136. The Turbulent Trials of the Lan River Water Gang

Shen Estate, Brook Garden, Cloud-Exiting Terrace.

"My lady, it is already so late, and the night air is chilly. Should we wait inside instead?" Shuqing asked anxiously.

Shen Yanxi had been waiting for Lu Jin to return. When the Hour of *Hai* arrived and there was still no sign of him, she sent someone to check the Plum Garden, only to be told that the young master had left long ago.

Then where was he? Shen Yanxi's immediate concern flared up. In the dead of night, where could he possibly have gone?

Unable to set her mind at ease, Shen Yanxi had no choice but to send people in all directions to search while she sat here waiting for news.

"My lady, you don't think the young master has run away again, do you?" Siqin worriedly asked.

Shen Yanxi smiled faintly without speaking. Not to mention how absurd such a notion was, even if he truly fled simply because the Bairong forces invaded and abandoned her behind, then so be it—let him run.

"Siqin, how could the young master run away? Things are different now compared to before. Even if the young master were truly cowardly enough to run, would he leave my lady behind?" Sishi retorted. The young master might be a coward, but abandoning her lady was an absolute impossibility.

"Enough, your young master is not going to run away," Shen Yanxi said calmly. What she feared most right now was that her husband had met with some accident.

"My lady! My lady!"

Shen Yanxi turned her head to look and saw the steward hurrying toward them with a gatekeeper. She hastily stood up and went to meet them.

"My lady, the young master has returned to the Lu estate," Uncle Su puffed, out of breath.

"Then how did he get back?" Shen Yanxi asked anxiously. Since an incident had happened there before, she couldn't help but worry.

"My lady, we escorted the young master back. We only came back after watching him safely enter the Lu estate. Furthermore, the young master said he will not be coming back tonight." Naturally knowing what her lady was worried about, the gatekeeper quickly replied.

"Very well, I understand. Uncle Su, reward the gatekeepers who escorted the young master. You may all withdraw." Hearing a definitive answer, Shen Yanxi finally set her mind at ease.

"Yes, my lady." Uncle Su retreated, taking the beaming gatekeepers with him.

"My lady, since the young master is sleeping at the Lu estate tonight, we should go back too," Sishi urged, stepping forward.

"You all go back. I'll stay here a little longer."

With those words, Shen Yanxi sat back down on the chair by the floating platform, her gaze drifting dazedly toward the brook and lake wrapped in the night's embrace. A gentle evening breeze stirred the tips of her hair, bringing a touch of worldly desolation to a face that was usually bright and ethereal.

Having accompanied their young lady since childhood, the maidservants naturally knew that she was not truly happy today. Although she still smiled when speaking with everyone, she would occasionally slip into a trance, and her smiles carried a forced edge.

Yet it was so late now, and sitting right here wouldn't make the young master return any sooner!

Knowing that there was no persuading their young lady at a time like this, they could only serve her to the best of their ability.

Whether the servants were setting up the charcoal brazier and tea sets or the maids were placing a heavy cloak over her shoulders, Shen Yanxi seemed entirely unresponsive. She simply leaned against her chair, gazing blankly into the distance.

Shen Yanxi knew well that her husband would not return tonight, nor could she wait him up.

Even on ordinary nights when her husband stayed at Cloud-Exiting Terrace while she dwelt in Cloud-Watching Tower, Shen Yanxi felt at peace. Yet tonight, her heart felt hollow and empty.

She also knew that she was sitting here not just because her husband had left without a word; the several sudden events she had encountered today had thrown her mind into utter chaos.

She ought to be grateful, and she ought to be content. Such an outstanding husband was not only immensely talented and ambitious, but he had always treated her so well. She shouldn't be stirred into so much worry and anxiety by the slightest ripple; it simply wasn't fair to him.

Besides, weren't all men in this world alike? How many could truly remain devoted to their first-blush wife for a lifetime? Her initial wish had been nothing more than a foolish fantasy, so how could she blame her husband? Moreover, her husband harbored no such intentions right now—he had merely brought two women back.

