Chapter 216: West Wind

Chen Ji entered the main room, where a sweet and fishy smell of blood and wine assailed his senses.

Several pieces of blood-stained white cloth were scattered by the bed, and the water in the copper basin by the window had turned red.

Su Zhou lay quietly on the bed, unconscious. The crow's feet at the corners of her eyes appeared even deeper and more weathered under the flickering candlelight.

Xiao Man said in a low voice, "Young master, she has seven wounds on her body, all sewn up and treated with strong wine."

Chen Ji wanted to lean over the bed to look, but Xiao Man stopped him.

He asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Man quickly explained, "Young master, you must not get close to her. This fierce woman is so dangerous, I don't want her to hurt you. Just tell me what you need done, and I'll do it."

Chen Ji looked at Xiao Man and said, "If you don't let me get close, then aren't you afraid of her?"

Xiao Man said casually, "A maid has a maid's destiny. If she secretly harms me, remember to burn some paper money for me every July 15th. Oh, and if you could burn four paper figures, a boy and a girl, that would be even better. One to burn me foot-washing water, one to cook for me, one to wash clothes for me, and one to massage my legs. Then I, Xiao Man, can also enjoy being served in the underworld!"

Chen Ji said with a mix of crying and laughing, "Okay, I'll burn two more for you, one hardworking to be your coachman, and one clever to make beautiful clothes for you."

A look of longing actually appeared in Xiao Man's eyes. "That sounds so leisurely."

Chen Ji tapped her head. "Are you really eager to die?"

Xiao Man came back to her senses and muttered in a low voice, "I was just thinking about it... Young master, I'll go wake up that fierce woman."

"Wait!" Chen Ji was about to tell her to stop, but he saw Xiao Man dart to the bedside like a gust of wind. While calling out gently, she secretly pressed down on Su Zhou's wound.

Su Zhou gasped in her sleep, her forehead breaking out in cold sweat from the pain.

Xiao Man said anxiously and solicitously, "Oh dear, what's wrong? Are you having a nightmare?"

Su Zhou glared fiercely at her. "Just wait until I recover, you'll see."

Xiao Man looked innocent. "I just saved you, why are you repaying kindness with enmity?"

She leaned close to the pillow, lowered her voice, and said, "You wanted to kill my young master. It's already good that I didn't take the opportunity to kill you. I'm warning you, don't mess around anymore."

Su Zhou stared at Xiao Man for a long time. "As long as he didn't betray the prince, I naturally won't harm him. Not only will I not harm him, but I will also repay him."

Chen Ji asked from a distance, "What are you two muttering about?"

Xiao Man stood up and smiled. "Young master, she said she wants water."

Chen Ji walked to a spot five paces away from the bed and stopped, asking hesitantly, "The officials are searching everywhere for you. I need to ask you seriously, will they track you here to the Chen manor? You bled so much, will it attract hunting dogs?"

Su Zhou shook her head. "No, I escaped from the roof. The scent the hunting dogs follow is intermittent, and I sprinkled mugwort and calamus powder, which will confuse the scent..."

Before she could finish, the firelight outside the window shone in.

Xiao Man opened a crack in the window, only to see the firelight outside the courtyard wall getting closer and brighter, as if many people holding torches were quickly approaching.

Su Zhou and Chen Ji both changed expression, and spoke at the same time:

"Did you inform the officials of my whereabouts?"

"Didn't you say you covered the scent?"

The two spoke simultaneously, each saying their own words, then fell silent.

After a moment, Chen Ji spoke. "Rest assured, I didn't inform the officials of your whereabouts. Lie here and don't move. I'll go out and deal with them. If things go wrong, escape through the back window, don't worry about me."

Outside Ming Quan Court.

The secret agents of the Secret Spy Department had all changed into official robes. In the dark night, the firelight illuminated their black robes, with a red embroidered python on the shoulders extending to the chest, making them look imposing and stern.

According to the ancestral system of the Ning Dynasty, only men at the peak of officialdom and women with conferred titles could wear python robes. This python robe was originally the highest ideal for civil officials and ministers in their lifetime.

However, during the Jia Ning period, that person in Ren Shou Palace heavily granted python robes. In one night, tens of thousands of secret agents and Jie Fan Guards could all wear python, vaguely overriding the civil officials and ministers.

In the Chen manor, a secret agent was walking side by side with Chen Li Qin, who had an unhappy expression. "This newly appointed Hai Dong Qing adult, does he want to search my Chen manor from top to bottom? You wouldn't think my Chen family is hiding thieves, would you?"

That Hai Dong Qing smiled neither gently nor forcefully as he explained, "Chen adult, don't take it to heart. I'm not targeting you, but helping you."

Chen Li Qin flung his sleeve and said angrily, "Nonsense, how is this helping me?"

