Chasing Jade (Zhu Yu)

The north wind rushed in through the window, scattering the steam rising from the teacup and bringing the handsome, refined face of the man opposite into sharper focus. Those cold, phoenix eyes were so sharp they seemed unbearable to meet directly.

"You went to such lengths to see this Marquis, Young Master Zhao, just to say these things?"

The richly dressed man knew Xie Zheng was likely referring to his earlier declaration of loyalty and devotion. Unsure whether mentioning Xie Zheng's wife had crossed a line, he hurriedly replied, "Of course, there's more."

He then presented an embroidered box. Seeing Xie Zheng made no move to open it himself, he lifted the lid to reveal its contents, wearing the practiced smile of a merchant. "I wonder if this is enough to show my sincerity?"

Xie Zheng barely glanced at it. "Gold and silver hold no value to me."

The man fell silent for a moment before suddenly rising and bowing deeply to Xie Zheng. "Zhao Xun is but a lowly merchant, unworthy of the Marquis's regard. Yet last year during the Lantern Festival, my younger sister was abducted by Wei Xuan on her first visit to the capital and met a tragic end in his tent..."

His eyes reddened, tears streaming down his face. "If I do not avenge this, I will have no face to meet my parents in the afterlife."

Only then did Xie Zheng properly look at Zhao Xun. "You managed to find me and know of my falling out with the Wei father and son. That shows some capability."

Zhao Xun hastily demurred. "The Zhao Family's business is neither large nor small, spanning several major prefectures. We have some dealings with officials, so we hear more rumors than most. Since Wei Xuan took over Huizhou, many of the Marquis's key generals have been demoted and exiled to border regions. Meanwhile, the scholars under Wei Yan in the capital are churning out slanderous essays against you—that's how I noticed something was amiss."

"I suspected the Marquis was in trouble and had my people search discreetly for you, but to no avail. Then, just days ago, Jizhou's main city arrested a large number of refugees, with soldiers from Huizhou even bringing portraits to search among them. Through some means, I obtained one of these portraits. The figure depicted was heroic and spirited, leading me to believe they were searching for none other than the Marquis."

At this point, Zhao Xun's face brightened with joy. "Heaven must pity me! Recently, our family bookstore acquired a batch of eight-legged essays. The manager praised one as a 'golden jade chapter.' Upon reading it, I found every word a gem and assumed it was the work of some impoverished scholar, hoping to make his acquaintance. Little did I expect to find the Marquis here!"

Xie Zheng's slender fingers continued tapping rhythmically on the redwood table, the steady "thud, thud" unsettling to the core.

Zhao Xun's earnest explanation had clarified how he'd found Xie Zheng. When writing the essay, Xie Zheng had deliberately altered his handwriting. That Zhao Xun had traced him here seemed genuinely coincidental.

Xie Zheng's prolonged silence seemed to unsettle Zhao Xun, but the man held his composure, offering no further words.

He appeared capable.

Xie Zheng finally lifted his gaze slightly and spoke. "Convert the banknotes in your embroidered box into two hundred thousand dan of grain before spring arrives."

Zhao Xun was first astonished, then overjoyed by these words. Xie Zheng had dismissed gold and silver as worthless—now, by instructing him to exchange banknotes for grain, he was offering a clear path forward.In the court, grain requisitions usually took place in autumn, and that was also when rice merchants purchased grain, as it was the harvest season when the common people had plenty of grain, and prices were low.

Now, at the end of the twelfth lunar month, the common folk certainly had surplus grain. Buying it now at a slightly higher price than during the harvest season wasn’t a big issue.

However, the northwest was never a region abundant in grain. If they purchased a full 200,000 dan before spring, and with the next autumn harvest still far away, any military conflict in the area would make it impossible for the stationed troops to requisition grain locally.

Considering this, Zhao Xun felt a chill run down his spine and quickly cupped his hands in salute. "Zhao Xun will not fail the Marquis’s trust!"

