Chapter Seventy-Four: Hidden Peril Within the Household (Conclusion)

The following day, distant members of the Wu family—Wu Youyi, Wu Youning, Wu Youzhi, and several others—came together to visit Wu Youxu’s residence. Ever since marrying Princess Taiping, Wu Youji had become a recluse, rarely stepping beyond his own threshold, but he, too, had specially arranged to meet with Quan Ce and accompanied him to Wu Youxu’s home to convey their concern and sympathy.

With the incident implicating Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi, Wu Youxu’s status paled in comparison. The judicial assistant originally assigned to investigate at his residence had shifted attention to Wu Sansi’s manor, joined by officers from the Court of Judicial Review and the Censorate. Wu Chengsi’s household was even more illustrious: the Prefect of Jingzhao, Yang Shouyu, personally led the Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and the Vice Censor-in-chief to oversee the investigation.

When Wu Youji and Quan Ce arrived, they saw only the County Bailiff of Wannian leading his team on patrol. No serious investigation seemed to be underway. If any clues pointed to Wu Sansi, further pursuit would likely prove fruitless. Best to remain discreet and focus on health and longevity.

Wu Youji frowned deeply at the idle and feckless manner of the officials. With a cold snort, he muttered, “Scoundrels.”

“Uncle, do not let anger get the better of you. Such is the way of the world. To stoop to their level would be beneath your dignity,” Quan Ce advised gently, supporting him as they entered the main gate.

Wu Youji could only sigh helplessly. Once inside, they exchanged formal greetings with their kinsmen, conversed briefly with polite detachment, and soon made to leave. Their visit was a tacit show of solidarity—a reminder to the closer branches not to take undue advantage.

As they stepped outside, an abrupt commotion erupted.

A family of three passed by the gate—by their attire, clearly not of noble birth. The young child, still small, was carried in his father’s arms. Noticing the presence of so many officers and bailiffs, they deliberately chose to walk close to the wall, taking a detour. Yet six bailiffs broke away, waving their arms, herding the family into a narrow alley.

Suddenly, the cries of a child and the desperate shouts of adults echoed from the alley—then, just as quickly, fell silent.

“Quick, go see what’s happened!” Wu Youxu ordered. The bailiffs and servants, nerves frayed, shuffled to the entrance of the alley, only to find a few sets of official uniforms scattered on the ground—no trace of a living soul.

Surrounded by guards and relatives, Wu family members and Quan Ce examined the scene. The snow was crisscrossed with footprints, two sets clearly dragged away.

“Well done, truly well done!” The most furious was not Wu Youxu, but Wu Youning, the eldest among the distant kin. He had orchestrated this collective visit to save face, never expecting such an affront. It felt like a slap in the face. “In broad daylight, right before our eyes, they dare snatch people away! Such audacity is surely unprecedented.”

Wu Youxu’s blood boiled, his face flushed dark red. For such a crime to be committed in front of his own gate, amid a throng of officials, was no ordinary feat. His greatest worry now was the fate of the abducted family. “Someone, go at once and find out who was taken!”

The servants and guards immediately scattered in all directions to carry out his orders.

The group remained where they were, each lost in thought, silent for a long time.

Wu Youxu clasped his hands and apologized to Quan Ce. “Forgive me, my household’s disorder must seem laughable to you, Dalang.”

Before Quan Ce could reply, Wu Youji waved his hand dismissively. “No need for courtesy, brother. Dalang is no outsider.”

Soon, a servant came running back, accompanied by Quan Xiang, who collapsed to the ground, struggling to catch his breath. “Master, the ones taken were gardeners from Princess Yiyang’s residence.”

Quan Xiang also knelt and reported, “Dalang, Ping’anlang coughed all night, so Zhu Third Brother and his wife took him out to see a doctor. A little servant from our house saw them passing this way. He tried to stop them but was too late, waited at the intersection ahead, and they never showed. I fear…”

Quan Ce was taken aback. He had maintained an air of detachment, yet now the matter landed squarely at his feet. His expression shifted several times as he barked, “Enough with the shouting. Search the area thoroughly—they might simply have missed each other.”

Quan Xiang took the order and withdrew.

The Wu men watched curiously. Quan Ce explained, “The Zhu couple are my estate’s gardeners and servants. I named Ping’anlang myself. They are humble folk, always honest and rarely leave the grounds. I doubt they would provoke anyone’s malice.”

The Wu family members laughed and nodded in agreement, yet exchanged wary glances. Today’s spectacle was clearly targeted, meant as a message to both Wu Youxu and Quan Ce. Such flagrant hostility suggested a deep grudge.

Wu Youning was the first to bow. “Youxu, we’ll return to our own homes now. Rest assured—we share the same grandfather. We will never stand idly by in your troubles.”

With the formalities over, he led the others out in turn.

Wu Youji’s face clouded with anger at his brother’s perfunctory attitude, but soon paled. He exchanged a somber glance with Wu Youxu and sighed—circumstances prevailed; they could only accept it.

Quan Ce, standing nearby, wore a troubled expression, though he was inwardly much relieved.

Yishan Ward, the Duke of Zhou’s residence.

Wu Yanyi lounged on his couch, legs crossed, eyes half-shut, reclining against a maidservant who supported him and occasionally offered him sips of wine from a jug. Another kneeling maid attended to his legs, massaging them in rhythm to a softly hummed tune.

Before him stood the steward of his household. “Second Master, news has come in from outside—the surveillance targets from Princess Yiyang’s estate have been abducted.”

Wu Yanyi sat up abruptly, kicking aside the singing maid. “Abducted? Where? Who did it?”

“At the gate of Wu the Gentleman’s residence, right in front of Vice Minister Quan. No one knows who was responsible, but it’s likely tied to the black-clad men who died in Wu’s house,” the steward offered his own speculation.

“Enough, enough,” Wu Yanyi waved him off impatiently. He knew full well the black-clad intruders at Wu Youxu’s house were sent by his father and had no part in this. Those men had some skill, too—struck down, yet clever enough to deflect suspicion onto Wu Sansi. But who made the attack? Who did the abducting? Were the two groups connected?

Wu Yanyi scratched his face, pondering the layers upon layers of confusion until his head throbbed. “Never mind. There’s more than just the gardener at Quan Ce’s place who’s suspicious—there’s also that little maid. Investigate her thoroughly this time. If she escapes or dies again, you lot will be in serious trouble.”

“Yes, I’ll see to it right away,” the steward replied, tension in his voice. “Second Master, there’s another matter…” His eyes flicked toward the two maids.

“Speak your mind,” Wu Yanyi grunted, burying his head in the maid’s embrace—these two were not only his bed companions but also his assistants.

“Yes, sir. The master is still investigating the cause of Old Attendant’s death. The other day, he tied up a little servant from the courtyard for questioning. I fear…” The steward’s voice trembled. The investigators brought in by Wu Chengsi were from the highest courts—true experts. If the trail led to him, he’d be doomed.

“Bah, just a servant boy, nothing of consequence. But you do seem diligent.” Wu Yanyi’s face darkened at the mention of the old attendant, but he brushed off the maids and waved his hand, offering empty assurances. “Don’t worry. With me here, nothing will happen.”

Relief washed over the steward as he bowed and withdrew, thanking heaven.

Behind him, Wu Yanyi stared daggers at his retreating figure, lips twitching with disdain.