Shangguan Hui hid outside his father's courtyard. Seeing the leading general walk out in a huff, clearly having been scolded, he knew they hadn't caught anyone. His eyes darted around, and he tiptoed inside.
Upon seeing his angry father, he quickly comforted him, "Father, don't be angry, it pains your son to see you upset."
Old Master Shangguan's mood improved considerably upon seeing his most beloved son. He sighed, "If only Shangguan Ke had half of your sense."
"Did they not catch the person?" Shangguan Hui asked, feigning ignorance. He believed that no one liked others to guess their thoughts, nor did they like being closely scrutinized.
"Yes, he's too cunning. As soon as you provided the information, I immediately sent men, but we came up empty." Every time he thought of him, Old Master Shangguan felt unlucky. He couldn't understand how he had such a son, and marrying his mother had been a mistake from the start.
"Your son wishes to share your burden, please permit me, Father," Shangguan Hui seized the opportunity to state his purpose.
Old Master Shangguan repeatedly shook his head. He had witnessed Shangguan Ke's martial arts skills. If someone else had volunteered, he would have readily agreed. But this was his precious son, whom he couldn't bear to see in the slightest danger.
Shangguan Hui was persistent, employing all sorts of pleas, but no matter what he said, Old Master Shangguan refused to budge. Finally, he left his father's courtyard in disappointment.
However, he was never one to sit still. His father forbade him from going, but did he truly not go? That was impossible.
From then on, Shangguan Hui went out early and returned late, following Wu Caiwei daily, hoping to catch Shangguan Ke. Unfortunately, after ten days, he hadn't seen the man. Had Shangguan Ke truly left? Shangguan Hui's mind automatically conjured images of the two of them, intimate that day. He shook his head, deeming it impossible.
Waiting any longer, he lost patience, so he gathered a group and raided the Wu family at night.
Wu Caiwei had long discovered their presence. She quietly made some preparations, waiting for him to fall into her trap.
There was an unusual sound from the roof. Wu Caiwei's eyes immediately opened. She quietly got up, picked up the prepared staff, and stood behind the door.
As they entered, Wu Caiwei attacked them fiercely. They quickly drew their weapons to defend themselves, but for some reason, her staff seemed to have eyes, always striking precisely at vulnerable points. Shangguan Hui felt unbearable pain all over. Seeing the situation was dire, he quickly fled outside. The others followed suit.
They finally managed to escape into the courtyard, only to have several large wolves burst out from somewhere, lunging at them like mad. They were terrified and screamed repeatedly.
After an unknown number of bites, a few of them scrambled over the courtyard wall and fled the Wu family's premises. They reached the deserted street and stopped only when they were sure the dogs wouldn't pursue them.
Only then did they realize they were utterly exhausted. Some, without any pretense, collapsed on the ground, panting.
Shangguan Hui was no better off. Thinking that he had not only returned empty-handed but had also been beaten and bitten by dogs, he seethed inwardly. Sudan Novel Network.
No matter how much he gnashed his teeth in hatred, he could only limp back to the mansion to make further plans.
Unbeknownst to Shangguan Hui, as soon as he left, Shangguan Ke appeared in the courtyard. He whistled, and several dogs immediately wagged their tails and circled around him. In recognition of their excellent performance just now, Shangguan Ke generously gave each dog a large piece of meat.
Despite Shangguan Hui's best efforts to conceal his injuries, news of their wounds spread throughout the Shangguan mansion. Upon hearing this, Old Master Shangguan, with old and new grudges, could not let the matter rest easily.
A few days later, a group of constables arrived at Wu Caiwei's shop. Without a word, they drove everyone out and then produced seals to board up the entrance.
The shopkeeper was indignant and stepped forward to inquire about the reason. The leader sized him up dismissively and said, "You'll have to ask your proprietor. The authorities say he is harboring a criminal in his shop."
"How is that possible? We are being framed!" The shopkeeper was stunned. This was a bolt from the blue.
He tried to step forward to argue, but the leader pushed him aside and threatened, "I've said enough to you, which is more than enough respect. If you dare to interfere further, you'll be charged with disrupting official business."
The shopkeeper dared not say another word and could only watch helplessly as his hard work was sealed by the authorities. He then went to the Wu family's courtyard to see if the proprietor had any good ideas.
When Wu Caiwei received this news, her heart remained unmoved. She had long expected the Shangguan family to target her. Seeing the shopkeeper's anxious face, she quickly comforted them, telling them to go home and rest for a while, and promised to continue paying their monthly wages.
Not long after she sent them away, the authorities arrived.
Wu Caiwei calmly accompanied them to the yamen. Along the way, she looked around, as if strolling through a vegetable market, which greatly surprised the constables.
This was Wu Caiwei's first time in prison. A small room, crowded inmates, hostile gazes, and foul-smelling food. She couldn't help but shake her head, feeling that the yamen was wasting its resources. So much free labor was being left to rot.
Old Master Shangguan had intended to interrogate Wu Caiwei himself the next day. However, that very evening, a major event occurred in the Shangguan mansion: a fierce fire broke out in the main residence where Old Master Shangguan lived. By the time everyone discovered it, it was already beyond control. They could only rally the mansion's servants to put out the fire.
Unfortunately, the water poured by the servants was like a drop in the bucket for the fire. Soon, the entire main courtyard was engulfed in flames, even showing signs of spreading to other courtyards.
The fire burned for an entire night. Fortunately, the Shangguan mansion was surrounded by water on three sides, preventing any damage to other courtyards. But looking at the almost ruined estate, Old Master Shangguan was heartbroken. This was all his life's work, destroyed in one fire.
When he thought of the culprit, Shangguan Ke's image automatically surfaced in his mind. He had only just imprisoned Wu Caiwei today, and then something happened to the Shangguan family. It was hard not to suspect him, as he was an unrestrained individual who dared to do anything.
Hiding not far from the Shangguan mansion, Shangguan Ke was very satisfied with his masterpiece. This mansion had been meticulously managed by his mother for so many years. It held her painful memories, so let it be buried with her.
Old Madam Shangguan sat on the ground, weeping bitterly. This place held the wealth she had accumulated over a lifetime. It would be difficult for the Shangguan family to regain their former glory. If she knew who the culprit was, she would surely have him cut into a thousand pieces.
In the prison, Wu Caiwei barely glanced at the prison food. When she was hungry, she took out the pastries from her bosom and ate a little. Her actions had already attracted the attention of some people.