45. We need to get her out
While they waited for Pei to return Zhu and Xin finished eating and Zhu saw Xin yawn several times. "Have you slept yet?" Zhu asked. Xin smiled: "Not recently and when I sleep it's just short naps. I can't seem to find the rest I need. I couldn't really, because I didn't know where those soldiers were." Xin finished with another yawn. Getting up Zhu looked around and saw the blanket in a far away corner. He grabbed it and placed it on the ground. "Come, you need to sleep or at least rest. I don't know what my brother wants to do next, but I suppose now that we have found you we can return to town."
"Town isn't safe." Xin immediately protested as she walked to the makeshift bed. "We can't be sure which soldiers we can trust."
"Don't worry, my brother will come up with a solution, but he is going to want to go to the village, because that is where Su is. Likewise commander Fu will want to know princess Yunchuan is safe." Laying down on the bed Xin looked up at Zhu: "You know her? Is she still in town? I thought she would have returned to Beirong already."
"Yes we have met before and yes she remained in town because she wants to make sure you are safe." Zhu explained while he placed his overcoat over Xin and tucked it in around her. "Now rest." For propriety sake Zhu went to the other side of the fire and watched her, but when she seemingly couldn't get comfortable he walked back to her and sat near her head. "Here, lay your head on my leg, maybe that'll be more comfortable." Xin didn't say anything, but did lift her head so Zhu could place his leg under her head. This worked as Xin was fast asleep a short while later. Zhu couldn't contain himself and started to stroke her hair, looking down on her beautiful face, thinking how grateful he was they had found her back alive.
It took Pei much longer to return, Zhu didn't mind, it only meant more time for Xin to get some sleep. But when Pei returned he caried a pack, which as Zhu found out shortly later contained a set of clothes, and some extra food. When Pei reentered the cave Zhu didn't immediately noticed, it gave Pei a moment to watch his brother who had placed his hand over Xin's folded hands, looking down at the girl laying on his leg. Had this not been in a dark cave, this image might have been peaceful and idyllic, but Pei knew they weren't headed for peaceful times. The scene he had just left was a clear indication war might be upon them sooner than most wished. He must have made a sound because Zhu suddenly looked up: "You're back." He whispered. Pei nodded and came to the fire, he sat down opposite Zhu.
"How was it?"
"It was as she said. A warrior of the Ghost army had killed the guard and put on his clothes as a disguise. Unfortunately he fought and was killed, we found the mark of the Ghost Army on his medal, so at least we have a name. I've asked the soldiers to check the other cabins, take unknown persons in custody and take them to the Marquis. I'll interrogate them there with Su." Pei took a sip from the water and started to unpack the package he had wit him. Zhu watched and commented: "It is good to know she told us the truth." Pei furrowed his brow: "Did you think she was lying?" he nodded to the still sleeping Xin. Zhu ferociously shook his head: "No, I believe her, but it is always good to have it verified." Pei didn't comment, he just regarded his brother thoughtfully and then said: "We need to get her out immediately, we can't let her return to the border town." Zhu looked up at his brother: "What do you mean?"
"We need to get her away from here as quickly as we can. Have you told her who you are?" Taking the clothing he had unpacked in his hand Pei took a long look at them, while Zhu answered that he hadn't yet told Xin about his true identity. "She needed the rest first. And with what she has found here, how can I tell her that I'm also not who I told her I am? I can't tell her now." Internally Pei sighed, vowing to speak to his brother about that mess, but for now there wasn't any time. "Well anyway, we have to act quickly and get you two back in the capital."
"How are you going to do that? She doesn't trust any of the soldiers" Pei held the clothes in his hand up: "We'll disguise her as a household member of the Marquis mansion who has lost his way."
"Why from the Marquis Mansion?"
"We need a plausible excuse for taking her with us. It's easiest to pretend she is one of the household staff." Pei explained, motioning for Zhu to wake Xin, but before Zhu did so he watched his brother and said: "This is getting dangerous." Pei sighed: "Yes. From what we know so far we might as well take it that the Ghost Army is trying to break the trade agreement by creating unfair market dealings. Officially we don't know that several people have asked tradesmen to do unfair business. Which means no one has yet reported it to the court. The men who killed mr. and mrs. Tong are trying to find Xin, which can mean only two things: She knows something they don't want others to know. Or their assignment is to kill the entire family. Either way Xin is in danger and we need to make sure she doesn't fall in their hands. I think the perpetrators want to prevent the court to investigate. We know the Ghost Army operates in the shadows. I'm expecting they will only show themselves in full force when they want to make their decisive move. I need to talk to Su, hear what she has found." Pei looked at his brother, who had turned his face back to the sleeping Xin. He was worried about her.
