Chapter 414 Discord

Chapter 414: Discord

Meng Wan encountered members of the Luo family in the back courtyard, including his former master, Luo Zhan.

"It's not easy to get a chance to see Consort Meng." Luo Zhan was not alone—a guard in fitted martial attire stood beside him. He knew that Chi Yu by Meng Wan's side was not to be trifled with, and that there were old grievances between Meng Wan and the Luo family. After all, no matter how powerful the family, he still valued his life.

Meng Wan showed not the slightest surprise. He had guessed the Luo family would grow restless. "I am but a consort confined to the inner quarters. It would be improper to meet privately with men outside the household. If the two of you have business, why not wait until my husband arrives to discuss it?"

Only now did Luo Zhan have the chance to truly study Meng Wan. His appearance needed no elaboration, but his bearing was vastly different—no longer the green youth, but a married consort, like ripe summer fruit—lush, alluring, and intoxicating.

Yet Luo Zhan dared not covet him any longer. Behind that allure lay countless dangers, and he was not a man to be blinded by beauty and lust.

"Some matters are better discussed with the consort directly. Should Lord Song learn of them, it wouldn't look good." A faint threat laced Luo Zhan's words.

Meng Wan looked at him with utter indifference. "What matter? That I came from the Bai family? My husband has long known."

Luo Zhan produced a signed and fingerprinted deed of sale. Watching Meng Wan's composed facade begin to crumble was immensely satisfying—so much so that certain suppressed thoughts began to stir once more.

He stepped toward Meng Wan, but Chi Yu immediately moved to block his path. The moment he moved, Luo Zhan's guard also shifted, and the two engaged in silent combat—neither drawing weapons, fighting bare-handed.

Chi Yu dared not stray far from Meng Wan, leaving him somewhat constrained in his movements.

Luo Zhan seized the opportunity to close in on Meng Wan, catching the clean, cold scent of soap mingled with a hint of ink.

His heart stirred, but he did not press further, lest Meng Wan resort to desperate measures. Speaking rapidly, he said: "Consort Meng, though you have been released from slave status, this deed clearly states the reason for your sale, with your thumbprint on it. Surely you haven't forgotten?"

Had he not produced it, Meng Wan might have nearly forgotten. The original owner of a deed of sale keeps one copy, while the guarantor or slave dealer keeps another as a backup, to prevent future disputes.

After a slave signs the deed, the copy held by the original owner serves as proof that the slave has been sold—useful for dealing with official checks or future legal issues, such as if a sold slave were to flee, clearing the original owner of blame.

Most people wouldn't keep such a document, since the authorities record the sale anyway. Whether this copy was kept by Bai Fuling herself or retrieved from the slave dealer was unclear.

Just as this thought crossed Meng Wan's mind, the door of a nearby room suddenly burst open. The Luo family dragged out a grim-faced middle-aged man. Having spent several months around him back then, Meng Wan quickly recognized him as the man who had sold him.

The dealer clearly remembered Meng Wan as well—and even if he hadn't, the Luo family would have refreshed his memory.

"M-M-M..." He stammered without producing a coherent word until the burly man behind him kicked him, making him talk fast: "When I sold you at the time, I feared I wouldn't get a good price, so I had someone cover up the stated reason for sale on the deed."

It was no great feat—any ordinary shop that frames pictures could do it. If discovered, it was certainly illegal, but in remote backwaters it was enough to fool country bumpkins. Some buyers didn't even bother to ask for the deed at all. Chang Jinhua was at least a bit savvy.

"Chi Yu, stop."

Chi Yu immediately retreated to Meng Wan's side, shoving the advancing Luo Zhan hard.

Luo Zhan instinctively shielded the deed in his hand while stepping back two paces. "I hear Lord Song is deeply devoted to you and treats you with great respect. But if he learned that you were sold for seducing your master—you ugly slave, never forget your origins."

No man could tolerate an unfaithful spouse, least of all a powerful minister like Song Tingzhou, who could have anyone he wanted. Even if he had doted on Meng Wan before, learning of his past disgraceful conduct with a former master would surely turn affection to disgust and cast him aside like a worn-out shoe.

If the Luo family's word alone wasn't enough for Song Tingzhou to believe, what about adding the slave dealer who had sold Meng Wan and the deed itself?

"What do you want?" Meng Wan's expression turned grim.

Hearing the concession in his voice, Luo Zhan's heart leaped with joy, though his face remained expressionless. "The Luo family means no harm. We merely heard that Consort Meng operates a courier service and wished to ask you to privately transport a shipment of goods out of the city for us."

"Is that all?" Meng Wan seemed genuinely surprised that the Luo family had gone to such lengths for such a small thing.

