GHLCS Chapter67

No matter how the Military Control Commissioner tried to cover up the incident, rumors continued to spread in Hezhou City and even intensified.

 

Rumors spread that a knight known for assassinating warlords had emerged in Hezhou City, and the golden hairpin was their calling card. Wherever the hairpin appeared, blood would soon follow—and Lao Yang’s death served as a grim warning to others.

 

Even if Yuan Sen was furious in the mansion, the fact that he surrounded the mansion so tightly that no one could get out seemed to confirm the rumor.

 

However, rumors come and go quickly.

 

At Heming Medical Hall, Xu Hang was busy sorting freshly picked herbs from the mountain and grinding them into powder. Meanwhile, Yuan Ye had arrived early and was seated at the counter, claiming he needed medicine for his grandmother’s rheumatism—but his mind clearly seemed elsewhere.

 

He was helping Xu Hang pound the medicine, but his eyes were somehow blank, and he didn’t notice that the powder had stained his hands.

 

Xu Hang handed him a handkerchief: “I say, groom-to-be, are you so excited about getting married that you’re dizzy and restless all day?”

 

Yuan Ye was brought back to his senses by Xu Hang’s words. He looked down and saw that his palms were covered with golden powder. He quickly took the handkerchief and apologized: “Sorry… I was lost in thought for a moment.”

 

“Are you thinking about that murder?” Xu Hang said.

 

“Yeah… it’s not a good feeling when someone dies in their own home.”

 

It is always unlucky for red and white events to collide with each other.

 

Xu Hang packed up all the medicines Yuan Ye wanted and even tore off a piece of paper to write down the usage and dosage: “Your father will handle those matters; you should focus on being the groom. You can try these medicines for now, and if they don’t work, I’ll adjust the prescription. But honestly, it might be better for the old madam to come to the medical hall for a check-up herself.”

 

At this point, Yuan Ye sighed again: “My grandma has a stubborn temper. She insists on punishing herself in exchange for blessings and refuses to seek medical treatment or take medicine. That’s the situation. I have to ask the maid who takes care of her to secretly mix it into her food. But your medicine is better than anything else in Hezhou. I really don’t know what kind of magic you’ve used.”

 

Xu Hang was amused by his compliment and smiled softly: “Nothing, I have a small mountain behind me, and I sent people to grow herbs there. I can see through the things that come out, so naturally it’s better than others.”

 

He personally saw Yuan Ye off, and when he was about to get in the car, he said, “I have received Miss Gu’s invitation. Your wedding day is in five days. I shouldn’t have refused, but…” He smiled subtly, “I wonder if your father is willing to see me?”

 

This is a bit embarrassing to say out loud, but it’s the truth.

 

Yuan Ye was already aware of everything that had happened before and after the bandit suppression. To be honest, it was Yuan Ye who should feel embarrassed. His father had acted so excessively that he was too ashamed to even offer an apology.

 

His face darkened for a moment, and Yuan Ye said sincerely, “Xu Hang, you are my friend. Fangfei and I both hope that you can come to witness it. About Father… Father’s rudeness, I apologize on his behalf, but I hope that it will not affect the friendship between us.”

 

Xu Hang observed his slightly tense expression, lowering his eyes momentarily before lifting them again. The corners of his mouth were faintly pale, and he seemed a bit weak as he spoke, though his tone remained gentle: “…That’s natural.”

 

The car roared and drove away.

 

Before the dust had settled, Xu Hang stood there, his eyes empty, and the light immediately dimmed, making him look very lonely.

 

He murmured a few words of regret that only he could hear.

 

“I’m afraid… our friendship will only end here.”

 

————

 

In Jinyan Tang, Duan Yelin had already returned before Xu Hang, which was rare.

 

When he stepped into the room, Duan Yelin was reading a telegram under the lamp, with a little joy on his face. Duan Yelin looked up and saw Xu Hang and waved him over: “Shaotang, come and see.”

 

Xu Hang was pulled over by him and sat on his lap. “The telegram from Zhanzhou shows that Yuan Sen took the bait and sent people to rob the money! He even planned to have others pretend to be bandits to steal it, but he never realized that the reason the money was so easy for him to steal was to lead him straight into a trap. Zhanzhou has been gathering evidence of his corruption all along. This little guy, as if suddenly becoming wiser, is really ruthless. The evidence he has now is more than enough to bring down Yuan Sen!”

 

He took a look at that telegram, and it was filled with factual information.

 

However, Duan Zhanzhou had written the words “after investigation” for many of the places that seemed to have been brushed over. But from what he had heard from others, when Zhanzhou was searching for evidence of Yuan Sen’s embezzlement of stolen money from port trade, he was shot and nearly died. One could imagine how dangerous and difficult the process had been.

 

From this, one can see how much of a blow Cong Lin’s death had dealt to him. In order to bring down Yuan Sen, he risked his life.

 

“Are you just going to let him do whatever he wants?” Xu Hang put the telegram aside.

 

Duan Yelin smiled and said, “I sent people to protect him, and nothing will really happen to him.”

 

“So when are you going to close the net?”

