Chapter 9: Stripped Bare

Yan Chaonian did not respond to Jiang Wencheng’s words, not even sparing him a glance, and turned to leave.

Jiang Wencheng watched helplessly as she entered the gate of Chaijin Workshop. The gatekeeper treated her with considerable courtesy, which only stirred other thoughts in Jiang Wencheng’s mind.

Unable to find any leads on the workshop owner, perhaps the Yan family could be a breakthrough.

Nearby, a few guards had witnessed the earlier scene. Only after Jiang Wencheng turned to leave did they begin whispering among themselves:

“That man, I saw him last time. He seems familiar to the madam, but also not quite.”

“I think he’s an enemy. He looks all respectable, but maybe he has designs on the madam?”

“That won’t work. The madam’s no fool. Our master is far better looking than that scoundrel—he looks worn out and is no good.”

The group, like street thugs, huddled together whispering and pointing at Jiang Wencheng’s retreating figure, completely unaware that he was already instructing his men to investigate the relationship between Yan Chaonian and Chaijin Workshop.

His men quickly returned and exchanged pleasantries with the gatekeeper, but the man was tight-lipped, refusing to reveal a word. Instead, he grabbed the sleeve of one attendant and called for the workshop guards: “It’s him.”

“Surely another from a rival workshop trying to poach our talent. They just won’t give up.”

Master Yan was a highly skilled brocade expert whom Chaijin Workshop had paid handsomely to hire. Many had tried to lure her away, but none were good people.

Without hesitation, the guards beat the attendant severely, warning that if he dared inquire again, they would break his legs. “Don’t you know who’s backing our workshop? Get lost!”

The attendant scrambled away, thinking the southwestern region was truly wild and uncivilized. He had only tried to gather some information, yet was beaten for it. “If you won’t talk, fine, but why beat people?”

Failing his task, his superior would not let him off, so he limped off to inquire elsewhere. After half a day’s effort and spending a hefty sum of silver, he finally got some answers.

“Master Yan was hired at great expense by Chaijin Workshop to instruct the weavers. Her brocade skills are said to be superb. Other workshops have tried to recruit her, but she refused. Where exactly she lives is unknown.”

“The owner of Chaijin Workshop wasn’t at the workshop today. According to the staff, she rarely visits. The daily affairs are handled by two managers. There are inquiries about her identity almost every month, and other workshops have tried to make moves, but none succeeded. It is said her backing is unfathomably powerful.”

“Unfathomably powerful?”

Jiang Wencheng pondered. Since the owner’s whereabouts were so well hidden, clearly someone was protecting her. The Yan family was indeed a surprise.

As the master weaver at Chaijin Workshop, Yan Chaonian must know much about the place and might be a point of leverage.

Recalling Yan’s attitude earlier that day, a smirk crept to Jiang Wencheng’s lips. No wonder she spoke to him so boldly—she had a skill that earned her a living. Yet no matter how skilled a weaver she was, she remained a mere weaver, a status even lower than merchants. Without a prestigious identity, the Yan family’s position was becoming increasingly pitiable.

“Thoroughly investigate Yan Chaonian. Especially focus on everything about her in the past three years, and find out where she lives.”

His men grumbled but had no choice but to obey.

Jiang Wencheng dwelled on Yan Chaonian more. After three years, she had grown sharp teeth. Before returning, he intended to grind them down.

As dusk fell and birds returned to their nests, Yan Chaonian bathed her precious son. The mother and child laughed joyfully. Yan’s mother glanced over before turning toward the mansion gate. Li Xia, lurking in the shadows, hurried up upon seeing her. “Sister, is it okay?”

“What’s not okay? Nian Nian is busy enough every year. Let’s keep this small matter from her. I’ll try to keep her at home these days. Handle the outside affairs carefully and cautiously.”

“Don’t worry, sister. I have experience. This isn’t my first time.”

After the guards beat the man who inquired about the workshop, they reported to her. She guessed it was that damned Jiang family scoundrel. He hadn’t come personally yet, but was fixated on Nian Nian. If he kept digging, he might uncover something, and he deserved a lesson.

“As long as you know the stakes, don’t bring trouble on yourself. Go. Don’t hold back.”

Yan’s mother’s anger burned fiercely. She had said she wanted to strip that bastard of a layer of skin.

After Li Xia left, she turned back, a smile returning to her face. The little grandson was sweetest after his bath. She would help wash him too.

Under the dark moon and high wind, around midnight, a masked thief stealthily climbed to the second floor of Dingxing Inn under cover of night. With a puff of soporific smoke, the room’s occupant was asleep within moments. The thief swaggered in, lit a candle, and rifled through the drawers. Soon, he gathered a hefty haul. Before extinguishing the candle, he saw the sleeper, who looked as dead as a log, and casually lifted the blanket to search the body. Leaving behind the taunt, “Won’t freeze you to death,” he departed with flair.

Repeating the act elsewhere, he climbed over walls with large bags and vanished swiftly into the night.

At dawn, Jiang Wencheng awoke shivering, a splitting headache. Noticing the quilt was off him, he wondered when he had become such a restless sleeper. Pulling the cover back over himself, the chill deepened. A servant brought warm water, and only after drinking did he feel some relief.

The servant prepared his clothes for the day but froze upon opening the wardrobe. Rubbing his eyes to confirm, he stammered, “The… clothes are gone?”

The wardrobe was empty, not a shred left.

The servant panicked and searched the room frantically. Jiang Wencheng noticed more was missing—the jade thumb ring he always wore, and the jade pendant he placed by his pillow before sleeping.

The servant looked grim. “Master, we’ve been robbed.”

“Father! Father!” Jiang Chongyuan burst in, clad only in his undergarments. “Father, my clothes are gone too, and the whole room’s been emptied.”

Only books, brushes, ink, and paper were left behind. What kind of thief leaves those? Why not steal them as well?

“Young master, my quarters were robbed too. Nothing left.”

The servants were near tears. This was a remote place with little oversight; everything was stolen. What next?

Jiang Wencheng’s anger flared. “Go to the magistrate’s office. Bring the officials to see me. Hurry!”

“Yes, sir!”

The servant rushed out to summon help. Despite his discomfort, Jiang Wencheng called for the innkeeper. The inn was fully responsible for the theft.

The innkeeper arrived quickly. Experienced and pragmatic, he immediately chose to report the matter to the authorities. He comforted Jiang Wencheng and arranged for a doctor, bringing some plain porridge and side dishes. He apologized profusely for the inn’s negligence but admitted there was little more he could do. He pledged to cooperate with the magistrate to find the culprit soon but could offer no further assistance.

If Jiang Wencheng hoped for compensation, he was dreaming.