Chapter 23: Young Master Yan—True Feelings Have Never Lasted Through the Ages

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Shen Lian was in charge of Mingshi Workshop, and tonight could truly be described as a tumultuous time. Guo Zhen was summoned by a handsome young man to meet at Jinling Pavilion in Mingshi Workshop. The tavern keeper of Jinling Pavilion, three waiters, two cooks, and Guo Zhen were all slaughtered. Ling Yunkai, the chief flag bearer, upon encountering a junior flag bearer sent by Shen Lian to the government office to fetch the coroner for the autopsy, came to Jinling Pavilion with the intention of seizing jurisdiction over the case from Shen Lian.

After being rejected by Shen Lian, Ling Yunkai unexpectedly captured Yin Cheng, who had mocked Wei Zhongxian while drunk. Feeling guilty and scared, Yin Cheng immediately tried to escape but was stopped by Shen Lian. To avoid being sent to the imperial prison, Yin Cheng committed suicide on the spot.

This was the beginning of all the conspiracies.

However, Wang Lu had prepared in advance. When he found Zhou Miaotong, the origin of the conspiracy shifted from Jinling Pavilion to Nuangxiang Pavilion.

Running through the scenario in his mind was Wang Lu’s habit—he had to have a clear understanding of everything to do his best; otherwise, he would be doomed by his own mistakes, leaving no room for fate to intervene.

For example, when Guo Zhen threatened him yesterday, Wang Lu had already done all he could. He knew with 99% certainty that Guo Zhen wouldn’t kill him, and for that remaining 1%, Lu Wenzhao wouldn’t stand by and watch him die, so he was 100% confident he would survive. These were considerations he had made even before sending someone to keep an eye on Guo Zhen.

That was why he could act so fearlessly.

Unfortunately, although he had hoped to gain more clues or leverage through Guo Zhen, he found nothing beyond tracking Guo Zhen’s daily routines.

If only he hadn’t been discovered yesterday...

But that was unrealistic. Wang Lu could roughly guess that his people had been found out partly because they were new, and more importantly because Guo Zhen’s vigilance increased after receiving a message from Beizhai.

Though there were some setbacks, nothing was too surprising to Wang Lu; at worst, the gains were less than he had imagined.

The street vendors were still calling out, and just past noon, the crowd thinned. Wang Lu made no effort to conceal himself, circling the hundred-house bureau several times. Only after confirming he had no tails did he head toward Nuangxiang Pavilion.

At this hour, Huanghua District wasn’t very crowded. Wang Lu’s flying fish garment saved him much trouble, but recalling that last time Ding Baiying had escorted him all the way here, he couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh, Lord Wang is here?”

As soon as he entered Nuangxiang Pavilion, the madam approached with a flattering face. Wang Lu took out a ten-tael silver ingot and tossed it to her, saying, “Prepare the wine and dishes. Keep whatever’s left.”

The madam was overjoyed, kissed the silver, and asked, “Do you still want Miaotong to accompany you?”

“Of course,” Wang Lu replied lightly, then stepped upstairs.

The madam hurriedly stopped him, saying, “My lord, this…”

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Seeing the madam’s troubled expression, a chill crept over Wang Lu’s face as he asked, “Don’t tell me you let Miaotong entertain clients again? Old woman, are you not afraid to die?”

“No, it’s not my doing. It’s Young Master Yan—he arrived just before you did,” the madam said awkwardly.

Wang Lu had forbidden Miaotong from entertaining clients and had given silver to ensure it. It was indeed improper of her. But as the top courtesan of Nuangxiang Pavilion, Miaotong held some sway. Besides, she only wanted to entertain familiar guests, and the madam assumed Wang Lu, busy with his duties in the Embroidered Uniform Guard during the day, wouldn’t have time to visit, so it posed no real problem.

Unexpectedly, Wang Lu came in the afternoon.

The madam was puzzled—was he really that eager?

Hearing this, Wang Lu immediately ascended the stairs.

Whether she entertained clients or not was secondary; the key was whether Zhou Miaotong, suspected of being love-struck, might reveal anything to Yan Junbin.

Reaching the third floor, Wang Lu slowed his footsteps and approached quietly. Through the paper window, he noticed Yan Junbin had not yet entered and was anxiously speaking with someone inside.

Drawing closer, Wang Lu caught their conversation.

“Miaotong, let me in first! It took me a great effort to get out of my house today!”

Zhou Miaotong’s voice was cold but restrained: “Young Master Yan, it’s not that I don’t want to let you in, but that lord forbade me from entertaining clients these days. I’m doing this for your own good.”

“For my own good? He doesn’t even know when I come in now. Why should I fear him? Even if he’s rich, don’t I always pay when I visit?” Yan Junbin was desperate. Having been driven away by Wang Lu yesterday was already frustrating enough, and now Miaotong wouldn’t even open the door for him.

“This isn’t about money. If that lord finds out, you and I will both be dead.”

Yan Junbin sneered, “How could that be? No matter how fierce the Embroidered Uniform Guard is, they can’t kill without cause. Let me in and we’ll talk.”

“I don’t think so,” came Wang Lu’s voice.

Yan Junbin’s hairs stood on end. He spun around sharply, only to find Wang Lu standing behind him without his noticing.

“Young Master Yan, you’re really incorrigible. Wasn’t what I told you yesterday clear enough? You’re playing with women now, but are you willing to stake your life and your whole family’s on it?”

Wang Lu patted the sword at his waist calmly. “I don’t mind using some brainpower to fabricate charges against you. Rest assured, that’s our specialty in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

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Creak—

Zhou Miaotong opened the door and rushed out, naturally wrapping her arms around Wang Lu’s elbow.

“Lord, please let him go. He was just momentarily confused. I promise, as long as you don’t want it, I absolutely won’t let him into my room!”

“Miaotong!” Yan Junbin’s expression was miserable, like a groom on his wedding night discovering his bride’s infidelity, eyes full of grief and reluctance.

Wang Lu embraced Zhou Miaotong’s graceful figure, placing his palm gently on her waist.

“Did you hear that? If you don’t mind, you can stay outside and listen to how mighty and imposing I am. Then you’ll understand that even without this flying fish garment, Miss Miaotong would choose me over you.”

“Just you wait!” Yan Junbin’s threats sounded like a schoolboy challenging someone, drawing a smirk from Wang Lu.

Feeling utterly ashamed to stay any longer, Yan Junbin left without looking back.

Zhou Miaotong bit her lip, wanting to step forward, but Wang Lu’s grip on her waist made her body go weak, and she collapsed into his arms.

“Can’t bear to part?” Wang Lu smiled, gazing at her fair profile.

“Impatience won’t get you anywhere. You have all the chances to be affectionate later.”

With that, Wang Lu carried Zhou Miaotong into the room.

Yet, just as Miaotong thought Wang Lu might do what was usual in such a place, he instead placed her gently on the table. With a flick of his hand, a folded piece of paper appeared before her eyes.

“It’s from your sister,” Wang Lu said with a smile.

Zhou Miaotong snatched it immediately, her eyes reddened as she scanned the words.

The message from Beizhai was brief; it took only moments to finish reading. She pressed the paper against her chest, as if savoring the warmth of family within the words.

While she was absorbed, Wang Lu asked, “By the way, do you have a place to stay alone at night?”

Zhou Miaotong looked up at him, her eyes bloodshot.

“Hide someone for me,” Wang Lu smiled.