An Jiu adjusted the suspended blade on her crossbow and fired an arrow.
With a thud, the arrow grazed Hua Rongjian’s right hand and deeply embedded itself in the carriage’s nanmu wood wall.
“You woman!” Hua Rongjian glared at her angrily, then turned to look at the damaged wall with concern. “What a waste.”
An Jiu observed his worry for the wall rather than himself. “Surely the Hua family isn’t short on money?”
“The Hua family isn’t, but I am,” Hua Rongjian admitted without hesitation. His notorious reputation for carousing had led Prime Minister Hua to control his expenses.
After a brief pause, Hua Rongjian smiled and added, “But don’t worry, I secretly run a few gambling dens. That’s enough to cover my expenses.”
This unexpected revelation surprised An Jiu. Was he casually sharing his secret with her?
“I want to get off,” An Jiu suddenly said.
“Wait, we’re almost there,” Hua Rongjian reassured her. “You can’t wander the streets like this. We’re going to a tavern where I’m friends with the owner. We can enjoy the view from the window, and there are many interesting things. You won’t be bored.”
The mention of “interesting things” caught An Jiu’s attention. She lifted the curtain and glanced outside. Indeed, few women were on the streets, mostly servants from wealthy households or married women.
After about two cups of tea worth of travel, the carriage stopped in front of a secluded, modest tavern.
Hua Rongjian handed An Jiu a conical hat, then exited first and extended his hand to her.
In the spring sunshine, the handsome man in blue silk robes smiled warmly. An Jiu glanced at his long, pale hand, noticing thick calluses at the base of his fingers, likely from wielding a sword.
Hua Rongjian expected her to ignore his gesture, given her icy demeanor. To his surprise, she hesitated only briefly before taking his hand.
Her soft, smooth hand was cold as ice. Hua Rongjian instinctively gripped it tightly, wanting to warm it.
As their palms met, An Jiu felt a warm current flow from his hand, reminiscent of a gentle early summer breeze. There was also an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Surrounding buildings were dilapidated, with many shabbily dressed onlookers peering out. Hua Rongjian led An Jiu quickly into the tavern.
Inside, tables and chairs were in disarray, thick with dust. Cobwebs stretched everywhere, almost enough to make a blanket. An Jiu grew wary and gently withdrew her hand. She looked up at the second floor, which was pitch black. The railing was broken and dusty, yet oddly, one section appeared polished as if recently wiped.
An Jiu narrowed her eyes, vaguely seeing figures in the darkness. She tightened her grip on the crossbow.
Hua Rongjian clenched his now-empty hand, feeling a sense of loss.
“Oh, brought your sister-in-law, have you?” A voice called out before its owner appeared.
A scruffy-faced man poked his head out from the second-floor railing, dust falling around him. He leaned drunkenly on the railing, his small eyes darting over An Jiu.
Hua Rongjian stepped forward to shield her, looking up with a smile. “Don’t talk nonsense. This is Miss Mei Fourteen, not my wife.” He quickly added, “I’d like to marry her, but she’s unwilling.”
The man nodded in agreement. “Of course, why would any proper lady want to marry you?”
Hua Rongjian laughed and scolded, “Nonsense! Come down and attend to your guests!”
“No need. There’s wine and food in the back garden. Enjoy yourselves!” The man was about to retreat when he remembered something, grinning lasciviously. “I’ve heard about the incident on the main street, hehe.”
Incident on the main street?
Hua Rongjian was puzzled. The man’s tone suggested it wasn’t anything good, but Hua Rongjian was used to scandalous rumors. Even if tomorrow brought news that he had impregnated a man, it wouldn’t be surprising. So he didn’t bother to inquire further and led An Jiu to the back garden.
While the building appeared run-down from the outside, the garden revealed a hidden paradise. Lush vegetation and vibrant flowers surrounded well-arranged pavilions and towers.
Hua Rongjian navigated the winding paths with familiarity, leading them into a room.
At the doorway, An Jiu immediately noticed walls covered with human faces! Men, women, old, and young – all with hollow eyes, creating an eerie atmosphere.
She hesitated at the threshold.
“What are these?” An Jiu used her small crossbow to prod a nearby face, which fell, revealing it to be a mask.
Hua Rongjian explained, “In the past two years while searching for renowned doctors for my elder brother, I met someone who called himself the ‘Immortal Doctor.’ His medical skills are worse than street quacks, but he’s a skilled craftsman, specializing in these human skin masks.”
“Was that the old man from earlier?” An Jiu, intrigued by the thin masks, took a few steps inside.
Hua Rongjian laughed heartily. “Despite his full beard, he’s not even thirty-five.”
An Jiu paused before remarking, “He truly looks like he’s wearing a human skin mask.”
“Speaking ill of others behind their backs invites karmic retribution,” the man’s voice suddenly came from the ceiling beams.
An Jiu startled. Had she been careless, or was his martial arts truly extraordinary?
Hua Rongjian, seemingly guessing her thoughts, explained, “It’s his sound-transmitting bowl.”
He selected a somewhat handsome mask from the wall and held it up to An Jiu’s face. “Mei family women are unique, but it’s inconvenient to walk the streets during the day. I brought you here to find suitable masks.”
“Hey! Are you two treating me like I’m dead?” Another shout came from the ceiling beams.
Seeing Hua Rongjian ignore it, An Jiu did the same.
“Hmm, this one’s suitable,” Hua Rongjian said, satisfied with his choice. He pointed to a chair near the window. “Sit, let me try it on you.”
An Jiu discreetly extended her spiritual sense, confirming no one else was around, then complied.
Surprised and quietly pleased by her docility, Hua Rongjian focused on her face. “Tsk tsk.” He touched her cheek. “I can see myself in your eyes.”
An Jiu stared at his close face, truly as radiant as the moon. As she was about to speak, Hua Rongjian pressed a finger to her lips.
He hurriedly said, “Don’t speak. I understand!”
He dreaded hearing words from those lips, fearing they might ruin this beautiful moment and incite his anger.
“I want to ask why you’re being kind to me,” An Jiu said, her gaze fixed on his eyes.
As her soft lips brushed against his finger while speaking, Hua Rongjian shivered slightly and withdrew his hand. “To court you, of course. I’ve made that clear.”
His cheeks flushed, and he quickly turned away to search for mask adhesive.
An Jiu stared at his back, pondering the familiar feeling from their handclasp earlier. She rarely touched others, usually feeling repulsed when Mei Jiu had physical contact with people. Why had she enjoyed it this time?
An Jiu was certain it wasn’t due to any strange emotions, as she was well aware of her dislike for Hua Rongjian.