Jiangshan Fengwuzhi

Chapter 318 Bait

Kaiping Division.

Pei Nian left the Investigation Hall and saw Wang Qinghe standing outside the courtyard gate, holding a scroll of books, but not reading them.

"To capture Gu Jingnian, we'll have to cooperate with the Northern Army," Wang Qinghe said with a hint of disgust.

“Of course,” Pei Nian said calmly. “The Northern Office manages extraordinary people, and he is one of them.”

“It’s not that I haven’t captured strange people before.” Wang Qinghe frowned slightly and said, “His ability to escape suggests he had an inside help.”

"If you doubt me, I will no longer concern myself with this matter."

"Whether I have doubts or not is not important. You guess whether Mei Chengzong has doubts about you."

Today, it was the Inspector Mei Chengzong who led these detectives to discuss the arrest with the Northern Office.

This was the first time Pei Nian had seen Mei Chengzong since returning from Yong Kingdom. He was still as effeminate as ever, even more so than before.

When Mei Chengzong saw Wang Qinghe, he subconsciously curled his lip, indicating that they disliked each other.

He didn't say anything to Pei Nian, he just waved his handkerchief.

"Let's go, I'll take you to see the Northern Garrison Commander."

The Northern Army has always kept a low profile, often entrusting tasks to others. The Northern Army's Commander is particularly low-key and rarely makes public appearances.

Even Pei Nian was meeting Ji Liangxian, the Northern Garrison Commander, for the first time today.

To her surprise, Ji Liangxian looked like a eunuch, with gray hair, a white face and no beard, and a pair of phoenix eyes that looked bright and piercing when he looked at people.

However, Ji Liangxian and Mei Chengzong had very different temperaments; one was the effeminate eunuch, and the other was the effeminate and charming man.

"Greetings to the Garrison Commander."

"No need for formalities. We are all serving the court. Here, there is no distinction between the Southern and Northern Offices. So don't worry that we will make things difficult for you."

Ji Liangxian spoke, his tone kind, though slightly more resolute than Mei Chengzong's.

In other words, Mei Chengzong was even more effeminate than a eunuch.

"Yes."

"We've come today to discuss how to capture Gu Jingnian. Let's all share our thoughts," Ji Liangxian said, picking up his teacup, carefully blowing on it, and sipping his tea without saying another word.

The person in charge was a woman named Wei Zhuang, the head of the Northern Office. She was adorned with many ornaments, wore a magnificent brocade robe, and had heavy makeup on her face, with layers of powder applied without anyone knowing how many times.

“Just yesterday, we ambushed Gu Jingnian. I personally cast a dark cloud and fog to prevent Gu Jingnian from using his special abilities, but he still managed to escape…”

Wang Qinghe opened his folding fan, covering half his face, and whispered to Pei Nian, "This Wei Zhuang is a man, but he likes to wear women's clothing. The Northern Army is full of strange people."

"I know."

"cough."

Mei Chengzong cleared his throat, signaling to his two subordinates not to talk.

Wei Zhuang had already overheard Wang Qinghe's whisper. He looked over, his eyes showing great interest in him, and beckoned to him.

"This must be Inspector Wang? He is indeed a handsome and capable man. Would you be willing to work under me?"

In terms of rank, the Northern Office held a higher position than the Southern Office, so if Wang Qinghe really went, it would be considered a promotion. However, he only felt a chill, his face turned pale, and he dared not speak.

"What?" Mei Chengzong asked, "Trying to take her from me?"

"Can't you?"

"No way, I'm notorious for being possessive of my food."

Wei Zhuang chuckled, about to speak again.

Ji Liangxian said leisurely, "Let's get down to business."

"Yes."

Wei Zhuang then said, "Metis, please."

“I hate Gu Jingnian.” Mei Chengzong rolled his eyes when he mentioned Gu Jingnian, but then changed the subject and said, “If you ask me, if capturing him is so difficult, we might as well offer him amnesty.”

"To be granted amnesty?" Wei Zhuang asked in surprise.

“Is it strange?” Mei Chengzong said, “Most of the strong generals in the Northern Army are extraordinary people who were recruited by the government. Gu Jingnian already has that kind of strength.”

Wei Zhuang shook his head and said, "Gu Jingnian is already the Marquis of Chengye of Yong Kingdom. How can he be granted amnesty? Does he want the court to bestow upon him the title of Duke or King?"

“You don’t understand him,” Mei Chengzong said. “I understand him better. For him, kings and generals are not important. If Gu Caiwei can persuade him, this matter can be half accomplished.”

After saying that, he turned around and asked, "Pei Nian, what do you think?"

Pei Nian had been silent until he was suddenly called upon. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "What Metis said makes sense."

Mei Chengzong continued, "As for how to make him wholeheartedly loyal after being granted amnesty, it's simple."

Ji Liangxian nodded and said, "That makes sense, let's do it that way."

"Yes."

Seeing this, Pei Nian and Wang Qinghe were both surprised. These three sissies were really careless in their actions, far less cautious and orderly than Min Yuanxiu. They were completely impulsive and did whatever they wanted.

