Ma Biao sighed, "Don't interrogate her yet. This person is tricky. You two keep an eye on her and make sure nothing goes wrong. I need to report this matter to the young lady."
Soon, Ma Biao's secret message was placed on Liu Rumei's desk.
Xiao Cui was actually from the Lotus Gate.
This was somewhat unexpected for Liu Rumei.
The Lotus Gate was renowned.
Its leader, Hong Lianhua, was beautiful, like a celestial being, and possessed unfathomable martial arts prowess.
Furthermore, she was skilled at disguise, often changing identities, making her elusive.
But that wasn't all. A more significant reason for the Lotus Gate leader's fame was that ten years ago, she became the teacher of Princess Zhaoning, Xiao Zigu, the Emperor's only daughter.
The situation was now complicated, not just a struggle between the Crown Prince and the National Preceptor's factions, but the Princess was also drawn in.
Seeing Liu Rumei in a quandary, her maid Xiao Qing couldn't help but say, "Perhaps it was just Xiao Cui's own idea, and has nothing to do with the Lotus Gate?"
Liu Rumei sighed softly, "I hope so. By the way, what about the bandits from Centipede Ridge?"
"They are all under separate guard. We originally planned to bring them back to the county town together, but Steward Liu said to wait until you finished interrogating them."
Liu Rumei nodded, "Go, bring Big Black over. Let's see if he can provide us with any more clues."
Soon, Big Black was brought into the courtyard. Seeing Liu Rumei, Big Black was extremely ashamed. He lowered his head and said nothing.
Liu Rumei glanced at him and said coldly, "Big Black, I'm giving you an opportunity to atone for your crimes. Tell me Xiao Cui's true identity."
This question stumped Big Black.
"Her name is just Xiao Cui. I don't know anything else."
Liu Rumei sighed again, "I gave you a chance, but you didn't cherish it. Don't blame me!"
Big Black looked at Liu Rumei, hesitated, and then knelt on the ground with a thud, "Miss Liu, spare me. I truly don't know her other identity."
Looking at Big Black kowtowing frantically, a hint of disdain appeared in Liu Rumei's eyes.
"A coward who fears death. What use is there in keeping you?"
After speaking, she gave a look to Ma Xiaoyi beside her, "He's useless. Take him out and execute him."
With those words, Big Black was scared half to death.
"Miss Liu, spare me, spare me! I really don't know. Wait, Yang Chun knows. Ask him, ask him."
Originally, Liu Rumei just wanted to scare him to see if she could trick him into revealing something new. However, Big Black's words ignited her killing intent because by saying that, he was trying to sow discord between her and Yang Chun.
Although she didn't have a good impression of Yang Chun, Yang Chun had at least provided her with information, so she owed Yang Zhi a favor.
And Big Black's move was quite vicious.
If she truly went to ask, it would mean she didn't trust Yang Chun. If she didn't ask, she would still feel uneasy and preoccupied with the matter.
Liu Rumei's expression turned cold and she made a gesture to Ma Xiaoyi.
Ma Xiaoyi understood and, with two men, dragged Big Black outside.
Seeing that Liu Rumei wasn't falling for his trick and was instead dragging him out, Big Black knew something was wrong and he was likely going to be executed. He couldn't be stopped and shouted loudly, "Liu Rumei, you damned bitch, I won't let you off even as a ghost!"
"Yang Chun, you traitor, I'll bite you to death even as a ghost!"
His shouting didn't just stop there; it caused dogs in half the village to bark incessantly.
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei, who had just returned to the village, reined in his horse upon hearing the commotion.
Today, he had gone to the county town to deliver apples and picked up some saltpeter. As soon as he returned, he heard Big Black's loud voice.
Listening to the curses, Chen Xiaobei thought, "This sounds like the words of someone facing death."
Thinking this, he quickly rode forward and stopped Ma Xiaoyi, "Brother Xiaoyi, what's going on?"
Seeing Chen Xiaobei, Big Black seemed to have grasped at a last straw, "Brother Xiaobei, save me, save me!"
Ma Xiaoyi looked at Chen Xiaobei. Since they were living there, he had to give face.
He smiled slightly and pointed at Big Black, "This fellow is not honest. My young lady said he's useless, so it's better to execute him."
"But, but, I really don't know who was directing Xiao Cui, I, I."
Frankly, Chen Xiaobei didn't want to ask more. He understood the principle that one must pay for one's life. Moreover, once you get involved in the struggles between factions, you can never escape.
Thinking this, Chen Xiaobei said to Ma Xiaoyi, "Brother Xiaoyi, it doesn't matter if you kill him, but could you allow me to go home and cook two dishes to send off the great chieftain Big Black?"
It was natural for anyone not to want to die as a hungry ghost. Ma Xiaoyi nodded and pointed to the large locust tree in the middle of the village not far ahead. "I'll tie him here. After you've fed him food and wine, we'll act."
Chen Xiaobei returned home and first went to the vegetable patch behind the house to pick a few handfuls of greens. These greens were almost ready and could be sold. Then, he cut some fatty meat and, with clanging and banging, made two dishes in a flash.
Then, he poured a pot of wine.
He packed them into a basket and carried them to see Big Black.
Big Black was so moved to see Chen Xiaobei come to bid him farewell that he started crying profusely.
While eating the dishes and drinking wine, he kept shedding tears, "Brother Xiaobei, I never imagined that you would be the one to see me off in the end."
Chen Xiaobei forced a smile, "Alright, great chieftain, say no more. Eat more."
Big Black looked around. Ma Xiaoyi and the others were standing quite far away. An opportunity arose. Big Black lowered his voice and said, "Brother Xiaobei, behind the steep slope on the back of Centipede Ridge, there is a cave. I drew a cross at the entrance of the cave. Inside, there is a package of gold and jewels. Go and get it, and it will guarantee you a life of no worries about food and clothing."
As soon as he finished speaking, a mournful cry was suddenly heard.
"Uncle, Uncle, you are so tragic!"
Following the cry, Chen Ermao appeared from nowhere, wearing a piece of sackcloth.
This was a ritual to mourn the deceased, but Big Black was not touched. Instead, he yelled, "Ermao, you scoundrel, I'm still alive, why are you crying!"
Chen Ermao, who was wailing, looked up. And indeed, Big Black was still tied to the tree.
Chen Ermao immediately stopped crying and ran forward a few steps, "Uncle, Uncle, I was just too anxious, too anxious."
Chen Xiaobei quickly said, "Great chieftain, Ermao only meant well, please don't hold it against him. Have some more to eat."
Big Black shook his head, "I'm not eating anymore. This is so damned unlucky. Chen Ermao, get away from me."
Then he turned to Ma Xiaoyi.
"Come on, if you want to do it, just do it. If I flinch, I'm not a real man."
Ma Xiaoyi laughed heartily and drew his saber, about to strike, when he suddenly heard someone shout, "Wait."