The two of them walked to the opposite courtyard wall. One wore a conical hat, the other a demon mask. They huddled together, whispering for a moment. The Young Master of the West Room lifted his conical hat, making eye contact with the seller.
The seller's body shook as if he'd been punched in the chest. He immediately lifted his demon mask, then quickly put it back on. Under Ying Xiaoman's wide-eyed stare, the fat man fell to his knees with a thud, bowing deeply as he mumbled:
"News of your mishap has spread everywhere these past few days... This humble servant knew you'd surely be blessed by heaven..."
The Young Master of the West Room tapped the leather bag containing the grappling hooks. "In my absence, with your superiors busy, you thought no one was in charge?"
The fat man dared not speak further, hanging his head dejectedly as he knelt motionless.
The Young Master of the West Room handed over a folded, sealed oilpaper, whispering a few instructions. The fat man hurriedly accepted the oilpaper, stood up, and bowed. He didn't even take the grappling hooks, hastily fleeing into the night.
Ying Xiaoman lifted the heavy leather case. "Hey, your goods!"
"Keep them," said the Young Master of the West Room as he strolled back. "These are stolen goods. The seller took them from the storehouse to sell privately. Once I exposed him, he no longer dared to keep these iron hooks."
"...Stolen goods?"
"The wealthy households in the capital have high courtyard walls. Thieves who break in to steal love using grappling hooks to scale the walls. These are indeed stolen goods confiscated by the Ministry of Justice and transferred to the Ministry of Justice for storage."
Ying Xiaoman leaned in for a closer look. The Young Master of the West Room took out an iron hook from the leather case and unfolded its joints:
"This fat man is the overseer in charge of guarding the storehouse. He has some skills and an especially big heart, taking out stolen goods to sell. He invested nothing, yet wanted to exchange them for your ten-string ivory fan. He was too clever for his own good."
As he spoke, he had already unfolded one of the iron hooks, pointing out the small engravings at the joints to her. "Look, the two marks of confiscation by the Ministry of Justice and storage by the Ministry of Justice."
Ying Xiaoman exclaimed in shock, "The sly devil!"
A perfectly good ivory fan, exchanged at the night market for stolen goods. If the authorities were to investigate later, she'd have no way to explain herself.
She said indignantly, "Is this fat man the chief clerk managing the storehouse for the Ministry of Justice? Those dog officials at the Ministry of Justice are truly rotten from top to bottom!"
The Young Master of the West Room replied, "Hmm... First, he's from the Ministry of Justice. Second, there's no need to tar everyone with the same brush..."
Amidst her anger, Ying Xiaoman suddenly felt puzzled. "How do you recognize the official seals? And how do you know that fat man? I saw he was terrified of you."
The Young Master of the West Room calmly put away the grappling hook. "I caught him red-handed, of course he fears me. The seals of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice are no secret; many people in the capital recognize them."
"I see," Ying Xiaoman sighed. "You people from the capital know so much."
Now that the iron grappling hooks had suddenly become official stolen goods, she held the leather bag, perplexed.
Since they were stolen goods, they should rightfully be returned to the authorities... She bit her lip.
These stolen goods were connected to the Ministry of Justice, the territory of her enemy. She didn't want to expose herself.
Ying Xiaoman held the leather bag and asked the person beside her, "If we don't return them, is it against the law?"
The Young Master of the West Room pondered for a moment. "According to the current dynasty's laws, stolen goods may not be bought or sold. The seller would be beaten with eighty strokes and exiled for a year; the buyer would be fined ten catties of copper, and the stolen goods would be confiscated and stored."
"..." Ten catties of copper!
Fortunately, the latter half of his statement took a turn: "—But since you haven't given the seller any money, it can't be considered a transaction. The seller abandoned the stolen goods himself, and you picked them up for safekeeping. It shouldn't be traced back to you. In a couple of months when the authorities reclaim the missing items, you can return them as they are, and that will be the end of it."
"Then... I'll keep the grappling hooks here for safekeeping, and I promise to keep them clean. When the authorities reclaim them in two months, I'm willing to return them as they are. Will you be a witness for me?"
The request wasn't excessive, so he immediately agreed. But she had one more important matter:
"By the way, while the grappling hooks are in my keeping, I might borrow them two or three times. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"
The Young Master of the West Room didn't seem surprised at all that a young lady in her early teens planned to "borrow" the sharp grappling hooks. The look in his eyes as he gazed at her could be described as tender and indulgent.
"Grappling hooks are useful. Planning to take them hunting in the mountains near the capital?"
Of course, Ying Xiaoman wasn't borrowing the grappling hooks for hunting. She vaguely replied, "They're useful in the city too..."
The Young Master of the West Room couldn't possibly have imagined what she was thinking at that moment.
