Chapter 36: Big, Big, Big; Small, Small, Small

"Thump."

Pei Lun looked at the heavy purse on the table, taken aback. He stammered, "Brother, this is..."

"I have other matters to attend to, but I cannot leave you to handle this highly dangerous task alone. After all, you still have your duties at the Southern Administrative Office. Take this silver as your operational expenses. Do not hesitate to spend where necessary, and come back to me when it runs out," Wang Lu said calmly.

Wang Lu had anticipated Pei Lun’s reaction—it was all part of the plan—but he still felt a sense of relief. Man proposes, God disposes; Wang Lu firmly believed in this.

Pei Lun picked up the silver and weighed it in his hand. "There must be twenty taels here. That’s three months of an official's salary."

"Sigh, don't mention it. To avenge our brother, this is only right," Wang Lu said with a wave of his hand.

Pei Lun nodded, a smile forming two dimples on his cheeks. "For us, it is indeed right. I fully believe now that Yin Cheng was your close friend, Brother."

"Oh? You believe me just because I spent money?" Wang Lu asked teasingly.

"Isn’t that how the world works now? Human life is cheaper than silver. Since you are willing to risk your life and spend so much to avenge Yin Cheng, I have no reason to doubt you anymore."

Looking at Pei Lun, Wang Lu smiled. "That’s right. There aren't many people in this world you can trust, but I am certainly one of them."

Pei Lun picked up an almond cookie, biting into it and leaving a trail of crumbs. He raised an eyebrow and grinned honestly. "Not bad. You should try some, Brother."

The two ate snacks and drank tea, quite content. Wang Lu had one of each pastry, while the rest went into Pei Lun’s mouth. Wang Lu had long known the man was a glutton, but seeing it in person was quite amusing.

A quarter of an hour later, the sky outside darkened, though it was not yet fully night. Wang Lu stood up, resting his hand on his saber. "I should be going."

"I’ll see you out, Brother." Pei Lun wiped his mouth with his sleeve and followed Wang Lu outside.

There were few people about; after all, this was the Jinyiwei office, and those coming and going were mostly guards on duty. However, the Southern Administrative Office was not a major power within the Jinyiwei. If it had been the Northern Office, no outsider would have been allowed within five hundred meters. It was the old dichotomy: one dealt with internal affairs, the other with external ones. It was a case of the commoners fearing officials, and officials fearing the Imperial Envoy.

Once they reached the roadside, Pei Lun lowered his head and said, "I will keep an eye on Lu Wenzhao and look for evidence of his collusion with others. I leave Ling Yunkai to you, Brother."

Wang Lu patted Pei Lun on his large head. "Rest assured, Ling Yunkai will be dead within the month."

"With your word, I am at ease," Pei Lun said with a wistful smile.

"I’m off, then."

As soon as Wang Lu finished speaking, Pei Lun suddenly bowed and said loudly, "Farewell, my lord."

In the East City, Wang Lu had resumed his disguise as an ordinary commoner. Since the plot had begun, he had become suddenly busy, with no time to spare outside of sleeping—and even that required sacrificing time from his official Jinyiwei duties. Fortunately, he had spent years cultivating a few reliable lieutenants to hold down the fort, allowing him to roam freely. Otherwise, if a few more troublesome fools like Yin Cheng emerged, he wouldn't even be able to clean up his own mess, let alone stir up trouble.

His destination this time was Beizhai’s residence. He was able to pinpoint it because he held a mental map of the exterior of her home; it had taken him less than three years to track it down, though at the time, someone else had been living there.

Wang Lu’s goal was clear: to gradually bring the people of Prince Xin’s faction into the light and sow suspicion among them. This way, the naturally paranoid Prince would turn his own subordinates into liabilities that Wang Lu could exploit. You might not believe it, but just as the Later Jin, the precursors to the Qing, favored an emperor like Chongzhen, Wang Lu—who sought to seize chestnuts from the fire—also favored an enemy like Prince Xin. As long as he was cautious, everything would fall into place.

Because the curfew was approaching, the streets were deserted. Wang Lu easily vaulted over the fence. Only one of the two houses had a light on. Confirming that the other was empty, he tiptoed toward the second building.

Holding his breath, he walked to the window, licked his finger, poked a small hole in the paper, and peered inside. The first thing that caught his eye was a black table covered with high-quality drawing paper, complete with brushes, ink, and an inkstone.

*Splash.*

He shifted his gaze toward the sound. In a corner nearly hidden from view stood a wooden tub; that was where the splashing came from.

*Gulp.*

Wang Lu’s breathing grew slightly heavier.

A slender, porcelain-white hand rose, water droplets cascading down the arm, past the shoulder, and down to...

Years of service in the Jinyiwei helped him suppress the urge to shout an exclamation. He quietly admired what he could see—only half... or rather, due to the tub obstructing his view, he could only see a quarter of her body and half of her face.

"What was I here for again?" Wang Lu wondered to himself.

There were no ambushes, and aside from Beizhai, there was no one else inside. Wang Lu figured he owed it to himself to be patient; surely, whatever he needed to do could wait until she finished her bath. He built up his mental resolve and settled in to watch with a clear conscience.

The last time he saw Beizhai, she had been dressed as plainly as could be. While Wang Lu usually had a "star filter" for such figures, seeing her in person had been underwhelming. But this time, she had truly surprised him. Beauty aside, she was certainly well-endowed.

"The moon curves to light the provinces, some are joyful, some are sorrowful..."

Before long, Beizhai began humming a folk tune. It seemed that in the habit of singing while bathing, the ancients were no different from modern people.

Just as Wang Lu was watching with great interest, a sound of rustling leaves came from the front entrance. Wang Lu didn't panic; he held his breath and remained still.

"Who is it?" Beizhai startled, her smooth body sinking deeper into the water as she asked, vigilant.

"My lady, it is I, Ding Chong. His Excellency sent me to remind you not to leave the house for the next few days. If you must go out, inform me first so I may report it to His Excellency."

Upon hearing this voice, Wang Lu smiled slightly. It was perfect timing—Ding Chong had arrived. A new idea immediately formed in his mind: what if he were to capture Ding Chong? Since the Prince was already suspicious, he would provide more evidence to fuel that paranoia. Besides, Wang Lu understood the true meaning behind Ding Chong’s words better than Beizhai did. Prince Xin had arranged for Lu Wenzhao to kill her; this "reminder" was simply telling her to stay put and wait for her executioner to avoid any trouble.

"I understand. Is there anything else?"

When Beizhai finished speaking, there was no sound from outside.

"Left already?" Beizhai felt a flicker of confusion and, for some unknown reason, a sudden sense of panic. She immediately stood up to get dressed.