Chapter 24

I sat restlessly in the County Office, feeling certain that something was about to happen.

“Song Lan,” I instructed, “go quietly to the Dong Manor and see what’s happening. I’m worried that Zi Su might be in trouble.”

“Yes.”

Song Lan had just turned to leave when the door suddenly swung open and Zi Su stumbled in, a feathered arrow lodged in her shoulder.

“Zi Su!” I hurried over to support her. “How did you get hurt?”

Zi Su trembled as she pulled a stack of papers from her bosom. “Bai Wei and I were discovered by Dong Jingmo while we were retrieving the account books. He also captured Fu Ling’s cousin, Yuan Hu. Maybe someone overheard our conversation this afternoon. Go find Fu Ling quickly-I’m afraid she’s in danger.”

I told Nan Xing to take Zi Su away for treatment, then took a token from my sleeve and handed it to Qing Mu. “Tell the people protecting Fu Ling to evacuate her immediately. Then, take this and leave the city. I’ve already sent a flying letter to the Governor of Minzhou, Qin Zhezhou. He should be arriving with troops. Tell him to surround the Dong Family and Drunken Beauty-no one is to escape. Tonight, we close the net!”

“Yes!” Qing Mu took the token, opened the door, leapt onto the wall, and disappeared into the night with remarkable speed.

I then instructed Song Lan, “Go fetch my official robes. We’re going to pay a visit to the County Magistrate.”

Song Lan brought the robes and helped me dress.

I straightened the black gauze hat on my head and strode out.