Hai Dong Qing teased, "If we search and avoid the Chen manor and Zhang manor, afterward if we catch that female assassin, it's fine. If not, then rumors will spread in the streets that only the Chen manor and Zhang manor weren't searched, so the thieves must be hiding there. At that time, can the two adults explain clearly?... You say, is this the reason?"

Chen Li Qin said with a stern face, "If you want to search, then search. Don't talk more nonsense."

Hai Dong Qing laughed happily. "Still Chen adult is reasonable. Just now Zhang adult scolded me badly and even spat on me... Search! Remember, don't touch the Chen manor's valuables, otherwise I can't protect you!"

The secret agents dispersed to every courtyard. They rousted Chen Wen Zong, who was already asleep, and even Chen Wen Xiao, who was not yet healed, was supported by maids, limping out.

The secret agents searched extremely carefully, cabinets, under the beds, nothing was spared.

Seeing the secret agents search to the door of Ming Quan Court, a secret agent pushed the courtyard door, but couldn't open it.

He turned back and said in a low voice to that Hai Dong Qing, "Adult, other courtyards are open, only this courtyard has a door bolt. I fear there is something suspicious!"

As soon as this was said, Hai Dong Qing narrowed his eyes slightly. He pressed his right hand on the long knife hilt at his waist, made two hand signals with his left, and immediately secret agents surrounded the courtyard, watching intently.

Hai Dong Qing, with a smile that wasn't a smile, interrupted, "Chen adult, whether it's a misunderstanding, you saying it doesn't count, and I saying it doesn't count. We must open the door to know."

Having said that, he drew his waist knife and knocked on the door with the tip of the knife. "Secret Spy Department is handling a case, people inside come out!"

The dark night fell silent, leaving only the sound of the cold wind blowing the torches, making people anxious.

Hai Dong Qing saw that the courtyard door didn't open for a long time, and immediately silently made hand signals. Several secret agents prepared to climb over the wall.

A secret agent blew a copper whistle, the sound of a magpie, once.

The sound of the copper whistle traveled far, and the secret agents searching other places in the Chen manor all gathered, actually forming a large formation behind Hai Dong Qing.

However, just as they were about to force entry, creak, the wooden door opened.

A secret agent brought the torch closer, illuminating Chen Ji's calm face. The Secret Spy Department's Hai Dong Qing's face changed several times in an instant, speechless for a while.

Chen Li Qin stepped forward to introduce, "This is my Chen manor's third son, Chen Ji. He lived outside the manor for the past two years and has some vigilance. Closing the door is his daily habit, not just today."

Hai Dong Qing, upon hearing Chen Li Qin's explanation, suddenly smiled and put away his waist knife. "Chen adult should have said earlier. It's a misunderstanding. Everyone put away your weapons, don't scare the Chen manor's third young master."

In Ming Quan Court, the atmosphere suddenly relaxed.

Chen Li Qin stepped forward to explain, "Adult, don't misunderstand..."

Hai Dong Qing waved to the secret agents. "What are you all gathering here for? Have other places been searched? Disperse!"

The secret agents scattered in a hubbub. Chen Li Qin saw the secret agents heading towards Wen Yun Hall and immediately followed. "In Wen Yun Hall are all antiques and handed-down paintings, don't damage them!"

That Hai Dong Qing saw the crowd disperse and said without changing expression, "Chen adult."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "Xi Feng adult, long time no see. I didn't hear that you also rose to Hai Dong Qing, otherwise I would definitely congratulate you."

Xi Feng laughed shyly. "By luck, by luck. Still thanks to you and Jin Zhu adult's blessing. In the Liu family rebellion case, I got some credit, otherwise I definitely couldn't have risen. Now Jin Zhu adult has left me in Luo City to guard, looking after our Secret Spy Department's business."

Chen Ji said in a low voice, "We are both Hai Dong Qing, no need to use this tone to address me."

Xi Feng quickly waved his hand. "Not the same, not the same. I could rise to Hai Dong Qing because I endured these years. Jin Zhu adult sees I have no credit but hard work. You rose to Hai Dong Qing because you just entered the Secret Spy Department and couldn't rise to a higher position."

Chen Ji asked as if casually, "I heard that the prince's army's General Wang died. The murderer hasn't been caught yet?"

Xi Feng said, "What bad luck, isn't it? I thought Luo City was already peaceful and was planning to retire here, but I didn't expect this matter. That assassin really, couldn't she have killed Wang Chong Li outside Luo City? She had to put this mess on my head..."

Speaking of which, Xi Feng's eyes rolled. "Chen adult, how about you help me investigate this case? With your ability, you can definitely catch the real criminal."

Chen Ji smiled. "I will soon follow the Chen family to the capital, probably no time. But you can tell me the current clues, and I'll help you analyze them."

