Chapter 39: Please Spare My Young Master

On the rest of the journey, Fang Ning did not say another word to Si Yuheng.

Si Yuheng was more than happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Upon arriving at the county seat of Donglin County, Fang Ning was the first to hop off the carriage. The bumping had made her feel as though her small frame was about to fall apart. She truly missed having an SUV.

"Young Master, I'm hungry, let's eat," Fang Ning said, shamelessly playing up her youth to act cute.

Si Yuheng: "..."

You An could not bear to watch.

"Young Master Fang, please don't fancy our young master; there's no future in it!" You An attempted to intervene, "Our young master has to carry on the family line!"

Fang Ning looked pitiful. "I don't mind if the young master takes a wife, as long as I can stay by his side, I'll be—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Si Yuheng had already disappeared from view.

Fang Ning burst into laughter.

You An rubbed the goosebumps on his arms, looking guarded. "Young Master Fang, I like women."

Having said that, You An ran off as well.

After Fang Ning had laughed enough to clutch her stomach, she followed in the direction You An had taken. It was they who had brought up the subject of same-sex attraction in the first place; why were they so eager to avoid it now that she was playing along? Teasing them was truly amusing.

After walking about ten paces, Fang Ning suddenly spotted three suspicious-looking men. Every time they stopped in front of a shop, they would peek inside with shifty eyes, and if the shop appeared to be doing good business, they would leave a mark on the side.

Fang Ning trailed them unobtrusively for a while, confirming they were scouting locations. Moreover, these men carried a menacing air; they definitely had blood on their hands. This was far more serious than simple theft!

Fang Ning had not heard of any ferocious bandits in the area. Where on earth did these people come from? To target a county seat—they certainly had no lack of audacity.

Fang Ning followed them as they strolled through the bustling streets of the county, and eventually, they entered an inn.

"Young Master Fang, where have you gone? You’ve been hard to find," You An said, having caught up to her. "The young master has already ordered food at the restaurant; come with me to eat!"

"You An, did you see those two men who just entered the inn?"

"Did they bully you?"

"No, but I fear Donglin County is in for a bloody disaster tonight."

You An raised an eyebrow. "I had no idea you were a fortune teller, Young Master!"

"I'm not joking. Go and find out if there have been any major murders in the area recently—massacres count, too!" Fang Ning said, her expression serious.

You An could not help but grow anxious. "Young Master, w-what did you discover?"

Fang Ning said coldly, "Go, and I want to know by the time we finish eating. Also, which restaurant did the young master go to? Tell me, and I'll go myself."

"The Xiyingmen Restaurant with the banners just ahead."

"Go and find out what I asked you to."

With that, Fang Ning hurried toward Xiyingmen Restaurant.

You An immediately turned and ran toward the county office. After a while, he snapped out of it, feeling puzzled: why was he listening to Fang Ning? Never mind, he might as well make the trip.

When Fang Ning arrived at Xiyingmen Restaurant, she had a waiter lead her to a private room on the second floor. Once the waiter left, Si Yuheng glanced at her. "You’re curious about a place like this?"

"Young Master, do you want to pull off a big job?" Fang Ning leaned in, looking mysterious.

Si Yuheng instinctively pulled back. "Speak properly. Where did you learn such underworld jargon?"

"I just discovered some men scouting out shops. They look like vicious thugs, definitely not good people. They must have blood on their hands. I’m afraid Donglin County is going to face a disaster tonight."

"Are you certain?" Si Yuheng knew Fang Ning would not speak lightly about such matters.

"Yes, all the shops with good business have been marked." Fang Ning told him everything she had seen.

"That is indeed a method used by bandits to scout locations. There haven't been any bandit raids in Donglin County in recent years; these people must be from out of town."

"Young Master, should we report this to the authorities, or..."

"No, we don't know if the bandits are in league with the local officials. Let's stay in Donglin County tonight and see how the situation develops after dark."

"I promised my grandmother I would go back tonight."

"Just have You An make the trip."

Fang Ning was secretly pleased. She hadn't wanted to go back so soon anyway. If these were real bandits, there might even be a government bounty! She wasn't going to turn away money that fell into her lap.

Halfway through their meal, You An ran back, panting. "Young Master, you were right! Last month in Le City, there was indeed a mass murder. The family was very wealthy, and they were slaughtered overnight and their home set on fire. The authorities still haven't found the culprits!"

"How far is Le City from here?"

"About three days by horse."

"That must be them!" Fang Ning said with conviction.

"Young Master, should we report it to the authorities?"

"No. You go back to Shichuan Town, go to Futian Village, and tell the Fang family that Fang Ning is discussing a business deal with me here and won't be able to return until tomorrow!"

You An looked at Fang Ning, his concern unconcealed. "Young Master, you haven't really taken a fancy to Fang Ning, have you?"

Si Yuheng: "..."

He struck him with his chopsticks. "Get out!"

You An rubbed the spot where he was hit and looked at Fang Ning gloomily. "Please, spare my young master..."

Fang Ning: "..."

Is this idiot missing a few screws? Can't he tell when someone is joking?

"Get out!" Fang Ning could no longer hold back.

You An slunk away. At the door, he looked back, let out a long sigh, and resignedly left.

Fang Ning rubbed her forehead. "Where on earth did you find such a treasure? It’s a miracle he hasn't been beaten to death."

Si Yuheng remained silent. In his past life, everyone had betrayed him, save for You An, who protected him until his dying breath and had even died before him.

"Don't tell me he's the only person loyal to you?"

Si Yuheng raised his eyes and used his communal chopsticks to place a chicken leg in her bowl. "Eat."

The implication was clear: shut up.

Fang Ning curled her lip. "Fine, don't tell me then."

"After we finish eating, we're going to the inn," Si Yuheng said calmly.

"One room?"

"I'm not short on money."

Fang Ning lowered her head, hiding the smile in her eyes. She found that teasing this master and servant was truly fun.

Two quarters of an hour later, Fang Ning and Si Yuheng arrived at the inn where the three men were staying.

"Two superior rooms, please."

"I'm sorry, young master, but we only have one room left."

Si Yuheng frowned slightly.

"Our inn has been busy these past two days; all the rooms are full."

"Innkeeper, we are from out of town. It's not a holiday or festival; is business always this good?"

"Haha, not usually, just these past few days."

Fang Ning and Si Yuheng exchanged a look.

Fang Ning said, "We'll take that room."

"Very well. However, young masters, the guests in the room next to you dislike noise, so please be mindful," the innkeeper cautioned.

"Understood, innkeeper," Fang Ning nodded.

"Waiter, show these two guests to Superior Room No. 4."

"This way, please."

As the two climbed the stairs, they came face-to-face with two of the men.