novelraw Chapter 196
Chapter 196
Seeing that he had finally managed to deceive Cao Liang and gain his trust, Han Chong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Lord Cao, what did the Emperor say?"
Cao Liang recalled the secret decree passed to him by Eunuch De.
"Simply put, we cannot let the Qi family leave Liangzhou City alive, otherwise, our heads will roll!"
Nowadays, the prestige of the Qi family was soaring higher and higher.
Not only was the Emperor unable to sit still, but Eunuch De was equally restless.
Since the Emperor's reputation had already been damaged anyway, he might as well throw caution to the wind and achieve his goal.
If worst came to worst, they would just change the Emperor!
Han Chong knew very well that the Emperor would not make such a self-destructive decision.
The one who wanted the Qi family dead in Liangzhou City was Eunuch De, but the one taking the blame was the Emperor.
Afterwards, if the Emperor could not silence the masses, Eunuch De would force the Emperor to issue an edict of self-reproach and abdicate.
When that time came, no matter which prince succeeded the throne, it would not affect this castrate's position!
Suppressing his anger, Han Chong asked, "Does Lord Cao have a plan?"
Cao Liang put down his purple clay teacup and nodded.
"I do, but it is not perfect. I would like to hear Lord Han's thoughts first."
"Please allow me some time to think, Lord Cao. After we dine, we can discuss the specific plan."
"Alright, Lord Han, go rest first."
Han Chong stood up and left, heading to the guest courtyard arranged by Yuan Ting.
He knew very well that Cao Liang had definitely sent people to secretly monitor everyone.
No matter who came into contact with the Qi family, they would be discovered.
He calmed down and seriously thought about the plan to keep the Qi family in Liangzhou City.
He had to deceive Cao Liang first before he could find out his plan.
And then he would mount a foolproof counterattack!
While Han Chong was lying on the ground thinking about a plan to deal with the Qi family, the Qi family had already cleaned up the dilapidated small courtyard.
Even though they were only staying for one night, they still wanted to stay comfortably.
Concubine Su, as the Qi family's laborer, did the most work.
She collapsed on the ground from exhaustion, panting heavily.
"Why hasn't anyone brought water over? I am dying of thirst."
The layout of this courtyard was similar to Ningchu Courtyard, just slightly smaller in area.
Ye Chutang sat by the stone table in the northwest corner and reminded them, "Before using anything in this prefectural magistrate's estate, we must be careful and keep an eye out."
She was not concerned about Concubine Su; she just did not want to be dragged down by her.
Concubine Su curled her lips dismissively.
"What, do the officials of the magistrate's estate dare to poison us?"
If they could not walk out of the magistrate's estate alive, the magistrate would not only lose his official position, but his family would also suffer!
Ye Chutang looked coldly at Concubine Su, the corners of her mouth curling up into a wicked smile.
"If you dare to drag the Qi family down, I will kill you!"
Concubine Su was frightened by Ye Chutang's icy gaze and stiffened her neck, snorting coldly.
"If you kill me, you will have to pay with your life!"
"My medical skills are so good, I have a hundred ways to make your death look like an accident."
Concubine Su knew that Ye Chutang could do it and immediately became docile.
"I am not stupid. Of course I will not use the things in the magistrate's estate recklessly."
Seeing that Concubine Su had settled down, Qi Yanzhou began to allocate the rooms.
He allocated the right side room to the four people including Concubine Su and Concubine Gao.
He allocated the left side room to Concubine Xu and her son.
The two elders of the Qi family stayed in the main room of the main house, while he and Ye Chutang stayed in the side room.
"Everyone, go rest."
Everyone took their bundles and entered their assigned rooms.
After Ye Chutang entered the side room, she inspected the room carefully.
She found copper pipes used for eavesdropping in all four corners of the walls.
It seemed the entire courtyard was under surveillance and being monitored.
Moreover, these copper pipes had another use.
Releasing poisonous smoke!
Qi Yanzhou had already discovered the copper pipes and a secret passage while cleaning the courtyard earlier.
After exchanging glances with Ye Chutang, he lay on the bed and chatted.
"Atang, the fire at the post station was definitely not an accident. There is a problem with this magistrate's estate."
This matter was suspicious. If they did not mention it, it would be abnormal.
Ye Chutang rested her head on Qi Yanzhou's arm and closed her eyes.
"We will deal with whatever comes our way!"
After saying that, she found a comfortable position and asked, "Did your sister not marry the legitimate second son of the Liangzhou Tongpan? Why has she not come to see your parents and you yet?"
"I suspect something has happened to her."
"After the incident with the Qi family, did you not send someone to protect her?"
