The two went to the teahouse across the street and went up to a small private room on the second floor to sit down. This place had excellent scenery and was quite cool.

Through the several open windows of the private room, they could see directly into the second floor of the brothel across the way.

Even though it was broad daylight, there were quite a few people inside.

The young ladies were dressed gaudily, each twisting their waists and rubbing against those rough old men, their handkerchiefs sweeping back and forth.

They had those men grinning from ear to ear!

Completely forgetting they had wives waiting at home.

Ji Yinshu snorted coldly and withdrew her gaze. Just then, a waiter brought up a pot of tea.

“You two gentlemen are unfamiliar faces. Outsiders?” the waiter asked.

“We came to visit relatives,” Ji Yinshu replied.

“I knew it! Our Yufu County rarely has outsiders. Generally, for people from our county, there’s no one I don’t know.”

Very proud!

Jingrong gave a light snort and kept a straight face without speaking.

But Ji Yinshu thought for a moment and asked the waiter in a friendly manner, “Young man, don’t try to fool me. You know everyone? How is that possible?”

The waiter quickly said, “I’m not fooling you. As long as they’re from our Yufu County, I know them—their surnames, their names, all crystal clear.”

“I think you’re bragging.” Ji Yinshu tossed out the remark, yet secretly curved her lips, as if casting bait.

Jingrong across from her caught on, curious in his heart.

What medicine was this woman selling in her gourd?

When the waiter heard her say he was bragging, he got excited!

“Young master, if you don’t believe me, point out anyone at random, and I can tell you something about them.”

She’d hooked him.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

So Ji Yinshu pretended to look thoughtful before asking, “I’ve heard that in your Yufu County, there’s a famously notorious Young Master Qiao. Why don’t you tell me about him and see if you’re right or not?”

The waiter was stunned at first. His eyes glanced toward the brothel across the way, his mouth moved, but he didn’t speak.

Ji Yinshu smiled and goaded him. “See, I told you—you were just bragging. But it’s fine that you can’t say anything. After all, there are so many people in Yufu County.”

Oh my!

“It’s just Young Master Qiao from the Qiao family—who doesn’t know about him!” The waiter looked around, then bent down with a guilty gossip face. “The Qiao family is a major household. Years ago, they produced a Minister of Personnel named Qiao Zheng. Though it seems he recently resigned from office and is preparing to return to become a provincial magistrate. The Qiao family has produced quite a few high officials over several generations, so they have great prestige in Yufu County—no one dares offend them. But that Young Master Qiao is disappointing—he’s just a lecher and completely unlearned. He often goes drinking with courtesans, and when he drinks too much, he loves to throw drunken tantrums. The people in the Qiao household don’t know why, but they just don’t control him. After all, he’s their only heir. Anyway, he’s married a whole bunch of wives and concubines at home, but still can’t control his nature. Oh right, three years ago, he caused a death in that brothel across the way. A songstress died in a room. At the time, they said Young Master Qiao did it, but in the end, after investigating, they said the deceased committed suicide.”

Ji Yinshu listened very carefully and made an acknowledgment sound, asking, “I’ve heard some about this case. But that place across the way is called ‘Zhichun Tower,’ yet didn’t they say the person died at Yichun Tower?”

“That’s what you don’t know! It’s precisely because a death occurred at the time that the brothel across the way was closed for a whole year. It only reopened two years ago, and they changed the name to ‘Zhichun Tower.'”

“I see.”

“But that dead songstress was truly pitiful. After she died, she left behind a son and an old mother. Her mother ran to the Qiao manor every day to cause trouble and even poisoned their well, insisting that Young Master Qiao had killed her. But while Young Master Qiao does like to drink a bit, he really wouldn’t dare kill anyone, because he’s been naturally very timid since birth.”

“Timid?”

“Yes, timid as a mouse—everyone knows it. So no one believes he would kill anyone. Plus, the yamen already verified his innocence. That incident from back then—it’s been three years now. These days, very few people mention it. The Qiao family has sealed it up pretty tightly. If it weren’t because you’re outsiders, I wouldn’t tell you either. But don’t go spreading this around carelessly. If word gets out, I won’t have a good outcome.”

If the Qiao family pursued it, it could cost him his life.

Ji Yinshu took out an ingot of broken silver and gave it to him. “Alright, you’ve said so much—whether it’s true or false, I don’t know. But rest assured, we won’t speak carelessly.”

The waiter accepted the reward silver, beaming with joy. “Thank you, young master. I’ll bring you another pot of good tea.”

He happily withdrew.

Jingrong finally understood completely.

Holding his teacup, he said, “You knew early on that the one surnamed Qiao would go across the way, so you deliberately came here to sit and gather information.”

“More or less. Actually, last night I already sent Zijin to investigate. I learned that Young Master Qiao’s favorite place to spend time is that brothel across the way, so I came early to wait for the rabbit by the tree stump. Perhaps I can even find something related to the case.”

Huh?

Jingrong didn’t understand. “This prince doesn’t quite understand.”

Ji Yinshu said, “Does Your Highness still remember the murder case of Miss Zhou back then?”

“I remember. Are these two related?”

“I said before, if you want to know who the murderer is, you need to know why the deceased was killed. Conversely, the same logic applies—in situations where we’ve already identified who the murderer might be, we need to understand all of the murderer’s habits and what his motive for killing was.”

“Why don’t you just open the coffin and examine the corpse directly? Perhaps the evidence would come faster.”

“I’ve thought about it, but now isn’t the time. After understanding what kind of person Young Master Qiao really is, then opening the coffin to examine the corpse will be the best timing.”

Jingrong understood somewhat.

As they were speaking, they heard a voice from below: “Oh my, Young Master Qiao has arrived.”

A woman’s seductive voice!

Hearing this, both of them looked down and saw a tall man dressed in an ink-colored robe with a lecherous smile on his face being pulled inside by a young lady.

This person was Young Master Qiao.

Jingrong turned to her and said, “Don’t you want to understand him? Only by getting closer can you learn more.”

Before Ji Yinshu could react, she was already being pulled up. Jingrong took out an ingot of silver and placed it on the table, then put his arm around her slender waist. His toes lightly touched the ground, and the two figures leaped down from the window.

Landing steadily on the ground!

The people below were startled.

As soon as Ji Yinshu’s feet touched the ground, she was pulled by him into the brothel.

Those powdered and rouged ladies immediately rushed toward the pair.

“Is this your first time here, young masters?”

“Look at this young man—so handsome!”

“Young master, this servant is skilled. I’ll definitely satisfy you.”

…

Ji Yinshu was certain—last time at Chang’an House, he’d tricked her, and now he wanted revenge.

Jingrong’s cold gaze swept around, frightening the approaching young ladies so they didn’t dare come closer. He reached out and pulled the surrounded Ji Yinshu to his chest.

Hooking Ji Yinshu’s chin, his lips curved in a mischievous smile.

“My little husband only eats vegetarian.”