Mei Chengzong pondered for a moment, then said, "As for who to persuade Gu Caiwei... let's go with Pei Nian." Wei Zhuangjiao snorted, dissatisfied, "Why?"

"Why?" Mei Chengzong asked. "Because she is a true woman and understands Gu Caiwei better."

"Mei Chengzong! Who are you implying!" Wei Zhuang stomped his foot in anger, sending up a fragrant breeze.

Wang Qinghe didn't want to smell the fragrance on him at all. Holding his breath, he felt that he was going to die here in the short time he had been in the North Office.

But these people from the Northern Court, whom he looked down upon, were exceptionally decisive in their actions.

“Then let’s go.” Ji Liangxian stood up and said, “There’s no time like the present. Today, I’ll take you to persuade Gu Caiwei.”

"The garrison commander is brilliant. In this way, even if Gu Jingnian finds Gu Caiwei, he will have to be recruited by her instead," Mei Chengzong said, offering a timely compliment.

Although he is currently in the Southern Office, his heart still yearns for the Northern Office.

Pei Nian was also taken aback.

Gu Jingnian went to great lengths, disguising himself as Wang Qinghe and then as Min Yuanxiu, to try and find out Gu Caiwei's whereabouts, but to no avail. However, she unexpectedly found out.

“Wang Qinghe, you don’t need to go here,” Mei Chengzong said. “Pei Nian, remember, Gu Caiwei’s whereabouts are a secret, and you must keep it a secret.”

"Yes."

Soon, Ji Liangxian left with Mei Chengzong, Wei Zhuang, and Pei Nian.

Wang Qinghe watched the four figures leave, each one resembling a woman more than the last, and was utterly speechless.

When he returned to the Southern Office, the Supervisor Xu Yun was reporting official business to Min Yuanxiu and met with him at the same time.

"What did the Northern Court say?" Although Min Yuanxiu deliberately avoided meeting Ji Liangxian, he was very concerned about today's meeting and asked directly.

"This subordinate thinks they're simply being ridiculous!"

Wang Qinghe, young and impetuous, spoke his mind without hesitation.

Then, he solemnly reported: "Governor, they took Pei Nian to see Gu Caiwei. If Pei Nian finds out where Gu Caiwei is, there is no guarantee that she won't tell Gu Jingnian."

Min Yuanxiu's single eye pierced deeply as he stared intently at Wang Qinghe for a long while before saying, "Don't you understand what Commander Ji means?"

Wang Qinghe was taken aback.

He was a smart man by nature. He had underestimated the Northern Army and hadn't considered their deeper intentions before. Now, after a moment's thought, he immediately understood.

"It was my fault for being so foolish!"

Pei Nian had met Gu Caiwei, and if she wanted to tell Gu Jingnian where she was, she would naturally have to find Gu Jingnian.

Conversely, Gu Jingnian, who had been avoiding Pei Nian, would also need to find Pei Nian once he learned that Pei Nian already knew Gu Caiwei's whereabouts.

This was bait; Kaiping Si had once again caught Gu Jingnian's bait.

"Good that you understand," Min Yuanxiu said calmly. "No need for further words."

"Yes."

Wang Qinghe respectfully accepted the order and withdrew.

Xu Yun glanced back and said, "It seems the Garrison Commander still trusts Wang Qinghe."

Min Yuanxiu said, "Someone from the Kaiping Division is helping Gu Jingnian, but it won't be him."

"However, there are only a few people who have had any dealings with Gu Jingnian."

“Yes,” Min Yuanxiu murmured, “There is another possibility: that some force is helping Gu Jingnian, rather than out of personal friendship.”

--------

Two days later, at the Pei residence.

Since returning to Zhuojing, Pei Nian has not come back.

It happened to be Pei Wugou's birthday, so he sent someone early in the morning to invite Pei Nian to go home after leaving the office.

As night fell, Pei Wugou sat alone in the hall, looking at a table of dishes that had gone cold, and sighed softly. When he looked up again, he finally saw his daughter, dressed in a brocade robe, returning home, her every move as if she had come to ransack the house.

"You're back, let's eat." Pei Wugou didn't say anything else, but stood up and greeted them with a smile.

He personally moved a candlestick over, and then moved a domed yellow banner closer to him.

Pei Nian immediately recognized that the yellow banner was a rare treasure used to prevent people from eavesdropping on conversations.

"Father has something to say."

"Yes," Pei Wugou said, "but I do wish to dine with you."

“You never celebrate your birthday,” Pei Nian said. “I know you have something important to say, so I came back.”

Pei Wugou sighed, picked up the longevity noodles that had completely cooled down from the table, and ate them.

For him, finishing this bowl of noodles was a way of saying that his daughter had celebrated his birthday with him.

Afterward, he calmly wiped his mouth and said, "I heard that you saw Gu Caiwei a couple of days ago?"

Pei Nian was surprised and asked, "How did you hear that?"

(End of this chapter)