Chapter 387: Seabirds in the Hunt
Zhu Ping’an had achieved the top scholar rank, and Fourth Aunt was pregnant again. This was truly double joy arriving at the same door, and the Zhu household was now brimming with happiness, every corner steeped in a festive atmosphere.
It took three rounds of the news-bearer’s announcements before the Zhu family, still lost in delight, fully realized the magnitude of the news. Madam Chen, already unable to contain the pride shining across her face, began distributing the prepared red envelopes and reward money to each person who had come to deliver the good tidings.
“Take it… everyone…” she called cheerfully.
The rural folks were not very particular about formalities. With so many people arriving to announce the news, Father Zhu, along with Third and Fourth Uncles, were too busy to manage all at once. Madam Chen stepped forward, handing out red envelopes herself. When she reached a man dressed in particularly fine clothing, he initially refused the money. Without a hint of hesitation, Madam Chen pressed the envelope firmly into his hands, insisting he accept it. Only once he had taken it did she move on to the next person.
From the corner of the courtyard, First Uncle Zhu Shouren’s face turned a pale shade of green with astonishment. “That’s the magistrate’s honored guest from the second household!” he thought. “Why would you even bother giving him a few coins? That man doesn’t need your petty money at all!”
Once all the reward money had been handed out, Madam Chen noticed Zhu Shouren still cowering in the corner. She rolled her eyes in exasperation. Just moments ago, he had been so eager to visit the county magistrate, and now—even as Second and Third Brothers had come out to help distribute red envelopes—he shrank back like a frightened quail. No courage at all!
The bearer of the good news handed the official announcement to Father Zhu. Before he could even examine it, Madam Chen snatched it up.
The notice was made from the finest fabric, with clear clerical script beautifully written. At the top center were three official seals. The background depicted a carp leaping over the dragon gate, its golden tail slicing through turbulent waves below, while a dragon spiraled faintly above the misty peaks of Wushan, symbolizing that achieving the rank of top scholar was like the carp’s triumphant leap—one’s future limitless.
Madam Chen’s heart swelled with joy as she looked at the announcement in her hands. A top scholar’s notice was truly different; the material alone was hundreds of times better than any previous ones, and the illustrations radiated celebration. The old announcements hadn’t even bothered with drawings. This one was magnificent.
After receiving the notice, Madam Chen called over Master Lihei, a carpenter from the village who had been watching the commotion in the courtyard, instructing him to quickly craft a beautiful frame.
Why a frame?
The reason was simple: Madam Chen wanted to display Zhu Ping’an’s scholar-rank notice in the most prominent spot in the house. On one hand, it was a glorious event that would honor the family; on the other, any visitor to the Zhu household would immediately see the announcement of Zhu Ping’an’s achievement.
And so…
“Don’t leave yet! I invite all respected villagers to lend a hand in setting up the cooking stove and stay for a simple meal. We’ll have a little wine,” Father Zhu said after handing out all the red envelopes, inviting everyone gathered both inside and outside the courtyard.
Free food and wine were a temptation no one could resist. The villagers cheered in delight, the festive atmosphere swelling even further.
Somewhere in the corner, Zhu Shouren kept glancing at Father Zhu’s orchestrations. He wanted to sneak off to the county magistrate’s residence, to make his presence known. But glancing at the throng of people packed inside the courtyard and spilling onto rooftops and trees outside, he froze. His purpose was a private one, not for public display.
Zhu Ping’an’s top scholar achievement sent the entire Xiahe Village into a frenzy. This was the pinnacle of scholarly recognition—the Star of Literature himself.
Nearby, in Shanghe Village, word of the news had spread. Elder Sun sat in his courtyard, sipping tea and squinting his eyes as he listened to the ceaseless crackle of firecrackers from Xiahe Village. Sweetness filled his chest, as though he had swallowed honey.
Across from him, Master Sun’s wife, busy mending clothes, glanced at her husband’s wrinkled, chrysanthemum-like face, rolling her eyes repeatedly—though her corners lifted with a faint, amused smile.
Not far from Elder Sun’s house, the Li family estate also echoed with the sound of endless firecrackers. Servants inside the mansion chattered excitedly, faces glowing with the joy of hearing that their young master had achieved the top scholar rank.
Inside Master Li’s bedroom, the door was tightly shut, with two stern guards stationed at either side, hands resting on their waists as they vigilantly scanned the surroundings.
Within, the plump and rotund Master Li sat at a desk, fingers adorned with heavy golden rings tapping lightly. His eyes, narrowed slightly, gazed toward Xiahe Village, his round face a mixture of surprise and satisfaction. He hadn’t expected the boy to become a top scholar, yet now he understood why Shu’er had thrown herself into tears and tantrums, declaring she would marry no one else.
“My lord, the seabird hunt has failed. Lu Shenming, the commander of the Funing Guard, cannot escape responsibility. Subordinates have obtained intelligence: during the hunt, maritime merchants entered Lu Shenming’s residence under the cover of night, only leaving at dawn via a secret passage.”
Kneeling before Master Li was a lean man, a scar etched across his face, exuding an aura as cold and dangerous as a concealed dagger. At this moment, he knelt on one knee, presenting a sealed report marked with a symbol of a blood-red flying fish, bowing his head and letting a strand of black hair fall across half his face.
“Who said it failed?”
Master Li lifted his gaze from Xiahe Village and turned it to the kneeling man, a sly smile spreading across his plump, fox-like face.
The kneeling man froze, confused. But… it had failed, hadn’t it?
“This is only the seabird,” Master Li said, a merchant’s glimmer of excitement in his eyes. “Though this seabird is slight… believe me, this is just the beginning. With this bird, more will follow.” He reached out, took the report from the man’s hands, rubbing a ring across a mark before opening it.
“My lord is wise.”
The kneeling man’s respect deepened, awe in his gaze. Everything, it seemed, had been orchestrated by Master Li. The apparent failure had been nothing more than a decoy.
“The bird is in the net; collect it,” Master Li said casually, tossing a blood-red flying fish badge.
The man on the floor caught it without moving his gaze.
The badge, metallic yet stained blood-red, bore the flying fish emblem and three black characters reading “Jinyiwei” with a small, easily overlooked crimson character “An” at the corner, as if painted in fresh blood.
“Should we notify the Southern Town Patrol?” the kneeling man asked cautiously, scarred face tense.
“Do you think so?” Master Li’s plump face tilted down, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Your subordinate deserves death! Please forgive me, my lord!” The lean man trembled, prostrating himself further, head bowed, unable to look at Master Li, as if facing something terrifying.