Chapter 2

The sound of boots stomping on the stairs grew closer and closer. Then came the sound of doors being kicked open.

Sui Ying’s private room was the farthest from the staircase. Only after all the other rooms were kicked open would it be their turn.

“Sir, there’s only one room left!”

“Bang!” The soldier who kicked the door open saw the situation inside and didn’t immediately enter to arrest anyone.

A group of burly men in dark uniforms with swords filled the corridor outside the room. The teahouse fell silent, and the atmosphere grew tense.

After a moment, the leader, referred to as “Sir” by the soldiers, stepped over the threshold into the room. He had his hands behind his back, wore no sword, and was dressed in a more elaborate and refined version of the dark uniform.

He introduced himself, “Shadow Guard, Pei Yanzhao.”

Ha, he’s getting better at putting on airs, thought Feng Jiayou, her eyes filled with disdain under the veil. She took a couple of steps forward, pretending to greet him, “This common woman greets you, sir.”

After she spoke, Ah Xiu also bowed.

“What kind of play are you putting on?” Pei Yanzhao glanced at the unconscious Sui siblings on the chaise longue before turning to Feng Jiayou, “Common woman? Which family’s common woman are you?”

Feng Jiayou sneered inwardly. Given the Shadow Guard’s usual methods, if it were anyone else leading the team, they would have stormed in and taken Sui Ying away without a word.

But Pei Yanzhao was different. Recognizing her carriage outside the teahouse, he had to come in and humiliate her publicly first.

Because Feng Jiayou not only knew this top expert of the Shadow Guard, but they were also childhood friends turned mortal enemies.

Feng Jiayou lazily replied, “Naturally, the Feng family you’re ‘familiar’ with.”

She emphasized the word “familiar.”

Pei Yanzhao’s gaze instantly turned cold.

Feng Jiayou ignored it and continued after a pause, “The Shadow Guard knows everything, so of course, you’re familiar.”

Pei Yanzhao, perhaps fearing she might say something reckless, stopped paying attention to her, “Take the Sui siblings away!”

The soldiers in the corridor were about to rush in when Ah Xiu spread her arms to block them, “Sir, why are you arresting our young master too?”

Pei Yanzhao raised his left arm, signaling his subordinates to stop, and asked, “So, you think Sui Siyuan shouldn’t be arrested, but Sui Ying deserves it?”

Ah Xiu bit her tongue and shook her head in pain, “Miss is innocent too. She only took some cat fur to prank Miss Liao. Look, Miss was also injured by the real culprit, who brought her here to frame her…”

“You seem to know a lot.” Pei Yanzhao glanced at Feng Jiayou and sternly asked, “Who tipped you off?”

His question didn’t scare Feng Jiayou but shocked the Shadow Guard members.

The informant should be Shen Shixing, the commander’s youngest son. He and Feng Jiayou were once a pair, but the commander disapproved and arranged a marriage with the Liao family instead.

Didn’t the sir know this? Why question her publicly? If Feng Jiayou really named Shen Shixing, it would be trouble for them.

Seeing the confusion, Hundred-Man Commander Ling Tao stepped forward and saluted, “Sir, it seems this case has already spread in the capital. We should take the suspects away quickly to avoid further complications.”

Pei Yanzhao didn’t insist on questioning further and turned to leave the room, “Back to the headquarters!”

Seeing the soldiers approach again, Ah Xiu, fearing she might say something wrong, looked to Feng Jiayou for help.

Feng Jiayou remained silent. She understood that with Pei Yanzhao’s skills and the Shadow Guard’s power, they already knew whether Sui Ying was innocent. They might even have the real culprit’s “portrait.”

But that didn’t matter.

They had to insist that Sui Ying was the culprit and that Sui Siyuan carried her out of the Liao residence. No one could do anything about it.

The Shadow Guard commander, Shen Qiu, might be using this to pressure the Duke of Zhen.

Saying more was useless. Feng Jiayou pulled Ah Xiu aside to stand against the wall, clearing the way to watch the soldiers carry Sui Ying and Sui Siyuan away.

The teahouse’s doors were all open, and a carriage drove straight in.

After all, they were the young master and miss of the Duke’s residence. Before being convicted, they couldn’t be paraded on horseback back to the headquarters.

After placing the two in the carriage, a soldier took the reins while the others rode around it.

Only after they left the street did the onlookers dare to come out and whisper, speculating about what had happened to alarm the Shadow Guard.

As the rain began to fall, Feng Jiayou’s carriage struggled to move through the crowd. The driver asked, “Miss, where are we going now?”

