Chapter 1

  A few days later, Bao Zheng sent grain to Chenzhou.

  Anle Marquis Pang Yun and Bao Zheng met according to official etiquette to hand over grain and money matters.

  After official business was over, Pang Yu spoke up for a private matter to Bao Zheng, "Lord Bao, Xiao Hou has an unreasonable request, and I hope you will not hesitate to lend a helping hand."

  Bao Zheng said: "Your Excellency is too polite, if I can help with anything, it's only natural that I should do so."

  Before Pong Yu spoke, he hesitated again, then said: "This matter is a family affair of our house," and after a brief pause, "Xiao Hou's third sister, the one you've met before, she left a note and ran away."

  "Leave a note and run away?" Bao Gong was shocked.

  Gongsun Ce was shocked.

  Even Zhan Zhao, who was usually unmoved by the eight winds, was surprised. However, thinking about her usual style and behavior, such actions didn't seem too unexpected after all.

  Pang Yu's face was full of worry, "Although my sister is cautious and thoughtful in her actions, she is a woman alone outside, and the young marquis has been worried. Moreover, the matter was urgent, and on the day I received the imperial edict, I had to set out to return to Beijing to report back, and there was no time to send someone to search for her. I had no choice but to entrust you, sir, to privately help find her."

  "I understand." said Bao Zheng.

  Pang Yu glanced at the fourth-grade sword-bearing guard Zhan Zhao standing beside Bao Gong and said, "I think that Zhan Zhao has some underworld connections that can be used, so I privately asked you to help."

  "This matter will be handled by our officials, Your Excellency need not worry too much." Bao Zheng assured.

  Pang Yu nodded, "This time Ben Hou returned to Beijing and didn't know how to tell his parents..." It just so happened that he ran away at this time, making it impossible for him to find anyone. Moreover, this matter was not suitable for publicizing, and San Jie was indeed good at choosing the right moment.

  Zhan Zhao stepped forward and said, "I have something to say, Your Excellency may as well listen."

  "Please speak up."

  "Songjiang Prefecture has a gathering of Jianghu people, and a few days ago, Bai Yutang mentioned this matter to his subordinates when Pang Niang was also present. It's better for Master Hou to return to Beijing and mention it to the Grand Preceptor that Pang Niang is infatuated with novelty and went to Songjiang Prefecture to see the excitement. Taking advantage of this period, I will find some Jianghu friends to investigate, maybe we can find Pang Niang."

  Pang Yu's face relaxed at once, and he let out a sigh of relief. "So be it, Third Sister's temperament is also capable of doing such things."

  Gongsun Ce said: "In that case, Master Hou still needs to keep Xiaohuo as his concubine. Moreover, Pang should also have a maid accompanying her when she goes out."

  "This is natural."

  So this matter was settled.

  Bao Zheng turned around and left the imperial envoy's office for the local official's hostel.

  After everything was settled, Gong Sun Ce made tea and chatted with Bao Zheng in the side room.

  "What does the adult think?"

  Bao Zheng stroked his beard and nodded slightly, "Lord Hou has become much more calm and reserved, it seems that this trip to distribute relief has been very beneficial for him."

  "So it seems that Pang Niang should be considered as having successfully fulfilled her role and can now retire."

  "Oh?"

  Gongsun Ce smiled and recounted what Lu Xiaofeng had said in the inner courtyard of Kaifeng Prefecture that day, finally commenting, "From this, it can be seen why she followed him out of Beijing at the time, and now that she's leaving, what is the reason."

  "With a task accomplished, one should retreat and hide their achievements and fame." Zhan Zhao couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

  Gongsun Ce smiled and nodded, "This sentence is quite apt."

  Zhan Zhao had doubts, "Then won't the property she owns in the capital be abandoned for nothing?" A young girl without a foothold, what can she do?

  Gongsun Ce, however, did not think so. "Zhan Huwei's words are quite different," he said. "Considering Pang Niang's character, knowledge, and experience, I think this is not something to worry about. She will surely be able to create another career for herself, perhaps even better than before."

  Bao Zheng nodded his head in agreement.

  Zhan Zhao smiled slightly and nodded her head, knowing that she had understood. With her abilities, there was no need to worry.

  "However," Gong Sun Ce changed his tone, "she is after all a single weak woman. Although she has superior intelligence and experience, if she encounters strong villains, it's also dangerous. It's still better to find her as soon as possible."

  Zhan Zhao said: "I'll go out and ask a favor of some friends in Jianghu." After finishing speaking, he turned around and was about to leave.

  "Gongsun Zan shouted at him: 'Hold on a bit, don't be in such a hurry!'"

  "Mr. Gong Sun—"

  Gongsun Ce poured a cup of tea slowly and deliberately, saying: "At that time, she was very interested in that invitation letter?"

  Zhan Zhao couldn't help but clench his fist and cover his mouth, "Mr. Gong Sun——"

  "As Xing Hu Wei said before in the camp, it's possible that Pang Niang might go to watch the excitement too."

  "However, I think that given Miss Lu's temperament, she will definitely avoid the Songjiang Prefecture," Zhan Zhao continued, meeting Gong Sun Ce's gaze. "She is naturally skilled at reasoning and analysis, so she would also think of all possible consequences."

