Zan Jin was greatly alarmed, gathering energy in his palm, about to strike out when Mo Zi spoke: “Zan Jin, it’s fine.” Mo Zi had already seen clearly who had grabbed her sleeve. Though somewhat surprised, she wasn’t that surprised. “It’s Luo Ying.”
There were no simple people in the Yuan household—probably only Ming Nian truly had no martial skills.
Hearing this, Ding Gou quickly turned around and said in a low voice, “You… how did you get here?”
Luo Ying, who had been utterly unremarkable in the Yuan household, now had bright eyes and a radiant smile as she pointed at Mo Zi. “I chose her as my mistress, so naturally I had to follow. You two were too careless—someone grabbed her sleeve and you didn’t even react. Lucky it was me. If it had been an assassin, you’d be dead.”
Zan Jin said honestly, “I didn’t hear you approach.”
Ding Gou, well aware of Luo Ying’s abilities, patted Zan Jin. “Not hearing her isn’t shameful. She just has excellent lightness skills—no one in our sect can match her.”
Mo Zi looked at Ding Gou, then at Luo Ying. “You two are from the same sect?”
Luo Ying nodded. “Miss, let’s talk outside.”
The four quietly left the flower nursery.
“This is a trap,” Luo Ying said. “I was following Miss from behind and heard assistants at other flower nurseries saying similar things.”
“I suspected as much,” Mo Zi smiled. “Information that comes too easily is almost certainly a trap. I haven’t forgotten—the other party is someone who understands me quite well. They probably anticipated I’d investigate through the flower market. However, if I hadn’t made this trip, I wouldn’t know those flower seedlings truly were ordered by Dou Lü.” Moreover, Jin Yin was probably still safe; otherwise Dou Lü wouldn’t be in the mood to plant Yao Huang peonies.
Luo Ying asked, “Miss, you don’t blame me for concealing my identity?”
“I don’t blame you—I blame Yuan Cheng.” Mo Zi pretended to put her hands on her hips and glare.
Luo Ying hastily told the truth: “It has nothing to do with the lord. Ding Gou and I entered the Yuan household to carry out a mission in repayment of a debt of gratitude. However, I originally didn’t intend to do any real work—just coast through a year and leave. But then I met Miss. Now, I serve only Miss. Consider it repaying my debt to the lord.”
Mo Zi glanced at Ding Gou. “He came for money, not to repay gratitude.”
Luo Ying giggled. “We both wanted to coast along, but who knew we’d get more and more serious about it.”
“The flower market route has been blocked off. It seems I’ll need to think of another approach. I’m afraid Wu Yan has arranged surveillance at places I’m familiar with from before, so I can’t investigate there either. For the moment, I truly have nowhere to start.” Here she had only a ghost-like identity that made nobles gnash their teeth in hatred, eager to kill her. Investigating matters would be very difficult.
“Miss, have you forgotten? The list the lord gave you. As long as Miss speaks up, those people will certainly help with all their strength,” Luo Ying reminded her.
“Yuan Cheng must have expended considerable effort to arrange each informant. I don’t want my private affairs to destroy the network he’s laid down. The times are already chaotic. In the future there may be more important matters requiring those people to truly exert their strength.” It wasn’t that Mo Zi hadn’t considered it.
“Miss’s affairs are the lord’s affairs—how can they be separated? Moreover, finding Dou Lü means finding Jin Yin. Jin Yin’s identity as Yuling’s Second Prince is now known throughout the land. Before I came, I heard from the lord that Nande has already sealed the Jin Yin Bank and dispatched people everywhere to track down Jin Yin’s whereabouts. They probably want to control him, which would give them legitimate grounds to rule Yuling. The situation is urgent and doesn’t allow us to hesitate. Miss should act decisively and find them both as soon as possible to return to Great Zhou.” Luo Ying was also a very intelligent woman.
Mo Zi’s confusion cleared instantly. “Thank you for reminding me. Yuan Cheng most fears my soft-heartedness, and I nearly fell into old habits again.” She silently recited a string of names, finding a suitable one. “Come, let’s go visit him right now.”
