Chapter 24: The Cipher

“Who is the lord planning to hide?” Zhou Miaotong immediately looked at him and asked.

The intimidating presence that came with Wang Lu’s identity made Zhou Miaotong lower her head to avoid his gaze when he looked at her sternly.

“Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t, and I might not even use your room,” Wang Lu said.

Zhou Miaotong thought for a moment and decided it was best to remind Wang Lu.

“We usually stay right here, but there’s a special room in the next courtyard. You said you’ve booked it for me these days, so I’ll leave the door open for the young master. Otherwise, that door is usually locked. We enter through the back door of the Warm Fragrance Pavilion; the two sides are connected.”

Having a back door was quite traditional for such establishments, even many modern massage parlors still maintain exits connecting to residential buildings.

Wang Lu nodded in approval; Zhou Miaotong’s attitude was exactly what he wanted to see.

“Good. If you cooperate like this, it won’t take long—at most half a month—you’ll be reunited with your sister and that Young Master Yan.”

As Wang Lu spoke, footsteps approached the door. The madam herself came in with attendants to arrange wine and dishes on the table for Wang Lu.

Earlier, the madam had followed Wang Lu upstairs out of concern. Seeing Young Master Yan, under Wang Lu’s threat, barely mustering a fierce word, she knew exactly how to handle the relationship between Miaotong and Wang Lu.

Since Young Master Yan, the son of the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, could only manage weak words against Wang Lu, why should Warm Fragrance Pavilion invite trouble?

Besides, this lord had already paid a fair amount. Though not much, he paid generously and straightforwardly—mainly for eating, drinking, and entertainment, enjoying himself and then leaving without fuss.

This only meant a slight loss in profit, but if they could establish some rapport with this lord, it would be an asset for the future.

High officials were out of reach, but the Jinyiwei, neither high nor low, were just the right people to cultivate ties with. Such grey-area enforcement agencies often proved the most useful.

Though in court, the Jinyiwei were often mocked and disrespected, in reality they wielded considerable power.

Wang Lu had already handed over the silver. After eight exquisite dishes were carefully placed, the madam poured herself a cup of wine and smiled obsequiously at Wang Lu.

“My lord, the wine and dishes are prepared. If you are satisfied, please allow me to toast you. The misunderstanding today is my fault for not watching over Miaotong properly. Please forgive me.”

“No repeat offenses,” Wang Lu said. “You’re Miaotong’s aunt. You can’t just take the money and do nothing. I know the money I gave you can’t match what Miaotong earns in a day, but sometimes in business, you can’t just look at the surface. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” the madam said happily upon learning Wang Lu was willing to forgive.

“My lord,” Zhou Miaotong lifted her delicate hand after Wang Lu spoke, took the wine pot, and poured him a cup, softly reminding him.

Wang Lu nodded, accepted the cup, raised it slightly toward the madam, and drank it all at once.

---

The rice wine wasn’t very strong, so it wouldn’t cause trouble.

After the madam drank her cup and left, with the beauty at his side, Wang Lu began to feast heartily.

His manners were hardly commendable—left hand holding a chicken, right hand a duck, he ate with great relish, not bothering to play the gentleman.

Unlike dining with others, Zhou Miaotong saw that Wang Lu truly had no lustful intentions toward her, so despite her fear of the flying fish garment, she stepped forward to serve him dishes or wiped his mouth during his chewing pauses.

Her meticulous care surprised Wang Lu. He had thought she was just an expressionless pretty face, but she showed a bit of service industry savvy.

After swallowing the last bite of fish, Wang Lu sighed in relief.

He had been a little tense at the temple, worried something unexpected would happen, and had even forgotten to eat.

But he remembered well—the vegetarian meal at Yong’an Temple was well deserved of its reputation, personally recommended by Pei Lun!

Next time would be the same.

After lunch, just as Wang Lu reached to wipe his mouth, a fair hand stopped his wrist.

Compared to Wang Lu’s black flying fish garment, that hand was truly as white as condensed milk.

“I’ll help you,” Zhou Miaotong said with a slight smile, using a silk cloth scented with floral fragrance to wipe his lips.

Her every frown and smile could captivate countless onlookers.

“No wonder that fool Yan Junbin risked his life to see you,” Wang Lu said, lifting Zhou Miaotong’s chin.

In a single day, he admired both sisters with the same gesture—oddly charming in its own way.

Unlike Bei Zhai’s defiant gaze, Zhou Miaotong’s eyes seemed to say: “Sir, come play with me~”

She carried an aura that invited a certain teasing kind of affection.

Zhou Miaotong continued gazing at Wang Lu, her eyes unblinking, saying: “You promised me you wouldn’t lay a hand on him.”

“Of course,” Wang Lu released her chin and stood up. “The letter has been delivered, the meal eaten. Remember to leave the door open for me tonight. Whether or not I use it, I’ll let you know.”

“Should we set a secret code?” Zhou Miaotong had a sudden idea. “I heard your Jinyiwei have secret signals when working at night. Is that true?”

---

“I know quite a bit. Then I’ll knock like this.” Wang Lu tapped twice quickly on the doorframe, then gently once more.

Knock—knock knock.

Zhou Miaotong took the table as a door, imitating the rhythm Wang Lu had just made and asked, “Like this?”

Wang Lu looked at her as if she were an idiot, then nodded deeply. Before she could celebrate, he left the room.

Zhou Miaotong felt somewhat downcast. After Wang Lu left, she was alone in the room.

Since there was no need to entertain guests, Zhou Miaotong rose and walked through the central corridor to another empty room, opened the window, and gazed down.

Just then, Wang Lu strode out of the Warm Fragrance Pavilion at the entrance. The madam accompanied him, smiling as she saw him off.

Zhou Miaotong pursed her lips, her eyes reflecting Wang Lu’s figure, and a complex emotion stirred within her heart.

Wang Lu’s legs were well-trained; the distance was not far. An hour later, he appeared near Jinling Tower in Ming Shi Square.

This place was bustling, even in the afternoon there were many pedestrians along the roadside.

Wang Lu arrived early. Calculating the time, Guo Zhen would come here in about two hours. Wang Lu began familiarizing himself with the surroundings of Ming Shi Square, continuously rehearsing escape routes in his mind.

He was determined to rescue Guo Zhen, but he would not merely save him and protect him. Instead, he would seize the opportunity to control Guo Zhen, making both Bei Zhai and Guo Zhen unbearable witnesses to Xin Wang’s torment.

The key to the treasure ship’s supervision was the second step.

When both witness and evidence were complete, it would be time to see their true intentions.

Whether they wished to die or live, they would have to reveal their stance.

Just after the hour of You, Guo Zhen finally had a chance to leave the palace.

“Wait here for me,” Guo Zhen ordered his men to stop the carriage near Jinling Tower and helped him out.