Chapter 114: A double edged sword 2

The governor's mansion of Ningzhuo

Steward Meng received a surprise visit from Deputy Sun's right-hand man, four Hours before Lu Yaozhu was brought back. After decades of following a similar schedule, one would inevitably become a creature of habit. Human beings although flexible would easily fall to similar patterns.

Steward Meng was no different, he woke up at dawn and after washing up and changing into his dark brown high necked uniform resumed his morning rounds. He went about the residence, going from place to place and conversing with the servants in charge. He approved the necessary funds for each department.

As he walked by the main courtyard, he was surprised to see the governors personal attendants standing around. The governor had spent the night with the madam yesterday and following common practice, he came over with his personal attendants.

It wasn't surprising to see the masters servant at the madam's courtyard while the master was present in the courtyard but it was strange seeing them here till the late. His round had taken over two hours to complete by the time he was done, the sun was already up in the sky. 

The Governor had been with them for over two months, it was long enough for steward Meng to get familiar with his habits. The governor unlike his former master was very principled, he followed the social convention to the T. It was out of character for him to still be at their madam's room this late in the day. 

Steward Meng stopped a courtyard maid sweeping the compound and instructed her to call his trusty male servant and informant Jun over. After a short while, Jun came running out f the courtyard. They met at the stone pathway behind the main courtyard that led to the kitchen. 

Steward Meng stood under a peach tree with his head tilted up as he admired the fruiting peach. As he got closer, Jun neatened up his clothes then walked around the trees. He gave steward Meng a salute, "Teacher Meng".

Steward Meng gazed down at the younger, Jun was a servant he had personally trained to work for him. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed but he was loyal, that was the only reason he still kept him thus close.

"I saw the governor's personal attendants stand around madam's pavilion, is the governor still around?" 

"Yes master, I heard that the governor felt a little faint when he woke up and would stay a while" Jun chuckled and continued, "I think it is all a lie".

"me too" steward Meng muttered, he looked in the direction of the courtyard. If the governor wasn't feeling strong, why wasn't a physician called to check on him? Why wasn't any word from the main courtyard, the governor's assistant Yu Tao was missing from the line personal attendance at the courtyard?

What was the governor up to, there must be something suspicious for a dim wited person like Jun to find it strange? "Why do you think that their actions were suspicious?"

Steward Meng was expecting to get a sensible answer from Jun but the response he got made him rethink keeping this young idiot next to him.

Jun Licked his lips, moved closer to his elderly master and replied "master, the governor is not feeling faint at all. He must have overindulged in the usual pleasures between men and women, the young madam and he must still be at it even now because even the young madam hasn't come out since daybreak".

Stewart Meng glared at the foolish young man and let out a heavy sighed then shook his head. Why did he even bother talking to this fool, he gave Jun a heavy knock on his head. "Is it even possible to have an intelligent conversation with you, get out!" 

Jun felt wronged by his master, why would his master hit him when all he did was give his two cents. Why else would the governor and the madam lock themselves inside, he rubbed his sore head. He glanced at his master once more, his master glared at him and rose his hands as if to hit him.

Jun didn't waste any more time and ran out, he doesn't know what got his master in such a mood. His master was out for blood and, He preferred it not be his blood. Talk about being a bad-tempered old man, his old master has been prone to mood swings of late.

Steward Meng hissed as had watched his foolish student run away, it was high time he got a smarter informant. He went back to his room but couldn't seem to get the governor's strange actions off his mind. He felt that there was something odd about that but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

A shadow fell on him as he walked into his room, Xiao Peng, deputy Sun's right-hand man stood by a small square-shaped table a few steps away. 

Xiao Peng was a huge man in his forties with bold features that followed the Deputy. He was Deputy Sun's most trusted aide and was a man with a very dark reputation. He was very loyal to Deputy Sun and the Sun family, he was nicknamed the wild jackal by people because of his ruthless and erratic kill list. 

Xiao Peng was the man deputy Sun sends to handle disloyal people and get information. If you ever saw Xiao Peng in your house, it could mean one of two things. One was that you had committed an offence and was in Deputy Sun's bad books would mean that your end was close and Xiao Peng was sent to send you off properly.

The second reason was that Deputy Sun wanted first-hand information and sent his trusted aide to pick your mind. Both reasons were far from pleasant, Steward Meng swallowed. He bowed at the stone-faced man and said "Master Xiao Peng, sorry for keeping you waiting. How do this lowly one here can this lowly one help you?"

Xiao Peng glanced at the silly old man in front of him and smirked, this old steward dared to act confident. How pathetic, he didn't like this type of man. "Steward Meng should stand on ceremony, I am here at the master's stead to ask a few questions" he picked up an apple from the fruit tray on the table and took out a knife from his sword belt.

Steward took a step back unknowingly and laughing awkwardly replied "you can ask me any questions, I live to serve the master".

"Really? You are getting older steward Meng, I hope your ear still works fine or we might not have need of such old bones" he sliced a piece of Apple and put it into his mouth, glanced at the old man and smiled.

"My ears walked soundly, please be at ease" he replied quickly. He didn't know why Deputy Sun send his best aide over but he hoped it wasn't anything bad. He didn't wasn't to die anytime yet, he was willing to be an extra life given to this deranged man seated in front of him.

"Hmm, we will see. Is the governor in residence?"

"Ye_yes"

Xiao Peng paused his slicing and glanced up, "Why the delay, are you uncertain or are you lying to me?"

"No no no, it is like this. I haven't seen the Governor today but according to my man in the main courtyard the governor felt a little bit faint this money and is resting in Princess Qin's room".

"How odd, I didn't hear the governor call over a physician. I guess it is not serious".

"Yes" 

"Were our men too lax on their duties or is the governor missing" Xiao Peng muttered to himself. He glanced at the shaky old man and smiled "Steward Meng your master is causing quite a mess for our master, if you hear anything interesting, send word to us. If you don't ..... Then you can rethink your future survival"

Steward Meng fell on his knees and kowtowed a few times, "please be at ease master Xiao this lowly one is loyal to the deputy and wouldn't make sure a mistake".

"Good" Xiao Peng patted his shoulder as he walked out of the room. Steward Meng's heart continued beating fast even long after Xiao Peng had left.

*********

Xiao Peng returned to the Deputy's mansion and went straight into his master's study. His master looked up as soon as he walked in, "did you find out anything new?"

"There is nothing new, everything went as reported by our men, the governor hasn't appeared today. He must either be injured or he wasn't in the residence, our other spies in the residence reported that apart from the Princess no one had seen the governor".

"Good, I received a letter from Prime minister Shi, he says that he would put in a good word for me with the Emperor and get me appointed as the new governor. If I can fabricate reliable evidence of the Lu families involvement with the Bongju bandits opium trade. Our young governor ruffled a lot of feathers, not just mine, what a pity. Keep a close watch of the Governor's mansion, I want to j ow everything that happens".

"Yes"