Chapter 94: Femme Fatale
“Zhang San truly understands us women. That phrase, ‘thinner than the yellow flowers,’ captures the pain of longing perfectly.”
“Zhang San, would you write a poem for me?”
“Zhang San, please write another. Otherwise, we won’t let you go.”
…
Cao Dongdong, Fu Shichun, and Ma Xiaoyi, the three good-for-nothings, lay on the table, resting their chins on their hands, smelling the wine beside them, watching Zhang Fei being surrounded by a group of singing girls.
They were so envious!
Winning the beauty was already something, but when it wasn’t even your money, plus stealing all the limelight from the singing girls leaving nothing for the rest, it was truly unfair!
What could they do?
These days, singing girls only recognized good poems, not people.
A good poem could earn them hundreds of strings. Who cared if Zhang Fei plagiarized, as long as it was popular?
And Zhang Fei had made a big move, using Li Qingzhao’s poem.
It was utterly stunning.
The singing girls, as if discovering a treasure boy, surrounded Zhang Fei, hoping to squeeze out another poem from him.
Unfortunately, the timing was wrong.
If it had been earlier, Zhang Fei might have plagiarized another one, as he enjoyed being surrounded like this. He believed his idol wouldn’t mind a poem or two being borrowed, and it might even inspire better creations. But now, with the beauty already in hand, he had no mood to entertain the singing girls.
They were just in his way, and he quickly made excuses to go home.
Cao Dongdong and the others didn’t try to keep him; they actually wished they could kick him out.
Fan Zheng called a carriage for Zhang Fei.
“I hope you forgive me for any lapses in hospitality, Brother Zhang San.”
“It’s all good! You go back now! I’m leaving!”
Zhang Fei had no time for pleasantries with Fan Zheng. He turned to Gao Wenyin beside him, “Lady, please.”
Saying this, he very gentlemanly extended his hand.
Gao Wenyin looked at his hand, hesitated for a moment, then placed her delicate hand on his, and got into the carriage.
So smooth and delicate, soft like it had no bones! Zhang Fei was secretly delighted and quickly climbed into the carriage. As he got in, he noticed the driver looked familiar but didn’t think too much of it and entered the carriage.
Li Si also got into the carriage, and the driver immediately drove forward.
Fan Zheng watched the departing carriage and couldn’t help but smile, “Heroes have always had a hard time resisting beauty!”
…
Inside the carriage.
Zhang Fei and Gao Wenyin sat opposite each other, about a foot apart.
Fan Zheng was really inconsiderate, getting such a spacious carriage. Doesn’t he know that a smaller space is better at times like this? The eager Zhang Fei saw Gao Wenyin’s constantly furrowed brows and clenched fists, looking both tense and preoccupied, and couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
He had never encountered such a situation before. In his time, once they were in the car, there was an unspoken understanding, and interactions were naturally pleasant.
But in this situation, Zhang Fei felt a sense of guilt, as if he were forcing a good woman into prostitution.
Zhang Fei finally couldn’t stand the oppressive atmosphere and spoke, “Lady Gao?”
“Ah!”
Gao Wenyin’s body trembled violently, her bright eyes filled with fear in the dark night.
Zhang Fei was also startled by her reaction, so he asked again, “Do you have something on your mind? Tell me, maybe I can help.”
If I can’t open her heart, then undressing her would be a crime.
Gao Wenyin shook her head gently and remained silent.
Zhang Fei continued, “I know a bit about your situation. The deceased is gone. Please accept my condolences.”
Gao Wenyin still didn’t speak.
Damn, I left in such a hurry and didn’t ask Cao Dongdong and the others how things are done in these times. Zhang Fei felt helpless.
Forcing himself on her?
He really couldn’t do it.
He didn’t enjoy that kind of thrill.
That was just perverse.
Physical interaction without feelings was like going to the bathroom.
Suddenly, from outside the carriage, Li Si said, “Driver, did you take the wrong way? You should be on the main road; why are you going into an alley?”
“This way is shorter.” The driver replied.
Zhang Fei suddenly remembered the familiar face of the driver. Seeing Gao Wenyin’s slight tremor, he realized something was wrong and suspiciously stared at Gao Wenyin. Seeing her avoid his gaze, he suddenly pounced on her.
Swish!
A long knife pierced into the carriage from outside, resting against Zhang Fei’s neck.
A thud was heard, and Li Si fell into the carriage, a large hand pressing his face, making him immobile.
Two incompetents, easily controlled by a coachman.
