Chapter 102 Disaster

Chapter 102: The Calamity

Guqing County—

Thunder and rain continued without end, violent raindrops crashing down from the sky in rapid succession, their frantic patter overlapping with the "thump-thump" of hearts, stirring unease.

Yan Changsheng was still hunched over his desk late into the night, writing furiously. This young county magistrate had apparently just returned from somewhere, the faded hem of his clothes still dripping water, his hair damp.

His face was tense, with a barely perceptible anger in his eyes. He wrote quickly, but his wrist was steady.

"Your Honor, the dam in our county has held, but Xiao Liu followed the river upstream and found that the dam in Guyang County has been breached. If the rain continues, we don't know how much longer our county can hold out!" A runner in a straw raincoat burst in to report.

Yan Changsheng's hand holding the brush paused, and a blot of ink instantly spread on the paper. He set down the brush and closed his eyes, his voice weary as he said, "Still no one from Changping."

The young secretary looked pained, "Your Honor, you had already sent a petition to Prefect Wu to prepare for the disaster, but there’s been no reply. Now disasters have struck Guyang, Guwen, and Guqing, yet the prefect hasn't sent a single soldier. I fear he intends to sacrifice the rook to save the king."

Having served under Prefect Wu for three years, the county magistrates all knew what kind of man their superior was. They either went along with his corruption or played it safe, always finding a way out. But their magistrate was stubborn.

Prefect Wu’s continued inaction was a clear message: he likely wanted to cover up the disaster to protect his own career.

Yan Changsheng understood this all too well. Staring at the rain, which seemed to have punched a hole in the sky, he said in a deep voice, "But I cannot leave Guqing County. Not now, at least."

—

Meng Wan had been idle these past few days. He slept in late, wrote and sketched during the day, and went to the prefectural school in the evening to pick up Song Tingzhou.

At Qingxiao Pavilion, morale was low with another batch of people leaving. Since they had paid the penalty for breaking their contracts, Meng Wan didn't care. Compared to these minor matters, a gnawing worry troubled him more, much like the endless rain that left a gloom and anxiety hanging in the air.

He wasn't the only one stuck indoors. Next door, Jiang Fulang asked him over to the Jiang residence, and with nothing better to do, Meng Wan went.

After arriving, he asked casually, "Why isn't Xiao Liu here?"

Madam Jiang was also puzzled. "I saw him this morning, but since noon, no one knows where he’s gone."

Jiang Fulang seemed to like Xiao Liu, a smile on his face, "He’s young and lively, always wandering around the house and outside."

Jiang Fulang was a kind man who had saved a young mister of unknown background and treated him with genuine warmth.

Meng Wan didn't touch the Jiang family's tea, having brought two packets of peanuts from home. He chatted with Jiang Fulang while eating.

When it was nearly time to fetch Song Tingzhou, Meng Wan said goodbye. Jiang Fulang walked him to the gate, then turned to ask Xingtao, "It’s almost dinner time. Why hasn’t Xiao Liu come back yet?"

Old Master Jiang's study was a separate room, located neither in Jiang Fulang's courtyard nor in Concubine Tao's, but next to the central hall just inside the main entrance.

It was twice the size of the Song family study. Besides bookshelves and a desk, a screen divided off a bedroom where Old Master Jiang would sometimes rest.

The study door was now bolted from the inside. Though it was summer, the windows were shut, making the room stifling and hot.

Xiao Liu cowered under the screen, tears in his eyes, clutching his clothes. His voice trembled with fear, "Please, sir, no."

After the incident with Concubine Tao, Old Master Jiang seemed to have come to view this kind of fearful refusal as a form of flirtation—these little things would quickly compromise once they saw the wealth of the Jiang family.

"Don’t be afraid. I’ll make a proper man out of you, and after that, I’ll give you whatever you want."

He didn’t consider himself a man addicted to lust. He had taken Concubine Tao for the sake of having an heir, but after enjoying a young, inexperienced body, it seemed—something inside him no longer wanted to be restrained.

Old Master Jiang’s mind was somehow clouded. As he approached Xiao Liu, many images flashed before him, the last being Xiao Liu’s ordinary, pale face and the faint fragrance around him.

"Damn it, that old lecher almost took advantage of me!"

Moving the lecherous Old Jiang onto the bed, stripping him and arranging him properly, Xiao Liu stuffed the sachet from his bosom into a hidden spot to keep emitting its scent. Then, with a single leap, he hooked a brown cloth bundle from the ceiling beam, changed into the black night suit inside, and stuffed the clothes he had been wearing into the bundle, placing it back on the beam.