Qi Yanzhou hugged Ye Chutang and kissed the top of her head.
"No, my brother-in-law treated my sister very well before. I was careless."
Actually, he had arranged for people to come to Liangzhou to protect Qi Qingyu a long time ago, but there was no need to say this for the people of the magistrate's estate to hear.
Ye Chutang snorted coldly, "Before, you were the Prince of Chen, below only one person and above ten thousand. Your brother-in-law naturally treated your sister well. Now that the Qi family is in trouble, your sister has lost her value, and everyone wants to trample on her!"
Qi Yanzhou looked at the beams above his head, his gaze sharp and dangerous.
"As long as the Qi family is not entirely dead, the Chen family would not dare bully my sister, because they fear the Qi family will rise again."
Until this morning, his sister had been staying well in the Chen family and had not been affected by the Qi family's downfall.
But she did not appear at the city gates; she must have been stopped when she tried to leave.
Time was too tight. Before his people could pass on the message, the exiled procession had already entered the magistrate's estate.
According to the current situation, the Emperor had become ruthless and wanted to leave the lives of the Qi family in Liangzhou City.
If he guessed correctly, his sister was currently being coerced and tempted into making a choice between her husband's family and her maiden family!
Thinking of this, Qi Yanzhou became even more worried about Qi Qingyu.
He was afraid that with her unyielding temperament, she would refuse to submit even unto death, be treated as an abandoned pawn, and lose her life.
Sensing the tension in Qi Yanzhou's body, Ye Chutang reached out to wrap her arms around his waist and nestled into his embrace.
"Let's hope we do not die in Liangzhou City."
Qi Yanzhou's tone was certain.
"Atang, rest assured, we will definitely leave safely."
"Go to sleep. Rest and gather your strength."
After Ye Chutang finished putting on her act, she asked in a low voice, "Will your sister be alright?"
"No. If she is in danger, my people will take her away."
But the premise was that she was willing to leave!
"We are under complete surveillance now. How will you contact your people?"
Qi Yanzhou gently patted Ye Chutang's back.
"Nan Xiao will figure out a way. You sleep, I will keep watch."
Ye Chutang had no sleepiness at all and opened her eyes.
"It is not an easy thing to justifiably execute the Qi family. What do you think the magistrate's estate will do?"
Qi Yanzhou thought for a moment and came up with a justifiable method to eliminate the Qi family.
He spat out two words, "Fugitives!"
As long as the Qi family fled, Cao Liang would seal the city, send out troops to execute them, and catch turtles in a jar!
Ye Chutang felt that escaping was very easy, yet also very difficult.
What was easy was that if they wanted to escape, they could.
What was difficult was that if they did not want to escape, no one could force them to.
"No matter what, we will not run away, even if they use your sister as bait, right?"
Even if Qi Qingyu would die, the Qi family would not jump into the trap.
To let the whole family be executed because of her alone was not loyalty, it was stupidity!
Qi Yanzhou nodded.
He also could not figure out how the magistrate's estate would lay out their plan.
So, he returned the words Ye Chutang had said earlier to her.
"We will deal with whatever comes our way."
Upon hearing this, a flash of inspiration crossed Ye Chutang's mind, and she thought of the key to executing the fugitive plan.
"The prefectural estate doesn't even need us to escape to have a legitimate excuse to execute us."
Qi Yanzhou didn't quite understand.
But he knew that Ye Chutang must have her reasons for saying so.
"Atang, what did you think of?"
Ye Chutang's pink lips parted as she uttered two words, "Body doubles!"
As long as the prefectural estate finds a master of disguise, they can have fake Qi family members escape in public, and then execute the real Qi family!
Qi Yanzhou was startled. "What a cunning trick of substituting the fake for the real. If Han Chong hadn't been turned to our side, this plan would have been flawless."
"The prefectural estate knows very well that if they strike against the Qi family, they must succeed and cannot afford to fail. Therefore, they crafted a foolproof plan. Han Chong is merely icing on the cake, not the key to success or failure."
"The key is my sister, as well as Father and Mother."
Thinking of the secret tunnel in the courtyard, Qi Yanzhou's expression changed slightly, and he immediately stood up.
"Atang, you rest first. Father and Mother must be worrying about my sister. I will go check on them."
Ye Chutang closed her eyes and murmured an agreement. "Go and come back quickly. I can't sleep without you by my side."
Qi Yanzhou paused his steps slightly, responded, and then strode away.
Inside the main room.
The two elders of the Qi family, fraught with worry for their daughter, sat on the chaise longue with sorrowful faces, sighing endlessly.
"I wonder if Yu'er is doing well in the Chen family? If I had known, I wouldn't have married her off so far away."