She took off her veil and tossed it aside, “Of course, we’re following them.”

“F-following them?”

“Yes, keep a certain distance and follow them.”

“Got it.”

Ah Xiu was already in despair. Feng Jiayou squeezed her hand, “It’s okay. They’re using the teahouse’s delivery carriage, which isn’t fast. It will take at least two quarters of an hour to get from the south to the north of the city.”

Just as she finished speaking, the carriage came to a sudden stop.

Feng Jiayou steadied herself by holding the window and saw a chestnut horse outside through the wind-lifted curtain.

It was Pei Yanzhao, who had returned alone. He asked through the curtain, “Miss Feng, why are you following us?”

Feng Jiayou clicked her tongue, “Sir, are you afraid I’ll break them out?”

Pei Yanzhao replied, “Just curious.”

His tone was probing.

“I’m just seeing Sui Ying off.” Feng Jiayou played with the tassel hanging from the curtain, “Everyone knows that once you enter your prison, few come out alive. Those who do are usually missing limbs.”

Her tone was mocking. There was no need to pretend to be kind to him in private; he would only take advantage.

“You’re waiting for the Dali Temple, aren’t you?” Pei Yanzhao, hearing her hidden anger, laughed, “The Prefecture and the Ministry of Justice can at least put up a fight, but the Dali Temple? The current Dali Temple is not what it was under your grandfather.”

Indeed, Feng Jiayou couldn’t refute this and felt a bit sad.

Since her grandfather’s death, the position of Dali Temple Minister had changed hands several times due to factional struggles, leaving the place in chaos.

If her grandfather knew, he would be very sad.

Feng Jiayou composed herself, seeing that the carriage carrying Sui Ying hadn’t slowed down. Dragging this out was useless. She lifted the curtain, revealing her pale, sickly face, and smiled sweetly, “As the saying goes, even a broken ship has three pounds of nails. Sir, don’t be complacent. It would be embarrassing if things go wrong. I’ll be watching you.”

(Translator’s note :  “爛船還有三斤釘” (làn chuán hái yǒu sān jīn dīng) )

“Fine, follow if you want.” Pei Yanzhao glanced away from her smiling face as if disgusted. He pulled the reins, turned his horse, and left, “I also want to see how many people in the Dali Temple still remember Elder Feng and dare to offend us for you.”

With that, he spurred his horse and left.

Feng Jiayou’s smile faded, and she couldn’t help but feel a chill. His words carried a sharp killing intent, like an arrow ready to shoot.

After all these years, Pei Yanzhao still harbored deep resentment.

He hated her grandfather and her.

Their story was absurd and somewhat laughable.

When Feng Jiayou was young, Elder Feng fell seriously ill. After recovering, his health was never the same, and he began to worry about his granddaughter’s future.

His son was missing, his daughter-in-law devoted to Buddhism, and his granddaughter had no one to rely on but him.

There was also the Feng family’s wealth, not much but significant enough, which he didn’t want to fall into the hands of distant relatives.

So, he decided to find a husband to marry into the family for Feng Jiayou.

Elder Feng spent a lot of effort and finally found an excellent candidate, whom he kept by his side and personally trained.

That candidate was the seven-year-old Pei Yanzhao.

Back then, he wasn’t called Pei Yanzhao; his name was Shen Yunzhao.

Feng Jiayou thought he was a playmate chosen by her grandfather. Once, she overheard the servants talking about a “child husband” and didn’t understand, so she asked her grandfather.

Her grandfather laughed and said it was someone who would play with her for life and asked if she liked him.

She clapped her hands and said she liked him. Brother Shen was handsome, talented, and treated her well. How could she not like him?

But he only stayed for six years. One day, thirteen-year-old Shen Yunzhao was taken away without even a goodbye, leaving Feng Jiayou heartbroken for days.

A couple of years later, her grandfather’s carriage was startled on the way home from court, and he fell, his already weakened body completely collapsing.

On his deathbed, he told Feng Jiayou to pretend not to know Shen Yunzhao if she ever saw him again and to keep everything about him a secret.

He also lamented that he had misjudged Shen Yunzhao’s father, Shen Qiu.

Yes, the current commander of the Shadow Guard. Back then, Shen Qiu was just a low-ranking officer in the Jingji Camp. Hearing that Elder Feng was looking for a husband for his granddaughter, he offered his eldest son in exchange for a promotion.

Elder Feng despised him for selling his son for glory but liked Shen Yunzhao and worried about his future with such a father, so he chose him.

