Eavesdropping

The three of them tailed Magistrate Feng to a separate courtyard. They watched as he entered a bedroom, dismissed all the servants, and closed the door from the inside.

Qibao and her friends were puzzled. Why send away all the servants? Was there really some secret he couldn't reveal?

"Master, why are you here at this time? Aren't you supposed to be accompanying the Madam and the Young Master?"

A woman in casual attire stepped forward. She had a slim figure and captivating eyes that could enchant any man. After speaking, she moved closer and took Magistrate Feng by the arm.

Magistrate Feng forced a smile: "Liu Niang, you are the most considerate. This headache throbs continuously, the lady only knows how to cry. You've always been full of ideas. I have only one son, Zheng'er. It seems I can't carry on the Feng family line now."

Liu Niang looked sympathetic: "Aiya! My lord, no one could have predicted such an accident for the little young master! You're still young yet! There might still be a chance for another young master!"

Liu Niang leaned shyly against Magistrate Feng's chest, wrapped her arms around his waist, and cooed: "How about we go for a walk by the lake?"

Magistrate Feng's face lit up: "Ah, you always know how to cheer me up, my dear!"

"You're the one who deserves happiness." Liu Niang said playfully.

Qibao and his two friends almost turned to leave. Were they shooing away the servants to do something only adults should see? But they held back and kept listening.

"How's my brother-in-law doing?" Magistrate Feng asked Liu Niang.

"Great! My big brother says they got a few more chests of gold and silver. They're hiding it all in a cave up on the mountain." Liu Niang replied.

"That's good. We must not expose it. We must be extremely careful. Once this matter leaks out, no one will be able to save our lives." Magistrate Feng said solemnly.

"Don't worry, Master. We've been doing this for years without any problems. Besides, we only rob people from out of town. If they lose something, they have nowhere to go to complain." Liu Niang said.

Magistrate Feng said: "I think the young man I saw in the hall today is not a simple person. I have been feeling uneasy. Be cautious, don't let my brother-in-law secretly send money to me during this period."

"I'll let my big brother know right away." Liu Niang said: "Is it safe to keep the money you've already received here at the manor?"

"I've put it in the cellar." Magistrate Feng replied: "Most people don't even know that's down there. I'll arrange for a pair of constables to guard the place day and night starting tomorrow. We'll send that money away ahead of schedule, just to be on the safe side. I haven't even told my wife about this."

Liu Niang smiled: "Then I'll leave it to you, my lord. Your face looks a bit pale—surely you're not burning the candle at both ends again. Why don't you stay here tonight and get some rest?"

Magistrate Feng wrapped his arm around Liu Niang: "Very well. I'll stay on your terms."

Liu Niang looked delighted: "I'll make sure to take care of you, my lord. Oh, there is something else I need to discuss with you."

Magistrate Feng said: "Go ahead! There's nothing you can't talk to me about. I've granted all your requests before, haven't I?"

Liu Niang smiled with a bewitching charm: "I know you care for me, Master." She said: "Yesterday, I found a doctor who specializes in helping people have babies. They say he's very good and has helped many couples like us. I got some medicine from him, but he said it works best if both the man and woman take it. What do you think, Master...?"

Magistrate Feng was just as worried about his family not having an heir. Hearing Liu Niang's words, he felt somewhat hopeful: "If it really works, drinking some medicine isn't a problem."

"It does work." Liu Niang insisted: "I heard about it from the other ladies in town. Mrs. Wan is in her forties now, but she still had a baby boy two years ago, right? That's because she drank the doctor's medicine!"

"If that's true, it would be perfect." Magistrate Feng said quickly: "Liu Niang, you've always been so kind to our Feng family. If you can really give me a son, I'll definitely raise your status to be equal with my wife."

Hearing this, Liu Niang wrapped her arms around Magistrate Feng's neck and kissed him on the cheek: "I always knew you were the best, Master!"

The kiss sent Magistrate Feng's thoughts running wild, and what followed was only natural.

Xu Wenwu quickly covered his sister's eyes and put the tile back in place.

Qibao didn't say a word. Though young, she understood more than her elder brother did. But she didn't protest, she let him cover her eyes.

The three of them had gleaned quite a bit of information that night, so staying for dinner seemed pointless. They decided to head back and meet up with Su Chenyu.

"Big brother, I'll be right back. You guys go ahead. I'll catch up later." Qibeo said.

Xu Wenwu hesitated for a moment before nodding and telling his sister to hurry up.

"I'll go with you!" Jing Chen offered.

Qibao quickly waved her hand: "No need! I can go by myself. It'll be too crowded with you there."

Jing Chen thought she meant to use the restroom, so he nodded and agreed.

Qibao rushed off in a certain direction.

"Xiaoling, where are you? Are there many people there?" Qibao was communicating with Xiaoling in the space.

"It's in the small courtyard in front where no one lives. You go there first." Xiaoling said.

Qibao followed the direction Xiaoling gave and came to an inconspicuous small courtyard. No one lived in it and it was pitch black, but the gate of the courtyard was indeed locked.

This wasn't a problem for Qibao. Without hesitation, she climbed over the wall and entered.

"Xiaoling, where are you? We're in a hurry to get back! Can't let Big Brother and the others wait too long." Qibao said.

"See that well?" Xiaoling replied. "Jump down!"

Qibao rolled her eyes: "Are you saying what we're looking for is in the well?"

Xiaoling explained: "Mm-hmm. It's a dry well, not too deep for you."

Qibao approached the well and peered down. It was pitch-black inside, with nothing to see.

She grabbed a lighter from her space inventory and shone it down. The beam of light spread out, and soon he could see the bottom of the well—definitely not too deep by his standards.

Without thinking twice, Qibao jumped down. As soon as she landed, he spotted a narrow tunnel leading out from the well, just wide enough for one person.

Without hesitation, Qibao crawled into the tunnel, following its winding path. The tunnel wasn't straight—it zigged and zagged irregularly. After walking for a bit, she was surprised to find a wall blocking her path ahead.

Qibao stopped, feeling the wall blocking her path. She tapped on it gently and realized it wasn't a solid wall—it was hollow.

Qibao didn't want to make too much noise. She frowned, trying to figure out what to do.

Xiaoling said: "Master, this is a secret room. Usually, there's a hidden way to open it. The opening mechanism is often inside, but I think that well over there might be a hidden escape tunnel."

"How can we move this thing without making a sound?" Qibao asked.

"If I brought you down here, I must have a way to get you out. Take your dagger from your space and use it to cut through." Xiaoling replied.