Chapter 113: Slipped Away

Chapter 113: Slipped Away

Stars sparkled in Qiao Hui's eyes; he blinked, and the stars vanished, leaving only slightly reddened eyes filled with bloodshot veins.

With a swift movement of his hand, the back of the knife flashed coldly, its blade aimed at Sun Shun.

Sun Shun covered his swollen right eye, which was now as high as a mountain.

Chen Jianfang stepped forward, blocking Qiao Hui with his side, whispering, "Baoyuan, be cautious."

Outside were the soldiers of Yingtian Prefecture, eager to catch your family off guard!

Qiao Hui glanced at Baozhu and Xianjin, then reversed the knife, holding it behind his back, his eyes blood-red. "Scram."

Sun Shun still wanted to stand his ground.

The lackey behind him tugged at Sun Shun's clothes, "...you were blind in your left eye for two months after he beat you up last time!"

This time it would be the right eye.

Heaven's favor.

Very symmetrical indeed.

The lackey whispered again, "He has always been reckless. Now that his family is in trouble, he has even less restraint. If he chops you, he might not get away scot-free, but who will lose their life? It'll be you!"

Almost as if saying, "A madman killing someone isn't illegal."

Sun Shun vaguely recalled those two miserable months lying in bed, then looked at the gleaming knife in Qiao Hui's hand. He tiptoed, pointing at Qiao Hui in the air, then was half-pushed, half-dragged away by the lackey.

As soon as Sun Shun left, one-third of the onlookers dispersed.

Qiao Hui's gaze turned cold as he scanned the crowd, his voice low yet strong, "Fellow seniors and juniors, I, Qiao Baoyuan, have always been arrogant and overbearing. If I have wronged anyone, I apologize!"

He bowed deeply.

"If any of you bear a grudge against me, come forward now. The knife is here. Whether you want to strike or hit, do as you wish! But please, spare my innocent younger sister from this sudden calamity."

The tall young man, with bloodshot eyes and a long sword, stood alone amidst the crowd.

Perhaps he had gone mad.

The scholars huddled together, whispering.

Who wouldn't go mad?

One day, he was a noble and reserved scion of a prestigious family; the next, his father was imprisoned, his uncle dismissed, and his aunt's husband defected, leaving the entire clan in peril.

From the clouds to the mud, who could endure such a fall?

Qiao Hui's eyes were red, but his expression was calm. After a moment, seeing no one step forward with a knife, he swiftly sheathed it, clasped his hands, and bowed to all around, "Due to the troubles caused by my family, I thank you all for your concern and trouble. When my family's injustice is rectified, we will compensate you for today's inconvenience."

As if he was certain that his family would be unharmed.

The scholars continued to huddle, murmuring.

Some were righteous and raised their voices, "Qiao Shanchang is our teacher, so today is not a loss! When we leave, I'll buy you a drink!"

Those with the trait of righteousness were like courtesans who sold their skills but not their bodies—rare and precious.

Then there was silence.

But people gradually dispersed.

As they left, they still huddled in groups, heads close together.

Like phones connected to power banks.

Was it that thoughts couldn't connect unless heads touched?

Xianjin felt dizzy, still holding a sobbing Fat Huahua.

Qiao Hui nodded, speaking succinctly, "Thanks."

Xianjin waved her hand, indicating it was nothing worth mentioning.

Chen Jianfang's eyes held hidden worry, "Do you know what they're saying outside? They say Qiao Shifu was captured by Yingtian Prefecture, and Ningyuan Marquis conspired with the enemy. Letters between them contain secret military documents. Once found..."

Most people had already left.

Chen Jianfang spoke in a low voice, "Once found, Qiao Shifu can be sent to the capital. From Ningyuan Marquis's residence to the entire Qiao family, everyone will be arrested..."

Qiao Hui took his sister from the dazed Xianjin and handed her to Du Junning, "Anning, take care of Baozhu."

Chen Jianfang tried to say more, but Qiao Hui waved him off, "It's not safe to talk here." He pointed to the nearby thatched study where several armored soldiers were roughly searching through boxes, then gestured towards the pine forest and led the way.

Chen Jianfang followed without hesitation.

Xianjin, still dizzy, trailed behind Chen Jianfang.

In the pine forest, the trees stretched straight and tall, offering few hiding spots.

