Chapter 77: Canhe Zhuang

Zhao Ti surveyed Canhe Zhuang: to its left stood many willows by the water, to its right floated lotuses and ice orchids; the layout was quite fine.

At that moment, a man bowed and said softly, “Your Majesty, this place seems to have a formation.”

“Oh?” Zhao Ti glanced at the man—a rogue gathered by Zhou Dong, Zhu Chuyi, master of the Baxuan Gate in Haozhou, Huainan West Road.

“You understand formations?”

“Your Majesty, my martial skills are mediocre, but I studied under the Xuan Sect and have long been fond of researching all kinds of formations, devices, traps, yin-yang matters, residences and tombs.”

“You’ve learned quite a bit.” Zhao Ti studied Zhu Chuyi—he was well-proportioned, carried himself with polished grace, exuded a certain upright aura, and sported a thin black beard; if dressed as a Daoist, he might pass for one-third immortal.

“I’ve studied for years, yet never found great use—my Baxuan Gate only operates around Haozhou, advising on yin and yang graves, calculating auspicious dates and taboos for passing martial artists…” Zhu Chuyi said.

“That’s a waste of talent.” Zhao Ti nodded: “What’s special about this manor?”

Hearing Zhao Ti’s inquiry, Zhu Chuyi could not hide his delight—he was born poor, had struggled through youth, fallen among outlaws, and had once calculated his fate repeatedly: his one chance for rise would come at age forty-eight.

Since the start of the year, he had dispatched men to gather news, unsure where his destiny would begin—until imperial troops passed through the capital, flying the Prince’s banner; he was overjoyed, and even if Zhou Dong had not come to summon him, he would have volunteered himself.

Along the way, he waited for the right moment to show his worth, but none came—until he saw Canhe Zhuang and immediately sensed his fortune; he spoke up at once.

“Your Majesty, I observe this manor follows the Water-Generating pattern, signifying enduring progeny, with ancestral qi blessing fortune without end…”

Zhao Ti snorted. Zhu Chuyi fell silent, unsure where he had erred.

“Mr. Zhu, continue,” Zhao Ti said coolly.

Hearing “Mr.”, Zhu Chuyi felt fresh joy—he had spent half his life among rogues, never once addressed as “Mr.”; in Haozhou, a fifth-rank household’s master, an official in court, had once called him “Old Zhu” when he came to locate a lost pet dog.

Now, a reigning prince called him “Mr.”—he nearly wept; if he ever rose to prominence, he would return to Haozhou and flaunt it before that fifth-rank household—he would never live in glory unseen.

“Your Highness, such Water-Generating patterns usually pair with the Six-Yin Diamond Net Formation—diamond nets beneath the water, iron thorns within the walls, trees and flowers in the manor all conceal devices, and every room’s traps center on lotus seeds and thorns; even the internal paths bear marked signs.”

Zhao Ti asked: “If we don’t crush it with troops, how long to dismantle it?”

Zhu Chuyi replied: “With disciples’ help, three days; if I work alone, at least seven days.”

Zhao Ti pondered for a few breaths: “Knock.”

The Water Camp Commander stepped forward and knocked on the gate ring; after a long while, footsteps approached, and an old servant opened the gate.

The Water Camp Commander, following Zhao Ti’s orders, said: “Is Master Murong here?”

The old servant glanced at him, then at the group behind, and shook his head: “You’ve come to the wrong place—there’s no Master Murong here.”

The Water Camp Commander said: “You’re joking—I’ve been here before. This is just a routine check by the prefecture. I could’ve just gone to Qin Yun Xiaozhu to find Miss Bi, but she’s not there; Miss Zhu at Qianxiang Shuie is gone too—I had to come here.”

“You know Miss Bi and Miss Zhu?” The servant’s expression softened: “Did they go to town to buy sugar cakes? Miss Bi is the greediest eater, and Miss Zhu is clever and mischievous—but they wouldn’t leave together. Perhaps they went to see their aunt-in-law…”

The Water Camp Commander said: “How would I know? Is Master Murong home? Or perhaps Master Gongye?”

The old servant shook his head: “Master left months ago and hasn’t returned—he entrusted all affairs to Miss Zhu and Miss Bi.”

The Water Camp Commander looked anxious: “The prefecture is pressing hard—I must go to other islands soon. I only need the register with names and numbers—I can’t wait for Miss Zhu and Miss Bi to return.”

The old servant said: “Since it’s official business, we can’t delay. When Master left, he said to treat prefectural matters with care—I recall there are a few registers. Let me fetch them for you.”

The Water Camp Commander said: “Hurry, hurry—I’m burning up inside.”

The old servant turned back inside and returned moments later with a book: “See if this will do, Commander?”

The Water Camp Commander flipped through it slightly and nodded: “This will do—just enough to satisfy the inspection. Do you think the Prefect will personally read it? It’s just hard on us lowly envoys.”

The old servant smiled: “It’s a bother for you to come all this way. If Master were home, he’d invite you in for tea. Since he’s not, I don’t know the proper way to receive guests.” With that, he extended a black money pouch.

The Water Camp Commander hesitated, his lips twitched, then expertly took it and slipped it into his robe.

He turned to leave, then added: “By the way, a foreign monk has come to the prefecture lately—fat-faced, greasy skin, luring handsome young men. If you see him, be careful—tell Miss Bi to go to the lakeside camp and find me.”

The old servant blinked: “A foreign monk? Luring handsome young men? What do you mean?”

The Water Camp Commander said: “Who knows if he’s real or fake? Just that his appearance is strange—probably a lustful monk.”

The old servant shook his head: “If I see him, I’ll report him to the authorities. Commander, rest assured.”

Zhao Ti watched the old servant—he didn’t seem to be lying. He thought: Murong Fu being away is normal—but why hasn’t Jiumo Zhi come? Could the original events still unfold—Jiumo Zhi tricked by Zhu and Bi at Qin Yun Xiaozhu, then the two girls take Duan Yu to Mantuo Zhuang?

The Water Camp Commander returned. Zhao Ti ordered them to the shore, and the group boarded the boat.

The Water Camp Commander pulled out the money pouch he had just received—it was filled with ten-cash coins—and whispered: “Your Majesty, this humble servant, this humble servant…”

Zhao Ti glanced at him: “Do you know Mantuo Zhuang?”

The Water Camp Commander bowed his head: “I know it—it’s all women. I’ve been there several times but never set foot on land.”

Zhao Ti asked: “Also a relative of the Wang family of Suzhou?”

The Water Camp Commander said: “They claim it’s even closer than Canhe Zhuang. The late male head was a Wang family member.”

Zhao Ti nodded, gazing at the rippling lake: “Head to Mantuo Zhuang.”

The Water Camp Commander exhaled in relief and immediately ordered the boat toward the depths of Taihu.

The soldiers rowed hard; the water shimmered in a thousand waves, reflecting sunlight beautifully, while reeds and flowers mingled with fresh mist, drifting in the breeze, refreshing the spirit.

After some time, the afternoon sun deepened; ahead lay dense greenery, tender and fresh, willow branches swaying—thousands of them—then they turned a corner and saw flower trees reflected in the water, radiant as colorful clouds.

The Water Camp Commander bowed: “Your Majesty, Mantuo Zhuang has arrived.”