Meng Yuan stood in the back hall, looking at the man on the official’s chair opposite him, then at Dong Qing standing beside the man. Though he was curious about Lu Wuxie’s identity, having seen much of the world, he knew in his heart that this handsome man with a roguish expression was no ordinary person.
“This humble one, Meng Yuan, greets Your Excellency,” he said, making a respectful gesture of greeting.
Lu Wuxie looked at the man opposite him. He was dressed in simple blue robes, his appearance elegant and graceful. The hint of red lining peeking from his inner garment made his skin appear even fairer.
Lu Wuxie’s lips curved into a slight smile. “To be able to take over the Yue family’s business, Meng Lang, your ability to discern people is truly remarkable.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Yuan raised his eyes to meet Lu Wuxie’s knowing gaze. “Your Excellency, I am but a mere merchant. If I truly possessed such a talent for discerning people, I would have likely known your identity long ago.”
“Lu Wuxie!” Lu Wuxie said with a smile.
Hearing this, Meng Yuan immediately knelt and bowed. “So it is the Crown Prince. This humble one’s eyes failed to recognize the esteemed presence.”
Lu Wuxie raised his hand, signaling the man opposite to rise.
Meng Yuan stood up, glanced at Dong Qing, pondered for a moment, and then said to Lu Wuxie, “May I ask when Your Highness arrived?”
“Yesterday,” Lu Wuxie replied casually.
Upon hearing this, Meng Yuan smiled and asked, “Since Your Highness has only just arrived, I wonder if you’ve heard of the saying about the beauties of Yongcheng?”
Lu Wuxie raised an eyebrow. “The heroes of Jincheng, the fine wines of Jinzhou, and the beauties of Yongcheng?”
“Your Highness is learned indeed. That is correct,” Meng Yuan said.
“So, what is Brother Meng preparing to discuss?” Lu Wuxie asked, feigning ignorance.
Meng Yuan glanced at Dong Qing, then his gaze returned to Lu Wuxie. “I have an appointment with Lord Dong to visit the Pavilion of Yearning today. I have heard of Your Highness’s reputation for gallantry in Jincheng. Would Your Highness grace us with your company?”
“You made plans with Governor Dong, and I, this Crown Prince…”
“If Your Highness attends, Lord Dong and I will be most delighted,” Meng Yuan interrupted before Lu Wuxie could finish, quickly interjecting with a welcoming tone.
Lu Wuxie glanced at Dong Qing beside him.
Dong Qing quickly nodded, displaying a charmingly innocent demeanor.
Lu Wuxie chuckled softly, then lifted the hem of his robes and started walking, saying, “Then why are we dawdling?”
“Yes! Yes!” Meng Yuan said, his gaze following Lu Wuxie until he left the back hall.
Seeing this, Dong Qing hurried to his side. “You invited the Crown Prince to a pleasure house. Do you realize what this means for our situation…”
“Lord Dong!” Meng Yuan interrupted, his smile widening. “I do not know the Crown Prince’s temperament, but I have heard he is quite the rake in Jincheng. Now that he sees us like this and has not shown his displeasure towards us, there can only be two possibilities. The first is that he is as cunning as they say and already knows of our private dealings. He will likely turn a blind eye to the Yue family’s affairs, understanding that they are merely tea merchants, easily replaceable, as long as they do not threaten royal interests.”
“And the second?” Dong Qing asked curiously.
Meng Yuan watched the retreating figure of the man nearing the gate of the yamen, his eyes narrowing. “The second is that he is truly as the rumors suggest, indifferent to such matters, only caring for pleasure and indulgence. However, regardless, every man has a weakness. The Crown Prince’s weakness is widely known: his fondness for the company of courtesans. If we can appease him this time, he will surely not make things too difficult for you and me later.”
“This…”
“Rest assured, Lord Dong!” Meng Yuan said, patting Dong Qing’s shoulder. “I have seen many people. I can see through someone like the Crown Prince at a glance.”
