Qing Ya was on duty today.
Early in the morning, she got up, washed, and finished her ablutions. Precisely on time, she carried hot water across the courtyard. Before she could even enter the Jiyue Pavilion, she saw a man standing by the door. "Constable Song? Are you looking for the master? The master is usually practicing in the garden at this time."
Song Ming said, "I've already looked for him. I'm here for you."
"What are you looking for me for?"
"The master said that once I defeat you, he'll bring me into the garrison." He subtly appraised Qing Ya, truly not expecting her to know martial arts.
Qing Ya: ...
The master was really trying hard to prevent his younger brother from rushing to his death.
However, calculating the days, Song Ming had sought her out immediately after his mother's seventh-day mourning, indicating his eagerness for revenge. She tried to reason with him, "Constable Song, the two teams of Japanese pirates who attacked by sea at night have been completely annihilated. Your enemies are already dead."
"How can I appease my mother's spirit if I don't kill all the Japanese pirates?" Song Ming said sternly, his voice ringing with conviction.
Good heavens, even the master wouldn't dare boast like that. Qing Ya grabbed the basin with one hand, freeing the other to give him a thumbs-up. "Brother, your martial arts must be very high then?"
Song Ming: ...
The air, carrying the fragrance of flowers, suddenly fell silent. Song Ming clenched the saber in his hand. "Killing one is enough to break even, killing two is a profit. Qing Ya, when will you have time? If I defeat you soon, I might be able to go out with the boss."
So, he was going out to fight someone.
Qing Ya glanced at him sideways. The storybooks said that impulsiveness is a devil, and those who go into battle with such a mindset surely won't live long. Forget it, considering he had opened the city gates for her and her mistress in the past, she would help him out.
At this moment, there was a slight stir from inside the house.
The mistress was awake.
Qing Ya quickly held the hot water with both hands. "You go wait in the garden first. After I've served the mistress, I'll come find you."
Really, the mistress was still sleeping inside, and he, a grown man, was standing at the door. If it weren't for his recent loss and his muddled mind, she would have taught him a good lesson.
Song Ming cupped his hands. "Thank you for your trouble."
Qing Ya waved her hand. "Don't come crying to me if you get hurt later."
Lu Nian Fu had already dressed herself and washed up. Qing Ya then helped her with her hair and makeup. Despite having a rather plump hand, it moved with remarkable dexterity. In no time, the person in the mirror was tidied up.
"Mistress, shall we have breakfast now?"
"Aren't you going to spar with Song Ming in the garden?"
"You heard?"
"It's only two doors away, how could I not hear. The master probably wants Constable Song to calm down. You read a lot of storybooks. When you have the chance, tell him those big principles you read, don't let him joke with his own life."
Qing Ya shrugged. "Based on my many years of reading storybooks, someone like him is simply blinded by hatred. Counseling is useless; he needs to be taught a lesson with a stick."
Perhaps one beating would wake him up.
If one wasn't enough, several beatings would do.
Lu Nian Fu heartily agreed. "Whatever method it is, as long as it works."
So, about fifteen minutes later, Song Ming was soundly beaten by Qing Ya. Lying on the ground, questioning his existence, Qing Ya looked down, her chubby face full of surprise. "No way, you want to kill Japanese pirates? Are you sure you won't be a burden to our master if you actually encounter them? No, no, it's too dangerous. I don't want my mistress to become a widow."
Song Ming: ...
In the blink of an eye, it was October 30th.
Lu Nian Fu had prepared the carriage, ready to send Lu Fei back to Xiangshui County as soon as he finished class. However, by noon, Lu Fei had still not returned.
Could it be that he hadn't studied well and Mr. Feng had kept him after class?
But it shouldn't be to the point of missing lunch, right? Even if they kept Lu Fei for lunch, Feng Shou should have sent word, shouldn't he? Lu Nian Fu grew more anxious as she waited and had to send Qing Ya to Mr. Feng's house to check the situation.
Qing Ya rode out on horseback, but returned half an hour later, panting. "Mistress, Mr. Feng said there was no after-class detention today. The young master finished class on time. I inquired all the way and someone saw the young master and Feng Shou getting into a man's carriage. It looked voluntary. Could it be that Madam sent someone to pick him up?"
Lu Nian Fu shook her head. She had clearly written in her letter to Li Shi that she would send Lu Fei back. Even if she couldn't wait to see her son and came to pick him up early, she would have come to the mansion, not to Mr. Feng's house.
After all, Li Shi didn't know where Mr. Feng's house was.
"But besides Madam's people, who else could make the young master leave with them so obediently?"
Lu Nian Fu's left eye twitched several times, and her unease slowly grew. "You stay here and continue to inquire about the young master's whereabouts. I'll go back to Xiangshui County to see. If Xiao Fei has returned, then all will be well and good. If not, I will report it to the authorities immediately."
Song Ming said, "Then I'll go back with sister-in-law. I'm also familiar with the people at the yamen."