Noticing Xie Zheng’s plain attire, he thought to curry favor. "How about I arrange another residence for the Marquis and your lady, along with some servants for your convenience?"

Xie Zheng gave him a cool glance, the scrutiny and pressure hidden beneath his calm demeanor making Zhao Xun, already half-bowed, lower himself even further.

"Don’t presume to be clever," Xie Zheng said.

Zhao Xun dared not mention the residence or servants again and spoke even more cautiously. "Then... shall I have someone escort the Marquis back?"

When they arrived, he had personally gone to the western alley to fetch Xie Zheng.

Recalling Fan Changyu leading a group of troublemakers through the streets earlier, Xie Zheng’s brows furrowed slightly as he declined. "No need."

His sharp, phoenix-like eyes swept over the richly dressed merchant. "Focus on the task I’ve assigned you. Act as if you know nothing of my presence here. If word gets out..."

Zhao Xun hurriedly assured him, "Zhao came to Lin’an Town today only to meet a talented scholar from a humble background. Unfortunately, the scholar was elusive, and Zhao never saw him. As for buying grain, it’s merely because Zhao noticed the rice merchants’ high profits and wanted a share."

The corners of Xie Zheng’s eyes lifted slightly.

This was indeed a clever man—he understood with just a hint.

"Dismissed," Xie Zheng said.

Only then did Zhao Xun bow and retreat.

Once the door closed again, Xie Zheng slowly shut his eyes amid the steam rising from the boiling water on the red clay stove. His refined features blurred in the mist, leaving only his brows and eyes, which shed their usual weariness and instead bore a heavy, bloodthirsty aura.

This Zhao Xun had appeared far too coincidentally.

But for now, it was clear he wasn’t affiliated with the Wei family. Otherwise... government officials would have come instead of this man weaving deceitful words of loyalty.

The 200,000 dan of grain was his litmus test. If this man could truly be of use, securing that grain would make his next steps much easier.

If the man had ulterior motives, then beyond the 200,000 dan of grain, a greater trap awaited him and his master.

Voices sounded outside the private room: "Come on, let’s go see the commotion! I heard Wang’s Braised Meat across the street was jealous of Fan’s Meat Shop’s business and smashed their stuff. Now Fan’s people are causing a scene at Wang’s!"

Someone sighed. "Wang’s is a century-old establishment. How could they stoop to such petty behavior?"

"To steal business, what wouldn’t they do?"

Xie Zheng cut off his thoughts, opened his eyes, and stood up, his legs now as nimble as any normal person’s. Only when leaving the private room did he pick up his cane again.

A dense crowd had already gathered outside Wang’s Braised Meat Shop.

The shop’s clerk looked at Fan Changyu, then at the fierce-looking Jin Lao San and his gang standing behind her with their arms crossed. His legs trembled, and his voice shook. "Wh-what brings you here?"Fan Changyu frowned as she saw the shop assistant's face turn pale with fear. She hadn't come here to beat anyone up right away—she was here to reason and demand an explanation. Why was this shop assistant so terrified?

Could it be a guilty conscience?

She said, "Call your manager out. I'm here today to demand an explanation."

The assistant stammered, "The... the manager isn't in the shop."

Fan Changyu's brows knitted sharply. "He dares to send people to smash up my shop, but now he's hiding like a coward?"

Behind her, Jin Lao San and the others let out a loud, deliberate "hmph" through their noses, making the assistant's face turn ashen.

Fan Changyu glanced back at Jin Lao San, her eyelid twitching slightly. She had brought these men here for a confrontation, but it almost seemed like she was leading them to wreck the place instead.

The assistant trembled as he spoke, "We've already sent someone to inform the manager. Whatever matter you have, please... please wait until the manager arrives."

He even wobbled on unsteady legs to fetch a Grand Tutor chair for Fan Changyu to sit on and brought out a brazier for her to warm herself.

