Daishan Turns The Wind Chapter 26

The attendant brought a chair, and the purple-robed man sat down, his condescending air even more pronounced than General Yang Yi’s.

Feng Yuluo and Sun Zhengmo exchanged probing glances.

Shan Wuzhou was briefly curious before returning to his usual indifference, remaining as still as a mountain. These people who maneuvered within the court and the imperial palace had too many schemes. He found it tiresome.

The man offered a false smile: “This official is Zhu Quan, Minister of Rites.”

Feng Yuluo and Shan Wuzhou simultaneously looked at Sun Zhengmo.

The Sui’an Perfumery was truly something remarkable. It had friends who were third-rank palace maids serving the Empress, could dine with Chief Eunuch Liu, could make the Protector General of the Nation lower himself to attend a meal, and now the Minister of Rites himself had come to the prison.

Feng Yuluo was starting to suspect that Sun Zhengmo had some hidden identity.

Sun Zhengmo, having already witnessed far more terrifying things, remained relatively composed and said, “Greetings, Minister Zhu. I am Sun Zhengmo, the owner of Sui’an Perfumery. These two are my shop assistants, Little Feng and Little Shan.”

Little Feng and Little Shan remained silent.

Zhu Quan nodded: “I have heard tell of you. Two mere assistants who were able to step in and help when the General was ambushed by assassins upon returning to the city, and who subsequently uncovered the true culprits behind both the body-dumping and body-hiding cases. This official is impressed.”

Feng Yuluo cursed internally. What was he pretending for? The spoiled incense was definitely this person’s doing. Bringing them here likely meant he needed them to handle something.

Sure enough, the Minister of Rites began: “I am aware of Sui’an Perfumery’s incense. I specifically ordered a batch for the Emperor’s birthday, but the issue of it molding and spoiling is truly giving this official a headache.”

Shan Wuzhou saw that Boss Sun was unsteady again and frowned, staring at the Minister of Rites.

Sun Zhengmo stammered, “If there is a problem with the tribute offered to the Emperor, wouldn’t that mean…” execution of the entire clan.

He hadn’t earned a single penny yet, but his entire clan was already in jeopardy.

Zhu Quan said, “This matter can be big or small. I have temporarily covered for you. However, there is one more thing you must do to turn this crisis around.”

Did people in the capital enjoy beating around the bush? Boss Sun usually spoke in flowery phrases, and this person was even more cryptic. Everyone knew he had something to say, but he just wouldn’t say it directly.

Moreover, he was clearly the one who caused the trouble, yet he spoke as if he were guaranteeing their safety, making them suffer and then requiring them to do his bidding while expecting gratitude.

Sun Zhengmo forced a polite expression: “Please instruct us, Your Excellency.”

The Minister of Rites asked them to investigate the whereabouts of the six people who escaped.

This was utterly black-hearted.

Ultimately, because of their intervention, they were still suspected of being accomplices to the assassins.

If they were accomplices, they would be used to lure out the six escapees and capture them all.

If they truly weren’t, their methods would be used to capture the assassins, who would then be killed anyway.

The Minister of Rites even spoke with high-sounding rhetoric—the Emperor’s birthday was in five days, and no hidden dangers could be left. He was relying on them.

Originally, he intended to keep Sun Zhengmo locked up as leverage and release him only after the people were found. Before Feng Yuluo could speak, Shan Wuzhou fiercely interjected, saying it was impossible; they must all be released together.

His attitude was so forceful it startled everyone.

Zhu Quan agreed. But they would be monitored.

Sun Zhengmo tidied his appearance and changed to a new fan—one embroidered with resilient bamboo, which restored some of his morale. He said, “Swear to me that the next time General Yang is assassinated, you will not intervene by banging gongs or throwing pebbles. Just let him die.”

Shan Wuzhou couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Feng Yuluo glanced at the boss twice and retorted, “What is your third wish?”

Sun Zhengmo: “…How about I advance you some wages so you can go see a doctor?”