“I hope so,” Dong Qing sighed, gazing in the direction Lu Wuxie had disappeared.
-------------------------------------
At this moment, on the southern outskirts of Yongcheng.
Zhong Li had already left the pavilion in the center of the lake. She stood at the front of the crowd, looking at the corpse being retrieved from the water.
It was less a corpse than a collection of dismembered parts. The head and limbs had been severed. Apart from the body’s frame indicating it was a woman, the deceased’s appearance was unknown.
“How tragic!”
“Did I see correctly? It’s a female corpse.”
“Ugh, stop talking about it!”
…
A crowd of citizens had gathered behind Zhong Li. Those with bolder spirits peered with curiosity and discussed, while the more timid had retreated, emitting frequent sounds of nausea.
“Make way! The yamen is investigating, no spectators!”
The three constables who had pulled the body out of the water showed impatience at the large crowd and began to disperse them.
Zhong Li moved with the crowd surging towards Yongcheng. During this, she inadvertently glanced at the forearm of the corpse, which was missing its hand. On that slender, willow-branch-like, pale forearm, a bracelet was tightly clasped, a bracelet she felt she had seen somewhere before.
As she pondered this, she instinctively moved a few steps closer to the scene. A sharp voice sounded in her ear again: “Didn’t you hear? Step back!”
She froze, looking at the fierce-looking constable in front of her. She opened her mouth to say something, but seeing the other two constables preparing to carry the mangled corpse away on a stretcher, she glanced at the sky, already nearing dusk, her brows furrowing slightly. She said no more.
Wutong Alley, next to Fenghe Street, was lively.
Lu Wuxie stood by the carved railing, admiring Yongcheng’s last sunset of the day. The room, filled with the scent of rouge and powder, and swirling wisps of incense, enveloped him.
“Your Highness!”
A voice broke Lu Wuxie’s train of thought.
Lu Wuxie turned his head and saw Meng Yuan and Dong Qing walking in with smiles. Following behind them was a woman carrying a zither. Though the instrument obscured half her face, her figure alone indicated that she must be one of the finest courtesans in the establishment.
“Brother Meng, Lord Dong.” Lu Wuxie masked the ease on his face from moments before, adopting his usual flippant demeanor.
Seeing him like this, Meng Yuan’s smile widened. He cupped his hands towards Lu Wuxie, then shifted his body, revealing the woman behind him.
The woman slowly lowered the zither in her hands, and a stunningly beautiful face was revealed to Lu Wuxie.
“This humble one, Liu Xiang’er, greets Your Highness.”
Lu Wuxie sat before the pear wood table, taking a sip of his tea. Hearing Liu Xiang’er’s greeting, he set down his cup and glanced over. “Can you sing?”
Liu Xiang’er nodded. “Yes.”
“Can you sing the ‘Nanping Tune’?” Lu Wuxie asked again.
Liu Xiang’er nodded again. “Yes!”
“Then perform a piece,” Lu Wuxie said, closing his eyes to listen. His casual manner clearly indicated he was a frequent visitor to such establishments.
Liu Xiang’er glanced at Meng Yuan beside her.
Meng Yuan smiled, nodded at her, and then, with Dong Qing, turned and walked out of the private room.
As the door to the private room was closed, a rendition of the ‘Nanping Tune’ began inside.
“Lord Dong, how was it?” Meng Yuan asked the person beside him.
Dong Qing nodded and gave Meng Yuan a thumbs-up. “Master Meng truly understands charm. He has grasped Your Highness’s desires perfectly.”
Meng Yuan casually glanced back at the private room behind them and said with a cold smile, “Lord Dong, heroes have always found it difficult to resist when left unchecked, let alone a dissolute young man. Rest assured, with me here, the Crown Prince will find no leverage against you.”
“Oh, right!” Meng Yuan said, taking a few steps before suddenly remembering something. He looked at Dong Qing. “Have there been any developments regarding the matter I asked you to handle previously?”
“Yes! Yes!” Dong Qing said with a smile, pulling Meng Yuan into the adjacent private room.