Chapter 87 Murder!

Liu Ling’er watched as the owner of the tavern, wiping the cold sweat from his brow and forcing a smile, sidled up to the petty supervisor of the city guards. He bowed and presented a tray of gleaming silver, then furtively stuffed something into the pockets of several other city officials accompanying the supervisor.

Those officials patted their bulging pockets, broad faces breaking into delighted grins. One clapped the tavern owner on the shoulder, giving him a look that said, “You know your place.”

Having taken their bribes, the group was ready to leave and had almost reached the door; the tavern owner visibly sighed in relief. But just as they were about to exit, they all turned around in unison and marched back inside.

This time, Liu Ling’er clearly saw beads of sweat drip from the tavern owner’s forehead, but he dared not slow down. He hurriedly stepped forward again, his voice anxious: “Gentlemen, is there anything else I can do for you?”

“We’ve heard the food and drink here are quite good. After a long day, the brothers are hungry. Surely you won’t mind if we have a simple meal here, will you?” The petty supervisor slanted a glance at the tavern owner, his lips curled in a cold, mocking smile.

Though he said “a simple meal,” the tavern owner was not naive enough to believe it would be anything of the sort. Bracing himself to be thoroughly fleeced, he gestured with a welcoming hand: “It is a great honor to have you grace my humble tavern. I have prepared the finest private room upstairs for your enjoyment, sirs—please, this way!”

Unexpectedly, the petty supervisor slapped the owner’s hand aside. “Why make such a fuss? We’ll just find a spot downstairs. No need for all that!”

With that, he led his men straight toward Liu Ling’er’s table, kicking chairs and benches aside as they went. Pointing at the table by the window, he said to the tavern owner, “Forget upstairs. This table will do—good view, plenty of light!”

Liu Ling’er was strikingly beautiful, and with the alluring Chu Meier at her side, they were a vision that lit up the tavern. It was no wonder these city officials had set their sights on this spot.

The tavern owner grew anxious. Anyone could see these officials were nothing more than thugs and had ill intentions toward Liu Ling’er and her companion. If anything happened to them, he would be wracked with guilt. He rushed over ahead of the petty supervisor and said to Liu Ling’er’s group, “I’m so sorry, but could you possibly move? Tell you what—dine here for free for an entire month, on the house!”

Before Liu Ling’er or her companions could respond, the petty supervisor pulled the owner aside by his sleeve. “Quit your yammering! Go get the food and drinks ready!”

Left with no choice, the tavern owner cast a pleading look at Liu Ling’er, shook his head in despair, and went to the kitchen to give hurried instructions to the chef.

The petty supervisor swaggered over to Liu Ling’er’s table. “Little lady, were you trying to find out who we are?” As he spoke, he grabbed a diner who was attempting to slip away, kicked him to the ground, and pressed his boot on the poor fellow’s chest, glaring down at him. “Tell these women who we are!”

That unfortunate man, seeing the officials approach, had tried to leave but was caught in the crossfire. With a kick to his chest and a boot pinning him down, tears and snot streamed down his face. “Sirs, you are the masters of the imperial capital, the great and just elders of this city…”

Liu Ling’er was speechless. This was nonsense—beyond nonsense, truly outrageous!

Yet the petty supervisor clearly enjoyed the flattery. He lifted his foot, allowing the man to scramble up and flee in terror, as though a pack of hungry wolves was at his heels.

“See? Now you know who we are! I’m not unreasonable—if you ladies join us for a meal, and if I’m pleased…”

Liu Ling’er cut him off. “You’re nothing but bullies! How are you any different from bandits and robbers? Now you want us to dine with you animals? Dream on! Tie Wula, Yin Wula!”

After a sharp rebuke, Liu Ling’er called out for Baili Xian’s four bodyguards. She knew at least two of them were nearby, and with such free muscle at hand, she had no need to expose her own strength.

The petty supervisor was startled by her last two words, thinking she might have uttered a spell to drive him mad. When nothing happened after a few seconds, his arrogance returned. “Well, aren’t you bold! I don’t care who you call—today, nobody can help you, I—”

Before he could finish, his throat was seized by a handsome young man, with another, rakish-looking fellow standing at his side.

Tie Wula turned to Liu Ling’er and Chu Meier. “Your Highness, Dowager, what are your orders?”

Chu Meier spoke in a cool, measured tone. “To think we would encounter such a thing. Subdue them all—I want to know who gave them the audacity to act so brazenly in the imperial capital.”

At her command, Tie Wula and Yin Wula moved swiftly. In moments, the swaggering city officials were all groaning on the floor. Seeing them beaten, a crowd quickly gathered and began kicking and punching the fallen bullies.

It had begun as nothing more than venting frustration, but suddenly someone shouted, “Oh no! Someone’s been killed! There’s a dead man!”