Feng Yuluo: “The leader of those six escapees is a young woman whose eyes look very much like yours. The Ministry of Rites wants us to find her. If you know anything, at least tell me. I can help them escape far away.”

Sun Zhengmo sighed helplessly.

Shan Wuzhou watched her for a moment, then, after some speculation, changed the subject: “The Ministry of Rites wants us to find the escapees, but what he truly wants to know is likely the mastermind behind the assassination of General Yang Yi. Simply catching those six people is meaningless.”

But finding those six people could lead to the mastermind.

The reverse was also true: finding the mastermind might lead to the six people.

Elimination method.

Who had the audacity and capability to plot such a major assassination?

Who could immediately silence witnesses after the assassination failed?

And who were people the General couldn’t even trace?

Given these conditions, there were very few people in Xuan Country.

Sun Zhengmo was shocked. He looked left and right and whispered, “Isn’t that the Emperor? Or, taking a step back, a Prince or the Prime Minister?”

Feng Yuluo thought there was a lead: “Does the Prime Minister have a feud with the General?”

“Unlikely. However, the Minister of Rites and the General are often at odds, and he frequently impeaches him.”

This was a bit strange. The Minister of Rites was not the General’s man, yet he allowed the Ministry of Rites to handle the incense tribute business.

“Does the Ministry of Rites dare to impeach the Protector General of the Nation?”

Sun Zhengmo: “How would I know about court affairs? But Zhu Quan comes from an extraordinary family, has exceptional ability, and moving up from the position of Minister of Rites could lead him into the Cabinet. Furthermore, I hear he has the Crown Prince backing him.”

Shan Wuzhou said, “So it’s the Crown Prince. We should look for evidence.”

Feng Yuluo was just thinking when she was startled by Shan Wuzhou’s declaration: “Wait, wait. Why would the Minister of Rites ask us to investigate the Crown Prince?”

Shan Wuzhou was also stunned: “That’s right. If the mastermind is the Crown Prince, the Minister of Rites should know. How did we manage to overturn our own deduction halfway through? What’s going on?”

The three fell silent for a moment, pondering deeply.

Shan Wuzhou quickly figured it out and snapped his fingers: “That’s it! No wonder he specifically instructed us to find those six escapees.”

The other two looked at him eagerly.

He said, “If those six people are also the Crown Prince’s subordinates, and everyone else died, but these six luckily escaped, then the Crown Prince must be afraid of Yang Yi finding them first. So he wants us to catch them so they can be silenced.”

But what if they weren’t? That group included martial arts experts from different factions.

Sun Zhengmo’s expression shifted, and he subtly warned them: “This Crown Prince is the heir apparent, the future Emperor. It’s not wise to look for evidence against him; we will all die.”

Shan Wuzhou didn’t take it seriously and continued his speculation.

Yang Yi might not be unaware of the mastermind, but he couldn’t move against him yet. He deliberately handed the incense tribute business to the Ministry of Rites to let the Crown Prince know he was aware of the assassination truth, thereby causing internal panic.

If the six escapees were not the Crown Prince’s subordinates, the Ministry of Rites sending them to chase the people would be a perfect opportunity to shift the blame.

That was the Minister of Rites’ calculation.

Either capture the escaped subordinates and silence them, cutting off the clues, or shift the blame for the assassination mastermind onto someone else.

But even so, if the six people were captured, it would be good for Yang Yi. His son was killed, and he was bound to be grief-stricken and seeking revenge.

In any case, Sui’an Perfumery was dragged into this, and they could be used as a shield no matter what. If one wants to condemn someone, one can always trump up a charge. For example, this time, spoiled incense was enough to send the perfumery staff to prison.

Sun Zhengmo murmured, “So, we and those six people are just pawns in the high-level game. The Crown Prince and the Protector General, who dare not openly clash yet, still need to exchange blows, so they are preying on us.”

A bunch of bastards.

