Miao Chu

Chapter 318 Knock on the Door
It turned out that the bodyguards, carrying the portrait drawn by Song Miao, soon found Master Xu near Suanzao Lane.

In the dead of night, this man neither rushed to catch a carriage nor went home. Instead, he sat at a table with several other people, discussing something. Later that night, he led the way and they secretly made their way to the back alley of Suanzao Lane.

"There were seven or eight people in the group, and someone was on lookout. We didn't dare to make a sound or follow closely for fear of alerting them."

"They went into the back alley, stayed for half a day, and then quietly left. They didn't go far and checked into the Fulai Inn—that inn was right on the street, directly opposite our Suanzao Alley, and was probably used for surveillance."

"Today they split into two groups. One group stayed at the inn, while the other two took the coachman to a house in the west of the city. Xiao Tian and I followed them and kept watch for half a day. It just so happened that when someone came to deliver food, an old man came out to open the door. Although he covered his face, I saw that he had a scar on his right ear, which looked exactly like the one marked on the portrait of Song Xiao Niangzi!"

"It's a pity we're a bit far apart, so we can't compare them side-by-side, and we can't see if he has any moles on his face. If he does, then he'll be very hard to spot!"

The bodyguard hurriedly asked, "I told Xiao Tian to stay there and guard the place while I came back to report—boss, what should we do with Miss Song now?"

Qi, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), was always cautious. He discussed with Song Miao, "It would be best to have Wang Sanlang take another look. If it is, we should report it to the authorities. Otherwise, if it isn't, not only will the officials have made a wasted trip, but it might also alert someone with ulterior motives, causing them to escape or hide. Finding them again might not be so easy..."

Wang Sanlang had already received the news and came out. Upon hearing this, he hurriedly looked at Song Miao and said, "Wife, why don't I go and investigate?"

Song Miao had already guessed it in her heart.

She heard that it was the place she had gone with Master Xu, and there was a scar on his ear. Although she couldn't be sure immediately, she knew she was about 60-70% certain. So she asked for the exact location first, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "It's better not to wait any longer, lest something unexpected happens. I'll report to the capital prefectural government in a bit. I won't delay any longer. Let the government know first and see how they arrange things, so that we won't be caught off guard if something suddenly happens!"

Since there was something to do, and the place was far away, she was worried that the round trip would make her late and she wouldn't be able to keep up with the Imperial Academy.

Because it was Master Cao, whom she knew well and was familiar with, Song Miao was more casual. She called someone else and told them that if she didn't return by the appointed time, they should deliver steamed buns to Han Li and a few words of message. She then went to the Kyoto government office with two bodyguards.

This time, seeing Song Miao come to their door, the officers felt a little more relaxed and told her about the progress.

"I was just about to send someone to deliver the message—we've got some connections here. The craftsmen rushed to finish the work for you yesterday, carving and printing it all night long. This morning, the posters have already been put up everywhere, and seven or eight people have come to report clues. Hey, I must say, your portrait is really quite amazing!"

"We're having people investigate. Although there are many leads, most of them are just giving vague answers and can't really help. But what we can be sure of is that the old man is most likely still in the capital and hasn't left..."

Song Miao quickly thanked him, then pointed at the bodyguard and first told him about discovering the old man's whereabouts, then added, "...I just don't know if it is or isn't, I'm afraid it isn't, and the officials have made a wasted trip..."

When the officers on the other side learned that they had found the trail, they were quite surprised and hurriedly called for help, ordering the horses and mules to be prepared.

As for whether the trip was empty or not, no one cared.

"It's one thing for others to say this, but why is Miss Song copying it?"

"Have you forgotten the times we used to keep watch in restaurants? This time it's much easier. Even if we come up empty-handed, it's still part of our job—there's no investigation without ending up empty-handed!"

“We will be careful, have someone keep a close eye on us, and then use another method to confirm it again—according to you, it’s probably true!”

The group left the bodyguard to lead the way, and also took Wang Sanlang with them. The rest of them stayed at the yamen to attend to their own affairs, but they managed to free up two people and assigned them to other positions. They set off first.

Song Miao returned to the restaurant after going back and forth, and sure enough, it was well past the appointed time.

She called someone over and asked, and someone had already taken the steamed buns to the Imperial Academy. Although she breathed a sigh of relief, she felt inexplicably empty inside.

At the Imperial Academy, Han Li did not return to his study, but waited in Master Chen's classroom.

He left home before dawn that day, and returned hastily from the Water Conservancy Bureau around noon. After a quick bite to eat, he began writing a manuscript at his desk.

