Chapter 569: Mess with Him Once

Bo Residence.

In the rear courtyard's Nuan ge, incense curled, and the charcoal fire burned brightly.

Bo Qing reclined diagonally on a soft couch covered with thick beast hide, eyes closed, looking content.

At the couch's edge, two demure maidservants knelt, one gently massaging his leg, the other rubbing his shoulder.

He had just been shortchanged by Liu Wan, feeling displeased, so he sent a subordinate out to gather news.

He was now awaiting the report.

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

Bo Qing opened his eyes and waved his hand.

The two maidservants understood, rose and stepped aside.

A subordinate dressed in black hurried in and knelt on one knee.

"Young master, the investigation is complete."

Bo Qing sat up, his gaze landing on him.

"Oh? Tell me."

The subordinate lifted his head, cleared his throat, and began to report:

"That Li Er indeed came from Qu Ren Li, Chen State, and arrived in Cheng Zhou half a month ago."

"He carries the Royal Family's seal and rumors, entered the Shou Cang Shi directly, and now serves as Keeper of the Repository Chamber."

Bo Qing's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Keeper of the Repository Chamber? That position that oversees all the world's scriptures?

"He's just a country boy; how could he become Keeper of the Repository Chamber?"

The subordinate shook his head: "This... I cannot uncover, only know that the Son of Heaven arranged it personally; no one in the court knows his background."

Bo Qing let out a cold snort, saying nothing.

The subordinate continued: "As for the matter between him and Liu Wan, it went like this—"

"A few days ago Liu Wan was returning to the city, got caught in heavy rain, and took shelter in an abandoned Wooden House."

"Also there were three hunters, four aristocratic youths, and this Li Er."

"That night, a Ferocious Tiger attacked."

Bo Qing's eyebrows furrowed.

"Ferocious Tiger?"

"Yes. The tiger smashed through the Wooden Door and bit dead a aristocratic youth."

"In the chaos, the three hunters led Li Er and Liu Wan, master and servant, to escape."

"Later the tiger caught up, about to devour them—"

The subordinate paused.

"Then a Blue Ox charged out and knocked the tiger away."

Bo Qing was stunned for a moment.

"Blue Ox?"

"Exactly that one." The subordinate nodded, "Li Er's ox."

Bo Qing fell silent.

That Blue Ox, which had once thrown his family's strongman, could even topple a tiger?

He inhaled deeply, waved his hand, and said, "Continue."

"Yes, later the three hunters were left by Liu Wan at the spot, awaiting her subordinates' arrival, and were richly rewarded."

"As for the aristocratic youth who was bitten, it is said his two companions pushed him out to feed the tiger."

"Those two companions, one named Zhao Wen, the other Zhi Xuan, both from Zhao State, and one who ran fast luckily escaped danger…"

"This was a chance encounter with Liu Wan, who was impressed, and thus............"

The subordinate fell silent.

Bo Qing listened, a fierce glint appearing in his eyes.

Heh, another bunch trying to steal women from him..............

"Are they still in Cheng Zhou now?"

"Yes." The subordinate nodded, "They reside in the post station inn east of the city, wandering daily in front of Liu Mansion, looking for a chance to approach Liu Wan."

Bo Qing let out a cold laugh.

The woman he coveted, could these few scoundrels even imagine?

He leaned against the couch, fingers lightly tapping his knee, lost in thought.

After a moment, a grim smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Those few didn't seem particularly clever, just right…

Just perfect to use their hands to trouble Li Er.

He raised his head and ordered the subordinate:

"Go, bring those people here, say I will hold a banquet tomorrow at the residence, and invite them"

"for a chat."

The subordinate was taken aback.

"Young master, under what pretense?"

"Just say it's for that Li Er matter." He paused, "As for the rest, you know what to do."

"Just say it's because of that Li Er matter." He paused, "As for the rest, you know what to do."

【61】 The subordinate understood and nodded.

Yes, I understand.

Go.

The subordinate rose and hurriedly retreated.

Bo Qing watched his back disappear outside the door, gave a cold snort, then leaned back into the maid's arms.

In the warm pavilion, laughter and chatter resumed.

The next day.

East City Yiguan.

Zhao Wenzheng sat by the window, holding a scroll, yet for a long time he didn't turn a single page.

His gaze would occasionally drift toward the window, as if he could see through the buildings to the direction of Liu Mansion.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Qing Cai, someone is looking for you."

