Episode 93

The Gaos had put in a lot of effort because Ling Qianqian was coming. The party they had thrown was a lavish one and the full area it covered was huge. If one didn’t actually walk around, you wouldn’t have imagined it was this big.

Song Caitang was terrible at directions and didn’t know where she was anymore after just following Zhao Zhi round two bends. She decided to just give up altogether. She was going to just enjoy the scenery and stop thinking.

The weather in April was warm, and it became quite hot at noon. The huge yard, the long narrow passageways, the bright sunshine, the flower beds, the occasional colorful butterflies flitting, the fake mountains and valleys, the white bridges, the clear ponds, the fish swimming freely – the word “good” wasn’t enough to describe it.

Song Caitang was really enjoying the scenery.

Zhao Zhi didn’t speak at all, didn’t turn around and didn’t bother himself with her the whole way.

They walked past the flowers and bushes at a comfortable pace, one in front of the other in complete silence, but the atmosphere didn’t feel the slightest bit awkward.

Song Caitang glanced at Zhao Zhi’s back view from time to time and her lips would curl upward slightly.

This man was very tall, so the sun got into her eyes when she looked up at him. But the sun also cast a long shadow on the cobblestone, and the petals floating in the slight breeze made his shadow gentler. It didn’t make one feel afraid.

His temperament wasn’t the best and he liked to make digs at others, but he wasn’t really that hard to get along with.

She just found it a little weird.

Zhao Zhi wasn’t a boring guy. He was nicknamed the King of Chaos and was famous for creating a lot of commotion. She had also seen him talk a lot to other people. Yet when it was just the two of them, he seemed… very sullen.

Why?

Was it because she exuded a special aura and held an equally special job that brought a solemnity with it, so he didn’t want to talk about anything else besides work?

“Pay attention,” Zhao Zhi seemed to have noticed that Song Caitang was distracted and stopped when he walked around one of the fake mountains. He raised an eyebrow, “If you lose me despite following me at such a close distance, that would be really embarrassing.”

Song Caitang smiled, “Don’t worry, when I really want to, I won’t lose my way.”

Zhao Zhi’s lips curled upward slightly as he said in an insinuating tone, “Oh really.”

She remembered what happened at the pear blossom valley and cleared her throat awkwardly, “Things were different the last time.”

She was being chased by a bunch of people who wanted to kill her. Who would have the energy to keep tabs on where they were going?!

“Well, I didn’t get lost when I followed Qi Yan earlier.”

Zhao Zhi’s gaze instantly darkened when he heard the mention of that name, “Keep your distance from him.”

With those stiff words, he turned and walked off. Very quickly too.

Song Caitang sighed.

This King of Chaos was very hard to please.

But this time, she didn’t have to run after him for long because Zhao Zhi had stopped again. When she caught up with him, she stopped too.

She spotted someone familiar.

Cao Zhang.

The leader of the Green Gang was attending the party too?

Logically speaking, the two parties were on two different sides. The Gaos were throwing this huge party for Ling Qianqian because she was a relative from the capital with connections to government officials. As for Cao Zhang, regardless of how well connected he was here, his connections would mostly be illegal ones. Some wouldn’t mind talking to him in private, but for him to saunter into such a party…

It seemed a little… inappropriate.

Clearly, many others thought the same way. Quite a number of people had gathered around.

Cao Zhang took out an invitation card from his sleeve and waved it at the ones closest to him, “Why, I can’t be a guest here?”

This was none of their business, so while it was fine to just stand around and watch, they didn’t want to be involved. Those people immediately smiled politely and walked away after saying, “Of course you can, of course. Please enjoy yourself.”

Cao Zhang was dressed in black, fitting clothing and commanded a lot of authority with his presence. His facial features were tough, and his gaze was sharp and looked murderous all the time. That was a gaze that drew attention and nobody could say they didn’t notice it. Song Caitang quickly realized that more and more people had noticed him, and everyone’s expression was a little different from each other.

For example…

The Guans.

This was a long, L-shaped corridor that was very wide and commonly used. There were two rows of pillars, but you could still see some of the ladies inside. Madam Zhang, Guan Qing and Guan Wan were all within sight.

It was clear that Madam Zhang felt uncomfortable seeing Cao Zhang around. Before this, she had hoped to earn some money from him along with Manager Liu, but Lu Guangzong died and this plan died along with him. Feeling worried and scared in front of the sharp and sinister Cao Zhang was only normal.

But Guan Qing…

Song Caitang noticed that Guan Qing seemed to be looking at Cao Zhang for a little longer than normal, and she seemed to be frowning too.

Cao Zhang wasn’t bothered by everyone looking at him from afar and didn’t walk away. He called for one of the Gao family servants, asked for a pot of tea, then walked to the pavilion in the bend of the corridor and sat down to enjoy his tea.

