Afterward, Yuan Chenfeng bore a grudge against Sun Yingkui once more.
Damn it, this Sun is truly nasty. Just stay honest as your Captain and stop meddling. Soon, I'll make sure you regret it.
After stewing in anger, Yuan Chenfeng nodded, "Hmm, you've done well."
"Thank you, Lord Yuan." The man hurriedly bowed in gratitude.
Hearing the title "Lord Yuan," Yuan Chenfeng felt much more at ease.
This "Lord Yuan" sounded much better than "Hall Master Yuan."
"What's the situation over at Dingtai Martial Arts Hall recently? Have you sent anyone to investigate?"
"Reporting to you, my lord, I've been secretly looking into it. It's said that Lu Dingtai still hasn't woken up from his coma, so should we...?" The man made a throat-slitting gesture.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Chenfeng shook his head.
"No, even though Lu Dingtai is comatose, Shang Tiefeng and Jin Zhenming aren't pushovers. The three families are currently allied for mutual defense. If I act rashly, they'll surely band together against me; the risk is too great."
"Then perhaps report to Lord Commander to directly dispatch troops and level the three martial arts halls?" the man suggested.
"Heh, what do you know? If Commander Wei wanted to make a move, he would have done so already. Why wait until now?"
"Then what's Lord Commander waiting for?" the man asked, puzzled.
"Waiting for the right opportunity." Yuan Chenfeng's expression was inscrutable, and he spoke with a calm demeanor.
The man dared not inquire further.
Yuan Chenfeng continued, "But before that, it's not like we can't take action."
"You mean, Lord Yuan...?"
"I have here a packet of medicine obtained at great cost, effective even for Fifth Realm martial artists. You have an informant within Dingtai Martial Arts Hall, don't you? Give him this packet and have him secretly mix it into Lu Dingtai's medicine. Once Lu Dingtai ingests it, even the gods won't be able to save him."
The man's eyes lit up as he solemnly accepted the packet from Yuan Chenfeng.
"Understood."
"Go, and there'll be more rewards once it's done." Yuan Chenfeng spoke lightly.
"Yes!"
The man left.
Yuan Chenfeng sat back in his chair, leisurely sipping tea as he envisioned Lu Dingtai dropping dead.
...
In a residence within Yongle Square.
Shi Qingqing was meticulously peeling sunflower seeds, and once she accumulated a pile, she carefully stored them in a small bottle.
She had already filled more than twenty such bottles.
Shen Dao sat across from her, sipping tea with a smile.
"Alright, alright, this is enough. I can't eat any more," Shen Dao said.
"Just one more bottle, then we'll have thirty." Shi Qingqing replied softly.
Shen Dao helplessly nodded.
He knew why Shi Qingqing was filling so many bottles with sunflower seeds. She claimed it was so he could take them to eat, but in truth, it was to keep him there just a little longer.
Despite worrying about his master, Shen Dao waited patiently, not wanting to disappoint her kindness.
Shi Qingqing's hands were so fair and pretty, especially when peeling the seeds; her fingers danced as if they were butterflies in flight.
So even just watching, Shen Dao wasn't bored.
Suddenly.
Shi Qingqing, who had been mostly silent with her head down, spoke, "In forty-seven days, I can redeem myself."
Shen Dao nodded, "I know."
Shi Qingqing looked up, gazing brightly at Shen Dao, "Don't you have anything to say?"
Shen Dao smiled, "What do you want me to say?"
Shi Qingqing said nothing more, bowing her head and quietly peeling seeds, noticeably slower this time.
Just then, Shen Dao rose and gently embraced her from behind.
Shi Qingqing stiffened.
Shen Dao whispered tenderly in her ear, "Alright, don't be angry; I was teasing. When you redeem yourself, we'll marry."
Shi Qingqing smiled through her tears, giving Shen Dao a sideways glance, "Who's angry?"
Yet as she spoke, tears fell.
Shen Dao gently wiped the tears from her face.
"Don't cry, you won't look good if you do."
