After Xiuxiu finished speaking, Zhuyan was too shocked to express her thoughts.
With these clues, it was clear this case was inextricably linked to Ji Dafu.
Yet she was deeply puzzled. Xiuxiu had known Pan Chi for less time than Liu Zongyuan, so how could she be so open with Pan Chi, revealing so much?
Looking back at Pan Chi, his face bore the expression of an upright gentleman, not at all like someone who would lavish money on courtesans. How could the two of them have such a deep understanding?
Xiuxiu had been treating this as mere gossip. Now gazing at Pan Chi, she had already forgotten what she’d been saying.
It wasn’t for any other reason than Pan Chi seemed unconcerned about the matter. He sat to the side sharpening his brush, occasionally jotting down a few characters, muttering to himself as if considering rhyme and tone. He hadn’t been listening to Xiuxiu at all but was composing poetry instead.
Pan Chi was naturally handsome and refined, full of literary talent. He was quite sympathetic to the fate of brothel women and was accustomed to being in his element here. Xiuxiu’s behavior was quite ordinary to him.
Zhuyan was focused on pondering the case and hadn’t noticed the situation here.
Xiuxiu gently walked over holding an embroidered handkerchief. She grasped the handle of a porcelain pot and began watering the balsam flowers by the window. Seeing this, Pan Chi’s eyes lit up. He suddenly picked up his brush and began writing while reciting:
“After the rain, a few light blossoms open,
Testing their charm on a cool summer day.
Lotus on the pond, untouched by dust –
Tired of looking, a butterfly flits over the wall in good spirits.
Green leaves ripple in shallow wind,
Gently cradling, delicate fragrance wafts to sleeves.
A pretty maiden’s hair coiled in a bun,
Secretly cut, a touch of rouge lingers on fingertips.”
Xiuxiu had just finished watering when she heard this. She and Zhuyan both looked up to see the blushing balsam flowers in the pot, adorned with water droplets and swaying gracefully. It did look like after a rain. Who would have thought that in the brief moment of seeing her water the flowers, he’d composed a whole poem, every word precise, with matching tones and parallel structure? People truly hadn’t exaggerated – Pan Chi was a rare talent of ancient and modern times.
At that moment, Zhuyan noticed Xiuxiu’s gaze toward Pan Chi had taken on a different light.
After reciting the poem, Pan Chi even quickly set it to music, at a speed that left Zhuyan dumbfounded.
Looking back at Xiuxiu, her eyes were now brimming with tears, whether from being moved or admiration was hard to say. Her cheeks were flushed as she held Pan Chi’s musical score and sighed, “In all the world, where else could I find such a kindred spirit? You truly are my soulmate.”
Her eyes, full of tender feelings, never left Pan Chi. She then sat down beside him and began playing the zither, singing the poem he’d written.
Watching this, Zhuyan suddenly felt she understood.
No wonder Xiuxiu was so open with Pan Chi – she already saw him as her soulmate.
Zhuyan was in complete awe of Pan Chi’s various displays of talent. Under the table, she gave him a thumbs up.
Pan Chi naturally understood Zhuyan’s meaning. Receiving her praise made him quite pleased. Suddenly his eyes lit up as if he’d thought of something.
He leaned close to Xiuxiu’s ear and whispered a few words. Xiuxiu understood and instructed the maid beside her to go make arrangements.
Zhuyan had no idea what the two of them were planning, but was quite interested as she watched Pan Chi and said, “What’s this? Do you have other plans here?”
Though her tone was calm, Zhuyan was already getting impatient.
Pan Chi always gave her pleasant surprises. Moreover, he was incredibly intelligent and considerate. Investigating cases with him was far more interesting than being with Shen Du.
Just as Zhuyan was wondering what surprise might be in store, the door suddenly opened.
Several handsome young men walked in from outside, lining up in front of Zhuyan. Each of them gazed at her with deeply affectionate looks.
“This…” Faced with so many handsome young men, Zhuyan was momentarily stunned. Though this was a brothel, she had come dressed as a man.
She looked questioningly at Pan Chi, who understood her meaning and leaned in to whisper, “The people here are all old hands. Female crossdressing doesn’t fool them at all.”
Zhuyan finally realized that Miss Xiuxiu had seen through her disguise from the start.
But what was the deal with these male courtesans? Hadn’t Pan Chi arranged for them?
Zhuyan didn’t understand Pan Chi’s intentions, but the male courtesans before her were indeed very handsome. Their deeply affectionate gazes made it impossible for Zhuyan to get angry.
“These gentlemen are truly handsome…” Zhuyan couldn’t help but praise them. The male courtesans took the hint and sat down beside her.
Seeing this, Zhuyan’s heart leaped in alarm. Her compliment on their looks didn’t mean she wanted to accept their company.
Their sudden closeness made Zhuyan jump up from her chair in surprise, accidentally bumping into Pan Chi, who had appeared behind her at some point.
Falling into his arms so unexpectedly, Pan Chi was pleasantly surprised. He looked down at the person in his embrace and said, “What’s the matter? Did you grow thorns?”
“You scoundrel!” Zhuyan knew Pan Chi was teasing her and raised her fist to punch his chest.
Pan Chi smoothly caught her wrist and gazed at her tenderly. “You work hard on cases all day. Can’t you just relax a bit without getting upset?”
“Is this your idea of relaxing?” Zhuyan pouted, glaring at Pan Chi. Just then, the door was suddenly kicked open.
They turned to look and saw a cold, furious figure appear in the doorway.
The two were so close, with Pan Chi grasping Zhuyan’s wrist. If he hadn’t arrived at that moment, who knows what might have happened next? He didn’t dare imagine.
Time seemed to stop. The atmosphere instantly became tense, with everyone falling silent. It was quiet enough to hear each other’s heartbeats.
What were they doing?! Shen Du’s heart roared: Did they think he was dead?!
The atmosphere was delicate. Xiuxiu on the side also felt awkward, not knowing what to say.
The newcomer radiated a murderous rage, his whole body emanating a dark, ominous aura. He was not someone to be trifled with.
But this was her establishment after all. No matter what, she should try to diffuse the tension. “Sir, you…”
Before Xiuxiu could finish speaking, Shen Du suddenly strode into the room and pulled Zhuyan into his arms. His narrowed eyes were filled with fury.
He was about to berate them when he realized there were other men present besides Pan Chi. These men also looked at him with fear on their faces.
From their dress and appearance, Shen Du could immediately deduce their identity – they were male courtesans of this establishment!
Pan Chi had brought Zhuyan here to meet male courtesans!
This was intolerable. He glared murderously at Pan Chi and berated him harshly, “Don’t you have anything better to do than bring her to a place like this and arrange all these men? What exactly are you up to?”