After Old Madam Qi finished speaking, she looked at Old Master Qi with resentment.
"It's all your fault. You said the Chen family was part of the old Qi family army, and their ancestors owed the Qi family a life. You said marrying Yu'er over there would not only keep her away from the capital's conflicts but also provide her with a good home. Yet now, we can't even see her."
Old Master Qi had previously investigated the character of the Chen family and only married his daughter over after deeming there were no issues.
He couldn't help but feel that his daughter's failure to come see them today might not necessarily be the Chen family's fault.
"Madam, do not fret. Perhaps Yu'er will come in a little while."
When he said this, he had absolutely no confidence, for human hearts are the most fickle.
Old Madam Qi questioned with red eyes, "What if she doesn't come?"
Just as Qi Yanzhou reached the door, he heard his mother's voice, and his anxious heart settled.
He pushed the door open and entered.
"Father, Mother, why aren't you resting?"
Old Madam Qi immediately wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and forced a smile.
"I'm not sleepy. Just chatting with your father."
After saying that, she asked in return, "Why aren't you resting with Tang'er? What are you doing here?"
Old Master Qi immediately asked, "Is your sister here?"
Meeting the hopeful gazes of the two elders, Qi Yanzhou shook his head.
"I was worried you two would be overthinking, so I came to check. Eldest Sister hasn't come; she must have been delayed by something."
He deliberately emphasized the word "delayed."
The two elders immediately understood.
Qi Yanzhou pointed to the corner of the wall, then tapped his own ear, indicating that someone was eavesdropping.
Subsequently, he walked over to the bed and sat down, using his index and middle fingers to "walk" back and forth on the bed, indicating the presence of a secret tunnel.
Although the two elders of the Qi family lived a life of luxury and privilege, they understood military signals.
Their expressions turned grave, and they nodded to show they understood and would be careful.
Old Madam Qi sighed, "If we cannot meet this time, who knows when the next time will be."
Qi Yanzhou affirmed, "Eldest Sister is so filial. Even if she is delayed, she will find a way to come see Father and Mother."
These words were a promise to the two elders that Qi Qingyu would absolutely not be in danger.
"Yes, we will definitely see her."
"Father, Mother, this prefectural estate likely harbors hidden dangers. You must be careful."
It was not convenient for Qi Yanzhou to say too much. After giving a few more instructions, he returned to the side room.
Seeing Qi Yanzhou return, Ye Chutang said to him, "Azhou, I am feeling a bit unwell. Go and fetch the bundle with the medicine."
When entering the prefectural estate, their handcarts were placed by the stables for unified guarding; they had only brought the bundles with their daily change of clothes.
Although her spatial domain had medicine, she couldn't take out too much at once; it would be too conspicuous.
Qi Yanzhou knew Ye Chutang had a use for the medicine and nodded.
"Wait here."
With that, he exited the side room.
As he reached the courtyard gate, he was stopped by the Protectorate Army.
"Young Master Qi, the prefectural estate is not a place where you can wander freely."
"My wife is feeling somewhat unwell and needs medicine. I trouble you, sir, to go to the Qi family's handcart and fetch the medicine bundle."
Just as Han Chong's subordinate was about to agree, a guard from the prefectural estate voiced his objection.
"The Prefect has ordered that no one is allowed to have an accident in the prefectural estate. I will go summon a doctor immediately."
These words sounded considerate, but in reality, they completely isolated the Qi family from the outside world.
Qi Yanzhou sneered and said bluntly, "I don't trust the people of the prefectural estate. I only want the medicinal herbs I prepared myself."
A trace of mockery flashed in the guard's eyes.
"Young Master Qi, you are no longer the Prince of Chen. You cannot throw your weight around in the prefectural estate."
"Is that so?"
As his words fell, Qi Yanzhou gathered his inner energy and shouted loudly, "The prefectural estate wants to kill my Qi family? Who gave you the audacity!"
His voice, carried by his inner energy, not only echoed throughout the prefectural estate but also covered half of Liangzhou City.
The guard was so shaken that he bled from his seven orifices, staring at Qi Yanzhou in terror.
The Protectorate Army soldiers were also shaken dizzy, their faces turning pale.
Qi Yanzhou stared coldly at the guard, intense killing intent in his eyes.
"If you do not step aside, I will let the whole city know that the prefectural estate intends to massacre the entire Qi family!"
The guard opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood, momentarily at a loss for what to do.
At that moment, Yuan Ting came running hurriedly, profusely sweating.
"What happened?"
The Protectorate Army soldier briefly recounted what had just happened.
