The Xi residence sat in a narrow southern alley of Qudu, smaller in scale than the Pan and Fei estates, abutting the former Qin Prince’s mansion from the Guangcheng Emperor’s era. The family had special privileges, yet previous heads of the household were farsighted enough not to exceed the regulations. The architecture leaned slightly Western in style—pavilions and towers modest, ordinary in appearance.
Xi Hongxuan rode nervously, alert to every sound. When the clip-clop of hooves stopped, he knew they had arrived. Pulling his wrinkled robe tightly, he hurriedly alighted, noticing Shen Zechuan already standing at the front, surveying the residence.
“An old home,” Xi Hongxuan said lightly, striving to maintain normalcy. “These years I’ve been too busy to renovate. When the weather warms in a few days, you can come review the blueprints.”
Shen Zechuan’s gaze, however, lingered on the neighboring property. Its green glazed tiles clearly denoted a prince’s mansion, but dense trees shielded the red walls, giving off a ghostly air.
Xi Hongxuan followed his glance. “That’s the Qin Prince’s mansion. He contracted consumption and died the year before the former emperor ascended. The place fell into ruin—perhaps it will be granted out later.”
“Looks more impressive than the Chu Prince’s residence,” Shen Zechuan remarked without turning away.
“Naturally,” Xi Hongxuan said, thumbs up. “The present emperor wasn’t favored by Guangcheng. At that time, the crown prince, the Qin Prince, and the former emperor were the standout heirs. The crown prince ended his life at Zhao Zui Temple, the Qin Prince died of illness in his home, and the former emperor lingered on his sickbed…” He broke into a sudden smile. “Otherwise, how would the current emperor have ascended? The Qin Prince was pitiful—Guangcheng and he shared a father-son bond in his final years, often visiting. Yet because some villagers abused their power and killed a few locals, he was accused and punished with confinement in the mansion. Already ill with consumption, the Qin Prince’s punishment dragged on until his death, despite Guangcheng’s occasional visits. Whatever they discussed, it ended badly, and from then on, the Qin Prince fell out of favor.”
Shen Zechuan made a mental note but didn’t respond. Seeing his disinterest, Xi Hongxuan waved off the assembled servants. “My residence is smaller than those of royal or noble houses, yet still a fair walk inside. Lanzhou, I’m weak and exhausted; let’s take the sedan chair to move faster.”
The servants prepared the chair. Xi Dan, the household manager, dared not appear, while Xi Hongxuan’s eldest sister-in-law came out to greet them.
Xi Hongxuan had a fondness for her—or so he claimed repeatedly to Shen Zechuan, saying he had killed Xi Gu’an over a wife’s betrayal. Yet now, seeing her descend the steps, his expression was indifferent. He didn’t ask her to assist him, brushing her off casually, and stepped into the sedan.
Shen Zechuan lifted a finger to draw the curtain aside. Qiao Tianya, following outside, seemed about to speak, but Shen Zechuan subtly shook his head, stopping him.
The chair wound through the Xi residence, several turns, finally arriving at the main courtyard Xi Hongxuan usually inhabited. Unlike other estates, it lacked ornate embellishments. Long corridors led to a brightly lit office area with wide-open doors and windows, inside which the clatter of abacuses and the various dialects of merchants and accountants filled the air. The front hall, sparsely furnished with a tea table under a sunshade, hosted a bustling mix of shopkeepers and clerks from across the Great Zhou.
The crowd surged up to Xi Hongxuan as he arrived, pressing him from all sides. Merchants demanding accounts, preparing goods, seeking payment, or offering greetings—clamor and chaos reigned.
Xi Hongxuan first bowed to them. “I’ve just returned. See me like this, weary and smelly, unable to conduct business. Don’t fret. Wait here calmly; the offices will see each of you in turn. I’ve merely been out for a bit—business still continues. Merchants awaiting payment, no need to rush. When has the Xi family ever defaulted? Bring your statements; if justified, I’ll settle them!”
Eager to stabilize Shen Zechuan’s mind, he parted the crowd, called for tea service, and then escorted Shen Zechuan to a quieter hall.
“Lanzhou, please sit. I’ll freshen up and change my clothes, then return!” Xi Hongxuan shook off his dirty robe and instructed servants to prepare wine and dishes.
Shen Zechuan sipped tea as the food arrived. Xi Hongxuan reemerged in a brand-new maroon silk robe, personally pouring wine for Shen Zechuan.
“Thank you for waiting!” he chuckled, rubbing his neck. “Home is far more comfortable. The prison was so damp and foul, everything’s refreshing after a proper wash. Come, Lanzhou, drink! If you’d kept me locked a few more days, I’d surely have died!”
“Not quite,” Shen Zechuan smiled. “Just a scare. For our friendship, I wouldn’t have dealt a fatal blow.”
“You made me suffer!” Xi Hongxuan laughed wryly. “My back’s sore; later I’ll call a doctor. Why didn’t you just ask for the four hundred taels? Instead, you had to go around in circles!”
They drank and laughed, the tension from half an hour prior completely vanished.
Wine and food consumed, Xi Hongxuan wiped his mouth and slumped in his chair. “You want the keys—I don’t mind giving them. But Lanzhou, you can’t have both the keys and Qi Huilian. If you take him, I lose a leverage; I can’t hand over all the keys.”