Feng Yuluo asked, “Yang Yi is at odds with the Crown Prince. Is he supporting another Prince?”

“I don’t know.” Sun Zhengmo struggled to breathe. “But since this involves the Crown Prince, one slip-up means the execution of the entire clan. Are you two still taking this case?”

“Yes,” Shan Wuzhou’s voice was cold. He had spent many years in the mountains and had never witnessed such power struggles where human lives were treated like grass. He was momentarily indignant.

“Yang Yi wants revenge, and the Crown Prince wants to shift the blame. Both sides need a way out. I will simply use straw men to create six corpses for them.”

Sun Zhengmo looked stunned: “Ah, is it that simple?”

Shan Wuzhou said, “It’s not difficult. My creation technique is quite good.”

“…”

Shan Wuzhou looked slightly innocent: “Since they dare not openly clash yet, we just need to satisfy them. Otherwise, why do they only ever ask us to pursue the assassins, and never directly investigate the mastermind? They are both fully aware of the truth.”

Feng Yuluo looked at him, feeling the pride of a child growing up, and smiled: “So we need to hurry. Secure the incense tribute business, and then finish that Phoenix Incense. We can present it to the Empress during the birthday celebration, rescue your friend Fu Qingmu, and then flee before the great upheaval.”

Sun Zhengmo nodded frantically.

The conflict between the Crown Prince and the General might lead to a military coup; it was too terrifying. Moreover, this matter wasn’t over, and they didn’t know what else they would be asked to do in the future.

The best plan was to leave.

Feng Yuluo made one last probe: “Are you sure that after earning money and saving your friend, everything will be fine?”

Sun Zhengmo rolled his eyes, looking worried: “If I present the incense to the Empress during the birthday celebration, she will certainly be happier, but the Emperor might not be pleased if his thunder is stolen.”

“Ah, what should we do then? Find another opportunity?”

Sun Zhengmo thought for a moment: “There is no better opportunity than this. Only by showcasing prestige in front of everyone is it more likely to receive valuable rewards.”

She even became anxious, pacing a few steps: “I can create another type of incense, present it to the Emperor first, and then to the Empress. If both the Emperor and Empress are happy, they might grant a general amnesty and release Mu Mu. If the Emperor and Empress are happy, the Crown Prince will surely be happy too, and perhaps he will let us off the hook!”

But she had another difficulty: “The time is very tight. I don’t know if I can finish it in time. I also need to think of a better name!”

Feng Yuluo comforted her: “Don’t worry. You focus on making the incense. Leave everything else to us.”

With encouragement and support, Sun Zhengmo’s eyes became resolute. She extended her fist: “Alright, let’s go all out.”

Feng Yuluo and Shan Wuzhou exchanged a look, smiled helplessly, and simultaneously extended their fists: “Let’s give it our best shot!”

The plum blossom scent in the room was sharp.

Two days later, Feng Yuluo, accompanied by the men sent by Zhu Quan, pursued the fugitives a hundred miles away. In a mountain cave, they conveniently discovered six corpses.

Each corpse had the character “Yi” (義, meaning righteousness) carved on its arm, disguised as martial arts heroes.

Feng Yuluo pretended to speculate, saying they likely had a personal grudge against Yang Ye and came for revenge.

The men didn’t say anything, taking the bodies back to report.

Zhu Quan also said nothing, sending people to re-inspect the goods, sign the documents, and order two batches of incense.

These were a strange group of people. Privately, they all knew each other’s schemes, and they had already drawn swords, yet outwardly they could remain calm and collected, meeting to drink tea and wine.

With the Emperor’s birthday approaching, everyone was busy maintaining a facade of peace.

After days of continuous rushing, Sui’an Perfumery finally settled down. The results were relayed to Sun Zhengmo so she could focus on making the incense with peace of mind.

Feng Yuluo and Shan Wuzhou observed her from a distance for a while.

