Chapter 4 Frost Descent (Fourth Up)

  The next morning, Wang Xun put on the waist card of Fei Long's Forbidden Guard and went out to visit those aristocratic young masters he had been in contact with. It was very depressing that, except for a few people who took the risk of being scolded by their parents to provide him with a bunch of miscellaneous small messages, most of his former "good friends" were either "out" or "bedridden", and no one wanted to take any risk because of meddling in Yuwen's case.

  Just in time, it was already noon, and he knew that today might be another futile trip. He cursed a few dirty words helplessly, rode his horse with his head down and walked towards the direction of Zhang's residence. As soon as he passed by Longzheng Fang, the street ahead was blocked by a large group of officials. He had to get off his horse and walk around from behind Longzheng Fang, pulling the reins. After walking for more than ten steps, he saw several disheveled women running over from Fengzheng Fang, crying and wailing.

  "What's going on here? It's all chaotic!" Wang Xun frowned and pulled over a shopkeeper-like spectator, asking in a low voice.

  The shop assistant was pulled into a stumble, his eyes widening in anger. But upon seeing the other person's attire, he immediately changed to a smiling face, "Young master, haven't you heard? There's been a huge commotion at Longzheng Alley. The Yong'an County Princess's household has been raided, apparently related to the case of Li Zuo from several years ago. Just recently, the second daughter of the Ranzhou Governor's family had just gotten engaged to the young master of the Yong'an County Princess's household, with plans to get married next month. But now that the groom's family has met disaster, the bride's family is making a fuss about calling off the wedding. However, the daughter refuses to agree, and when her family wasn't paying attention, she snuck over here, saying she wanted to share in her fiancé's good fortune and bad luck. Who can find such a wonderful thing where even in prison there's still a wife to accompany you? The officials scolded her a few times, but she just kept banging her head against the stone lion. Tsk tsk, what a waste of a delicate little girl like a flower!

  "Li Zuoxiang?" Wang Zhong had some impression of this case that occurred in the sixth year of Tianbao, "Isn't it already four or five years ago? How come it's still not over now!"

  "Who knows? " The shopkeeper-like person smiled wryly, half in sorrow for the dead young woman and half in frustration at the changing fortunes of the capital. Confiscating a county lord's household was nothing to worry about, but it would be another half month before the streets were lively again. He relied on serving soup to customers in his wine shop to earn rent money, now he was worried that his whole family would have to sleep on the streets.

  "Hmm." Wang Xuan nodded and casually stuffed a dozen or so copper coins into the shop assistant's hand. The shop assistant, who was sighing in distress, was taken aback and hastily bowed his head, "It can't be helped, it can't be helped. A few words, how could they be worth so much for you to reward me like this!"

  "Our young master has given it to you, so take it!" The owner of the house had become a military officer, and Wang Xiang, the servant, felt more confident. He glanced at the shopkeeper and said loudly.

  "Thank you, thank you, Master Hou! Thank you, Master Hou!" Knowing that he had really met a noble person, the shop assistant kept bowing.

  Wang Cong glared at Wang Xiang, then silently led the horse out of the crowd. A rabbit dies, a fox grieves; when one thing is hurt, its kind is affected. The Left Chancellor, Li Hui, had always been known as a good and honest man. He had held his position for several years, spending every day drinking to intoxication, never daring to clash with Li Linfu. Yet despite this, four years ago he was still forced by Li Linfu to take poison and die. Moreover, after his death, his family was also implicated; his only son was beaten to death by Li Linfu's henchmen on the road while rushing to mourn his father.

  Just as he was lost in thought, a gaudily decorated carriage slowly came up behind him. At the sound of the creaking wheels, Wang Xun instinctively dodged to the side of the road. The creaking stopped abruptly in front of him, and the carriage door swung open quickly. A dwarf grinned at him and bowed, "Young Master Hou, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to run into you here!"

  "It's actually Senior Jia, what a coincidence today!" Wang Xun raised an eyebrow slightly and returned the courtesy with a fist bump.

  "Modest, modest!" The dwarf chuckled and waved his hand, "Jia Mou is just a bit earlier in entering the Tao, can't be considered as Er Lang's senior. Can you get on the carriage to have a chat? Your horse is too tall, I'll walk alongside you, but I have to keep looking up at you!"

  The night before last, Lei Wanchun was deceived by this little man and took advantage of his intoxication to sneak into Xue's residence at night, only to be hit by the opponent's poisonous arrow. Thinking of this matter, Wang Xuan hated that he couldn't pull the opponent out of the carriage and beat him up on the ground. But thinking again, since Jia Chang could instigate Lei Wanchun to sneak into Xue's house at night, he must also be able to guess that the case of Xue Rongguang being stabbed was related to Lei Wanchun. Now, no matter what, he couldn't afford to conflict with him, so he nodded and replied in a low voice, "Alright, I'm tired from riding my horse anyway. Let's take a break on your carriage and catch our breath!"

  Having said that, he threw the horse reins behind him and jumped onto Jia Chang's carriage.