Xi Feng thought for a moment, then recalled, "This time, the assassin was a female assassin named Su Zhou. This is already confirmed. The court has been wanted her for many years. Eighteen years ago, she disguised as a Qing Xin person to assassinate Jing Wang. It is said Jing Wang pitied her background and let her go. Seven years ago, she disguised as a vendor in Jin Ling to assassinate our Si Li Jian's Supervising Eunuch Yin Chang..."

He listed one by one, and the lives on Su Zhou's hands were actually so many that it made people's scalps tingle.

Xi Feng leaned closer and said in a low voice, "Chen adult, Su Zhou is one thing. Even Xuan She adult couldn't catch the assassin, so it's excusable that I didn't. But tonight, another assassin is extraordinary and must be caught."

Chen Ji raised his eyebrows. "Oh, what mystery?"

Xi Feng said, "A soldier from the prince's army went to the Bing Ma Si to report and fortunately survived. According to him, before Su Zhou assassinated, there was an official who drives monsters who made a move. According to his description, that official clearly cultivated the Man Tuo Luo secret seal, driving a Tao Tie."

Chen Ji said without changing expression, "Man Tuo Luo secret seal, could it be from the Dian Nan secret sect?"

"No, no, no," Xi Feng shook his head. "Indeed, there are more monks cultivating the Man Tuo Luo secret seal in the Dian Nan secret sect, but the one who drives the Tao Tie is a single lineage. As early as two hundred years ago, this branch, under the lead of Ba Si Ba Upper Master, moved to the Jing Dynasty to preach... This assassin is from the Jing Dynasty!"

Once the clue involved the Jing Dynasty, the Secret Spy Department had to pursue it to the end.

Chen Ji's heart tightened. If that official driving the Tao Tie was really Xiao Man, then who taught her the way? His own birth mother?

Xi Feng asked, "How about it, Chen adult, any clues?"

Chen Ji thought for a moment. "I heard from the Bing Ma Si soldiers that the female assassin was seriously injured. How about Xi Feng adult search the various medical halls, and also search the medicinal material sellers?"

Xi Feng sighed. "I also thought so, but there's been no progress yet."

Chen Ji turned sideways, smiling, and asked, "Xi Feng adult, do you want to search this courtyard of mine?"

Xi Feng quickly smiled and waved his hand. "We are our own people, how can I search you? Chen adult, rest early. I'm afraid I can't sleep tonight."

Chen Ji cupped his hands. "Then I won't delay Xi Feng adult's time."

Xi Feng cupped his hands in return. "Gone, you rest."

The courtyard door of Ming Quan Court slowly closed. Xi Feng walked a few steps, then as if suspicious, looked back at the tightly closed wooden door.

After a few breaths, he smiled and shook his head, then pressed his waist knife and went to search elsewhere.

Chen Ji closed the courtyard door, slightly relieved.

He grabbed the door bolt with both hands, quietly listening to the sound of Xi Feng leaving, then turned back to the room.

Just as he entered the door, he saw Su Zhou and Xiao Man standing by the window, as if they had been peeking for a long time.

Su Zhou calmly asked, "You are a medical hall apprentice, why are you familiar with the eunuch party? What did you just say to him, and why was he so polite to you?"

Chen Ji said with a look of lingering fear, "What do you mean by this, are you suspecting me? My master once treated an inner minister's leg disease. After coming to Luo City, the eunuch party also came to the medical hall to get medicine for the inner minister, and we became familiar over time. If I wanted to betray you, how could you still be standing here talking? I kindly helped you, how can you measure a gentleman's heart with a villain's mind?"

Su Zhou thought, indeed this was the reason.

But, just now, the demeanor of that Secret Spy Department Hai Dong Qing when facing Chen Ji, how did it not look like facing a small apprentice, but like facing a... superior.

Chen Ji said timidly, "This female hero, I don't know what your relationship with Jing Wang is, and what you plan to do for him, but I have done what I should. Tomorrow, the Chen manor will set off for the capital. I only need to find a way to send you out of the city, then we will go our separate ways."

Su Zhou calmly said, "No."

Chen Ji shrank his neck. "What do you want to do? We are just ordinary people, we can't stand this kind of fright. Thinking back to just now, my legs are still weak."

Su Zhou softened her tone and said gently, "Thank you, benefactor, for saving me. Su Zhou will have heavy thanks later. Since you have ties with the wangfu, then be a good person to the end. How about sending me to the capital? The prince once entrusted me to find you, and now I have no one I can trust."

Xiao Man on the side quickly said, "Young master, don't agree to this fierce woman..."

But before she finished, Su Zhou actually took out a lamp fire copper coin from her hair and quietly stuffed it into Xiao Man's hand. Xiao Man's eyes lit up, and she suddenly closed her mouth.

Chen Ji walked to the table to pour himself a cup of tea. He turned his back to the two, his face gradually calming down.

After a long time, he drank the tea in the cup in one gulp and made a decision in his heart.

Chen Ji turned around and said reluctantly, "Then on account of Jing Wang, I will help you one more time and send you to the capital."