As soon as Qin Wan entered Yan Li’s chamber in Feng Qi Tower, she noticed the interior was even more elegant and luxurious than the exterior.
“Have a seat and tell me what you’d like to know,” Yan Li said.
Qin Wan sat down with a smile. “I’d like to learn about a lady named Hong Xiu.”
Yan Li pondered for a moment, seeming to vaguely recall such a person. She glanced at her attendant, who immediately moved to summon someone, but Qin Wan quickly interjected, “Wait. It might not be appropriate to question Hong Xiu directly. What about Miss Yun Yan, the one we met at the magistrate’s office earlier? Perhaps we could invite her instead?”
Understanding Qin Wan’s intention, Yan Li gave her attendant a knowing look. The attendant nodded and left immediately.
After the attendant’s departure, Yan Li said, “Master Zhan Yang must have investigated the people at Feng Qi Tower before. Why have you come personally this time? Has something new developed?”
Qin Wan rose with a smile and began examining the room carefully. “Not exactly. I just have a theory I’d like to explore further…”
The room’s decor was exquisite. Vibrant peony patterns adorned the furnishings, while crimson-colored Buddhist motif curtains hung around the room. The bright colors added a touch of luxury. The window frames were intricately carved, and a refined white porcelain vase sat on the table. Near the window stood a tea table and a qin case, suggesting Yan Li often enjoyed tea and music here with Miss Yun Yan.
Qin Wan’s gaze shifted to several paintings hanging on the wall.
“May I ask, Your Highness, who created these paintings?”
Yan Li stood and walked to Qin Wan’s side. “That I don’t know.”
“They were done by the masters at Ran Mo Painting Gallery in the city.”
Just as Yan Li finished speaking, a gentle voice rang out. Qin Wan turned to see Yun Yan, whom she’d met once before, gracefully entering the room, still as endearing as their last encounter.
“Greetings, Your Highness, Princess—”
Yan Li smiled. “You recognize people well. Do you know about these paintings?”
Yun Yan rose and nodded with a smile. “Yes, this chamber was decorated for Your Highness, and everything down to the teacups had to be the finest. These paintings were all purchased from the Ran Mo Painting Gallery in the city.”
Qin Wan stepped forward. “Are you familiar with the masters at the painting gallery?”
Yun Yan smiled. “Naturally. The sisters here have the masters create new paintings every six months. Sometimes when guests appreciate refined things, we invite the masters to paint for them as well.”
As she spoke, Yun Yan walked to a cabinet in the room and opened it. When Qin Wan looked inside, she immediately saw several scrolls. Yun Yan took one out and unfurled it, revealing a painting of a scholar and a beauty. Upon closer inspection, the man was Yan Li and the woman was Yun Yan.
Yan Li smiled. “Was this painted during the Mid-Autumn Festival last year?”
Yun Yan nodded. “Indeed, the master who painted it was from Ran Mo Gallery.”
“Do you know Master Ning, the gallery owner?” Qin Wan asked.
While rolling up the scroll, Yun Yan replied, “Of course. Master Ning visits occasionally. He’s quite close with our Qing Mei. Master Ning is a gentleman who only comes three or four times a month, and then only to drink tea and discuss paintings with Qing Mei. Among our sisters here, each has her specialty. Qing Mei excels at painting, though such skills don’t charm guests as well as music and dance. While Qing Mei has a reputation for her talent, she’s not considered very successful. However, thanks to Master Ning’s favor, she lives quite comfortably.”
Courtesans typically served guests with their beauty and pleased them with various skills. Among these skills, musical instruments were most favored by guests. Arts like calligraphy and painting were often considered dull unless the guest was skilled in them as well. Master Ning, being a renowned painter in the city, naturally could converse well with Qing Mei.
“Is there a lady named Hong Xiu here as well?”
Yun Yan quickly nodded. “She arrived around the same time as Qing Mei. One called Qing Mei, one called Hong Xiu—they get along quite well.”
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes, then asked after a moment, “Previously, a young lady surnamed Zhong was sold here and later redeemed. Do you know of her?”
Yun Yan thought for a while. “I can’t recall clearly. Please wait a moment.”
Yun Yan stepped out and quickly returned. “Princess, indeed there was a young lady surnamed Zhong who was sold here and quickly redeemed. Is this who you’re asking about?”
