The next day, at the Dali Temple.
Zhong Li flipped through the files in her hands, checking if there were any unsolved cold cases in the city during her absence from Jincheng.
Hua Yao and Lan Heng had gone out on business, leaving her alone in the vast Hall of Archives.
She went through one volume after another.
Until she reached the last file, and seeing that it was a three-year-old case, she, with the attitude of finishing what she started, continued to examine it.
What was written in the file was basically the same as before, all trivial matters. Some cases were due to the inexperience of ancient people, and if carefully examined, flaws could be found. She casually noted some overlooked points, planning to have her subordinates handle them.
Just as she reached the last page, her expression froze. Looking at the binding of the file, the details in the gap, her heart fluttered. Was this last page torn out?
As she thought this, she forcefully fiddled with the binding, trying to confirm her thoughts, when suddenly a crisp knock came from outside.
"Who?" Zhong Li asked.
"Lord Zhong, someone is looking for you outside," came the voice of the young constable guarding the door.
"Who is looking for me?" she asked again.
The young constable hesitated and said, "Guard Lin from the Prince Xian's mansion."
Zhong Li's hand, which was fiddling with the binding, paused. After a moment of thought, she said, "Let him in."
Wisps of smoke curled up, filling the entire inner hall. Zhong Li sat on the official hat chair and poured two cups of tea, placing one opposite her.
Lin Jin watched Zhong Li's practiced yet unfamiliar politeness, feeling a slight lump in his throat.
"Have some tea," Zhong Li gestured.
Lin Jin took the cup but made no move to drink.
Zhong Li glanced at him and asked, "What business do you have with me? Logically, you should be accompanying your master to protect the envoy from Yingzhou at this hour."
"Miss Zhong, Lin Jin has come about the Yingzhou envoy."
"What do you mean?" Zhong Li asked.
"To be frank, my master is injured and cannot accompany the envoy today to protect him."
Hearing Lin Jin's words, Zhong Li's hand, which was holding the tea cup, paused for a fleeting moment. "So your purpose in coming to me today is to hope that I can accompany the envoy to tour Jincheng on behalf of the Prince?"
Lin Jin looked at Zhong Li's reaction, his eyes dimming slightly. "Yes."
"Alright, I understand," Zhong Li said. After hearing this, she stood up and took the cloak from the back of the chair, preparing to leave.
Just then, Hua Yao, who had finished her business with Lan Heng, also returned from outside.
She glanced at Zhong Li, who was about to leave, and then at Lin Jin, who was standing still. Her bright almond-shaped eyes darted around, and she quickly walked over to Lin Jin and said, "Guard Lin, where is your master? Why do I only see you today?"
Lin Jin looked at Zhong Li, who was almost at the entrance of the Dali Temple, and in his contemplation, he shouted, "My master is injured."
"Ah? How did he get injured? Is it serious?"
"My master had a fight with the Sixth Prince and returned to Prince Xian's mansion covered in blood, with a dislocated arm. I don't know if it's serious as he hasn't seen a doctor, and I don't know." Lin Jin's voice became even louder.
"Ah? What should we do then? Do you have any wound medicine?"
"Yes, but the effect doesn't seem to be very good."
...
Zhong Li's footsteps as she walked out of the Dali Temple slowed slightly. She glanced at Lan Heng, who was standing not far away, watching this drama unfold and waiting for her next move. Hesitating, she quickly entered the carriage.
Seeing Zhong Li had already walked away, Hua Yao beckoned to Lin Jin, took a small bottle from her waist, and stuffed it into his hand. She then whispered a few words in his ear before confidently watching him leave.
"What were you saying to that boy just now?" Lan Heng asked as he walked up to her.
Hua Yao looked mysterious, not yet intending to say more.
Lan Heng narrowed his eyes. For some reason, he felt a bit uncomfortable and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Hua Yao realized and hurried after him.
"If you're not going to say it, then don't follow me," Lan Heng gave her a stern look.
