ebookland Chapter 271 The Leeks Are Killed
Chapter 271 The Leeks Are Killed
The area in front of Chang'an Post Station was bustling with activity, like a boiling pot, with crowds packed tightly together.
Leek Cai had set up a bamboo stall with a large, bold sign on a plain silk cloth: "Candles for one qian"—a price so cheap it looked like a hook. His eyes, sharp as an eagle's, spotted a stranger carrying a bundle craning his neck to look at the stall. Before the man could even speak, Leek Cai held the candle wick to the tinderbox, and the flame hissed and leaped up.
"Look closely, sir! These are incense and candles that even the ladies of the palace are scrambling to use. They can burn all night without going out!" Before he could finish speaking, he flicked his wrist, and the silk cloth flipped over with a "whoosh," revealing densely packed small characters underneath—"Candles are sold for one qian, plus a free flint and steel. Royal tribute, priced at one qian of silver!"
The guest was so shocked that his eyes widened, as if he had encountered a demon slayer demanding his life. He pointed at the silk cloth and shouted, "It clearly said one qian just now!"
Leek, however, clicked the abacus beads loudly, saying in a glib tone, "Sir, your eyesight is terrible! You should get a pair of crystal glasses! One coin is just a bonus; I'd be losing money just to exchange it for a flint and steel! These incense sticks are rare items infused with ambergris; selling them to you for one string of cash is a loss for me!"
The guest was so angry that his face turned purple. He rolled up his sleeves and was about to argue when a breeze swept by. Cabbage appeared out of nowhere, her movements more nimble than a little wolf-hair cat. Her fingertips were as fast as lightning. She darted into the guest's bag with a "whoosh" and, in the blink of an eye, stuffed the bag of silver into her own pocket.
The tavern's eaves were adorned with faded wine flags, clearly indicating it was an old, reputable establishment. The aroma of aged wine, mingled with rising steam, meandered and swirled among the beams and pillars.
Leek gripped the crackled celadon cup tightly, his Adam's apple bobbing violently. He downed three large gulps of strong liquor, which made his eyes red, but he still held on to the rim of the cup tightly and said, "Pour me some more liquor!"
Bai Cai's snow-white hands trembled slightly as she poured the wine. She leaned close to the shopkeeper's ear and whispered, "I heard you have 'Wealthy Vegetables' here? Give me three ounces, with some Daughter's Red wine." Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper's eyes instantly became alert. He looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping before giving a subtle nod.
Before long, a plate of beef coated in a secret sauce was served, its glistening surface glistening in the dim candlelight, looking incredibly tempting. Bai Cai proudly shook the beef slices, tapping her fingertips lightly on the mahogany table: "They say only the wealthy families of Chang'an dare to indulge in this 'forbidden delicacy' in a back alley tavern. Today, let's share in the luxury and enjoy some delicious food!"
Suddenly, the bamboo curtain rustled, and Celery, carrying a chill, rushed in. His emerald-green short robe swept across the threshold, raising a few frothy snowflakes. He glanced at the beef on the table, and slammed the bamboo chopsticks from his sleeve onto the pearwood table with a "smack," making the bronze wine pot hum and splashing wine, leaving dark watermarks in the wood grain.
"The Imperial Guards are arresting people all over the streets! And you dare to eat beef here, which is explicitly forbidden by the imperial court?!" Before the words were finished, seeing Leek's red eyes and the remaining wine at the bottom of his cup, Celery's veins throbbed with anger. "Leek, you sickly fellow, are you out of your mind? You're a walking pharmacy, don't you know that?! The doctor told you to quit drinking, but you ignored him? Cabbage, are you just letting him do this to himself? Did you order the beef?" Seeing this, the diners at the next table all lowered their heads and remained silent, afraid of being implicated.
The setting sun, like blood, dyed the eaves of the tavern a dark crimson, and twilight spread across the horizon in layers. The well-fed leeks, cabbages, and celery disappeared into the deepening night, only the lanterns along the street lighting up one by one…
The copper bells hanging from the eaves of the inn jingled, casting shimmering halos of light on the stone path. Niwan Zi and Cong Xiaoye strolled side by side, their shadows stretched long by the moonlight and lanterns. Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps approached, and Jiu Cai stumbled out of the alley, his hair ornament askew, his cheeks flushed, and the bulging money pouch in his arms rattling with each step. He charged recklessly, causing pedestrians in the night market to scatter, the dust he stirred up swirling in the sunset.