“Who was she closest to during her time here?”
Yun Yan considered. “Probably Hong Xiu. I just asked the servants outside, and they said this Miss Zhong came to borrow money from Hong Xiu a few days ago…”
Qin Wan fell into thought. At this moment, servants brought in wine and dishes. Yun Yan arranged them and invited Qin Wan and Yan Li to be seated, while she stood aside like a servant to serve the dishes.
Qin Wan pointed to a chair. “Please sit and talk with us.”
Yun Yan hesitated for a moment and looked at Yan Li, who smiled. “If the Princess asks you to sit, then sit.”
Only then did Yun Yan sit down. Qin Wan asked, “Does everyone in your establishment know Hong Xiu’s background?”
Yun Yan nodded. “Hong Xiu was sold here by her father. I arrived a year before her and personally saw how she initially refused to stay and tried to run away, only to be brought back. Those who came before me know this, and those who arrived around the same time as Hong Xiu know it too. After that, Hong Xiu’s father came here asking her for money. She gave it to him the first time, but when he came back for more—he was an alcoholic and a gambler—Hong Xiu realized this couldn’t continue and refused. Her father came and caused trouble several times but was always thrown out. Thus, everyone in the brothel knows about it.”
After a brief pause, Qin Wan asked, “Do you know the Third and Fourth Young Masters of the Wu family?”
Yun Yan smiled gently. “Of course. I know all the notable figures who frequent our establishment, especially those who visit often. Third Young Master Wu comes rarely, but when he does, he requests different companions each time. He seldom stays overnight, mostly just drinking while someone plays the qin. In comparison, Fourth Young Master Wu is more playful. He also calls for different girls, usually whoever is popular or has learned new skills. He’s never shown particular devotion to anyone, but he’s open-minded and enthusiastic, doesn’t hide anything, and the girls are happy to accompany him. Though he may not have Third Young Master’s reputation for talent, he treats the girls well.”
Yun Yan’s detailed account pleased Qin Wan. Zhan Yang’s suspicion of Wu Yu wasn’t groundless. The brothel was an excellent place for information to circulate, as guests and courtesans discussed many topics. Wu Qian had been here, Zhao Jia Xu had visited, and Hu De Quan had sold his daughter here—they all had connections to the brothel.
Qin Wan asked further, “Do you know Wang Shou Chang, the owner of Yu Shu Zhai in the East Market?”
At this name, Yun Yan’s expression became uncertain. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Several regular customers surnamed Wang own shops, but I can’t remember their specific names or which shops they own.”
Yun Yan started to rise. “Let me ask…”
Qin Wan raised her hand. “No need. Please sit, Miss Yun Yan. I’ve learned what I needed to know.”
Yun Yan looked at Yan Li, who gestured for her to sit, then asked Qin Wan, “Did you find out what you wanted to know?”
Qin Wan nodded with a smile. “Indeed.” She raised her teacup. “Thank you, and thank you, Miss Yun Yan. Let me toast you with tea…”
Qin Wan hadn’t come with Yan Li for a meal, but since they were here and Yun Yan was such a charming companion, they enjoyed a meal together while discussing matters beyond the case. After eating, Qin Wan prepared to take her leave, and Yan Li naturally meant to escort her. However, before they reached the stairs, his guard came up and whispered something in his ear. Yan Li raised his eyebrows in slight surprise and smiled wryly. “It seems I can’t escort you.”
Outside, the sky had turned completely dark. Yan Li had intended to escort Qin Wan, but after hearing whatever news he’d received, he changed his mind. Qin Wan didn’t need his escort anyway and quickly said, “Go attend to your business. I have Bai Ying with me; nothing will happen.”
She nodded to Yun Yan and turned to descend the stairs.
Yan Li smiled slightly and returned to the room. Yun Yan, seeing Yan Li’s behavior, asked, “Why did Your Highness suddenly decide not to escort the Princess?”
Yan Li smiled. “She doesn’t need my escort.”
Yun Yan’s eyes twinkled as she understood, and she looked back. “The Princess is truly different from other ladies.”
Yan Li glanced at her sideways. “How so?”