"I'll say it, I'll say it!" Hua Yao quickened her steps.
-------------------------------------
The carriage moved slowly along Wenchang Street.
Zhong Li, dressed in men's attire, looked at Shentu Jue, who was sitting opposite her.
She truly hadn't expected him to ask her to accompany him to a pleasure house today.
"Last time I came to Hua Man Lou, I wanted to see what the courtesan of your Southern Yue Kingdom was like, but I was rebuffed by the madam.
I thought this time it would be the Prince's turn to accompany me. I heard that Miss Tian is a close friend of the Prince. With this connection, I might be able to meet Miss Tian. Who knew the Prince was ill, and I don't know if Young Minister Zhong can grant me my wish." Shentu Jue lifted the curtain and looked at the street scene outside. After a while, finding it boring, he said a lot of random things to Zhong Li.
If it were in the past, Zhong Li, with her nature, would have likely retorted a few words to Shentu Jue. Now, having spent a long time in officialdom, she merely sneered and casually said, "Perhaps the envoy has misunderstood. It's not that the courtesans of Hua Man Lou are difficult to meet. For people in the pleasure quarters, as long as the money is right, there's nothing that can't be done?"
"Haha!" Shentu Jue laughed heartily upon hearing this. He looked at Zhong Li, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Young Minister Zhong, you are the most unique woman I have ever met.
You surprised me enough at the banquet yesterday. Your answer to me now makes me feel that I was being petty."
Zhong Li remained silent. If it weren't for having to protect Shentu Jue, she wouldn't want to go to Hua Man Lou at all.
"But speaking of which," Shentu Jue changed the subject, looking at Zhong Li. "I heard that Young Minister Zhong and the Prince had a past relationship?"
Zhong Li's delicate eyebrows knitted together. She cast a guarded glance at Shentu Jue. "Envoy, since when did you become interested in my private affairs?"
Shentu Jue shrugged, acting as if she was overthinking things. "I just like to inquire about gossip. Young Minister Zhong, please don't be nervous. For a woman of Judge Zhong's appearance, finding a good husband is not difficult."
Zhong Li turned away, choosing not to pay him any attention.
Shentu Jue's smile grew wider. "I heard that the Prince's new bride looks quite like the courtesan of Hua Man Lou. What do you think, if I were to buy the courtesan for a night, wouldn't it be equivalent to sleeping with the Prince's new bride?"
"Envoy, do you know what you are saying?" Zhong Li looked at Shentu Jue coldly, her eyes carrying a clear warning.
"Haha! Just kidding, just kidding," Shentu Jue waved his hand, acting as if she shouldn't take it so seriously.
Zhong Li decided not to continue this nonsense with him. She lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. As the carriage was about to stop, she quickly jumped out and walked into Hua Man Lou.
She had made arrangements before coming.
As soon as the madam saw Zhong Li and the person following her, she quickly abandoned other matters and hurried to greet them. "Young Minister Zhong, oh! Envoy, you've finally arrived."
Shentu Jue smiled and waved. "Do you know who I am now?"
The madam's smile froze. "Envoy, what are you saying? Last time, this old servant had eyes but couldn't recognize Mount Tai. This time, I certainly won't make a mistake."
As she spoke, she flatteringly slapped herself a few times on the face.
Shentu Jue was quite pleased with the madam's actions. After watching her face become red and swollen, he put on a magnanimous expression. "Enough. Are the people ready?"
"They are ready, on the third floor. Look... Miss Tian is watching you from the carved railings!"
Zhong Li and the others followed the madam's words and looked up towards the third floor.
They saw Tian Lianxue, wearing a white robe embroidered with golden threads and lotus flowers, leaning against a pillar and looking down. She still had a charming demeanor, her eyes sparkling, and every smile and movement captivated the heart.
However...
Zhong Li withdrew her gaze, her delicate eyebrows furrowing. She felt that something was not quite right.