"Lord Yuan, although the Qi family has been exiled, they cannot be considered criminals. Young Master Qi is not someone the prefectural estate's guards can humiliate at will. Now that things have turned ugly, what will the commoners outside say when they hear this?"
In Yuan Ting's ears, these words sounded like the Dragon Guard speaking up for the Qi family.
Displeasure showed on his face, but he did not refute it, for it made sense.
"Dog servant, apologize to Young Master Qi at once!"
The guard hastily knelt and kowtowed to Qi Yanzhou.
"This lowly one misspoke. Please forgive me, Young Master Qi."
Retracting the killing intent in his eyes, Qi Yanzhou said, "Since you misspoke, then slap your own mouth twenty times."
Looking at the arrogant Qi Yanzhou, Yuan Ting endured the humiliation for the sake of the upcoming plan.
"Slap!"
As the resounding slaps echoed, Yuan Ting looked at the Protectorate Army soldier aside.
"In a moment, I ask that you explain to the commoners that Young Master Qi misunderstood the Prefect's good intentions, and that the matter of execution is completely fabricated."
"Rest assured, Lord Yuan. I will certainly tell the truth."
The reason the Protectorate Army soldier sided with the prefectural estate was that it was not yet time to blow their cover.
Yuan Ting looked at the guard whose face was swollen like a pig's head and said, "You disrespected Young Master Qi, causing him to misunderstand that the Prefect harbored ulterior motives. You no longer need to serve at the prefectural estate from now on."
Knowing he was being used as a pawn to quell the rumors, the guard resignedly kowtowed.
"Thank you, Lord Yuan, for your leniency."
At this moment, Han Chong, who heard the commotion, rushed over.
After understanding the situation, he said to his subordinate, "Go out of the estate with the guard who offended Young Master Qi and explain things to the commoners."
"Yes, Boss Han."
Han Chong looked at Qi Yanzhou and assured him, "Young Master Qi, you need not worry. As long as the Qi family does not become fugitives, you will arrive at Tianshan Commandery completely intact."
He believed Qi Yanzhou could understand the hidden meaning in his words.
"Rest assured, sir. Exile was the Qi family's choice; we will absolutely not escape halfway."
"Young Master Qi has always kept his word. Naturally, I believe you."
After speaking, Han Chong ordered his subordinates to go to the stables and fetch the Qi family's bundle containing medicine.
When the bundle reached Qi Yanzhou's hands, Yuan Ting said, "Shouldn't Young Master Qi let everyone know that the prefectural magistrate's mansion harbors no ill will toward the Qi family, and that it was merely a misunderstanding on your part?"
"Of course."
Qi Yanzhou then used his internal energy to project his voice: "It turns out I misunderstood the Lord Magistrate. My apologies."
With that, he took the bundle and returned to the side room.
Ye Chutang looked at Qi Yanzhou and raised an eyebrow in approval.
"Well done. Even though you helped the magistrate's mansion explain themselves, you've already planted the seeds of doubt in the minds of the common people. If anything happens to us inside the mansion, the Lord Magistrate will definitely not be able to clear his name."
Qi Yanzhou handed the bundle to Ye Chutang.
"Atang, check the bundle first to see if it has been tampered with."
"Alright, better safe than sorry."
While checking the bundle, Ye Chutang took some bottles and jars used for disguise from her space and slipped them inside.
"There is no problem with these medicines. Have someone bring over some hot water; I need to take my medicine."
As she said this, she used her finger to trace a word on the bed.
Disguise.
If the magistrate's mansion could have someone disguise themselves as a member of the Qi family, she could also disguise herself as someone from the magistrate's mansion.
Qi Yanzhou understood the meaning of the word "disguise" and nodded.
"Wait a moment, I'll go find the guards."
He went to the courtyard gate again and looked at the guards of the magistrate's mansion.
"We haven't had a single drop of water since we came in. The magistrate's mansion doesn't plan on letting us die of thirst, do they?"
The guard, worried that Qi Yanzhou would start spouting nonsense if displeased, hastily agreed to bring water.
"Please wait a moment, Young Master Qi. The water will be here shortly."
"Bring both cold and hot water. We have many people, so make sure there's enough."
Seeing Qi Yanzhou treat the magistrate's mansion like an inn and him like a waiter, the guard felt very displeased.
But the Lord Magistrate had instructed that as long as the Qi family's requests were not excessive, they should be met immediately to prevent them from causing further trouble.
"Alright, Young Master Qi."
Qi Yanzhou returned to the side room and sat down beside Ye Chutang.
"Atang, the hot water will be brought over right away. Are you feeling any better?"
