The middle-aged man clutched his nose, though blood continued to seep through the gaps between his fingers. Grumbling, he asked, “What exactly do you want to talk about?”
Lin Yue replied, “I know you were entrusted by someone else to do this, so I won’t make things difficult for you. But I’ve suffered through this ordeal as well, and I find it rather stifling…”
He stopped there, saying no more.
The middle-aged man said, “So what do you want? The way you’re acting doesn’t look much like someone who doesn’t intend to make things difficult for me.”
Lin Yue replied, “Zhao Shuilai cannot be allowed to walk away unharmed.”
The middle-aged man was first stunned, then laughed. Supporting himself into a seated position, he adopted an arrogant posture.
“If you’re asking me to do something, then show some sincerity.”
He sized Lin Yue up from head to toe. “And what sincerity have you shown me? Because I haven’t seen any.”
Lin Yue pressed down his brows slightly and stared at him in silence.
The middle-aged man gradually wilted beneath the gaze, muttering under his breath, “Fine, fine, I get it.”
Smiling, Lin Yue helped him up.
“Earlier, I heard you mention that you’ve run into some troubling matters. I wonder what sort of troubles they are. Perhaps I might be able to help.”
“You?” the middle-aged man said.
Lin Yue replied, “Whether I can help or not, you may as well tell me. If I can solve it for you, then you’ll no longer need to trouble yourself over it. If I can’t solve it, then at the very least speaking of it will lighten your worries somewhat.
“A great man such as yourself handles grand affairs. Being troubled by these petty matters simply comes from lack of experience. But there’s no need for you to gain experience in such trivial things. Leave them to small people like us instead.”
The other two men immediately showed traces of regret upon hearing this. How had they not thought of saying something like that themselves?
Since they had failed to accomplish the task properly, hearing these words now made them scramble upright and hurriedly echo their agreement.
The middle-aged man glared viciously at them.
The two instantly shrank back with hunched shoulders.
The middle-aged man introduced himself. His surname was Feng, with the given name Er. He currently served as the head jailer of the county prison, and everyone addressed him as Jailer Feng.
Jailer Feng said, “It’s not as though I can’t tell you.” He coughed lightly and glanced sidelong at Lin Yue. “If you can solve this matter for me, there’ll certainly be a generous reward. Isn’t what you really want simply for me to put my heart into helping you while you squeeze a few benefits out of me at the same time?”
Lin Yue lowered his head with a modest smile. “Nothing escapes Jailer Feng’s notice.”
Jailer Feng waved a hand.
“In a few days’ time, Lord Chengcha will be coming to the county town. As for exactly what business he’s here for, nobody knows. The county magistrate has been busy these past days putting the yamen in order so that Lord Chengcha will find it presentable.”
“You’re a man who’s studied before, aren’t you? Looking at you now, following others around doing labouring work, I reckon you studied but never managed to obtain any qualifications, so you remain a commoner.”
“Then you probably don’t know who Lord Chengcha is. Chengcha isn’t his name. His surname is Wen. ‘Chengcha’ is his official title. He’s a specialised runner from the prefectural yamen, responsible for important duties such as delivering official documents and escorting prisoners.”
“His status is far above the likes of us. If I could ever rise to the position of Chengcha, I’d die without regrets.”
Jailer Feng sighed, then continued in a serious tone,
“The moment the county magistrate started reorganising the yamen, he discovered that I’d accepted money to swap out a prisoner who’d only committed a minor offence. Someone informed me about it this afternoon, and tomorrow afternoon the magistrate’s going to summon me over the matter.”
“I’ve been worrying myself sick over how to deal with the county magistrate. Well then, do you have any way of helping me resolve this?”
Lin Yue replied, “Allow me to think it over carefully. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow morning.”
Jailer Feng said, “You’d better have a solution.”
With a polite smile, Lin Yue said, “Jailer Feng, could I trouble your men to help look for my wife? She was badly frightened, and I’ve no idea where she’s hiding at the moment.”
Jailer Feng replied, “I’ll bring my men and help you search for your wife myself!”
“Many thanks, Jailer Feng.”
……
“I understand now.” Gu Yun released Lin Yue’s hand. “As long as you’re alright.”
Lin Yue smiled at him.
“Young lady, we meet again.”
Jailer Feng had already walked over before the two of them and greeted Gu Yun directly.
Gu Yun’s gaze swept once over the scraped skin on Jailer Feng’s face before he lowered his eyes.
“Jailer Feng.”
Only now did Jailer Feng get a clear look at Gu Yun’s appearance. He clicked his tongue inwardly, thinking that Lin Yue truly was blessed with good fortune in romance. After reminding Lin Yue not to forget to see him tomorrow morning, he turned to leave.
Lin Yue said, “Take care, Jailer Feng.”
After walking two steps, Jailer Feng realised his two lackeys had not followed him and were instead staring fixedly at Gu Yun. Raising a foot, he kicked at them.
“You two still not following? What are you standing there gawping for?”
The pair snapped back to themselves and gave sheepish chuckles. Just as they were about to follow after him, one caught sight of Gu Yun’s neck from the corner of his eye and let out a startled cry.
Jailer Feng said irritably, “What now?”
The two men replied, “There’s blood on the right side of the young lady’s neck. It’s already dried.”
Jailer Feng narrowed his eyes and looked over.
Lin Yue looked over as well.
It felt as though Gu Yun had been struck heavily by a hammer.
He froze rigid on the spot.
