31

Nie Huanzhang rushed day and night, galloping all the way towards Jingdu, hoping to arrive there before the metropolitan examination. However, he was still a day late. In haste, he arrived at the house where Zhou Chuqi and Zhou Chuyu live in Jingdu. Surprisingly, no one responded despite his repeated knocking. Anxiously he inquired with the neighbor:

"Excuse me, do you know where this family has gone?"

"Well, I heard there was something trouble at home so they returned home."

"Returned home? That's impossible. The younger brother here is supposed to participate in the metropolitan examination and the elder brother is studying at the Imperial Medical Academy."

"Sorry, I really don't know. Maybe you should ask someone else."

"Thank you very much."

Nie Huanzhang was stunned so that he didn't know how to do. Something trouble? Returned home? What was wrong with them? Suddenly he remembered Zhou Chuyu's eldest sister, Zhou Zheng, was in Jingdu. She lived with her husband's family. Perplexed, Nie Huanzhang decided to visit her. However, it was surprised for him. When this family learned he was looking for the Zhou brothers, they simply shook their heads and said:

"The married daughter is like water thrown out. Zhou Zheng has become the daughter-in-law in our family so it's not appropriate for you to inquire about the affairs of the Zhou family."

Suddenly, Nie Huanzhang understood. Something had happened to the Zhou family. But was it the Zhou brothers in Jingdu or the Zhou family in Yucheng? Nie Huanzhang decided to find the answer in the Imperial Academy. But in the Imperial Academy, what he was told was that Zhou Chuyu's elder brother in the Imperial Medical Academy had encountered some trouble and had dropped out of school to return home. 

At the imperial Medical Academy, the news was that Zhou Chuqi did face some issues, but he was wrongly implicated and had likely been released. However, the current situation was unclear. It seemed that due to Zhou Chuqi's troubles, Zhou Chuy had to abandon this year's autumn examination and return home with his elder brother. This conclusion was drawn from the information known to Nie Huanzhang. In a hurry, Nie Huanzhang rode swiftly to Yucheng town. However, upon reaching the Zhou family, he was astonished. The gates that were usually open throughout the day and closed only at night were tightly shut in broad daylight. Approaching the door, he knocked and after a considerable wait, the door slowly opened a crack. A cautious figure peered out, recognizing Nie Huanzhang and whispered:

"Go away quickly!" then the voice shifted to a normal tone, "Oh, it is Mr. Nie. If you're looking for my master. Unfortunately, he isn't home now. If you're here for business, you can inquire at the embroidery workshop."

Nie Huanzhang wanted to ask more questions but the door had already been closed. As he stood there in confusion, a person dressed as a merchant approached him and greeted:

"Excuse me, may I ask, sir, what your name is? What business do you have with this family?"

Nie Huanzhang looked at him and said:

"Well, I came to discuss embroidery business with Zhou Chuqin. Unexpectedly, he's not at home."

"Then please go to their embroidery workshop and ask for the manager. The whole family isn't at home."

"Oh, that servant has just told me. Please tell me who you are."

"I'm their neighbor. Mr. Junior Zhou was worried that his servants might not convey the message clearly so he specifically asked me to inform every visitor. After all, they have many clients coming and going for business."

"Thank you."

Nie Huanzhang left immediately. He was well aware that Zhou Chuqin would never let a neighbor explain to any clients. And their servants were still qualified for their jobs Everyone knew him, including the gatekeeper who opened the door was familiar with him. Something was amiss in the Zhou family. Could it be that Zhou Chuqi's troubles were significant enough to involve the whole Zhou family? But if that were the case, why continue the business as usual and let him talk with the manager directly? Nie Huanzhang decided to go to the embroidery workshop to see if he could gather more information.

Arriving at the embroidery workshop, the manager who came to receive him was also surnamed Zhou, a family member of the Zhou's. Nie Huanzhang had often received help from this manager while busy with the workshop. However, to his surprise, the manager, upon seeing him, immediately smiled and warmly welcomed him. Yet, for Nie Huanzhang, the smile seemed forced. The manager spoke:

"Oh, it is Mr. Nie. It's been a long time not to meet you. How are our goods? Still up to your satisfaction? How much are you taking this time?"