On the incense table, there was a pile of various incense powders. Sun Zhengmo, wearing a veil, moved lightly and solemnly, blending and testing the new fragrance.

The two didn’t understand the process, but they both felt that Boss Sun’s demeanor was different. When making incense, she was extremely calm and peaceful, with a gentle, determined light shining on her.

Of course, it might also be because the Empress’s incense was already finished. If the Phoenix Incense were still being developed, and she also had to make incense for the Emperor, Boss Sun would have long been frantic, flustered, and cursing!

Smiling, they closed the secret room door. Feng Yuluo and Shan Wuzhou went out to mind the shop.

Affected by the recent major incidents, Sui’an Perfumery’s business was far worse than before. Fortunately, the Ministry of Rites’ order provided some financial relief, otherwise, Boss Sun would have had to relocate and start over.

Feng Yuluo asked Shan Wuzhou what he thought now.

Although Shan Wuzhou’s rebellious nature often made him keep a tally against his grandmaster, when it came to serious matters, he was objective and serious.

He said that Boss Sun would definitely cause more trouble.

Direct and concise.

Feng Yuluo was also worried about this.

The straw-man corpses were taken away, and Zhu Quan said nothing. He would likely exaggerate the situation when reporting to Yang Yi, but this indicated that the six escapees were not the Crown Prince’s subordinates.

This meant there was another faction, one that managed to escape the silencing attempt and that neither the Crown Prince nor the General had managed to trace yet.

They might be martial arts experts, coming and going without a trace.

Or, their influence might be greater and their concealment deeper.

Furthermore, it was unknown whose subordinate the person who hid the body was. Was the purpose of hiding the body merely to use Sui’an Perfumery to attract attention, or was there another motive? This was also unknown.

Feng Yuluo and Shan Wuzhou had investigated several cases for days, yet seemed to have clarified nothing, merely being busy dealing with the two opposing factions.

They suddenly felt a sense of frustration.

Wasn’t all this effort for nothing?

Feng Yuluo said with a wry smile: “We’ve been led around in circles. After several loops, we’ve expended a lot of resources, but haven’t progressed half a step.”

Shan Wuzhou looked toward the secret room door: “The key to the matter lies with Boss Sun—her true wish, the person she hates the most. In truth, we know too little about her.”

Feng Yuluo stood up abruptly.

“You’re right. We came here to chase Yuanbao. Yuanbao chose her for the transaction, but we’ve been constantly distracted by external forces, hardly ever truly caring about what she wants. This shouldn’t be the case; she is our client.”

Shan Wuzhou felt an inexplicable urge to laugh. Looking at his grandmaster’s clumsy enthusiasm, he even had the impulse to clear the entire tally book.

This was not good. He needed to return to the right path and focus on the path of ruthlessness, so he kept a cold expression.

Feng Yuluo continued: “Earning money and saving her friend must be what she wants. The emotions involved are intense, so it’s normal for Yuanbao to be attracted. But the most intense, deep, and heavy emotion—hatred—she has never shown it. As a result, although we are suspicious, we have no starting point. Ultimately, we don’t know her past.”

Shan Wuzhou picked up the thread: “So we need to inquire about her family situation, what she has experienced, why she learned to make incense, where the money for the shop came from, and if she has any helpers… Perhaps then we can figure out her ultimate goal.”

Feng Yuluo clenched his fist and knocked it against his palm, making a thudding sound: “Exactly! Tracing the source and peeling back the layers is the correct approach. Alas, we’ve investigated several cases and seem to have accumulated a lot of experience, but in reality, we’ve only accumulated experience.”

Deciding to act immediately, he went to the back hall to ask the two apprentices grinding ingredients to watch the shop, and then rushed out.

He came back, poked his head in, and called out: “Let’s go! I’m counting on you.”

A man nearly nine hundred years old still showed such clumsiness and enthusiasm on his face.

Shan Wuzhou seriously pondered the feasibility of the path of ruthlessness, then got up and followed. He didn’t know what kind of spell he was under.