Gu Qiutang proved to be a reasonable person.
Persuading Gu Qiutang took a little less time than Zheng Xiu had initially expected.
Yin Qingqing silently drove the carriage back, the blood-soaked Gu Qiutang tied to the roof with a rope that had been prepared in advance under the seat.
They reached the Imperial City by midnight. After presenting the Red King Jade Pendant, Zheng Xiu swaggered into the city, well past curfew.
Such was the privilege of a Prince, beneath only one but above all others.
Zheng Xiu pounded open the gate to Living Dead Situ Yong's courtyard. He tossed down a heavy bag of silver and the barely breathing Gu Qiutang. As Situ Yong grumbled and cursed, Zheng Xiu smiled calmly. "Half the payment upfront," he said. "You'll get the other half when they're revived."
Situ Yong immediately dropped his complaints. Muttering under his breath, he had a few assistants carefully carry Gu Qiutang into an inner room.