The impression of "Miss Xiaoman taking down a black bear" was too vivid in his mind. With this preconception, he continued to ask considerately:
"There are no fierce beasts in the city. For hunting large animals, you'd still need to go to the mountains outside the city. Is borrowing them two or three times enough? Do you want to keep them for a longer period?"
Two or three times... might not be enough.
In Ying Xiaoman's mind, she pictured the image of her enemy.
The last time she accidentally encountered him at the entrance of Changle Alley, that dog official Yan Rongshi had tanned skin and a robust build. His movements mounting and dismounting his horse were quite agile, not quite matching the image of a frail scholar she had imagined. She wasn't sure if one blow from a door bolt would be enough for her revenge.
If she couldn't take him down in one go, she'd have to scale the walls of the Yan family compound multiple times.
She answered honestly, "Two or three times of borrowing the grappling hooks might not be enough. But eight to ten times should suffice."
She picked up the grappling hooks with her left hand and the ivory fan with her right, stuffing everything into her bundle and taking it away.
Although this pre-dawn trip to the night market hadn't resulted in successfully selling the ivory fan for money, she had unexpectedly acquired a pair of excellent grappling hooks. Ying Xiaoman thanked him cheerfully: "Thank you so much for this trip."
The Young Master of the West Room felt deeply gratified and humbly replied, "You're too kind."
*
As they talked, they walked aimlessly along the streets and alleys. The thick darkness of night gradually thinned, and the morning star rose in the east.
Ying Xiaoman asked, "Where are we now?"
The Young Master of the West Room stopped to look around: "About the middle section of the west side of the city. If we follow the streets east and then turn south, we can still get back home."
Along this stretch of road, over a dozen peach trees were in full bloom along the riverbank. The lower branches had been picked nearly clean, with only the higher branches still full of blossoms.
A gentle breeze blew, causing petals to flutter down. A few pink petals landed on their shoulders and skirts. Ying Xiaoman's heart stirred, and she stared at the peach blossoms along the riverbank, as resplendent as rosy clouds in the morning light. Her footsteps gradually came to a halt.
The young master beside her also stopped, following her gaze with a glance. Understanding, he asked, "One branch or two?"
Ying Xiaoman indeed asked, "Can I have two?"
The Young Master of the West Room walked down to the riverbank and picked two fully blooming peach blossom branches from the higher branches.
Ying Xiaoman happily accepted them, her steps becoming three times lighter as she held the peach branches. "Thank you! I was just thinking of bringing some back for Mother."
Seeing her joy, the one who gifted the flowers was also delighted.
The Young Master of the West Room's eyes brimmed with fine, sparkling mirth.
"Young Miss Ying, you saved my life. Whatever you wish to do, I'm willing to help, let alone gathering a few peach branches. Let me carry that bundle for you."
Ying Xiaoman, arms full of flower branches, handed over the bulging bundle from her shoulder.
Walking side by side at a leisurely pace, she remained silent for a moment, pondering to herself that the Young Master of the West Room was truly a good person. Could she tell him about her plan for revenge? The matter was too significant; she needed to think it over...
"There's something I don't want to hide from you," a voice as gentle as the spring breeze sounded in her ear.
Ying Xiaoman: "Go on."
"I mentioned before that I know quite a few people in the capital. That clerk from the Ministry of Justice we just met is an acquaintance of mine. Though his position is minor, he's a shrewd character. I recognized his background, and he's left a small but significant handle in my grasp. As it happens, I have a good friend who also holds a position in the Ministry of Justice. I just sent him a letter through that clerk, informing him that I'm alive and staying in Tongluo Alley."
Faced with such a serious matter, Ying Xiaoman asked cautiously, "Didn't you say someone wants to harm you? Is your friend in the capital trustworthy?"
The Young Master of the West Room narrowed his eyes slightly, "If that friend of mine can't be trusted, then there's no one trustworthy left in the capital."
As they talked, they entered a narrow alley. The young girl walked ahead, carrying the flower branches, listening to the young master behind her speaking unhurriedly,
"The letter has been sent. Before we move, my friend might pay a visit. I need to strategize with him to uncover the mastermind behind the attempt on my life as soon as possible."
Ying Xiaoman stopped and looked back.
The approaching young master had clear features and jet-black hair, strolling casually in the morning sunlight, every bit the image of a handsome young gentleman. Who could have imagined that half a month ago, his face had been as pale as a drowned ghost, his young life nearly lost to the water?
The person who tried to harm him was truly despicable!
Ying Xiaoman agreed, "Indeed, we should expose them quickly. Didn't you say some of your own family members might be involved? Once you uncover that villain, you can return home sooner and reunite with the loved ones who miss you."
The Young Master of the West Room smiled at her, his gaze warm as the spring breeze. "Young Miss Ying, you are truly sincere in your dealings with others. I'm very grateful."
After a moment's thought, he added, "Once my friend brings some money, I'll be able to settle the debts from these past days. After moving into the new residence, I can also pay the rent monthly. You needn't worry about financial matters."