The Teng Mansion.
The gate was painted with galloping horses, befitting the master’s trade—horse dealer. And not just any horse dealer, but one who specifically supplied military horses to the Ministry of War—Teng Guo.
The young servant didn’t even look at the calling card, immediately pushing it back into Zan Jin’s hands. “My apologies, the master isn’t home. He left three days ago and won’t return for another two days.”
Mo Zi heard clearly and immediately wondered who else she could approach.
Ding Gou unexpectedly remarked, “When informants are planted too long, they can also turn traitor. Perhaps the comfortable life has been too pleasant and he’s no longer reliable.”
“He should truly not be home,” Mo Zi didn’t think so. “I haven’t even presented my token yet. If he’d turned, he would at least look at the item before claiming not to see us. We’ll come back the day after tomorrow.”
But when they returned two days later, they still met with a closed door.
It was still the same gatekeeper, still politely courteous: “The master returned last night, but today he’s hosting distinguished guests at a banquet at Tianmei Pavilion—he went early. Please come again tomorrow.”
“This Teng fellow is quite arrogant!” Ding Gou stroked his chin. “I feel something’s not right.”
“Whether something’s right or not, we’ll know tonight if we go see for ourselves at Tianmei Pavilion.” Mo Zi wasn’t discouraged yet. When timing was poor, one had to create opportunities.
“Why not go now instead of waiting until tonight?” Luo Ying didn’t understand.
“Because Tianmei Pavilion only operates at night.” Mo Zi’s smile was quite ambiguous and full of interest.
“A pleasure house?!” Ding Gou and Luo Ying exclaimed in unison.
Mo Zi clapped her hands. “Truly worthy of being sect siblings—such synchronicity. That’s right, it’s the largest pleasure house in this royal capital. I wonder how it compares to Wu You Pavilion in our capital—” Suddenly thinking of Mo Chou, she hastily changed the end of her sentence. “Luo Ying, have you ever been to a pleasure house?”
Though Luo Ying was a woman of the martial world, pleasure houses were forbidden territory for any woman. She immediately shook her head.
Mo Zi grabbed her and started walking. “I’ve been. Tonight, I’ll take you to broaden your horizons too.”
Ding Gou muttered, “Look at that excitement. A woman visiting a pleasure house—she’s not the least bit nervous, but this happy instead. Zan Jin, you really went with her before?”
Zan Jin said yes.
Ding Gou sighed. “What kind of master are you following? Fortunately, I’m only following for one year.” Once he married off his younger sisters, he’d return to his carefree life.
Zan Jin didn’t look at him, merely saying, “When the time comes, don’t regret leaving and want to come back.”
Ding Gou scoffed.
Upon entering Tianmei Pavilion, they discovered its scale was no smaller than Wu You Pavilion, and its decor also had style. Unlike Daqiu’s bold and rough aesthetic, it had the delicate refinement of the south. The main building had two floors for banquets and performances, with an artificial lake and garden behind. Guest chambers were distributed throughout, creating a serene environment.
“I never imagined Tianmei Pavilion would be so tasteful.” Though in a pleasure house, Mo Zi couldn’t help but praise it. “When it opened years ago, I heard about it but never took it seriously. It seems a pleasure house that endures has its reasons.” The lamps had just been lit, yet these two floors were already ninety percent full.
“Four unfamiliar faces—first time here?” The madam came to greet them, dressed quite respectably, not pretending familiarity.
Today Mo Zi had changed into Daqiu scholar’s robes. Her figure was already good-looking, and combined with her beautiful features, she was extraordinarily handsome. Therefore, the madam’s eyes lit up.
“First time doing business here. Tianmei Pavilion’s wine is fragrant and the girls gentle—I’ve specially brought my brothers to experience it.” To gather information, Mo Zi was generous, handing over an ingot of ten taels of silver.
