Chapter Fifty-Nine: Desire

By the time Wu Ning left the Qin family, night had already fallen some time ago, and the gates of the ward had long since been shut. Instead of finding an inn, he wandered to the street-facing wall of the ward and stood there in a daze.

This so-called wall was really just a waist-high rammed earth fence meant to deter the honest rather than the cunning. Standing inside, one could see the main thoroughfare outside with perfect clarity.

Getting out of the ward was easy enough—a five-year-old with some effort could climb over. The only condition was not to be caught by the patrolling guards, lest one receive a beating.

He mulled over what had just happened. The suggestion he’d given Qin Wenyuan—how to choose, that was up to the man himself. To put it plainly, he could help Qin Wenyuan preserve the family fortune, but the price was not something an ordinary person could bear. After all, Wang Hongyi was no ordinary man. If provoked, if he really latched onto Qin Wenyuan, it would be serious trouble for the old fellow.

As he pondered, a squad of soldiers passed by on patrol outside the ward. Wu Ning hurried to call out over the wall.

“Captain, please wait a moment.”

The patrol was startled, searching for a while before noticing someone beneath the ward wall.

They immediately grew wary, approaching with spears at the ready. “Who goes there?!”

Wu Ning grinned, “Good sir, I am the nephew of Wu Changlu, commander of Fangzhou. I’ve been stranded in Yongping Ward tonight. Could you do me a favor and escort me to Kangping Ward?”

The soldier’s brows furrowed. “You claim to be Commander Wu’s nephew?”

“That’s right!” Wu Ning nodded. “If you doubt me, take me to my uncle’s house. If I’m lying, punish me as you will.”

These night patrols were all under Wu Changlu’s command. Though the capital commissioner was in town and security was tighter than usual, what if this really was the commander’s nephew?

After weighing it, the captain finally nodded. “Very well, come out.”

“Thank you!” Wu Ning answered cheerfully, braced his hands, and vaulted over the ward wall. Escorted by the patrol, he made his way toward Kangping Ward.

Upon arrival, the captain didn’t summon the ward gatekeeper but left his men to watch outside and accompanied Wu Ning himself over the wall.

Fortunately, Wu Changlu’s home was close by. Crossing one alley, they arrived. Seeing Wu Ning familiar with the way, the captain no longer doubted his identity.

At the door, he knocked before Wu Ning could. “Is Commander Wu at home?”

Wu Li opened the door. Seeing Wu Ning, he said, “You’re back at last. Any later and your uncle would’ve gone to fetch you.”

“Where’s uncle?”

“In the inner room.”

“Go call him.”

The captain had accompanied him back so late at night, clearly hoping to show his face before the commander. This much Wu Ning understood.

He waited at the door, not hurrying inside.

The captain, too, understood Wu Ning’s intention and gave him a grateful look.

...

“Back again, are you? What, do you expect me to come fetch you myself?” Wu Changlu’s voice preceded him.

Seeing someone else standing with Wu Ning, he immediately understood.

He frowned at the captain, “You brought him?”

The captain saluted. “Reporting to Commander, this young lord claimed to be your nephew. I couldn’t be sure, so I brought him to ask. If he truly is family, it would be hard on him to be trapped in Yongping Ward.”

Wu Changlu nodded, neither confirming nor denying. “You’re... Wei Dalang from the City Garrison?”

“That’s me, sir.”

“Very well, return to your duties. Keep a sharp watch—no slacking.”

“At your command!” The captain clasped his fist and left. With the commander’s word, his effort tonight had not been in vain.

“Tsk, tsk.” Wu Ning smacked his lips. “I never realized you had such authority, uncle.”

“Enough cheek!” Wu Changlu kicked him. “Come eat!”

...

———————

Despite his high rank, Wu Changlu kept no servants, took no concubines, and managed all household affairs himself. Knowing Wu Ning was coming, he’d thrown together a simple meal. The three of them sat around the table without ceremony.

Wu Ning dug in hungrily—he was famished after the day’s events.

Wu Changlu watched him as he ate. “Stay away from the Qin family. Don’t go looking for trouble.”

Wu Ning paused, surprised at his uncle’s first words.

“So you know about the Qin family’s troubles?”

Wu Changlu gave a dry laugh. “If the Prince of Luling sets his sights on something, even if Qin Wenyuan is a thousand times unwilling, he’ll end up ruined all the same.”

But Wu Ning countered calmly, “Is it really the Prince of Luling, or is it Wang Hongyi?”

Wu Changlu fell silent for a moment.

“It’s Wang Hongyi. The prince, whatever his faults, wouldn’t stoop to seizing a commoner’s fortune.”

“Exactly,” Wu Ning smiled easily.

At Li Xian’s level, money was meaningless.

“Wang Hongyi is Wang Hongyi—no prince, after all.”

“And you’re still smiling?” Wu Changlu grew stern.

...

“I hear you had words with Qin Wenyuan. What did you say to him? Let me warn you: don’t get entangled in the Qin family’s affairs without even realizing it!”

“Too late.” Wu Ning set down his bowl. “Not only did I not avoid it, I’m already involved.”

He recounted for Wu Changlu the conversation he’d had with Qin Wenyuan that night.

...

“I gave Qin Wenyuan the idea,” Wu Ning said candidly, meeting his uncle’s gaze. “If he does as I suggested, Wang Hongyi will end up with nothing but a few empty shops—not a copper more.”

Wu Changlu was dumbfounded, staring at Wu Ning for a long while. “That... that would work!?”

How did this kid’s brain even work? He could come up with something so ruthless? Urging Qin Wenyuan to divorce his wife?

But something felt off the more Wu Changlu thought about it.

“This isn’t like you at all!”

Wu Ning, he knew, was slippery as an eel. Faced with this sort of trouble, if he saw the danger, he’d stay as far away as possible without being told. Why, this time, had he jumped in to offer advice? It wasn’t his usual style.

In truth, Wu Ning himself was puzzled. Though he knew he might offend Wang Hongyi, he couldn’t help but step in.

Was it because of Qin Miaoniang? Not really. Even if he married her one day, the Qin family’s wealth had nothing to do with him. He was confident he’d have his own.

So why did he do it?

Perhaps, it was desire.

Deep down, Wu Ning didn’t want to remain a fugitive all his life, nor fade away quietly, unnoticed. He wanted to make a mark, to prove his strength, prove he had been here.

And today, Qin Wenyuan had happened to stumble into Wu Ning’s very area of expertise, provoking his urge to show what he could do.

Besides, if he was frightened off by a mere Wang Hongyi, he might never make it out of the valley his whole life.

...