"It's probably just too hot, and my stomach feels a bit uncomfortable. I'll be fine after taking the medicine and resting for a while."
After saying this, Ye Chutang hugged Qi Yanzhou's arm and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Later, I'll knock out the person who brings the water. You play along with me and keep him in the room for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, so I can put on my disguise."
Her voice was very soft, and her breathing was light, almost like a tease.
Qi Yanzhou ignored the ticklish feeling by his ear and asked, "Atang, you know how to disguise yourself?"
Ye Chutang knew that as long as she demonstrated her ability to disguise herself, it would further confirm her connection with the Ghost Thief.
Because the Ghost Thief was also a master of disguise.
But it didn't matter; Qi Yanzhou had already made up his mind about this anyway.
"The master who taught me medicine left me the skill of disguise as a life-saving measure."
"Then what about the Ghost Thief?"
"Secret."
Qi Yanzhou did not press further and brought the topic back to the disguise.
"The person delivering the water will definitely be a man. It's the perfect opportunity for me to put on the disguise and go out to contact Nan Xiao."
Ye Chutang stretched out her index finger and wagged it in front of Qi Yanzhou's eyes.
"No, I will be the one disguising myself. The art of disguise is not passed on to outsiders, so you are not allowed to look later."
Qi Yanzhou's figure was too tall and burly; even if she changed his face, he would still be recognized.
While her height was slightly shorter than a man's, adding height-increasing insoles would do the trick.
As for her build, wearing two extra layers of clothing would make her look sturdier.
Qi Yanzhou did not want Ye Chutang to take risks.
But before he had the chance to object, the person delivering the water arrived.
Footsteps approached from a distance and entered the courtyard.
Qi Yanzhou called out loudly, "Bring the water to the side room."
The guard of the magistrate's mansion reluctantly carried the tray into the side room.
On the tray were two extra-large pitchers, one containing hot water and the other cold water.
Between the two pitchers was a stack of cups.
The guard slammed the tray heavily onto the table.
Rubbing his sore wrists, he asked snarkily, "The water is here. You don't need me to feed it to you, do you?"
Ye Chutang smiled and said, "I don't need you to feed me, but I do need you to pour me a cup of hot water."
The guard glanced at the stunningly beautiful Ye Chutang and, as if possessed, poured the water and brought it to her.
As Ye Chutang knocked over the cup, she delivered a swift strike, knocking the guard unconscious.
Qi Yanzhou immediately caught the man and stripped off his outer robe.
Ye Chutang took out the items needed for the disguise and began her one-woman show.
"Ah! Are you trying to scald me to death? Go add some cold water."
"So troublesome!"
Hearing the guard's voice reach his ears, Qi Yanzhou was so startled that he cast a glance at Ye Chutang.
Remembering that the art of disguise was not to be shared with outsiders, he immediately averted his gaze.
Seeing that Qi Yanzhou was not prying into her secrets, the corners of Ye Chutang's lips curled up.
While pretending to make things difficult for the guard, she began applying various things to her face.
After taking off the guard's outer robe, Qi Yanzhou played along with Ye Chutang's act to make things easier for her.
"Where are you looking? Do you have a death wish?"
Ye Chutang quickly chimed in.
"If I don't look, and I spill the water later, it will become my fault."
With that, she grumbled irritably, "I didn't have the obligation to serve tea and pour water in the first place."
Qi Yanzhou scoffed coldly, "Well, I insist that you pour it! Pour me a cup of hot water, and then pour me a cup of cold water."
"I..."
"If you refuse, I'll holler again, and make sure you lose your job at the magistrate's mansion!"
"You're ruthless. Fine, I'll pour!"
Next, Ye Chutang focused entirely on her disguise.
Qi Yanzhou continued speaking while making clinking sounds with the cups.
He painted a vivid auditory picture of deliberately giving the guard a hard time, while the guard dared to be angry but not speak out.
But they couldn't just rely on pouring water to keep the guard there for the duration of an incense stick; that would raise suspicions.
"Alright, you can go."
Ye Chutang knew Qi Yanzhou didn't actually want to send the person away, so she ignored him.
"Wait a moment. Why did the relay station suddenly catch fire?"
"Probably because the weather is dry and things ignite easily."
Qi Yanzhou shouted toward the outside of the courtyard, "Sir, I have something I'd like to ask."
With that, he pretended to say to the guard, "Don't leave just yet."
The imperial guard entered the side room and saw the unconscious guard, as well as Ye Chutang in the middle of her disguise, but did not show any signs of abnormality.
Because he knew that this couple would absolutely not just sit around and wait for death.
Thus, he immediately played along with the act, successfully dispelling the suspicions of anyone eavesdropping.