Entering room number five of the Earth category, Zhan Feiyu surveyed the simply yet luxuriously decorated space. Apart from the door leading to the corridor, the room had only one window. The window overlooked the first floor, preventing any prying eyes. Unlike ordinary windows, this one featured sliding panels made of polished jade. Once pushed shut, they sealed the window completely.
During the bidding, prices could be written on paper and passed through a slot in the door. People from Hesheng Xuan would then bid on behalf of the buyers inside. After entering the room, He Sheng quickly checked it for any hidden mechanisms, finally relaxing a little once he was sure there were none. As for the tea, pastries, and fruits on the table, even Zhan Feiyu, despite her boldness, would not dare to consume them, not knowing if they had been tampered with.
In less than two quarters of an hour, all twenty rooms on the second floor of Hesheng Xuan had been claimed. Those with insufficient status but who wished to join the excitement could only bid from the main hall on the first floor. When several constables arrived carrying boxes, the previously noisy hall fell silent. Zhan Feiyu looked down through the window. Even from a distance, she could see the seals on the boxes, and each box was secured with three locks. Whether it was Lord Tao, Prefect Jiao, or someone from the Provincial Administration Commissioner's office, unless all three parties produced their keys simultaneously, no one could take the contents of the boxes.
"A'nuan, when do you think Old Master's people will make their move?" Zhan Feiyu asked, her gaze still fixed on the scene below. The room numbers at Hesheng Xuan were drawn by the buyers themselves, but it was not difficult to bribe someone from Hesheng Xuan to find out which room one was in. After all, money could make the devil work, and if persuasion failed, coercion was an option; ordinary people feared death.
"Miss, please rest assured. Our people are all deployed, and Lord Qiu is waiting outside for support. As soon as they show themselves, they will never return," He Nuan replied. Although He Nuan was also worried about Zhan Feiyu's safety, she felt that being at Hesheng Xuan was actually safer than being at the yamen. The idea of selling this box through auction was a last-minute decision by Miss. Afterward, He Sheng sent people to monitor Hesheng Xuan, as this was the most suitable location. With the hasty change of venue, neither Old Master nor anyone else had enough time to deploy their arrangements.
Zhan Feiyu nodded. If Old Master was targeting her, he would surely act before the bidding began. At this moment, the box had not yet been opened and was placed under everyone's watchful eyes. If a melee broke out, others would naturally rush towards the box, and Old Master would not have to worry about interference. However, if Old Master also desired this token, he would likely choose to act after the bidding. By then, many people would have already purchased several items and would be attempting to withdraw amidst the chaos. Old Master would likely have enough subordinates stationed outside to eliminate anyone who tried to leave, thus seizing many items.
In another room, Qiu Huaixin was also sitting by the window, observing the scene below. Besides Shi Song, there were two Qiu family guards in the room. "Young Master, have some tea," Shi Song said, pouring tea and handing it over. After nodding at the guards who had checked the room, he reported to Qiu Huaixin, "There are no mechanisms in the room, and the door is specially made. Once locked from the inside, outsiders cannot enter for a while." As for the window, once the jade panels were slid shut from the inside, neither hidden weapons nor sleeping gas could penetrate. Furthermore, the window was only about two feet long and one foot high, making it difficult for even a child, let alone an adult, to climb in, especially since it was on the second floor, ensuring the safety of the buyers inside.
Qiu Huaixin leaned back lazily in his chair. "Alright, if there's real danger later, we won't go out. We'll wait for reinforcements." These reinforcements not only referred to the Qianzhong Circuit Yamen but also to the three judicial departments. It was expected that Lord Qiu would personally appear. Even though Commander She and the Qiu family were at odds, with Lord Qiu present, there would be no trouble.
"Greetings to all esteemed guests," the shopkeeper said loudly from the high platform. Dressed in a dark blue robe, he looked more like a refined scholar. "My surname is Jia, and I am the shopkeeper of Hesheng Xuan..." Just as Shopkeeper Jia began his opening remarks, a sharp whistling sound pierced the air. Instantly, everyone in the hall and on the second floor became alert. Following several clangs, the brightly lit hall was plunged into darkness, with only the small windows on the second floor allowing a sliver of light to penetrate. Someone had used a hand crossbow to shoot out the candles on the walls.
"Miss, close the window!" He Nuan suddenly exclaimed. As she spoke, her hands moved faster, and with a click, she slid the jade panel shut and secured it from the inside. Some of the guards in other rooms were not as quick-witted. A crossbow bolt carrying powdered medicine whizzed through the window, and from the first floor, the hall was filled with the sound of desperate coughing. Since the windows on the second floor were mostly closed, no light shone out, plunging the entire hall into darkness. Chaos erupted simultaneously.
Almost at the same moment, everyone in the hall surged towards Shopkeeper Jia, all heading for the boxes, each wanting to take advantage of the situation. Zhan Feiyu opened the window gap by less than an inch, allowing a tiny bit of light to escape. However, Zhan Feiyu was not afraid of the enemy's crossbow bolts. With He Nuan by her side, before any bolts from the first floor could reach them, He Nuan could close the window again. "It truly is taking advantage of the chaos," Zhan Feiyu remarked, listening to the fighting below. "Perhaps this is to force me out." If they stayed confined in the room, with thirty to forty people fighting downstairs, it would only be a matter of time before the contents of the boxes were looted.
