Xu Qian received a warm reception from Song Qing. The two sat by the desk, sipping fragrant tea, engaged in friendly conversation.
"To tell the truth, I'm a bit suspicious of you," Song Qing took a sip, then said. "These past few days, I've investigated your ancestors for eighteen generations."
Was it really appropriate to say you investigated someone's ancestors right to their face... Xu Qian was not surprised by this and asked with a smile: "How did the investigation go?"
"Too clean." Song Qing shook his head and dropped the subject. He pulled out a stack of rice paper and handed it over: "Take a look at my recent research."
Xu Qian thought to himself: I had already prepared the wandering expert's story, but you're not even asking... You tech geeks don't care about these things at all.
He took the manuscript and glanced through it, nearly spraying out his tea.
Besides the plant grafting theory Xu Qian had told him, this fellow had drawn inferences and made several creative case studies. For example:
Grafting humans with horses.
He had listed a whole pile of advantages: Great Feng would no longer need to worry about war horse resources, soldiers wouldn't have to fear lacking excellent mounts. Because we are mature soldiers, and can serve as war horses ourselves...
Another example: Capture bird-type demon tribes, breed them with humans, creating half-demons that could serve as an air force.
*Monster girls, anyone... No, wait, reproductive isolation, anyone...* Xu Qian set down the rice paper and composed himself after the shock to his worldview. "This visit to the Directorate is because I need Senior Brother Song's help."
"Speak freely."
"I've offended Vice Minister Zhou. You should know that."
"Caiwei told me." Song Qing set down his teacup and said solemnly: "Regrettably, I cannot help you. The Directorate does not interfere with court politics—the Emperor forbids it. Moreover, a Vice Minister with real power exceeds my capacity."
"Don't rush, Senior Brother Song. What I need you to do is simple..." Xu Qian explained his idea.
"That's impossible," Song Qing refused flatly. "Song is an upright and honorable man. I would never do such a thing."
Xu Qian thought for a moment and said with false humility: "I was insensitive... Senior Brother Song, let's continue discussing your grafting theory. To be blunt, this cannot succeed."
Song Qing furrowed his brow, straightened his posture, and adopted a rigorous attitude for academic discussion.
"You must know in your heart that the cat that had to be kept in a glass jar is proof. But you must be puzzled why it failed—where the problem lies."
Song Qing leaned forward slightly, his breathing quickening, staring at Xu Qian with wide eyes: "You know?"
Xu Qian said: "I wasn't involved in the research, so I don't know where the real problem lies, but I can provide you with a theoretical basis."
A theoretical basis?!
What Song Qing lacked most was theoretical basis. A founder of a school was rare indeed. Alchemy was vast and profound, and to progress, theoretical support was indispensable.
Under Song Qing's suddenly brightening gaze, Xu Qian spoke slowly:
"Have you ever heard of the periodic table of elements?"
What periodic table? What did that have to do with his experiments? Ten thousand questions flashed through Song Qing's mind.
His breathing grew heavier. He felt he was about to touch the door of truth in alchemy. As a fanatic of alchemy, every hair on his body stood on end with excitement.
Before he could ask, he heard Xu Qian say leisurely: "The principle of alchemy is equivalent exchange..."
...
Marquis Weiwu's residence was on Sparrow-Crouching Street in the inner city. This street was the domain of nobles. Walking along, one saw nothing but marquises, earls, and dukes.
Marquis Weiwu held a hereditary title, rising during the succession struggle three hundred years ago. The title had passed down unchanged ever since, but in reality, he held little power.
The side gate opened, and a round-faced young woman emerged surrounded by maids and attendants. She wore an elegant silk robe with a hem that reached her ankles, her embroidered shoes peeking out as she walked.
At sixteen or seventeen, she was pretty, with bright, spirited eyes and an air of pride. The spirited expression between her brows enhanced her presence, drawing attention wherever she went.
Zhang Yuying entered the sedan chair waiting at the gate. The bearers lifted it and carried her leisurely toward the City God Temple.
Today she was going to offer incense at the City God Temple, eat a vegetarian meal, then visit the residence of the Wen Yuan Earl's daughter—her close childhood friend—for tea and chat.
They would read forbidden books secretly circulating among young women, discuss which families' sons had reached marriageable age, and evaluate this year's successful imperial examination candidates, guessing whether they might pass next year's spring examination.
Perhaps one of them would turn out to be her future husband.
After two streets, the maid walking beside the sedan suddenly heard a commotion.
Behind them, two horse-drawn carriages had somehow gone out of control. The drivers pulled desperately on the reins, their faces panicked as they cracked their whips:
"Make way, everyone, make way..."
Pedestrians scattered in all directions.
"Quick, stop the carriages!" The maid cried out in alarm, ordering the attendants to intercept while telling the sedan bearers to dodge.
The attendants were short-handed. They stopped one carriage, but the other sent two bearers flying. The sedan toppled instantly.
The remaining two bearers and the maid instinctively threw themselves aside. The scene descended into chaos.
After the brief turmoil, the two carriages continued their mad gallop. The maid scrambled up and rushed to the overturned sedan:
"Second Miss! Second Miss, are you all right?"
No answer.
The maid's heart sank. She threw open the curtain and froze. Seconds later, she screamed: "Second Miss is gone!!"
The sedan was empty.
...
Inner city. A small courtyard.
Zhang Yuying knew she had been kidnapped, though she didn't know by whom.
She had woken some time ago. After the initial headache subsided, she had been consumed by fear.