"Huh?" Zhao Wen heard someone call his courtesy name, set down the scroll, rose, and opened the door.

Outside the door stood a man, who clasped his hands toward him.

"Master Zhao, I have been ordered by the lord of the Bo Residence to specially invite you."

Zhao Wen was taken aback.

"The Bo Residence? Bo Yu's Bo Residence?"

"I don't know what he wants with me."

The black-clothed man smiled.

"My young master has heard that Master Zhao has some grudge with Li Er of the Shou Cang Shi, and wishes to invite you to the residence for a discussion to settle this matter."

Zhao Wen's eyes lit up slightly.

He glanced at the black-clothed man, thought for a moment, and nodded.

"Alright, I'll go now."

……

Half an hour later.

At the Bo Residence, in a side hall.

When Zhao Wen arrived, the other two were already there.

One wore a dark blue brocade robe, exactly the companion who had pushed people with him that night, Zhi Xuan.

Another wore a dark brown outfit, also one of the four noble youths, namely the swiftest fellow, Lu An of the Qi State Lu Family.

The three met, their eyes met, and each saw wariness and vigilance in the others' eyes.

"Qing Cai has also come."

"Hmm, you were also invited by him?"

"Yes."

As the three were speaking, footsteps came from outside the door.

Bo Qing walked in.

Today he wore a dark brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist, his hair neatly groomed, appearing vigorous, a stark contrast to his lazy demeanor yesterday when he lay in the maid's arms.

"Bo Qing, courtesy name An Yang, greetings to all."

The three rose and returned the salute.

"Qing Cai greets An Yang, Cheng Hao greets..........."

"No need for excessive courtesy," Bo Qing waved his hand, took the seat of honor, and gestured for them to sit as well.

Once the three were seated, the banquet began.

Bo Qing also didn't get straight to the point; he first exchanged pleasantries, giving them ample face.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill.

Bo Qing lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, then spoke:

"Do you three know why I have invited you today?"

The three exchanged glances.

Zhao Wen clasped his hands and said, "I heard from your servants that it's about Li Er?"

Bo Qing nodded.

"Exactly."

He set down his teacup, his gaze sweeping over their faces.

"I've heard that you three also have some grudge against Li Er?"

Upon hearing this, the three all showed a bit of discomfort on their faces.

What happened that night was really not glorious.

Bo Qing took in their expressions, smiled, and his tone softened considerably.

"You three need not worry."

"That Li Er is just a country bumpkin, relying on having an ox, acting as if he knows no bounds; I dislike him and want to give him a lesson."

He paused.

"You three must feel the same, right?"

Zhao Wen hesitated a moment, then nodded.

"An Yang is right. That brat really…… doesn't know how to appreciate favors."

Bo Qing smiled satisfactorily.

Fine, since that's the case, we're all in the same boat.

He waved his hand, and an attendant walked forward holding a Bamboo Slip.

Bo Qing took it and placed it on the table.

I've checked; Li Er leaves his residence every day in the early morning, walks on foot to the Shou Cang Shi, which takes about fifteen minutes, and there are several secluded spots along the way, most suitable for...

He didn't finish, but the meaning was already clear.

Zhao Wen and the two others looked at each other.

"What An Yang means is..."

Bo Qing smiled and pushed the Bamboo Slip forward.

"This is the detailed situation of the route Li Er must take every day; if you three are willing, you could... do something."

He lifted his teacup and took another sip.

"Of course, if you three are unwilling, I won't force you, but..."

He gave the three of them a meaningful glance.

"That Liu Wan seems to value that young man quite a lot."

The expressions of the three changed in unison.

Bo Qing set down his teacup and stood up.

"I still have business, so I won't keep you three company; please do as you wish."

He turned and walked toward the door.

Upon reaching the doorway, he stopped again and turned back.

"Of course, if you have any need, feel free to come find me."

Having said that, he strode away.

In the side hall, only Zhao Wen and the two others remained, along with that opened Bamboo Slip.

The three of them looked at each other, you at me and I at you, remaining silent for a long time.

In the end, Zhao Wen was the first to speak.

"What should we do?"

The other two exchanged a glance, and one of them gritted his teeth and said:

"Let's do it!"

"Exactly! Let's mess with him once! What is that brat, that he deserves to make Miss Liu look at him differently?"

"Qing Cai, are you willing?"

Zhao Wen sneered: "Of course not."

"That's perfect; you and I will summon some men and wait for him to return in the evening..............."