Unexpectedly, after his promotion, Shen Qiu’s career soared, eventually surpassing Elder Feng.

When his power was enough to overshadow Elder Feng, Shen Qiu immediately took Shen Yunzhao back.

But this son, who had once been “married in,” became a symbol of Shen Qiu’s shame, representing his past humiliation.

Fearing someone might recognize Shen Yunzhao from his time at the Feng residence, he renamed him Pei Yanzhao and claimed him as an adopted son, bringing him into the Shadow Guard.

Feng Jiayou guessed that Pei Yanzhao saw his time as a “child husband” as a stain on his life. Having endured humiliation under someone else’s roof, he found no compensation after leaving the Feng residence and was instead mistreated by Shen Qiu, leading him to hate her grandfather and blame her for everything.

At first, she remembered her grandfather’s advice and treated Pei Yanzhao as a stranger in the capital, and he did the same.

But she still missed him and foolishly believed he missed her too.

Even when, under his “care,” the Feng family’s shops and lands were halved, and they almost lost their house, she still believed he had his reasons and wanted to help him.

Until her coming-of-age ceremony, when she visited her mother at Jingci Temple outside the city. On her way back, Pei Yanzhao kidnapped her from the main road, tied her up, and threw her into a small ravine nearby.

He left without a word, only to return less than a quarter of an hour later, coldly strangling her.

That was the first time Feng Jiayou felt the fear of death.

Fortunately, Pei Yanzhao thought dying like that was too easy for her. The area was frequented by bandits, and he planned to drive the dirtiest and most vulgar ones there. What would happen was obvious.

He pretended to receive a message and led his men there, wanting to witness her disgrace.

But before he could return, his younger brother, Shen Shixing, arrived and saved Feng Jiayou.

When Pei Yanzhao led his men out of the city, they saw Shen Shixing walking with Feng Jiayou in the snow.

The elegant Shen Shixing wore a clean sky-blue robe, and the charming Feng Jiayou was wrapped in his fox fur cloak. They kept a proper distance, looking like a perfect couple.

That’s how the rumors about them started.

And neither of them explained.

With this connection, the Shadow Guard rarely troubled the Feng family.

Feng Jiayou also gave up her last bit of naivety. Shen Shixing said Pei Yanzhao was just being stubborn, but she didn’t want to analyze his psychology or remember how the Feng residence had hurt him.

She didn’t want to know if he had any grievances.

She just wished Pei Yanzhao would die.

Usually, she avoided too much interaction with the increasingly powerful Pei Yanzhao, telling herself that revenge could wait.

But now, to save the Sui siblings, she couldn’t care about that.

A quarter of an hour later, the rain intensified, quelling the night market’s noise.

With only a street or two left to the Shadow Guard headquarters, Ah Xiu couldn’t sit still, constantly lifting the curtain to look ahead, only to see the orderly procession of the Shadow Guard and a few pedestrians with umbrellas.

Finally, the driver stopped, “Miss, they’ve stopped ahead.”

“Has the Dali Temple arrived?” Ah Xiu excitedly lifted the curtain again.

The rain was too heavy, and she could only see the Shadow Guard soldiers putting on simple raincoats from their saddlebags and continuing their journey.

Ah Xiu fell into despair.

Even Feng Jiayou, who had been counting the wheel rotations in her mind, grew anxious.

The letter detailed the strategy against the enemy. If delivered, the Dali Temple had no reason to ignore it. She feared Coral had encountered obstacles and couldn’t deliver the letter.

She wasn’t worried about Coral’s safety. Coral was steady and had some martial skills.

But if delayed, once Sui Ying and Sui Siyuan were thrown into the Shadow Guard’s dark prison, it would be beyond her reach.

Sui Ying might be fine, but Sui Siyuan’s life was at risk.

“Miss, I can vaguely see the Shadow Guard’s gate,” the driver said worriedly.

Feng Jiayou lifted the curtain to look outside. In the night rain, everything was blurry, and visibility was low.

“Miss, that sir is coming again…” the driver saw Pei Yanzhao leaving the group again and quickly reminded her.

Feng Jiayou frowned and told the driver to stop.

She got out of the carriage alone, opened her umbrella, and walked towards Pei Yanzhao, her skirt brushing the puddles.

Pei Yanzhao lightly pulled the reins, stopping in place, giving her time to distance herself from the crowd for a private conversation.

When Feng Jiayou reached him, she was already quite disheveled from the rain but still raised her head slightly, revealing her long swan neck.

Pei Yanzhao looked down at her.