 

“It will only take three or four days to submit the evidence, conduct the investigation, and have someone sent down from above. Since we’re going to strike, we must catch him off guard.” Duan Yelin stood up, picked up the wick with scissors, and sneered, “May 5th, when the yang energy is strong, is the perfect day to exorcise evil spirits and avoid ghosts.”

 

Looking at the flickering wick, Xu Hang’s eyes twinkled: “That day… was a big wedding day for the Yuan and Gu families.”

 

Duan Yelin turned around and said seriously, “I was just about to mention that. You shouldn’t go that day. Something happened the last time you visited the Military Control Commissioner’s mansion. Just postpone it this time. He never invited me to go, and I can’t always be by your side. It makes me uneasy.”

 

Xu Hang raised his eyebrows slightly: “If I don’t go, won’t it seem like something fishy is going on?” He tapped the table with one finger. “Don’t worry, he won’t do anything rash at his son’s wedding party.”

 

“Then you should just stay where there are a lot of people. You won’t be there for long anyway.”

 

As the two were talking, there were two knocks on the door. Chan Yi called out in a crisp voice, “Head of the Household, I have packed up the things you asked me to pack.”

 

Xu Hang quickly responded, “Come in.”

 

Duan Yelin turned his head and saw Chan Yi coming in with a big box. The box seemed to be a bit heavy. She sweated a little when she carried it in. She put it on the table, wiped it with her sleeve, and replied, “It’s really impressive that you remember these things as the head of the family. I don’t know how many years they’ve been left in the corners. I’ve been cleaning them up for a while. I took advantage of the good sunlight today to air them out. But after cleaning them, I realized they’re really quite good. You should have taken them out earlier!”

 

Uncertain about what kind of treasure this could be, Duan Yelin, intrigued by its mysterious description, leaned forward to take a look. Xu Hang opened the lid of the box, and the first item to emerge was a delicate golden dragon and phoenix crown, inlaid with kingfisher feathers and pearls. The gold and blue intertwined in a complex design, and it appeared to be a finely crafted piece.

 

Under the phoenix crown, there are some red brocade shoes with goldfish patterns, moon-white women’s capes with the theme of “auspiciousness and abundance”, wigs, etc., most of which are costumes used for opera performances.

 

These things were dug up, and Duan Yelin asked, “You’re not planning to start another opera troupe, are you?”

 

“Do I look like I’m short of money?”

 

“Then what are you doing…”

 

Xu Hang gazed at the phoenix crown and said, “I’ve heard that the etiquette between the Yuan and Gu families still follows the traditions of our ancestors, and the phoenix crown and bridal robe are essential. Though this crown was used when I was performing before, it’s quite valuable and can be presented as a gift. If I modify it and add some gold foil, I believe they’ll like it.”

 

“Oh, so you were planning to give them a gift.”

 

“It’s always bad to go empty-handed.”

 

Seeing Xu Hang carefully selecting a gift, Duan Yelin furrowed his brow for a moment, took a sip of water, and then said, “I can see that you truly care about Gu Fangfei. I thought that after I told you about the plan to deal with Yuan Sen, you might be at least somewhat shaken, even telling her. After all… if something happens to the Yuan family, she, as the daughter-in-law who hasn’t yet married, will surely be affected as well.”

 

Placing the phoenix crown down in the candlelight, the pearls and jades intertwined beautifully, making it particularly captivating. Any woman who laid eyes on it would undoubtedly dream of the moment when she could wear it herself.

 

Unfortunately, the one meant to receive it may never get the chance to wear it. And the one who wishes to give this gift, knowing that truth, still chooses to give it to them.

 

It seems like a very ironic thing.

 

Xu Hang gently traced the pattern on the phoenix crown and said, “I treated her kindly out of friendship. I gave her the phoenix crown and wished her happiness from the bottom of my heart. As for Yuan Sen, that’s karma—it’s only right for you to deal with him. These are two separate matters, not in conflict with each other. It’s just a shame they’ve ended up tangled together. In the end, this is your grudge with them—what does it have to do with me?”

 

Duan Yelin thought for a moment and nodded slightly: “You can tell the difference clearly.”

 

“I’ve asked her. She is not a weak woman. She is much stronger than you think.” Xu Hang said confidently.

 

“But if she knew that you deliberately concealed it, she might be angry with you, and you may not be able to be friends with her anymore.”

 

The candle flickered again, as if it was restless. Xu Hang cut off the candle with scissors and replaced it with another one.

 

“Let her vent her anger on me. I have no friends to begin with, and the worst that can happen is that I will go back to the way I was before. If she really resented me for this, it wouldn’t be worth it for me to regret this friendship.”

 

Whatever path a person chooses, he must take responsibility for it.

 

Just like the meaning behind his choice of the phoenix crown as a gift—since she was going to wear the Yuan family’s wedding dress and crown, she would have to bear the weight of that responsibility.

 

She can’t complain because it was her own choice.

 

Carefully putting the phoenix crown back into the box, Xu Hang’s eyes became much deeper when he glanced at the items inside that had not been used for a long time.

 

When the fifth day of the fifth month arrives, the phoenix crown will make its appearance—and another good show will unfold.