He did all this with practiced ease, movements light and swift.

Outside, the sky had just darkened. It wasn’t the best time to go out, so he waited. After a while, a servant came to call at the door.

"Master, dinner is served in the back courtyard. Will you be dining at Concubine Tao’s place?"

Silently clearing his throat, Xiao Liu produced a husky masculine voice, "I’m not eating. I’ll sleep in the study tonight. No one is to disturb me!"

There was a slight difference from Old Jiang’s voice, but the servant didn’t notice. Afraid of angering his master, he hurriedly replied and withdrew.

Xiao Liu sat in the study chair and closed his eyes lightly. He was like a cold, patient assassin, quietly waiting for time to pass, drinking no water, touching none of the pastries on the table.

The night deepened. Human sounds faded away until silence fell, leaving only the faint rustling of insects in the trees and grass.

Xiao Liu awoke from his doze. The time had come.

The window in the far corner was opened from inside, and he leaped out, making barely a sound.

If anyone compared him to Xue Sheng, they would find their techniques identical—both were of the nimble, agile type.

And because Xiao Liu was a young mister, his build was more slender.

He made his way back to Prefect Wu’s residence, familiar with the sprawling compound of five courtyards. Avoiding the servants on duty, he headed for his first target—Prefect Wu’s study.

Xiao Liu lay on the roof tiles, blending into the darkness. Things were not as smooth as he had hoped; there was someone in the study, more than one.

Prefect Wu, shedding his usual haughty demeanor, was fawning over a high-ranking official. Their conversation touched on the counties under Changping. Xiao Liu’s expression changed when he heard "Guqing County." After eavesdropping on the entire conversation, his eyes held a barely restrained violence.

But there were also capable guards near the study, so he dared not act rashly. Seeing Prefect Wu see the visitor out and return to the study, he knew he couldn’t accomplish anything for now. A trace of annoyance flickered across his face, and he turned to go elsewhere.

Cuiying, taking advantage of the lull, was sneaking around the courtyard, seemingly searching for something.

Xiao Liu's pent-up rage vented itself in sheer mischief. Some of his hidden goodies, which he had stashed at the Zhu residence, had coincidentally been moved to the Wu mansion.

"Sister Cuiying~"

Cuiying had been on edge, afraid of being caught, and the familiar voice made her jump.

"Who’s there?" she whispered harshly.

A light red gauze gown fluttered down from above, and Xiao Liu held a fluffy tail in his arms. Moonlight shone on his fair face, casting a soft glow, making the red mole on his face seem even more alluring, almost bewitching.

"Sister, don’t you recognize me anymore?" Xiao Liu spoke slowly, still with the same ordinary face, but now carrying a captivating charm.

Cuiying looked as though she'd seen a ghost. No one knew better than she that it was she who had recommended Xiao Liu to be drowned in the river. Having done something shameful, she feared the vengeful spirit more.

She wanted to scream but remembered the trouble she was in. If the madam found out, it would be as good as death.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Cuiying covered her mouth and ran back to her room, scared half to death. Tears streamed from her eyes, seeping through her fingers and into her mouth.

Xiao Liu walked slowly to her door, his steps silent. Cuiying could only see the approaching silhouette through the paper window.

She crouched under the table, her hand clamped over her mouth, her eyes wide with terror. In her heart, she desperately hoped that whatever ghost or demon was outside would leave quickly. But her wish was not granted.

The door swung open with a soft creak.

"Cui Ying, why are you ignoring me?"

Xiao Liu chuckled softly, as if thinking of something amusing. "Didn't you say I was a fox spirit? How about I show you what a demon can really do?"

Cui Ying, hiding under the table, suddenly felt a sharp pain on her neck. A ligature mark appeared out of thin air, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

"Haah... not... not me... it was all... Madam... who made me... haah... do it..."

Cui Ying crawled forward on her knees, following the force around her neck, her eyes growing increasingly desperate.

Xiao Liu toyed with a transparent thread made of some unknown material in his hand, a playful glint in his eyes. "Of course I know. I also know that you lost the treasure Madam entrusted to you."

He shook the object in his other hand in front of Cui Ying's eyes, and her pupils suddenly contracted.

—So the key was with him all along. No wonder.

That was the last thought Cui Ying ever had.

Xiao Liu pulled a handkerchief from Cui Ying's bosom, wiped the blood off the fine thread in his hand, wrapped it around his wrist, and then carried the body on his back and threw it under Madam Wu's bed.