Yun Yan replied, “I can’t quite explain it. She just seems more capable than ordinary women, yet her appearance is most feminine. Mainly, I’ve heard of many things she’s done, and I can hardly believe that in this world, a woman could do such things…”
Hearing this, Yan Li’s gaze turned distant for a moment before quickly returning to his usual lazy smile. He embraced Yun Yan. “It looks like I can properly enjoy your qin playing today…”
……
……
When Qin Wan left Feng Qi Tower, she immediately spotted a carriage waiting outside. Without hesitation, she walked to it and lifted the curtain to enter. However, the moment she lifted the curtain, Qin Wan sensed something was wrong. In the next instant, a long arm reached out and pulled her inside without ceremony.
Qin Wan fell into an embrace, catching a familiar scent. As the curtain rose and fell, the brilliant lights outside illuminated Yan Chi’s handsome face. Qin Wan asked in surprise, “Why are you here?”
Yan Chi held her and squeezed her waist firmly. “You dare ask? If I hadn’t known Yan Li brought you here, I would have gone indirectly.”
Qin Wan clicked her tongue, finally understanding why Yan Li had suddenly changed his mind.
Qin Wan smiled. “How long have you been waiting?”
Yan Chi frowned. “Even if you needed to inquire about the case, you should have sent Zhan Yang and the others. How could you enter a brothel?”
Qin Wan pushed against Yan Chi’s chest to create some distance. “Why couldn’t I? The ladies in Feng Qi Tower are all more beautiful than flowers and extremely charming. If you men can come, why can’t I?”
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow and pulled her closer. “When have I ever been here?”
Qin Wan laughed mockingly, finally getting to the main point. “Zhan Yang and the others have been here, but what they told me was all secondhand. Secondhand accounts can never be word-for-word accurate. See, I came today and learned exactly what I wanted to know.”
Yan Chi held Qin Wan’s hand, examining her male attire. “What did you learn?”
Qin Wan moved closer to him and briefly explained what she had learned that day. She stayed close to keep her voice low, afraid people outside might hear, but her warm breath falling on Yan Chi’s face made him somewhat distracted.
The carriage had started moving toward the Marquis’s mansion. After Qin Wan finished speaking, Yan Chi said, “Since you have your theories, this matter should be easier to handle.”
Qin Wan nodded. “However, the killer has been very careful, and there’s still no decisive evidence. We must wait for the right moment.”
Then Qin Wan asked, “Have you finished dealing with the matters in the Shuo Xi Army?”
At this question, Yan Chi’s expression darkened so much that even his earlier amorous thoughts disappeared. “No, it’s not finished. The Transport Officials in several Northwestern routes are indeed involved with people in the Shuo Xi Army. Court officials have already submitted memorials impeaching Father.”
“Impeaching the Rui Prince? Impeaching him for poor governance?”
Yan Chi nodded. “Not just that. They’re also saying Father practices nepotism. The Shuo Xi Army has been under Father’s command for so many years; it’s too easy for them to find fault.”
Qin Wan felt the situation was becoming more serious. If before there were only suspicions, now there was certainty. Qin Wan sat up straight. “What do you plan to do?”
Yan Chi paused. “Wait another month. If no good news comes, I might have to go to Shuo Xi.”
Qin Wan sighed. This was the worst outcome. For Yan Chi to return to Shuo Xi, it must mean the Rui Prince couldn’t control the situation alone. However, would the Emperor allow him to go?
“If you want to return, will the Emperor permit it? You currently serve in the Ministry of Justice.”
Yan Chi’s face showed deep thought, clearly having considered this difficult question long before. Seeing Qin Wan still watching him, Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly. “Don’t worry. If it comes to that, I have a way.”
Qin Wan naturally couldn’t truly be at ease but didn’t want to worry Yan Chi. She could only nod and not ask further. “All right, as long as you have a plan. For now, just keep an eye on the Shuo Xi situation. Don’t worry about the case here.”
Yan Chi embraced Qin Wan fully. “Tomorrow I’ll go to the Prefecture Office. Both personally and officially, I can’t completely let go of this case. As for you, wherever you go, you must keep Bai Ying by your side at all times.”
Qin Wan quickly agreed. Seeing the carriage approaching the east side, she leaned into Yan Chi’s embrace. They hadn’t seen each other for many days, and they only had these few moments to talk. Thinking this, Qin Wan couldn’t help but hold Yan Chi tightly. Somehow, she felt that a storm was brewing in the capital.