Indeed, as Zhan Feiyu was speaking with He Nuan, the doors of other rooms opened. Those who emerged not only wore masks but also had their hoods pulled over their heads, leaping directly from the second floor towards the boxes. "Someone's setting a fire!" a shout rang out again. What had started as a skirmish among thirty to forty people now saw another twenty to thirty individuals appearing in the hall. They too wore masks and black cloaks, but in their left hands, they held jars. As the jars were smashed against walls and furniture, cracking open, the smell of lamp oil wafted out. With the ignition of torches, the pitch-black hall was illuminated by flames, accompanied by fire and thick smoke.
Qiu Huaixin had intended to remain holed up in his room, but with the outbreak of fire, staying put would mean either being burned to death or suffocated by the smoke. A rhythmic knocking sounded at the door. Shi Song, his expression grave, asked through the door, "Who is it?"
"The moon shines among the pines," came the reply from outside, the password that the Qiu family guards and their hidden forces had learned before departing that day. Shi Song, still gripping his long sword, looked at Qiu Huaixin, who was gazing out the window. "Young Master, the reinforcements have arrived. Let's break out!" Compared to others who were after the token, Qiu Huaixin seemed to be merely a spectator. Therefore, with the protection of the Qiu family, it would not be difficult for Qiu Huaixin to break out safely.
"Let's go!" Qiu Huaixin agreed and followed Shi Song out. As for the masks and cloaks left on the table, Qiu Huaixin had no intention of taking them. Many people recognized his face, and unless they were mortal enemies of the Qiu family, no one would attempt to assassinate Qiu Huaixin amidst the chaos. With two people in front and two behind, two of these four were Qiu family hidden forces, while Shi Song walked beside Qiu Huaixin. The six of them quickly moved through the corridor towards the exit.
"Young Master, be careful!" Suddenly, several assassins in black attire charged forward. Shi Song warned him and then, without concern, shielded Qiu Huaixin as they retreated to a corner. The four guards immediately engaged the attackers. Those daring to attack Qiu Huaixin at this moment must have been mortal enemies of the Qiu family, likely seeking revenge against Lord Qiu at all costs. The sound of clashing swords drew the attention of many, but their focus remained on the boxes on the high platform. They glanced over and then returned their gaze.
"Is that Young Master Qiu outside?" Zhan Feiyu exclaimed in surprise, then walked towards the door. The firelight illuminated Qiu Huaixin in the distance, and fortunately, he seemed to have the upper hand. He Sheng and He Nuan guarded Zhan Feiyu on either side as they stood at the doorway. If the fire became uncontrollable, they would also break out, but it was not necessary yet.
"The Qiu family's reinforcements have arrived," He Sheng whispered. Just then, four figures in guard uniforms flew in from the other end of the corridor. They were from the Provincial Administration Commissioner's office, undoubtedly Lord Qiu's personal guards. Amidst several screams, the black-clad attackers targeting Qiu Huaixin fell to the ground.
"Brother Yuan, thank you," Qiu Huaixin said with a smile to the middle-aged man leading the group. Yuan Cheng was the leader of Lord Qiu's personal guards, holding a sixth-rank official position. Yuan Cheng did not speak, his sharp gaze sweeping towards Zhan Feiyu at the end of the corridor. Having seen Zhan Feiyu before when she followed Lord Qiu, Yuan Cheng withdrew his gaze and then looked at Qiu Huaixin. "This place is chaotic. Young Master, please follow me to retreat." Qiu Huaixin agreed, and two of Yuan Cheng's personal guards immediately moved to Qiu Huaixin's side. The previous four guards, having just experienced a fight, were fatigued and prone to mistakes. It was opportune for Lord Qiu's personal guards to provide close protection for Qiu Huaixin.
Just as Zhan Feiyu was about to retreat back into the room, her expression suddenly changed. She saw a personal guard, holding a precious saber and covering their rear, suddenly attack, his sharp blade aimed at the back of Qiu Huaixin's neck. Not only was Qiu Huaixin unprepared, but Shi Song, walking to his left, and another personal guard covering their rear, did not notice anything. Who would have thought that Lord Qiu's most trusted personal guard would ambush Qiu Huaixin?
In the blink of an eye! Zhan Feiyu didn't even have time to issue a warning. Instead, the Imperial Dragon Guards secretly protecting Zhan Feiyu took action. The incoming projectile deflected the blade slightly, but even so, the sharp edge grazed Qiu Huaixin's ear, drawing blood instantly.
"Young Master, follow me!" Shi Song roared. Even though another personal guard had blocked the attacking comrade, Shi Song no longer trusted them. He quickly grabbed Qiu Huaixin's arm and pulled him back inside. He had also noticed Zhan Feiyu in this direction.