These words hit the spot for Ying Xiaoman.
"That's wonderful. My mother was worried you might default on the payment."
The street was tranquil, with forsythia peeking out from the courtyard walls on both sides, somewhat reminiscent of Seven Scholars Lane in the north of the city. As Ying Xiaoman walked, she suddenly felt cheerful. She spun half a circle on the spot, then walked backward while holding the peach blossoms, asking the young master behind her,
"We're in the middle section of the west side. It takes an hour to walk south back to Tongluo Alley, but what about north to Seven Scholars Lane?"
"About the same distance."
"You haven't seen the new residence yet, have you? Let me show you today."
The Young Master of the West Room agreed with a smile, "Alright."
Still unwilling to spend money on hiring a donkey cart, the two of them walked all the way to Seven Scholars Lane in the north of the city, which took another full hour. The sun in the east had already risen above the courtyard walls.
Ying Xiaoman had already received the brass key to the new residence's main gate and cherished it greatly, carrying it with her. As they approached the quiet doorway, a commotion of people clearing the way suddenly came from ahead. She instinctively ducked against the courtyard wall, hiding in the shadows.
A procession of horses and carriages appeared at the intersection of Changle Alley.
About a dozen attendants surrounded a tall horse emerging at the alley's entrance. The imperial guards cleared the way, and commoners retreated to the roadside.
This scene seemed familiar, and her heart skipped a beat.
Looking more closely, she saw the man on horseback wearing a crimson brocade robe, with fair skin and delicate features. Although his expression was gloomy, he wasn't her enemy, Yan Rongshi, the head of the Yan family.
Her fingers brushed against the heavy leather pouch at her waist as she gazed towards Changle Alley, which was once again closed off. She felt a tinge of disappointment.
After all, she had arrived late today. It wasn't possible to coincidentally encounter her enemy leaving every day.
The young master beside her was also gazing towards the entrance of Changle Alley.
His eye color was lighter than most people's. In the shadows, the difference wasn't noticeable, but under bright sunlight, they revealed a light amber hue.
At this moment, he watched the procession leave Changle Alley, his amber eyes fixed on the back of the crimson-robed gentleman on horseback until he disappeared in the distance. Only then did he casually ask, "Young Miss Ying, shall we go in?"
Ying Xiaoman snapped back to reality.
"Isn't Changle Alley sealed off?" she asked while unlocking the door. "How come that gentleman in the crimson robe could freely come and go, without the imperial guards at the alley entrance stopping him? Is it true that in the capital, they only look at one's clothes, and let you pass if you're well-dressed?"
With her arms full of peach branches obstructing her view, the Young Master of the West Room reached out to take the branches, making it easier for her to unlock the door.
"'Respect the robes first, then the man,' as they say. Your observation isn't far off. However, that gentleman's ability to freely enter and exit Changle Alley isn't just because of his fine attire. Young Miss Ying, do you know which family resides in Changle Alley across from us?"
Ying Xiaoman feigned indifference: "Of course I know. The broker mentioned it before. The Yan family lives in Changle Alley opposite us. The Yan family has had some recent troubles, so the imperial guards are stationed at the entrance of Changle Alley, not letting people in or out easily."
"The Yan family members themselves can come and go as they please, of course." The Young Master of the West Room gestured vaguely towards the distant street where the procession had disappeared. "That gentleman on horseback wearing the crimson robe was the Eighth Young Master Yan."
Ying Xiaoman's heart skipped another beat. "A member of the Yan family?!"
So that's how it was. It wasn't particularly surprising; even her enemy had brothers.
She carefully recalled the Eighth Young Master Yan's appearance while continuing to unlock the door. "The Yan family occupies the entire alley, so they must have quite a large residence. Such a big house must have over a hundred people living in it, right?"
"Far more than a hundred," the Young Master of the West Room said casually, leaning against the doorframe. The breeze flowing through the long alley swept over the peach branches he was holding, causing pink petals to fall softly onto his shoulders. In the shadow of the flower branches, his expression was hard to discern.
"Three generations living together, the family undivided for fifty years. The brothers of the same generation go up to the thirty-sixth young master. The male members of the Yan clan alone number over a hundred."
Ying Xiaoman had just managed to unlock the door. As the two wooden doors creaked open, the number "thirty-sixth young master" clearly reached her ears.
"So many..." her rosy lips parted slightly in shock.
The Yan family housed the scoundrel official Yan Rongshi, and she had been watching Changle Alley constantly. But the scale of the Yan family far exceeded her imagination.
Under the same roof lived thirty-five brothers of that scoundrel official...
Ying Xiaoman did some mental calculations and silently drew in a sharp breath.
There were too many people in the Yan family; she had thought too simply before. Without finding some help, she alone against thirty-six...
Even if she were to knock them out one by one, she'd break several twenty-pound door bolts in the process!