Luo Zhan, believing he had Meng Wan firmly in hand, relaxed enough to offer a flattering remark: "Consort Meng has come a long way from where you started. The Luo family has no desire to be at odds with you. It's simply that our merchant vessels recently clashed with the shipping guild, forcing us to rely on Consort Meng's good name."

Meng Wan's expression was flat. "Oh."

The Luo family had been rooted in Lin'an for generations. Such a small matter—even if their own ships were inconvenient—could easily be handled by any of the many merchants who sucked up to them. Why go to such lengths to use his courier station?

Meng Wan glanced at the trembling slave dealer, narrowing his eyes. "I agree. And Xi Geer?"

Luo Zhan was overjoyed. "Your younger brother just lost his way in the back garden earlier. I've already had him taken back to the banquet. Consort Meng need not worry."

He hadn't expected Meng Wan to have any genuine affection for this brother, still asking after him at a time like this. That could be used against him.

Meng Wan returned to the main courtyard. Meng Xi was indeed back, sitting beside Luo Panpan and glancing about uneasily, meeting Meng Wan's calm, expressionless gaze.

"Th-Third Brother." His voice weakened, carrying a vague sense of guilt.

Meng Wan didn't ask how he had gotten lost, just said "Mm."

When the Xu family's banquet ended, Meng Wan escorted Meng Xi back to the Meng residence, then went straight to the courier station without pause—which put the Luo family's spies at ease.

"He's still too eager."

The Clan Elder sighed, his eyes looking pleased.

The new clan head looked rather smug. "He's just a xiaoge after all. Without Song Tingzhou's backing, he's nothing. We were worrying over nothing before."

Someone echoed: "A consort's reputation is paramount. We've got him in our grip now."

Though Luo Zhan also felt confident, he remained cautious. "Uncle, better to be careful. The goods haven't reached the courier station yet. We must proceed with caution and avoid drawing attention."

Young, capable, and vigilant, he was the pillar of the clan, and the elders were willing to heed his counsel.

"Zhan'er speaks sense. For now, we must stay steady, reveal no more than necessary, and avoid complications."

"Meng Wan is a figure of note in Lingnan. Though we have him temporarily in hand, delays breed trouble. Best to conclude matters swiftly."

The clan head, having just secured his position, noticed that Luo Zhan seemed to command unanimous support—his words carrying more weight than his own. A shadow passed over his lowered gaze as he glanced at Luo Zhan. "Your uncle understands. Rest assured, good nephew."

What use was an old deed of sale alone? If Meng Wan learned the true origins of those people and turned hostile, what then? Since this tactic worked, better to make it even more ruthless.

—

By the time Meng Wan emerged from the courier station, it was already the hour of Hai. The streets were empty save for them. Chi Yu walked beside Meng Wan, gnawing on a chicken leg that Na Tuo had given him. A night watchman coming from another street suddenly spotted people ahead and nearly died of fright. He struck his rattle twice, then fled at a run, keeping as far away as possible.

Never be curious about strange sights at night—they were merely watchmen, not constables from the yamen.

This was the most faithful lesson the previous watchman, the father, had imparted to his son.

"Why is he running, Fulang?" Chi Yu asked, puzzled, as he chewed his chicken leg.

Meng Wan's mind was occupied with other matters, and he hadn't noticed the watchman at all. He answered dismissively: "Saw a ghost, I suppose."

Chi Yu: "Huh?" Fulang, do you hear the nonsense coming out of your own mouth?

The night breeze was cool. Meng Wan walked lost in thought, and before he knew it, he had nearly reached Stone Lane, when he ran headlong into Lady Yu, who was carrying Meng Xi.

"Wan Geer, you're back! Xi Geer said he felt unwell after returning from the Xu residence. He just fell asleep, burning with fever—we can't wake him no matter what." Lady Yu was drenched in sweat. She was short, and Meng Xi's full weight leaned against her as she struggled to drag him along.

Chi Yu hurried forward to take the boy. His skin was scorching—Meng Xi was genuinely ill.

"Where are the others?" Meng Wan didn't step forward to check on Meng Xi but instead asked about the household. Some things revealed their patterns upon closer thought.

He was willing to spend money on clothes for Meng Xi, to gift him costly gold hairpins, but most of his concern was superficial. Physical contact between the brothers was rare—they were never close.

Lady Yu freed a hand to wipe her face with a handkerchief, which was wet not only with sweat but also tears. "Your father and elder brother have taken the boat out to Huai Prefecture—it'll be ten-odd days before they can return. Your sister-in-law has taken the children back to her parents' home. It's just us womenfolk in the house."

The Meng father and son being away on their boat for long stretches was a common occurrence, and the sister-in-law returning to her natal family was perfectly reasonable. Everything seemed to fall into place.

