Chapter 49: Hehe Girl

The Beacon Fire Incident

Walking through the fields and paths, Xu Fengnian casually asked, "Why doesn't Hongshu like leaving the manor, while you enjoy running out every other day?"

Qingniao replied matter-of-factly, "She's quite lazy."

Xu Fengnian abruptly changed the subject and asked, "Xu Xiao knows perfectly well that Zhang Julu, now in power, is rectifying the imperial administration and reforming the border armies. Early last year, land surveys began in Liaodong, a process that was fraught with difficulties. No fewer than ten officials from the Geography Department died from sudden attacks or assassinations, and over thirty more resigned or took leave. Yet, Zhang Julu still uncovered over a dozen individuals—including Bai Huai, the Liaodong Provincial Inspector; Lu Taiping, the garrison eunuch; Fu Han, the guerrilla general; and several commanding officers—who had forcibly seized civilian land, some as much as six hundred qing, others just a few dozen. Although many of these individuals were former subordinates of the Beiliang army, twenty years have passed. Why is Xu Xiao still getting involved, insisting on challenging Grand Secretary Zhang? Isn't this going against the prevailing trend? Furthermore, Xu Xiao claims he wants the court to fortify Liangliao like a bedrock, but half of the most corrupt officials are connected to him. Who would believe such a claim? What do you think Xu Xiao is truly thinking?"

How could Qingniao dare answer such a question?

Xu Fengnian didn't actually expect an answer; he simply asked to feel a bit better. The complaints from the Liangliao soldiers about lax civil administration and similar issues held no interest for His Royal Highness. For example, Beiliang's military might was indeed unparalleled and beyond dispute. However, if one were to claim that Beiliang enjoyed peace and order, even Xu Xiao himself would likely blush. If the Grand Pillar were a moral saint, the Prefect of Lingzhou wouldn't have had to scheme so hard to gain influence in the capital, nor would the daughter of the renowned Beiliang Grand Scholar have been reduced to a canary with an uncertain future.

Recalling this, and then how the "Four Evils of Beiliang" had either dispersed or severed ties, with only that scoundrel Li Hanlin remaining in Beiliang, Xu Fengnian felt a surge of frustration. He plopped down on the muddy edge of the field, and with a dark expression, grumbled, "Qingniao, help me find some amusement."

Qingniao calmly uttered three words: "Braised beef."

Xu Fengnian stood up and smiled, "Qingniao still understands me best."

The two, whose relationship was master-servant but didn't appear so, walked for a while before settling into a magnificent, lavish carriage. While the carriage's decorations were secondary, the two spotted horses themselves were worth a fortune. In any province or commandery, the most straightforward way to gauge a fop's family wealth was by the price of their horses. Of course, some foolish individuals would go to great lengths, even beyond their means, to purchase renowned steeds like the Cao family's White Cranes just to maintain appearances. However, one of His Royal Highness's spotted horses, the "Dawan Green Elephant," was priceless and could not be bought on the market. It had always been a top-grade tribute. Only Xu Fengnian dared to ride it; ordinary sons and grandsons of imperial princes wouldn't even dare to parade it around, as upright censors loved to seize upon such displays.

Xu Fengnian entered the braised beef shop and saw a familiar scene he hadn't witnessed in a while. Old Jia, the shop owner, was bustling about, while young Miss Jia sat on the stairs, lost in thought, slowly twirling a vibrant green bamboo twig between her fingers. Old Jia cherished this distant relative's daughter, never asking her to help out, no matter how busy the shop was. It seemed childless Old Jia regarded her as his own daughter; after all, a parent's heart is the same everywhere. The young girl's name was quite interesting: Jia (family name) Jiajia (given name). Even more interesting was the large cat she had led into the city years ago. Unfortunately, it hadn't been seen for the past two years, and it was unknown whether it was lost or had died.

Qingniao went to the shopkeeper to get the beef. Naturally, she simply took it; was there a need to buy it? In Beiliang, when His Royal Highness wanted something, there was never any talk of buying, stealing, robbing, or borrowing—it was always simply taken.

Xu Fengnian walked to the foot of the stairs and asked with a smile, "Hehe Girl, where's your big cat? Is it gone? How about I get you one, and you come to the manor with me to play?" The young maiden, whom Xu Fengnian had nicknamed "Hehe Girl," had always seemed naive to worldly affairs. She had previously dared to glare defiantly at a prominent fop like Li Hanlin right in the shop, and she had always been indifferent to His Royal Highness, showing little fear. However, today she seemed a bit different. Upon seeing Xu Fengnian, she subconsciously shifted her position. Perhaps it was because she had seen His Royal Highness kill someone with a knife in an alley corner last time; she had seemed somewhat listless ever since. Given Xu Fengnian's cautious nature, he had already had people watching her for some time. As for why young Miss Jia was nicknamed "Hehe Girl," there was a story behind it: supposedly, the girl rarely smiled, at most letting out a few expressionless "hehe" sounds. One "he" meant it was amusing, two "hehes" meant it was very amusing. As for "hehehe"? No one had ever heard that.

