far off. Trust me, it won't be much longer."

Duoduo instinctively hugged Yanqing's waist tighter, pressing her delicate face firmly against his chest.

At this moment, only the embrace of her little scholar could make her feel a trace of warmth and security...

"Young Master!"

The door was suddenly flung open as Mao Xiaonian and Xu Shiji burst into the room. "Bamboo Garden, something has happened at Bamboo Garden!"

"What happened at Bamboo Garden?"

Xu Shiji said urgently, "I escorted Xu Yansheng to Bamboo Garden this afternoon, but upon arriving, I discovered that Mao Wang and his wife had been murdered."

"What did you say?"

Mao Xiaonian's eyes streamed with tears, looking as if his soul had been sucked out of him, not knowing what to do.

"Young Master, my parents..."

Duoduo hurried forward to steady Xiaonian.

Zheng Yanqing asked, "Brother Xu, what on earth is going on?"

"I took Xu Yansheng to Bamboo Garden this afternoon, but Mao Wang's family was nowhere to be seen. So Xu Yansheng and I searched around, and first found two bodies—one large and one small—in a bamboo cottage; later on, near the kitchen, we found the corpses of Mao Wang and his wife. The quarters at Bamboo Garden were in complete disarray, and the carriage along with the two mares pulling it were missing... Xu Yansheng is still keeping watch at Bamboo Garden."

Zheng Yanqing suddenly felt his hair stand on end.

An ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

"Duoduo, both you and Xiaonian stay here at home. Until I return, you are not to step outside a single step.

Shen Guang, saddle the horses... Brother Xu, immediately call upon Dang Shijie and Dang Shiying. We are going to Bamboo Garden right now to investigate."

Duoduo looked doubtfully at Zheng Yanqing's ashen face, faintly sensing the fury raging in his heart.

"Little scholar, what's wrong with you?"

"Duoduo, have you ever heard the name 'Mao Xiaoba'?"

Duoduo scratched her head. "It doesn't seem familiar... Oh, you don't mean to say that the person you were having watched is Mao Xiaoba?"

Mao Xiaonian also raised his head, looking at Yanqing with incredulous eyes.

"Young Master, are you saying..."

Zheng Yanqing ignored Mao Xiaonian. "Duoduo, think carefully. A local from Luoyang, surnamed Mao—do you have any impression?"

"Ah, I remember now."

Duoduo suddenly slapped her hands together in realization. "HuliDie has a disciple whose surname is Mao, and he's from Luoyang. But that person isn't called Mao Xiaoba; he's called Mao Gongsui... Um, he's about seventeen or eighteen years old, rather delicate-looking, speaks very softly, and has a very good temper."

"You wait here. Until I return, no one is allowed to leave."

With that, Zheng Yanqing whirled around and sprinted out of the room.

He vaulted onto his horse outside the estate gates, and whipping their mounts into a gallop, he, Shen Guang, and Xu Shiji charged out of Huairen Lane.

No wonder Mao Wang and his wife had adamantly refused to live in the city, preferring to stay at the secluded Bamboo Garden...

Earlier, Zheng Yanqing had thought they simply didn't want to live in the city. But thinking about it now, that was surely not the case. Mao Wang and his wife must have located Mao Xiaoba, and staying behind at Bamboo Garden was to make it convenient to meet with their son.

I was careless, I was careless... Recently, Zheng Yanqing had almost forgotten about the existence of Mao Xiaoba, let alone connecting Mao Wang and his wife guarding Bamboo Garden to Mao Xiaoba. Yet this bond of flesh and blood, this deep familial affection... he had overlooked it!

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The third update will be around 5:30.