Chapter Ninety-Eight: Ding Li Returns to the City

After racing for several hours until the final hour of the night watch, only then did Ding Li and Yang Hongwen arrive beneath the walls of Guangzhou City. Although the city gates had yet to open, after a brief exchange between Yang Hongwen and the officer on guard atop the city wall, the latter eagerly descended with his men to personally open the gates and welcome them in.

Yang Hongwen did not linger in conversation. After a few polite words, he and Ding Li quickly made their way to the Military Governor’s Mansion.

Moments later, outside the mansion, Yang Hongwen tossed his horse’s reins to the guards posted at the gate. With sincerity etched on his face, he approached Ding Li and patted him firmly on the shoulder, his expression serious as he repeatedly urged him: “Remember what I told you! Know what you can do and what you must not. I trust you understand perfectly. Do not disappoint me, and do not make me regret having helped Shouyi save you back then!”

“Don’t worry, Brother Yang—I understand!” Ding Li smiled faintly and shrugged, completely unbothered. When it came to smuggling, there was no need for Yang Hongwen to say anything; Ding Li would never touch that business, nor had he ever entertained the thought.

“Jingyi, you’re back!” As they spoke, two figures emerged from within the mansion gates, calling out to Yang Hongwen with smiles. Hearing this, Yang Hongwen turned quickly and cupped his hands in salute. “Uncle Zhang, Uncle Xiang!”

Ding Li immediately recognized the two men before him as Zhang Kuang, the father of his young master Zhang Mingzhi, and Zhang Xiang, the chief steward of the Zhang family business. Having never met them before, Ding Li hesitated, unsure whether to step forward to greet them.

But that hesitation quickly dissolved. Upon noticing the bandages on Yang Hongwen’s body, both men froze. Zhang Kuang was the first to react; he hurried forward, gripping Yang Hongwen’s arm and inspecting his injuries with a deeply concerned frown. “Jingyi! What happened? How did you come back covered in wounds?”

“Uncle Zhang, don’t worry. There was a small mishap along the way, but I’m fine,” Yang Hongwen explained sheepishly, allowing Zhang Kuang to examine him thoroughly. Then Zhang Kuang’s face darkened, his tone icy and angry as he demanded, “Tell Uncle Zhang! Who dared to be so brazen? Who has the heart of a bear and the courage of a leopard to wreak havoc within Guangzhou’s jurisdiction?”

“Really, it’s nothing, Uncle, please don’t be angry!” Yang Hongwen hastily smiled and waved off the concern. Seeing Zhang Kuang’s relentless insistence and Zhang Xiang’s apparent readiness to back him up, he reluctantly revealed the truth. Then he quietly added, “Uncle Zhang, Uncle Xiang, I should return inside to report to Uncle Li. I was supposed to come back yesterday—I’m sure Uncle Li must be worried sick!”

“It’s alright, as long as you’re unharmed. Brother Li has already received some intelligence about the rebel forces in advance,” Zhang Kuang dismissed the matter with a wave, shaking his head with a smile. “Last night, your Uncle Li told me he thought you went to Fuxu Town and that Shouyi held you back from returning. Though urgent, it wasn’t worth the delay of a single night.”

“Thank you both for your concern!” Yang Hongwen smiled awkwardly before bowing to Zhang Kuang and Zhang Xiang. “Uncle Zhang, Uncle Xiang, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go report to Uncle Li.”

“Good, go quickly. After your report, tend to your wounds promptly. The doctors at your Uncle Li’s mansion aren’t easy to summon!” Zhang Kuang patted Yang Hongwen’s shoulder with a laugh and teased him as he left.

“Mm,” Yang Hongwen nodded, then turned to Ding Li, bowing in farewell. “A Li, thank you for last night. I’ll take my leave for now.”

“Brother Yang, you’re too polite. Take care and rest well!” Ding Li smiled and shook his head, returning the salute. After a moment’s thought, he resolved to seek leave from his own master, but when he turned, he froze.

The expressions on Zhang Kuang and Zhang Xiang’s faces were deeply complex, especially Zhang Kuang’s, whose thick brows knitted tightly as if ready to clash, while Zhang Xiang looked puzzled and bewildered, as though witnessing something beyond belief.

Ding Li chose not to dwell on their looks but was uncertain how to address them. After some thought, he mimicked Yang Hongwen’s formality, bowing respectfully and addressing them as he had heard: “Uncle Zhang, Uncle Xiang, your humble servant takes his leave.”

Without waiting for a response, Ding Li bowed deeply, stepped back a few paces, seized the reins, and briskly departed on his mount.

“Ah, Xiang, just now—just now?” Only after Ding Li disappeared did Zhang Kuang suddenly snap out of his daze, though his thoughts remained jumbled as he cast a complicated glance toward his trusted aide.

“Master, this, this…” Zhang Xiang stammered uncertainly, hesitating before shaking his sleeve and casting a wary look around. Then he leaned close to Zhang Kuang, lowering his voice. “Master, this is too coincidental, isn’t it? It’s almost uncanny! How could it be possible?”

“Too uncanny, indeed,” Zhang Kuang muttered, still seeing Ding Li’s face in his mind. His thoughts drifted back over twenty years to another face—two faces were remarkably alike, especially the resolute expression that seemed ever-present.

“Master, should we investigate?” Seeing his lord so distracted, Zhang Xiang hesitated but finally asked in a low voice.

“Yes, we must investigate! This is no trivial matter!” Zhang Kuang nodded firmly, his eyes shining with intensity. He turned to Zhang Xiang with a deliberate tone. “Xiang, I want all information on that young man just now. Everything. Understand?”