Shen Zechuan paused, setting aside his chopsticks. “I owe you. But Second Young Master, some matters aren’t mine to arrange. Ask around and you’ll see Wei Huaigu had no intention of helping you.”
“I know everyone has their schemes,” Xi Hongxuan wiped his fine sweat. “Yet since you got me out of that prison, the court hasn’t pursued my case—surely the emperor’s intent?”
“The emperor guarantees your safety. The prison couldn’t overstep; your temporary suspension keeps you home. The Examination Bureau matters remain unfinished.” Shen Zechuan shifted tone. “I’ve sent you home. The key issue can wait. But now, I must see Qi Huilian.”
Xi Hongxuan tossed aside his handkerchief, laughing and rubbing his belly. “The keys matter must be resolved now. Lanzhou, you’ve never done business—you don’t know the ways inside. One cannot simply hold keys and draw silver—it’s dead money, spent eventually. Better I manage business to turn money into more money. When you need funds, just tell me the sum.”
Seated firmly, he noticed the previous chaos had vanished. The hall’s doors and windows open, the outside black willows like hanging ghosts peering in. Long night still, candlelight flickering, servants vanished—only the two remained.
Leaning back, Shen Zechuan said, “Times change. Beyond those prison gates, Second Young Master truly showed resolve.”
“Full and satisfied,” Xi Hongxuan replied, touching his head. “Still awake. Listen, keys and Qi Huilian aren’t an either-or—you can only take Qi Huilian. Nod, and I’ll hand him over immediately.”
Shen Zechuan was unhurried. Sliding a small bamboo fan from his sleeve, he weighed it in his hand. “We didn’t discuss it like this before.”
Xi Hongxuan boomed, “Business is ever-changing. You held my leverage; now I hold yours. Terms must shift accordingly.”
“And if I insist on taking both?” Shen Zechuan smiled.
“Then all would be for naught,” Xi Hongxuan patted his belly. “I advise, Lanzhou, don’t be greedy. Contentment brings happiness. You’ve already taken four hundred thousand. I won’t pursue more—surely sufficient?”
“Money not in hand isn’t counted,” Shen Zechuan said, withholding that the sum was split in transit from the Northeast Grain and Horse route. “The road is perilous—you know better than I.”
“I control the transport. Jiang Qingshan cannot watch it constantly,” Xi Hongxuan asserted. “I’ll find a way to get the money to you. I still say, Lanzhou, this four hundred thousand is yours. But you must speak truthfully—was the collapse, flooding, and epidemic your doing?”
“Of course not,” Shen Zechuan said. “I told you honestly before. Ask Xue Xiuzhuo about these events. I see you grip the keys tightly; I won’t force you. As you said, success requires both parties. Now, can Qi Huilian be given to me?”
Xi Hongxuan pushed back his chair, rising. “I’ve sent someone to fetch him. You’ve waited several days—don’t worry a little longer.”
He waddled, digesting as he walked, finally reaching the door and calling, “Where is he?”
A servant whispered a reply, unclear to Xi Hongxuan. He descended the steps, moving further into the courtyard. Silence enveloped him. Suddenly he spun around, shouting, “Close the doors!”
The hall doors slammed shut, window shutters clattering into place. Shadows swayed in the night wind, several figures emerging from darkness to surround the hall, sealing all escape.
Gnashing his teeth, Xi Hongxuan shed pretense. “Shen Zechuan! Still want Qi Huilian? Greedy, snake swallowing the elephant! Treating me as a fool—tonight I claim your life!”
He stepped back several paces.
“Bring Xi Dan here!”
Xi Dan had long been bound. Xi Hongxuan kicked him in the face, sending him sprawling, then stomped repeatedly.
“You traitor! Rotten bones! Forgot your parents and my hand over them? Tonight, your whole family joins him in the Yellow Springs!”
Eyes blazing with hatred, he commanded, “Bring the madam too! She cavorted with this wretched scum behind my back. Xi Dan, you dare not betray me, yet lust led you to steal—who else is to blame?”
Xi Dan writhed in agony, wailing. The madam’s legs buckled; she was thrown nearby, crying and pleading incessantly.
Xi Hongxuan let her cling to his legs, coldly saying, “He wants my life. Do you know? And yet you follow him? Were you planning to elope? I gave my all to you—ten parts affection, eight parts life—and this is how you repay me?”
Dragging her upright, his eyes bloodshot, he hissed, “Xi Gu’an took you; I reclaimed you, honoring you, providing riches, treasuring you… and you… you!” Blood pounded in his chest. “Go with him—tonight, I’ll send you away myself!”
Shoving her down, he spat and sneered, “Draw your swords! Chop these treacherous beasts to pieces—saves tonight’s appetizer! Second Young Master has enough gold!”
From his arms and sleeves, he threw handfuls of gold and silver onto the floor, coins clattering wildly. Staggering, he laughed hysterically, tears streaming, choking on sobs.
“All beings are driven by profit! I have wealth—why fear losing loyalty? For money, relatives die, flesh and blood dies, love dies!” Xi Hongxuan flung every coin high, raising his arms, screaming hoarsely amidst the flashing blades, “Strike! I come to collect my debt!”
The crowd drew their swords; the glint of steel flickered sharply.