Free Web NovelChapter 76: Chapter 76: A New Play
On the way back, despite the jostling of the carriage, Su Tingting was still thinking about this surname Yang. Her godfather had said that the person who would harm her had the surname Yang, which ruled out Master Feng and Steward Liu. After a moment’s thought, Su Tingting suddenly asked, "Mr. Chu, what is the name of the leader in the carriage behind us?"
"His surname is Zhao. I hear those people calling him Chief Zhao. I’m not sure about his specific name," Yang Xiao replied succinctly, casting a scrutinizing look at Su Tingting.
Ever since they left the coffin shop, Su Tingting had been looking worried, something that did not escape Kuang Hongyi’s notice. He asked with a chuckle, "Miss Su, why do you suddenly ask this? Could it be that Manager Liu entrusted you with some message?"
"Heh, when it comes down to it, we’re just passing travelers in this world, not meant to last. You, me, Chu, the three of us are really in the same boat."
Faced with Kuang Hongyi’s questioning, Su Tingting had her response prepared and feigned difficulty, "Actually... it’s nothing serious. My godfather instructed me to work together with you, Kuang, and Mr. Chu. Our fates are bound together; united we thrive, divided we perish. We mustn’t suspect and scheme against each other."
Having dealt with Kuang Hongyi’s question, Su Tingting was still troubled by the surname Yang since she had not heard of anyone important she had come into contact with lately with that surname.
Suddenly, a frown crossed Su Tingting’s brow, and a suspicion emerged in her mind. Shi Dali had once set a precedent for betraying his companions; could it be that the person who would harm her was not one of Master Feng’s people but a companion? ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Of course, it would not be Mr. Chu, but Kuang Hongyi was a different story. Although Su Tingting was not particularly clever, she had come to understand over time that without the knowledgeable Mr. Chu, Kuang Hongyi would not bother to be so enthusiastic about two newcomers.
Thinking this, Su Tingting grew wary of Kuang Hongyi. He was unreliable, and his words could not be fully trusted. He claimed to have the surname Kuang, but who could prove whether it was true or false? She feared that his real surname might be Yang!
A visible arrow is easy to dodge, but a hidden one is hard to guard against. Since arriving in this world, she had learned the true meaning of the phrase "the human heart is treacherous," with Shi Dali as the bloody example.
Noticing that Yang Xiao was still deep in thought, Su Tingting felt an urgency rising within her. She desperately needed to find an opportunity to warn him and to be cautious around Kuang Hongyi.
At this moment, Yang Xiao was not aware of these concerns. He was recalling the words of the young lad from the coffin shop not long ago. He had intended to return the axe, but the young lad refused, shaking his head. His reason was that his master had predicted that the axe was fated for the three of them, and so he gifted it to them. Moreover, the shop had a rule: nothing from the shop’s inventory was lent out, so if there was no lending, there was no question of returning, was there?
Manager Liu was undoubtedly a senior in the more secretive dealings, and Yang Xiao pondered that there might be some hidden meaning in his words. Could it be that the axe would come in handy for them?
But why hadn’t Manager Liu spoken plainly? Did he, too, not know for sure, or perhaps it was the so-called fate that should not be revealed, about which Yang Xiao was not clear.
However, one thing was for sure - Yang Xiao was someone who took advice seriously, and he would keep the axe with him at all times.
"The eldest daughter does not marry off; the second son stays by one’s knee. Fortune is thin, and connections are shallow; do not cross the threshold of the deep house and large courtyard." Now it seemed that all three of these long-standing proverbs from Fengmen Town had come to pass.
Yet, Yang Xiao had not anticipated that the first saying didn’t just refer to the girls from poor families bought by the Feng Family but, most importantly, to Ms. Chun.
Ms. Chun was first "married" off to Old Master Feng, and her daughter in turn married the Second Young Master Feng. Indeed, as they say, the leading lady never marries out; in the end, it’s all one big family.
