Chapter Thirty-Four: A Man Without Guilt Is Condemned for Possessing Treasure

Watching Zhao Yuanqiao, drenched in sweat, Chen Ying feigned a relaxed demeanor and asked, “Take your time and explain—no matter what’s happened, the sky won’t fall.”

Zhao Yuanqiao replied urgently, “General, Lady Lan’er has gone missing!”

“What did you say? Lan’er is missing?” Chen Ying asked, puzzled. “When did this happen?”

“Yesterday afternoon!” Zhao Yuanqiao gasped, “Yesterday afternoon, Lady Lan’er left the residence for the West Market to buy some cloth. She said the weather was getting cold and wanted to make a new garment for the young master.”

Chen Ying dismissed his worries, “It’s only been a day. Why panic? Perhaps she slipped back to her mother’s home.”

Chen Ying had entrusted Lan’er with the management of the Chen residence—she was its steward. In truth, there wasn’t much to manage. He and Liang Zan lived in the military camp, as did Zhang Huaiwei and You Ziying. Only Chen Huairen, Zhao Yuanqiao, Li Chuqi, and eleven others remained in the house, making a total of fourteen. Typically, only these fourteen ate and drank there.

Zhao Yuanqiao continued, “Yesterday, master noticed the doors of Lan Niangzi’s workshop were still shut and assumed she’d gone home. But this morning, Aunt He revealed that Lan’er isn’t a servant born into the Xu family. She’s from Qiantang, having fled to Jiangdu three years ago and was purchased by Young Master Xu. Apparently, she has no family left, and no relatives here in Chang’an.”

Chen Ying’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t particularly close to Lan’er, but if she’d been abducted, it might not matter much if she was sold as a servant to another wealthy household. However, if she were sold to a brothel, that would be a grave problem.

A tense feeling seized Chen Ying; morally and emotionally, he could not turn a blind eye.

“Could Lan’er have gone to look for Xu Da Lang?” Suddenly, Chen Ying considered another possibility.

Zhao Yuanqiao replied, “I don’t know where the Xu family’s eldest son lives.”

“In that case, go to the Xu Guesthouse, seek out Steward Xu, and ask if Lan’er is with Mr. Xu,” said Chen Ying. “If Lan’er wishes to follow Mr. Xu, I won’t stand in her way. I’ll return her contract of sale.”

At first, Chen Ying had not thought much of it. After all, Lan’er had served Xu Jingzong for three years and it was natural for feelings to develop.

But before Chen Ying could return to camp, Zhao Yuanqiao and Li Chuqi came back in a state of disarray.

Chen Ying sensed trouble and hurried to meet them, asking, “What happened?”

Li Chuqi said, “General Chen, run!”

“Run?” Chen Ying was confused. “For what?”

“I don’t know the details, but half an hour ago, Marquis Guangping, Li Xiaoguang, stormed into the residence with dozens of men, saying they would…”

“They would do what to me?”

“They want to… cut you to pieces.” Li Chuqi explained, “When Marquis Changguang stormed in, I was in the latrine. Master signaled to me, so I climbed over the wall to escape. Young master, you should find a place to hide!”

Chen Ying was even more perplexed. He didn’t even know who Marquis Changguang was, let alone have any enmity with him.

In this world, there is no love or hatred without reason. Chen Ying resolved to find out who Marquis Changguang was.

He returned to camp and sought out Wei Wenzhong, putting on an air of nonchalance. “Brother Wei, let me ask—who is Marquis Changguang in Chang’an? Is it Duan Zhixuan?”

Chen Ying pondered; the only person he’d quarreled with was Duan Zhigan. He had beaten Duan Zhigan soundly, so Duan Zhixuan might seek revenge for his brother.

“Impossible!” Wei Wenzhong declared confidently. “Duan’s father was never granted a title.”

“Then who could it be?” Chen Ying murmured.

“I know who!” As Chen Ying’s thoughts wandered, Wei Wenzhong slapped his thigh. “This June, His Majesty divided the imperial clan: Lord Shu, Li Xiaoji, was made Prince of Yong’an; Pillar of the State, Li Daoxuan, became Prince of Huaiyang; Lord Changping, Li Shuliang, became Prince of Changping; Lord Zheng, Li Shentong, became Prince of Yongkang; Lord Anji, Li Shenfu, became Prince of Xiangyi; Pillar of the State, Li Deliang, became Prince of Xinxing; Grand Pillar of the State, Li Boyi, became Prince of Longxi; Grand Pillar of the State, Li Fengci, became Prince of Bohai. Distant branches were made marquises or lords. This Marquis Changguang must be a member of the imperial clan!”

Chen Ying’s face changed dramatically. In fact, Wei Wenzhong’s guess was correct—Marquis Changguang was indeed of the imperial line. Li Xiaoguang, Marquis Changguang, was the son of Li Zhang, former prefect of Liangzhou under the Northern Zhou, and the younger half-brother of Li Xiaoji, Prince Yong’an of Tang. He was also a cousin to Li Yuan. Since he was born of a concubine, Li Yuan had only granted him the title of Marquis Changguang when dividing the family’s honors.

“If it’s fate, it’s unavoidable; if it’s disaster, you can’t escape!” Chen Ying said, “Deputy Captain Wei, I have some matters to attend to at home. I’ll leave the camp affairs in your hands.”

Wei Wenzhong assured him, “Don’t worry, General Chen. With Old Wei here, nothing will go astray in camp!”

Leaving the camp of the Second Noble Battalion, Chen Ying led his personal guards—Liang Zan, Zhao Yuanqiao, Li Anqi—rushing toward the Chen residence.

Upon arrival, he saw all his servants herded into the courtyard by a group of armed guards, many bruised and battered. Despite their resentment, none dared resist; the cold gleam of swords hovered menacingly above their heads.

Li Xiaoguang lounged comfortably on a soft couch, while Green Pearl and Red Sleeve trembled in fear, their faces streaked with tears. One massaged Li Xiaoguang’s feet, the other his shoulders.

Though Li Xiaoguang was a minor marquis, he was no fool. Even though the so-called ancestral gold armor was found in Chen Ying’s house, a little inquiry revealed that when the armor was lost, Chen Ying was still at Jing*** and had not yet come to Chang’an. Clearly, this had been a frame-up.

However, upon realizing this, Li Xiaoguang was not overly concerned. Especially after seeing that Chen Ying had two servant girls—Green Pearl and Red Sleeve—whose beauty rivaled porcelain dolls, he changed his mind at once.

As the saying goes: a commoner’s innocence is a crime if he possesses a treasure.

Green Pearl and Red Sleeve were Chen Ying’s “crime.”

Li Xiaoguang was indignant. Chen Ying was nothing but a servant by birth, and any dog from the Marquis Changguang’s residence was nobler than him. How could such a lowly man possess such peerless beauties?

Li Xiaoguang felt he must solidify Chen Ying’s guilt, confiscate his property, wipe out his family, and claim Red Sleeve and Green Pearl for himself!

When Chen Ying entered the residence, Li Xiaoguang would not allow him even a word, ordering, “Seize the criminal!”

Dozens of Marquis Changguang’s guards surged forward.

Chen Ying, of course, would not surrender. As he resisted, he shouted, “Marquis Changguang, do not misunderstand! Let us talk, let us talk! Don’t let yourself be deceived by villains and bring pain to your friends and joy to your enemies!”

“Nonsense!” Li Xiaoguang spat, cursing fiercely, “You worthless wretch—do you even know your place? I am a descendant of the Tang imperial clan! Who are you to call me friend? You dared steal my precious armor—such audacity…”