  Can't help but admit, this Jia guy may look a bit ugly, but he really knows how to enjoy himself. This two-wheeled carriage has been widened by half, with a large kang bed inside, leaving plenty of space. In front of the kang bed, there is a low table, a bookshelf, a washbasin stand, and a wardrobe for clothes. Two 13- or 14-year-old Nu'er servant girls kneel in front of the low table, peeling grapes and arranging them on silver plates.

  As soon as the train door closed, inside and outside became two completely different worlds. The world outside was filled with mournful cries that came in fits and starts. In contrast, this world inside was one of indulgence and luxury, with beautiful women everywhere. Stretching out his foot to kick at one of the new servant girls' legs, Jia Chang gave a low command, "Go, go over there and give Young Master Hou a foot massage. If you serve well, tonight I'll send you to warm his bed!"

  That new servant girl was taken aback for a moment, and then a thread of wild joy surged up at the tips of her eyebrows. She quickly shifted her knees to come to Wang Xun's side and reached out to take off his boots.

  "Senior's kindness, younger brother is grateful! However, my family is already overcrowded and I really don't dare to accept this generous gift!" Wang Xuan saw the situation and quickly apologized with a bow. Just outside, he had just agreed to take in Bai Hui Zi, and at home there was still another concubine, Zi Luo. If he were to bring in another new concubine, Nu Rou Xiao Bi, to warm his bed, the Wang household would become even more lively. Although the first two women were gentle by nature and might not quarrel with him without reason, what if one day he was not at home and Nu Rou Xiao Bi "accidentally" fell into the pond and drowned? Even if it was an act of kindness, he would still decline politely. After all, that's a life at stake, can't be treated as insignificant!"

  Jia Chang looked at him and burst out laughing, "Isn't it said that a true talent is naturally elegant? Why has Ming Yun become so polite to me all of a sudden?"

  "Wang Mou hasn't read many books, he can't be considered a talented scholar! On the other hand, his seniors are truly admirable for their genuine abilities." Wang Xun shook his head and flattered with a smile.

  Jia Chang suddenly turned cold, sighed and asked in a low voice: "To save two words 'senior', to call me 'Brother Jia', is it really that difficult?"

  Jia Chang was granted the honorary position of Court Gentleman because of his expertise in training fighting cocks. However, since meeting Wang Jun, he had always addressed him as "senior", which clearly indicated a sense of distance between them. Now that someone had pointed this out to his face, Jia's face grew hot and he smiled awkwardly, explaining in a low voice: "Wang has also been fond of training fighting cocks for some time now, so I called you 'senior' - it wasn't intentional to keep my distance from you. Since Brother Jia doesn't like this form of address, then I'll obey your wishes!"

  "Is that right? Otherwise, I thought you looked down on me for being short!" Jia Chang immediately laughed again and complained in a low voice.

  "How dare you!" Wang Xuan immediately spoke up in explanation. "Although Wang may not have any abilities, he also wouldn't judge people by their appearance!"

  "It was just my imagination!" Jia Chang smiled and admitted, "The two of them can only understand a few simple sentences in Tang language, they can be considered mute. The compartment is lined with cotton, the conversation inside can't be heard from outside!" After finishing his explanation, he quickly added: "About what happened at Xue's residence the night before last, I've already heard about it. Yang Guozhong took credit for it, but who actually did it, I'm sure Ming Yun knows as well as I do!"

  It's not necessary to beat around the bush when talking to someone with a heart as transparent as this. Wang Xuan nodded in agreement, "Indeed, it was done by Brother Lei. He told me that he received guidance from Brother Jia!"

  "Pointing, dare not be!" Jia Chang used a silver spoon to scoop up a peeled and pitted grape from the plate, eating while saying, "I didn't expect it would make such a big noise. I also didn't think Yang Guozhong would jump out himself to take the blame for Lei Daxia. Is there something fishy going on here? Can Mingyun tell me?"

  "I have no idea what's going on. Leidage was shot by a poisoned arrow and almost lost his life. Fortunately, Yang Guozhong took responsibility for the matter, otherwise, I'd probably be fleeing for my life right now!" Wang Xun shook his head and sighed softly.

  From his words, Jia Chang obviously heard the complaining tone, furrowed his brow and asked in a low voice: "Was Lei Zhuangshi seriously injured? How could those two blows from Xue Rongguang possibly hurt Lei Daxia?"

  "It's a poisonous arrow!" Wang Jun emphasized again, secretly scolding Jia Chang for being hypocritical. "The Xue residence seems to be inhabited by many people, doesn't Brother Jia know?"

  "I was just passing by from outside and thought that house was quite big." Jia Chang regretfully patted his own head, "Rash, rash. Since the Xue family has become someone else's henchman, they must have a few dogs at home to listen to their orders. It's my fault, it's my fault, how is Lei Da Xia's injury, do you need me to help invite a doctor?"

  "I wonder how long you can keep up this act!" Wang Xuan cursed in his heart, but the smile on his face grew thicker. "Fortunately, I've already treated my wound. Brother Lei has friends all over the world, and a mere poisoned arrow can't harm him. Now many of our Jianghu friends are looking for that culprit, if Brother Jia has any news, please let me know. I think even if he's extremely cautious, with dozens of eyes watching him every day, there will be a day when his defenses will be breached."