Wang Daxia and Wei Caiwei returned to the banquet only after Lu Ying and the others, disguised as the black-canopied boat of the troupe, had become a mere speck of light in the distance. The guests at the table pretended as if the two had been there all along, and everyone shared a final toast before the gathering concluded. The decorated pleasure boat docked at the shore.
Wang Daxia produced two name cards and handed them to the female musician from the Red Sleeve Brothel and Zhao Quan respectively. "It's curfew now. These are my father's name cards. If you encounter patrols from the Northern City Military Command, show them the cards and say I gave them to you. You'll be able to return home unimpeded."
Wang Daxia deliberately emphasized how his father's influence could provide shelter from trouble, making Zhao Quan and Wu Dianyong more convinced than ever that they had found the right connection. They repeatedly expressed their gratitude.
Ding Wu said, "Thank you, Manager Wang and Shopkeeper Wu, for your generous hospitality. On the day Manager Wang departs, I will host a farewell banquet in your honor."
Wang Daxia chimed in, "Count me in. We'll co-host the event. I know all the best spots for dining and entertainment in the Northern City."
Zhao Quan and Wu Dianyong promptly agreed.
Wang Daxia continued, "Your legal case is quite straightforward. Commander Wu is well-acquainted with my father, and the judge also knows him. During tomorrow's court session, wrap my father's name card along with twenty taels of silver in an envelope and have Commander Wu deliver it to the judge. Of course, you should also give something to Commander Wu as a token of appreciation for his efforts. That will settle the matter. As for how the case will be investigated or tried afterward, it will no longer concern your Myriad Goods Trading Company."
Zhao Quan had been waiting for these very words throughout the evening's banquet and quickly replied, "Twenty taels seems too modest. I'll contribute fifty taels."
"Twenty taels is just the right amount—neither too much nor too little. Any more, and the judge might find it too heavy to accept comfortably," Wang Daxia explained with the slick demeanor of a seasoned operator, schooling Manager Wang in the unwritten rules of officialdom:
"This year marks the six-year metropolitan evaluation, and capital officials are being extra cautious. They'd rather forgo questionable money than risk their positions by leaving themselves vulnerable. To be frank, without my father's name card in the envelope, even if Manager Wang offered a thousand taels, the judge wouldn't take it. First meetings breed familiarity; second meetings deepen ties. Once I've opened this door for you, remember to send gifts to the judge and Commander Wu during festivals—maintaining long-term relationships is key."
Capital officials don't accept money from just anyone; they rely on intricate networks to decide whose silver to take—everyone involved shares the risk, so if trouble arises, they band together for mutual protection. Strength lies in numbers.
Thus, merchants like Zhao Quan often found themselves with no avenue to offer bribes, even if they wanted to.
Zhao Quan instructed Wu Dianyong, "Take note of this. When I'm not in the capital, you'll be responsible for managing all such connections. With this relationship established, if we encounter issues like counterfeit banknotes again in the future, you'll be able to handle them yourself."
Soon, the party dispersed, and everyone headed home.
At Sweetwater Lane, Wang Daxia insisted on seeing Wei Caiwei to her door, but Ding Wu stepped in front of him. "It's almost the third watch. You have duty early tomorrow morning to discuss the plan for closing the net. You should rest now. Banxia and I will walk home together—it's only about fifty paces away. What are you worried about?"
Wang Daxia was still lost in the ambiguous intimacy of leaning together on the pleasure boat, admiring the view. On the way back, he had frequently glanced at Caiwei from the corner of his eye. Even if it was all an act, a pretense, he was utterly enchanted, too deeply immersed in the role to break character.But Ding Wu had reached his limit of tolerance in the decorated pleasure boat. Feeling that Banxia, as a young woman, was at too great a disadvantage, he could no longer bear to see Wang Daxia and Banxia together. Thus, after completing the task, he immediately drove Wang Daxia away.
"Treating me like a rag to be discarded after use?"
Wang Daxia refused to leave, saying, "Since we've come this far, why not see it through? It's only fifty steps away—we're already here, what difference do those fifty steps make?"
Ding Wu insisted, pointing at the side gate of the Wang residence, "Please."
Wang Daxia looked pitifully at Wei Caiwei, "See? Brother Ding is bullying me again."
Wei Caiwei couldn't resist her dead husband's coquettish behavior—she'd even pluck stars from the sky or fetch the moon for him if he asked. She said, "Then—"
"What time do you think it is, still thinking about sleep!" A figure emerged from the darkness, startling everyone. Both Ding Wu and Wang Daxia instinctively pulled Wei Caiwei behind them for protection.
"It's me." The person stepped into the lantern light—it was Lu Ying.
Ding Wu immediately relaxed his expression, "So it's Commander Lu."
Wang Daxia yawned, "It's already the third watch. What else would we do if not sleep? We still have to wake up early tomorrow for roll call."
Lu Ying said, "Starting tomorrow, none of you need to report for roll call."
Wang Daxia was overjoyed, "Really? I can finally sleep in!"
Lu Ying continued, "From tonight onward, I will be stationed in the Northern City, focusing on destroying the White Lotus Sect lair and capturing Branch Leader Wu Dianyong alive. All of you must remain on standby at all times. You'll come with me to the hidden stakeout now—we need to discuss the capture plan overnight and uproot the White Lotus Sect completely."
Wang Daxia suddenly felt his life turning bleak, "We have to stay up all night?"
Lu Ying said, "Time is tight. Once we get through this and achieve great merit, I'll request rewards and leave for all of you."
Ding Wu said, "I'll go too. Both Manager Wang and I are familiar with Wu Dianyong."