"Mm!" Shi Qingqing responded quietly.
"The city hasn't been safe lately. Be especially careful and stay out of sight whenever possible, understand?" Shen Dao advised.
Shi Qingqing understood the current situation in the city, so she nodded, "I understand."
"Good, I need to stay at the Martial Arts Hall to take care of my master and won't visit often. Stay home and wait for me to marry you, understand?"
"Mm!" Shi Qingqing blushed deeply, nodding emphatically, as if afraid he wouldn't see it.
Shen Dao smiled, took her hand, kissed it gently, then packed the bottles filled with seeds and departed.
Watching his departing figure, Shi Qingqing's gaze was dreamy, her face filled with anticipation for the future.
She had been sold to a brothel by her own parents at a young age. Despite her beauty and intelligence sparing her much punishment, the absence of family love left her heart barren.
This was why she had grown close to Aunt Xue and was so heartbroken by her death.
Now, her turbulent life was finally nearing an end, with a man willing to accept her despite her background. This was a significant blessing for a brothel woman, even one called a courtesan.
While Shi Qingqing looked forward to the future, Ning Shan of Yongsheng Cloth Shop felt as if she were in hell, overwhelmed with despair.
"Miss, that captain gave you one night to consider. He'll come for you tomorrow morning. I say you should agree. After all, it's a formal marriage, and you'd be married to a cavalry captain with military power, which isn't disgraceful," an old servant gabbled on.
Ning Shan sat frozen on the chair, her eyes unfocused, unsure of what to say.
It all seemed like a nightmare to her.
Yesterday was fine, but because she showed herself at the shop, she caught the eye of a passing cavalry unit, and their captain became obsessed, insisting on marrying her forcibly.
She of course refused, rejecting him outright at the time.
But unexpectedly, the next morning, her father, Ning Shanfeng, was taken away, and the cloth shop was sealed off.
The message was clear:
If she didn't agree, she'd never see Ning Shanfeng again.
Listening to the servant persistently urging her to comply, Ning Shan felt a sudden surge of repulsion.
"Enough!"
"Huh?"
Ning Shan stood up coldly, "Let him come tomorrow, and remember to bring my father!"
"Aha, see? I told you, this is the right choice. You'll see Elder Ning soon. I won't disturb your rest any longer. The wedding procession will arrive tomorrow morning." The servant left cheerfully.
After she left, Ning Shan's tears burst forth as her body trembled uncontrollably.
She truly didn't know what to do.
The opponent was the mighty Iron Cavalry of Great Yan, and she was just a helpless young woman alone in this world.
Who could possibly save her?
Suddenly.
Someone knocked at the door outside.
Ning Shan assumed the servant had returned and shouted angrily, "I already said wait until tomorrow; what more do you want?"
But there was no response from outside. Ning Shan approached and saw a note lying on the ground.
She hastily picked it up, opened the door slightly to glance outside, and found it empty.
Locking the door again, Ning Shan opened the note, recognizing her father Ning Shanfeng's handwriting.
Though messy, as if written hurriedly.
But Ning Shan managed to discern the few words on it.
Seek help from Young Hero Zhao.
Hit as if by a bolt, Ning Shan's eyes suddenly sparkled.
Clearly, someone had stealthily delivered this message from her father, Ning Shanfeng.
And the advice was straightforward: seek Zhao Ya's help.
Ning Shan had thought of this herself, but she wasn't very familiar with Zhao Ya. Although they had interacted during a previous theft at the shop, that was some time ago, and Zhao Ya's power and influence were now unmatched, recognized throughout the city as a top martial artist.
Feeling inferior, Ning Shan lacked the courage to ask for help.
Moreover, she was unsure it would work.
The opponent wielded the commanding power of the Great Yan Iron Cavalry. Even if Zhao Ya wished to help, could he actually succeed?
But the note from her father bolstered Ning Shan's resolve. Gritting her teeth, she donned a black cloak and quietly left for Dingtai Martial Arts Hall.