He did not make a scene or look for anyone. So, after realizing nothing exciting was going to happen, the crowd that was previously curious about him lost interest and walked away.

But Zhao Zhi did not walk away.

Neither did Song Caitang.

Cao Zhang… didn’t look like he was doing this purposely so that a particular person would notice him, and he had no need to do anything like that either. He looked more like he was waiting for someone.

But who?

Song Caitang glanced at Zhao Zhi.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, looked toward where the Guans were standing, then toward the residential part of the Gao family estate where the family lived.

Song Caitang paused to think and got what he meant.

Cao Zhang was connected to the Lu Guangzong case because a new law had slowed down his shipping channels. He wanted to get an official to write him a note to exempt him from this law so that his shipping business would go back to what it used to be. In Luanze, Lu Guangzong’s rank was high and his words were influential.

Manager Liu used the fact that he knew something about Lu Guangzong that could be used to threaten the old man as a reason to negotiate a deal with Cao Zhang, and promised to settle Cao Zhang’s problem. But now, Lu Guangzong was already dead and this problem had not been settled.

So, Cao Zhang was either here to get even with Manager Liu, or to find a solution himself. And this solution would certainly appear here, since this was a party that had all the government officials from the Gao family in attendance.

Zhao Zhi raised an eyebrow and rubbed his chin as he said, “Cao Zhang is very clever, but also very greedy.”

Song Caitang got it immediately, “So, he’s probably going to kill two birds with one stone.”

Coming out once to settle two matters or even more would be convenient and would make his journey worthwhile.

Just as they were speaking, someone came into their line of sight. It was Manager Liu.

Song Caitang exchanged glances with Zhao Zhi. The look in their eyes was identical. They had guessed it right!

Manager Liu was neither an official nor an aristocrat, so nobody took notice of him as he quietly walked over from the side of the corridor. It didn’t take him long to reach the pavilion where Cao Zhang was.

The pavilion was a little far, so if they started talking, Song Caitang would not be able to hear them.

Zhao Zhi waved at her, “Come with me.”

She nodded and followed behind him.

They avoided the crowd and moved along the bushes in the opposite direction to find a spot that was next to the pavilion. They could see everything and hear everything clearly without anybody noticing them at all.

It was the perfect spot.

But Song Caitang felt that…

Cao Zhang seemed to have noticed them.

He had chuckled in amusement and used a finger to tap the table in their direction immediately after they had settled in their spot.

But he didn’t chase them away, which means he wasn’t bothered by them.

Song Caitang and Zhao Zhi proceeded to just stand there and eavesdrop on the conversation.

“Manager Liu, since this matter has failed to go through, don’t you think it’s time you spat out the things you ate?” Not only was Cao Zhang’s gaze icy, but his voice was equally unfeeling.

“Well, about that…” Manager Liu laughed awkwardly, “You can’t put it like that either. Commissioner Lu has died, but that isn’t the end of things. We can always look for someone else. What I have on my hands is still useful.”

Cao Zhang snorted and said sarcastically, “This is information on Lu Guangzong. Who else would it work on? His son, Lu Shen?”

“Well… Young Mr. Lu isn’t really of a high enough rank…”

“My goods have been detained for too long and I don’t want to wait any longer. I’ll not trouble you any further.” Cao Zhang wasn’t interested in what Manager Liu had to say and stopped him right there. His left hand touched the ring on his right pinky and his gaze glinted like a hawk’s. “You’d better return those pieces of silver to me, Manager Liu.”

Perspiration began forming on Manager Liu’s forehead, “You have to be joking, right? The Green Gang is a huge business and can’t possibly be short of these few pieces of silver, right? Don’t frighten me like that! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to put in more effort to get this matter settled properly…”

“Liu Gui,” Cao Zhang tapped the table with his fingertips, “Do you really think it’s that easy to take advantage of the Green Gang just like that?”

Manager Liu’s body instantly stiffened up.

Cao Zhang did not look at him as he took a white handkerchief out from his sleeve and slowly wiped his hands. “That thing and money, or your life. Choose one.”

Song Caitang suddenly felt like she was at a public execution.

Cao Zhang’s actions were very slow, and so were his words. In that instant, the bright sunshine seemed to have transformed into a bloody pillar of fire. He didn’t look like he was wiping his hands either. He looked more like he was sharpening the knife he was going to use to kill someone.

All the hair on Manager Liu’s skin stood on end, and despite being a fairly sharp-witted man, he couldn’t get any words out of his mouth right now. He stood where he was and his entire body was tense.

Cao Zhang did not push him. Since Manager Liu wasn’t saying anything, he was willing to wait for a while. But after he finished wiping his hands, he used three fingers to pick up the teacup lid, then waved it in front of his face, as though he was just playing with it.

Or as though… it meant something else.

Song Caitang frowned slightly. She didn’t understand the meaning of this action.