“Who are you people?”
The cold blade forced Zhang Fei against the window, sweat dripping down his face.
Pen-in-caps feared physical dangers the most.
The coachman didn’t answer but asked, “Sister-in-law, are you okay?”
“I’m fine! Don’t hurt him,” Gao Wenyin said apologetically, looking at Zhang Fei.
“I know.”
After a while, there was a whistling sound.
Then hurried footsteps.
“Sister-in-law!”
A young man in his twenties leapt onto the carriage.
“Second Brother.”
Gao Wenyin’s eyes filled with tears at the sight of him.
“Seeing sister-in-law safe is such a relief!”
The young man then looked at Zhang Fei, “Who is this?”
Who are these people? Did I fall into a den of thieves? Zhang Fei was terrified, “I… I was just kindly sending your sister-in-law home.”
Gao Wenyin said, “He’s the one who bought me.”
The young man immediately looked furious, his eyes widening like copper bells.
Gao Wenyin quickly added, “But he’s not a bad person. Don’t hurt him.”
Zhang Fei nodded vigorously, “Yes, yes, I’m a good person. I really am.”
The young man struck Zhang Fei on the back of his neck, causing him to grunt and slowly collapse.
In his fading consciousness, he was filled with resentment. She said not to hurt me, and you didn’t listen to her.
If I survive this, I will definitely listen to Xu Zhiqian next time.
“Mmph! Mmph!”
Pinned down, Li Si began struggling violently when he saw Zhang Fei fall.
The young man struck him again.
Silence!
…
“Ouch!”
Zhang Fei felt a heavy thud as he hit the floor and couldn’t help but moan in pain. Slowly opening his eyes, the blurry scene gradually became clear. Above him was a stone Buddha missing half an ear. In front of the Buddha, on a stone platform missing a large part, was an old, worn-out wooden case, with cobwebs filling the space between two candlesticks.
Drip, drip!
Water dripped from the eaves.
This was an abandoned temple.
He heard a voice beside him, “I have failed in protecting you from harm, sister-in-law.”
Zhang Fei looked down and saw Li Si crouched at his feet, his heart tightened, and he relaxed only slightly when he heard a faint snoring. He looked up to see four or five figures standing by the fire. The young man was kneeling on one knee before Gao Wenyin.
The coachman stood aside, next to a black-faced man with a beard and a scholar in gray robes.
“Second Uncle, get up.”
Gao Wenyin bent down and helped the young man up, tears in her eyes, “Your big brother asked me to take good care of you before he died. Seeing you safe is a relief.”
She looked around, “Are the brothers well?”
Bang!
The bearded man punched the old wooden case, shattering it, “It’s all our fault for not saving Big Brother. I, Da Niu, am to blame!”
With such behavior, this fellow didn’t look like a Buddhist believer.
Gao Wenyin quickly said, “Don’t blame yourselves. Maybe it was just your brother’s fate.”
She couldn’t help but tear up.
The scholar said, “No. Big Brother was murdered by a villain.”
“A villain?”
Gao Wenyin looked at the scholar in surprise.
The scholar nodded, “Before Big Brother was washed away by the river, he used his last strength to push the money chest to Da Niu. The seal was already broken by the water, and when Da Niu threw the chest ashore, it was filled with stones instead of silver.”
“What?”
Gao Wenyin’s lips parted in shock, “What’s going on?”
The scholar frowned, “We planned to investigate secretly but heard that you were in trouble, so we rushed to Bianjing.”
Gao Wenyin’s eyes dimmed, “What’s the point of investigating? My husband is gone.”
She looked at them, “What are your plans?”
The scholar sighed, “Months have passed, the evidence is probably destroyed, and even if we find it, clearing our names is difficult and may implicate you. We plan to go to Qingzhou to seek refuge with Brother Song.”
The black-faced man grunted, “This corrupted imperial court, if it were up to me, I’d turn outlaw and rob the court’s silver to clear my name.”
Gao Wenyin said, “Absolutely not.”
The scholar also scolded, “You fool, don’t drag sister-in-law into this dangerous life.”
“I’m just saying. I wouldn’t drag sister-in-law into it.” The black man hung his head.
“It’s not Da Niu’s fault.” Gao Wenyin smiled and nodded, then said to the scholar, “Seventh Brother, your plan is thoughtful. With you around, I am reassured.”
She smiled at the young man.
Lying on the ground, Zhang Fei suddenly shouted, “She wants to kill herself.”