As the illegitimate daughter of Marquis Weiwu, she normally received treatment only slightly inferior to that of the legitimate daughter—far better than her other sisters. Her father and stepmother doted on her, and the legitimate daughter, who was both her older sister and cousin, was extremely close to her.
Raised in luxury and indulgence, she had never experienced anything like this.
All around was silence. Her hands and feet were bound, a cloth gag stuffed in her mouth. She was terrified.
*Clang!*
From outside the courtyard came the sound of a door opening, followed by footsteps.
Zhang Yuying's heart shot into her throat. Fear exploded in her chest. She didn't know what awaited her, but it certainly wouldn't be anything good.
"Heh." The footsteps stopped outside the room. Someone chuckled lewdly: "This woman is really beautiful. I just checked her out—her chest is full and soft. So comfortable."
"You're such a creep..." The other started to say, then paused and added: "You didn't even call me to join."
Zhang Yuying was ashamed and furious, tears welling in her eyes.
The two shadows continued their conversation:
"She's still a virgin."
"Duh. The second daughter of Marquis Weiwu is still unmarried."
Zhang Yuying was shocked. They knew who she was, knew her father was Marquis Weiwu, and still dared to kidnap her?
This meant the mastermind behind this was no ordinary person.
"What do you think Young Master Zhou will do with this woman? She's a stunning beauty, but keeping her long-term seems risky."
"Heh, you think too much. Young Master Zhou will play with her for a while, then when he's bored, he'll strangle her and bury her in this courtyard. Who would know?"
"When Young Master Zhou gets tired of her, we can have a taste too. This girl is soft-skinned and delicate—much more tender than the women at the pleasure houses."
"True. If Young Master Zhou weren't trying her first, we'd have our way with her already."
"Who can argue when he's the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue? Let's go, let's go get a drink."
"Is that wise?"
"It'll be dusk soon. We'll buy the wine and come right back."
The footsteps faded, then the courtyard gate closed. The two seemed to have gone out to drink.
Young Master Zhou? The son of the Vice Minister of Revenue?
An image of a richly dressed young man flashed through Zhang Yuying's mind. She remembered the incident during last year's Lantern Festival.
He was still obsessed with her...
Play with her until bored... have a taste... strangle her and bury her in the courtyard to destroy the evidence... The sheltered noble daughter trembled violently, tears streaming down her face.
"Mmfff..." She struggled to make noise while twisting her limbs, trying to break free.
Suddenly, she noticed the rope on her wrists had loosened slightly.
Zhang Yuying went rigid, then fell silent, ceasing all movement, but her hands twisted with all their strength.
After an unknown time—her tender wrist skin rubbed raw, burning with pain—she finally freed herself.
She immediately sat up, untied the ropes on her feet, and tiptoed to the door. She listened patiently for a while, confirmed no one was in the courtyard, then carefully stepped out.
Looking left and right, she clenched her teeth and ran with a speed she had never known in her life, reaching the courtyard gate and pulling the bolt.
The door wouldn't open. It was locked from outside.
"Mmfff..." Miss Zhang let out a despairing cry.
...
Across the street from the courtyard, Xu Qian held a bowl of noodles. Xu Xinnian stood beside him.
"Those risqué lines were well delivered," the Eldest Brother habitually provoked the Second Brother.
Second Brother ignored him, his gaze fixed on the courtyard gate: "What if she can't get out? Why did you lock the gate?"
"The powerful will to survive awakens human potential. Trust me, she'll get out. Climbing the wall will do." Xu Qian slurped his noodles and explained in a low voice: "If we didn't lock it, the trail would be too obvious."
This small courtyard was the private residence Zhou Li had purchased outside the marquis's estate. Inside lived a woman of fair appearance. Now that woman, along with the courtyard's maid, old woman servant, and gatekeeper—a total of four people—were all locked inside the mirror by Xu Qian.
That jade mirror could hold both objects and living creatures. Xu Qian had tested it on his household's servants.
Without that mirror, the plan to kidnap Miss Zhang would have been extremely difficult—they might even have lost the hen while trying to steal the egg.
At that moment, the two saw a head appear over the courtyard wall. Zhang Yuying, her hair in disarray, peeked out.
After a cautious survey, she climbed over and jumped down.
She seemed to have twisted her ankle. She lay on the ground motionless for a long time before finally rising through tears, determined. Leaning against the wall, she hopped and limped onto the street.
For a noble young lady raised in luxury, reaching this point was an immense sacrifice.
They would return from buying wine at dusk... She glanced at the setting sun, knowing she was not yet truly safe.
Perhaps she wouldn't get far before being chased down. Perhaps in a few more steps, they would run into each other.
Just then, a patrol of armored Imperial Blade Guards passed by.
Terrified of encountering the kidnappers on the road—or being caught by them—Zhang Yuying saw them as her salvation and ran toward them in tears.
Before the guards could draw their swords, she shrieked: "I am the daughter of Marquis Weiwu! I've been kidnapped! Save me quickly!"
The guards exchanged glances and immediately surrounded her.
Nearby pedestrians stopped to watch. The lead guard asked: "Who kidnapped you?"
"Zhou Li! The son of Vice Minister Zhou of Revenue—Zhou Li!" Zhang Yuying sobbed hysterically.
*Dong, dong, dong...* The drum announcing the night curfew sounded in sync.
Xu Qian set his bowl on the roadside: "Let's go. Find an inn to rest, then go home tomorrow to wait for news."