Feng Jiayou met his gaze without flinching, “Are you here to mock me, saying that asking the Dali Temple for help is useless?”

“At least I can make the Sui siblings suffer less.” Pei Yanzhao lifted his hat brim, “Asking my brother in the Ministry of Rites is useless. In the Shadow Guard’s prison, I have the final say.”

“Then how do you want me to ask you?” Feng Jiayou asked, “Throw away the umbrella, kneel, and kowtow? Is that enough?” (tln : kowtow is dogeza, google it)

Pei Yanzhao tapped his saddle, a mocking smile on his lips, “You can try.”

Their eyes locked, and it seemed like sparks flew in the rain. Feng Jiayou sneered, “Dream on!”

As expected, Pei Yanzhao remained calm, “Such deep sisterly love. Sui Ying would do anything for you, but you can’t even kneel for her?”

If kneeling would help, Feng Jiayou wouldn’t hesitate, “But I know you too well, Pei Yanzhao. If I kneel now, you’ll only torment Sui Ying more.”

Pei Yanzhao didn’t deny it, “Then why did you come to find me?”

“Oh? Who said I came to find you?” Feng Jiayou feigned a laugh and walked around him, continuing forward.

Pei Yanzhao turned his horse, puzzled. Ahead, Hundred-Man Commander Ling Tao quickly dismounted and ran to report, “Sir! The Dali Temple has really come, blocking our headquarters!”

Pei Yanzhao’s gaze lingered on Feng Jiayou’s back before returning to Ling Tao, “Blocking our headquarters? Who from the Dali Temple?”

Ling Tao replied, “A registrar named Xie, with a few bailiffs.”

“Just a registrar?” Pei Yanzhao doubted his ears. A mere seventh-rank official with a few bailiffs dared to block the Shadow Guard’s gate?

“Yes, this Xie seems to have some issue, complaining that the Dali Temple is poor compared to the Shadow Guard, that they don’t have carriages or raincoats for fieldwork, and that he chose to wait at our gate to avoid getting wet.”

Ling Tao seemed both amused and incredulous.

…

“Move aside!”

Feng Jiayou was splashed with water by Pei Yanzhao’s horse but didn’t mind. Instead, she felt a bit pleased.

Earlier in the carriage, she had seen Coral standing by the roadside with an umbrella.

Coral had been watching, and from a distance, she saw her pointing towards the Shadow Guard’s gate.

Feng Jiayou knew the Dali Temple had taken action, not going to the teahouse but coming straight here.

It was beyond her expectations.

In fact, with the letter she wrote, the Dali Temple blocking the Shadow Guard’s gate was the best strategy. She just didn’t think the current Dali Temple had the courage to face the arrogant Shadow Guard.

Feng Jiayou waved towards Coral, who then caught up, “Miss, why are you out in the rain?”

“The carriage can’t get close to the Shadow Guard’s gate.” Feng Jiayou couldn’t miss this scene, “The Dali Temple…?”

Coral recounted her experience delivering the letter, “Old He at the gate took the money and immediately delivered your letter inside, but there was no response for a long time.” She added, “Tonight, the duty officer is Registrar Chen.”

Feng Jiayou understood. The sixth-rank registrar couldn’t make decisions and likely sent someone to consult Vice Minister Cui.

The position of Dali Temple Minister had changed hands several times due to factional struggles and was currently vacant. Vice Minister Cui handled all affairs.

And Vice Minister Cui was her grandfather’s student.

Coral tilted the umbrella towards her, “After about two quarters of an hour, Registrar Chen led a team out of the office. He tripped on the steps and fell, seriously injuring his forehead.”

“He’s quite ruthless.” Feng Jiayou was impressed, “So who took over?”

“Registrar Xie. He lives in the office and was called out by Registrar Chen. He seemed reluctant.”

“Xie?” Feng Jiayou was puzzled. Was there a Registrar Xie in the Dali Temple? She suddenly remembered the name that had repeatedly appeared in her dreams and couldn’t help but ask, “Is this Registrar Xie named Xie Lan?”

“You know him?”

Seeing her mistress’s intense interest, Coral continued, “Old He at the gate said Registrar Xie was recently appointed, just two months ago. He has no place to stay in the capital and is quite poor, so he insists on living in the office.”

Old Zhao at the gate also mentioned that the previous registrar was forced to resign by Registrar Chen, which allowed Xie Lan to take over.

A higher rank suppresses a lower one, and it’s uncertain how long he can hold on.

Feng Jiayou listened quietly, and suddenly, a flash of insight struck her. She finally remembered who Xie Lan was.