Scourge Messenger

Chapter 88 Dinner Party
"My lord, you're finally back! This old servant was so worried!"

"Sir, thanks to the ancestors, you are safe and sound!"

"Uncle, from now on, please allow Yanzhang to accompany you with the guards when you go to court! Even if you don't want to ride in a sedan chair, at least you can't be alone outside anymore!"

"Uncle, Yanzhang's words make sense. I've trained myself to be quite strong; at least I can fend off thieves for you!"

"My lord, tokens are not a panacea. This time, the thieves have found you. If something were to happen to you, how would I, how would I live!"

At the shop's entrance, a large crowd shouted and chattered as soon as they saw Shang Xuanwen return. Yan Qing listened carefully and learned that Shang Xuanwen had always traveled alone, without a sedan chair or guards, and had done so for years.

However, he did not take his security lightly. He seemed to have a token that could reduce his presence, making him safer when he was alone. He had never been in trouble in the past few years, and today's assassination was an accident.

Therefore, Shang Xuanwen rejected all the well-meaning suggestions from his family, trusting only his own judgment. If they continued to nag, all they would receive was Shang Xuanwen's cold stare and the fear of having their throats choked—not everyone could calmly face the glances of a third-level messenger.

Yan Qing finally understood: this uncle was the prime minister outside and the prime minister at home. Everyone else was his subordinate, and only he had the final say.

"Where are Xinlei?" Shang Xuanwen looked around.

"The Fourth Miss is still in the courtyard."

"This child isn't even nervous knowing his father was assassinated, really..."

"Yue-ge'er and Qia-ge'er are the most sensible ones. Yue-ge'er, whose injuries hadn't even healed, immediately led troops to rescue his father upon receiving the news!"

"The Fourth Miss is probably holding a grudge, after all, Master..."

The concubines spoke cryptically, each word laced with hidden agendas. Not only Shang Xuanwen, but even Yan Qing, who was listening in, felt that Shang Xinlei had gone too far.

"Well done." Shang Xuanwen's words silenced all the noise: "You all should learn from Xinlei, do what you're supposed to do, and don't join in the fun. It's meaningless and a waste of time."

The gossips fell silent. Everyone cautiously observed Shang Xuanwen's expression, trying to guess whether he was being sincere or sarcastic. Shang Xuanwen had no interest in the intricacies of the courtyard. He turned to an old man wearing a hat and said, "Su Pei, take the Rat Monk to change his clothes, settle him in with the rank of a guard, treat his injuries, and then bring him to my study."

Steward Su Pei nodded in agreement and led Yan Qing into the merchant's shop.

"Master Rat Monk, you must be a highly accomplished monk."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because the master only looks at those who are sincere in their hearts." Steward Su Pei counted on his fingers: "Mu Liancheng, Guo Yu, Yang Xia, Zhang Zhongzheng... Over the years, the master has only hired these few people as bodyguards and advisors. Later, when they were sent out to other places, some became generals of military garrisons, some became important officials of the court, and some only served as county magistrates or even transport clerks. But no matter who they were, they were all conscientious and responsible good officials, and the master would put them in the most suitable positions for them."

Yan Qing recalled a saying and casually replied, "The heavens move in a constant manner, each fulfilling its own duty."

"Haha, that's something the master often says," Steward Su Pei laughed. "So, Master, the master must think there's a more suitable position for you, which is why he's keeping you by his side to observe you."

Yan Qing found it amusing: "If you tell me this now, wouldn't this humble monk be able to more effectively curry favor with your master?"

"I trust the master," Steward Su Pei said confidently. "His judgment has never been wrong!"

"This humble monk does not think it's a good idea to wander around without a sedan chair or guards..."

"But it is precisely because the Master has always been deeply involved in the lives of ordinary people and understood their plight that his policies have been able to benefit the majority," said Steward Su Pei. "The Master always says that if Jiangnan City falls into ruin, the whole country will fall into ruin. All he can do is try to slow down the decay of Jiangnan City. If all the officials in the country ride in sedan chairs, who will be able to see the common people outside?"