Although Master Chen didn't have to teach, he had a lot to do. He went in and out many times, and seeing his junior brother working hard, he secretly chuckled several times. When he finally had some free time, he couldn't help but go up to him.

Seeing the pile of manuscript papers on the table, he couldn't help but jokingly ask, "What brings you here today? Didn't you spend all night writing yesterday and still not finish? I think Xiao Song's stuff is already very well organized. Is it just that you're not capable enough that you're procrastinating like this?"

Han Li continued writing without looking up, but said, "The supplies for Suanzao Lane are ready—there's no way it would have been delayed until today."

Master Chen twitched his mustache and chuckled, "Then what are you doing here? You're in such a hurry."

After saying that, he casually picked up a piece of paper and began to scan the words on it.

But after only a few glances, the expression on his face changed instantly.

He moved a chair over and carefully flipped through the pages one by one. After reading through the manuscript on the table from beginning to end in order, he asked solemnly, "Why didn't you go to the Water Conservancy Bureau to write this?"

He added, "Your diagram is quite good. Where did you learn it? In the future, we can use it to supplement Master's manuscripts."

Han Li said, "Didn't my senior brother just say that I learned from whoever organizes things properly?"

Master Chen was taken aback and was about to ask a question when his junior brother across from him put his pen on the pen holder, stood up, went to the side to wash his hands and wipe his face, then straightened his clothes in front of the still water in the copper basin, and even wiped the surface of his shoes, looking very careful.

He seemed to sense something and asked, "Who wants to come?"

Han Li smiled without saying a word, but his smile was clear enough.

Master Chen immediately perked up and hurriedly asked, "Is Little Song coming? When?"

Han Li nodded and told him the time they had agreed on yesterday.

Master Chen was furious upon hearing this and said, "You rascal! Why didn't you say so sooner!"

He hurriedly rang the bell and called out "Xiao You". When the person arrived, he said, "Didn't we get a lot of Dongting oranges yesterday? They were grown in the cold springs of Dongting Mountain. Old Fan always boasts that his oranges ripen a season earlier than the ordinary ones. Although they are a bit sour, they have a strong orange flavor. These are perfect for young people like them. Keep some for yourself and bring the rest over."

"Also, didn't Xiao Hu get a few boxes of pastries from Xianhelou this morning? Although they're not as good as Songji's, they're still quite tasty. Go over there and see if he has any left. If he does, tell him I'll ask him for some, and I'll buy some to return to him another day..."

Seeing him calling out to people one after another, Han Li quickly stopped Xiao You, indicating that she didn't need to take anything. Once the two brothers were left in the room, he said, "Senior brother, I'm going to visit Mr. Cao with her in a while. We're just making some minor adjustments here and won't be staying long. You don't need to take anything else."

He added, "As for those oranges, I took about ten yesterday. If you were to eat them, I'm afraid they would be too sour. Perhaps I should take some and bring them to her..."

Master Chen was not very satisfied and said, "What do you need him for? Can't you come to me?"

He added, "If you want oranges, can't I deliver them myself? You're asking me to take them to Xiao Song! You're really good at using someone else's flowers to present to the Buddha!"

After all, he was his junior brother. He complained a few times, then said, "I've been busy lately and haven't been to Suanzao Lane for quite a few days. If I'm not around later, ask Xiao Song if he likes oranges. If he does, I'll have someone write back to urge him to get some." Han Li agreed, but every now and then he would turn his head to look at the water clock in the corner.
Master Chen, being an experienced man, knew perfectly well that while this person's body was still intact, his mind was nowhere to be found. He chuckled and said, "If you wait here, Little Song might not know how to get in. He might even have to ask for directions..."

Han Li immediately stood up and said, "I'll go take a look."

As he spoke, he shook his sleeves and was about to go out when he heard someone knocking on the door.

Having received the reply, the person entered. As soon as he entered, he turned to the people following behind and said, "Both the sir and Zhengyan are here. Auntie, which one are you looking for?"

She was a short-term hired woman working for Song Ji.

The man entered, bowed, and greeted the man before saying, "My master had something urgent to attend to today and had to rush to the capital's government office. He asked me to pass on his message to Young Master Han..."

She relayed what Song Miao had said, and then placed the food box on the table beside her, saying, "Because I haven't seen Mr. Chen for quite some time, my wife asked me to bring an extra box of steamed buns. There's a new flavor inside called 'Broken Crisp Steamed Buns.' Please try it, Mr. Chen."

