Chapter 8

Chapter 8

To find Madame Qin, one must first find the relief grain.

In the previous life, when Xie Wujiu fought his way back to Qingshi Town, the Zhou Family had three ledgers confiscated.

One was the relief grain ledger, one the private militia ledger, and one a secret ledger for purchasing medicinal herbs.

The secret ledger contained Madame Qin’s name.

She hadn’t been taken by the Zhou Family on a whim.

Magistrate Zhou had long used her illness to keep Xie Wujiu on a leash, waiting to extract from her the whereabouts of the Former Followers of Prince Yan.

I know where the ledgers are.

In the Zhou Family’s backyard, there is a dry well. Behind the third blue brick from the bottom of the well, a metal box is hidden.

The problem is how to get in.

Xie Wujiu said, “Climb the wall.”

I said, “Your leg injury hasn’t healed.”

“I can climb it.”

“And after you climb in? Get bitten by a dog?”

He fell silent.

Xu Yuanbao raised his hand. “I can get in.”

Xie Wujiu and I both looked at him.

Xu Yuanbao shrank his neck. “The Zhou Family is holding a birthday banquet tomorrow. My family will deliver pork. I can hide in the meat cart.”

Chen Sangsang poked her head through the window. “I can go too. My aunt does laundry for the Zhou Family. I can borrow her clothes and blend in.”

I frowned. “Don’t get involved.”

Xu Yuanbao protested, “Aren’t we classmates?”

Chen Sangsang said, “Even those outside the window count.”

Xie Wujiu looked at them and didn’t speak for a long time.

I knew he wasn’t used to this.

He wasn’t used to people getting close knowing full well there was trouble.

The plan was set for the next day.

I would enter the residence under the pretext of delivering embroidery samples for Madame Zhou. Chen Sangsang would dress as a little maid and accompany me. Xu Yuanbao would hide under the meat cart, his job to distract the kitchen staff.

Xie Wujiu would stay outside to provide backup.

He wasn’t happy.

“This is my own affair.”

I said, “Your face is too conspicuous.”

“What if something happens to you?”

“Then you come rescue us.”

He stared at me. “You’re quite the planner.”

I handed him a rolled-up piece of paper.

“This is a rough layout of the Zhou Family’s backyard. Remember, if we haven’t come out in an hour, go find Shen Guan. Don’t force your way in.”

“I won’t seek help from officials.”

“Xie Wujiu.”

I looked at him.

“I know you don’t trust officials. But Shen Guan is a chess piece we can use right now.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You play chess?”

“I don’t.”

I said, “But I know you can’t rely solely on a blade.”

The next day, the birthday banquet was lively.

The Zhou Family’s residence was draped in red silk, with guests coming and going, laughter never ceasing.

As I walked along the corridor, I heard someone mention the madwoman from the southern part of town.

“I heard she’s a rebel’s family member.”

“Magistrate Zhou has rendered meritorious service this time.”

“If that kid really is a remnant of Prince Yan, even beheading would be letting him off easy.”

Chen Sangsang’s face turned pale.

I squeezed her hand.

“Don’t look.”

She nodded, but her eyes still reddened.

We went around to the backyard and indeed saw that dry well.

Chen Sangsang kept watch while I went down into the well.

It was cold at the bottom.

I felt for the third blue brick. My nails ached from prying, but finally I pried open a crack.

The metal box was inside.

It was heavy.

Just as I pulled the metal box out, footsteps suddenly sounded from overhead.

Zhou Cheng’an’s voice rang out.

“Lin Wanzhao, I knew it was you.”