The next day.
Zhong Li, along with more than a dozen Dali Temple constables, waited in the southern suburbs of Jincheng. According to the information provided by Crown Prince Lu Yuanhong, the envoy from Yingzhou was expected to arrive in Jincheng today.
Hua Yao, a naturally curious person, craned her neck in the carriage, gazing into the distance with anticipation.
"By the way, why is only Li'er here to receive the envoy today?" she asked Zhong Li.
Zhong Li glanced at Hua Yao, then lifted the hem of her robes and stepped out of the carriage.
She knew who Hua Yao was referring to. Last night, she had spent a long time contemplating how to face Lu Wuxie today. Fortunately, he hadn't appeared yet, which was for the best, saving them the awkwardness of meeting. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Lin Jin, why are you here?" Hua Yao's exclamation drew Zhong Li's thoughts back.
Turning, Zhong Li saw Lin Jin standing before her, clad in a black imperial guard uniform.
"Miss Zhong," Lin Jin said, looking at Zhong Li before lowering his gaze and cupping his hands.
"Has your master decided not to come?" Zhong Li asked.
Lin Jin nodded. "Yes, my master has matters to attend to at Prince Xian's manor today, so he won't be coming. We apologize for the trouble, Junior Secretary Zhong, for receiving the envoy."
"Alright," Zhong Li replied with a nod, turning back to look into the distance.
Lin Jin, who had intended to leave, suddenly remembered something. He said, "It's the former Prince Consort. She has departed. The heir was demoted and left in a hurry. Now, the heir has returned and needs to clear out everything left behind by the former Prince Consort."
Zhong Li lowered her gaze, processing Lin Jin's words. The "clearing out" he mentioned likely referred to the confidantes and remnants Xie Yunxi had left in the manor.
"Alright!" she responded.
Lin Jin awkwardly pulled at the corners of his mouth. After a moment of thought, he said, "Miss Zhong, I have been by the heir's side since I was young. I can somewhat guess the heir's thoughts. The heir truly… feels for you, Miss Zhong…"
"Lin Jin," Zhong Li turned to face the man who was speaking with hesitation, "do you have any other official matters to discuss?"
Lin Jin froze and then shook his head.
"Then please return. I believe that to handle the matters in the manor, you are his best support." After saying this, Zhong Li stopped looking at Lin Jin.
Lin Jin sighed. Zhong Li's demeanor reminded him of how she was when they investigated the Jia family case in Anding County – cold and taciturn.
"Alright, Miss Zhong, take care." Lin Jin bowed and departed quickly.
Hua Yao had been watching from the side. She had thought that Lin Jin's arrival might cheer Zhong Li up, but seeing her so indifferent, Hua Yao felt a pang of concern.
"Li'er…"
"They're here!" Zhong Li replied.
"What's here?" Hua Yao asked, looking in the direction Zhong Li was pointing.
In the distance, between the undulating hills, seven or eight figures could be faintly seen. They were dressed in black Yingzhou attire, riding horses, with their hair tied up high and short weapons at their waists. It was immediately apparent they were not from Nanyue Kingdom.
"Shentu Jue?" Hua Yao exclaimed in surprise.
Zhong Li nodded as she saw the group approaching with remarkable speed. Within half an hour, they were standing before her.
"You are…" the leader of the group, upon seeing Zhong Li, was the first to dismount and inquire.
Zhong Li did not answer immediately. Instead, she first scanned the individuals before her, then bypassed the man who had questioned her, and walked to the man at the very back. She pulled off his waist token and said, "I am Zhong Li, Junior Secretary of Dali Temple, here to receive the envoy."
The man on the horse froze, watching Zhong Li.
After a long while, he asked in slightly broken Nanyue language, "How... how did you know I was the envoy? My clothes are all the same."
Zhong Li smiled, put away the waist token, and replied, "Indeed, the envoy and his retinue wear identical attire, but certain details cannot deceive."
"Oh?"
"Envoy, please observe. The lower hems of everyone's clothes are soiled from riding or walking. However, your sleeves are not. While your sleeves are clean and tidy, the sleeves of the other seven have more or less wrinkles and dust. This can only mean one thing: the seven with dusty sleeves are either assistants or laborers. As for you, you might be the one enjoying the privilege. Furthermore, observe the horses. They all appear to be the same, but upon closer inspection, the horse you are riding, based on its sheen and the musculature, is a superior steed compared to the others. Therefore, if you are not the envoy, they certainly are not either." Zhong Li explained.
"Haha!" Shentu Jue burst into laughter upon hearing this. He looked at the woman opposite him, her eyes smiling but her demeanor exuding a sense of coldness and detachment, and said, "I am very curious how you could tell that my horse's muscles are so well-developed. I must confess, although I am a Junior Secretary of Dali Temple, I also serve as a constable. Before dissecting humans, I most often dissected animals, and I am very familiar with their muscle distribution and bone structure."
As Zhong Li finished speaking, the expressions of those accompanying Shentu Jue turned grim. It seemed they had encountered a coroner.
However, Shentu Jue did not seem to mind Zhong Li's profession. He generously bowed and said, "I heard there is a woman in Nanyue Kingdom's Dali Temple who understands human anatomy very well. I did not expect to meet her on the first day. Junior Secretary Zhong, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Shentu Jue."
As he spoke, he slightly bowed and produced the travel permit in his hand.
Zhong Li looked at the handsome man before her, who had a small goatee on his chin. After examining the travel permit, she led them towards the city.
Wenchang Street was already bustling with activity. Zhong Li led Shentu Jue through the main thoroughfare towards the post station.
Shentu Jue seemed curious about everything in Jincheng. While conversing with his servants in his own language, he couldn't resist buying a pile of things to take back.
"The Emperor will host a banquet for the envoy the day after tomorrow. During this time, you are welcome to explore the surroundings. If you have any needs, you may find my subordinates; they will accompany you and ensure your safety at all times," Zhong Li instructed after escorting Shentu Jue to the post station, then prepared to leave.
"Wait!" Shentu Jue called out to Zhong Li.
Zhong Li turned back to look at him.
"Where is the largest brothel here? We have been traveling from Yingzhou to Jincheng for nearly a month. Everyone needs to let off some steam."
Zhong Li looked at the man before her, who appeared dignified but spoke so brazenly. She raised her eyebrows, pointed towards the east of Wenchang Street, and then left with Hua Yao by her side.
"Li'er," Hua Yao said as she walked behind Zhong Li, "Shentu Jue looks so proper, why does he speak so directly?"
Zhong Li casually bought two beef pancakes from a street vendor and handed one to Hua Yao. "The cultural background of each country is different. I recall that in the Guo manor, Guo Qi had a third concubine named Qingyuan Fang. There was a reason why Guo Qi favored her."
"What reason?" Hua Yao pressed.
Zhong Li took a bite of the beef pancake in her hand, recalling the thorough search of Guo Qi's room, littered with 'rolling pins' of various sizes. After some thought, she shook her head and said, "I forgot."