At 5:45 a.m., in the study of the Lu Mansion, Mr. Zhou spread out the secret ledgers seized from the Wu estate. A withered plum blossom petal fell from between the yellowed pages. Jiang Wan pinched the petal and saw the character "Group C" written in Zhusha on the back, matching the code on the token found in Wu Mingyuan’s secret chamber.
"These ledgers show," Mr. Zhou said, adjusting his spectacles, "that the financial dealings of the Remnant Plum Pavilion are divided into three branches: the rice shop in the West City manages daily expenses, Yumantang handles the jade business, and the incense offerings at Cien Temple are used to purchase weapons."
Lu Jingyuan pointed to a note written in red ink: "‘The plum blossoms in three groups, each managing its own affairs’—it seems the organization is divided into three tiers." He turned to Jiang Wan. "Wan Niang, the ‘Plum Blossom Tea Parties’ you heard about in the noble circles are likely an intelligence network."
Chapter 268