Chapter 32: The Courtyard

Chapter 32: The Courtyard

"Rest assured, I've already arranged for Sword Child to follow him secretly," Chang Sui An said. "Sword Child's work is reliable; you can trust him, Sister."

Especially... when he casually mentioned that "even the color of Zhou's undergarments should be investigated," Sword Child actually managed to do it!

When Sword Child reported, "Today he's wearing camel-colored underwear," he was both shocked and relieved, yet also felt a twinge of guilt.

Chang Suining did not know the bitter reality behind the reassuring words "you can trust him, Sister." She merely nodded, looking through the half-drawn carriage curtain at Hancheng Lake, which was gradually disappearing behind them.

Today, meeting Zhou Ding, one-tenth was for his benefit, while nine-tenths was for the eyes in the shadows.

She wanted those in the shadows to clearly understand that she was still alive and continued to interact with Zhou Ding—

This news would surely reach their ears soon.

Whether they came to settle accounts with Zhou Ding or for other reasons, there would certainly be some action.

...

As dusk approached.

In a gambling den at the end of the street, a man in green robes was thrown out.

"Losing money and refusing to pay up—what kind of scoundrel are you? If you want trouble, look where you're causing it!"

The man, whose mouth was bruised and swollen, looked resentful and repeated, "How could this be... how could I keep losing? You must be cheating!"

"You really talk like a dog can't spit out an ivory tooth. You seem like a cultured scholar, but don't push us too far!"

"If you don't want to die, get lost! Don't delay our business!"

Seeing the raised stick, Zhou Ding paled and took a few steps back, leaving reluctantly.

"I lost everything... all of it..." He looked dazed, like a walking corpse, muttering softly, "I can't come up with the silver, the Chang family... and they won't let me off the hook. What should I do..."

"Sure enough, it's you!"

A boy's voice suddenly came from behind him: "At first, I thought I might have been mistaken, so I waited for you to come out of the gambling den... You were actually gambling in secret!"

Zhou Ding turned around abruptly and saw an eight- or nine-year-old boy glaring at him angrily.

"My father always said that a gambler's word isn't worth a grain of salt!" the boy huffed. "I'm going to tell my sister and make her break off the engagement!"

With that, he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Zhou Ding hurried after him, grabbing the boy's arm. "I was just... just looking for a friend. Don't say anything to Atian!"

"You're lying! I heard what the gambling den's staff said!" The boy's face flushed with anger. "You're a liar! My sister and I were both fooled by you!"

Zhou Ding's expression changed several times.

"Let go of me!" The boy tried to free himself, but Zhou Ding held him tighter.

"You can't tell Atian!" Zhou Ding stared at him, a cold, sinister look in his eyes.

Having spent half a day in the smoky, noisy gambling den, watching his silver dwindle away, breaking into a cold sweat repeatedly, his senses overwhelmed, all of this had eroded his sanity.

At this moment, Zhou Ding's mind was fixated on one thing—the dowry and property of his fiancée were his last lifeline, and he couldn't lose this marriage!

Without realizing it, his other hand had already gripped the boy's neck.

As the boy struggled, Zhou Ding tightened his grip, his expression becoming more and more terrifying.

Sword Child, watching from the shadows, frowned deeply, quickly weighing his options. He pulled out a pebble and threw it at a black dog lying at the alley entrance.

The sleeping dog was startled awake, its eyes confused and angry, barking loudly as it leaped up and charged toward the only person in sight—Zhou Ding.

Caught red-handed, Zhou Ding immediately released the boy when the dog attacked him.

The dog, having latched onto him, bit his leg.

"Get off!" Zhou Ding kicked the dog away and ran.

The boy, clutching his throat, coughed for a while before running in the opposite direction.

Sword Child breathed a slight sigh of relief.

After Zhou Ding escaped the alley, he finally shook off the dog and was about to turn back to chase the boy when a tall figure blocked his path.

Looking up, seeing that face, he broke into a cold sweat again.

"Come with me," the man's rough voice commanded, unceremoniously.

Zhou Ding glanced at the carriage behind the man and nodded, his head drenched in cold sweat.

By the time the carriage stopped, it was already dark.

Zhou Ding got out and walked toward the figure standing by the river under the willow tree.

"My master asks, how did Zhou Langjun handle the matter? The agreed task was completed, and the remaining silver was paid, yet how did the deceased reappear by the lake, enjoying the spring scenery with Zhou Langjun?" The middle-aged man, with his sleeves crossed, spoke without much blame or anger in his tone.

Zhou Ding was horrified.

Had they been watching him all along?

"I... I only found out today that she survived that night. After being rescued, she somehow managed to live!"

The man sighed, "That explains why the Chang family hasn't held a funeral. They must have been nursing her back to health in the house."

He seemed to be making small talk, with Zhou Ding stiffly accompanying his smile, saying: "Fortunately, I didn't take action myself that night, and she didn't suspect me... So there's still a chance to make amends."

The man asked, "How do you plan to remedy this situation?"

"Three days... Give me three days, and I assure you there will be no mistakes this time. I will personally make sure she stops breathing!" Zhou Ding whispered, "However... I need some silver. General Chang, upon his return to the capital, was very displeased to learn about my dealings with her... I need silver to bribe those around her, so that I can lure her out and take action!"

"How much do you want?"

"A hundred taels..." Zhou Ding said, stealthily observing the man's expression. Seeing the man raise his eyebrows, he quickly corrected himself: "No, fifty taels, fifty taels should be enough!"

That's enough for him to turn the tables!

No one is always down on their luck!

"Fifty taels... it's not much." The man looked at the tall, sturdy man who had brought Zhou Ding: "Give it to him."

Zhou Ding hastily bowed in gratitude and promised again and again, "I, Zhou, will certainly handle this matter splendidly!"

Seeing the burly man approach, he quickly turned to prepare to receive the silver.

The burly man took a step forward and extended his hand, only to place it on his neck.

Before Zhou Ding could react, he heard a "crack," like the sound of a bone breaking echoing in his mind.

His head lolled to one side in an extremely contorted position, and he too collapsed to the ground, with only his eyes bulging wide open.

"Fool, go and collect the joss paper."

The man turned and boarded the carriage.

With a "plop," a heavy object plunged into the river, sending out ripples that quickly settled back into the tranquility of the floating night.

The carriage took the back roads all the way and finally stopped at the rear entrance of a secluded courtyard.

The man alighted from the vehicle, entered the courtyard, and responded with a countenance marked by a hint of tension.

A woman draped in a dark cloak sat in the hall, sweeping a teacup from her side.

"Waste, all of you are just waste..."

"Even a weak and helpless wretch cannot be disposed of!"