Chapter 436: Disguise

Zhu Qizhen did not know what Wang Zhen was thinking, but seeing his face gradually turn pale, he knew he had frightened him.

Zhu Qizhen felt both proud and a little heartache. After a pause, he still said, "Mr., there are not many people by my side. They bully me for being young and want to seize the foundations of Jiangshan from my hands. I never imagined that Mr. would be one of them."

Wang Zhen immediately knelt down, prostrating on the ground and trembling, "It is because this minister came from a poor family since childhood, was momentarily blinded by greed, could not resist the temptation, and has failed Your Majesty. Please punish Your Majesty, and execute this minister as a warning to greedy attendants."

Zhu Qizhen saw that he was not making excuses as before, but directly confessing his guilt. He was first startled, then relieved, and reached out to help him up, "To know one's faults and be able to correct them is the greatest of virtues. Mr. only needs to mend his ways from now on."

Wang Zhen was so moved that tears streamed down his face, and he tightly gripped the Emperor's hand, "This minister thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness. This minister swears never to offend again, or may the five thunderbolts strike me down and let me die a terrible death."

"There is no need for that," Zhu Qizhen hurriedly stopped him from continuing, "Do not make such vicious oaths. The heavens and earth have divine spirits, one must be cautious above all."

The young Emperor had only just personally used the Hearts-Connected Talisman, and it was precisely the time when he believed most in such ghostly and divine oaths.

In the end, Zhu Qizhen went to court with his arm around Wang Zhen's hand. After the talk, the two were as close as before.

Of course, this was what Zhu Qizhen believed.

Wang Zhen did not feel that they had talked things out.

Could he dare to ask the Emperor why he sent people to steal his money?

Could he dare to ask whether Ren Ze and the other Embroidered Uniform Guard had served as the Emperor's inside men?

Speaking of which, Ren Ze and the others were Embroidered Uniform Guard, and were supposed to obey the Emperor's orders. How could he dare to hope that these people would obey him completely just because of some power and influence?

Pan Yun did not know that a trip into the palace could not only draw away the Embroidered Uniform Guard watching Yin Zhai, but also pin the blame on the Emperor, sow discord between Zhu Qizhen and Wang Zhen, and also drive a wedge between Wang Zhen and the Southern Garrison Command.

At this moment, she was putting on makeup.

She transformed bit by bit into Qu Le.

Of course, the face and shoulders were fine, it was just that her height was not enough, but this was not a big problem.

Pan Yun put on specially made boots and instantly grew twenty centimeters taller. After putting on the outer robe, Pan Yun turned to look at Tao Yanbai and Miao He.

The two exclaimed "Wow" and praised in unison, "Little Martial Uncle, you really look like Qu Le."

Pan Yun: "Are you sure you've looked closely?"

Miao He nodded vigorously, "We looked closely. Third Senior Brother and I squatted in the restaurant opposite their teahouse and watched for half a shichen. She really looks like him, except for the expression."

Pan Yun recalled Qu Le's face, tilted her chin up slightly, lowered her eyes slightly, and looked at Miao He and Tao Yanbai with arrogance.

The two were stunned by her gaze, then clapped their hands, "Like, like, that's exactly what that person looked like."

Pan Yun was satisfied, and stretched out her hand, "Sword!"

Tao Yanbai immediately picked up the sword from the table and presented it.

Pan Yun took it, raised her hand, "Box."

Miao He picked up the box from the table and presented it.

Pan Yun took the sword in one hand, tucked the box under one arm, lifted her chin, and went out through the back door.

Miao He and Tao Yanbai stood at the back door watching her off, while Pan Xiaohei hopped along behind her.

Miao He's gaze involuntarily fell on the adorable Pan Xiaohei, "Xiaohei really looks cute hopping like a rabbit."

Tao Yanbai turned and went back inside, "You'd think Xiaohei pooping is cute too."

Miao He also turned around, slammed the door shut with a bang, and muttered, "It really is cute."

Pan Yun went to an escort agency two streets away from the Wu Lin Alliance's stationed location.

She slapped down two large silver ingots with a bold flourish, and said arrogantly, "Call your head escort out."

Some escort recognized Qu Le, and immediately went to call the head escort.

The head escort arrived quickly.

Pan Yun remained seated without moving, and even took the initiative as host, pointing at the chair opposite and saying, "Head Escort Fang, please sit."

Head Escort Fang:...

Head Escort Fang silently recited in his heart twice: This is Lin Mengzhu's nephew, this is the Qu family's only son.

Head Escort Fang forcefully pulled the corners of his mouth into a strained smile, "Young Hero Qu's sudden visit, I wonder what business brings you here?"

Pan Yun pushed the box on the table forward, "There are some invitations that need your escort agency to deliver."

Head Escort Fang braced his hand to rise and take it, but halfway up he realized, sat back down, and looked at the escort standing nearby.

The escort, seeing the head look at him, stared back with wide ox-eyes, his face blank.

The head escort glanced at the box, signaling him to take it.

The escort's eyes grew even wider, his face still blank.

The head escort was utterly exasperated.

Pan Yun:...

She suppressed a laugh, gave a light cough, pushed the box forward a bit more, and said directly to the tall man, "Give the box to your head escort."

The tall man finally reacted, immediately stepped forward, picked up the box, and handed it to Head Escort Fang.

Head Escort Fang was not at all pleased. He forced the corners of his mouth into a smile for Pan Yun, "Please excuse the embarrassment in front of Young Hero Qu."

Pan Yun gave a slight nod.

Head Escort Fang felt even more stifled.