After a whole day of turmoil, when the carriage finally returned to Feng Mansion, it was already getting dark outside. However, the three people who just got off couldn’t help but be stunned. Feng Mansion looked extremely festive tonight. The two White Lanterns that had been hanging outside the gate had been replaced at some point with two red lanterns.
Turning a corner and walking into the alley that led to the side gate, the previously bare sides of the alley had also been newly decorated. Under the tall walls hung a row of red lanterns, big and small, round and column-shaped. It was evident that Feng Mansion had gone to great lengths to gather these lanterns.
And the four martial masters were following close behind the three people, appearing as personal protectors, but actually blocking their only route of escape.
"Congratulations to the three Blessing Guests," said the Zhao martial master with a more deferential attitude. "Look at this setup. My master must surely want to show his thanks to you three!"
However, Kuang Hongyi doused his enthusiasm with cold water, chuckling, "Brother Zhao, it’s not that I want to spoil Master Feng’s mood, but the matter has not been thoroughly dealt with just yet. To celebrate with such fanfare now, don’t you think it’s a bit premature?"
"Hahaha, not at all, not at all," came the reply. "I’ve just received news that a sage has made a prediction: as long as we get through tonight’s hour of Xu, Master Feng’s great woes will be considered resolved. All thanks to the distinguished efforts of the three Blessing Guests. Master Feng originally planned to celebrate your achievements at a restaurant, but he worried about the busybodies there. So after much thought, he decided it would be best to hold it within the mansion. Steward Liu has specially invited chefs from the restaurant, determined to ensure the three Blessing Guests eat and drink well as a token of gratitude for your help!"
The words of Zhao martial master were polite but they directly sent Yang Xiao and the others’ hearts into the abyss. A banquet within the mansion clearly hinted at grinding the mill to kill the donkey, to silence them through murder.
Looking up at the dimming sky, Yang Xiao estimated it was just past 6 p.m. The hour of Xu referred to the period between 7 and 9 p.m., meaning they would be safe until 9 p.m. But once 9 o’clock passed, Master Feng would make his deadly move against them.
These next two plus hours were their final opportunity. They had to find a way to get close to the Young Lady, to stain her blood on Ms. Chun’s piece of clothing.
Entering the mansion through the side gate, the mansion interior was lit up and decked out, buzzing with excitement. However, this excitement pertained only to decorations. Yang Xiao keenly sensed a sudden decrease in the number of maids and servants, whereas martial masters were stationed at every key point, such as gateways and corridor entrances, each gripping a formidable staff in hand.
The further they walked, the more secluded the path became until they were led to a remote courtyard. This place was quite out of the way; the black lacquer on the courtyard gate was already mottled, clearly showing that it had been hardly occupied before and had been hastily arranged now—of course, as a last resting place planned for the three of them.
Upon entering the courtyard, Master Feng and Steward Liu had already been waiting for a long time. Inside the hall were two tables of lavish feasts, and Master Feng had undergone a transformation from his previous sickly appearance, now dressed up, a beaming figure who seemed to have suddenly grown a decade younger.
"Please, take your seats, three Blessing Guests," Steward Liu said with a beaming smile. He then looked toward Master Zhao and the other three martial masters with a tone neither warm nor cold, "And you as well, for having put in the effort, the master says. You are also to be rewarded by joining the three Blessing Guests for a few drinks."
As everyone took their seats, before Yang Xiao could speak, Master Feng gestured with a wave of his hand. Two men dressed as guards simultaneously moved to remove the large landscape screen standing on the other side of the feast. The next second, what was behind the screen was starkly revealed to the three men.
It was an entire sheet of white cloth hung up, with one red and one white lantern suspended on either side. There were vague figures moving behind the white cloth, resembling the ghost plays of the previous nights.
"Hehehe, three Blessing Guests, tonight the master wishes to present you with a new performance."