Qiao Hui briefly spoke to Chen Jianfang, telling him not to worry, that there would be a solution. Teaching had its merits, and even if Ningyuan Marquis didn't return, the Qiao family would suffer but not too much...

Half an hour passed quickly.

Soon, a soldier squinted from outside the pine forest and shouted, "...come out! Who's there?"

Qiao Hui and Chen Jianfang exchanged glances. Chen Jianfang turned around, immediately shielding Qiao Hui with his body, and called out loudly, "Sir! Just a moment! I'm talking to my brother!"

Chen Jianfang was speaking when a rough burlap package was suddenly thrust into Xianjin's hands.

Xianjin jumped in surprise and instinctively gripped the strange object before looking up at Qiao Hui again.

Qiao Hui had his head raised, not looking at her, as if he wasn't the one who had secretly passed the item over.

His sharp jawline paired with a straight nose made him look anything but pitiful, even with his bloodshot eyes.

Secret documents...?

Xianjin was startled by this realization and swiftly tucked the two-inch-high, three-inch-long, and three-inch-wide package into her sleeve.

She looked up at Qiao Hui once more.

And saw that this young man, who was always spirited and never bowed his head, seemed to let out a long sigh of relief.

...

When they went through the checkpoint, the leading officer thoroughly searched Chen Jianfang from head to toe, fearing she might have brought something out after entering.

It was Xianjin's turn next.

Xianjin kept her hand hidden in her sleeve, tightly gripping the package. She forced a shy and timid smile and said softly, "Officer, surely you don't need to search a young girl like me?"

The fair-skinned girl, with red lips and white teeth, her black hair glossy, seemed to be enveloped in a hazy, diffused light.

The leading officer hesitated slightly.

Chen Jianfang took the opportunity to slip a silver note, bowing low. "Officer, my sister is unmarried... Letting us in was already a breach of protocol. Please overlook this small matter."

With a soft chime, fifty taels of silver were paid.

Indeed, letting them in was already a breach. They went in as two people and came out as two; why make it difficult over such a minor search?

Moreover, these two weren't from the Qiao family or students of the mountain academy. Their relationship with Qiao Fangzhi wasn't close enough for them to carry anything important. How could they possibly ask a young girl to help bring something out?

The leading officer pursed his lips and waved his hand quickly, signaling them to leave.

Once they returned to the old Chen residence, Xianjin anxiously awaited nightfall.

As night fell, everything became dim and hazy, the overwhelming darkness and silence overpowering the last traces of yellow light on the horizon.

In the cramped space, Xianjin trembled as she opened the roughly wrapped burlap package.

It was indeed a piece of burlap cloth.

Xianjin lifted the cloth and noticed the uneven threads along the edges, realizing that Qiao Hui had torn it from his clothing.

Inside, neatly wrapped, were a stack of documents and letters.

There were deeds for properties in Huai'an Prefecture and Chuzhou Prefecture.

There were deeds for half a street and several shops in Xuancheng.

There was a receipt for five thousand taels of silver from a bank.

There were also several maps, different from modern maps. Xianjin could only discern a few details: one map appeared to be of Great Wei, another of Fujian, and another of North Zhili.

There were a few letters without names, sealed with wax to re-close the opened envelopes.

One letter was unsealed.

Xianjin opened the letter, recognizing the bold handwriting, which was the same as Qiao Baoyuan's usual script.

"...Xianjin, upon reading this letter, it is as if I am present... The land, property deeds, shops, and silver notes are all under the name of the old servant Qiao Liansheng. Once the mountain academy is unsealed, they can all be transferred to my sister Baozhu... Please keep the sealed letters safe..."

"Though many have tried to comfort me, my heart knows the imperial command is difficult to defy. The Qiao family, like a gourd overturned in water, can no longer be righted. The Qiaos are now in dire straits. I must face this alone and cannot burden my young sister. I entrust everything to you, hoping you will take good care of her. I weep with gratitude."

The wind blew, curling the thin paper slightly.

Xianjin lowered her gaze, licked her lips, and swallowed hard.

"Jinjie!"

Chen Jianfang's voice from inside the house carried a hint of surprise.

Xianjin, as if waking from a dream, hastily swept all the items Qiao Hui had given her into a drawer, opened the door, and saw Chen Jianfang striding towards her, looking flustered and somewhat helpless. "...Qiao Hui has run away!"