Upon hearing this, Master Chen was overjoyed. He cleared his throat and, who had been smiling, glanced at Han Li. Seeing that the other man was standing still with no expression on his face, his joy seemed to fade slightly.

He couldn't help but ask, "When will Xiao Song be back? Do you know?"

The short-term laborer shook his head and said, "My wife said it might not be that fast."

Han Li thought for a moment, then asked the other party to sit down. Instead of asking her to pass on a message, he used the ink he had already ground to take out paper and pen, and wrote a letter in a short while. He sealed it and gave it to the hired woman to take back.

After watching the person walk away, Master Chen sighed and said, "I didn't see him again—you can't be in a hurry, but you shouldn't be too slow either."

Han Li did not answer, but simply put the things on the table away, greeted Master Chen, and went to find Master Cao with the food box.

When he returned from Master Cao's place, he packed his things, took the manuscript he had just written, wrapped a few steamed buns, and hurriedly went back to the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau.

***
Han Libai waited all afternoon, and no matter how much he was worried, there were still many things waiting for him at the yamen. As soon as he returned, he was busy with other matters.

Even so, he still stopped twice, asking his servants to find some help outside. They did nothing else but go to the Song family restaurant at the end of Suanzao Alley, which didn't yet have a proper signboard, to inquire whether the owner, Mr. Song, had returned.

Han Li's hired help had just set off and was anxiously inquiring about the situation when several people returned from a house in the west of the city.

As soon as I knocked on the door, someone behind it asked me a question.

After answering several questions, everyone was finally allowed to enter. Their faces were not very pleasant at first, but after sitting down and drinking water, they sat for a while and discussed the matter for some time. Since no one had come, they couldn't help but ask.

Where's Lao Huang?

Where did Huang Er go?

A man and a woman were sitting on a bed nearby, and they answered almost simultaneously.

"Old Huang has gone out."

"I've been out for half an hour—I said I'd been cooped up for two days and was really getting restless, so I went out for some fresh air."

If Wang Sanlang, or any of the people who were on the train that day, were here, they would most likely recognize the man and woman speaking as the children who had extorted the old man that day.

As soon as the two finished speaking, the people who had just returned became anxious.

"That old man! Didn't I tell him to stay inside and not go out? What if he finds out?"

"There are people everywhere outside, one wrong move and..."

The "son" said nonchalantly, "You're being too cautious. He put on makeup before going out. Even if we were acquaintances, we wouldn't recognize him at first glance. Besides, where would we find acquaintances here?"

The daughter replied, "It's alright. This place is remote. Only a few people saw him that day. It's not that easy to run into him! Besides, even if you did run into him, Old Huang is always as slippery as an eel. Who could catch him?"

The two were so optimistic that the people on the other side became even more agitated.

"If you're not afraid to die yourselves, don't drag us down with you!"

One of them, his face flushed with anxiety, pointed to the east side of the house as he spoke, saying, "Go outside and see for yourselves! There are wanted posters for Old Huang plastered everywhere. He's right there, and nobody recognizes him! Who would dare say such a thing!"

The "daughter" pouted and said, "You're just a coward, why blame it on the wanted posters! Everyone sitting here has a few wanted posters on them, instead of worrying about being caught by someone, you should be afraid of getting caught by chance!"

After she finished speaking, she turned to the person opposite her and said, "Brother Tu, you've always been reliable, haven't you? Advise your brother to stop being as timid as a mouse, given his size!"

This time, however, "Brother Tu" had no intention of responding at all. He shook his head and said, "This time it's really a bit bad—the portrait of the man on the wanted poster outside, for some reason, looks incredibly lifelike. When I got closer, it was like Old Huang was staring at me—he has sunken eyes, a mole on his face, and does he have a scar on his right ear? I've known him for so many years and I never knew he had a scar on his ear!"

Before the "son" could speak, there was a loud knocking on the door. It was Old Huang.

The person closest to the door rushed to answer it.

As soon as the door opened, "Old Huang" rolled in from outside, bolted the door twice, and leaned against the door, his face and head covered in sweat, his clothes in disarray, looking like he was still in shock.

"Old Huang!"

"Where did it go? How did it get like this?"

Old Huang wiped his face and said, "I almost got recognized—I was looking at the wanted posters and accidentally got too close. I didn't notice that my right ear wasn't covered properly, and someone pointed it at me and asked if I had a gun on my ear..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly heard a knock on the door behind him.

The people inside the house, who had been listening to Lao Huang through the door and walls, suddenly realized something was wrong, stood up, held their breath, and came out to greet him.

Outside the courtyard, there was a series of rapid, urgent banging sounds.

(End of this chapter)