Seeing no reaction from her, Xu Fengnian, finding a one-man show always dull, awkwardly turned to find a seat. The shop had instantly emptied. Old Jia, his wrinkled face creased with a fawning smile, stood bowing by the table. In truth, there was nothing for him to do; Qingniao had already arranged everything. The tableware, including ivory chopsticks and jade porcelain bowls, had been brought from the carriage. The braised beef had already been meticulously sliced with a small silver knife and neatly piled in a bowl. Xu Fengnian didn't use chopsticks; he picked up a few slices with his hand and popped them into his mouth. This was the taste he wanted: rich yet not greasy, with an authentic sauce that didn't overpower the original flavor of the fine beef.

After finishing the beef, Xu Fengnian leaned back in his chair, appearing drowsy.

He closed his eyes and lowered his gaze, his tongue touching his upper palate. He brought his knees together, drawing one foot in. He gently tapped his teeth thirty-six times, allowing each breath to return to its mystic origin, flowing naturally.

Old Jia, the shop owner, didn't understand what was happening; he merely assumed His Royal Highness was tired and dared not offer any unnecessary courtesies, only hoping that the beef served today was satisfactory. Xu Fengnian's breathing was now exceptionally steady, just as the true essence of Buddhist dharma is said to be nothing more than eating, drinking, and excreting. This Great Yellow Court heart technique, in the final analysis, was still a humble breathing exercise. Once Xu Fengnian could hear the beating hearts of others, he would reach the second level of the Six Heavens Pavilion.

Xu Fengnian suddenly turned his head, looking towards the stairs, only to see the maiden staring blankly at the bamboo twig in her hand.

Xu Fengnian stood up and smiled, "Old Jia, two more portions for me."

Old Jia replied, beaming with joy, "Right away, Your Highness, right away!"

Xu Fengnian didn't wait long before Qingniao returned with two portions of fragrant, cooked beef. Back in the carriage, Xu Fengnian lifted the curtain and glanced at Old Jia, who was still bowing at the shop entrance, then frowned and said, "Something seems off."

Qingniao shook her head and said, "His background is clean; he's just an ordinary small merchant."

Xu Fengnian merely smiled and let the matter drop.

Old Jia returned to the shop, wiping sweat from his forehead. He knew no customers would dare patronize the shop for a while, so he took the opportunity to sit and rest, massaging his lower back. Seeing the young girl still sitting on the stairs, he sighed.

It was one thing for the girl to eat and drink for free in the shop, but she didn't even crack a smile for important figures like His Royal Highness. If she were his own daughter, he would definitely scold or even beat her.

The maiden, still holding the bamboo twig, left the shop and headed straight out of the city.

She walked slowly; by the time she left the city, it was already dusk. After walking for another hour, in the gathering darkness, she entered the lush, green Jinweng Mountain. From the looks of it, she didn't intend to return to the city. Curfews had always been strictly enforced throughout Beiliang, and she wasn't His Royal Highness, free to enter and leave the city at night as she pleased.

Was a young girl really planning to spend the night on the mountain?

Jinweng Mountain was frequented by wild beasts; the deeper one went, the more hunters had to travel in groups to dare walk at night.

After an unknown duration of walking, the maiden continued along the solitary mountain path with a blank expression.

A full moon hung overhead, and there was no longer any discernible path beneath her feet, yet she continued onward.

Upon reaching a pond, she bent down to drink, taking just enough to be a third full.

From the dense forest behind her came an unusual sound, startling a few rooks.

The young girl stood up and looked towards the dense forest.

A black bear, likely one and a half times her height, charged out, making the ground tremble with its stomps.

It stopped in front of the young girl and let out a roar.

Its fangs were exposed, and a foul breath sprayed the girl's face, rustling her dark hair.

The young girl's face remained blank; she was unmoved.

The massive bear seemed provoked by this tiny prey and opened its mouth, ready to bite.

With a rumble.

A more powerful tremor emanated from the dense forest.

When the grizzly bear turned its head, it was its turn to be sprayed in the face with saliva from a gaping maw.

The grizzly bear's fur bristled, and it was so terrified it didn't dare move.

In recent years on Jinweng Mountain, hunters would periodically find the bones of large predators, including both tigers and bears. They truly couldn't figure out what kind of creature could so dominate the mountain. Mountain spirits? Ghouls and goblins?

The answer was right here.

A "big cat," even larger and more formidable than the grizzly bear, lowered its head and roared menacingly at the "little grizzly bear."

The young girl finally spoke.

"Hehehe."