Chapter 64: Kill!

Chapter 59: Kill

After the performance had been underway for a while, Kang Xian finally descended from the main pleasure boat. He made his way back to his own boat, greeting some people on the first deck. He then went upstairs, exchanged a few pleasantries with the younger generation he encountered, and only then, as he looked towards one side of the pleasure boat, did he notice something peculiar.

To his surprise, there were two pairs of people playing chess by the windows while simultaneously watching the performance.

“It’s truly strange,” Kang Xian remarked, never failing to tease Ning Yi whenever they met. “Why is it that every time I see you, you, a young man, are always the most relaxed? It’s truly irritating! The young ladies downstairs are performing with such effort, and you’re here multitasking. Aren’t you afraid people will see you and scold you for wasting such a good seat?” Then, noticing the chessboard, he added with a puzzled look, “Hmm, this game is really odd…”

He turned his head to look at the other window, where the chessboard in front of two siblings was equally peculiar. The sister had a displeased frown, holding a piece as if calculating, while the brother looked quite pleased. “Sister, if you don’t block here, you’re going to lose!”

It was the first time Kang Xian had seen such a game. Only after Ning Yi explained the rules of Gobang (Five-in-a-Row) with a smile did he realize, “You certainly always find interesting things to play!”

When they went over to look, the sister had already lost to her brother. Upon seeing Kang Xian, one child called out, “Grand-uncle Kang!” and the other, “Grand-uncle Consort!” Kang Xian then smiled and introduced them to each other.

“It seems you’ve already met,” Kang Xian said. “This is Ning Yi, Ning Liheng, whom you’ve often asked about. Liheng, these are two young members of my family: the elder sister, Xiao Pei, and the younger brother, Jun Wu. Xiao Pei is thirteen, and Jun Wu is eleven. Xiao Pei is a renowned talented girl in our family; she’s long been eager to challenge you!”

Kang Xian introduced them cheerfully, but the two children looked annoyed, especially the sister, who turned her head away in displeasure. The brother complained, “Grand-uncle, he just tricked me, saying he wasn’t Ning Liheng!”

Kang Xian was slightly surprised. After they explained the whole story, he laughed. “You children, trying to test someone as soon as you meet them, will naturally not get good results. Remember this lesson for the future… And Liheng, you’re always acting like a ringleader among children, thinking of ways to amuse yourself at their expense… Erm, Xiao Pei, Jun Wu, do you have any more questions for him now? I guarantee he’ll answer you.”

Xiao Pei, the sister, turned her head and huffed, “Hmph, he’s afraid of being tested, so he must have no real knowledge and is feeling guilty. I’ve already drawn my conclusion, so there’s no need to ask.” She then walked over to put away the chess pieces. Jun Wu smiled afterwards. “Then I won’t ask either. I’ll go play chess with my sister.” Previously, when playing Go, he always lost to his sister. Now that he had learned Gobang, he had won several consecutive games and was quite happy, so his dislike for Ning Yi was not strong. Xiao Pei’s displeasure towards Ning Yi, however, was probably half due to Gobang. But she was persistent; she continued to play Gobang with her brother, hoping to master it and directly turn the tables on him.

Since someone had come over to talk, Xiao Chan had already gotten up from her seat. Kang Xian smiled, sat down on the stool, looked at the unfinished Gobang game, casually placed a piece, and chuckled, “It’s quite interesting, actually. Xiao Chan calls you ‘Master-in-law,’ and they have to call me ‘Grand-uncle Kang.’ People used to call me ‘Lord Consort,’ and now they call me ‘Grand-uncle Consort.’ Hehe, it seems that in terms of seniority, just adding one word adds a whole generation…”

Then, remembering something, he gestured towards the two children and lowered his voice: “These are the two children from Prince Kang, Zhou Yong’s family. They’ve always spoken highly of you. They’ve long wanted to meet you. Pei’er is indeed a talented woman of the Zhou clan. She is proficient in poetry, literature, and various arts, mastering them quickly. Her greatest skill, however, is mathematics. Last year, when our household accounts were being balanced, the little girl, with nothing else to do, took an account book and calculated all the numbers without an abacus, without a single error. Her younger brother, Jun Wu, is somewhat more ordinary in talent. Having such a capable sister, he’s often bossed around, hehe, quite amusing…”

Ning Yi looked back. The girl named Zhou Pei was facing their direction, frowning deeply in thought over the game. She couldn't help but glare at Ning Yi. Ning Yi chuckled, “It seems he’s found the only game he can beat his sister at.”

The performance below continued. Kang Xian, of course, couldn't stay there indefinitely interacting with the younger generation. After playing a partial game of Gobang and grasping its concept, he left. Ning Yi and Xiao Chan then watched the performance, while the siblings next to them continued to play Gobang. It was curious how Zhou Pei, despite losing the first few games, didn't suggest switching to Go or stopping altogether. Instead, she kept playing, and by the end, she seemed to have somewhat turned the situation around.

The evening’s performance concluded successfully, followed by a grand announcement of the ‘Four Pillars’ of courtesans. They were Feng Xiaojing, the previous year’s courtesan queen; Qilan, supported by the Puyang family; Yuan Jin’er of Jinfeng Tower; and a debutante named Luo Miaomiao. Lu Caicai, who had been one of the Four Pillars last year, did not make the list this time.

Ning Yi had only come to watch the performance, so rankings and such matters were irrelevant to him. Overall, he found the performance enjoyable, and everything had gone smoothly that evening. Afterward, the venue began to empty out. Some people continued to socialize and network, while most headed towards the exits. After Ning Yi and Xiao Chan disembarked, a faint commotion reached them from near the entrance. Others were saying that a group of Lu Caicai’s supporters, displeased with the results, had gotten into an argument with others, leading to a small brawl.

