The courtyard was quiet, filled only with the flickering shadows of the night. Before Yue Zilan, treasures were piled high—boxes of silver ingots, golden ornaments, jewelry, and fine silks. Anything that could be carried had already been taken out of Zhao Kang's residence.
Wang Shun and Lu Rong stood to the side, both sweating lightly after carrying so many things. Liu Feng stood silently, his eyes lowered, as if still trying to process what they had done.
Yue Zilan's lips curled into a sweet smile as she looked at the loot. It had been a long time since she felt this kind of satisfaction, a warmth spreading through her chest. She glanced briefly at the fat pig lying unconscious on the ground, then turned her gaze toward Liu Feng.
"For your revenge," she said softly, her voice calm yet firm, "if you want to include anyone in this residence, you can tell me."
Liu Feng stiffened. His eyes lingered on Zhao Kang for a long while. He thought of his father's unjust death, of the years of pain and bitterness, and then he thought of what Miss Yue had just done tonight. After a long silence, he finally shook his head.
"Miss," he said, voice low, "him alone is enough."
Zilan studied him quietly, her smile fading into a thoughtful expression. Then she nodded.
"Very well. Since it's your choice, I won't force you."
Then she looked at Wang Shun and Lu Rong.
"You two," she ordered, "take all the loot and this pig to our hidden cave in the forest. Guard the place well and don't let him escape. Stay there and keep watch."
"Yes, Miss!" the two men answered in unison.
They quickly loaded everything into the carriages stationed in the residence. the fat man himself, tied tightly like a sack of grain. The night was still, the streets silent. Not even the sound of dogs barking could be heard as the wheels of the carriage rolled away into the distance.
Once everything was finished, Yue Zilan and Liu Feng returned to the small inn. She pushed open the door to her room and immediately checked on Liu Ruyan, who was sleeping soundly on the bed. Seeing her steady breathing and calm complexion, Zilan's heart eased.
At last, she lay down on her own bed. The weight of the night's work slipped away from her shoulders, and she drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
---
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows, bright and warm. After a good night's sleep, Yue Zilan woke up feeling refreshed. She enjoyed a simple breakfast at the inn, then stepped outside into the bustling street.
Life in the town carried on as usual. Merchants called out their wares, children ran through the alleys, and the smell of freshly baked buns drifted through the air. With her hands folded behind her back, Zilan strolled leisurely.
Her steps carried her toward Zhao Kang's large courtyard residence. Even before reaching it, she noticed a large crowd gathered outside. Curious voices filled the air, mixed with the sharp cries of women.
Zilan's eyes glinted with interest as she walked closer and slipped into the crowd.
Inside the courtyard, chaos reigned. Several women were on their knees, wailing and cursing, their cries echoing through the air. Some clutched at their clothes, others beat the ground with their fists, faces filled with despair.
Two yamen officers were standing stiffly, frowning as they questioned the people.
"Where is Zhao Kang? Where did he go?" one officer demanded, his eyes sweeping over the kneeling women.
We don't know what happened, one guard stammered. We were patrolling last night, then suddenly everything went black. When we woke up this morning… everything was gone.
Another servant bowed his head, trembling. "Yes, sir, we were all the same. It was like we were drugged. We only opened our eyes at dawn."
The officers pushed past them and entered the residence. Gasps and murmurs rose from the crowd when the officers returned. Their expressions were grim.
The residence had been stripped clean. Not a single valuable item was left behind. Zhao Kang himself was missing, but his wives, children, and servants were all present, equally baffled and terrified.
The officers began questioning the neighbors.
"Did anyone hear anything last night? Any unusual sounds? Any suspicious people?"
But the neighbors only shook their heads.
"No. It was completely quiet."
"I didn't hear a thing."
"Nothing unusual at all."
The officers exchanged troubled looks. The entire residence had been looted and yet no one heard a single sound. It was as if Zhao Kang had vanished into thin air.
They scribbled notes onto a bamboo slip, muttering to each other as they continued their investigation.
Zilan stood silently at the edge of the crowd, her expression calm and unreadable. Watching the spectacle unfold, her lips curved into the faintest smile.
After a while, she turned and slowly walked away. The morning sun cast her figure in gold as she slipped back into the street.