Because she was wearing someone else's face, Pan Yun did not conceal her malice at all, with no regard for anyone's life. Seeing Head Escort Fang open the box, she tilted her chin up and said, "If Head Escort Fang is interested, you can have one of these invitations." Head Escort Fang was puzzled, "Invitations from the Wu Lin Alliance to be delivered by an escort agency? You people of the Wu Lin Alliance are so numerous..."

Pan Yun directly waved her hand to cut him off, "We people of the Wu Lin Alliance don't do such trivial matters, everyone has a lot to do, we're very busy."

Head Escort Fang:...

Pan Yun glanced sideways at him, "Isn't what an escort agency does precisely the miscellaneous errands that no one else wants to do?"

Head Escort Fang:... What if I'm getting a bit angry?

But he endured it!

Head Escort Fang nodded stiffly, "Right, as long as the money is right, we take any job."

"Speak, how much money to deliver these invitations on behalf of our Wu Lin Alliance?" Pan Yun took a name list from her sleeve, held it up between two fingers.

This time, no nod from the Chief Escort or order from Pan Yun was needed—the tall man stepped forward, took the list, and handed it casually to Escort Master Fang.

Escort Master Fang glared at him.

The tall man: …tried to understand the meaning of that glare, but simply couldn't.

So he stared with his bulging ox-like eyes at Escort Master Fang, hoping for another hint.

!. Read

Escort Master Fang was thoroughly disgusted; he found a random excuse to dismiss him. "Go pour tea for Young Master Qu."

"Oh." The tall man picked up the teapot, found it empty, and hurried off to fetch water.

Only then did Escort Master Fang open the list. One glance made him frown. "Top gentry and wealthy merchants from Ruyang, Shangcai, Suiping, Queshan, and Luoshan counties?"

"Yes. The invitations are all prepared. Distribute them randomly—it doesn't matter which family."

Escort Master Fang continued reading: "Well-known Daoist temples, shrines, and monasteries in Ruying Prefecture?"

Pan Yun nodded. "Their invitations are different, but all are labeled. Addresses are all prepared—nine in total."

Neither she nor her second senior brother knew who the prominent gentry and merchants in Ruying Prefecture's counties were, but their temples and monasteries had records filed with the Ministry of Rites.

So the invitations to temples and monasteries named specific recipients, but those for gentry and merchants did not.

For the generic invitations, the escort bureau had to go on-site to inquire and find out who to deliver them to.

That also counted as part of the fee.

But Qu Le was rich and careless with money; Pan Yun had taken so much from Wang Zhen that she, too, was generous, so she told Escort Master Fang to name his price—she had no lack of funds.

Escort Master Fang desperately wanted to overcharge him, but the escort bureau dealt in integrity. Qu Le's request was not difficult, and Ruying Prefecture was not far from the capital.

So he grudgingly quoted: "Fifty-eight taels per county—for round-trip expenses and investigation. Five counties total two hundred and ninety taels."

Pan Yun pulled out three silver notes and slapped them on the table, pointing at the two forty-tael silver ingots. "Add these two ingots. I also want you to deliver letters to the magistrates of Xiping, Xincai, and Zhengyang counties."

All three counties were within Ruying Prefecture. Since they were going to five counties, they'd inevitably pass through these three—any they missed could be reached with a slight detour.

Easy money was money to be made, though this money felt grudgingly earned.

Still, three hundred and forty taels—after deducting travel and lodging, they'd net three hundred taels, delivering invitations with no danger. Escort Master Fang decided to take this grudging payment.

So what if he was arrogant?

As long as the money was enough, he'd endure it!

Especially since Qu Le paid the full amount upfront—wasn't that trust and recognition of their escort bureau's ability?

So what if his manners were poor and his speech rude?

Just for paying the full amount upfront, he'd endure it!

Escort Master Fang accepted the money and prepared the receipt, handing it to Qu Le.

Pan Yun reached out, took it, glanced at it once, then casually stuffed it into her sleeve. She rose, hand on her sword. "I entrust this matter to Escort Master Fang. I hope all households on the list receive their invitations no later than seven days."

Escort Master Fang nodded solemnly. "Young Master Qu, rest assured. I'll begin selecting men immediately. We'll send out teams this afternoon and reach Ruying Prefecture in three days."

Pan Yun nodded in satisfaction, then left with a haughty air.

Only after Pan Yun left did Escort Master Fang bring the box to his study and gather his men.

The tall man squeezed in after them, his eyes wide as he stared at Escort Master Fang.

Escort Master Fang waved him off. "This trip to Ruying Prefecture doesn't need warriors with high martial skill. We need men who speak well and move fast. You're not going."

"Chief, what kind of invitations is the Wu Lin Alliance sending that's so urgent?"

"Wu Lin Alliance summoning letters, calling heroes from across the land to aid disaster relief."

"... Three hundred-plus taels to hire us to deliver such invitations?" The escort felt Qu Le was mad. "Three hundred taels could buy so much grain. If they're raising relief, why not use Wu Lin Alliance members? That'd be an easy way to save money."

"We don't understand the thinking of the wealthy, nor should we try," said Escort Master Fang. "We've taken the money. We do as he asks."

Everyone agreed.

Escort Master Fang split his men into two teams. Five counties total, plus three incidental ones.

He divided them: one team took two main counties and two incidental ones; the other took three main counties and one incidental one. They set off with the invitations.

Outside the escort bureau, Pan Yun exhaled, looked down at herself, found no flaws, and walked off proudly.

Just around the next street, she could enter the alley's depths, wipe off her makeup and shoes, and return home, relaxed and free.

Pan Yun turned the corner. Three people walking toward her saw him, forced smiles, and bowed. "Young Master Qu."

(End of Chapter)