Damn it, I almost drowned because of those two dumb bitches that day. Can't touch that one for now, but I'll give her a good scare to vent my anger!

Late in the night, Xiao Liu returned to the Jiang residence. Master Jiang was still lying on the bed like a log, with no sign of anyone having entered through the doors or windows.

Xiao Liu changed back into his page's clothes, hid away the night clothes and the red gauze dress, and lay down on the bed beside the old lecher, disgustedly keeping a little distance.

As he gradually closed his eyes, his mind was still racing with all sorts of chaotic thoughts. Finally, he remembered Meng Wan, who had been subtly testing him.

He muttered to himself, "That Meng—no wonder they call him a storyteller, his mind is sharp. He's probably already suspected me."

What I overheard at Prefect Wu's place needs to get to Guqing ASAP. Tomorrow night, I'll make one last trip to Prefect Wu's study. Even if I get caught, I've got to get my hands on that thing.

I can't stay long in the Jiang household. To repay her kindness, I'll leave her a big gift when I go.

Early in the morning, Xiao Liu was still asleep, and Master Jiang, still drugged, was even more out of it.

The news that Xiao Liu had stayed overnight in Master Jiang's study reached Concubine Tao, who bottled up her anger and stormed to the study to catch them in the act.

Of course, she ended up being scolded harshly by Master Jiang. Xiao Liu, with tears in his eyes, hid behind Master Jiang, his eyes said everything and nothing at all, soft and pitiful, tugging at heartstrings.

Master Jiang, smitten with this obedient young man, doted on him, and scolded Concubine Tao a few more times.

Concubine Tao was even more furious. When Master Jiang left the house, she called Xiao Liu to her room to discipline him, before Jiang Fulang could come looking for him.

Today was a rare sunny day. Meng Wan woke up late. The summer heat made him get up and go to the courtyard to wash his face, when Concubine Tao's shrieking cut through the walls.

"What's that woman's deal now?" he muttered in confusion.

After washing up, he went to the kitchen to find something to eat. Bi Yun said she would make him some noodles. Before the noodles were done, Huang Zheng came rushing in.

"Bad news, sister-in-law! The big dam upstream in our Guyang County has been breached."

Meng Wan's heart clenched, and his words came quicker. "Come to the main hall and tell me about it."

But Chang Jinhua had already overheard.

"What's going on? What about the dam in our town? Is our land okay?"

She rushed out of the room in a panic, her shoes on the wrong feet, asking him.

Since there was no hiding it, Meng Wan soothed Chang Jinhua first, then called Huang Zheng into the main hall to talk.

"Take it slow, tell me everything. Don't be careless," Meng Wan said, his expression calm and his gaze steady.

Seeing him so calm and collected, Chang Jinhua and Huang Zheng calmed down a bit.

Huang Zheng pulled out a letter and said grimly, "My father wrote to me. It's not just our county—the dams in nearby Guwen and Guqing counties have also been breached. Many fields have been flooded, and villages near the water sources had their houses collapse."

Chang Jinhua stood up and asked anxiously, "What about the town? What about our village?"

Huang Zheng sighed. "The dam between Shuiquan Town and Qingfeng Town didn't hold for even a day. Fortunately, the town is on higher ground, so it's not as bad. My father specifically asked about Sanquan Village. Some low-lying houses were pretty wrecked, and the fields are trashed."

Chang Jinhua plopped down in a chair, tears in her eyes. "What do we do now, Wan'er? Our land, and Father's grave, too—they're still in the village!"

Meng Wan stood up and comforted her. "The flooded fields just mean no harvest this year. We have savings, so we don't depend on the land to get by. Besides, Father's grave is halfway up the hill, in a good spot. It'll be fine."

He calmed Chang Jinhua down and then asked Huang Zheng, "Did Shopkeeper Huang's letter say if the county magistrate sent anyone to deal with the floods and take care of the refugees?"

Huang Zheng handed the letter directly to Meng Wan. "My grandparents on my mom's side live in Qingfeng Town. Several of my uncles came to our town to get out of the flood. They only mentioned the heavy rain and the dam breach, but nothing else."

Meng Wan took the letter and read it carefully. It was just as Huang Zheng had said.

"Sister-in-law, with such a big disaster at home, I want to go back," Huang Zheng said with a worried frown. His house was pretty big, but with so many relatives showing up, it would be packed. Besides, as their nephew, not showing up would be rude.

"Don't rush. When your brother-in-law gets