"Can you get her out safely?" Zhu asked his brother from his place on the floor. Pei nodded: "Wake her up. After we disguised her, we'll blacken her face and hands with soot and dirt. We'll take her with us and tell the soldiers we found her. Then we'll ride to the other entrance and order the soldiers to continue searching, with the expectation that Xin is dead. Zihou will join us and return to the village. When we get to the village we'll quickly get Su and Yunchuan and leave for the mansion of the Marquis. Hopefully Xie and Rushuang already joined them. Only when we've reached the Marquis we'll discuss the case. The story we'll tell in the village is that we haven't found Xin yet and we believe she's dead. We'll declare the case is a simple arson. Let them believe they were successful. I'll aske the Marquis to increase the defense of the village. We'll discuss what else needs to be done." Zhu nodded and softly shook Xin's shoulder.
As he was used to Pei took the lead, smoothly arranging everything and everyone the way he wanted them. They rode back to town, as before Xin rode with Zhu on his horse. Pei and Zihou rode in front and Pei used that time to tell Zihou what had happened and what he wanted to happen next. Zihou merely nodded, but Pei saw the concern under the straight face of his old friend. They hastened the stride of their horses. When they arrived at the inn. Zihou went to find Fei Yuan, to get the carriage ready, while Pei walked to the room where he and Su had stayed. However when he got there the room was empty, no Su, but also no clothes or any other objects indicating someone was staying there. Already fearing the worst, but forcing himself to remain calm Pei went to the room where Fei Yuan was supposed to be, but found it occupied by another person. He ran to the front of the inn in search of the proprietor, who came from the kitchen at Pei's calling. "The room me and my wife were staying in is empty, where is everything?" he inquired, keeping his voice level, only his brother seated nearby with Xin knew this neutral tone was an indication all was not well. So Zhu rose and walked to his brother. The proprietor didn't seem surprised by this question: "Your wife left with your butler, they took all the belongings with them."
"Did she leave a note?"
"No, she did not. But your friend remained here, he has just gone out. He'll be back later." The proprietor calmly replied. At that time Zihou stepped into the room: "Brother Pei, I can't find Fei Yuan or your carriage." Pei looked at the proprietor, who nodded.
"According to the boss here, Su and Fei Yuan left. A friend would be here to tell us more. Can you check the room of…" Zihou's lips tightened and he swiftly walked to the door, but before he reached it the proprietor said: "The lady from Beirong left half a day later, with her guards. She and Mrs. Pei seemed to have formed a friendship, they spent most of their time together. Along with lady Xie of course." Before Pei could ask about Rushuang Xie Beiming stepped into the room, upon seeing Pei he said: "Brother Pei, you are here. Come let us talk. Boss, we'll be leaving shortly, but please serve us some tea first." Xie ushered Pei, Zhu, Zihou and the disguised Xin into the next room, which was empty. Still Xie walked to the farthest corner and motioned to one of the Feiyun guards who had followed to keep others away. "Brother Xie, it is good to see you. Where are the ladies?" Pei started, after everyone was seated.
"They are fine, the day before yesterday they left to go to the Marquis Mansion. They are waiting there for us However we told the proprietor that they had left for the capital."
"It is good that they are already at the mansion of the marquis. We came here to take them there. But what happened which made you decide for them to go there?" Pei asked, Xie wouldn't remove the ladies if it wasn't necessary. Xie sighed: "A lot has happened. It will be better to discuss this at the mansion with the ladies. Who have you found?" Xie asked looking at Xin. It was clear he didn't recognize her, which was a good indication that the disguise was effective. "I'll explain when we are riding for the mansion." At that moment the guard placed a tea set on the table, he had taken it from a servant and poured the tea. Thankful for the drink, yet also anxious to leave so they might reach the mansion before nightfall the group drank it swiftly. After the tea the men quickly mounted fresh horses. Zhu helped Xin get seated behind him and they were off. Once they were outside of the village Zhu stopped and placed Xin in front of him. They rode as fast as they dared in the light of the setting sun. When it became to dark to ride on the torches at the entrance gate of Marquis Mansion became visible. As they came to the gate it opened and Su, Rushuang and Yunchuan ran to the riders. Having dismounted quickly Pei finally got to hold Su again, he closed his eyes as he held her close, relishing it for only a moment. "My dear husband, you've come back. Did anyone get hurt?" Su was already checking his face, hands and arms.
"No, no one got hurt, but we got to get in quickly." Pei said as he checked the others: Xie and Rushuang stood beside each other, holding hands, but Xie was already facing him. There was an urgency in Xie's eyes that Pei hadn't seen before and Pei wondered what his story was going to be. Zihou and Yunchuan stood together and to Pei's surprise they were holding hands as well, still turned to each other they were just watching each other. Perhaps his talk with Zihou had given him the push he'd needed. Zhu and Xin weren't holding hands, but Pei recognized Zhu's stance as protective. Apparently while he was taking in the surrounding people, his wife had done the same: "Who is…" she pointed to Xin and then stepped closer to her, observing Xin closely. "Let's go inside. The marquis has ordered the food to be prepared when you were spotted by the guards. Rushuang and I will help this poor traveler to wash the dirt away. The men can do the same. Come, there is a lot to tell and discuss before we can go to bed. Su ushered every one in. Fei Yuan and two stable hands were left to take care of the horses.
