Du Xing’er ultimately still refused to show her true face.

She said her appearance was ugly—just how ugly could it be?

Ji Yinshu insisted on seeing her once, saying, “Miss, we didn’t come here for any beauty, but rather to hear your music. We’ll be leaving Gaoding very soon, and we just want to see you once before we go. Won’t you grant us this favor?”

Du Xing’er was silent for a long while.

As if hesitating.

Finally—

“Since that’s the case, this humble woman will oblige you two gentlemen.”

That slender figure slowly rose, moved around the instrument before her, and with delicate hands parted the thin curtain in front of her, stepping out with graceful steps.

At the same time!

Ji Yinshu and Jingrong’s gazes fell tightly upon her.

What met their eyes was a woman dressed in red.

She had a thin build and wasn’t tall. However… her face was covered with a veil, revealing only a fair and full forehead and a pair of pitiful, moving eyes.

This didn’t seem much different from being behind the curtain.

Du Xing’er bowed slightly toward the two refined-looking gentlemen before her and said, “Greetings to you two gentlemen.”

Ji Yinshu immediately stood up to help her. “Miss, no need for such formality.”

However, just as her hand touched Du Xing’er’s wrist, she promptly retreated a step backward.

Maintaining her distance!

Ji Yinshu’s hand hung awkwardly in the air before being withdrawn.

“This humble woman has an ugly appearance and fears frightening the gentlemen, so I must cover my face with silk. Please forgive me, gentlemen.”

“Since that’s the case, naturally we won’t force you further, Miss.”

“Thank you!”

“If you don’t mind, Miss, could you sit down for a chat?”

Du Xing’er lowered her gaze in silence for a moment, then nodded and said, “Yes.”

She sat down!

Jingrong picked up the teapot before him and poured her a cup of tea.

Du Xing’er said, “Thank you.”

Jingrong smiled lightly without speaking.

He was content to play a supporting role!

However, when Du Xing’er reached out to pick up the tea before her and was about to bring it to her lips, her hand suddenly paused. Those eyes that revealed a faint sorrow slowly lifted.

Then she set the tea back down.

When the base of the cup knocked against the table, it made a muffled sound.

Looking at the two men before her, she said, “There’s no one else here. If you two gentlemen have another purpose, you might as well speak plainly. Why beat around the bush with me like this?”

So she already knew.

Ji Yinshu and Jingrong weren’t surprised.

Instead, they asked, “How did you know we had another purpose?”

“I’ve been at the Drunken Moon Pavilion for ten years and have seen all kinds of people. Everyone knows that my singing isn’t very good, let alone that my reputation would spread outside of Gaoding. Also, only the close sisters around me know my original name—how could it have spread out? Just now the servant told me that as soon as you entered the Drunken Moon Pavilion, you directly requested someone whose single name contains the character Lan to sing. Isn’t that very strange? Moreover, from the moment you sat down, you had no interest in listening to what I sang, which shows you weren’t here to listen to music at all! And you repeatedly asked me to show my true face. Just these few points alone were enough to make me suspicious.”

Quite a clever young lady!

Ji Yinshu’s expression grew grave, and she spoke directly, “That’s right. We indeed didn’t come to listen to music. We came to the Drunken Moon Pavilion specifically to find you.”

“Why?”

“Because of Du Mubai!”

“Uh!”

Even through the veil, Ji Yinshu clearly saw a flash of surprise and tension cross Du Xing’er’s face.

“You know Du Mubai, don’t you?”

“Who… exactly are you people?” A trace of wariness rose in Du Xing’er’s eyes.

Jingrong said, “Miss, don’t be afraid. We just want to ask you some things about Du Mubai, that’s all.”

“What… things about him?”

“Did you become acquainted with him six years ago?”

Du Xing’er’s slender willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her fingers also gripped her collar tightly.

She lowered her gaze and said nothing.

And her silence proved that she did indeed know Du Mubai.

Ji Yinshu asked, “We know that Du Mubai carried a handkerchief with him, embroidered with the three characters ‘Drunken Moon Pavilion,’ and beside them was also embroidered a character ‘Lan.’ This is why we found our way here. Can you tell us what relationship you had with Du Mubai?”

“We… had no relationship at all.” Du Xing’er’s tone was hard, and her gaze flowed with a barely visible trace of hatred.

“Then why was your handkerchief in his possession?”

“That Master Du took special care of me because I shared his surname, so every time he came to the Drunken Moon Pavilion, he would specifically request that I sing for him. So, as thanks, I gave him the handkerchief I carried with me. That’s all! I don’t know what you two gentlemen mean by asking me these things?”

“Du Mubai was killed by someone six years ago! We suspect the culprit is someone who had close dealings with him.”

Du Xing’er was startled. “So, you suspect me?”

“Of course not!”

“Then…”

Ji Yinshu said, “We just want to know, back then when Du Mubai came here to listen to you sing, who did he come with? Or rather… in this Drunken Moon Pavilion, what men did he have dealings with?”

Du Xing’er’s gaze suddenly tightened.

The fingers gripping her collar also tightened further.

As if merely mentioning Du Mubai made her demeanor somewhat unusual.

And all of this was seen by Ji Yinshu!

Du Xing’er averted her gaze and said, “I don’t know any of these things you’re asking about! That Master Du only came here to listen to me play and sing, and didn’t become close with me. Naturally, I don’t know about his affairs. You’ve also found the wrong person!”

Her voice sounded very calm, but it still revealed a trace of nervousness.

Ji Yinshu confirmed again, “You’re certain you don’t know?”

“I don’t know!” Du Xing’er stood up, then said, “You two gentlemen should have finished asking what you needed to ask, right! Today’s song will be considered as sung for free by me. Please leave, you two.”

She issued an order to see them out!

Before Ji Yinshu could speak to stop her, she turned around preparing to go behind the curtain!

Unexpectedly, cold wind from outside the window blew in.

Lifting the veil on her face!

Du Xing’er instinctively reached up to cover the gauze on her face, but the veil was too thin and smooth, instantly slipping free from her fingertips.

The veil fell from her face.

Blown backward by the wind.

“Uh!”

She turned to catch it…

But the veil blew right toward Ji Yinshu’s hand, where she caught it in one grasp.

At the very moment Du Xing’er turned her head, Ji Yinshu and Jingrong were extremely shocked.

That face which should have been beautiful as a fairy now had an extremely hideous long scar imprinted upon it.

From the side of her nose to her jaw!

Very horrifying.

When Du Xing’er came to her senses, she immediately covered her face with her hand and turned her back again.

Yet her whole body trembled!

Ji Yinshu and Jingrong stood up, their eyes full of disbelief, but also carrying sympathy!

“Miss Xing’er, you…” Before the words were finished, Du Xing’er shouted very emotionally, “Get out!”