  Gongsun Ce nodded in agreement, "That's also true," he paused for a moment, "but she must also be well aware of the principle of doing the opposite, perhaps betting on our analysis of her behavior pattern."

  Bao Zheng shook his head and sighed, "This girl has indeed given us a difficult problem." It's no wonder that the Duke of Anle was at a loss and had to ask for help from the Kaifeng Prefecture.

  Gongsun Ce smiled and said: "I quite admire this girl, she has the style of a legendary heroine, if she were a man, she would be a hero."

  Bao Zheng stroked his mustache, "Among women, there are indeed capable people." Like the Empress He of our dynasty's Taizu, who co-ruled Hedong with Taizong for twenty years. Only after Taizu unified the Song Dynasty did the couple finally reunite.

  Zhan Zhao hastily said, "Mr. Gong Sun——"

  "Don't be impatient, don't be impatient," Gong Sun Ce smiled and waved his hand. "Such a clever girl, if you're anxious, it's even harder to grasp her thoughts. In my humble opinion, Miss Pang must have thought of ways to avoid the official inquiry, so the focus should be on searching for her in the Jianghu world, which requires the hard work of the guards."

  "Zhan Mou understood and went to ask a friend from the Jianghu."

  It wasn't until Zhan Zhao left that Bao Gong said, "Sir seems to have other considerations."

  Gongsun Ce looked back and said: "Sir, what do you think of Zhan Huwei and Pang Niangzi?"

  Bao Zheng was taken aback for a moment, then he understood what he meant, "Sir is saying——"

  Gongsun Ce revealed a faint, unspoken smile, and the two of them didn't say anything more about this matter.

  Things are still unclear, and they don't need to make it clear. As things develop naturally, there is no need for them to make it clear either.

  Sometimes, some things are best left for others to just observe and wait for developments.

  On the other hand, Zhan Zhao asked his friends in Jianghu to find someone.

  In just a few days, Bai Yutang appeared in front of Zhan Zhao again after receiving the news.

  As soon as they met, he didn't say a word and burst out laughing loudly. Then, with a pat on his shoulder, he laughed and said, "How's that? If you had listened to me back then, this wouldn't have happened, would it?"

  Zhan Zhao flashed open his hand and calmly said: "Does Brother Bai have any news?"

  "Needless to say, she must have gone to Songjiang Prefecture. That girl is clearly one who likes excitement."

  Zhan Zhao's face involuntarily brought a hint of a smile, "But you're wrong about this, she's someone who can endure loneliness."

  Bai Yutang raised an eyebrow playfully and said, "You know again?"

  "When you see her focused on doing something, you'll understand what her true temperament is like. Calm and steady, meticulous to the extreme, the contrast of that aura suddenly coming together leaves a deep impression."

  She is carefree and relaxed in life, but focused and profound when working.

  Bai Yutang held his sword with both hands and crossed them over his chest, casting a slanted glance at him. "Since you know her so well, where is she now?"

  Zhan Zhao said: "If Zhan had known, he wouldn't have asked his Jianghu friends for help in searching."

  Bai Yutang heard this and burst out laughing, "You've been making a fuss for half a day, but you still don't know, do you?"

  Zhan Zhao did not speak.

  Bai Yutang's eyes rolled around and he said, "Why don't you find her under the pretext of finding your fiancée? She'll definitely come out on her own initiative."

  Zhan Zhao looked at him, his expression telling him this really wasn't a good idea.

  Bai Yutang, however, said with great enthusiasm: "If you're not willing, I'll find my fiancée in the name of Trap Island. The effect should be the same." He saw that the girl was not a pushover and this method would likely succeed, more reliable than searching for a needle in the ocean like they were doing.

  Zhan Zhao gripped his sword tightly and said somewhat stiffly, "This method will ruin her reputation, it's not suitable."

  "Wu Ye, I will take responsibility myself." Bai Yutang added fuel to the fire.

  Zhan Zhao's voice was somewhat cold, "Does Brother Bai think she would be willing?"

  Bai Yutang said proudly: "How can Fifth Master be unworthy of her?"

  "Zhan has something else to attend to, I'll go ahead first."

  "Zhan Zhao, don't go, if you don't use this method I really will..."

  Zhan Zhao suddenly turned his head back.

  Bai Yutang was startled, it was the first time he saw Zhan Zhao's gaze so cold and stern, obviously he was truly angry.

  "Be careful, Brother Wang. If this gets out, the sword in my hand will be drawn from its scabbard." With that, Zhan Zhao turned and left.

  Bai Yutang let out two "tsks", his eyes and face full of ridicule. The imperial cat's anger was stirred, what a rare sight!

  "Zhan Zhao, wait," Bai Yutang shouted as he chased after him, "Let's go to Songjiang Prefecture together, I think she'll definitely go there."

  "You and I will part ways here, Brother Bai will head to Songjiang Prefecture first, and apologize to the Ding brothers on behalf of Zhang."

  "How does this work?"

  "Miss Lu is alone outside, it's better to find her master as soon as possible and hand her over to Duke Anle."

  "You speak as if you're not in a hurry at all."

  "White Brother——"

  "Alright, I won't say anything more. In short, as long as she's found soon, everything will be fine. To say that this girl is really..."

  One red and one white figure slowly moved side by side, gradually disappearing into the distance in the fading light of sunset.