The cold wind howled relentlessly as more than a dozen horses stood solemnly, their riders wrapped in black cloaks like dark clouds pressing down upon the earth.
The relay station workers dared not approach.
“Lord Deng, you’ve arrived so quickly?” Supervisor Qi flew over to those men like a bird, speaking enthusiastically to one of them. “I was just about to come report to you. I’ve already questioned everyone here—”
The Station Master knew all too well what sort of person Supervisor Qi was—strutting about throughout the entire prefecture, even his brother-in-law the Prefect dared not interfere with him much.
Yet here he was, fawning over this Lord Deng Yi with such deference.
Was it because the man was a court official? Did court officials all have terrible tempers?
The Station Master’s gaze fell upon this Vice Commandant of the Guards, Deng Yi. He appeared to be in his thirties, with a pale complexion and features that, while not particularly handsome, were certainly not disagreeable. His face bore no smile, but neither did it show arrogance, nor did he rebuke Supervisor Qi.
“I’ve already checked the city, so I came here myself,” he said, his voice gentle. “This also saves Supervisor Qi another trip.”
Isn’t he quite polite? the Station Master thought to himself.
Supervisor Qi showed not the slightest relaxation, nervously expressing his thanks before pointing toward the Station Master: “Would Lord Deng like to question them here as well?”
Deng Yi said: “If it’s not too much trouble, I would like to hear what they have to say.”
Supervisor Qi immediately turned and called out, “Station Master Xu, Station Master Xu, come quickly and answer!”
The Station Master felt inexplicably flustered at being summoned, hurrying over and bowing to Deng Yi: “This humble official is Xu Ze, Station Master of the North Cao Town relay station. I pay my respects to Lord Deng.”
Deng Yi nodded to him: “Station Master Xu, have you recently seen any escort guards heading toward Yunzhong Commandery?”
So he really is asking everything again? Supervisor Qi clearly said he’d already asked and there was nothing. These officials from the capital really do put on airs. Hmm, that A’Jiu fellow was the same—after questioning him, he still went to question the Yang family woman again.
Perhaps it had nothing to do with putting on airs; they were all simply suspicious and didn’t trust others.
While his mind wandered, the Station Master hastily answered: “No.”
Deng Yi asked again: “Not necessarily to Yunzhong Commandery, but any escort guards heading west? And not necessarily escort guards either—groups with larger numbers, but most importantly, groups with two young girls among them.”
Two? The Station Master’s heart jumped, and he felt that inexplicable sensation again.
“Two,” Supervisor Qi added from the side. “The young lady of the Chu family with a maidservant.”
One young lady and one maidservant. These words drifted through the Station Master’s mind. He shook his head, his voice slowly saying: “No.”
Supervisor Qi said: “That’s right, Lord Deng. Those escort guards all avoid passing by the relay station, so he truly knows nothing.” He then invited warmly, “Would Your Lordship come inside to rest? Though the relay station is simple, we have hot wine and food.”
Deng Yi ignored him, his slender eyes scrutinizing the Station Master as his voice slowly asked: “Then has Station Master Xu recently seen any unusual people heading toward Yunzhong Commandery?”
The Station Master felt his thoughts becoming even more sluggish. He heard his own voice drawing out even longer: “N—o.”
With a sharp crack, a whip suddenly appeared before the Station Master’s eyes, wrapped in cold wind as it lashed toward him.
The Station Master cried out in fright and dodged backward. Fortunately, the whip didn’t actually strike his face but swept past before his eyes with a whistling sound.
“Is there or isn’t there?”
The gentle-voiced Vice Commandant of the Guards shouted.
Outside the relay station, everything froze for an instant. Supervisor Qi clutched his chest, his eyes wide, clearly also shocked by this scene.
This Lord Deng Yi truly has a terrifying temper! the Station Master screamed inwardly. His originally drifting thoughts snapped into focus as he blurted out: “Yes!”
Huh?
Supervisor Qi stared wide-eyed at the Station Master. Old man, what are you saying? Didn’t you say there was nothing?
“It’s like this,” the Station Master said. Having been frightened by the whip, he no longer let his mind wander, his gaze no longer sluggish, his spirit clear and his voice crisp. “Recently at the relay station there were three people—a mother and two daughters—also heading to Yunzhong Commandery. This humble official’s mind wandered and I thought of them.”
A mother and two daughters? That’s different from this Miss Chu! Supervisor Qi glared at the Station Master again. This old fool, letting his mind wander like that, acting guilty as a thief. Needless to say, he must have fleeced those three women again.
“There are many people heading in the direction of Yunzhong Commandery,” he rebuked. “His Lordship asks you something, you answer that. What nonsense are you spouting?”
The Station Master repeatedly acknowledged his error: “Yes, yes, this humble official’s mistake. I’ve wasted Your Lordship’s time.”
Deng Yi nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face: “Station Master Xu is too kind. It’s good to think of more possibilities.”
Seeing the faint smile on Deng Yi’s face, the Station Master shuddered inwardly, understanding what Supervisor Qi meant about this lord’s terrifying temper. This wasn’t about having a bad temper at all! This was clearly a psychopath!
Turning hostile in an instant, striking at will, then offering a smile afterward.
To reach the position of Vice Commandant of the Guard Bureau at such a young age while being so ruthless—who knew what kind of background and connections he had.
The Station Master responded submissively, not daring to say more. Supervisor Qi once again warmly invited Deng Yi to rest inside the relay station.
Deng Yi declined, stating he still needed to continue investigating at the next town.
“How exhausting for you,” Supervisor Qi sighed, then complained in a low voice. “Meanwhile, that Young Master Chu sits comfortably in the prefecture while you, Lord Deng, run about everywhere.”
Deng Yi said with a smile: “This is this official’s duty. Young Master Chu is a scholar, and still quite young.”
He sounded kind and approachable. Of course, the Station Master no longer dared truly believe this, standing quietly and obediently to one side, watching as Deng Yi grasped his horse’s reins—
Suddenly he stopped again, looking past the chattering Supervisor Qi toward the Station Master: “Did those three—mother and daughters—travel to Yunzhong Commandery together?”
The Station Master inexplicably shivered, feeling his voice becoming slow again.
“No,” he said. “Only those two girls went.”
Two girls. Supervisor Qi’s eyes widened. Deng Yi’s eyes narrowed.
……