Fan Changyu swept her gaze over the expressions of the shop assistants and the onlookers, feeling that something was off. Why did it seem like she was the one acting like a female tyrant here to pick a fight?

Still, since they had brought out a chair and a brazier, and the weather was so cold, there was no reason not to sit and warm herself while waiting.

Before long, the manager of Wang's Shop arrived, dragging his portly body and sweating profusely. A businessman who always believed in harmony for prosperity, he immediately offered Fan Changyu an apologetic smile. "Miss Fan, I've already heard from my assistant about what happened at your shop. The Wang's Shop signboard has been passed down from my ancestors, and I, Wang, would never resort to such underhanded methods to bully a lone woman..."

As he spoke, he glanced at Jin Lao San and the others behind Fan Changyu. Though his tone was polite, there was a hint of disdain in his manner. "Miss Fan, are you certain it was Wang's Shop based solely on their word? Could there... be some misunderstanding?"

Fan Changyu remained unmoved in the Grand Tutor chair, merely slanting a look at Jin Lao San. "You speak."

Jin Lao San immediately said, "Your Wang's Shop has an assistant named Chun Sheng. Yesterday, he came to the tavern in the east of town with five taels of silver to hire our brothers to cause trouble at Fan's Shop. The people at the tavern can testify."

The manager's expression changed at the mention of the assistant's name, and his attitude softened slightly. He said to Fan Changyu, "That's my eldest son's usual attendant. Please wait a moment, Miss Fan. I'll summon my son to clarify."

The young master of Wang's Shop was a notorious playboy in Lin'an Town, with a house full of concubines and a habit of frequenting brothels. This time, the shop assistants had to drag him out of a brothel to bring him back.

He was still drunk when he arrived, his clothes disheveled. His father had someone force a bowl of sobering soup down his throat before he became slightly lucid.

The manager of Wang's Shop questioned him sternly in front of Fan Changyu, "You disgrace! Did you send people to smash up Fan's Shop?"

The young master's puffy eyes swept over Fan Changyu, sizing her up several times before he sneered. "Oh, so you really are quite the looker. Climbing into that old bastard Chef Li's bed to steal our business with Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion, and now you have the gall to come here? You've got thicker skin than a whore."

It was common knowledge that Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion often bought famous dishes from other places to serve in their own restaurant.That female proprietor always had her own way of doing business. Others said her methods were not worth the cost, but by combining the strengths of all, the business at Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion far surpassed those of other stagnant restaurants.

After all, those who could afford to dine at Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion were wealthy gentry with ample means. The town had only a few renowned eateries, and usually, one had to send servants on multiple trips to enjoy their specialties. At Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion, not only could one savor their private signature dishes, but local delicacies could also be served with just a call to the waiter.

Thus, whether it was pastry vendors or those selling braised meat and cooked food, all took pride in having connections with Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion.

Upon hearing the young master of Wang’s establishment speak, the onlookers’ expressions varied—some shocked, some disbelieving, and others simply there for the spectacle.

Their eyes kept darting toward Fan Changyu. She was indeed beautiful, but her temperament was so fierce that people might believe she’d rob someone as a female bandit before they’d believe she’d engage in illicit affairs for business...

A collective shiver ran through the crowd. Who would dare have such audacious thoughts about her? Just seeing her slaughter pigs and chop meat would be enough to deter any improper ideas, wouldn’t it?

The manager of Wang’s establishment also widened his eyes and shouted, “You unfilial brat, what nonsense are you spouting?”

The young master, accustomed to bullying men and harassing women in town, didn’t take Fan Changyu seriously at all. “Father, our business with Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion is already ruined. Why shouldn’t I speak my mind? Are you afraid of offending that old fool Chef Li?”

His gaze leered at Fan Changyu. “You’d stoop to sleeping with such an old—”

A loud bang cut him off.

