Chapter Fifty-Seven: Claiming Liu Yan’er

When Li Hu awoke, the two men had already disappeared with Liu Yan’er, their whereabouts unknown. He and Little Dragonfly could only ask everyone they met, searching every street in Cangzhou, but to no avail.

Li Pingyang, however, was more composed. He recalled what Li Hu had said: during the struggle, one of the kidnappers had been slashed in the abdomen with a dagger. If he could confirm that the injury was real, they could follow this clue. They would visit every pharmacy in Cangzhou to see if any patients had come in that day with a knife wound to the abdomen.

Li Hu and Little Dragonfly headed for South Street, while Li Pingyang took North Street. They split up, agreeing that whoever found something first would send a message by carrier pigeon.

They still had no idea why Liu Yan’er had been taken—whether for money or something else—so they had to hurry.

Li Hu ran to the Da Kang Pharmacy on North Street, carrying his broadsword to save time. He slammed the sword onto the counter before speaking.

“Boss, I have a question for you! Don’t be nervous—I never use my blade on those who tell the truth, only on those who deceive me.”

“Mercy, good sir! Ask whatever you wish—one question, ten, a hundred, whatever you like. If I know the answer, I’ll tell you everything, no lies.”

Seeing the shopkeeper’s cooperation, Li Hu put away his sword and stopped intimidating him. He then asked if the shop had received a patient with a knife wound that day.

Business had been slow, with only a handful of patients. The owner thought carefully and said he hadn’t seen anyone matching the description.

Li Hu, fearing he was hiding something, partly drew his blade to show a glint of steel, hoping the man would reconsider.

The shopkeeper’s face grew even more sour as he thought again, but still insisted that no such person had come. Li Hu finally relaxed, patted his shoulder in thanks, left some money, and walked out.

Outside, he bumped into Little Dragonfly, who had also found nothing. Only one pharmacy remained.

Little Dragonfly hoped this time they’d succeed.

She led Li Hu quickly to the last pharmacy, an old shop that had moved several times and was now little known. It was an ideal place to keep a wound hidden, away from prying eyes. There was also the possibility the injured man hadn’t gone to any pharmacy, but treated his wound at home.

After a short walk, guided by Little Dragonfly, they arrived at the secluded shop. As she had said, it was tucked away, barely recognizable as a pharmacy.

Such places resembled modern private clinics—who knew if it was honest or not?

Luckily, Little Dragonfly knew the way; otherwise, they’d never have found it.

She pushed open the tightly shut door and led Li Hu inside. The first thing they saw was a burly man sitting on a chair, pushing a stone wheel for grinding medicine, his expression wary.

Little Dragonfly called out, “Brother Wang,” and only then did the man relax, realizing he knew the visitors. With a closer look, he recognized Little Dragonfly, smiled, set aside his work, and stood to greet them.

Little Dragonfly quickly stopped him, saying she was just visiting, and he should go about his business. Brother Wang nodded and smiled at her before returning to work.

Moments later, Little Dragonfly and Li Hu left the pharmacy, disappointed—it wasn’t the place.

...

Meanwhile.

Liu Yan’er had been brought by her captors to a warehouse. The effects of the drug were wearing off, and she slowly regained consciousness.

Her mind was still foggy; her head heavy. She raised an arm to cradle her temple, sat up, and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings.

She smelled the sharp scent of dye. Glancing right, she saw four large vats of different colors. On a nearby wooden rack hung exquisite silk fabrics.

She stepped over, touched a piece with her hand, and brought it to her nose for a gentle sniff, discovering that these were the finest fabrics of the day, all made from celestial silk.

“Yan’er! Do you like it? I heard that before you joined Drunken Moon Pavilion, you dreamed of opening a fabric shop.”

“As for myself, I have no other virtues but wealth! I’ve bought up all the celestial silk in Cangzhou. This house is yours—a storefront for your fabric business.”

“I’ve even chosen a name for you: Liu’s Fabric Shop. What do you think? If you like it, just nod, and it’s all yours…”

Through the folds of fabric, Liu Yan’er saw a figure enter, locking the door behind him as he spoke and approached her. The voice was familiar; she had heard it somewhere before.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, Liu Yan’er felt deeply uneasy. She began to step back, searching for an escape route.

She realized she had been deceived. At the entrance to Pingyang Restaurant, she’d met a stranger who told her Li Dog Egg had been hit by a carriage and was covered in blood.

Li Dog Egg had kept calling her name in a weak voice. Alarmed, Liu Yan’er asked where he was and urged the stranger to take her there quickly.

The man pointed in a direction. While she was distracted, he pressed a cloth to her mouth and nose, and she lost consciousness, waking up here.

When the man pulled aside the fabric and entered, she saw it was the youngest son of the Su family, Su Liuwu.

Su Liuwu’s plump face and greedy eyes were fixed on Liu Yan’er, staring at her intently. Liu Yan’er felt thoroughly uncomfortable under his gaze and harbored no fondness for him.

Take this occasion, for example: if he wanted to meet her, he could have invited her openly instead of resorting to such underhanded tricks, which she found repulsive.

Especially since he used her concern for Li Pingyang’s injury to exploit her feelings—this was utterly unacceptable.

“Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Su. I don’t know where you heard about my wishes, but I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. These are not what I want…”

Liu Yan’er rejected him outright. She turned to leave, but Su Liuwu grabbed her arm, holding her fast. She tried to break free, but his grip was too strong.

“Let go of me!”

“Yan’er, I’ve liked you for so long. From the moment I first saw you, my heart was captivated. Isn’t your relationship with Li Dog Egg just about money? Name your price—I’ll give you whatever you want. All my wealth is yours.”

Su Liuwu spoke with a wild fervor, his expression manic as he clung to Liu Yan’er’s hand. Her graceful figure only heightened his frenzy.

“You’re crazy! Let go! Let me go…”

Liu Yan’er’s wrist was hurting from his grasp. Fearful and desperate, she struggled harder, but Su Liuwu only tightened his hold.

Suddenly, he loosened his grip, pulling Liu Yan’er into his arms.

Instead of releasing her, Su Liuwu held her even tighter. Terrified, Liu Yan’er fought to escape. The scent on her skin seemed to invigorate Su Liuwu.

“A mere tofu seller can’t compare to me! My father is the greatest merchant in Cangzhou. The Su family’s wealth is beyond your imagination…”

“Do you know how many talented beauties in Cangzhou long to marry me, Su Liuwu? But I’m not interested in any of them! Only you, only you, Liu Yan’er, haunt my dreams. I’d give up everything for you.”

As he spoke, Su Liuwu tried to tear at Liu Yan’er’s clothes and force a kiss. Liu Yan’er turned her head just in time, narrowly avoiding his lips, clutching her garments desperately.

“Help! Let me go! Let me go…”

Liu Yan’er struggled bitterly, her heart calling out for Li Pingyang, wishing with all her might that he would appear.