Pleasure house madams most loved generous customers, and moreover these four people were all quite good-looking. Thinking silently that the girls were fortunate, she accepted with a beaming smile, then said, “Today the upstairs has been reserved. Would you gentlemen mind a private room downstairs?”
“Madam, the lamps just lit and your establishment is already full of tables—business is booming.” Mo Zi looked upstairs. The doors were tightly closed, figures moving about in confusion, with sounds of music, singing, and laughter.
“Master Teng is hosting guests, entertaining the city’s prominent figures.” This madam was very good at reading people. “If you don’t care for the downstairs private rooms, the chambers in back can also be used—they’re quieter.”
Mo Zi wanted to be near Teng Guo, so she smiled and waved her hand. “No need, they’re all the same.”
The four entered a private room and casually ordered a few small dishes and some girls. Who knew those girls would see handsome men like bees seeing flowers—regardless of whether they maintained stern faces or were polite, they clung tightly.
Mo Zi didn’t dare drink the wine, but with fragrant handkerchiefs fluttering under her nose, her head began to feel somewhat muddled. Fearing suspicion, and not wanting to frighten them with martial techniques, she could only respond vaguely while desperately giving the other three meaningful looks, hinting they should get the girls drunk. After struggling like this for most of an hour, finally taking advantage of when the girls started becoming tipsy, she and Luo Ying slipped out.
Mo Zi was still worried Zan Jin and Ding Gou couldn’t cope.
Luo Ying just laughed. “Men dealing with women is natural instinct. Don’t look at how those two are usually like hard stones with no interest in women—once we leave, they’re probably enjoying themselves.”
Mo Zi was horrified. Zan Jin and Ding Gou with girls draped on both arms? This image was truly hard to imagine.
Upstairs, pretending to be Teng Guo’s acquaintance, she asked servants if she could see him, only to be told Teng Guo had gone to the back garden.
“Three visits without success.” Luo Ying sighed. “His airs are even greater than Zhuge Liang’s.”
Mo Zi persisted. “Let’s compare ourselves to Liu Bei—at least make it a fourth visit.” She pulled Luo Ying toward the back garden to search.
Though the back garden had a lake and pavilion, it was an exquisitely delicate layout. A stone path by the lakeside and a winding corridor outside the lake completed the circuit.
“Miss, I need to relieve myself.” Luo Ying wasn’t afraid of drugs in the pleasure house’s wine and water, but now needed to expel toxins. “Wait for me, and absolutely don’t wander off.”
Mo Zi nodded. The privy was just around the corner not far away. “No rush, I’ll wait right here.”
Luo Ying’s figure had barely disappeared when footsteps sounded behind her. Looking back, she saw brocade robes and a tall cap, the figure swaying—could this be a chance encounter with Teng Guo?
“Are you Master Teng?” Teng Guo was the owner of Tianma Horse Ranch, so she addressed him thus.
But the other party didn’t respond. Looking drunk, he swayed step by step until finally standing before her.
Mo Zi looked by the corridor lamplight and was so startled she turned to leave.
“Wait—” But the person grabbed her.
His natural divine strength made it impossible to break free. Mo Zi silently groaned, keeping her face lowered as much as possible.
Who do you think this person was? None other than the plump Wu Yanle.
“I seem to have lost my way. How can I not find Miss Jingjing’s door? Take me there.” His tongue thick, speech slurred, mind unclear, he mistook Mo Zi for a Tianmei Pavilion servant.
She smelled the strong alcohol and rejoiced inwardly. Excellent—when this fellow got drunk, he never remembered anything.
Slightly altering her voice: “You’re mistaken. I’m also a guest here. First time coming, I don’t know Miss Jingjing. Please let go.”
“You’re also a guest?” Wu Yanle chuckled. “Good! Good! Let’s drink another jar together. I have a whale’s stomach—impossible to lose to your skinny frame.”
Drunk and crazy, challenging everyone he met to drinking contests. Mo Zi tried to shake him off, but his hand was like an iron hoop.
“I think you look like—” His large hand suddenly gripped Mo Zi’s chin, eyes staring directly…!