Such incidents were not uncommon; large or small, they happened almost every year and were usually minor. The soldiers maintaining order had already rushed over, and it was expected the disturbance would soon be quelled. On the main pleasure boat, numerous high-ranking officials and dignitaries were still exchanging pleasantries. For many, the evening’s festivities and revelry were far from over; there were still banquets to attend. Kang Xian was also there, bidding farewell to people. When Ning Yi and Xiao Chan approached him, he smiled and told them not to rush off. “My boat is also heading back,” he said. “It’s no trouble for you to come along later. Since neither of you came by carriage, it might be a bit tiring to walk back.”

People gathered and dispersed across the venue, near and far, as the lights began to stretch from the pathways towards Jiangning City. A moment later, as the crowd here thinned, another unexpected incident occurred within Ning Yi’s peripheral vision. Perhaps due to the warm weather, someone in a large tent behind the stage seemed to have knocked over a candle. A fire erupted on the riverbank, igniting the tent and surrounding items, burning fiercely.

People from various brothels rushed out from that area. Fortunately, there weren't many people left in this section; primarily, only socializing scholars, officials, dignitaries, their attendants, soldiers, and a very small number of lingering spectators remained, so there was no risk of a stampede. Someone was shouting, “Quick, help rescue people!” Many rushed towards the fire. Ning Yi remembered Nie Yunzhu, so he told Xiao Chan to wait for a while and followed. On the way, he met Nie Yunzhu coming towards him. As for Yuan Jin’er, who had been named one of the Four Pillars, she was celebrating and was surrounded by a large crowd on the other side, but she was fine.

“That’s the large tent for the Fragrant Cloud Brothel,” Nie Yunzhu explained. “It’s far from us. It was a bit frightening at first when we heard there was a fire, but actually, no one was burned. Everyone got out. It’s just that the tent is so big, putting out the fire now won’t be easy…”

From a distance, the fire by the riverbank looked alarming, mainly because of the large tent and the numerous items around it. However, there was little chance of it spreading too far. At this point, it was merely the spectacle of a group of people heroically fighting the fire. Ning Yi returned to the hillside, found Xiao Chan, and leisurely turned to watch the scene. Everything was normal tonight; the fire wouldn't cause any major issues. All that was left was to wait to go home.

As he stood there, thinking this, he was almost about to yawn when a cool breeze swept over. Suddenly, a thought flashed across his mind, making him freeze for a moment.

His gaze swept over the fire below, then to the crowd nearby, searching for something. Certain clues in his mind began to solidify. That’s right… When the fire had just started, Chen Yong, the commander of the Wu Lie Army, had shouted, “You go save people…” He hadn’t just called upon the yamen soldiers maintaining order, but also some of his personal guards, who were now actively involved around the fire.

He had sent them because a large crowd was leaving outside, and there was also the incident of the brawl, which meant the yamen’s arrangements couldn't keep up immediately. There weren’t many soldiers stationed here at the moment…

“That’s the large tent for the Fragrant Cloud Brothel…” Yunzhu had said. The Fragrant Cloud Brothel. Earlier, Chen Yong, the commander of the Wu Lie Army, had been supporting the top courtesan from that very brothel. And now, that courtesan… Ning Yi turned to look… The top courtesan of the Fragrant Cloud Brothel was standing right beside Chen Yong. That’s why he had sent his personal guards over…

He couldn’t find Song Xian. Song Xian probably had something to attend to and had been preparing to leave to deal with it as the crowd dispersed. Then the fire started. Chen Yong had ordered his personal guards to fight the fire. Song Xian had left a part of his own guards behind, but he himself had already departed…

A strong wind swept through, fanning the flames on the distant riverbank and sending the blaze soaring. Ning Yi’s face flickered between light and shadow. Last night, while in the crowd, he had considered various plans on how to assassinate Song Xian. But the situation last night was different from now. He hadn't thought about these things tonight, but now, he realized: if he were to kill Song Xian, and if these two small incidents weren't coincidences…

A moment later, he took Xiao Chan’s hand and walked towards Kang Xian, who was not far away. Xiao Chan’s face was flushed. “Ma-ma-ma-master-in-law…”

“Elder Kang, do you have a carriage prepared nearby?”

“Liheng, is something urgent?”

“I just remembered an urgent matter. I’m afraid I’ll have to return with Xiao Chan first.”

“Very well,” Kang Xian said, nodding without further questions. “I’ll have Ah Gui take you.”

Soon after, a carriage bearing the insignia of the Consort’s Residence left the venue and turned onto the main road. Although there were many pedestrians returning to Jiangning on both sides of the road at this time, the center of the official road remained clear, allowing the carriage to proceed at a moderate pace. Ning Yi occasionally cracked the whip, his gaze fixed on Jiangning City at the end of the road. The forefront of the dispersed crowd had already begun to approach the city gates…

Two carriages bearing the insignia of the Wu Lie Army entered Jiangning City, traveling swiftly through it.

At this time, the competition at Egret Island had only recently concluded, and most people had not yet returned to Jiangning. It was already late, and those who remained in Jiangning would have mostly gone to sleep. The two carriages traversed the city streets, some bright, some dark, heading towards the city gate on the opposite side. The sound of wheels and hooves clattered along, rapidly leaving the illuminated or dark roads behind. They had traveled about halfway when they reached a relatively open yet quiet stretch of road. Shops on both sides were closed, their shelves, rubbish, and signs visible. Lights peeked from some rooms, and a few dimly glowing lanterns hung at street corners. The instant the crack of a whip echoed, the driver of the leading carriage ahead roared, “Who goes there?!”

The answer came the next moment, like two beams of light colliding, tearing each other apart the instant they met.

Destruction, shattering, disintegration, and blood splattered into the sky.