The Prime Minister Knows How to Handle Her Wife (ABO, GL) - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

The next morning, Meng Qingxin and Xiao Jing hurried over, clearly having made their decision.

Sheng Shiyue rushed to the scene and found only Xiao Jing there. She asked, “Where is Meng Xiaosi?”

Xiao Jing’s eyes were dark with circles, suggesting she hadn’t slept well. When she saw Sheng Shiyue, she wrinkled her nose, waved her hand in front of her face, and said, “What a strong Kunze scent…”

She paused, then scanned Sheng Shiyue up and down. A smile appeared as she teased, “Your Highness Ninth, did you spend last night listening to rain under red candles and silk curtains? Did you use those items?”

Sheng Shiyue knew what she meant and glared at her in embarrassment and anger.

Xiao Jing laughed and finally answered the earlier question, “She went to find Madam Jin. She should be here soon.”

Hearing this, Sheng Shiyue nodded slightly.

Since Madam Jin showed Meng Qingxin a few Qianmen tricks yesterday, Meng Qingxin had developed a strong interest in Qianmen and kept pestering Jin Jinglian.

Soon, Meng Qingxin and Jin Jinglian appeared in the corridor along with Ye Liuyun and Ye Chili.

Sheng Shiyue’s expression turned serious. She said, “You all know this matter is no small thing. One misstep could bring a heap of trouble, so we must act carefully.”

“Our goals are twofold: first, destroy this place; second, hide our identities and escape safely.”

Everyone agreed loudly.

Meng Qingxin, unable to hold back, said directly, “Sheng Jiu, since you’ve thought it through, just give the orders. Don’t beat around the bush.”

Sheng Shiyue was in a good mood today. She only gave Meng Qingxin a sideways glance before turning to Jin Jinglian and saying, “Tell us about the situation inside.”

Jin Jinglian, barely containing herself, stepped forward and explained their earlier actions.

The Qianmen group knew the stakes were high. They had to find a way to infiltrate. One team spent money to save some children, while Madam Jin and Tian Ling—one using agile movements, the other using her voice—worked together to mimic a minor manager and gather information about the place.

“…This place opens every seven days. The sorted silver and ledgers are taken away every half month. Oddly, though, Ling’er and I checked several times and never saw them move the silver out.”

After listening, Sheng Shiyue asked, “You didn’t alert them, did you?”

Jin Jinglian was confident, “We were extremely careful. We only scouted the locations and didn’t touch or move anything. They won’t notice.”

“That’s good,” Sheng Shiyue nodded immediately. She turned to Xiao Jing and suddenly asked, “Is your fiancée busy lately?”

Xiao Jing was stunned, then her eyes lit up. She said, “She definitely has time.”

Family alliances through marriage were common in Bianjing. After children differentiated, families began arranging matches. Xiao Jing’s fiancée was decided this way, though the marriage caused much talk in Bianjing.

After all, one was a notorious playboy who looked like a frail, scholarly Qianyuan, while the other was a Kunze who, despising evil, joined the authorities to investigate cases and catch criminals as a constable.

No one knew what the two families were thinking, pairing them together. Most amusingly, neither protested loudly or refused. They quietly accepted it, and it stayed that way until now.

Xiao Jing explained, “She’s just one big case away from being promoted to county magistrate.”

Above constable was head constable, and above that was county magistrate.

Though Xiao Jing’s fiancée came from a prominent family, she chose a low position that displeased her family. She received no family help and faced much suppression. It took her three years to rise from constable to head constable.

Hearing Xiao Jing’s eager reply, Meng Qingxin teased, “You’re quick to think of her, but when it comes to fetching tea or showing affection, you act all proper and won’t go near her.”

Xiao Jing coughed and explained, “I just think her upright and selfless nature could make this much easier if she helps.”

She said this, but whether the others believed her was another matter.

Sheng Shiyue smiled, waved them over, and laid out the full plan.

Two days later.

That night, a faint candle flickered in a long-abandoned compound in Bianjing.

A carriage covered with black cloth quietly arrived. As it stopped at the gate, two people in black clothes and veiled hats hiding their faces stepped down. The carriage quickly left, and a manager immediately approached.

The manager called softly, “My lord.”

The person seemed like a regular, complaining familiarly, “Why is it getting more troublesome? I don’t know how many circles we made inside and outside the city. We left before dawn and arrived after dark.”

The manager smiled apologetically and said, “This is for your safety.”

He lowered his voice and continued, “Since a lord accidentally lost a little girl last time, we’ve had to be more cautious.”

“Just a little girl. What trouble could she cause? She’s probably dead out there,” the person waved dismissively, unconcerned.

The manager smiled, “You’re right, my lord, but for everyone’s safety, we must be careful.”

Seeing he couldn’t sway the person, the manager shook his head and muttered about the trouble.

The manager wasn’t annoyed. He arranged these measures, which were indeed troublesome.

Guests first went to a compound in Bianjing, gave a secret signal, and were led inside by a servant. They changed into black clothes and veiled hats, blindfolded, and boarded a carriage that circled the city several times before arriving.