“Understood, Master! Whatever he does in the future, if you want to know, it won’t be a problem!” Zhang Xiang nodded solemnly, fully aware that this matter was far from ordinary—potentially impactful enough to affect all of Guangzhou Prefecture and even the entire Eastern Lingnan Circuit.

Unaware that he was now under scrutiny, Ding Li returned to the Zhang residence, weary from his journey, only to be informed by the servants that Liu Sheng had already moved to the new mansion the previous day—the very same mansion where Ding Li now resided. Also leaving the Zhang residence were Wang Ling and Xu Hong, two of the heroic trio from Duanzhou whom Ding Li had previously rescued. It was said that Sai Yijia had returned home to the Fanfang district due to urgent matters the night before.

Although the new Ding residence was only half a street away from the Zhang estate, Ding Li nonetheless entered the Zhang home. Even he wasn’t sure why, rationalizing it as fatigue and the early hour making him reluctant to disturb Liu Sheng and the others at the new residence.

The Zhang household, naturally unwilling to neglect Ding Li, swiftly arranged a room and breakfast. After a simple meal, Ding Li decided to rest, planning to return to his own home before noon. Perhaps due to having completed pressing tasks or sheer exhaustion from recent days, despite some wandering thoughts before lying down, the moment he settled onto the soft bed, his mind blurred and he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Not long after, as the morning sun rose and bathed Guangzhou City in comforting light, the Ding residence was already bustling—not because of the news of Ding Li’s return, but because furniture specially ordered separately by Ding Li and Liu Sheng was being delivered that day. Furthermore, Liu Sheng planned to go out shopping for more items.

Since Zhang Mingzhi had gone to Fuxu Town, the official coachman Lao Zhang had become Ding Li’s personal driver and naturally, also Liu Sheng’s dedicated coachman. Within the mansion, only the scholar Xu Hong seemed to fit in well, and with Sai Yijia absent, Liu Sheng invited the idle Xu Hong to accompany her—a decision also encouraged earlier by Ding Li. Since Xu Hong was to be employed, his status needed to be elevated somewhat in the eyes of others.

In recent days, Liu Sheng had frequented the city, and with Lao Zhang’s skilled driving, they soon arrived at the bustling northern market. However, Liu Sheng did not disembark. Instead, she leaned out the carriage window, handing two densely written sheets of paper to several maids while smiling and repeatedly advising them. Then she withdrew back inside, quietly telling Lao Zhang to proceed to today’s destination: the well-established musical instrument shop, where Liu Sheng had been invited to try out instruments.

Nearby in the northern market, a young man astride a pure white horse wore a sly grin, his eyes gleaming as he watched Liu Sheng’s carriage. He glanced at the meager group of servants accompanying her, frowned in puzzlement, then smirked maliciously at his confidant beside him. His coarse words clashed sharply with his lavish attire: “Hey! That girl just now—what family’s she from? Her face is quite something. If I could bring her back to my mansion, wouldn’t I be able to stay inside for months without stepping out?”

“Heh heh heh… Young master, you’re only half right!” The confidant, seemingly inspired by his master’s words, narrowed his eyes lecherously, his expression even more exaggerated than the young man on horseback. Fearing his master might not grasp his meaning, he kept casting lascivious looks at the retreating carriage while sneering: “Young master, you only saw her face just now. Isn’t it too soon to say such things? Why not chase after her and see for yourself? I don’t believe she’d hide inside the carriage all day. If you like her, we can figure out a way to bring her back. Then you can look all you want.”

“Brilliant! Brilliant! You really think things through! You’re just like the worm in my belly!” The young man’s speech was rough, but if one ignored his gaudy clothes and focused on his lecherous face, it was unsurprising. His confidant beamed, as if receiving the highest praise.

“But my father has already arranged with the Cao family. If I don’t go, they’ll probably find fault with me again,” the young man suddenly recalled his father’s morning instructions as he left home. His brow furrowed, his expression troubled.

“That won’t happen. It’ll just delay you a bit. Once done, you’ll still make it to the docks on time.” Seeing his master’s hesitation, the confidant quickly smiled and offered a solution, knowing full well his master’s true intent. This was just a pretense; given an excuse, his master would easily back down.

Sure enough, the young man feigned reluctance with a sigh, then nodded resignedly, as if a piece of his heart was being torn away. His face took on a resolute air, as if marching to a battlefield to meet death. “Alright then, I’ll listen to you. Let’s follow her first, then head to the docks.”

“But Tian Luo! Send someone to the docks ahead to notify them. Tell them I have urgent business and can’t leave immediately but will arrive soon!” The young man, still uneasy, whispered instructions to his confidant. Then he leaned low over the horse’s neck, beckoning him closer and lowering his voice further: “Tell everyone not to reveal my identity. If anyone dares to act without my order, I’ll cut out their tongue!”

Tian Luo immediately smiled knowingly, his flattering grin broadening. “Don’t worry, young master. I’ll handle it!”

With that, Tian Luo began gathering the servants. He understood his young master’s ruse perfectly. In such a large entourage, few in all of Guangzhou Prefecture matched the young master’s ostentation—especially the face he fancied the most, which even the city’s toddlers recognized as Tian Xiangwen, son of the Maritime Commissioner.

Yet despite this, every time they committed misdeeds, Tian Xiangwen insisted on concealing his identity. Though Tian Luo found it tiresome, he still smiled and carried out every order obediently.