Volume One, Chapter 37: Hoshino, Secret Investigator?

Head Constable Xing’s expression tightened at Fan Xiu’s words.

"About that..." Head Constable Xing chuckled. "According to regulations, I shouldn't be discussing this, but since Scholar Fan is not an outsider, I suppose I can tell you!"

Leaning in, Head Constable Xing lowered his voice. "Word has it that a spy from the Xingye Kingdom has infiltrated our territory—and it’s a woman, at that!"

"Oh?" Fan Xiu asked, feigning surprise. "A spy from Xingye? Even if they were scouting, they should be in Yongzhou. Why come all the way to our Xuzhou?"

"I don't know." Head Constable Xing shook his head. "We only received the notice. The Magistrate has ordered us to search the entire Zhiyuan County. Anyone who finds these two Xingye spies will be rewarded with ten taels of silver!"

Sitting opposite them, Ying’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing in their depths. Two female spies from the Xingye Kingdom? There were no spies!

Although Yongzhou bordered the Xingye Kingdom, they were separated by the Tianding Mountain Range, with the only passage being the Chishui Canyon in the middle—a pass guarded by the Chishui City, where Han Xiong commanded an army of one hundred thousand. It was impossible for Xingye spies to slip through Chishui City, and crossing the Tianding Mountains was a complete fantasy.

Therefore, their so-called search for Xingye spies was likely not about catching spies at all, but about finding Empress Xiao Ruoqing!

However, Head Constable Xing Zifeng and his officers probably didn't know they were hunting an Empress. They were likely instructed to simply seize anyone whose identity seemed suspicious. It remained unclear whether the Magistrate knew the truth, or who exactly had been sent by the Cheng family.

This information was crucial; she had to return and inform the Empress immediately.

Fan Xiu looked at Xing with curiosity. He hadn't expected his friendly relationship with a low-ranking officer to yield such a benefit.

"Many thanks, Head Constable Xing," Fan Xiu said, raising his teacup. "If I encounter anyone suspicious, I will certainly notify you."

"You are too kind, Scholar Fan. It is only my duty," Xing replied politely.

Before long, several dishes and a serving of cold noodles were brought to the table.

"Head Constable Xing," Fan Xiu said, "this is the cold noodle dish I developed myself. You’ve likely heard of it; have you had the chance to try it yet?"

"Haha!" Xing, seeing how courteous Fan Xiu was, laughed heartily. "Of course I’ve heard of it! In just these two days, the cold noodles from Zhiwei Pavilion have become the talk of the town. I haven’t had the chance to try them yet, and the price is quite steep—I’d have to wait until I get my salary to afford a few meals here."

Fan Xiu smiled lightly. "If you like them, feel free to bring your men to eat anytime. I’ll give you a fifty-percent discount!"

Xing’s face lit up. "Excellent! Thank you, Scholar Fan! Here, let me toast you."

A serving of cold noodles on the first floor cost 70 wen, while the second floor was 100 wen, which included a seasoned egg and musical performances. At half-price, the first-floor meal would only be 35 wen. Not only that, but he could also show off his status in front of his subordinates.

Ying watched Fan Xiu, who was growing increasingly cordial with the head constable. She suddenly realized that, aside from his somewhat roguish nature, Fan Xiu was remarkably tactful and flexible. He could get along with anyone, even a lowly constable.

This was completely different from the rigid, protocol-obsessed people she was accustomed to in the Imperial Palace. Was this how commoners navigated the world? It was certainly effective—he had managed to uncover that the county government was hunting for the Empress right at the start.

Soon after, Master Zhao arrived, followed by Zhao Yufei.

"Master Zhao!" Head Constable Xing stood up.

Zhao Defu smiled and cupped his hands. "Old Xing, come, take a seat."

Zhao Yufei, trailing behind, ran over to Fan Xiu with a pleasant jingle of her accessories. "Senior Brother!" She crossed her hands at her knees, fiddling with her fingers. "Father wouldn't let me come, so I snuck out to follow him!"

Ying’s eyes narrowed as she watched this. What was going on? Who was this little girl who carried herself like a miniature adult?

"Don't even get me started!" Zhao Defu glared at her. "I told you to stay home and study, yet here you are, sneaking out, and you have the audacity to admit it in front of Scholar Fan!"

"Hee hee," Zhao Yufei stuck out her tongue. "What good is studying if I can't take the imperial examinations? Besides, Senior Brother Fan is a scholar—won't I learn more by coming to see him?" She turned to Fan Xiu, eyes wide with anticipation. "Right, Senior Brother?"

Fan Xiu gave a dry cough. "I achieved my scholar status through a great deal of luck; my academic knowledge isn't actually that profound!" He didn't dare encourage her. What could he possibly tutor her in? The "Dance of the Three Subjects"? Or "Kun-Fu"? He didn't know a thing about the Four Books and Five Classics!

"Hmph! You're lying!" Zhao Yufei pouted, looking even more adorable with her two sharp little fangs showing.

Ying scrutinized the girl, then looked at Fan Xiu. This little girl was a bit strange. As soon as her gaze fell upon Zhao Yufei, the girl sensed it, looked at Ying, and felt a sudden jolt in her heart. *What a beautiful woman. Why is she with Fan Xiu? And why is she looking at me like that?*

"Enough," Zhao Defu waved his hand. "Scholar Fan is just being humble, and you’re actually taking it seriously? Everyone who earns the title of scholar is a man of great talent! Unlike you—if you had half the capability of Scholar Fan, I’d be laughing in my sleep!"

Fan Xiu quickly interjected, "Master Zhao, please don't flatter me. I really am not that capable; otherwise, I wouldn't have abandoned my studies for business."

"Understood," Zhao Defu chuckled. "No need to say more, I understand perfectly!"

Fan Xiu rolled his eyes. *You understand nothing, you old fool!* He quickly took a sip of water to steady himself.

Just then, Zhao Yufei looked at Ying and tilted her head. "Brother Fan Xiu, who is this auntie..."

Ying: "???" *Auntie? Me?*

Fan Xiu spat out the tea he had just sipped, staring at Zhao Yufei in disbelief. This little girl was calling "Liu Yue" an "auntie"? Although she was wearing Li Chuntao’s clothes and appeared slightly older, she was clearly a young woman, even younger than Fan Xiu. Despite her plain attire, she was a true beauty, appearing more like an older sister from next door than any sort of "auntie."

Fan Xiu noticed the sly glint in Zhao Yufei’s eyes. In an instant, he realized she had done it on purpose! Why? Were battles between women always this inexplicable?

"Zhao Yufei, watch your tongue!" Zhao Defu scolded. "I usually..."

Before he could finish, a commotion erupted on the first floor. Fan Xiu and the others paused, then walked to the railing to look down.

A dozen young men in fine silk robes were walking in, all clearly sons of wealthy families.

"Is Fan Xiu here? Tell him to come out!" the leader, a young man holding a folding fan, shouted coldly. He wore a scholar's cap and a blue silk gown, looking exceptionally dashing and refined.

"Scholar Liu?" Zhao Defu exclaimed in surprise. "Why is he here?"

Fan Xiu narrowed his eyes. Liu Wenyan? The other scholar in Zhiyuan County, and the second young master of the Liu family. Why would he come here? And with such a crowd—not to eat or order, but to demand he come down?