Some ill-tempered guests cursed upon stepping off the carriage, but the manager was used to their complaints.

If he weren’t so cautious, how could this place have existed so long?

His thoughts circled, and he looked at the person behind, asking softly, “This is…?”

The person replied irritably, “What? According to your rules, can’t a regular bring a new guest each time?”

Her voice carried anger, “Others can, but I can’t bring my friend?”

The manager quickly smiled, “Of course not, of course not. If it’s your friend, they can enter.”

He wasn’t surprised by her attitude. This person was one of their biggest patrons lately. Though she came only a few times, she always bought many people and spent generously. How could he offend her?

The questioned person snorted, lifted her hand, and revealed a stack of silver notes from her sleeve.

The manager’s smile deepened. He explained, “My lord, you misunderstand. It’s not that I doubt you. It’s just that we have four or five new guests today, so we must be vigilant to avoid spoiling everyone’s mood.”

He raised one arm and led them inside.

The two followed him into a house in the back courtyard. A black-clad guard opened the door. Inside was only a shabby altar, covered in cobwebs and dust.

The manager’s expression remained calm. He stepped behind the altar, pressed some button, and a stone collision sounded. The altar slid aside, revealing a stone cave with a narrow, candle-lit tunnel.

The manager pointed inside and said, “Please, my lords. A servant will guide you below. I must greet other lords, so I won’t accompany you.”

The two black-clad people nodded and walked down.

The stone sound echoed again, and the sliding altar blocked all light.

The tunnel fell silent. Madam Jin turned slightly and whispered, “Let’s go.”

Sheng Shiyue nodded, glancing outward.

The entry requirements were complex, so Sheng Shiyue and the others had to split up, joining different Qianmen members to enter.

As they moved, Sheng Shiyue’s sleeve revealed a faint scent. The fragrance was unique, barely noticeable unless someone searched for it, yet it lingered.

This was a plan Sheng Shiyue and the others devised after hearing Madam Jin’s description.

Sheng Shiyue found the scent in an idle book and had someone fetch it. The mansion had some left, perfect for use. The hunting dog was simpler. A group of playboys who raised hawks, walked dogs, and fought crickets could easily find a keen-nosed hound and compare to pick the best.

Xiao Jing had a clever yellow dog. They sent it to her fiancée, ensuring they wouldn’t lose the trail no matter how many circles the group made. It just took time, requiring those inside to wait longer.

Seeing Sheng Shiyue’s slow steps, Madam Jin urged, “Hurry up, Little Nine. They’re probably all inside.”

To hide their identities, everyone used aliases.

Sheng Shiyue snapped back, quickly following.

Soon, a waiting servant stood aside, leading them deeper.

Sheng Shiyue observed, marveling at the place’s caution. Except for the manager outside, everyone wore black clothes and masks, completely hidden. Even if officials raided, people could escape, shed their clothes, and pass unnoticed by constables.

How did they distinguish guests from servants? By voice?

After a while, they reached a spacious hall. The walls were studded with countless luminous pearls, lighting the underground cave like daylight.

In the center, a high platform held an iron cage locking many young children. Surrounding passages led to hidden rooms. Some were for guests who couldn’t take people away. Abused children who survived were locked there, awaiting further torment. Some rooms had guards outside, accessible only to managers.

As the two blended into the crowd, a few guests quietly approached.

A hidden hand under a wide sleeve neared, and Sheng Shiyue tapped the back of it three times.

Ye Liuyun, who had been waiting, relaxed and stood beside Sheng Shiyue.

Others sought their companions and moved elsewhere.

The surrounding guards’ gazes swept over, unaware these black-clad people had switched. They saw only lone figures in the distance or pairs whispering, nothing unusual.

They didn’t wait long. After two more groups entered, the manager appeared on the platform before the iron cage.

He bowed respectfully and smiled, “Sorry to keep you waiting, my lords. You all know the rules, so I’ll skip the details.”

“If you see someone you like, call a servant to bid. If several lords want the same one, bid on the spot. The highest bidder wins.”

No one spoke, signaling agreement.

The manager left from the side, and others crowded forward.

Perhaps knowing the act was shameful, few spoke, fearing recognition by voice. The large stone chamber held only footsteps and the suppressed cries of children in the cage.

Sheng Shiyue knew they couldn’t delay. Her gaze swept and spotted a sickly child in the corner. She lay on the ground, not crying or fussing, her breath faint.

Sheng Shiyue waved, called a servant, and whispered, “This one.”

The servant seemed surprised. This frail child had been displayed twice, ignored while others were chosen.

He asked, “This one? There are better-looking ones inside. Won’t you look more, my lord?”

Those with such tastes often enjoyed forcing children into desperate, heart-wrenching cries. This one looked like she wouldn’t last. As a new guest, he advised her, fearing she wouldn’t return.

Sheng Shiyue feigned impatience, “This one. Can’t I choose what I like?”