Yet no matter how she tried to reason with herself inwardly, she could not brush away that lingering trace of confusion and loss. In the end, she was simply being too overly sentimental, unable even to voice her thoughts to anyone.

Tonight's moonlight was magnificent; though not full, it was limpid and bright. The moon reflected in the lake hid quietly among the lotus leaves, secretly gazing at the moon in the sky, while the bright moon hanging in the heavens shone gently upon the water's surface, as though fearing the moon in the depths might lose its way.

"Madam!"

Shen Yanxi wondered if she was suffering from auditory hallucinations, but she still turned her head involuntarily—and saw her husband standing right there. Was it a phantom?

"Young Master!" The servants were beside themselves with excitement. Their lady hadn't listened to persuasion in a situation like this, and they had been helpless except to fret anxiously. Thank goodness the young master was back.

Hearing the maidservants' voices, Shen Yanxi finally confirmed that her husband had truly returned. She made to stand, but before she could rise, she was pulled into her husband's embrace. Although his clothes felt somewhat chilly, Shen Yanxi felt a sense of security she had never experienced before.

Lu Jin held his wife in his arms, not knowing quite what to say.

By the time Lu Jin finished discussions with his father-in-law, it was already very late. Figuring they didn't strictly need to be together every night and that Shen Yanxi would likely have fallen asleep without waiting up for him, and intending to discuss the Bairong southern invasion with his uncle right then, he had simply stayed there for the night.

Yet when his uncle mentioned Shen Yanxi, Lu Jin suddenly felt a knot of uncertainty in his chest. His wife was actually quite stubborn, and she had a precedent. Driven by worry, Lu Jin chatted briefly with Lu Yuanrong and hurried back. He went to Cloud-Watching Tower first, but the maidservants told him she was at Cloud-Exiting Terrace.

He never expected his wife to be waiting for him here in the middle of the night. It was no longer summer, and even though they were in the south, the night temperature was quite low. Feeling his wife's chilled body in his arms, Lu Jin felt he had still been far too careless.

"Didn't Husband go to Aunt's place? How is it that you're back?" Shen Yanxi's soft voice brushed past like the wind.

"If I hadn't come back, I was afraid my silly wife would turn into a waiting-husband stone," Lu Jin teased playfully.

"Pfft! No, I didn't. Your concubine knew Husband went to Aunt's place; I just couldn't sleep for a bit, so I sat here for a spell." Amused by her husband's words, Shen Yanxi let out a soft chuckle, yet still tried to salvage her pride.

"It was my oversight. I was only thinking of discussing the Bairong invasion with my uncle straight away, and forgot that I have a stubborn wife. It is entirely my fault." As Lu Jin spoke, he took Shen Yanxi's hands into his palms to warm them.

"Your concubine isn't stubborn, it's just..." Her thoughts seen through by her husband, Shen Yanxi was far too embarrassed to admit it. Huddling in his embrace with slightly flushed cheeks, she offered a defensive murmur.

"Mm, Xixi isn't stubborn, she just loves her husband too much." Lu Jin's gentle voice sounded right beside her ear, and in an instant, Shen Yanxi's eyes grew moist. That warm voice was like a mild breeze, softly blowing away the sorrow that had lingered at the bottom of her heart.

"It's your concubine who made Husband worry," Shen Yanxi said with embarrassment.

"You are not allowed to do this next time. I am sometimes careless and bound to overlook things. If my wife really froze herself, what would you have me do?" As Lu Jin spoke, he turned sideways, wrapped his arms around Shen Yanxi, and walked toward Cloud-Watching Tower.

Watching the young master and lady walking ahead of them, murmuring to one another in an embrace, the maidservants felt that this autumn night didn't seem quite so cold after all. Although they couldn't see the expression on their young lady's face, they could tell from the sound of her voice that she had truly returned.

-----------------

The next day, just after finishing his morning lecture, Lu Jin was sitting in a chair chatting with Shen Yanyun and Tantai Yue who sat opposite him.

