Wu Caiwei patted his forehead hard. "What are you thinking about?"
Wang Zifeng winced in pain and quickly rubbed it, muttering, "A woman should be gentle and considerate. With your sharp tongue and rough hands, what man could stand you?"
"That's none of your concern," Wu Caiwei said with a smile and walked away, pondering the contents of the note as she went.
The other party had clearly grasped her weakness. Even though she knew it was a trap, she couldn't resist jumping in. After all, fortune favors the bold.
She had a premonition that the person who had arranged to meet her tonight was either the mastermind or a crucial link in the plan. She could choose to stay away, but she didn't want to miss a good opportunity to uncover the mastermind.
The moon hung high in the sky. A woman in black quietly slipped out of the Wang family mansion and headed towards a dilapidated temple outside the city.
She walked in boldly, appearing relaxed and composed, but her heart was pounding. She was highly vigilant, listening and watching for any signs of trouble, determined not to fall into anyone's trap.
This temple seemed to have been abandoned for a long time, with ruins everywhere. She stood in the center of the courtyard, patiently waiting for the other party.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps outside the courtyard. Although the footsteps were deliberately light, there were clearly several people. Wu Caiwei subtly placed her hand on the sword at her waist.
The next moment, the door was forcefully kicked open. The county magistrate, accompanied by soldiers, appeared at the entrance, exuding confidence. "After searching high and low, we found you without effort. A body was found in this broken temple today, and we couldn't find the killer. Now, the culprit has delivered themselves right to our doorstep in the dead of night! Men, be alert! Once this case is solved, I'll give you all a well-deserved break."
"Are you the one who arranged to meet me today?" Wu Caiwei's eyes were fixed on the county magistrate, ignoring the eager expressions of the soldiers.
"Why would a dignified county magistrate like myself associate with you? If you want to drag me down, at least come up with a more plausible reason. Men, stop wasting time with her and attack!" The county magistrate had no intention of engaging in conversation. As long as he could apprehend her here, there would be no way to clear her name.
She had already suspected that only the county magistrate could mobilize the Wang family's influence in the county, but she hadn't been entirely sure. In the memories of the original owner, the Liu family had lived in that small town for generations and had no dealings with officials. She couldn't understand why they were targeting her.
She had to capture the county magistrate today and get to the bottom of this. As the constables swung their swords at her, she unleashed her full strength, engaging them in a fierce battle. The county magistrate regretted his decision as soon as the fight began. This woman's martial arts skills far exceeded his expectations. In all his years as a magistrate, he had never encountered someone whose movements were so swift that he couldn't even see them clearly during a fight. She was more terrifying than any of the notorious criminals locked up in the county yamen.
The county magistrate slowly retreated, and when he saw an opportunity, he bolted. Wu Caiwei fiercely kicked over the last two attackers, leaped onto the wall, and then soared in front of him, her sword at his throat.
"What do you want? You don't think you can kill me and get away with it, do you?" The county magistrate feigned composure, trying to make her hesitate.
"Why not? They can't defeat me. I advise you to confess honestly: who sent you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. I just saw you causing trouble at the Wang residence recently and wanted to teach you a lesson."
"Since you're not being honest, don't blame me for being ruthless." With that, Wu Caiwei brandished her sword as if to strike his neck.
"No, no, no! It was just a joke. You're taking it too seriously?" the county magistrate stammered, cautiously nudging the sword away with his hand. "This is no trifle. Be careful when using it."
"If you tell me the truth, I won't need to use it," Wu Caiwei said with a half-smile, looking at him.
"This really isn't my fault. If I tell you, can you keep it a secret for me?" The county magistrate looked around, making sure no one was listening, and pleaded.
"Tell me." In this life, he hadn't caused her any substantial harm. However, in the original owner's past life, they had destroyed her family. If she wanted to forgive him, the original owner wouldn't agree.
"Why would a country girl like you provoke such important figures in the capital? I don't know much else, but I know that the third son of the Grand Tutor's family in the capital ordered me to do this. As a mere county magistrate in a small place, how could I disobey them?" The county magistrate looked at her with a helpless expression.
"Don't try to make yourself sound so pitiful. I suspect you were promised something in return. Let me guess, probably a promotion?" Wu Caiwei withdrew her sword with a sense of boredom, ruthlessly tearing apart his pretense.
"You really don't seem like a country girl," the county magistrate said truthfully.
Wu Caiwei smiled and turned to leave. Since he was the magistrate of the county and had brought so many people to arrest her today, she decided it was best not to let him get away with anything. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
As she approached her courtyard, she heard Madam Wang scolding a maidservant. "Didn't you say your young madam was resting in her room? Where is she? You ungrateful wretch, don't you remember whose hand holds your indentured servitude contract? I'll find an opportunity to sell off your entire family, old and young."
"Please, Madam, have mercy! This servant is telling the truth. Our young madam was indeed inside. Who knew she would disappear in the blink of an eye?" The maidservant covered her face and pleaded in a low voice.
"Still being stubborn? Guards, give her a beating!" Madam Wang, seeing that the maidservant would not shed tears until she saw her coffin, decided to make an example of her, otherwise, no one in this courtyard would obey her orders.
"Oh, Mother, such authority! I merely couldn't sleep last night and went out for a stroll, and Mother is already scolding my servants. What? Do you want to drive me away so badly!" As soon as her voice was heard, the maidservant breathed a sigh of relief. She finally understood that the masters were afraid of the young madam. As long as the young madam protected her, they couldn't do anything to her.
"Who would believe you looking like that? Wearing night clothes for a stroll? Anyone would think you were up to some petty thievery. The Wang family is a prominent household; we can't afford to lose face like this." Madam Wang's imposing manner immediately diminished by half, not expecting her to return so soon.
Wu Caiwei smiled and shook her finger. "Mother, you're mistaken. I haven't been stealing chickens or dogs; I've been committing arson and murder."
Madam Wang stood there, stunned for a long time, her mind weighing the truth of her words. If any other woman had said this, she wouldn't have believed it, but Wu Caiwei was different. What was she incapable of? After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Who did you kill?"
Seeing that Madam Wang had taken her seriously, Wu Caiwei burst into laughter. "You actually believed me? Let me tell you, I dream of killing the three of you every night."
Under Madam Wang's suspicious and uncertain gaze, Wu Caiwei slowly walked into her room and went to sleep soundly.
Madam Wang stood outside the door for a long time, and the more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, feeling that she should not provoke such a madwoman.