Niwan raised his purple eyebrows slightly, lightly touched the green tiles with his toes, and swooped down like an owl, landing steadily in front of the moon gate. "Halt!"
A cold shout pierced the twilight, but Leek suddenly tossed his head, exhaling a burst of alcohol: "Mind your own business!"
Before he finished speaking, he swung his wine gourd and smashed it down hard! Niwanzi dodged to the side, and the iron fist in his sleeve was drawn half an inch, the cold light making Jiucai's pupils shrink suddenly.
As the two grappled, Niwanzi seized an opening and swept a whip kick towards his opponent's knee. Jiucai staggered to the ground, but still stubbornly roared, "This money was stolen from the people by corrupt officials! What law have I broken by robbing the rich to help the poor?!"
However, the veins on his neck were bulging, and spittle mixed with the smell of alcohol was flying everywhere, completely unlike his usual sickly appearance.
Niwan Zi was so angry that the veins on his forehead throbbed. Just as he was about to unleash a furious tirade, he saw Jiucai suddenly clutch his chest, making a strange, hissing sound. His face turned a deep purple, like a pig's liver, and he gripped his clothes tightly with both hands. His eyes rolled back, and he fell straight backward…
Niwan Zi coldly glanced at the limp Jiucai on the ground. He was used to these people's tricks; it was just a drunkard faking his death. He didn't take it seriously and stood aside with his hands behind his back, letting the man's smell of alcohol mixed with the stench of blood permeate the twilight. By the time the warden sent someone to bring a sedan chair, Jiucai's face had turned from bluish-purple to white, and he was already lifeless!
The sound of a wooden clapper shattered the night. Celery and Cabbage rushed over, only to find a heavy, familiar figure covered in a white cloth on a sedan chair at the alley entrance. Cabbage began to tremble and burst into tears. Celery staggered a few steps, grabbing the wall for support, and pounded her fist on the brick, her eyes bloodshot: "Leek... how could you..." Her cries startled the birds roosting under the eaves, which fluttered across the dark night sky.
That night, the bronze-nailed beast-head gate rings in front of the Jingzhao Prefecture government office were bathed in cold white light. Niwanzi knelt on one knee, his clothes torn by the sharp edges of the blue bricks. Blood from the wound on his forehead mingled with cold sweat, sliding down his neck and into the dusty collar, leaving dark red spots on the ground.
"How dare you, Imperial Guards! You've caused a death in the street! Are you trying to ruin the reputation of the Jingzhao Prefecture?" The official in charge roared, slamming his gavel on the table, causing bamboo slips to tumble and fall, the still-wet ink on official documents fluttering like black butterflies.
Old Du, his back slightly hunched, forced a smile as he repeatedly bowed and apologized while grabbing Niwanzi's arm... At this moment, Niwanzi was dazed, his hair loose, a few strands sticking to his blood-stained cheeks, his brocade robe embroidered with gold cloud patterns crumpled and covered with grass clippings and dirt, his once upright figure had lost its former dashing and sharpness, like an eagle whose feathers had been plucked...
In the shadows of the street corner, the moonlight outlined Celery's taut jawline. He stared intently at the receding figures of Du Laozao and Niwan Zi, his pupils burning with the flames of revenge!
The evening breeze stirred the green robes, and Celery clenched his fist until blood seeped from his palm. He reached for the poisoned dagger at his waist: "Dare to touch my brother? Blood for blood, tenfold repayment!" His words were like ice picks hitting the ground, and the crickets by the wall fell silent instantly.
The night wind swept across the green tiles with cold sand, and blood seeped from the cleavage of Celery's bulging, veiny fist. The tip of the poisoned blade gleamed with a cold, eerie blue light under the moonlight: "Those who harm my blood relatives shall be punished!" His voice was like tearing silk, startling the copper bells on the eaves into ringing.
In a daze, the past flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern—when the three thieves were dividing the gold, Celery would always secretly press heavy silver ingots into Leek's bag; on a snowy night, Celery trudged through ten miles of thin ice to find medicine for Leek; she even took the blame for him and received thirty strokes of the cane in his place, and even personally found a good match, Cabbage, to join them.
At the base of the wall, Bai Cai, her white clothes damp with dew, looked at Qin Cai through teary eyes. Her eyes narrowed, and her fierce aura solidified, enveloping her in the night as she rushed into the distance. Watching that dark figure swallowed by the night, she knew better than anyone how important this younger brother was to her!