“Hurry, hurry!” Squads of constables ran along the riverbank. In the firelight and lamplight, their solemn and urgent expressions were visible.
The Jin Shui River was a den of luxury, with ornate pleasure boats often carrying high officials and nobles. If anything were to happen, it would be no small matter. Since Zhen Shicheng became the Prefect of Shuntian, he had specially assigned several yamen runners to patrol here. At the first sign of trouble, they would sound the gong, summoning a large number of constables.
To be a good Prefect of Shuntian required consideration of all aspects, which was why previous prefects rarely lasted long. Zhen Shicheng was an exceptionally capable man.
Seeing the approaching constables, Jiang Si’s expression changed slightly. She instructed Old Qin, “Don’t dock yet. Blend in with the other pleasure boats and ships first.”
Perhaps from witnessing Zhen Shicheng solve cases multiple times, Jiang Si had developed an instinctive sense for these matters. When a pleasure boat caught fire, ordinary people would stay to watch the commotion. Quietly leaving at such a time was tantamount to announcing that your boat was suspicious.
She had already noticed Zhen Shicheng’s frequent subordinate among the constables, directing some yamen runners to guard the dock. It was certainly too risky to approach.
Capable superiors often had equally capable subordinates.
Suddenly, the small boat stopped. A pleasure boat had blocked their path.
Old Qin gripped his bamboo pole, his entire body on alert.
From experience, he was certain this pleasure boat had come for them.
A person poked his head out from the pleasure boat and said helplessly, “Come aboard!”
Though their position was dimly lit, Jiang Si immediately recognized the person.
A-Man couldn’t help but turn her head, “Miss, it’s Young Master Yu—”
Jiang Si glanced at the bustling shore and river surface, then said to Old Qin without hesitation, “Send Second Young Master onto the pleasure boat!”
Quickly, Old Qin carried Jiang Zhan onto the pleasure boat, followed by Jiang Si and A-Man.
Yu Jin nodded slightly to Old Qin, “You may leave now.”
Old Qin was already disguised as a fruit vendor, so leaving alone in his boat was undoubtedly the safest option. With Jiang Si and the others aboard the Seventh Prince’s pleasure boat, their safety was even more assured.
After receiving a signal from Jiang Si, Old Qin silently rowed away.
Yu Jin’s pleasure boat was neither large nor particularly ornate, rather unremarkable among the many boats. Unlike the others, it lacked courtesans and male companions, giving it an empty and tranquil feel.
Near the window in the main hall was a table set with a wine pot and several plates of fresh fruit. With only one used wine cup, it looked even more desolate.
After settling Jiang Zhan, Yu Jin looked at Jiang Si and sighed, “Go wash your face and change into dry clothes before we talk.”
Jiang Si had meticulously planned every detail for this day, including jumping into the river from the window after starting the fire. It was both an escape and a suggestion to Yang Shengcai and the others in that critical moment. In such situations, seeing someone jump into the river often prompts others to follow without thinking.
Jiang Si had naturally considered the need for clean clothes afterward, so A-Man’s bundle contained two sets of clothes, both male and female attire, just in case.
The pleasure boat had very private rooms. Jiang Si, accompanied by A-Man, changed her clothes and returned to the main hall.
Yu Jin’s gaze fell on the girl’s wet hair. He smiled, “Fortunately, it’s hot, so your hair will dry quickly. But remember to take a good bath when you get back to prevent catching a chill.”
Jiang Si said nothing, just quietly looking at him.
Yu Jin smiled, “Don’t misunderstand. Today was just a coincidence. I wasn’t following you.”
He would never admit it, of course. Otherwise, A-Si would dislike him again.
Remembering the expressionless girl in male attire, pushing down the heads of those surfacing from the water with her bamboo pole, the young man’s restless heart calmed somewhat.
Hmm, better behave for now.
“You saw everything?” Jiang Si finally spoke.
Yu Jin laughed dryly, “Hehe, you’re not going to silence me, are you?”
Jiang Si sat down and said flatly, “I’m not that idle, nor do I have that ability.”
She looked out the window at the bustling crowd in the distance, feeling a sense of relief.
Seeing her kill so coldly, Yu Seven should no longer harbor any thoughts. After all, men admired kind and gentlewomen, and she, having died and been reborn, was no longer that way.
“I saw Jiang’s Second Brother being pushed out of the window.”
Jiang Si’s eyes shifted slightly, meeting Yu Jin’s gaze.
She didn’t believe tonight’s encounter was just a coincidence, but since he wouldn’t admit it, she naturally wouldn’t expose him, lest this rascal throw caution to the wind and start talking nonsense again.
“So you did well. Don’t feel guilty at all.”
Admittedly, when Yu Jin saw Jiang Si so decisively finish off Yang Shengcai, he almost couldn’t resist applauding. But after the initial exhilaration, he couldn’t help but worry.
A-Si was, after all, just a young girl. Killing someone in anger would surely keep her tossing and turning at night, unable to sleep well. If it left a psychological scar, it would be even more troublesome.
“Those who repay evil with kindness are all fools. Your brother was harmed by others, and you avenged him. There’s nothing wrong with that. It would be even more stupid to feel uncomfortable about it. Think about it, the death of one scoundrel might benefit thousands of people. In a way, it’s a great merit.”
Yu Jin tried his best to comfort his beloved.
A-Man couldn’t help but grin.
Young Master Yu and her mistress were truly a perfect match, saying the same things.
Yu Jin was not very skilled at comforting others. Listening to his clumsy attempts, Jiang Si sighed inwardly.
If it were a normal girl, hearing such unorthodox comfort would have made her cry.
Of course, a normal girl wouldn’t have killed so coldly like her.
Jiang Si smiled at Yu Jin, “I know I did a good thing. That kind of person deserved to die.”
Yu Jin’s next words got stuck in his throat, causing him to cough from the sudden stop.
After a moment, he calmed down and carefully observed Jiang Si’s expression, “You don’t feel guilty?”
“No.”
Guilt? Right now, she only wanted to celebrate, toasting the fact that she had eliminated the person who had killed her second brother in her previous life.
“You’re not afraid? Not uneasy?” Yu Jin could hardly believe it.
What could be more delightful than discovering that the girl he admired was even more to his taste than he had imagined?
Jiang Si smiled slightly, her tone certain, “No, I only feel happy.”
Yu Jin laughed heartily, “I’m happy too!”
“What are you happy about?” Jiang Si was puzzled.
Yu Jin suppressed the excitement in his heart and smiled faintly, “I was originally bored, night-cruising on the Jin River. Who would have thought I could help Jiang’s Second Brother? Isn’t that worth being happy about?”
Jiang Si looked around the pleasure boat and casually remarked, “Night cruising on the Jin River alone does sound boring.”
Yu Jin’s smile froze on his lips. He coughed lightly and said, “Being alone on the river is more relaxing. Those courtesans are so noisy, they give me a headache. Um, I rarely come here.”
Please, you must hear my explanation!