Wang Daxia detested Ding Wu's enthusiasm more than anything. Seeing no way to refuse, he could only say, "Fine, I'll go with you. But I need to escort Doctor Wei home first. She sacrificed too much tonight to stabilize Manager Wang—we can't involve her again."
Wei Caiwei said, "No need to escort me. Go attend to your business. It's only fifty steps—I'm not a child."
Wang Daxia insisted, "No. Last time, Zhou Xiaoqi picked the lock and waited for you in your house. I dare not let you go home alone again—we must prevent any risks."
The previous incident served as a warning: Wei Caiwei had nearly been subjected to torture for confession by Zhou Xiaoqi, who tried to blind her with hot wax. Wang Daxia, now overly cautious like someone frightened by a bow-shaped shadow mistaken for a snake, never dared to leave her alone again.
Ding Wu said, "I'll escort her."
Wang Daxia waved his fist, "If something really happens, how many could Brother Ding fight? You all go to the hidden stakeout to discuss. I'll be right back after seeing her home."
Ding Wu fell silent. Indeed, he was just a frail scholar who could only kill chickens and geese—he couldn't fight even one person.
Thus, the four split into two groups: Ding Wu and Lu Ying went together, while Wang Daxia escorted Wei Caiwei home.
Lu Ying held the lantern, tilting it toward Ding Wu to light his path—she also thought of him as a feeble scholar who would stumble at the slightest push, too delicate to withstand wind, needing her careful protection.
Ding Wu said, "Let me hold the lantern." It didn't feel right to let a woman carry it; whenever he walked with Banxia at night, he always held the lantern.
Lu Ying replied, "No need—Wang Daxia's words earlier were somewhat hurtful. I'll discipline him when we return."
As Wang Daxia's superior, Lu Ying felt responsible for her subordinate's inappropriate remarks.But Ding Wu felt that Lu Ying was considering his feelings, and his heart warmed instantly. He quickly said, "He's only fourteen, still a half-grown kid. Besides, he acted as my decoy and saved me. I won't take it to heart."
Alright, he did feel somewhat uncomfortable inside, but it was the truth—he really was too weak.
Lu Ying said, "He just sometimes speaks without thinking and needs to be disciplined. I'll remind him. If he still doesn't listen, docking his pay a few times will straighten him out."
Ding Wu: "There's no need for that. It's just a small matter. Nobody's perfect, and Wang Daxia is generally a good person."
Lu Ying said, "You're magnanimous. I hope he truly improves in the future.Ding Wu held no grudges from the past, didn't dwell on the grievances of their elders, and prioritized the bigger picture by helping the Embroidered Uniform Guard get close to the White Lotus Sect lair. This made Lu Ying view him in a new light.
Lu Ying was career-driven; only those who shared her aspirations could earn her respect—good looks alone were useless.
Ding Wu said, "You're a very responsible superior..."
The two actually started "praising" each other, a stark contrast to the blood feud between their families.
On the other side of the alley, Wang Daxia finally found himself alone with Wei Caiwei. His steps were so light with excitement they seemed to float. "Ahem... on the decorated pleasure boat, you performed really well. I had no idea you could dance the Zhezhi Dance. Where did you learn it?"
In her past life, at the imperial court. Back then, Consort Shangshou, to please the Jiajing Emperor and give the old emperor a "surprise," secretly had palace dancers teach her. Finding it dull to learn alone, the Consort dragged her trusted maid, Wei Caiwei, into learning it with her.
Wei Caiwei said, "I saw someone dancing it in Tieling and picked up a bit. Many skills are never a burden—I never thought it'd come in handy."
Wang Daxia nervously fiddled with his fingers inside his sleeve. "Those rumors about us are a bit excessive. The truth is, we're completely innocent. I just occasionally go to your place for dinner in the evening, and it's been twisted into us...Sigh, rumors are terrifying."
Wei Caiwei laughed. "Not occasionally—frequently. It's fine, I don't mind. Compared to the rumors about me and Commander Lu, these are nothing. They've even fabricated a miscarriage, with vivid details. If I weren't the one involved, I'd almost believe it."
"Besides, both the Lu and Wang families have status. Even if rumors fly everywhere, people only dare to gossip behind my back. No one mocks me to my face. My ears are clear, and I live my life as usual."
Wang Daxia said, "Brother Ding knows the truth, so your ears are clear. But my father doesn't. He keeps grumbling at home, scolding me for corrupting morals and disgracing the family, even demanding I cut ties with you."
Wang Commander: I did not! This unfilial son is talking nonsense!
Wang Daxia watched Wei Caiwei's expression, testing the waters as he said, "My father says these vile rumors have scared off all the matchmakers—none dare come to our door. No respectable family will marry their daughter to me. I'll end up a bachelor, alone for life."
Wei Caiwei said, "Rumors in the capital come and go in waves. By next year—no, by autumn—probably no one will be talking about it anymore."
Wang Daxia said, "By autumn, my father will be dismissed from his post. Then even fewer good families will want to marry their daughters to me. I'll still be alone for life."
Wei Caiwei said, "Work hard in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Your future prospects might surpass your father's—why worry about not finding a wife?"Upon reaching the door, Wei Caiwei took out her keys to unlock it. Wang Daxia entered first, lit a candle, and thoroughly checked upstairs, downstairs, and even the courtyard to ensure safety.
As Wang Daxia prepared to leave, he lingered reluctantly. Summoning his courage, he said, "What if I never manage to marry? Wouldn’t you have to take responsibility for me?"
Wei Caiwei found it amusing. "How should I take responsibility? Compensate you by marrying you myself?"
Wang Daxia replied, "That wouldn’t be entirely unacceptable."
Author’s note: Daxia is starting to catch on. We can look forward to the future when Daxia, Banxia, and Xiaoxia—Three Xia combine. Also, readers who found the previous two chapters confusing, please check the comments section.
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