To Pei's infinite surprise and gratitude it didn't take them long to gather for dinner. The marquis had provided one of the dresses from his late daughter so Xin could change out of the clothes she had been wearing. "It's good to see you gathered around my table again, but there is a lot to discuss." The marquis said while servants placed different dishes on the table. As Su, Rushuang and Yunchuan had eaten before, they were the first to finish and so they started to tell the others what had happened in the village the last few days while the men were away: "The day you left to find Xin, the Mingjing office guard came with some soldiers, an official from court and a body. It turned out that the person who was to make the report to court was killed before he got there. So court didn't know about the fire or the circumstances. The official from court concurred with our findings: Mr. Tong and Mrs. Tong have been killed through a stab in the heart, the other people died in the fire. The fire has been started, it wasn't an accident." Su quickly summarized. Bowing her hand Xin tried to dry her tears discretely, suddenly she felt Zhu close his hand around her hand lying in her lap. The others hadn't seen this gesture.
"We think the messenger was killed to keep the court from investigating." Yunchuan added to Su 's story. Pei sighed and sat up straight: "That would fit with what we've found. Xin please tell the others your story." The others turned their attention to Xin who told them what she had told Pei and Zu in the cave. "I took some soldiers and found the imposter in the cabin. He was indeed dressed in the clothes of one of your soldiers, Marquis." Pei said, taking the story up after Xin had finished. "The imposter was killed in battle, I've told the soldiers to check the other cabins and if they found more imposters to bring them here." Here Pei looked at the marquis questioningly. The Marquis nodded: "Three have been brought here. They are locked up."
"Hmm, I'll interrogate them tomorrow with Su. It seems that those behind this want to make sure no one investigates this too closely. They would have succeeded if Xin hadn't been able to send a note to Zhu and if they'd found Xin. They are going to try and find her, we need to get you to a save place, Xin." Pei said, first looking at Xin who nodded timidly and then over her head he looked into Zhu's anxious eyes. He should also leave as soon as it could be arranged. Pei would love for Zhu to take Su with him, but there were still too many questions, he needed Su here at least for now.
"Actually…" Su hesitantly started: "I might need Xin to stay here to solve the case." She knew Pei wouldn't like it and his face expression told her this.
"Can't you close it without her?" he asked in vain. They had always been honest and direct with each other on these matters.
"She is a witness I do need to aske her some more questions. Three men have been apprehended, she might be able to recognize them. Furthermore Xie's men have been able to follow some of those that have tried to arrange the unfair trade. They might also be able to help us identify these men. It would help to keep Xin here for a few days." Pei remained silent, considering what Su told him, then he turned to Xie: "Brother Xie, what have your men found?"
"We came a day after you left for the search. Rushuang and I had stayed at the Feiyun Inn two villages inland. The boss shared his worries concerning the supplies from this border town. Some tradesmen had raised their prices suddenly and others had not been able to deliver. With a few others there were no problems. When we arrived in the border town I went to speak with the suppliers. Those that have raised their rates had told unbelievable stories, I've had my men watch them. After a few days some men came at the end of the day. They looked like regular townsmen, but normally business is not done in the night. My men followed them, but in the dark night they were lost several times. The unknown men live in the forest on the other side of the border town. I'll have my men come here to see the captives."
"And those that haven't changed anything?"
"They are struggling, they've met with odd accidents, crops failing with signs of corruption. Su and Rushuang discovered that those accidents were not accidental, but inflicted. I've posted several of my men to prevent further accidents, but I don't have enough men to protect those that resist the offer of more money. But it has been made apparent that someone is trying to persuade the tradesmen in this border town to do unfair trade ad disregard the trade agreement."
"And they don't mind using violence to persuade them." Yan responded, adding all the worrisome developments in his head, he came to the conclusion that the border was getting more unstable and this was not a place he wanted his wife to be. From the corner of his eyes he saw Su covering a yawn. "Let's leave it for today. Marquis we'll discuss the rebel troops tomorrow and then decide on and next actions. But answer one question: Are more troops required?"
"If you want to defeat the rebels in one swoop yes."
"I'll prepare a note to be sent by pigeon tonight and send I tout tomorrow morning the extra troops could be here swiftly as we've gradually been placing troops closer to the border." Then Yan rose and helped Su up, they bade the others a good night. Yan threw Xie one more extra glance and then supported his tired wife.
After he'd pulled the covers over her Su said: "I'm sorry. I know you want Xin and Zhu to leave tomorrow, but I think the culprits are amongst those that are trying to create chaos in the town. I believe we can capture them, but I need to be able to ask Xin some questions."
"I understand, however I will need to know what the current position of the rebel troops are and see if there are by risks to remain here, Xin's life may very well be in danger, so we have to be careful." Su acknowledged his concern. "Alright, rest know, you've had a long day. I'll go and talk with brother Xie a bit more." Yan smiled and kissed Su lovingly.