As they spoke, they had already walked out of Stone Lane. Lady Yu knew where the nearby physician lived. Chi Yu followed behind carrying Meng Xi on his back. Despite her small stature, Lady Yu walked with surprising speed and urgency—even Chi Yu had to jog to keep up.

Meng Wan followed behind them with steady steps, knowing that Lu Xiang's men were watching over him in secret.

Lady Yu reached the mouth of an alley and ducked in without hesitation. "I'll go ahead and knock on the door. Physician Sun's house is the second one in."

The moment Chi Yu stepped into the alley, he threw Meng Xi off his back and lunged toward Meng Wan—but the hired thugs who had been lying in wait surrounded him. The most deadly problem was that Lady Yu, who had been putting on such an excellent performance all along, was in fact a bona fide second-rate martial artist. She kept Chi Yu occupied.

Meng Wan's expression sharpened. He had known something was off about Lady Yu, but he never imagined she could hide it so well—right under Chi Yu's nose all day without ever revealing she had martial skills.

The air around them grew heavy. Meng Wan scanned the alley as more and more figures emerged from the shadows, and without a second thought, he turned and ran toward the courier station.

"Brother Lu? Brother Lu!!!"

How long had it been since Meng Wan had called out for someone so desperately, so heart-wrenchingly?

Especially when he discovered that five or six thugs with greedy eyes were already waiting at the station's entrance like predators lying in wait. He didn't even have a moment to catch his breath before he wheeled around and bolted into the nearest alley.

After years of living a pampered life, his stamina left much to be desired. Those street ruffians, however, had spent their whole lives in the underworld—notorious scum, quick on their feet. In no time, they had closed the distance.

"Pretty boy, don't run! The brothers'll show you a good time and put some pep back in you." One of the thugs, lean and wiry, was the fastest runner. His voice was rough and grating, sickening to hear, and his eyes seemed to undress Meng Wan from head to toe.

Nearly out of breath, Meng Wan raised his hand and pounded on the nearest courtyard gate. The next second, the gate swung open, and Meng Wan tumbled straight through. The thugs, without hesitation, charged in right behind him—only to be met with screams. The first one through the door was kicked flying back out.

The remaining five stumbled out, clutching their heads, trembling, each with a gleaming embroidered saber pressed against their necks.

Song Tingzhou stood there, travel-worn, with a short stubble covering his chin. He held Meng Wan close with a composed expression, his eyes darker than the night itself, emotions churning within them like towering waves, making the air around them oppressive and dangerous.

"The Luo family?" Song Tingzhou's voice was low and hoarse, every word laced with frost.

The first thug he'd kicked out lay unconscious. The remaining few stammered in defense, trembling: "No... no, we were just... we'd had too much to drink and mistook him for someone else."

"Yes, yes, that's it. Please spare us, Your Honor—we were just being stupid..."

Meng Wan, catching his breath in Song Tingzhou's arms, said, "Oh? So you do recognize my husband as an official? Not so dumb after all."

The others glared at the one who'd slipped up, looking like they wanted to eat him alive.

Song Tingzhou looked at them like they were already dead. He instructed the guard beside him, "Take them through the side gate to the back courtyard. I'll interrogate them personally tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Your Honor."

Meng Wan quickly said, "Something seems to have happened on Brother Lu's side. The Luo family actually dares to lay hands on the Brocade Guard?"

He hadn't just arrived in Lin'an a day or two ago. If the Luo family wanted to make a move, they would have done so long ago. They were currently on high alert, treading carefully, and Meng Wan had already agreed to help them use the courier station's route to smuggle people. Why would they suddenly tear up the agreement now?

Song Tingzhou gently stroked Meng Wan's back. "No need to worry. Brother Ge has already taken his men over there."

This courtyard belonged to the courier station. Even when Song Tingzhou wasn't there, everyone in the courtyard was one of their own.

Meng Wan followed Song Tingzhou inside and sat down in a chair to catch his breath. The people in the courtyard were all working quietly and efficiently. They had avoided the waterways on their approach to Lin'an and deliberately entered the city at night to avoid tipping anyone off.

The kitchen sent over warm water. Song Tingzhou wanted to be close to Meng Wan but felt he smelled too strongly, so he washed up thoroughly before nestling together with him again.

"Why are you in such a sorry state today?" Song Tingzhou thought of the way Meng Wan had stumbled through the door, gasping for breath, and his brow furrowed slightly. His palm gently stroked Meng Wan's supple waist, pulling him even closer.

His body carried the coolness of a fresh bath, mixed with the crisp scent of soap, exuding a steadiness and reassurance unique to Song Tingzhou. Meng Wan buried his face in the hollow of his neck, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, and the tension that had been gripping him finally released. "I was trying to lure someone out, but I didn't expect the Luo family to go off-script. I was too careless."

"No harm done." Song Tingzhou lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Meng Wan's head. "Leave the rest to me."