Several people covered their noses, their eyes involuntarily glancing at the white cloth.
A hand suddenly slipped out, appearing in the sight of everyone.
"Ah..." someone couldn't help but cry out.
The guards glanced at them, then calmly walked past them.
That hand looked like it had been soaked.
*
Amidst the bustling city, there were inevitably small alleys, and it was not unusual for a few households to exist.
Situated in a secluded corner of the bustling city, the houses were smaller, but also quieter.
"Creak!"
Deep within a bustling market south of the imperial city, a small door suddenly opened.
A little boy stood at the entrance. Perhaps hearing the sound of the door opening, his round eyes stared intently at the door.
Qin Jiu Jiu poked her head out and looked at the little boy.
Soon, an old woman appeared and quickly took the little boy's hand.
"Little girl, are you new here?"
Only then did Qin Jiu Jiu push the door open and step out.
"Yes, Grandma, do you know which direction the imperial city is?"
For the past two days, she had been confined here by Xie Jing. It was only when Xie Jing left the house today that she had the chance to open the door.
"The imperial city... that's quite far..."
The old woman's face showed confusion as she looked at Qin Jiu Jiu, then asked, "Little girl, is that young gentleman your husband? You haven't been out these past few days, but I saw a young gentleman leave today, looking in a hurry..."
"He's not my husband, he's more like my elder brother," Qin Jiu Jiu explained.
While Xie Jing wasn't back, she had to do something.
The secret was right before her eyes, yet she couldn't reveal it.
"So he's your brother. This is the southernmost part, and the imperial city is to the north. It's probably quite far. Little girl, if you walk, it might be difficult."
"Thank you, Grandma. Have you heard of the Tian Wai Tian Restaurant?"
Liu Jin had once told her that they were currently staying at the Tian Wai Tian Restaurant.
The Tian Wai Tian Restaurant not only had a branch in Xiliu City but also in the imperial city.
"That restaurant is the best in the city... it's not far from here."
"Grandma, I'm hungry..." The little boy suddenly ran out, and the old woman had to rush to chase her grandson.
"Girl, I'm leaving now."
"Alright, thank you, Grandma!"
Qin Jiu Jiu locked the door and then left.
Xie Jing could easily find her location anyway, so there was no need to leave any information.
She asked as she walked and soon arrived at the Tian Wai Tian Restaurant.
The decor was the same as the Tian Wai Tian in Xiliu City.
"Guest, please come in!" As soon as she entered, the waiter eagerly rushed to greet her.
Perhaps because it was daytime, there weren't too many people inside yet.
"Guest, are you here for tea and music, or for a meal and lodging?"
The waiter spoke quickly, and Qin Jiu Jiu said as she walked, "Tea and music."
Then she took out a silver ingot from her Qiankun bag and threw it to the waiter.
The waiter beamed, "Guest, please go upstairs!"
Just like in Xiliu City, the second floor was a good place to listen to music and watch performances.
It was still early, so there were no opera troupes performing on the first floor. The private rooms on the second floor could watch performances, or one could hire someone to sing.
"Esteemed guest, Miss Chun Hong is a renowned performer. I'll bring her to you right away. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
"Alright."
Although she was a woman, coming alone to listen to music was not unusual.
Chun Hong entered immediately.
"Miss, would you like me to play the pipa or the guqin?"
"Guqin..."
In Xiliu City, Shen Ting Chi, the male courtesan at Nan Feng Guan, was most skilled at the guqin.
Coming to this Tian Wai Tian Restaurant, Qin Jiu Jiu couldn't help but think of that person.
"Alright."
Her slender fingers danced on the strings, and a clear, melodious sound emerged.
After the piece ended, Qin Jiu Jiu clapped and praised.
"Miss Chun Hong is truly talented!" She was never stingy with her praise.
Chun Hong was already fair-skinned, and her smile now added to her beauty.
"You flatter me. Would you like to hear another piece?"
Qin Jiu Jiu took out her purse from the Qiankun bag.
"Miss, I'd like to inquire about something..." Qin Jiu Jiu said as she placed money in front of Chun Hong.
Her face still held a gentle smile.
"Guest, you don't need to spend so much money." She spoke clearly and concisely.
"I'm here to find a young lady."
"Miss, you jest. The Tian Wai Tian Restaurant is not a place to find people, especially a young lady."
"It's not what you think. The one I'm looking for, she just moved in these past few days. She told me to come here and find her."
Chun Hong's expression suddenly changed, and she glanced at the door.
"Miss, the County Princess has been waiting for you for a long time."
She was, of course, referring to Liu Jin.
"Please follow me, Miss."
It was likely that news of her and Xie Jing's disappearance had already spread throughout the palace these past two days.
Liu Jin, unable to find her, must have been worried.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
There was a knock on the door.
"County Princess, it's me," Chun Hong said softly to the person standing inside.
"Creak!" The door opened.
"Sister A Jin!" Qin Jiu Jiu stepped forward, and surprise immediately appeared on Liu Jin's face.
"Come in quickly!" Liu Jin gave Chun Hong a look and then pulled Qin Jiu Jiu inside.
Half an hour later, Qin Jiu Jiu emerged from the Tian Wai Tian Restaurant.
Right at the entrance, she was bumped into forcefully, almost falling to the ground.
"Miss!"
Qin Jiu Jiu looked up and saw another woman, dressed as a maid, appear behind the girl who bumped into her.
Naturally, the girl who bumped into her looked like she came from a wealthy family.
"I'm sorry," the girl apologized gently.
"Miss, Master and Mistress want you to go back. They said the Lu family has come to deliver a marriage proposal..." The maid's voice trailed off as she saw her young lady's dejected expression.
Qin Jiu Jiu moved past, but she felt strange.
However, she eventually suppressed her doubts and returned to the small courtyard.
"Creak~"
It was as if no one was in the house.
Could Xie Jing not be back yet?
Qin Jiu Jiu tiptoed and walked inside.
It was quiet inside.
The moment she entered, the person behind the door pulled her into their arms.
"Xie Jing?"
She smelled a familiar scent, and her panic subsided significantly.
The young man released his tight grip on her.
A scent of blood wafted over.
"What happened to you?"
The young man, whose hand had slightly loosened, suddenly tightened it again, pulling her into his embrace. Her face pressed tightly against his chest.
With this, the scent of blood became even stronger.
"Are you injured?"
Qin Jiu Jiu was somewhat anxious.
"If I'm injured, will you leave?"
Even if he lost all his strength, he would not let her leave.
When he had returned earlier and couldn't find her, the room had felt cold and desolate, like the cold, dark room he had been locked in as a child.
It had almost driven him mad.
His gaze suddenly turned cold, his obsessive expression deepening.
His eyes slowly lowered, falling upon the slender nape of her neck.
There was a vibrant flower there.
Eerily beautiful and seductive, as if poisoned.