Chapter 48: Winds Rise in Lanyang

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival.

Early in the morning, Zhisheng came to bid his farewell.

“Since the case of Jintai Temple has been closed, This poor monk shall return to report to his Master. Having disturbed you for many days, I ask Benefactor Ding to thank the Princess Consort on my behalf.”

“Leaving already?”

After spending many days together, Ding Suian had grown somewhat fond of this monk with the chubby face.

“Amitabha, This poor monk is leaving now.”

“All good things must come to an end. Safe travels, AZhi. If you’re free in the future, you can find me in Central Heaven, and I’ll treat you to drinks and girls! Next time, I’ll definitely find you some high-quality ladies.”

After Ding Suian’s polite remarks, he saw the monk still standing before him and asked curiously, “Is there something else?”

“Benefactor Ding said yesterday that my Master was using This poor monk as a pawn. This poor monk cannot fathom the hidden meaning within, so I ask Benefactor Ding to enlighten me.”

Zhisheng blinked his small, mung-bean-like eyes, looking at Ding Suian with great sincerity.

Ding Suian thought for a moment and asked in return, “How is your popularity at Shangling Temple?”

“This poor monk gets along harmoniously with his fellow disciples.”

“.”

It was probably just harmony in his own mind.

“After your Master passed away, did you rarely interact with your fellow disciples?”

Hearing Ding Suian mention his Master, Zhisheng’s expression dazed for a moment.

“AZhi, some things you must realize for yourself. In short, be careful in everything, and have a safe journey.”

An honest person is never welcomed anywhere, especially since his Master had just passed away and he had lost his protection.

Ding Suian guessed that Zhisheng had been tricked into coming to Lanyang by his sect, unaware of the schemes of the Buddhist and Daoist religions and the Imperial Court.

After all, the risk of facing the State Religion directly was very high; it was not a good job.

Didn’t you see? The Daoists only sent one Daoist who could use Palm Thunder to help on the night at Jintai Temple. During yesterday’s crisis, they didn’t even show their faces.

After seeing Zhisheng off, Ding Suian left the residence and sent an express letter to Central Heaven.

It was the letter Lin Hansu had written to Lin Dafu.

Lanyang was two hundred miles from Central Heaven. Express delivery could arrive in one day. Factoring in the round trip and giving Lin Dafu a day to pull some strings, he would likely receive the military transfer order by the eighteenth.

Just in time to avoid the subsequent storm.

The big shots wanted to play chess. If you didn’t want to be a pawn, your only choice was to flip the board and run.

“Head Constable Jiao?”

Outside the residence gate, Ding Suian unexpectedly saw Head Constable Jiao from the Prefecture Magistrate’s office standing with some constables on one side, as if waiting for someone.

“Squad Leader Ding!”

Yesterday, Inspector Sun rewarded those who contributed to the Jintai Temple case, and Head Constable Jiao and the other constables also received some silver rewards.

Others might not know, but didn’t they know it themselves? They hadn’t put in any effort in suppressing the bandits; it was all thanks to Squad Leader Ding.

“Since the Jintai Temple case is closed, everyone is happy. We chipped in and wanted to invite Squad Leader Ding to Shouzhen Lane for a drink.”

“Squad Leader Ding, you must grace us with your presence! Our Head Jiao knows several mamas; they’re older but very experienced…” A young constable gestured with his hands in front of his chest, looking very experienced.

Ding Suian pondered for a moment and smiled, “Unluckily, I’m on duty in the residence today and tomorrow and can’t get away. How about the day after tomorrow, the seventeenth of the first month? We’ll gather at Pinshu Pavilion at night?”

“Great! As Squad Leader Ding says, the night of the seventeenth, be there or be square!”

Returning to Diying Garden, before his seat was even warm, he was invited to the rear residence by Granny Zhang.

In a side courtyard of the five-entry complex, a magnificent black horse was tied to a pillar. Lin Hansu stood far away, her brow furrowed into a delicate knot, covering her nose with a silk handkerchief.

