Free Web NovelChapter 187: Chapter 137: Chase and Escape (Part 2)
Ximen Bei hadn’t wanted to bother, but the knocking continued in a steady, rhythmic pattern.
The person outside clearly had no intention of leaving.
"Who goes there? Are you afflicted with some eye ailment? Did you not see the sign on my door?"
Ximen Bei called out in a low voice.
"My young master has heard that Mr. Ximen Bei is a man of vast learning and immense talent. He has sent me with a humble gift, hoping you might grant him the honor of a meeting."
"I am refusing all visitors today!"
’If he were still poor, that door would have swung right open. Who would turn their nose up at money?’
But the recent reward from the Zheng Family had been more than enough. It was enough for Ximen Bei to afford this elegant and quiet courtyard, enough to live without worrying about food or clothing for five years, and enough to marry several more beautiful wives and concubines. The Ximen Bei of today viewed wealth as filth. He had no interest in money; his heart was set on writing his book.
Suddenly.
A figure vaulted over the high wall and landed in the courtyard. A handsome young man in a white robe stood before Ximen Bei, hands clasped in a salute, a broad smile on his face.
Ximen Bei’s eyes fell on the man’s empty sleeves. ’Where’s this supposed gift?’ His expression darkened instantly. ’But then again,’ he thought, ’for someone to vault my wall in broad daylight, he must have powerful backing.’ At this, Ximen Bei suppressed his anger, returned the salute, and said calmly, "I am but a humble Scholar, writing of trivial matters that come to mind. It is nothing worthy of praise. Now that you have seen me, you may keep your humble gift. Please, show yourself out."
"Not so fast. Mr. Ximen has yet to accept my young master’s humble gift. This servant wouldn’t dare leave."
The handsome man took a few steps forward and held out his palm to Ximen Bei. It was completely empty.
Ximen Bei looked at the man’s fair palm and couldn’t help but scoff. "I have no grudge against you, sir. Why do you take me for a fool?"
The visitor smiled and shook his head. "My young master’s humble gift cannot be seen, touched, heard, or smelled. Yet, as soon as Mr. Ximen asks for it, it will appear before you. Tell me, sir, what kind of gift could that be?"
"Hmph. A tedious riddle." Ximen Bei scoffed. "A promise. But surely your young master won’t let me name any price I wish?"
"He will!"
The visitor held his palm out to Ximen Bei once more. To Ximen Bei’s astonishment, the man gently guided Ximen’s brush-wielding hand, gesturing for him to write on the visitor’s palm.
"Glory, wealth, high office, riches, gold, silver, jewels... so long as Mr. Ximen can do one thing for my young master, you may write whatever you desire on this servant’s hand. One day, it will be yours."
Seeing that the visitor was not joking, the smile vanished from Ximen Bei’s face, replaced by a grave expression.
"Who is your young master?"
The visitor’s smile grew ever wider.
"My young master’s surname is Wei."
He said with a grin, pointing a finger upward.
...
...
「That night.」
A thick file detailing "Ximen Bei’s Invitation to the Eldest Prince’s Residence" landed in Qing Shisan’s hands.
’The closer it gets to the third of March, the more the undercurrents in the city churn.’
Qing Shisan knew the Master greatly admired this Great Scholar.
The Master had rewarded the Great Scholar handsomely.
And that’s how the Great Scholar shot to fame.
As for why the Eldest Prince would host a banquet for Ximen Bei, the reason was obvious.
It was simply to use the Great Scholar’s influence in the literary world to have him write a few touching puff pieces about the Eldest Prince.
Tossing the thick file into the furnace to be reduced to ashes, Qing Shisan leaned against a pillar, silently smoking his long-stemmed pipe. From two walls away, he could hear the shameless flirtations and laughter of women and a man in the courtyard.
"Come on, Master, come and get me!"
"Master, Master, Zizi is over here!"
"Master, Master! Bobo is over there!"
"Hee hee! The Master missed!"
「In the courtyard.」
The moonlight was lovely.
"Zheng Xiu," his eyes covered with a pink silk cloth, was in the courtyard playing a game of "hide-and-seek" with four women, each with her own unique charms.
Their words were exceptionally bold, leaving little to the imagination.
There was a reward for being caught in this game of hide-and-seek.
The reward was, "The Master can do whatever he wants with you." ƒreewebɳovel.com
「Outside the Zheng residence.」
Figures clad in black lay silently in wait on the rooftops of the neighboring houses.
They were the Night Guard of Ye Weiyang.
They held their breath, stealthily monitoring the activity within the Zheng Family’s walls.
The "hide-and-seek" game inside was so loud and lewd that the faces of the Night Guard soured.
Soon, "Marquis Zheng" caught a tall, aloof-looking woman who played the flute, one who feigned resistance but was secretly welcoming. He pulled her into his embrace.
"Heh heh heh! Caught you! This scent... it must be Bobo, right?"
"Zheng Xiu" grabbed the woman and, without a second word, planted a loud "MWAH!" on her face. The wet lip print glistened in the moonlight.
"Master, don’t..."
Bobo pushed Master Zheng away.
The man and four women played in the courtyard for a full two hours before returning to the main chamber, panting, and shutting the door tightly behind them.
Once the door was closed, another story began.
The Night Guard responsible for monitoring the Zheng Family remained expressionless, but in the shadows, they were frantically signing to each other.
’So, why’d the higher-ups have us start watching the Zheng Family so closely again?’
’Who knows? It’s been over ten days. None of us can take much more of this!’
’I know, right? It’s pure torture!’
’So this is the simple, unadorned life of the rich! Completely devoid of any fun!’
’Ahem! I, on the other hand, find it quite... interesting...’
’This Zheng fellow really knows how to live...’
’Shh! Quiet! Keep your eyes peeled. The brass wants us to watch the Zheng Family’s every move! We have to report anyone who enters or leaves!’
’Yes, sir!’
’Remember! We’re only here for surveillance. We must not trespass on the Zheng property, or we risk a misunderstanding with the Brotherhood!’
’If they spot us on the roof and ask, just say a crime occurred nearby and we’re investigating!’
