What a mess – he had been too preoccupied with wondering why A Si would come to visit the flower boats.
“There’s a case I need to investigate…”
Before he could explain further, Jiang Si merely nodded: “Ah.”
“I am investigating a case—” Her casual nod surely meant she didn’t believe him.
“If you’re investigating, I won’t delay your official business. Help me down, I should head back too.”
Yu Jin placed his hand on Jiang Si’s shoulder. “I truly am investigating. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Official Zhen…”
Jiang Si helplessly rubbed her forehead: “I do believe you.”
She knew Yu Qi well enough – earlier she had just wanted to tease him a little to prevent his endless explanations.
“You’re not just saying that?” Yu Jin examined her suspiciously.
“No, I really should go.”
Yu Jin breathed a sigh of relief: “Then I’ll escort you.”
He carried Jiang Si as he jumped down from the tree, landing silently.
Jiang Si lowered her head to adjust her clothes and slightly disheveled hair.
Yu Jin stood beside her watching, reaching out to pluck a leaf from her hair, then another…
Jiang Si sighed: “Never mind, I’ll clean up when I get back.”
Yu Jin, feeling guilty about his mischief, sheepishly walked toward the edge of the grove.
As they emerged from the small grove, the light suddenly brightened. The sounds of laughter and merriment from the Jin Shui River became clearer, and even the air carried a faint fragrance of powder and rouge.
Jiang Si stopped: “No need to escort me further, I can return on my own.”
Yu Jin frowned.
“Weren’t you investigating a case? Hurry back to your official business.”
Yu Jin remained silent, grabbing Jiang Si’s hand and walking, but she pulled away: “Really, there’s no need to escort me. With Old Qin and A Fei, I’ll be back shortly. Having you along would only draw attention.”
Seeing her insistence, Yu Jin had no choice but to give up.
They had just gotten closer, so he thought he should behave better.
Long Dan and Old Qin were waiting not far away.
Jiang Si walked over and nodded to Old Qin: “Let’s go.”
Yu Jin remained standing in place even after they had walked far away.
Long Dan approached: “Master, you and that young gentleman didn’t… didn’t do anything, did you?”
How unexpected that the master would have such preferences!
Long Dan felt goosebumps all over, thinking to himself how fortunate he was.
If the master didn’t separate personal matters from business and made certain demands of him, should he agree or refuse?
Just thinking about such a difficult question gave Long Dan’s headache.
Yu Jin gave Long Dan a surprised look: “Couldn’t you tell that was Miss Jiang?”
As if he would carry a man into the grove?
Long Dan was shocked, his voice changing pitch: “No! Miss Jiang doesn’t look like this in men’s clothes…”
He had seen Miss Jiang dressed as a man before, and she looked quite similar to Second Young Master Jiang, but not like tonight’s appearance.
“Do you only look at faces when identifying people? Fool!” Yu Jin knocked Long Dan’s head and strode forward.
Long Dan hurried to follow, walking in step with his master toward the Jin Shui River bank. His sharp eyes spotted a leaf in Yu Jin’s hair.
He reached out to pluck the leaf.
Yu Jin paused his steps and turned to look.
Long Dan held up the leaf, full of admiration: “Master, will our household soon have a mistress?”
The master had moved so quickly, and in a grove no less!
“Mind your tongue!” Yu Jin said sternly, though the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
It was a pity he couldn’t share such feelings freely with A Fei. If only Er Niu were here, at least he could ruffle that big head of his a few times.
“It’s not what you’re thinking. Let’s go to the next flower boat.”
Long Dan stumbled, asking incredulously: “Master, Miss Jiang didn’t say anything about you visiting flower boats?”
Yu Jin thought for a moment and said: “She told me to hurry and attend to my official business.”
Long Dan slapped his forehead: “Miss Jiang must have been speaking in anger!”
“She wasn’t angry.”
“If she’s not angry, then she must not care.”
“Doesn’t care?” Yu Jin’s voice turned cold.
“Think about it – how would you feel if you found Miss Jiang visiting a house of male courtesans?”
Yu Jin considered it.
Better not think about it…
“Master, you should go escort Miss Jiang instead. Those flower boats receive guests every night, whether you investigate today or tomorrow won’t make a difference.”
Yu Jin nodded in strong agreement.
That old Zhen Shicheng was too persuasive, making him forget his original purpose for coming to the Ministry of Justice.
He had only come to appease the Emperor, did he need to become some legendary righteous official solving cases?
Yu Jin suddenly felt his earlier decision not to escort Jiang Si was completely foolish. Those who didn’t know better might think he enjoyed visiting flower boats.
“Do this – you go check out the next flower boat, but don’t startle anyone.” Yu Jin instructed.
Long Dan immediately agreed with a bright smile.
Yu Jin looked at him suspiciously.
Long Dan quickly resumed his serious expression: “Or master, you could investigate while I escort Miss Jiang.”
“Get lost.”
The crescent moon climbed higher, making the ground appear covered in a thin layer of frost.
A Si noticed Old Qin walking strangely and asked: “Old Qin, what’s wrong?”
Old Qin replied embarrassedly: “My leg was kicked, it’s somewhat painful. That subordinate of Young Master Yu has excellent martial arts.”
In his younger years, he could have fought that opponent to a draw, but now his stamina couldn’t keep up.
Of course, in a real life-or-death battle, he was confident he wouldn’t be inferior to Long Dan – at worst, they would take each other’s lives.
“Apply some blood-activating wine when we return.” Seeing Old Qin’s self-reproach, Jiang Si consoled him, “His subordinates are chosen from thousands – you did well to hold your own.”
Whether it was the smiling Long Dan or the taciturn Cold Shadow, on the battlefield, they were cold-blooded killers who had truly waded through piles of corpses.
The hired carriage was parked in an inconspicuous corner. A Fei had grown anxious waiting and hurried forward when he saw Jiang Si and Old Qin approaching one after another.
“Miss, you’re finally out!”
Any longer and he would have wondered if Miss Jiang had taken a fancy to one of the Yan Chun Troupe’s flower girls.
“Get in the carriage first.” Jiang Si lifted her skirts and nimbly entered the carriage, glancing back at the brightly lit Jin Shui River.
The Jin Shui River seemed even more lively than when she had first arrived. Music, laughter, and songs – all sorts of sounds seemed wrapped in an invisible fragrance of powder and rouge, merging into an indistinct yet heart-stirring melody that crept into one’s ears.
Those who heard it felt their ears tingle and their hearts flutter, and the unrestrained pleasure boats floating on the Jin Shui River were the perfect place to scratch that itch.
Which flower boat had he boarded now?
With his appearance, the leading courtesan would surely be eager to accompany him.
The image of Yingying, the star courtesan of the Yan Chun Troupe, suddenly appeared in Jiang Si’s mind.
A long red dress, loosely arranged hair, fair bosom, and a pair of feet with red-painted toes…
Jiang Si pressed her lips together and shook her head.
She had said she didn’t mind, so why was she imagining such things?
Ducking under the curtain into the carriage compartment, Jiang Si silently criticized herself.
But soon, these girlish worries popped like bubbles.
Jiang Si’s body tensed, and she asked as calmly as possible: “Who’s there?”
The cold dagger pressed against her lower back moved slightly.