"Has Miss Tantai been settling in comfortably at the estate during this time?" Lu Jin asked.

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Lu. I am naturally very comfortable, especially with Sister Yun keeping me company."

"That's good to be hearing, otherwise I wouldn't have known how to answer to Ziyu." Lu Jin smiled.

"What is Nanqing implying? As if I would bully Yue'er," Shen Yanyun said. Having interacted with Lu Jin for a long time, she spoke with much greater ease.

"With Sister around, I naturally have no worries. I was only afraid Miss Tantai wouldn't be accustomed to things, not that someone would bully her," Lu Jin explained.

Only then did Shen Yanyun look satisfied, the rippling smile on her face as radiant as springtime itself. Lu Jin hurriedly picked up his teacup to mask his reaction, causing Shen Yanyun's smile to deepen.

"Young Master, what should we do with that person from yesterday?" Yuanfang chimed in from nearby. Under normal circumstances, Yuanfang wouldn't lack tact like this, but since these people met practically every day, there weren't that many rules around the young master. Thus, Yuanfang interjected at an opportune moment.

"What person?" Lu Jin asked in confusion.

Yuanfang's expression froze. You dragged a man back and completely forgot about him?

"The one we brought back from the front gates yesterday." Yuanfang found it difficult to phrase it too bluntly.

"Pfft!" Lu Jin, who had been drinking tea, spat a mouthful of water straight onto Shen Yanyun sitting opposite him, throwing the two women into a flurry of panic.

*Damn it, I forgot all about that!*

"Sister, my apologies. That..." Lu Jin stood up awkwardly. It seemed best to drink less tea when other people were talking—especially when he looked at the wet patch on Shen Yanyun's clothes, making him wish he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Fortunately, there were maidservants attending nearby, who hurriedly stepped forward to drape an outer cloak over her.

"Nanqing, were you doing that on purpose?" Shen Yanyun glared at Lu Jin with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.

"How could I? Sister, go change your clothes quickly; I have some matters to attend to and must be going. Yuanfang!" Having finished speaking, Lu Jin bolted; the longer he explained, the more awkward it became.

Watching Lu Jin flee in a panic, Shen Yanyun's face flushed slightly. She felt as though the hot tea splashed on her clothes possessed an extraordinary sensitivity, practically seeping right through to her skin.

-----------------

Following Yuanfang to a secluded little courtyard in the southwest corner of Brook Garden, Lu Jin discovered that such a place even existed here.

"Young Master, wait inside the room, I'll go drag him over."

After Lu Jin waited in the room for a brief moment, Yuanfang brought in the water bandit from yesterday.

"Mmph... Mmph..." Upon seeing Lu Jin, the water bandit struggled even more fiercely. Never had he imagined that this "Second Master" was such a wolf in sheep's clothing who would swindle even his own sworn brothers. Not only had he been tied up all night, but he hadn't even been given a single bite to eat.

Watching the man enter, Lu Jin's mouth twitched uncontrollably. The fellow looked like an absolute beggar; it was impossible to tell what he actually looked like beneath the grime.

"Yuanfang, close the door and take the gag out of his mouth."

Lu Jin trusted Yuanfang; after all, this was a fierce fellow who even dared to slap Shen Yanlun.

"Second Master! To think the Chief would treat you..." The moment the hemp cloth blocking his mouth was removed, the water bandit began to yell.

"Shut up! If you yell again, I'll have him cut out your tongue." Lu Jin felt a sense of lingering grievance toward Lu Wei for sending such a blockhead. Could he do nothing besides shouting at the top of his lungs?

Meeting the chill in Lu Jin's eyes, the water bandit kept his mouth open for a long time without managing to utter a single sound. Was the Second Master truly this terrifying? Yuanfang chuckled softly at the side—what stood before him was a veritable living Yama.

"I ask, you answer. Do you hear me?" Lu Jin said.