Zhao Zhi whispered to her, “Break the cup, kill the person.”

Song Caitang then remembered that there were many troublemakers in this era who liked to use the breaking of a teacup as a sign. Once the teacup hit the ground and broke, the one who dropped it would kill the other person.

Cao Zhang was basically threatening Manager Liu now.

Manager Liu was a businessman, but he didn’t manage a big business and was merely a manager. The things he could do and see were limited, but he was very good at seizing chances and avoiding trouble. He could sense that Cao Zhang was really ready to kill him, so he buckled immediately, “I know the secret, but I don’t have the thing! I handed the money and the thing to Madam Zhang of the Guan family a long time ago! It was her! She’s the one who gave me instructions and she’s the one who told me to do that! Leader Cao, one should always trace things back to the main perpetrator – this matter has nothing to do with me! You have to ask Mrs. Guan-Zhang!”

Pak! The teacup lid in Cao Zhang’s hand landed neatly on the teacup.

He narrowed his eyes and stared at Manager Liu, “Is that the case?”

Manager Liu gritted his teeth and said confidently, “That is the case!”

Cao Zhang’s appearance at the party might not have drawn a lot of eyeballs after they realized he was here as a regular guest, but Madam Zhang would certainly keep tabs on him because of what happened. She was only a corridor away from them and Manager Liu had appeared at the pavilion as well. Of course, Madam Zhang found it hard to sit still.

She had approached the pavilion a while ago already.

And when she had come close enough to overhear the conversation, she heard what Manager Liu said. Her expression was furious, “Liu Gui! Stop spouting nonsense like that!”

Manager Liu froze.

Madam Zhang pointed at his face, “When did you give me anything? When did I instruct you to do anything?! You’ve never listened to anything I’ve said!”

If she hadn’t come over, Manager Liu would have thought that he might have failed to convince Cao Zhang. But now that Madam Zhang was here, a new idea hit him.

“How could you say that? You know my hobbies, my weaknesses and where my mother lives! You know and control all of that! You told me to get these things done, took all the money and didn’t give me a single cent, but did I dare to complain? I didn’t even dare to let a fart out!”

As Manager Liu spoke, he observed Cao Zhang’s expression.

The Green Gang was not one to be trifled with, especially the leader of the gang. Any decision he made was usually final. If he didn’t want to die, then he had to drag someone else down!

He pointed at Madam Zhang and went on, “Why else would I transfer myself to your side instead of continuing my role as a manager with Eldest Young Mistress? Eldest Young Mistress is such a good person! She has good character, tough tactics, is loyal and takes good care of her subordinates, so we’ve all earned a lot under her. Am I stupid? Why would I give up such a bright future to follow a stupid woman like you and allow you to instruct me? What would I stand to gain from that?!”

Manager Liu’s yelling immediately attracted a lot of attention.

The group at the pavilion included a gang leader and a married woman in charge of a household. That was very exciting. Everyone shifted their attention and got their popcorn ready.

Madam Zhang started to panic.

She wrung her handkerchief. She had never felt so helpless before.

Back at home, she was able to face any problems with confidence and she could handle it well, but this Green Gang… this Cao Zhang was definitely a dangerous character and wasn’t easy to deal with!

And this Manager Liu wasn’t helping either. A man from outside her family was accusing her falsely, yet she couldn’t start quarreling with him like a low class woman. If she did that, she would embarrass both herself and the Guans.

She suddenly felt like she had made the wrong move in a chess game.

No pain, no gain was an accurate saying, but if one did not think carefully about their choices, failed to see every danger lying in wait and just looked forward to reaping the rewards, then once you went through with the decision and things didn’t go well, things weren’t going to end well either.

The crowd’s gazes and pointing felt like stones pelting on her body. She really wished she could bury herself in a hole right now.

In her panic, her gaze wandered and she spotted Song Caitang.

Song Caitang was standing in the shadows, as silently and calmly as ever. Her almond-shaped eyes, small nose and long brows exuded immense intelligence, as though she could see through everything in the world.

In that moment, Madam Zhang could hear the shattering of her dreams.

She thought that she was very clever and thought that she could settle all of this, including the very disobedient Song Caitang. But before she could deal with Song Caitang, she had caused her own downfall first…

“Leader Cao, that’s not how you discuss business.”

A crisp voice resounded and the crowd parted as a young lady dressed in blue walked out.

It was Guan Qing.

She did not look at Madam Zhang or Manager Liu. Her eyes looked straight at Cao Zhang emotionlessly.

Cao Zhang’s eyes curved slightly as though he were smiling, but he also looked threatening, “And who said I was discussing business? This is clearly a matter of someone’s life.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Manager Liu and Madam Zhang, then looked back maliciously at Guan Qing.

But Guan Qing remained calm and unafraid. Her gaze did not become frantic at all, “Leader Cao, aren’t you also in the business of human lives?”