Chapter 163: The Courtesan Visits

The next morning, the old man arrived at the courtyard on time with the nanmu wood.

After Mu Sheng thoroughly inspected the delivery and confirmed that nothing was tampered with, he had Gu Ning’an pay the old man for the timber.

While waiting for the workers to carry the nanmu wood into the courtyard, a procession of prisoner carts suddenly appeared at the end of the long street!

There were dozens of carts in total, each holding a disheveled prisoner in shackles and prison garments.

Leading the parade of convicts were the very constables whom Gu Ning’an and Mu Sheng had encountered the night before.

At the head of the procession, Constable Zhao stood tall and proud, loudly proclaiming to the gathered townsfolk, “These criminals were caught smuggling and selling illegal salt using merchant ships! They have now been fully apprehended and are being paraded as a warning!”

“May all good citizens abide by the law and not stray for the sake of short-term gains!”

“Hah, now that the big figure is arriving, things sure are different…” The old man muttered under his breath, unable to suppress his sarcasm.

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an chuckled and asked, “From what you’re saying, old sir, does that mean the county officials of Shanyang rarely bothered with such matters before?”

“They did…” The old man sneered. “As long as you report it and provide evidence, they’ll act.”

“But if no one reports it… tsk, tsk, tsk…”

“And let me tell you—those who reported in the past? Well, their graves are probably three feet tall by now…”

Gu Ning’an fell silent. He understood the old man’s implication. Before news of the Imperial Preceptor’s arrival, it seemed Shanyang County had been in far worse disorder.

Before long, the laborers finished unloading the timber and left with the old man.

Before departing, the old man specifically advised Gu Ning’an, “Stay in as much as you can, and if possible, leave this troubled place as soon as you can.”

As for the reason, he didn’t elaborate—perhaps he didn’t dare to.

Gu Ning’an simply thanked him, then left to buy groceries. Meanwhile, Mu Sheng, having received the wood, immediately shut herself in the side room and began crafting the coffin…

…

By evening, Gu Ning’an personally cooked a four-dish meal with soup. After dinner with Mu Sheng, he sat under the eaves, brewing a pot of Wishing Spring tea, admiring the snowy scenery, and enjoying a rare moment of peace.

The once-empty side room had now become Mu Sheng’s “workshop.” She was the type who couldn’t leave work unfinished.

Even after working the entire day, instead of resting after dinner, she immediately went back to her woodworking.

Gu Ning’an refilled his tea three times, watching as the color gradually faded. Listening to the continuous ding-ding clang from the side room, he couldn’t help but call out, “Mu Sheng, leave it for tomorrow. If you keep hammering away, the neighbors will start complaining.”

Hearing this, Mu Sheng put down her chisel and responded loudly, “Alright, got it.”

Just as Gu Ning’an stood up to pack away his tea set, a series of urgent knocks sounded at the gate.

Along with the thud-thud of knocking, he could clearly hear rushed breathing and the sound of someone choking back sobs.

Taking quick strides to the front gate, he unlatched and pulled it open—only to be met with the sight of a scantily clad woman standing before him.

The woman’s clothing was in disarray. She was already dressed in a thin, off-the-shoulder garment, but now it was torn in multiple places, exposing large patches of pale skin. A trace of blood stained the corner of her lips and her cheek.

Gu Ning’an recognized her—he had seen her just last night, standing at the entrance of the Lingering Fragrance brothel, soliciting customers.

The woman also recognized Gu Ning’an. Amidst her terrified expression, a flicker of surprise appeared in her eyes. “Sir, it’s you?”

Gu Ning’an frowned. “What happened?”

“Sir, please let me in! Someone is chasing me!” The trembling woman kept glancing over her shoulder, terrified that someone might emerge from the darkness at any moment to drag her away.

“Come in.” Stepping aside, Gu Ning’an called toward the inner rooms, “Mu Sheng, bring a set of your clothes.”

“Alright!” Mu Sheng’s response came from inside.

After locking the courtyard gate, Gu Ning’an led the woman to the side room and had her sit down. Since the courtyard had no main hall, he had no choice but to bring her to his own room.

“Sir, why did you ask me to bring clothes—”

Mu Sheng stopped mid-sentence the moment she stepped inside and saw the scantily clad woman. Stunned, she then asked blankly, “Is it for her?”

Gu Ning’an nodded. “Give it to her.”

“Oh…” Mu Sheng quickly entered the room and handed over a set of clothes.

The woman whispered a soft “thank you” and took the garments. Upon inspecting them, she found them too small, so she simply draped them over her shoulders like a shawl to cover herself.

After handing over the clothes, Mu Sheng’s expression grew complicated. Without another word, she silently turned to leave. “Sir, I’m going to sleep… I sleep very deeply.”

Gu Ning’an waved her back. “Come sit.”

“Ah… okay.” Mu Sheng was momentarily startled but then obediently sat down beside Gu Ning’an.

“Alright, go ahead.”

The courtesan took several deep breaths, trying to steady herself. Then, she finally spoke. “Sir, my name is Mao Cuicui… I’m a courtesan from Lingering Fragrance. Yesterday, did you speak up to help a stone broker?”

Gu Ning’an nodded. “I only said a few words. I wouldn’t call it helping.”

“Then I’ve found the right person…”

At this, Mao Cuicui’s tears began to fall uncontrollably. “My Brother A’Yong… He was killed by the salt smugglers… He came to me in a dream and told me to find you. He said… you could help me…”

Gu Ning’an paused before saying, “Tell me everything that happened, from the beginning.”

Mao Cuicui nodded firmly. “It started last night…”

Last night, the stone broker and Mao Cuicui had agreed that, once he saved enough silver to buy her freedom, they would leave Shanyang County together.

But before dawn, the salt smugglers broke into their room.

They had discovered that the stone broker was the one who revealed their ship’s hiding location to the constables. As an informant, his fate was already sealed.

After murdering the stone broker, the smugglers tormented Mao Cuicui for hours, stole the silver meant for her freedom, and then left as if nothing had happened…

Mao Cuicui remained unconscious for most of the day. In her dreams, she saw the stone broker.

The stone broker knew that the salt smugglers wouldn’t let Mao Cuicui go so easily. So, he told her about Gu Ning’an and urged her to find him.

He believed that this man—whom even Constable Zhao dared not offend—was her only hope.