"What?"
Capture Zhao Yunniang?
Han Sui's brow furrowed slightly. If I arrest Zhao Yunniang, will my reputation be ruined?
"Tell the Commander-in-chief," Han Sui declared, setting down the Thousand Gold Colored Glaze and flicking his sleeve robe, "I, Han Sui, am not a man who betrays trust and righteousness!"
If Commander Liu were standing before him, he would never dare speak so. But the person before him now was merely a Centurion from the Night Patrol Department. He held him in no regard.
"Lord Han..." the Night Patrol Department Centurion began helplessly, then leaned in to whisper, "Xu Xing has escaped..."
"He's escaped?" Han Sui's first reaction was disbelief. "He's from Guanxi Road. His position in Shenjing is low, and he's isolated with no support. How could he possibly have the means to escape from Sky Prison? Besides, Sky Prison's security is exceptionally tight..."
However, he also knew that a Centurion of the Night Patrol Department wouldn't make baseless accusations. Thus, despite his words, Han Sui already genuinely believed that Xu Xing had indeed escaped from Sky Prison.
No wonder Zhao Yunniang was in such a hurry to leave after getting the money, he thought.
"This is not good!" Han Sui feigned great alarm. "By now, Zhao Yunniang has probably already reached Duchuan Post. Soon, she'll be heading to the Northern Frontier! Steward Sun, quickly send a carrier pigeon! Dispatch our retainers to intercept Zhao Yunniang." He signaled Steward Sun repeatedly.
"This old servant obeys," Steward Sun replied. "I'll go and make the arrangements immediately."
Steward Sun accepted the order and left the Glass Factory.
"The Northern Frontier?" The Night Patrol Department Centurion nodded gravely. "Lord Han, I will return at once to report to the Commander-in-chief. I hope Lord Han can intercept Zhao Yunniang as soon as possible..."
He clasped his fists in a salute to Han Sui, then spurred his horse and galloped away.
After a short while, Steward Sun reappeared before Han Sui. "Old Master, regarding Zhao Yunniang?"
He wore a puzzled expression. He remembered saying earlier that Zhao Yunniang was most likely at Station Post, south of Shenjing. Yet, Han Sui had just insisted Zhao Yunniang was at Duchuan Post, north of Shenjing. These two locations… one south, one north; the difference was considerable.
"Steward Sun…" Han Sui smiled faintly. "Haven't you understood? Why do you think the Command Envoy ordered me to apprehend Zhao Yunniang with such urgency? Zhao Yunniang's only value lies in her ability to threaten Xu Xing. Beyond that, she holds no other particular significance.
"Commander Liu ordering me to intercept Zhao Yunniang implies they haven't captured Xu Xing.
"As for this Xu Xing…" Han Sui paused. "When he's like a fish stranded in shallow waters, we can handle him as we please; it's no great matter. But if he escapes Sky Prison, especially by leveraging some power beyond our imagination… then, like a fish encountering wind and clouds, he will transform into a dragon!
"This young man is exceptionally talented. As his former superior, I understand him crystal clear.
"Furthermore, his letting Zhao Yunniang leave first was a truly venomous plan.
"One should not lightly offend a venomous schemer one cannot control.
"Besides, the secret formula for the glazed glass he gave me is genuine. Since it's real, he hasn't broken his promise. Why should I intercept him? Why offend him?
"As for Xu Xing escaping from prison? What concern is that of mine, this official?
"His absconding to escape punishment merely proves his guilt and the reality of the corruption case! What benefit is there for me in capturing Xu Xing?
"It's far better to let Zhao Yunniang go. It might even foster some goodwill for the future," he concluded slowly, a shrewd glint in his eyes.
"A criminal official… how much help can he truly offer the Old Master?" Steward Sun asked again.
He was a hereditary servant of the Han Mansion, his family having served loyally for generations. Therefore, his devotion to the Han Mansion was unparalleled. This allowed him to inquire about certain matters before the Patriarch with fewer reservations. Moreover, many confidential tasks passed through his hands. If he didn't clearly understand the Patriarch's intentions, he would inevitably find his actions constrained.
"He's a criminal official for now, but that might not be the case in the future!" Han Sui chuckled. "Burning incense only when you're in trouble might be too late…"
Though the realm is not yet in chaos, signs of dynastic decline are already apparent. How long the Imperial Court can endure is unknown. It might last for over a hundred years, perhaps even longer, or it could collapse in just a few years. Nothing is certain. During the Grand Ancestor's reign, there were numerous rebellions, over a hundred of them, but they were all eventually suppressed. Still, as the saying goes: a cunning rabbit has three burrows! Xu Xing is one such burrow he's preparing right now!
"Xu Xing… perhaps he bears a grudge against you, Old Master," Steward Sun reminded him pointedly.
"A grudge for what? For making him the scapegoat?" Han Sui waved his hand. "He's an intelligent man; he can see the larger situation. Making him take the blame… yes, it was my decision. But anyone else in my position would have done the same. Besides, I treated him reasonably well after his imprisonment; we didn't become mortal enemies…
"You still haven't grasped the crucial point. It's not about whether I let Xu Xing go or not; it's that the Night Patrol Department hasn't found any trace of him! The person I'm letting go is Zhao Yunniang!" His voice turned cold.
Seeing the Old Master like this, Steward Sun dared not press further.
What exactly is this venomous scheme the Old Master mentioned? he secretly grumbled, finding it rather baffling.
「Shenjing, East City.」
Within Xuan Yang Abbey, inside a modest, single-story house, Xu Xing lay on a sickbed, his complexion pale, coughing intermittently. He was feigning illness, pretending to be a patient with tuberculosis.
"Mr. Xu…" The Heavenly Kun King, disguised as a woodcutter, looked at Xu Xing with worry. "Hiding next to this group of official soldiers… isn't it too dangerous?"
According to Xu Xing's plan, after their success, they wouldn't immediately flee Sky Prison. Instead, they would employ a stratagem of substitution, feigning illness and hiding near the family quarters of the Night Patrol Department's Tiqi. As for the role of the patient, Xu Xing had arranged for Heavenly Kun King's subordinates to secretly pose as one while he was still in Sky Prison. This had been going on for some time. Once he was out, they would secretly make the switch.
"Heavenly Kun King, you overestimate both myself and General Chang," Xu Xing said, shaking his head. "We are merely minor officials, hardly worth mentioning. The Night Patrol Department won't expend significant resources to hunt us down.
"As for our appearance, both Chang Ji and I are in the Storing Truth Realm. We can alter our looks using the Face Changing Technique, augmented by Gui Yishou's disguises. With the discernment of an ordinary Tiqi, recognizing us as the two fugitive officials from Sky Prison would be no easy feat.
"The reason we're staying here is because it's often darkest under the lamp.
"These Tiqi see us every day; would they ever suspect we are the two escaped fugitives?" he scoffed, his words brimming with confidence.
Gui Yishou was a Jianghu Trickster, skilled in the art of disguise. Strictly speaking, this art was merely sophisticated makeup. However, when combined with his and Chang Ji's Face Changing Technique, it was sufficient to alter their appearances significantly.
"So, when do we leave Shenjing?" Having heard Xu Xing's explanation, the Heavenly Kun King was thoroughly convinced and impressed by the plan. He changed the subject, asking about the matter most pressing to the brothers.
"We wait until things settle down in Sky Prison…" Xu Xing replied, the picture of confidence and certainty. "Let's see how Sky Prison handles the loss of two fugitive officials. This disturbance won't escalate much."