Nie Huanzhang glanced at a stranger accompanying the manager and said:

"Let's not talk about the products for now. I'd like to see what goods you have currently and I also have some samples I'd like your workshop to work on. However, I couldn't find your master. I wonder if you can make decisions on his behalf?"

The manager explained:

"Unfortunately, Mr. Nie, you've been inconvenienced. I apologize. Our master and his family have all gone out so even if you have business to discuss, it's the same as telling me."

Then he ushered Nie Huanzhang into a room and the stranger attempted to follow. Nie Huanzhang shot him a displeased look and turned to the manager, saying:

"I'd prefer to discuss this privately if you don't mind. I'm placing a substantial order this time and we need to renegotiate the prices. I also have some unique samples that require discretion." 

The manager, looking apologetic, glanced at the stranger and said:

"Considering our client's requirements, it's difficult to have someone else present." 

The stranger looked at the manager and then at Nie Huanzhang, saying:

"Alright."

Once inside the room, the manager pulled Nie Huanzhang to the corner and whispered:

"Mr. Nie, I really don't know much. Young Master Chuqin told me that the people from Jingdu came to escort the whole family to Jingdu and he asked me take care of the business."

"Are these people sent by Chuqi?"

"No, if the persons were from Master Chuqi, there'd be no need for Young Master Chuqin to keep it from me. Master Chuqin seems quite worried and as soon as the family left, the officials arrived to monitor every aspect of the Zhou family."

"Who are these people?"

"These people are from the government but they are in civil clothing."

"From the government? Did Chuqin know this?"

"Yes, the county magistrate personally brought these people. Master Chuqin even instructed me to handle them personally and maintain business as usual, not to let affect our trade."

"How about Mr. and Mrs. Zhou?"

The manager explained:

"I didn't have seen them so I don't know. Mr. Nie, it has never happened before. Even if when they go out, there is someone who always stays home, for example, Miss Zhou Xiang, Mrs. Junior Zhou (Ms Xie, Chuqin's wife) and Lady Zhu (Chuyu's real mom). It is unusual for both Mr. Zhou and Mr. Junior Zhou to leave at the same time, but this time everyone in this family including Master Dun'er also went to the capital. It might be a serious matter."

"If they're still letting them do business, it can't be a major offense. Here's what we'll do, following the instructions of Chuqin and keeping everything as usual. I'll go and find the solution." Nie Huanzhang said, taking out a stack of papers, "These are the embroidery designs needed for Huichun people. I had them drawn by the specialist. The sizes are specified as well. Just proceed with the usual process and don't worry about anything else. I've got it all covered. Oh, and please, keep these samples confidential, it's preferable to assign them to someone who can keep a secret so we don't jeopardize our own business."

"I see, Mr. Nie, you can trust us." 

After leaving the embroidery workshop, Nie Huanzhang didn't linger in Yucheng town. Since the whole Zhou family had been taken to Jingdu. Zhou Chuyu must still be in Jingdu. However, Nie Huanzhang didn't know anyone there. Perhaps Feng Yuan had acquaintances there so he decided to seek him out. 

Upon reaching Feng Yuan's house, he found Feng Yuan with a solemn expression. Feng Yuan spoke first:

"Do you know what happened to the Zhou family?"

"Yes, I came to ask about your connections in Jingdu. The Zhou brothers must still be there because the entire Zhou family from Yucheng has been summoned to Jingdu."

"What? The entire Zhou family?" Feng Yuan was shocked then pondered, "It is not a summons and it's a secret transfer to Jingdu. They might have already arrested by now."

"But what crime did Chuqi commit to implicate the whole family? But it doesn't make sense. They weren't raided and their shops are still open. The business is as usual and I even placed an order to them."

"Did you allow them do business as usual?"

"Yes, if the goods is ready, they will tell you to pick the goods up. However, there is an official informant watching them now."

"Follow me. I'll introduce you to someone. The Zhou family probably didn't commit a crime. I think they likely offended someone they shouldn't have. Lives are at stake here."

"Which lives? Who is it?"

Nie Huanzhang grew anxious, following Feng Yuan to a small yard. Entering a room, he saw someone lying on the bed.