Steward Su Pei's words seemed to be true. Although Shang Xuanwen said he was to be a guard, he arranged for 'Rat Monk' to have a place with a small courtyard. Judging from the environment alone, it was even better than Yan Qing's doghouse in the Thieves' Den. Steward Su Pei also treated 'Rat Monk's' injuries. Only then did Yan Qing realize that 'Rat Monk' had been burned during the fight with the fireman. Compared to him, the player, it was Shang Xuanwen who noticed it first.

The 'Rat Monk', now dressed in new clothes, was led to the study, where he found Shang Xuanwen already changed and at work, writing a memorial to the throne, as if the assassination attempt had had no effect on him whatsoever.

He didn't say anything, so Yan Qing had no choice but to let 'Rat Monk' stand aside and wait to hang up, while he prepared dinner. Of course, he had no interest in lighting a fire in the room. His so-called cooking was simply tearing roasted lamb leg and roasted chicken into strips, adding some vegetables to top with steaming rice, and then juicing an apple. That completed a dinner that was close to the standard of his previous life, at least it had enough vitamins.

It's worth mentioning that the most expensive part of this meal was actually the refined rice, because the agricultural level of this world was simply not capable of fine milling. At most, they could only separate the grains and bran to make brown rice. All the refined white rice came from the secret realm and was called 'celestial rice'.

A short while later, Steward Su Pei came over to inform them that it was time to go to Ronghua Hall for the banquet. Shang Xuanwen then put down his pen and gestured for the 'Rat Monk' to follow.

"You've been following me around as my bodyguard these past few days. If you gain my approval, I'll vouch for you and exempt you from three years of military service," Shang Xuanwen said. "You can voice any objections now."

"I was merely curious; aren't you afraid I might harbor ill intentions?"

Shang Xuanwen stopped and stared at the 'Rat Monk' with eyes that had more white than pupils.

"What makes you, Venerable Monk, believe that the people around me have no ill intentions?"

Yan Qing was taken aback, and after thinking for a moment, replied, "So many people were so worried about saving you after you fell into the trap... So many people in your family care about you..."

"The officials were only trying to impress me, hoping I would remember their faces; my family was only worried about my power, fearing their privileged lives would vanish with my death. But among the officials who saved me, quite a few wanted me dead inside, some were even accomplices of the assassins. They feared me and wanted to remove me as an obstacle to reclaim power in the court; and among my family, many must be extremely disappointed now, resenting my injustice, hating my cruelty, and unwilling to live in my shadow any longer." Shang Xuanwen spoke calmly, without a trace of emotion, as if he were dissecting someone else's life, exposing their ugliness. Yan Qing wanted to ask him why he could live such a repulsive life, but they had already arrived at Ronghua Hall, where a mahogany round table was set in the center, and a painting hung on the north wall. The Shang family would be dining here tonight.

Once inside, the "Rat Monk" could only stand in a corner, watching the maids come and go to serve him. Fortunately, Steward Su Pei introduced them, and Yan Qing finally learned who was who among the seated people.

From left to right, they are: the principal wife, Madam Gu, from the prestigious Gu family; the concubine, Aunt Quan, from the prominent Quan family; the concubine, Aunt Xu, from the prominent Xu family; then Shang Xuanwen's children: his youngest daughter Shang Xinyao, his fifth son Shang Tian, ​​his fourth daughter Shang Xinlei, his third son Shang Qia, and his eldest son Shang Yue, who has not yet taken his seat.

How many bad things must one do to have the right to marry three wives and have them all get along harmoniously?

Yan Qing looked at the polite and dignified Shang Xinlei on the screen, and naturally felt no surprise.

When Yan Qing heard the name Shang Xuanwen at the Thieves' House, he didn't immediately think that Shang Xuanwen was Shang Xinlei's father. In addition, Shang Xinlei described Shang Xuanwen as a complete stranger when talking about him, so Yan Qing thought they just happened to have the same surname.

But after emerging from the cave and meeting Shang Xinlei's elder brother, Shang Yue, Yan Qing realized that their next target for theft was Shang Xinlei's father, the Crimson Serpent. He didn't know whether to be happy or worried. If Shang Xinlei was willing to cooperate from the inside, this mission might be completed quietly; but if Shang Xinlei was unwilling or even deliberately leaked information, they might directly descend upon the army.