Jin Lao San and the others turned to see the heavy chopping block in front of Wang’s shop overturned by Fan Changyu’s kick. The force was so great it left a gaping hole in the block, sending braised meat scattering everywhere and pinning the drunken young master beneath it.

He and his gang of thugs stared at the shattered iron-pear wood, gulping and shrinking back. They realized now that when she’d dealt with them before, she’d been holding back.

If she’d used this much force then, they’d have broken several bones and still be bedridden.

The young master howled in pain, yelling at his two lackeys, “Are you two dead? Get me up now!”

The lackeys glanced at the black cleaver Fan Changyu had drawn, and the eager crowd behind her led by Jin Lao San, all ready for a fight. They didn’t dare step forward—instead, their legs turned to jelly as they retreated two steps.

The manager of Wang’s shop broke out in a cold sweat at the sight. Seeing Fan Changyu with the cleaver, he trembled in fear. “Miss Fan, my son spoke out of turn. I’ll discipline this unfilial wretch properly. Please don’t be angry…”

Fan Changyu ignored him, stomping heavily on the chopping block. The block, which normally required two men to lift, now bore another gaping hole under her foot. The young master foamed at the mouth, his eyes rolling back.

The crowd gasped, and some timid women even covered their eyes with their sleeves, fearing Fan Changyu might bring the cleaver down on the young master’s head next.

The manager pointed a shaking finger at her. “Y-you… are you trying to kill someone?!”Fan Changyu glanced at him with a cold sneer, "How could I kill anyone? Murder lands you in prison. At most, I'd just cut out your precious son's tongue and make him chew and swallow it himself, so he won't wag it recklessly again."

The Wangji shopkeeper was nearly frightened out of his wits by her words, barely managing to stay upright with the support of his servants, his face pale as he trembled and pointed at Fan Changyu, stammering "You—" without forming a complete sentence.

The young master of Wangji, pinned under Fan Changyu's foot, finally realized his peril. His face drained of color, he wept and looked to his father, "Dad, save me..."

The Wangji shopkeeper quavered, "Call the authorities, quick—"

When the Wangji servants tried to summon the authorities, they were blocked by Jin Lao San and his group. "You think you can bully others but not face the consequences?"

Fan Changyu slapped the disgusting, pudgy face of the Wangji young master with her cleaver. "Tell me, when did I ever steal business from Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion?"

The cleaver in her hand was heavy and cold, its blade carrying the lingering metallic scent of blood from years of chopping meat. The side of the young master's face that had been struck by the blade went numb, and his entire body shook like a sieve. "W-Wangji's braised meat deal with Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion was canceled... I heard... heard it was because Chef Li recommended your family's braised meat..."

Fan Changyu scoffed. "And just for that, you slandered me?"

The women in the crowd, hearing the young master's confession, were shocked that his earlier vile accusations stemmed from something so trivial.

A woman's reputation was of utmost importance—this was a deliberate attempt to drive someone to ruin!

They spat at him in disgust. "What a despicable creature! Seeing Fanji's braised meat selling well, he had to tarnish the girl's reputation?"

"No wonder I haven't seen Chef Li buying meat from Fanji lately—he was avoiding suspicion because of this black-hearted schemer!"

"Wangji, with all its wealth and power, bullying a lone girl—utterly shameless!"

"Spending all his time in brothels, no wonder his mind is filled with filth!"

"Honestly, Wangji is just a big shop bullying customers. Not only has their food gotten worse, but I once even bought spoiled meat! No wonder Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion stopped buying from them!"

The Wangji shopkeeper, hearing these remarks, flushed with humiliation and stomped his feet in rage. "Ungrateful wretch! Ungrateful wretch!"

The young master of Wangji, snot bubbling as he cried, begged for mercy. "Please, spare me! I'll give you money—lots of it! I know your family needs it..."

But Fan Changyu remained silent, her eyes fierce as she raised the cleaver high and hurled it downward with force.

The onlookers gasped in shock. The Wangji shopkeeper nearly fainted from fright, while the young master screamed in terror.

