Though the name “Meihong” was common and flashy, Meihong under the lamplight was indeed like the reddest flower on a branch. But precisely because she was at her reddest, having reached the peak of red that would soon turn to ash, and carrying three parts wine-induced languor, she trembled as if about to fall yet hadn’t fallen, revealing a soul-stirring, tragic beauty.

Meng Jianqing couldn’t help but be secretly startled.

Though he’d already known Meihong was very likely not an ordinary popular boat woman, her portrait compared to her actual appearance had not only failed to capture her truly captivating red beauty, but also lacked that intoxicating, flowing charm. The difference was so vast that seeing her suddenly caused him great shock due to his miscalculation.

When Meihong saw them board the boat, she too was startled. As their eyes met, Meng Jianqing could almost see the tremor in her heart.

But in an instant, Meihong had composed herself. A blooming smile covered her inner unease as she gracefully approached, saying in dulcet tones, “Lieutenant Meng honors us with his presence—forgive me for not welcoming you from afar!” She ordered a young maid to serve tea while having the madam send away clients, so she could focus on dealing with Meng Jianqing’s party.

She knew Meng Jianqing’s name, though he quickly thought of the reason. When he’d led the shooting of pig dragons by the river during the day, he’d probably been the focus of ten thousand eyes. This Miss Meihong had likely been among them, so recognizing him wasn’t surprising.

But there was another possibility…

The client, Meihong, had been entertaining and was about to hurriedly take his leave when two guards stopped him. Meng Jianqing called over a constable to record this Suzhou merchant’s name, origin, and address, asking about his neighbors. After the veteran constable familiar with Hangzhou verified the information, Meng Jianqing instructed the merchant not to leave his residence for ten days and to be available for questioning at any time before waving him away.

As the merchant tremblingly stepped onto the gangplank, he suddenly felt a breeze behind him and numbness in the bend of his leg. He cried out and nearly fell into the river; fortunately, his quick-eyed servant caught him. Still shaken, laughter from Meihong came from the boat: “Lieutenant Meng, testing people like this could cost lives!”

The merchant looked quite frail—if he’d fallen in, with the river’s swift current, rescue might have come too late.

Meihong’s bold exposure of Meng Jianqing’s intent both surprised and worried the two constables. Meng Jianqing smiled slightly, “Since that merchant is from Suzhou and the young lady happens to be surnamed Ke, I naturally had to test things out.”

Meihong cried “Ai ya!” and covered her chest, “Lieutenant Meng, such a big accusation could truly frighten one to death!”

Though her words seemed playful, despite the wine that flushed her cheeks red, Meng Jianqing could see her complexion had changed. The two constables were even more terrified.

The Ke surname boat families on the Qiantang River were all former subordinates of Chen Youliang. After Chen Youliang’s defeat and death, the Hongwu Emperor scattered his former subordinates to various places, demoting them to lowly status, forbidding them from ever coming ashore for generations. Local officials had both the responsibility to pacify and monitor them.

Suzhou, however, was the former capital of Zhang Shicheng. The Hongwu Emperor deeply resented the people of Suzhou for defending the city to the death for Zhang Shicheng. After breaking the city, he tripled Suzhou’s taxes compared to other places. Even now, Suzhou people secretly commemorate Zhang Shicheng. On his death anniversary, they burned incense in worship, calling it “worshipping Buddha” to outsiders—later generations called it burning “Nine-Four incense,” since Zhang Shicheng’s childhood name was “Nine-Four.” Jiangzhe officials had heard rumors of this, but since traces weren’t obvious and Suzhou officials feared stirring up a great case that might implicate themselves, they turned a deaf ear and blind eye. If local officials didn’t investigate deeply, others naturally preferred not to meddle.

What was Meng Jianqing trying to accomplish by connecting these two matters for no reason? Could it be that after handling several major cases, the Imperial Guard felt unsatisfied and wanted to stir up an even bigger case? From the dynasty’s founding, there were countless former subordinates of Zhang Shicheng, Chen Youliang, Fang Guozhen, and Ming Yuzhen, plus Ming Sect followers… If the Imperial Guard truly had such intentions, even “rivers of blood” wouldn’t adequately describe the carnage…

The first to suffer would likely be the officials of Hangzhou Prefecture and all of Zhejiang…

The atmosphere in the cabin immediately grew heavy.

Meihong steadied herself, glanced at the two constables, and said with a full smile, “Lord Meng has such thunderbolt methods and bodhisattva heart—naturally, he has his reasons for saying this. How could it be what you’re thinking? Lord Meng, feel free to speak directly. We’re all country bumpkins who haven’t seen the world—we might take even a joke seriously.”

Her words seemed both flattering and mocking. Meng Jianqing smiled, “I don’t deserve the title ‘Lord.’ Since the young lady is willing to speak directly, that’s good.”

He waved for the constables to take the two guards ashore first, gave the list to one guard, and ordered them to investigate the others, while he sat down himself.

Preparing for a serious conversation.

Meihong’s eyes shifted as she said gracefully, “Lieutenant Meng, it’s noisy here. If we’re to talk in detail, shouldn’t we move the boat to the river’s center where it’s quieter?”

Meng Jianqing said, “The guest follows the host’s wishes. Please proceed.”

He wanted to see exactly how Meihong planned to deal with him.