This was clearly not a stable. On the beautiful floor tiles carved with auspicious cloud patterns, greenish dung balls were scattered here and there.

When Ding Suian stepped into the courtyard, Mythical Beast was sticking up its rear, provocatively pooping in front of Lin Hansu.

‘Du~ du~ crackle, du-la~’

After the deep talk last night, Lin Hansu hadn’t slept well all night and looked a bit haggard. The first thing she said upon seeing Ding Suian was, “Go back to your room, get your bags, mount this horse, and return to Central Heaven immediately.”

“Sister, you’re too anxious. Without military orders, how can I leave the Prince’s residence without permission? I just sent the letter. I’ll leave in a few days once the transfer order arrives.” As Ding Suian spoke, he had already walked over to Mythical Beast.

Lin Hansu hurriedly warned, “Be careful, this beast is very vicious!”

Unexpectedly, Mythical Beast, who was bowing its head to nibble on the Fortune’s Spindle, only gave Ding Suian a lazy glance before burying its head back into the flower bed.

“It’s clearly very well-behaved, how is it vicious?” Ding Suian stroked the mane on Mythical Beast’s back, looking at Lin Hansu skeptically.

“.”

Yesterday, Mythical Beast didn’t have this attitude when it saw her!

Could there be a difference between men and women?

“Slutty horse!!!”

Lin Hansu’s evaluation was short and powerful.

“Sister, I remember during the inspection before the new year, the residence operates a pharmacy?”

“Yes, we do. Are you unwell and need medicine?”

“No, I want to get some knockout powder.”

“Okay!”

Lin Hansu was so efficient that she didn’t even ask why he wanted such a thing, so he didn’t even get a chance to use the reason he had prepared. After a pause, he added, “Is there a kind of knockout powder where you can take an antidote beforehand so you won’t be affected?”

“I’m not sure about that. I’ll have Uncle Zhang ask later.”

At night, the lights of Lanyang Prefecture City were as bright as day, and the noise was clearly audible even miles away.

Every household hung lanterns and decorations.

Shops along the street set up colorful pavilions and festive gates. Both sides of the street in front of the prefecture office were hung with Sun and Moon Lanterns, Poem Tablet Lanterns, Character Lanterns, Water Lanterns, and Shadow Lanterns—a dazzling and brilliant array.

Children dressed in new clothes, carrying carp lanterns, chased and played among them.

The street-parading Lantern Festivals organized by major trading firms stretched from the east gate of Lanyang Prefecture all the way to the west City outskirts.

A night of fiery trees and silver flowers.

Warehouse Street.

This place was far from the main roads of the City, and the distant noise only made it seem quieter.

North-South Goods Trading House.

The owner, Shopkeeper Wu, had suddenly disappeared before the new year, and the main gate was locked tight.

At the end of the Hai hour, a faint light flashed in the courtyard before returning to darkness.

Not until the deep Chou hour did a figure carrying what looked like a heavy wooden barrel scale the wall and vanish into the long alley.

Half an hour later, the dark shadow returned and repeated the process three times.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The festive activities that had lasted many days since the first day of the first lunar month all ended on the seventeenth.

The New Year was over.

At the Xu hour, Ding Suian arrived at Pinshu Pavilion as agreed.

Head Constable Jiao and the others, who had arrived early, had already found their favorite girls in the main hall and were cuddling intimately.

It seemed Old Jiao had some special preference; the girl in his arms looked quite old, resembling Granny Rong, with makeup as thick as putty that still couldn’t hide her wrinkled face.

Lacking maternal love?

“Head Constable Jiao!”

“Squad Leader Ding!”

Both sides exchanged greetings. Head Constable Jiao noticed Ding Suian looking at ‘Granny Rong’ a few more times and immediately pushed her toward him generously, “If Squad Leader Ding likes her, I’ll let you have her.”

“Uh,” Ding Suian quickly said, “Thank you for the kind offer, Head Constable Jiao, but I already have an appointment with Miss Night Contain. I won’t take what you love tonight.”