Thunk!

The blade didn't strike the young master—instead, it sliced cleanly through his hair and crown, grazing his scalp before embedding itself into the stone pavement, the steel quivering from the impact.

It took a long moment for the young master to regain his senses, his face as white as a corpse's. A foul stench rose from beneath him as a puddle of yellow liquid spread under the chopping block.

The Wangji shopkeeper, still supported by his servants, panted heavily.Feeling the cold steel against his scalp, the young master of Wang's shop was scared out of his wits. Abandoning all pretense of dignity, he burst into tears, his face covered in snot and tears: "Don't kill me, don't kill me!"

The manager of Wang's shop had only this worthless son and nearly wept as he pleaded: "Miss Fan, my foolish son spoke out of turn and damaged your reputation. I will discipline him properly and visit your residence another day with humble gifts to apologize. The ancients said cutting hair could substitute for beheading. Since you've already shaved his head, please be magnanimous and spare him!"

Fan Changyu sheathed her blade and coldly glared at the young master of Wang's shop. "Don't let me see you again!"

She walked away with her sword, ignoring the father and son.

The young master of Wang's shop had been bullying men and harassing women for quite some time. Fan Changyu's lesson today was immensely satisfying.

The onlookers even cheered and applauded, shouting: "Well taught!"

"Thank goodness she's the daughter of Fan the Tiger. If it were anyone else suffering such bullying, they'd have nowhere to turn!"

"Exactly! There was a village girl from Liujia Village, quite pretty, who got pregnant by this young master of Wang's shop. The Wang family refused to take responsibility, and the poor girl ended up drowning herself in the river!"

"That's just the incident that came to light. Who knows how many other wicked deeds they've committed in secret! Their braised meat can't compare to Fan's anyway. Fan's uses freshly slaughtered meat daily—who knows what kind of meat they use!"

The manager of Wang's shop listened to the murmurs and pointing fingers of the crowd, his aged face nearly dragging on the ground.

The wooden plank pinning the young master was finally lifted by two servants with great effort. The grown man looked at his father, crying pitifully: "Dad..."

Instead of comfort, he received two furious kicks from the enraged manager. "You worthless wretch! Fooling around with women was bad enough, but you had to go and do this! You've shamed the Wang family name today!"

Fan Changyu paid no further attention to the commotion behind her at Wang's shop. Having vented her anger, she was about to head home when someone suddenly called out: "Miss Fan, wait!"

Turning in confusion, she saw a mustached man approaching. "Miss Fan, your skills are impressive. I'm a manager from Worthy Gathering Bank. Would you be interested in working for us?"

"A bank?" Fan Changyu frowned. "What could I do there?"

The manager smiled. "Debt collection."

Fan Changyu: "..."

Jin Lao San and the others, however, were eager: "Miss Fan, if you take up debt collecting, we'll follow you!"

Fan Changyu glared. "Weren't you all supposed to find honest work?"

Jin Lao San and the others immediately shrank back, not daring to speak further.

Fan Changyu declined the offer, but the manager wasn't deterred. Before leaving, he handed her a paper listing the benefits of working as an enforcer for Worthy Gathering Bank. "No need to decide now, Miss Fan. Take your time to consider."

Holding the paper, Fan Changyu felt conflicted. Just what kind of person had she become in the eyes of the townsfolk?

With a sigh, she turned to leave, only to spot a figure standing at the street corner ahead. Snowflakes swirled around him, his wide robes billowing in the wind. Against the backdrop of the bustling market, his cool, detached gaze rested on her with a peculiar expression.Fan Changyu glanced at the paper in her hand with the words "debt collection" written on it and instinctively said, "I didn't go rob anyone."

When Jin Lao San and the others saw Xie Zheng, their skins instantly tightened in fear, and they chorused together, "Good day, son-in-law!"

Xie Zheng: "..."

Fan Changyu: "..."

It seemed even harder to explain now.