While the "Rat Monk" was observing the merchants, the merchants were also observing him. The youngest daughter, Shang Xinyao, only three or four years old, was very interested in the "Rat Monk's" bald head, craning her neck to get a closer look; Shang Qia stole a few glances, but immediately looked away; Shang Xinlei glanced a few times, then slowly looked away, head down, lost in thought.

At this moment, Shang Yue came in from outside, looking travel-worn, as if she had run all the way, with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead: "Father, I've returned after offering incense."

"Hold out your hand," Shang Xuanwen said.

Given the screen's resolution, Yan Qing naturally couldn't see the marks on Shang Yue's hands. He only saw Shang Xuanwen nod: "Wash your hands and take your seats."

"Dinner is served."

As Shang Xuanwen announced this, it was as if some non-existent button had been pressed, and the atmosphere in Ronghua Hall seemed to freeze.

Whether it was the adults Shang Xuanwen and Madam Gu, or the children Shang Xinyao and Shang Tian, ​​everyone ate quietly. There was no clinking of chopsticks, no idle chatter, no comments. Although it was a large gathering of nine people, Yan Qing felt as if everyone was eating alone. In such a large place with so many people, there were only the sounds of chopsticks clattering against plates and mouths chewing food.

But the most frightening thing was Shang Xuanwen. When he ate, he didn't look at the food, but stared straight ahead at the unfocused void.

Quiet.

Repressed.

asphyxia.

Yan Qing now truly believed that his family was utterly disappointed that he had escaped. However, he found it strange that Shang Xuanwen, who hadn't been so taciturn when facing the 'Rat Monk,' was so…cold-blooded when dealing with his family.
When Shang Xuanwen finished eating, his family members had also finished eating, including his youngest son and daughter.

"Let's go back." Shang Xuanwen wiped his mouth.

"Yes." Everyone stood up and left one after another, eager to get out of Ronghua Hall. The youngest daughter even jumped up as soon as she left the hall.

On the way back to the study, Yan Qing couldn't help but ask, "Was this kind of meal interesting?"

Shang Xuanwen stopped and glanced at him.

"What I'm most looking forward to today is having a quiet meal with my family." He paused, then added, "You can go home now; someone will call you tomorrow morning."

Yan Qing thought he would have to leave the game running all night again. Now that he was free, he naturally wanted to explore the merchants. But before that, he had to try the products from the merchants' kitchens—Shang Xinlei's desserts. Yan Qing had been craving them for a long time, and he was happy to have some as a late-night snack.

Upon entering the kitchen, Yan Qing unexpectedly saw An Cuihua being scolded by the cook, seemingly for chopping vegetables poorly. The cook was yelling at her while demonstrating how to chop properly. Yan Qing peeked outside for a moment, then, without disturbing anyone inside, picked up a roast chicken and left.

Just then, Yan Qing heard a maid running to the kitchen door urging him:

"Hurry, hurry, the Fourth Miss is already urging us to send it over!"

Seeing two servants carrying four food boxes out of the kitchen, Yan Qing thought to herself, "Shang Xinlei has quite an appetite. She can eat so much after finishing one meal."

The maid opened the food box to check it, and nodded in satisfaction: "Good, quickly send it to Shuiyue Pavilion."

The servant cried out, "Oh, Sister Hualian, Master said that Shuiyue Pavilion is a place where criminals are imprisoned. How dare we go in?"

"What sinners? They're Fourth Miss's friends. She asked you to go, so you went. This is Fourth Miss entertaining her friends. Do you think Master is taking his anger out on you? Or are you going to throw your weight around for something as trivial as Fourth Miss asking you to deliver food?"

Since the maid had put it that way, the servants had no choice but to serve the food with long faces. They didn't notice that a bald man was quietly following behind them.

"Shang Xinlei's friend?" Yan Qing raised an eyebrow: "A criminal imprisoned in Shuiyue Pavilion?"

(End of this chapter)