“Oh,” Head Constable Jiao drew out the word, looking envious. “I heard recently that this Pure Courtesan of Pinshu Pavilion had been claimed by someone. So it was Squad Leader Ding! My apologies, my apologies.”

After saying that, he gave ‘Granny Rong’s’ sagging buttocks a hard squeeze and winked lecherously, “Brother, you’re young and don’t know the benefits of the older ones! An old hen cools the fire!”

Just then, Night Contain walked over gracefully, swaying her hips. Upon reaching them, her seductive fox-like eyes fixed on Ding Suian’s face with a mix of feigned anger and resentment for a few breaths, her affection so thick it could be spun into silk. Then she turned to Head Constable Jiao and the others, giving a delicate bow like a weak willow, “Night Contain greets the older brothers.”

After speaking, her arms were already wrapped around Ding Suian’s arm.

“Brother, you’re lucky, hahaha.”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group sat down in a private room.

Just as the banquet began, Head Constable Jiao and several subordinates took turns toasting Ding Suian for his contribution to the Jintai Temple case.

Ding Suian didn’t refuse anyone. Before long, his face was flushed red, showing seventy to eighty percent drunkenness, so Night Contain had to drink a few cups on his behalf.

Seeing him hazy with drink, Head Constable Jiao took the opportunity to subtly ask about the situation with the Princess Consort. After all, the matter of the Official Fields concerned the welfare of everyone in the Prefecture Magistrate’s office.

Two days ago, Li Fengrao’s inconsistent performance outside the Prince’s residence might have displeased Lin Hansu. The Official Fields project, which had been progressing smoothly, suddenly went quiet.

But Ding Suian’s alcohol tolerance was a bit poor. His eyes were bleary, and he couldn’t say a full sentence. However, after seeing the guests and girls in the hall playing the Skin Cup game, he clamored, “Play Skin Cup, play Skin Cup~”

Having a request in mind, Head Constable Jiao immediately led the revelry.

Night Contain sat on Ding Suian’s lap, her head leaning on his shoulder, her soft, jade-like arms lazily encircling his neck.

Her slightly tipsy, melon-seed-shaped face was flushed, her seductive eyes full of spring. She looked like a bird leaning on a person.

After a round of the Skin Cup game, when it was her turn, she showed only a bit of bashfulness before pouring a cup for herself and taking it into her mouth.

Then, pouting her cherry lips, she leaned toward Ding Suian.

Lips met, and the wine swirled between their mouths.

This was Night Contain’s first time kissing, but she was able to suppress her psychological discomfort and physical resistance, acting as if it were nothing.

This was the discipline of a Shadow Division secret agent.

After a breath or two, she actually found it quite interesting and traded a few rounds.

Just as she was enjoying it, her opponent’s head suddenly slumped.

‘Thud~’

Ding Suian fell headfirst onto the table.

Head Constable Jiao was briefly stunned, “Squad Leader Ding, is he drunk?”

Night Contain looked at Ding Suian sprawled on the table and scoffed inwardly. This is it?

His alcohol tolerance is way too poor.

I don’t know when the Chief Officer went blind to praise him so highly.

While she was complaining to herself, Night Contain suddenly felt the world spinning, followed by her vision going black as she lost consciousness.

The private room was silent for a moment, then Head Constable Jiao laughed, “Hahaha, Squad Leader Ding and Miss Night Contain are really a match; even their alcohol tolerance is about the same. Go call the mama of Pinshu Pavilion to carry them back.”

Hehuan Cage, bedroom.

The front courtyard was noisy with the sounds of girls; this place was silent, with a faint fragrance drifting.

On the brocade couch, Night Contain’s cheeks were flushed, her breathing long and steady.

Lying beside her, Ding Suian was snoring slightly.

After a short while, the snoring suddenly stopped.

Ding Suian slowly opened his eyes, listening intently. After confirming that only the two of them were breathing in the Hehuan Cage, he got up, poured a cup of water, and rinsed out the remaining knockout powder from his mouth.

Then he walked to the window and gently pushed it open a crack.

In the courtyard, the trees and plants swayed in the mottled light and shadows.

In Lanyang, the wind has risen.