Terrified as he was, the water bandit still shook his head stubbornly. You've already tricked us brothers, and you expect me to answer your questions? *Sigh*, the life of these landed gentry had ultimately eroded the Second Master's code of chivalry to uphold justice on behalf of heaven.

"Sit down and speak properly. What's going on with the stronghold?" Lu Jin's tone softened.

*Hm?* The water bandit gave Lu Jin a suspicious look. What kind of trick was this—courtesy before force, or was the Second Master still the Second Master after all?

Seeing the man staring blankly, Lu Jin felt an even greater sense of despair.

"Yuanfang, hoist him up onto a chair." No matter what, they were brothers of the mountain stronghold; it wouldn't do to make him sit on the floor to talk.

"Coming and going, just like a jade-beaded dragon playing in deep water!" Though Lu Jin figured anyone harboring ulterior motives wouldn't send such a simpleton, reciting the secret password beforehand was a matter of prudence.

"Up and down, acting just like a tiger fighting for food on a half-cliff!" The fellow grew excited; this was precisely his specialty.

Yuanfang: (⊙ꇴ⊙) *You actually take being a water bandit seriously?*

Yuanfang's mind went numb. His own young master was eccentric, and he himself had followed him far too down this path; his future looked dark and devoid of hope.

"Sit. What is your name?" Lu Jin asked.

"Reporting to Second Master, my name is Cui Lian." Just about to sit down, the water bandit instantly snapped back to a rigid posture.

"What on earth?" Lu Jin doubted his own ears. A burly, rough-hewn fellow named *Cui Lian* (Lotus)?

"Second Master, um... I couldn't beat the other brothers to the good names. Lu Da, Shi Jin, and Zhen Guanxi were all already taken by someone else. With no other choice, I temporarily grabbed 'Cui Lian' to use for now," the man lowered his head and said.

(⊙ꇴ⊙) *Had they all lost their minds? Snatching heroic names was one thing, but even seizing local tyrants' names? And they didn't even spare women's names?*

"Stop messing around with these miscellaneous things. What's your original name?" Lu Jin never imagined these people were this deeply poisoned.

"My original name is Huang Sang." Looking deeply aggrieved, Huang Sang thought: *Weren't these the stories you told us back then? How are they miscellaneous now?*

"What kind of name is that?"

"Huang as in yellow, Sang as in mulberry tree. There was a mulberry tree right outside my door, so my father named me Huang Sang."

Forget Lu Jin; even Yuanfang could barely keep a straight face. Where on earth did this creature spring from?

"Why on earth did Big Brother send you?"

"Second Master, I was the one who delivered the message last time. Come to think of it, it's strange—last time I walked right in and was treated to fine tea and drinks, but this time they wouldn't let me in no matter what..." Huang Sang protested eagerly.

*Of course they wouldn't let you in!* thought Lu Jin. Last time, a single leaf had drifted in bearing news of him, so the Shen family had naturally granted an audience. But looking like the ghost of a beggar you were right now, who would let you in? It was a miracle you hadn't started shouting "Second Master" earlier, or you would have been hauled off to the dungeons instantly.

"So it was you, you blockhead, who blabbed about everything last time?" Lu Jin finally realized he'd been sold out completely on the previous occasion.

Huang Sang kept his head lowered in silence, knowing full well he had been careless last time—though who could blame him when that old lady had looked so kind and benevolent?

"Speak. What is the matter?"

"Ah, Second Master, it's a disaster!" Hearing Lu Jin broach the topic, Huang Sang finally remembered his urgent business, reached out, grabbed Lu Jin, and wailed aloud.

"Sit down and speak properly. Stop touching me," Lu Jin scolded angrily.

"Second Master, we're in trouble! These past few days, government soldiers have been hunting us everywhere, forcing us into hiding, and our losses are severe. Third Master has even been captured by the officials, and the Chief wants you to think of a way..."

Lu Jin's head buzzed. Truly, a leaking boat meets head-on winds, and a house in ruins encounters incessant rain.