The servant understood, his veiled eyes showing disdain. He said, “One hundred taels of silver.”

Sheng Shiyue pulled out a stack of silver notes, casually tossed two to him, and said, “Prepare a room.”

The servant smiled, agreed, and turned to the person behind her, asking, “Does this lord have a choice?”

Sheng Shiyue said, “We’re together.”

The servant seemed shocked, his disdain deepening, but he smiled, “Good, good.”

“Someone, take her to their room.”

At that, the little girl seemed to shudder but stayed silent.

Footsteps sounded. The two followed the servant to a passage. Suddenly, noise erupted behind, like someone complaining.

Sheng Shiyue and Ye Liuyun weren’t surprised. This was part of their plan.

She and Ye Liuyun would enter the passage, using Tian Ling’s map from memory to reach the accounting room and steal the ledgers.

Madam Jin and Tian Ling would find the dungeon entrance to prevent the group from destroying it to cover their tracks.

Meng Qingxin, Xiao Jing, and others would create chaos in the hall to distract attention. Sheng Shiyue, fearing they’d get hurt, left Ye Chili with them.

Turning a corner, they entered a room. The door was open, the child already inside, with a guard outside.

The servant whispered to the guard, then turned to Sheng Shiyue, saying, “My lord, this person will guard outside for your safety. Call if you need anything.”

Sheng Shiyue nodded and entered with Ye Liuyun.

The little girl curled in the bed’s corner, her thin body trembling, seeming to know what awaited her better than other children.

Sheng Shiyue wasn’t in a rush. She exchanged a glance with Ye Liuyun and sat on the bed, intending to tell the girl not to panic and stay quiet after they left.

But as she sat, the girl trembled, her kitten-like eyes filled with terror.

Sheng Shiyue pursed her lips, recalling the girl lying on the ground. A trace of pity appeared in her eyes. She softly reassured, “Don’t be afraid…”

Before she finished, the girl’s eyes grew more terrified.

Rarely comforting others, Sheng Shiyue blinked, feeling a bit unwilling. She hadn’t even been this gentle with Ning Qingge, yet the girl didn’t appreciate it.

Sheng Shiyue gritted her teeth, leaned closer, and said, “Don’t be afraid, we’re…”

The terrified girl suddenly flashed a fierce look. Her hand shot up, clutching a sharp stone, and smashed it toward Sheng Shiyue’s head with all her strength.

Sheng Shiyue’s pupils shrank. It happened too fast; she couldn’t react, only watching the stone come.

“Little Nine!” Ye Liuyun shouted, rushing forward.

“Ow!” the delicate Sheng Shiyue cried instinctively.

The child lunged, biting hard on Sheng Shiyue’s arm.

Gone was the sickly look—she was a sharp-toothed cat.

“Ow, ow, ow!” Sheng Shiyue grimaced, turning to Ye Liuyun, shouting, “Guard! Guard!”

The guard outside heard, pushed the door, and rushed in, raising a fist to strike the girl.

Ye Liuyun meant to pull the girl off but, seeing this, her eyes flashed coldly. She turned her palm into a blade and struck the unprepared guard’s neck.

—Thud!

The guard collapsed.

Ye Liuyun didn’t stop. She grabbed the girl’s neck, saying coldly, “Let go.”

Her tone carried a chill.

The girl was pitiful, but if she hurt Sheng Shiyue, Ye Liuyun wouldn’t hold back.

The girl, ready to fight for her life, grew confused and slightly loosened her bite.

Sheng Shiyue pulled free, touched her forehead, feeling bl00d from a small cut.

She laughed bitterly. The outside was heavily guarded, yet she entered unscathed. But when she thought she was safe, a little girl injured her.

Looking at the stone on the ground, sharpened over time, she said, “You’re quite clever.”

Ye Liuyun, worried, started to ask, but Sheng Shiyue waved it off, glanced at the man on the ground, and said, “Hide him first.”

Ye Liuyun suppressed her concern, squatted, snapped the man’s neck, and shoved him under the bed.

She hadn’t wanted to kill in front of the child, but this girl wasn’t innocent. Annoyed, Ye Liuyun didn’t care as much, seeing it as a warning.

Sheng Shiyue turned to the girl and whispered, “Stay in this room. Don’t make noise or cry. We’ll come for you after we find what we need.”

The girl was sharp, quickly grasping their purpose. She didn’t cry or fuss, asking clearly, “Will you save the others?”

“What, just you?” Sheng Shiyue, still in pain, snapped, then added, “If you stay quiet, you’ll all be saved.”

She spoke tough but couldn’t help comforting.

The girl stared, as if assessing or relieved to survive. After a long pause, she nodded firmly, saying, “You must come back.”

Sheng Shiyue glanced at her, her brief temper fading. She raised her hand to pat the girl’s head for comfort but stopped when the girl flinched in panic.

She withdrew her hand.

“Don’t worry, little brat. We’ll definitely come back for you,” she said.

With that, they didn’t linger, quietly leaving the room.